The Wizard's Pursuit of Truth

SPLAT!

Fist-sized raindrops slapped against the already sodden ground. The grove of Yin Wood, scorched dry by extreme heat, seemed to be rejuvenated under the rain’s nourishment.

In the downpour, the corners of a normal Wizard Robe gradually emerged from a figure completely enveloped in scorching flames. After the enemy had fallen, there seemed to be no need to maintain this special state of Witchcraft.

No creature could withstand 28 points of Energy Flame damage. The Extraordinary Physique of Extraordinary Creatures couldn’t, and the physical body of a Wizard certainly couldn’t.

Unless its own Extraordinary Resistance had already exceeded 30 points.

’What did that mean? Even Harak, after his Infinite Genome fusion and devouring countless Extraordinary Creatures, had only reached such a level.’

Even some Extraordinary Creatures specializing in defense wouldn’t necessarily possess such high Extraordinary Resistance.

A charred, solid mass of blackened flesh lay in a heap like charcoal, emitting a strong burnt smell. Even the washing of the rain and the distinct earthy scent from the proliferating actinomycetes in the soil couldn’t mask the pungent odor.

Wang Ya walked toward the phantom Dark Badge that had appeared over the corpse. He reached out a fair, slender hand, the Wizard Mark on his palm emitting a faint Dark Light.

No matter how many Dark Badges one possessed, upon death or choosing to withdraw from the Secret Realm, such a phantom would be left behind.

A touch of the palm would acquire them all.

His other hand was hidden beneath his sleeve, Particle Energy accumulating, already at the release stage of a Witchcraft spell.

Although the influence of his Biological Force Field had weakened to a minimal state, his Control Power over the surrounding environment remained.

Wang Ya’s expression was serene, his pupils glinting with a faint, fractured blue light.

[Target: Riley Shebel]

[Wizard Path: Blood Wizard]

[Spiritual Power: 23]

[Physique: 25]

The greatest trait of a Blood Wizard was their immense Control Power over their own flesh and blood. Even their individual cells possessed Extraordinary Properties and were filled with astonishing vitality.

The research direction of this Wizard Path also focused on how to fuse Particle Energy with one’s own flesh and blood to create unique Witchcraft and tactics.

Some chose a different direction, shifting their focus from themselves to others, or to Extraordinary Creatures.

Powerful Blood Wizards could even forge biological weapons from flesh and blood, which were extremely tenacious and troublesome.

In other words, Blood Wizards were the hardest to kill. If you didn’t eliminate every last trace, even a tiny remnant could be used to regenerate.

The corner of his mouth lifted, revealing a neat row of white teeth in a somewhat chilling smile.

Swelling Particle Energy surged from his right hand into the open. His robes billowed instantly as scorching Fire Element Particle Energy was infused into the Shadow Slayer Blade clutched in his palm.

It was just a Low-tier Witchcraft Artifact, but to Wang Ya, it was no worse than any Middle-tier Witchcraft Artifact—in fact, it felt even more natural to wield.

The extended blade ignited with a crimson glow in the curtain of rain. Vaporized steam mixed with a fiery blast of Qi, forming a stunning bolt that tore through the air.

BOOM!

Powerful kinetic energy erupted from the mud, and a deep malice, no longer concealed, burst forth.

Crimson Biological Energy saturated the gray-black mud, completely enveloping a ten-meter radius. From a distance, it looked like a colossal serpent of bloody light opening its maw for a bite, the suction it generated pushing away the surrounding wind and rain.

Riley Shebel wasn’t dead. He had been hiding underground all along and had now launched his attack.

But his mood was not optimistic; on the contrary, it was extremely heavy.

’I was forced into this. His Biological Force Field had already locked onto me, as if he knew from the very beginning that I wasn’t dead and exactly where I was hiding.’

’He’d even calculated my next move.’

’The tempo of the battle was to my disadvantage from the start, and now he controls it completely.’

’This guy is terrifying.’

His current maneuver was also an attempt to seize the battle’s tempo.

He had even endured the burning of his own body.

’When I saw that troublesome, impenetrable screen of Energy Flame disappear from his body, a flicker of joy even ignited in my heart.’

’I thought I saw a chance to regain control of the battle’s tempo.’

’With the tempo in my grasp, as a Blood Wizard, I have countless Witchcraft methods to run him ragged, to strike before he can react.’

’But... I failed!!’

The amplitude of the Particle Energy created an extreme concentration, making the edge of the Shadow Slayer Blade even more terrifying. Facing the closing, devouring jaws of the crimson serpent, a single slash was all it took to completely annihilate it.

Particle Energy, seasoned experience, control of the situation... Wang Ya was now beginning to display the strengths of an Elemental Wizard.

That one slash, along with his response, made even the eyes of Xugus and the others watching light up.

As Elemental Wizards themselves, they understood the details even more clearly.

They could also confirm that Wang Ya had chosen the Elemental Wizard Path.

Putting everything else aside, that slash alone was enough to make this Wizard Freshman the most dazzling contestant in the Secret Realm competition.

His Control Power over Particle Energy, and his use of some kind of particle energy compression and amplification... his technique in this area was definitely on par with any Level 3 Wizard Apprentice on the Elemental Wizard Path.

The crimson blade sliced through the blood serpent, then through the curtain of rain, slashing toward Riley Shebel, who had burst from the ground, his skin now deathly pale and covered in a viscous fluid.

His opponent was naked, his limbs slender, and even his torso and neck were different from before.

To Wang Ya’s surprise, despite being burned by the Energy Flame, he hadn’t suffered much damage. His body was intact, though his frame seemed to have shrunk considerably.

’Could he have discarded the parts of his body tainted by the Energy Flame and irradiated by the Particle Energy?’

’That seems to be the only possibility.’

His opponent was strong, and Blood Wizards were notoriously tenacious. Judging by the physical strength and speed he had displayed, if he had been facing any other Wizard, he might have won this fight, and won it easily.

His speed had already surpassed the Spiritual Power perception of an ordinary Wizard. A Level 2 Wizard Apprentice like Halic, for example, might be able to perceive him, but his body wouldn’t be able to react in time.

But he just had to run into Wang Ya, who had no weaknesses. His Elemental Witchcraft, Particle Energy, Speed, Defense Power, and Explosive Power were all top-tier.

Even his Perception Ability was rendered useless; under the observation of the Eye of Truth, he had no secrets left to hide.

It could be said that Wang Ya completely countered him.

Relying solely on his physical Physique and Witchcraft methods centered on Biological Energy, he couldn’t possibly break through the defense of the Flame Demon Doppelganger.

If his opponent had also been an Elemental Wizard, Wang Ya might have actually had to frown.

’It’s over!’

Wang Ya’s reflexes kept pace. With the Red Hot Witchcraft activating within him, his Speed matched his opponent’s in that instant, and even surpassed it!

The Shadow Slayer Blade pierced Riley Shebel’s heart, pinning him to the ground.

Blood mixed with rainwater, flowing and spreading far, its metallic scent mingling with the earthy smell from the proliferating actinomycetes and the pungent stench of burnt flesh, creating a nauseating miasma.

This scene made many people sigh with emotion. He was just too severely countered.

Judging from their performances, the gap in their Power levels shouldn’t have been that large.

If it were other Wizards, there might be ways to counter the Flame Demon Fear Witchcraft and Wang Ya Harak’s abnormally powerful Particle Energy.

But for a Blood Wizard specializing in close-quarters combat and flesh-and-blood Witchcraft, it was just too difficult.

「In the projection conference room.」

Many of the Patriarchs fell silent. The Power Wang Ya had displayed was even greater than they had anticipated.

This was a troublesome headache, one that could now have a significant impact on their plans.

Even if the opponent’s identity was questionable, their plans had not accounted for this. The spot for the Child of the Dark represented immense benefits, the chance to advance to Official Wizard—it was impossible to just give it away.

Goodley’s pupils couldn’t help but contract the moment he saw Riley’s heart pierced.

But his expression remained calm as he said, ”There’s a three-second gap when casting Flame Demon Fear Witchcraft. Riley’s combat instincts will spot it. He won’t lose just like this.”

Even Jishilin grew curious. ’Where is this old man’s confidence coming from?’ he wondered. ’How could a Blood Wizard who is so severely countered possibly fight an Elemental Wizard?’

He wasn’t even confident that Dante could break through the ’turtle shell’ of the Flame Demon Fear Witchcraft, and that was the core legacy of the Rhine Lineage.

If one could seize that three-second gap, however, there might be a chance.

Wang Ya’s Particle Energy was corroding Riley’s body. His heart was already burning, his other organs were about to melt, and flames flickered from his seven orifices.

Wang Ya frowned. ’With injuries like these, not even a Blood Wizard should be able to recover.’

’He’s still not choosing to leave?’

’Then die!’

A ball of Energy Flame appeared in his palm. He clenched his fist, and the scattering sparks vaporized the rain in the area as they flew toward Riley Shebel’s body to incinerate it.

SIZZLE!

A sound like a snake shedding its skin made Wang Ya’s pupils contract instantly.

He watched as Riley’s body seemed to melt, slipping off the Shadow Slayer Blade that had pinned it down and escaping the area covered by the scattering sparks.

His Speed was even faster than before!!

Four words appeared in Wang Ya’s mind: ’Liquid Flesh and Blood!’

’It actually has some of the flesh-and-blood recombination traits of Harak.’

’Perhaps the path of the Gendas Evil God leans toward the Blood Wizards of the Wizard System.’

’Wait... This is!’

A fiery excitement suddenly appeared in Wang Ya’s eyes.

Dense white scales emerged all over Riley’s skin. Having escaped the Witchcraft’s range, his body began to elongate like a snake, and canine teeth grew from his neck, resembling fangs.

’Such unique Extraordinary Properties.’

’This is clearly the mark of an Extraordinary Bloodline.’

Besides being a Blood Wizard, this Riley Shebel was also a Bloodline Wizard.

And he had perfectly fused the traits of a Bloodline Wizard and a Blood Wizard, experimenting on his own body to achieve a relative balance in his Witchcraft.

Wang Ya was genuinely surprised, and even felt a trace of admiration.

’A genius idea, a genius Ability.’

It gave him a great deal of insight, especially regarding Harak’s future advancement path. The Infinite Genome was not Harak’s final destination.

The potential within every Wizard System could not be ignored; each one could provide its own inspiration.

A slightly excited smile lifted the corner of his mouth. ’So this is your trump card? What a perfect experimental subject, truly worthy of research.’

’If he could become a part of my collection of experiments, his value would probably be second only to that of Gundas’ Dog.’

’By researching his flesh and blood, I might be able to further my knowledge of Biological Cultivation and bloodline extraction and fusion.’

HISS!

Riley Shebel, no longer looking human, burrowed into the ground like a snake, and the earth in the entire surrounding area began to loosen.

[Flame Demon Doppelganger]

The first state of the Flame Demon Body once again enveloped Wang Ya. He pulled the Shadow Slayer Blade from the ground, and Energy Flames spread across the blade. Not only that, but the temperature of the entire area began to rise rapidly.

The evaporating white steam even formed a huge cloud of smoke and dust in the sky, allowing Wizard Freshmen from far away to notice that something was amiss.

They knew a battle was happening here.

...

「In the projection conference room.」

Goodley’s face was pale, his body was covered in a cold sweat, and he leaned back in his chair, utterly dejected, gasping for breath.

The other Patriarchs present were in no better spirits.

They began to discuss amongst themselves, and the conference room gradually grew noisy.

Riley had lost!

And it was a crushing defeat!

Their plans for the Secret Realm competition were really in big trouble now.

This Wang Ya Harak was simply a monster!!