Harvey had been out gathering intelligence for several days, but there was no sign of him, nor any word of his progress.
Ian was now forced to practice Witchcraft constantly, and his cultivation path had actually gone astray.
'I'll get back on track after I deal with Nolan.'
No matter how powerful his Witchcraft became, it wouldn't grant him a longer life. And even in battle, nothing was as satisfying as crushing an opponent with a higher Realm.
He knew few Witchcraft spells, and many of them were Low Level Witchcraft with no potential. Spending a great deal of time practicing them only for them to be discarded later wasn't worth the effort.
However, he felt that the Witchcraft, Crystal Energy Barrier, was worth cultivating for the time being.
It consumed little Spiritual Power to cast, and its Skill Level increased especially quickly during cultivation.
Just a moment ago, it had broken through to the Skilled stage, giving it some practical value in a real fight.
With a thought, he summoned his status panel.
[Realm: Middle Level Wizard Apprentice (14%)]
[Talent: Moderate Light Attribute Affinity]
[Skill: Star Moon Low Level Meditation Method: Skilled (281/400)
Wizard's Hand: Mastery (297/400)
Frost Freeze Ray: Limit-Breaking 1 (36/800) (Limit-Breaking Effect: 1. Twin)
Eye of Vigilance: Skilled (261/400)
Bloodline Purification Technique: Beginner (63/200)
Crystal Energy Barrier: Skilled (0/400)
Awakening Potion: Mastery (395/400)
Rock Bear Potion: Beginner (8/400)
Basic Magic Potion Recognition: Mastery (143/400)]
Ian frowned slightly. Besides the Awakening Potion, the Skill Levels of his other skills hadn't changed much.
Dismissing the panel, his hands moved quickly through a series of signs as he chanted a spell.
"Kryst'thal!"
The syllables Ian uttered were in the common language of the Wizard World: Tua.
Once the spell was complete, a translucent, curved rectangular shield rapidly formed in front of him.
The shield was just large enough to cover his entire front. It had the texture of extremely fine frosted glass, and its internal structure was faintly visible.
A network of tiny hexagonal patterns covered the shield's surface. Under the sunlight, the edges of the patterns shimmered with a rainbow-colored halo.
These patterns weren't deliberately created; they were a projection of its internal structure.
On the patterns, extremely faint streams of Energy flowed along the edges of the hexagons.
With a mental command, the shield shot off with a WHOOSH and began to rapidly circle him.
He could feel his Spiritual Power draining away at a slow, minuscule rate. With another thought, the shield abruptly stopped, hovering motionlessly before him.
He had just tested its defensive capabilities. He had shattered it easily with a single punch, which left him a little disappointed.
"Ian, come out, quick! Steward Malena is looking for you."
Clayton shouted from outside the house, his voice laced with urgency.
Ian dismissed the Shield and strode over to open the door. He saw that Clayton's expression was a little off—he looked excited.
"Clayton, what happened?"
"Harvey's injured! He just got back to the shop. The Steward told me to get you to the front hall."
After his quick explanation, Clayton grabbed Ian and turned to leave.
Ian was a bit speechless. "Harvey's injured, so why do you look like that?"
He guessed that Harvey might have run into Nolan and gotten some important information.
Hadn't Malena said Harvey was an experienced veteran? How did he get injured?
It seemed that when faced with a true genius, Harvey was still a step behind.
Ian arrived in the front hall to see Malena sitting at the head of the room. Harvey was on her left, and on her right sat a middle-aged woman—the shop's other Magic Potion Alchemist, Kristen.
He noticed from Harvey's demeanor that his injuries didn't seem too serious.
"Come sit here and listen to Harvey explain the details," Malena said, beckoning to Ian.
Harvey glanced at Malena, then turned to Ian and began his account.
"Just now, outside of town, Nolan and I just tested each other out. It wasn't a real fight.
"I have a rough idea of his strength now. He's very powerful, indeed. But with me, Steward Malena, Clayton, and Kristen—the four of us working together—our chances should be pretty good."
Ian saw the four of them poised and ready. He knew that as soon as Nolan's location was exposed, countless people would come to hunt him down.
"Are you two also after the Silent Flower?" he asked, referring to Clayton and Kristen.
"Ian, you don't understand what the Silent Flower means to a High Level Apprentice."
Clayton's tone was full of emotion. Ian shook his head inwardly.
'The treasure is great, but have you even considered the danger? It's like you all think you can get it just by showing up.'
"Malena, you didn't seem interested in competing for the Silent Flower before. Why the sudden..."
Malena's expression turned grave. "I just received a message from Lady Alevia. There may be a major change in the High Tower in six months, and she wants me to break through to Official Wizard as soon as possible."
Ian's heart skipped a beat. 'What's this all about?'
"I'll explain," Harvey interjected. "Tensions between our Shadow Moon Tower and the nearby Deep Red Royal Court have been rising. A war might break out."
Ian had heard of the Deep Red Royal Court. It was a large neighboring Wizard Organization, even more powerful than the Shadow Moon Tower.
The Deep Red Royal Court was a Black Wizard faction. They were known for their bloody and brutal methods, often sacrificing commoners in blood rituals, and they strictly adhered to the principle of the strong devouring the weak.
"Then what's the use of calling me over? I'm just a Middle Level Apprentice."
Ian had a bad feeling and quickly pointed out his own weakness. He didn't want to face Nolan right now!
"Ian, haven't you been looking for a ray-type Witchcraft? I happen to have a book right here."
Harvey pulled out a book and looked at Ian.
"Nolan's target is you. As long as you lure him out, you won't have to join the fight. This Witchcraft is yours."
Kristen also took out a piece of parchment and handed it to Ian.
"Ian, you haven't consumed that Rock Bear Potion you refined recently, have you? I have a recipe here for a Neutralizing Potion. It's slightly incomplete, but consider it my payment."
Clayton offered to pay in Magic Stones, as he had nothing else of value to offer.
Malena looked Ian in the eye. "You need to think this through. It's very dangerous. If you're not willing to be the bait, no one here can force you."
Ian looked at the parchment and the book in his hands and made up his mind.
"I'm the one who brought this trouble on us in the first place. Since there's a reward, I'll do it."
Though he was cautious, he wasn't a coward. With so many people helping him deal with Nolan, he wasn't going to miss this opportunity.
Malena didn't try to persuade him further. Instead, she tossed a ring directly to him.
"I have a Protective Ring here. Alevia Wizard once used it. It can keep you safe for a time. Take it for your protection."
Ian then asked the others for some potions to restore his spiritual energy, enough to ensure he could cast spells dozens of times in a row. His mood gradually calmed.
"Everyone, give this operation your all. We must get the Silent Flower. When we do, everyone gets a share."
Malena's words set the tone. The operation was happening, no matter what.
She was dressed in a dark red hunting outfit, cutting a heroic and dashing figure.
Ian sighed to himself. 'It seems I still haven't truly adapted to the way the Wizard World works.'
This was the brutal Wizard World, where anyone would risk their life for the sake of their own cultivation path.
Although it felt like he was being rushed into things, he couldn't say Harvey and the others were wrong. Their actions were completely in line with the principles of Wizards. It was just all too sudden, and he hadn't been mentally prepared for it at all.
Next, the five of them discussed the plan in the hall. To avoid attracting other High Level Apprentices, it was best for Ian to go to a remote location.
They would provide support from the shadows, but there were many unpredictable risks that Ian would have to handle on his own.
As Ian listened to the plan, he silently felt the wild power coursing through his body and glanced again at the "Twin" effect on his status panel.
'Then let's see what level I've really reached after holing up and cultivating for so long.'