Ian's gaze fell upon the notebook, his silvery-gray right eye flickering slightly. He "saw" the contents of the notebook—it was not a true study of Divine Art, but rather a dangerous spell about how to steal the power of the Divine Hall's blessing.
"Interesting…"
Ian whispered silently.
The gathering continued, and the content of the trades grew bolder and bolder. Someone brought out a talisman that could temporarily interfere with prophecy magic, someone exchanged methods for forging divine marks, and someone even tried to purchase leads on the "Godslaying Weapon"—though no one could provide any. Besides these transactions, their casual discussions were extremely profound.
From how to control wind and fire, to how to harness the power of the constellations, and even theories about "mind division" and "dream traversal." Among them, a young female witch even demonstrated a technique called "Shadow Realm Walker," her body gradually becoming transparent before everyone's eyes, as if merging into the void.
"Amazing." Ian genuinely praised.
These people, though they did not belong to the official wizard group under the Olympus system, possessed knowledge and techniques far more primitive, wild, and dangerous than those he had seen in the Divine Hall.
This was a group of oppressed, marginalized heretics, yet also true guardians of knowledge. Ian quietly observed them until the gathering neared its end.
A woman wearing a raven mask suddenly tapped the table.
"The final item." Her voice low, "According to reliable information, the Gray Wizard Association is recently searching for a young wizard with 'Black-robed Green Eyes.' It's said he confronted Zeus at Rhodes Port... If anyone knows his whereabouts, the Gray Wizard Association is willing to offer the 'Golden Holy Spring' as a reward."
This was clearly a bounty.
The venue instantly fell silent.
Ian squinted slightly—oh? A local wizard organization looking for him?
"Don't dream." An old wizard with a face full of wrinkles sneered, "Can someone who confronts Zeus be someone we can provoke? The Gray Wizard Association wants us to walk to our deaths!"
"But if there really is a lead…" someone hesitated.
"No 'ifs'!" the old wizard interrupted sharply, "We're already risking our lives hiding here studying little tricks; don't seek your own demise!"
The atmosphere suddenly grew tense.
At that moment—
Boom!
The barn door suddenly exploded, wooden shreds flew everywhere!
Dazzling holy light shone inside, accompanied by the clanging of armor.
"In the name of Athena!"
A temple knight clad in silver armor stepped in, his longsword pointed directly at the crowd.
"Desecrators, you are under arrest!" Behind him, six fully armed knights filed in, and lastly entered a High Tier Priest holding a golden scepter. The priest's eyes flickered with cold divine light; with a gentle tap of the scepter, the magic power within the barn instantly solidified!
"Pitiful ants." The priest's voice echoed with divinity, "Daring to attempt to touch the holy domain?"
The wizards immediately fell into panic. Some tried to cast illusions to escape, only to find their magic power completely sealed; others reached for talismans but couldn't even ignite them. The scent of despair permeated—knowing that wizards caught by the Divine Hall had only one fate: the stake, their souls burned away.
"No… impossible!"
The woman in the raven mask trembled, "We clearly set up an anti-prophecy barrier..."
The priest sneered directly.
"In the face of the Goddess of Wisdom's power, your tricks are mere child's play."
His tone was filled with arrogance.
The knights started to advance, their longswords gleaming coldly.
Just as the wizards felt utterly hopeless—
"Ahem."
A light cough came from the corner.
Everyone paused, turning to look. Just like that, the young wizard who seemed different from others, looked calmly at the envoys of the Divine Hall and the priest.
"If the Goddess of Wisdom does not wish for wizards, then let your gods face me directly." Ian spoke peacefully, his voice tinged with undeniable frustration.
He had eagerly listened to the ancient magic knowledge.