Inside the teleportation channel, streams of energy roared past. Ryan felt a sudden darkness swallow his vision. When he opened his eyes again, the world around him was an endless void.

  All senses had been stripped away. There was no ground beneath his feet, nothing supporting him. It felt as if he were floating in infinite nothingness.

  "Evelyn! What is going on? Why can't I see anything?"

  Panic instantly colored Ryan's tone, carrying just the right amount of fear. Instinctively, he reached for Evelyn, who stood beside him, her scent faint in the air.

  He wrapped his arms around her, practically pressing himself against her.

  "Let go." Evelyn's voice echoed in the darkness. She lifted her hand to pry his arms off, but Ryan clung to her as if glued in place, not budging at all.

  "Where are we? I am scared! Where did we get teleported to?" Ryan stammered, voice trembling.

  "Why can't I feel the ground? Are we going to be trapped in this darkness forever?"

  He deliberately amplified his fear. As someone supposedly experiencing cross-continental teleportation for the first time, such a reaction was perfectly normal. It would not raise suspicion, and it gave him a natural excuse to stay close to Evelyn. A perfect two benefits in one move.

  In the darkness, Evelyn's eyes flickered. Her brows tightened slightly before she activated her innate magic, Ancient Frost Pupils.

  A faint magical radiance flashed across her eyes. The pitch-black void instantly became visible.

  But aside from seeing the seven people beside her, the entire space remained a vast emptiness. Only the turbulent energy currents howled freely around them.

  She turned to look at her right arm. Ryan was still plastered to her, his face full of panic, eyes darting everywhere, behaving exactly like any ordinary person confronted with an unknown danger.

  It seemed this truly was his first cross-continental teleportation.

  Unexpectedly, a faint sense of empathy rippled through Evelyn's heart, bringing back memories of her own first teleportation.

  The same boundless darkness.

  The same groundless floating sensation.

  The same fear and helplessness threatening to consume her.

  Back then, she had no one she could lean on.

  She could only swallow all her fear, bury every ounce of helplessness deep inside, forcing herself to appear calm. Only when she saw light again did her tightly wound nerves loosen slightly.

  That crushing sense of being swallowed by darkness, that helpless isolation, could only be understood by those who had lived through it.

  Evelyn looked at Ryan's panicked profile. The hand she had raised to push him away slowly lowered again, as if silently allowing his dependence.

  At least he still has me to rely on now.

  That thought surfaced unexpectedly, even surprising herself.

  She had never imagined she would one day become someone else's source of support.

  "Mentor! What is happening!" Derrick's frightened voice echoed from not far away.

  "My legs are completely numb! And I cannot see anything! Did the teleportation array malfunction? Are we going to die in here?"

  Inside the void teleportation channel, Darlene smacked the back of Derrick's head with a sharp crack that echoed crisply through the emptiness.

  "Ah! Who hit me!"

  Derrick instantly shifted into a defensive stance.

  "I must find the coward who dared to ambush me," he muttered in his heart, every muscle tensing.

  Another crisp flick landed on his head, followed by Darlene's voice."What are you screaming for? This is normal weightlessness during cross-continental teleportation."

  Derrick was stunned into silence. He let out two weak sounds of acknowledgment, obediently dropped his defensive stance, and dared not shout again.

  A few stifled laughs echoed around them, bright and clear in the darkness.

  Faced with the same fear of teleportation, Ryan received Evelyn's gentle protection, while Derrick received Darlene's"physical correction."

  The contrast was sharp and unintentionally hilarious.

  Aside from Evelyn, who could see with Ancient Frost Pupils, and Ryan, who merely pretended to panic while staying perfectly aware, the other five had fallen into a strange sensory illusion.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  The void was too empty. With nothing to use as a reference and extreme speed creating an illusion of absolute stillness, it felt as if their bodies had been frozen in the dark.

  The endless darkness and rootless floating made fear rise from deep within Derrick's chest.

  He no longer dared to move recklessly. Instinctively, he drifted toward the nearest person, seeking even the slightest sense of safety.

  "Who is that!"

  Darlene suddenly felt something bump into her chest. The unexpected contact in the dark startled her, and she let out a sharp scold.

  Derrick recognized her presence beside him from her breathing."I… I am a little scared."

  "Do not lean on me!" Darlene snapped, though her voice lacked true anger.

  Derrick did not respond, simply edging a bit closer. Feeling a living person nearby soothed the fear gnawing at his heart.

  To her own surprise, Darlene did not push him away this time. Perhaps the loneliness of the void made her silently allow this awkward companionship.

  Within the emptiness, aside from occasional breaths, only the roaring energy currents filled the silence.

  Leaning against Evelyn's shoulder, Ryan listened to the small commotion behind them with secret amusement.

  Even here, this bickering duo could not stop quarrelling, yet ended up relying on each other without realizing.

  ...

  Central Continent, Sanctum of the Sacred Sword.

  Inside the council pavilion beside the teleportation plaza, the Sanctum Master and several mentors sat together.

  They appeared relaxed as they chatted, but their eyes repeatedly drifted toward the massive cross-continental teleportation formation, barely hiding their anticipation.

  "I heard the South Territory sent five gifted apprentices. I only need one."

  "You think saying it means it is yours?" someone retorted immediately."They will reach their full potential only under me."

  "Enough, all of you!"

  An elderly woman with snow-white hair tapped the table, a heavy earth-element pressure rolling from her.

  Their casual conversation quickly escalated into heated arguing. No one backed down. It looked like they were only one sentence away from a real fight.

  After all, rare elemental talent was extremely precious. Apprentices with such gifts learned far faster and resonated with specific elements, their future achievements limitless.

  Claiming even one apprentice could bring tremendous benefits to one's faction and prestige to the academy.

  No one wanted to miss the chance.

  "Silence."

  The Sanctum Master, seated at the head, raised a hand. His single word instantly crushed every argument.

  The mentors fell quiet at once, all turning toward him, waiting for his decision.

  Allocation of core academy resources and apprentice assignment ultimately depended on the Sanctum Master.

  He spoke slowly."The apprentices with Light Element and Lunar Element talent will be taught by me personally. The remaining three, you may discuss among yourselves."

  His words nearly made several mentors fall out of their seats.

  "Thank you very much, Sanctum Master!" They could only bow respectfully.

  In their hearts, they knew very well that with their own strength and status, they were not qualified to teach apprentices with Light Element or Lunar Element affinity.

  These two top-tier magical talents were extremely special. Even the slightest mistake could cause an energy backlash. Only someone at the level of the Sanctum Master could guide them with precision.

  At that moment, the cross-continental teleportation array ahead suddenly emitted the sound of energy rapidly activating. A brilliant magical barrier rose at once, enveloping the entire formation.

  "They are here!"

  Everyone instantly shifted from their earlier quarrel into a serious state. Their gazes became sharp and solemn as they watched the teleportation array.

  These gifted apprentices would shape the future of the Academy. There was no room for even the smallest mistake.

  Seven silhouettes appeared at the center of the array, and the magical barrier slowly faded away.

  "You are the apprentices sent by the South Territory Sword Mage Academy?"

  The Sanctum Master was the first to speak.

  The Mentors sat properly on the magic stone chairs on both sides, deliberately restraining their aura to highlight the Sanctum Master's status.

  "Greetings, honored Mentors!"

  Charlie, Giles, and Lydia immediately bowed, their movements proper and respectful.

  "Why are the four of you not paying respects?"

  Someone frowned and asked, displeasure clearly in his tone.

  He also found it strange. The Sword Mage Academy clearly stated there would be five students. Why were there seven?

  Ryan felt a hint of annoyance but did not show it.

  He despised this type of posturing. In terms of true age, he and Evelyn had already surpassed these people long ago, having experienced reincarnation.

  Back in the day, when he advanced to Grand Magus, he had never bothered to put on airs. At most, he occasionally released some aura to look impressive.

  "It is fine. Formalities are meaningless."

  The Sanctum Master waved his hand dismissively, though his gaze lingered on Ryan and Evelyn with clear interest.

  "You two, come here."

  His eyes finally fell on Derrick and Darlene. With just one glance, he saw through the elemental energies within them.

  The subtle fluctuations of Solar Flame and Lunar Yin could be concealed from most, but not from him.

  Ryan instantly understood. It seemed the former Sanctum Master of the Sanctum of the Sacred Sword from ten thousand years ago had already retired.

  He quickly scanned this Sanctum Master's information:

  【Name: Vaelor】

  【Position: Sanctum Master of the Sanctum of the Sacred Sword】

  【Magic Rank: Fifth tier Elder Mage】

  【Life-bound Weapon: Heavenly Blaze Sword】

  A mid-stage Fifth tier Elder Mage was indeed someone they needed to be cautious around.

  After all, once past the Fifth tier, every advancement was a qualitative leap.

  Derrick hesitated and instinctively looked at Ryan. Ryan gave him a small nod, a reassuring signal.

  They stepped forward toward Vaelor.

  "Are you willing to take me as your Mentor?" Vaelor asked with a touch of anticipation in his eyes.

  "I am willing!"

  Darlene answered almost instantly. Judging from the attitude others held toward Vaelor, she knew he was undeniably a top-level powerhouse. Becoming his apprentice would guarantee an extraordinary future.

  "I am not willing!"

  Derrick rejected the offer outright. His tone was firm and without the slightest hesitation.

  His sudden answer shocked everyone present. Even Vaelor froze for a moment, speechless.

  "He is willing!"

  Ryan hurried forward, standing beside Derrick and speaking toward Vaelor while discreetly nudging Derrick with his elbow.

  "Mentor..." Derrick tried to say more, but Ryan cut him off immediately.

  "Just remember that I am still your Mentor in the future."

  Ryan knew too well how beneficial it would be for Derrick to acknowledge Vaelor.

  "Well, you are the Sanctum Master of the Sanctum of the Sacred Sword, correct?"

  Ryan turned to Vaelor with a politely respectful smile, though he already knew the answer.

  "Yes." Vaelor nodded slightly.

  Ryan smoothly continued,"I spent a lot of resources teaching him magic before. Times were not exactly easy..."

  Vaelor gave him a sidelong glance. So he is here to ask me for resources.