Warlock Apprentice

Backstage for the competitors at the Boundless Battle Arena.

This is probably the most peaceful backstage for the competitors since the Newcomer’s competition began. Nearly a hundred competitors—their numbers spread through the vast space—were either sitting or standing, some leaning against the wall with downcast eyes, others hovering in the air in silence.

Even the most troublesome ones did not dare to make a move at this time, because the captains of the four Enforcement Squads—all stationed at different corners, despite not exerting any overt pressure—swept their chilling gazes across everyone like a scythe, sending shivers down people’s spines.

”If anyone causes trouble at this time, no matter how justifiable your reasons, I will directly disqualify you,” stated one of the Enforcement Squad captains, a hunched Wizard leaning on a Magic Wand, his skin sagging as if embracing the gravity of Earth’s Heart, but the eyes behind the aged skin still carried a sinister gleam.

They came to participate in the Newcomer’s competition precisely to qualify for the Endless Corridor. If their qualification was revoked, it would undoubtedly be a lifelong regret.

So under this threat, no one dared to provoke any incidents.

While it was rare to see such peace in the backstage area, it was far from quiet. The Enforcement Squad captains only demanded no troublemaking, not the cessation of communication, so the competitors took this rare opportunity to interact with each other.

For instance, in the southeast corner, two people were quietly in conversation.

”You seem to have been disturbed these days; if you’re troubled by something, feel free to speak up,” Serum said, clutching the Black Classic, squatting in the corner, and looking at Nausicaa who was surrounded by swirling smoke.

A flicker of hesitation crossed Nausicaa’s face, as if she wanted to say something, but eventually, she just shook her head, ”There’s nothing wrong with me. On the other hand, I thought you’d be wallowing in your emotions, but you still care about others. So, have you stopped grieving?”

There was a slight sadness in Serum’s eyes as he tightened his grip on the Black Classic, ”Since the Black Classic told Angel that he will be back, then I... believe in him.”

Nausicaa held her smoke gun sideways and exhaled a plume of smoke tinged with the scent of roses, ”He will come back, and he will become stronger, becoming your most steadfast support.”

”I hope so,” Serum paused, ”I’m more curious about you now rather than my own affairs. Don’t change the subject; I don’t believe you have nothing going on.”

”...Is it because of Reynaud?”

After a moment of silence, Nausicaa finally admitted, ”Indeed, it has to do with him. He... invited me to do something, and I’m deciding whether I should do it or not.”

”Is there any danger?”

”There is a risk involved in anything; it’s just a matter of whether you can endure it.” Nausicaa’s eyes looked somewhat hazy, whether from the smoke or the turmoil in her heart.

”Can you handle it? Or rather, what might you gain even if you have to pay a price?” Serum asked.

”I don’t know, because that place is a forbidden zone full of unknowns. It might involve great risks, or there might be none at all. Reynaud escaped from there. His goal is to destroy that place, while I aim for an item within it.” After speaking, Nausicaa’s gaze turned to Serum and she unexpectedly let out a laugh.

She realized she didn’t have as much courage as Serum did.

Nausicaa brushed her hair from her ears; Serum dared to attempt Fusion with the Azure Bloodline, risking the near-certain prospect of death, whereas she hesitated even in a less certain choice.

With this realization, the hesitation that lingered in Nausicaa’s heart inclined somewhat toward decision.

Serum, unaware of Nausicaa’s introspection, continued along the lines of her words to ask, ”What is it?”

Nausicaa hesitated for a moment before replying, ”What I want is from that laboratory...”

Nausicaa’s words were cut short because suddenly, a commotion arose from not too far away. They looked over to discover that, in the very center of the competitor’s backstage, a massive Door had appeared out of nowhere.

This Door was gradually beginning to open.

As the gap of the Door appeared, blinding white light shone out from within.

While everyone puzzled over the meaning of this Door, a deep and elegant female voice reached their ears: ”Competitors, begin entering.”

At the same time, the hunched old Wizard spoke up, ”Don’t just stand there; it’s time to go in. The final Ceremony—a path of glory—lies behind this Door.”

A path of glory? As Nausicaa contemplated the meaning of this phrase, the Door had already fully opened.

In the crowded bustle, Nausicaa and Serum were pushed through the Door. Their previous conversation was also forcefully interrupted.

It was not until Nausicaa emerged from the crowd that there was a chance to observe the surroundings.

The clear blue sky was devoid of any clouds. Without the veil of clouds, the sun shone down directly, making the land glow golden.

The place they were now in was an somewhat abandoned square. The ground had begun to show cracks but was still fairly flat, with some artificial Patterns.

Each contestant observed their surroundings, and eventually, everyone’s gaze converged at the front of the square.

A path lined with tall stone columns.

This road led directly to a peak not far away, with many stone columns over ten meters high extending all the way to the summit.

Atop the mountain was a huge palace that appeared to be made of metal, reflecting light from a distance.

In front of the palace’s main entrance, there were shadowy figures, but it was unclear who they were.

”Is this the Glory Road?” Nausicaa murmured softly to herself when suddenly, a breeze blew over.

The sun bore directly down on the skin, slightly warming it. This sudden wind brought an unusual coolness.

Nausicaa looked towards the source of the breeze, only to see a Light Screen appearing out of nowhere in the middle of the square. The motion of the Light Screen brought a refreshing wind, as if reminding everyone to pay attention to this side.

When everyone had looked over, a line of text materialized on the Light Screen.

——Welcome to the Glory Road.

This line of text marked the location they were in, but beyond that, there was no other information.

No one knew what to do next. Should they just stare at each other here, or should they ascend this Glory Road to the summit?

As everyone pondered, the characters on the Light Screen slowly began to change.

”New Star Race, rank 100: Shadow of the Skies.”

With the appearance of this line of text, the very center of the Light Screen rippled like water, and a card shimmering with faint light floated out of the Light Screen.

Amid the refreshing breeze, the card fluttered down, spinning through the air before finally landing in the hands of a young man in Blue clothing who was in the corner.

Someone nearby recognized the young man and whispered, ”I’ve fought against him. He’s the Shadow of the Skies.”

This card was clearly meant to drift into the hands of the Shadow of the Skies. Could this be the reward meant for the Shadow of the Skies?

Those who knew the Shadow of the Skies wanted to step forward and ask, but he did not respond. Holding the card, he pondered for a moment as if receiving some information.

Before long, the Shadow of the Skies sprang into action.

He approached the edge of the square.

Previously, the square was sealed by a strange power, which allowed one to see the outside but not leave the square.

However, the Shadow of the Skies broke through this confinement; he was not restricted by the square’s Barrier, easily stepping out of the square.

And it seemed he already had a target in mind.

Without looking back, he headed determinedly towards the road leading to the mountain summit.