Dago returned to the Wizard Inn, where he found Serena and told her of his decision.
Serena did not feign anything or show any sentimentality regarding his decision; it was a respect for one's own life that she understood.
“In a Wizard’s battle, I really am a burden to Dago,” was the cruel truth buried deep in Serena’s heart that she was unwilling to admit.
Once or twice might have been luck, but what about three or four times? Perhaps if it had been her group resting in the watchtower, she would have been the one to die, not Old Marico.
In her short life, she hadn't lived a peaceful existence, always hovering between 'almost' and 'should have been.' Some might find it tragic, but she didn't.
Because she had met the two most stunning beams of light in her bleak life.
She bit her lip, thought in silence for a long time, and finally nodded gently.
Dago breathed a sigh of relief; he really didn't want to experience any melodramatic scenes.
Time quickly moved to noon. At the airship platform behind the Academy Castle, a huge airship, like a mining truck, lay across the platform.
The other four must have gone out to sweep the forest for Black Robe Wizards.
Dago took out his storage pouch and handed it to Serena, explaining its use.
He had already erased his mental imprint from the storage pouch, which contained a good amount of intermediate magic stones and another exquisite runic robe.
“This is my initial investment in you. Whether you grow big and strong in the future is up to you, Serena,” Dago said to her with a smile.
“I will, Boss,” Serena replied, using a new word she had learned from Dago.
Then, she also took out a piece of paper from her embrace and handed it to Dago, saying, “Boss, this is the address of my hometown. Remember to come find me after you’re done with your work.”
Dago took the paper, which still carried Serena’s body warmth, put it into his storage ring, waved his hand, and said nothing.
He led Serena to an entrance beneath the airship. The two of them looked so tiny beneath this beast-like airship.
Dago handed his gold card to the serious-faced middle-aged Wizard guarding the airship’s entrance.
The middle-aged Wizard inserted the gold card into a testing device next to him. After a long 'beep,' he said to the two, “One ticket per person, hurry and get on board.”
Serena was not in a hurry to enter, lowering her head as if frozen, seemingly searching for a reason to go in.
Seeing this, Dago directly pushed her into the entrance. She turned back, looking at Dago with reluctance.
Dago’s heart softened, and he whispered, “Getting on the airship doesn’t mean we’ll never see each other again. I promise I’ll come find you. From now on, I won’t be by your side, so you need to be more independent and self-reliant. Do you understand what I mean, Serena?”
Serena then nodded and entered the airship cabin without looking back, as if she had made some kind of decision.
“Whoosh~~ Whoosh~~”
The power of the rune array on the airship created strong winds, making the exquisite robes of the Academy Wizards on the platform flap loudly.
From their robes, these were all Wizards with higher status and strength in the Academy, here to bid farewell to their family or friends.
As the silver patterns on the airship grew brighter, it slowly lifted off the ground.
On the airship’s deck, Serena’s gray hair was disheveled by the wind, adding a touch of liveliness to her face.
She vigorously waved goodbye to Dago below.
This was also the first time Dago had clearly seen Serena’s eyes. They were like stars twinkling in the night sky, bright and deep, with clear pupils that seemed to hold a spring of water.
Dago also waved, wondering if he was setting himself up for failure.
It wasn’t until the airship became a tiny black dot, completely disappearing into the clouds, that Dago turned and left the airship platform, slowly returning the way he came.
With Serena’s departure, Dago felt as if a weight had been lifted from his heart, and he experienced a sense of calm and relaxation.
Old Marico’s passing had a great impact on Dago, which was one of the reasons he sent Serena away first.
As for what came next, Dago could finally let go and boldly cultivate advanced Wizardry.
He had almost forgotten that before coming to the Town, he was a hunter in the forest.
..........
Dago walked with light steps on the snowy street, occasionally analyzing where the best lurking spots were.
With the improvement of his Meditation Technique, his memory had greatly improved, allowing him to easily remember all the ambush points and escape routes of the entire Town.
Urban alley combat has always been a nightmare in war, because detection-type Wizards cannot see through stone walls. You never know when a rogue might pop out from a corner to ambush you, casting Wizardry at close range, which even a god would struggle to save you from.
Passing by the notice board outside the Wizard Hall, Dago stopped to take a look.
There weren't many wandering Wizards gathered by the notice board now, just a dozen or so, their voices rising and falling in discussion, all with joyful expressions on their faces, indicating good news.
The content of the employment orders hadn't changed much. Considering that many employed Wizards couldn't even last a month, their wages had all been converted to daily-paid magic stones.
However, basically no foolish Wizard would choose to sign any employment contract anymore. The Apprentice Wizards in the Town who could be deceived had mostly died off.
Many bounty notices, issued in the form of tasks, had been added to the bottom of the notice board. These were open to all the remaining Wizards in the Town.
This time, to win the war, the Academy had mobilized all its resources to rally the Wizards in the Town, truly preparing for a significant expenditure.
For a semi-Academy, semi-wandering Wizard like Dago, who didn't have a mentor at the Academy and was left unsupervised after Viser's death, he could naturally accept bounty tasks.
If he were a Formal Academy student, he would most likely be sent by an Academy mentor to carry out high-risk combat missions that could cost him his life at any moment.
The rewards after each task were bolded and emphasized with eye-catching fluorescent paint—potions to increase spiritual power, low-tier magical artifacts, magic stones, boat tickets to leave the Academy, and even the chance to become a Formal Wizard’s apprentice.
Dago’s gaze lingered on the first reward for a moment. On this notice board, that was the only thing that truly held some appeal for him.
Most of the tasks involved killing Black Robe Wizards from the Dark Blood Council. One Black Robe Wizard could be exchanged for three potions that increase spiritual power.
Adding to the spoils that Black Robe Wizards themselves possessed, Dago's greed stirred slightly.
“My spiritual power has already transformed; I’m only short of accumulating spiritual power to become a half-step Wizard. Potions that increase spiritual power can greatly accelerate this process.”
“Conversely, the best and most tempting reward for wandering Wizards is the most useless for him. Regardless of the authenticity of the reward, he already has a path to becoming a Formal Wizard.”
Thinking of this, Dago once again thanked Viser for his selfless gift.
To become a Formal Wizard faster, Dago was willing to take risks.
However, thinking of the night of destruction in the North of the Town yesterday, and the battle between the two Formal Wizards Dago witnessed, he still felt lingering fear.
Although hunting Apprentice Wizards was a piece of cake for him, if he encountered a Formal Wizard, he would likely be reduced to ashes.
“I still need to be cautious. I’ll wait until my strength is greater, at least enough to have the ability to escape from a Formal Wizard.”
Dago thought this to himself.
Only when the Ice Crystal Technique and Ice Crystal Cannon skills advanced to transformation would his combat power undergo a qualitative change.
“I still need to cultivate and improve more. Spiritual power and Wizardry, both must be grasped, and both must be strong.”
Dago shook his head, withdrawing his gaze from the notice board.
Now, he had returned to a solitary state, with fewer worries, but also more focused.
The next focus would be on cultivation and improvement points, and, while ensuring his absolute safety, embarking on the hunt for Black Robe Wizards who had entered the Town, in exchange for the mission rewards from the Wizard Hall.