Chapter 108: By the Shores of Lake Segave

Lake Segavi.

As one of the most famous inland lakes in the central region of the Xingtong Continent, it possesses not only the breathtaking beauty that mortals crave but also the aquatic cultivation resources that wizards yearn for. Its diverse aquatic plants serve as primary ingredients for potions, while its aquatic creatures hold unique research value; indeed, many breakthroughs in biovariation at the wizard academies have been derived from studying these very specimens.

Due to its geographical proximity, Lake Segavi is controlled by the Shadow Forest Academy. Through the exchange of resources from this lake, the Shadow Forest has gained immense benefits from other academies, making it one of their most vital outposts.

Yet, this picturesque and resource-rich location has been completely transformed within the span of a single week. The Fang Blood Shadow has launched a full-scale offensive, establishing a camp to the southeast of the lake in an attempt to conquer the territory.

On the northwestern rear defensive line of Lake Segavi:

Wizards clad in combat robes patrolled with vigilance. Each of them had a small bird perched on their shoulder—a species used for communication, allowing them to instantly contact the local headquarters or their companions in the event of an emergency.

"Who goes there?!"

Suddenly, a wizard apprentice who appeared to be around twenty years old changed his expression. His internal magical power surged as he prepared himself, ready to launch an attack at any moment.

The other apprentices nearby quickly gathered around him, all looking equally vigilant.

At the entrance to the rear defensive line, two robed men emerged. They were Lin Wei and Bansani, who had arrived in response to the summons.

"We are from the Academy."

Lin Wei’s tone was calm, showing no sign of offense at the group's lack of courtesy.

"From the Academy?"

The young apprentice leading the group murmured, eyeing Lin Wei and Bansani closely. Naturally, he could not accept their identities on their word alone. "Show us your academy emblems."

Every wizard academy possessed its own unique emblem, crafted from special materials. Not only were they engraved with the academy's exclusive mark, but they could also be verified for authenticity through specific instruments.

Lin Wei and Bansani did not hesitate, producing their emblems from their sleeves. Lin Wei had intentionally avoided storing frequently used but non-essential items in his spatial ring to avoid unnecessary suspicion, as such artifacts had yet to appear on the Xingtong Continent.

The young apprentice took the emblems and held them up to the sunlight for careful inspection.

The image of a towering, ruined spire surrounded by dense forest matched the tokens Lin Wei had received upon enrollment. The apprentice rubbed the engraved lines repeatedly, his expression softening, though he remained on guard. He pulled a rhomboid-shaped, dark brown magnet from his pocket and touched it to each emblem.

"Correct, you are colleagues from the Academy..."

A smile appeared on the young apprentice’s face as he returned the emblems to them. With their identities confirmed, the tension among the surrounding guards dissipated.

"Forgive us, but these are extraordinary times, and we must be cautious," the young apprentice said apologetically. "If a spy from the Fang Blood Shadow were to slip through, the consequences would be devastating for all of us."

Bansani waved his hand, smiling to show his understanding.

Lin Wei, however, felt a strange sensation. A spy from the Fang Blood Shadow? Wasn't that exactly what he was? Yet, having received no specific instructions from Gellis, his public identity remained that of a Shadow Forest student. If a battle were to break out, he would still be expected to stand with the Shadow Forest.

"We completely understand the necessity of such measures during a critical period," Lin Wei nodded in response.

The young apprentice cast another glance at Lin Wei, sensing a faint, underlying pressure radiating from him.

"In that case, I will take you to the camp to register and assign you your duties and quarters."

He opened the magically warded fence and gestured for them to proceed.

"Thank you for the trouble."

Lin Wei and Bansani nodded in acknowledgment. They followed the young apprentice, walking in silence while unobtrusively observing and recording the surroundings.

"The camp is well-populated, but their strength is unremarkable..." Lin Wei thought, sensing the aura of the passersby. "Most are first-rank wizard apprentices, with the occasional second-rank... I haven't seen a single third-rank apprentice yet."

"It seems the main academy is under immense pressure..." Lin Wei gained a preliminary understanding of the current war situation. "Are all the elite forces held back at the headquarters? With twelve academies under such large-scale assault, just how much power has the Fang Blood Shadow accumulated? The Xingtong Continent is vast, but under the control of the Wizard Academy Alliance, where could they possibly hide such numbers and influence?"

The more Lin Wei pondered, the more astonished he became. The terror of the Fang Blood Shadow seemed to exceed his expectations. This realization left him feeling uneasy; although Gellis had secretly recruited him into the Fang Blood Shadow, Lin Wei’s nature dictated that he could not fully trust anyone.

"The registration office is here. You may go in."

The young apprentice led them to a stone building. Though it appeared large from the outside, the craftsmanship was crude, suggesting it had been erected in haste.

"Thank you."

Lin Wei and Bansani thanked the apprentice before lifting the thick door curtain and stepping inside.

Watching their backs, the young apprentice frowned in confusion. "Was that a third-rank wizard apprentice? I felt a significant amount of pressure coming from him..."

...

The interior of the stone building was much smaller than they had imagined, containing only a table and a few stools.

A middle-aged wizard with round-rimmed glasses was hunched over the table, writing intently, seemingly processing paperwork. The aura emanating from him revealed him to be a genuine, formal wizard.

"Hmm?" The middle-aged wizard looked up at Lin Wei and Bansani.

"My lord."

Lin Wei and Bansani approached the table and bowed respectfully.

Lin Wei remained composed, his expression serene. Bansani, however, appeared somewhat nervous; unlike Lin Wei, he had been away from the Shadow Forest Academy for decades and had not encountered a formal wizard in a long time. Facing one now left him feeling momentarily ill at ease.