Previously, Ivan had followed Caleb down to the lower deck of the ship, where they could see the enslaved whale through the bottom hull. Caleb introduced it as the ‘Brute Force Whale.’ There was actually an energy membrane separating the whale from the ship.
Through the energy membrane, Ivan could still sense the power of the Brute Force Whale.
However, compared to the giant whale before them, the Brute Force Whale seemed like ‘a small fish in a big pond.’
The giant whale clearly noticed the sorcerer’s ship. Accompanied by the roaring waves, it turned its massive body around. Its huge eyes stared at the sorcerer’s ship from afar, bringing an immense pressure to everyone on board.
“Brother Cody, it’s not here to cause trouble, is it?” Pearney couldn’t help asking from a position slightly behind on the ship as Cody stepped out.
“Are you asking about the Brute Force Whale?” Seeing both of them nod, Cody said calmly, “Relax, just like humans, whales are divided into different races. Do you think this Deep Sea Ridge Whale and the Brune Force Whale belong to the same race?
Clearly not. Once you reach Moon Pincer Peninsula, you will find many intelligent creatures, of all shapes and colors. We humans are just one among them, and so is the Deep Sea Ridge Whale. It probably won’t attack us without good reason.”
Cody’s calmness infected the two of them, greatly relieving their worries.
That’s when the Deep Sea Ridge Whale spoke, “Human sorcerers on the other side, I’ve heard you like to trade. I’ve found something good at the bottom of the sea. Shall we talk?”
Someone from the second floor replied, it was Sorcerer Ungar, “My apologies, Your Excellency, but we’ve brought nothing of value with us.”
As the sorcerer declined, Ivan noticed an increase in the energy fluctuations on the ship.
Ivan and Pearney instinctively looked towards Cody.
Cody’s tone remained light, “Minor issue. Usually, intelligent creatures who say things like that are looking to rob us.”
A minor issue?
The other two exchanged glances, suddenly feeling it might be better to go back inside.
“Relax, we’ve entered our territory now. Keep an eye on the front; it’s coming.” Before they could act, Cody gestured for them to look at the sea.
As his words fell, the Deep Sea Ridge Whale, agitated by the rejection, began charging toward the sorcerer’s ship. Its grand momentum made those on board the sorcerer’s ship feel the overwhelming force.
Suddenly, the sea surface churned as a spinning point emerged, quickly turning into a vortex on the ocean, positioned right between the Deep Sea Ridge Whale and the sorcerer’s ship.
“This is the ‘Power of Flash Vortex’ controlled by the Academy. When our kind landed on Moon Pincer Peninsula, we used it to counter the Sea Race in the sea, keeping them sternly behind the barriers, much like a natural moat.”
As Cody spoke, the ocean whirlpool grew higher and higher. In no time, its spinning range had exceeded the size of the Deep Sea Ridge Whale and the ocean waves become even more fierce.
On the same side as the great ocean whirlpool, the sorcerers were steady. In contrast, the Deep Sea Ridge Whale was being tugged by the vortex. It had sensed the danger ahead and knew it could not force its way through.
“Human sorcerers, you’re lucky this time.”
After hesitating for two or three seconds, the Deep Sea Ridge Whale retreated unwillingly, its massive body sinking back into the sea.
A herd of giant beasts had withdrawn, but the recent events remained deeply etched in Ivan’s mind, leaving him with a considerable impact. He marveled at the celestial forces under human control—being a sorcerer was indeed a remarkable profession.
On the sea surface, the great vortex did not dissipate directly; instead, it turned into a current. It carried both the Brute Force Whale and the sorcerer’s ship forward, accelerating the ship and transforming it into a swiftly gliding vessel.
By noon, land appeared in sight. The swiftly sailing sorcerer’s ship slowed down and gradually docked at a temporary pier.
There, another ship was waiting, and not far off, an airship.
“Sorcerer Ungar, Sorcerer Bernardson, has everything been smooth sailing?”
“Fair enough, we just encountered a Deep Sea Ridge Whale near the bay’s edge.”
“Oh, that’s truly an unlucky Deep Sea Ridge Whale.”
One sorcerer from each of the ships and airship disembarked and came aboard the sorcerer’s ship carrying the new recruits.
Soon, all apprentices were summoned to the front deck, and the newcomers realized that there were two additional sorcerers on board, evidently from different academies.
“I am Blume from Freezing Crow Fortress Academy. Those whose names I call, step off the ship immediately and wait on the academy’s airship over there,” announced one of the sorcerers, stepping forward.
It was only then that the crowd on the deck noticed the airship not far away. The airship was smaller than the sorcerer’s ship, with a floating beast hide sphere tethered by ropes to the ship, and a burning bonfire below.
The novices had no time to marvel at the novelty; it was the moment to determine everyone’s allocation. It turned out that which academy one would attend was not their decision to make, but rather assigned directly by the sorcerers—an issue so crucial to their futures that they couldn’t help but pay close attention.
“Ryan Hope.”
“Terron McDarwin.”
“——“
Ivan knew he only belonged to Mongna Ant Land Cottage; it was impossible for Freezing Crow Fortress to call his name. Counting one by one, he saw a total of 45 people disembark to the airship nearby.
Most of these novices came from Waves Dukedom.
After the roll call, Blume didn’t hurry off.
Another sorcerer from Tranquil Steeple announced their academy’s list, calling out the names of 45 people, mostly from Rock Wolf Dukedom. Those called stepped off the ship onto another vessel nearby.
Then, Sorcerer Bernardson read out the list for Mongna Ant Land Cottage, comprising 36 people, including Pearney and others from Aromatic Wheat Dukedom, as well as some individuals from Fluttering Wind Kingdom.
Ivan paid special attention to those remaining. Counting Pearney, there were also 45 novices left, indicating that only his academy had fewer people. He suspected that it had something to do with Toyennes stirring trouble, unquestionably putting the academy at a disadvantage. Discover hidden content at empire
At this thought, he frowned inwardly, hoping it wouldn’t involve him.
Once the two sorcerers had left, the ship continued its journey.
Half an hour later, the sorcerer’s ship docked at a port, and Sorcerer Bernardson called for the newcomers to disembark.
Ivan discovered that the port was in a small, concave bay with seven or eight ships moored there, belonging to a small town akin to Flying Fish Port. The town’s area seemed no smaller than that of Flying Fish Port.
Other buildings were noticeably distant from the port dock, making the dock appear empty, and evidence of past battles could be seen.
“Sorcerer Bernardson, it’s a pleasure to serve you.”
“Thank you for your efforts, Bieron.”
The dock wasn’t busy when they disembarked, and they were immediately met by a group of six-legged horses. The lead six-legged horse greeted Bernardson, apparently there to transport the novices to the Sorcerers Academy.
The arrival of the group of six-legged horses didn’t disturb the order of the dock. Following Bernardson’s instructions, each newcomer chose a horse to ride, and the procession didn’t head into the town but instead took a detour, heading straight into the distance.
Ivan and Cody followed at the back of the group when suddenly he felt a sensation from the Secret Method Seal Bead—an artifact Pearney had left him with.
‘Ivan, here’s another piece of free advice for you. Remember to pay a bit more tuition, and take care of yourself,’ the message from Pearney entered his ears as he quietly activated the Secret Method Seal Bead.
What does that mean?
A question mark formed in Ivan’s mind. He tried to contact Pearney, only to find no response from the Secret Method Seal Bead, likely due to the distance between them being beyond its range of communication. He had no choice but to keep her words in mind.