Heir of Synthesis: The World Mage

Inside the outer sect, in the central region, there was a massive battle arena. It was where disciples went whenever they wanted to train in real battles against one another. Normally, however, it remained empty.

At the start of that day, the arena suddenly became filled with activity.

Several hundred disciples entered the area. Among them were Dandara, Lumiere, and around two dozen disciples from Priam’s faction. At the same time, Walhart also arrived with several dozen disciples from his faction.

Everyone wore tense and confused expressions.

Standing before them was a group of eleven people who immediately stood out. Ten of them were young Mage Disciples.

At the center of the group stood a tall man with long golden hair tied behind his back, an imposing physique, and a strikingly handsome face. The space around him rippled slightly. A strange energy radiated from his body. It was as if he had completely merged with heaven and earth.

A single glance was enough to realize that he was an extremely high-level Sage.

The moment the group entered the arena, a firm female voice echoed through the area.

”Senior, why did you force my disciples to come to the battle arena? You informed us of your visit at the last minute, and now you’re acting so strangely.”

The blond man smiled, looking toward an elevated area of the arena.

The day before, the outer sect had been informed that people from another outer branch would be paying a visit. They didn’t explain why, only that they wanted to meet the new disciples and requested to be escorted by the two strongest newly recruited factions.

It was certainly suspicious.

But the request had come from the 8th Outer Branch. Refusing them wasn’t an option.

A last-minute mission was issued to the number one and number two factions.

Dandara and Walhart saw the generous reward being offered and immediately accepted, welcoming the visitors from that branch. Naturally, they assumed it would only be an Elder accompanied by a few ordinary disciples.

As soon as they arrived, the group carefully observed both factions, asked a few simple questions, and then immediately led everyone straight to the battle arena.

The whole thing caused quite a stir. One of the branch’s Elders had been watching the situation and immediately alerted Mishnar, who came to see what was going on.

”Hahaha... Elder Leader of the 11th Branch, don’t you know? The Sacred Mission is drawing closer and closer, so I’ve come to resolve a matter of the utmost importance for our entire sect.”

Dandara and the other disciples of that branch were completely confused. Mishnar, on the other hand, immediately grew serious.

”Senior Validar, you’re the Elder Leader of the 8th Branch and someone I deeply admire. The main sect has already informed us that all the slots would be distributed equally among the branches. However, your demand is a little unfair to my branch. Let’s discuss this in private. I’m sure we can settle this amicably.”

Mishnar’s voice was calm and conciliatory. It was obvious that she had no desire to create a conflict with him.

The moment they heard the name Validar...

Dandara and many of the disciples widened their eyes, finally realizing who the central figure was.

They had never imagined they would be standing before someone so extraordinary.

Validar was a legendary figure throughout all of the sect’s outer branches.

Mishnar was already incredibly impressive, but in front of him, she was merely a junior. Validar was a Sage renowned for winning impossible wars against the Sorcerers long before she had even been born.

The number eight was merely his branch’s designation and didn’t represent its level of power. Quite the opposite—the 8th Branch was actually the strongest of all the outer branches.

Meanwhile, the 11th Branch led by Mishnar had once ranked among the top five. However, starting three generations ago, it had gone into a steep decline, both in strength and in the number of disciples who passed the recruitment.

The current generation of young disciples had no idea, but during the last recruitment, their branch had ranked second to last among all the outer branches in the number of accepted disciples.

If Priam hadn’t saved those thousand candidates and made it possible for them to pass, they would’ve finished in last place.

The recruitment rules were strict and identical for every branch. The number of disciples accepted in each recruitment usually determined that branch’s future for decades to come.

After all, many disciples died every year, and only the strongest and luckiest managed to survive. As a result, with so few members, the 11th Branch was destined to face greater and greater difficulties in its battles against the Sorcerers and in reclaiming territory.

Back in the arena, Validar’s expression turned serious.

”Brat, you’re still far too young to understand. In battles against the Sorcerers, the only things that truly matter for survival are strength and intelligence. I simply can’t accept that your branch, currently the second weakest of them all, should receive so many slots.”

”The Sacred Mission of this generation is something that even I envy, because it only happens once every fifty thousand years. During the last recruitment, my branch broke every record in history for the number of accepted disciples. But it’s not just about quantity. Their average level of strength is also far above average. That’s why I demand that you hand over two-thirds of your slots.”

Mishnar took a deep breath, doing her best to maintain her composure.

”Senior, I understand exactly what you mean. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t mind, because I believe your words make sense. However, even though my branch’s numbers in this recruitment may seem inferior, I have complete confidence that my disciples deserve those slots.”

”What the hell are you talking about? Just because you have a Celestial Mage?” Validar replied coldly. ”You just got lucky. A single destined Mage doesn’t change anything. What truly matters to the sect is consistency and a large number of disciples with high battle power.”

Mishnar nodded.

”That’s true. But I still stand by what I said. My Celestial Mage is different from the usual kind. He possesses many unique abilities; one of them is leading the people around him and helping them grow stronger at an incredible pace. That’s why I repeat what I said: my disciples deserve this opportunity.”

At that moment, Dandara, Lumiere, and every member of Priam’s faction clenched their fists.

The two Elder Leaders were talking about Priam. And they had no idea that, apparently, his class was something the entire sect and all of its outer branches already knew about. It was most likely something unbelievably rare.

But...

Validar’s expression soon turned into pure disdain. He let out a mocking laugh.

”A bunch of country bumpkins... I came all the way to your branch and personally inspected your two best factions. The vice leader of that Celestial Mage’s faction is a miserable, disgusting half-beast. You’ve got to be kidding me. Even the weakest, most pathetic disciple in my branch would beat her within two exchanges. How the hell did she even qualify to join my sect?”

At that moment, Dandara’s face darkened. She lowered her head and clenched her fists.

He was right.

She really was pitifully weak. The Elder Leader wasn’t wrong.

She had confidence in her ability to lead people. But in a real battle, having a weak leader simply wasn’t worth it. It was better to have someone who could fight, even if they were terrible at leading.

But...

Priam’s image appeared in her mind.

He knew she was a pitiful Mage.

Even so, he had chosen to trust her.

’I can’t lower my head! I’m his vice leader. I have to stay strong and not make him ashamed!’

Dandara clenched her fists even tighter.

At that moment, a different light appeared in her eyes.

She raised her head.

Her expression and aura changed completely.

Lumiere turned toward Dandara as soon as he noticed the change, then let out a quiet sigh.

Standing before him once again was that overwhelmingly imposing Dandara.

”Elder Leader of the 8th Outer Branch.” Mishnar’s tone had also changed completely. There wasn’t a trace left of the respect she had shown earlier. Her voice was now stern and cold.

”This is my 11th Outer Branch, not your home. I hold absolute authority here, and you, as a visitor, are subject to my authority. If you dare show such disrespect again, don’t blame me for putting you in your place.”

”HAHAHAHAHA... Put me in my place? You?” Validar’s laughter echoed throughout the arena. The ten disciples accompanying him also wore expressions full of mockery.

”Calling you country bumpkins is actually a compliment. Every year, the main sect wastes so many resources on a bunch of pigs like you. Why do they even bother anymore? Pigs will always be pigs. No matter how much they grow, in the end they’re only good for being slaughtered.”

”And now that the Sacred Mission has finally arrived, I’m supposed to accept you people taking up valuable slots? Honestly, every single one of you is a waste of resources. A bunch of pigs just waiting to die.”

”How many of you are actually going to survive? You’re practically fighting just to send them to their deaths.”

Validar’s gaze slowly swept across the disciples standing behind Mishnar. When it landed on Dandara, his expression became even more filled with contempt and disgust.

His words were like a whip, lashing everyone present. The disciples ground their teeth in fury.

”That’s enough. Senior Validar, I don’t want you here anymore, so leave immediately. If you insist on staying, I’ll report this to the main sect and file a serious accusation against you. I’m certain they’ll side with me and punish you. Is that really what you want?” Mishnar shouted coldly.

Validar laughed again.

”Haha... You don’t have the right to order me to leave. I’ve already visited the 10th Branch and got exactly what I wanted. The Elder Leader there threatened me in much the same way, but the main sect refused to interfere. That makes it perfectly clear that even they agree with my actions.”

At that moment, Mishnar’s expression grew even darker.

The 10th Branch had been the only branch to accept fewer disciples than hers during this generation’s recruitment, making it the weakest branch in the outer sect.

Before coming to the 11th Branch, Validar had gone there first and forced them to submit to his demands.

Not even the main sect had helped that branch...

So what could she possibly do?

Validar smiled disdainfully.

”There’s no need to get so worked up. If you want me to leave, then all you have to do is agree to one thing.”