A Wizard Apprentice must address a Formal Wizard as "Lord."

  This is an unwritten, yet absolutely ironclad rule of the Wizarding World.

  It has nothing to do with age, seniority, or background; it is born purely out of respect—and fear—for absolute power.

  Vance's demeanor at this moment undoubtedly confirmed Pierce's suspicion.

  Pierce asked with interest, "How did you know?"

  Vance bowed his head respectfully, not daring to meet Pierce's gaze directly. "When you entered the spell laboratory, you rented it for three months in a single transaction. This matter spread quickly through the academy like wildfire. Many speculated that you were preparing to condense your Spirit Crystal."

  "So, the moment you emerged alive, everyone knew you must have succeeded."

  Pierce nodded noncommittally.

  He knew Vance was certainly omitting the uglier, darker parts of the rumors.

  The guess about the Spirit Crystal was likely true, but he had been secluded for over two and a half months. This far exceeded the normal time required for condensation. There had likely been no shortage of malicious speculation—that he had failed the breakthrough and was recovering from severe backlash, or perhaps that he had simply died inside and was rotting away.

  That explained why the other apprentices looked as if they had seen a ghost when he appeared.

  Of course, Vance would never dare speak such offensive words to his face now.

  Pierce didn't expose him. He smiled, nodded at Vance, and walked away.

  Watching Pierce’s receding back, Vance sighed with a deeply complicated expression.

  Crossing the threshold of a Wizard meant that from this day forward, whether in status, power, or lifespan, they belonged to fundamentally different worlds.

  Before, he could still call Pierce "Junior Brother." Now, he could only look up from the dirt.

  Garden No. 8.

  Stepping into the familiar herb garden again, Pierce’s perception was completely transformed.

  Under his new, high-fidelity mental scan, he could clearly feel the spatial fluctuations rippling through the garden like waves in a pond, as well as a significant number of hidden magical signatures.

  The latter mainly emanated from various wards and spell traps concealed within the lush foliage.

  Because he held a pass, Pierce could only vaguely sense the dormant traps. If an outsider dared to wander here without authorization, they would likely be obliterated by the layered defenses before taking ten steps.

  "A Wizard's mental scan is indeed powerful. It can identify low-level spell traps effortlessly, equivalent to a passive Detect Traps spell always being active."

  Not long after, Pierce arrived at the door of Morven's potion room.

  Just as he raised his hand to knock, Morven's voice drifted out.

  "Come in."

  When Pierce pushed the door open, Morven had just completed the final refinement of a potion. He casually corked the crystal vial, turned around to look Pierce up and down, and a gratified, genuine smile slowly spread across his face.

  He took a single step forward, space seemingly folding beneath his feet as he appeared instantly in front of Pierce. He reached out and patted Pierce’s shoulder firmly.

  "Congratulations. From today on, you are one of us."

  "Thank you." Pierce could feel Morven's sincerity; the old Wizard was truly happy for his advancement.

  "I heard you stayed in the laboratory for over two months?" Morven gestured for Pierce to sit.

  Pierce pulled up a chair and replied, "I spent some time testing the changes in my body and magic after the advancement."

  This was the excuse he had prepared long ago. Spending seventy-five days to condense a crystal was too shocking to reveal casually.

  Morven didn't doubt him. He skipped the topic and mused, "According to Academy regulations, once a student advances to Formal Wizard, they automatically graduate. You must leave the Academy unless you are willing to sign a contract to stay as a mentor."

  "But I assume you will not choose that path."

  Pierce nodded, his expression turning serious. "Teacher, I plan to go to the Plane of Turin."

  Hearing this, Morven wasn't surprised. "With your talent, the Planar Battlefield is indeed the most suitable crucible for you."

  "Towering trees cannot be grown in a greenhouse. Only in the fires of a planar war can you grow faster."

  "But before that, you should spend some time consolidating your strength."

  Pierce agreed. The Planar Battlefield was a meat grinder; he wouldn't step foot in it without full preparation.

  "However, there are different ways to enter the battlefield."

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Morven raised his hand slightly. Two badges materialized on the table between them.

  One was black and red, the color of dried blood, emitting a palpable aura of violence. On its face were two scarlet gauntlets clasped together.

  The other was pale silver, featuring an open book with a dove flying through the pages.

  Morven pointed to the black-and-red badge. "You can join the Silver Legion's Witch Hunt Squad and enter as a military officer."

  "Although you must obey orders and lose some freedom, it is easier to obtain resources. Any spoils Aurora City gains from the war are prioritized for the Legion."

  Then, Morven pointed to the silver badge.

  "Or, you can enter as a Free Wizard. You complete various commissions issued by the Legion for pay. This offers more freedom, but resources are limited. Many rare strategic materials are either restricted or have exorbitant exchange rates for non-military personnel."

  "Which path do you choose?"

  Pierce frowned, pondering for a few seconds. He glanced at Morven and probed, "Which one do you think is better for me, Teacher?"

  Morven seemed to expect the question. He smiled. "I suggest the second one."

  "Why?" Pierce was surprised.

  He had assumed his teacher would suggest the Legion. After all, the military offered more resources, conducive to rapid growth.

  Privately, Pierce leaned toward the Free Wizard route. If he joined the army, he would have to keep his mental reserves full for combat readiness, which would hinder his ability to use the Eye of Omniscience for long-term calculations.

  But Morven didn't know about the Eye. So why the suggestion?

  Morven narrowed his eyes, suddenly asking an unrelated question.

  "Do you know the Wizard realms beyond the Crystallization phase?"

  Pierce paused, then shook his head. The Wizard's Codex only covered Ranks 1 through 3. Anything beyond was blank.

  Morven explained slowly.

  "After a Wizard completes the full crystallization of three Spirit Crystals, they face a choice of ascension paths."

  "One is Mental Elementalization—the Elemental Path."

  "The second is fusing with the bloodline of ancient creatures—the Bloodline Path."

  "Leaving aside the pros and cons, these two paths are mutually incompatible. Once chosen, there is no turning back. Mixing them leads to severe injury, regression of power, or a completely severed path forward."

  "Therefore, every Wizard must choose a faction. This has evolved into the two major powers of our world: the Elemental Faction and the Bloodline Faction."

  Pierce’s expression shifted. He vaguely understood where this was going.

  "It seems you have guessed it," Morven said with a faint smile.

  "Due to conflicting philosophies, the two factions often clash. This happens in many Wizard Cities."

  "In some cities, one faction dominates completely, suppressing the other, leading to a forced peace."

  "But in cities where the factions are balanced, or one side holds only a slight advantage without total dominance, the situation becomes... subtle."

  Pierce nodded.

  A stalemate was more dangerous than a tyranny. It was a bomb waiting to go off.

  And according to Morven, Aurora City fell into the latter category.

  Wait.

  Pierce realized something.

  Of the Five Great Families in Aurora City, the Pierce, and other two families were all bloodline users. They belonged to the Bloodline Faction.

  The Yuna and G families were clearly Elementalists.

  So, the Bloodline Faction held the upper hand in Aurora City.

  Pierce suddenly felt enlightened.

  No wonder Morven had accepted him so readily.

  Yuna was Morven's disciple, placing Morven in the Elemental camp. Pierce, a 'Bloodless' exile from House Pei who had killed Pacey, was a natural ally. He had shown exceptional talent, making him a prime recruit for the Elemental Faction.

  Even if his potion talent hadn't been revealed, Morven likely would have accepted him purely for political reasons.

  Seeing Pierce lost in thought, Morven waited patiently.

  Soon, Pierce recovered, his gaze calm.

  Morven’s eyes flashed with approval. He added, "Although the Bloodline Path offers explosive growth in the early stages, it has fatal flaws. No matter how high they soar now, they will eventually taste the bitter fruit of their limits."

  There was a deeper meaning in those words, but before Pierce could ask, Morven changed the subject.

  "The main forces of the Legion conquering the Turin Plane are controlled by the Pei, Meng, and Yan families. If you join the Silver Legion, they will target you by any means necessary."

  He looked at Pierce with a sigh.

  A seventeen-year-old Formal Wizard. Even the arrogant Bloodline Families could not ignore such a threat.

  Pierce frowned.

  The conquest of the Turin Plane involved massive interests, yet the main force was controlled by the Bloodline Faction? The Elemental Faction's position sounded precarious.

  Yet, Morven seemed unbothered, calm and composed. It didn't add up.

  Is there inside information I don't know?

  "Forget it. That is for the high command to worry about," Pierce decided. "I need to look out for myself."

  Suppressing his doubts, Pierce said solemnly, "In that case, Teacher, I will enter the Planar Battlefield as a Free Wizard."

  Morven nodded. "Good. Also, Peyton is in the Turin Plane. He was on the verge of breaking through to the Rank 1 Crystalline Phase, but recently, the God-Flesh Golem has drained much of his mental power. He is struggling just to maintain his rank. A breakthrough is out of the question."

  He glanced at Pierce, his tone indifferent. "If you make a move, keep your hands clean."

  Pierce understood immediately.

  Then, Morven tossed something to him.

  Pierce caught it reflexively. It was a ring.

  Faint spatial fluctuations emanated from it. A Spatial Ring, and it felt heavy with contents.

  "A gift for your advancement," Morven said. "Also, if anyone else offers you gifts in the coming days, do not be polite. Accept them all."

  Pierce was stunned but seeing Morven wave his hand in dismissal, he bowed and took his leave.

  "Elemental Faction and Bloodline Faction..."

  Walking out of the potion room, Pierce looked back at the closed wooden door, his eyes glittering.

  He hadn't expected the calm surface of Aurora City to hide such turbulence. And he was now a part of it.

  However, he didn't mind. He and House Pei were enemies by destiny. Joining the Elemental Faction was the logical choice.

  As for politics... he would deal with it as it came. For now, his priority was strength.

  Leaving Garden No. 8, Pierce intended to head to the Logistics Department. However, he saw two Wizards in white robes standing by the roadside.

  Apprentices bowed to them as they passed, but the two Wizards ignored them, conversing in low tones.

  When they saw Pierce emerge, however, their faces lit up with warm, professional smiles as they walked over.

  "Congratulations on your advancement, Lord Pierce."

  "Congratulations, indeed."

  "Thank you." Pierce hesitated. "You are...?"

  The older Wizard on the right spoke first. "My name is Yancey."

  He pointed to the slightly portly Wizard beside him. "This is Eunon. We are from the Wizard Management Department under the Council. We received orders to escort Lord Pierce to the Inner City."

  The Wizard Management Department.

  Pierce recalled the name. They were the bureaucratic arm of the Council of Dawn, responsible for non-combat administrative affairs, including settling new Wizards into the Inner City.

  He had expected them, just not this quickly.

  Sensing his surprise, Yancey flattered him with a smile. "Lord Pierce is the only genius in a century to advance before eighteen. For an elite like you, our Department naturally prioritizes efficiency."

  "Exactly," Eunon nodded in agreement.

  Perhaps due to their administrative roles, Yancey and Eunon lacked the gloomy, detached aura typical of combat Wizards. They felt more grounded.

  At least, they did when facing him.

  "Then I will trouble you two," Pierce said politely.

  "You are too kind, Lord Pierce." Yancey waved his hand. "Shall we depart?"

  "Lead the way."

  "Please, follow us."

  Yancey gestured, and a luxurious carriage parked nearby rolled forward.

  "Teleportation and long-distance movement spells are prohibited around the Ring of Truth. We must travel by carriage."

  Pierce nodded and boarded the carriage with them.

  Accompanied by the rhythmic rumble of wheels, the carriage moved smoothly, carrying them out of the academy and toward the heart of the city.