826 - 834

Chapter 826: Reach

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

When Donnie returned to school, there was still a long time to go before the evening class. So, he hobbled back to his dormitory, trying to think about the problem more carefully.

"Where did you go?" Sammy was watching the home TV that was embedded on the wall on his bed with a fried chicken in his hands. Amused by the shows, he was unusually enlivened. The ghost behind him, on the other hand, crouched lazily, unwilling to move at all.

Donnie replied casually, "Didn't I tell you? I went to the Triumph Square to get the Lucidity Necklace."

Sammy scratched his messy hair and said, unbothered, "The sun at noon is too strong for me to keep myself awake. How could I remember what you said?"

As he spoke, the young man suddenly turned around and looked at Donnie. "Wait, did you say 'Lucidity Necklace'? Have you saved enough money for a Lucidity Necklace?"

He finally noticed the key point.

Donnie said in a self-mocking smile, "How can I save enough money? There are few subsidies for apprentices and intern arcanists. We do not have many scholarships either. I only ran into a kindhearted bookstore owner this time…"

He told his friend what happened.

Sammy nodded and did not have any questions for Donnie's experience. He barely considered anything deeply except arcana and magic.

After talking with Donnie, Sammy turned around and kept watching the TV. At this moment, the show was already over and replaced by a commercial, where a beautiful girl was displaying the convenient and beautiful clothes on her. Because of the increase of alchemical workshops and the change of social structure centered at the alchemy center Rentato, the fashion of clothes had greatly changed. They either became more simple and convenient for daily life or more complicated and exotic.

Being no stranger to Sammy's state, Donnie stood up, sat down, and lay on the bed, and repeated the process again and again anxiously, as he thought about his choice.

Donnie hadn't made up his mind after a long time. So, he coughed and said, "Sammy, there's something that I would like to ask you."

Sammy turned around again, and there was already tiredness on his face. "What is it?"

"I'm considering which magic college I should choose," Donnie said in a low voice.

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Sammy frowned in confusion. "Haven't you decided to go to Holt a long time ago? You are not going to study the marvelous and profound microworld anymore?"

"I… probably won't. In the microscopic domain, almost half of the equations and formulas are prefixed with Evans or Lucien. They are so complicated that I am physically repulsed every time I see them…" Donnie said his thoughts frankly. In the end, he said, "I want to study something simpler, with fewer equations and formulas. I do not want to live in a nightmare called 'Lucien Evans' forever… What do you suggest?"

Sammy took a bite of the fried chicken. Not offering any comment on Donnie's idea of escaping from Lucien Evans, he simply said, "The microscopic domain today includes elements, electromagnetism, alchemy, light-darkness, and force fields. That's Mr. Evans' main battlefield. If you don't want to study it, I think you can only study macroscopic astrology…"

When he spoke "astrology", he turned his eyes to the bookshelf in a corner of their dormitory, where the books that they borrowed from the library and their textbooks in the past five years were piled.

"A Brief Review of the Special and the General Theories of Relativity", "Evans Analysis of the Starry Sky of Destiny", "Divinity and Evans Essence Model", "Lucien Astrology"… The names of those books jumped into Sammy's eyes and choked him. "Not the school of astrology… It's also Mr. Evans' territory. Although it's not as bad as the microscopic domain, I'm told that the Evans field equation alone has driven many astrologers mad."

"Yes. The school of thermodynamics is similar…" Donnie rubbed his forehead in pain. "Now, necromancy, illusion, transformation, and summoning are the only fields that Mr. Evans hasn't really influenced. Since I'm not a fan of summoning, I think I can only choose from necromancy, illusion, and transformation."

Sammy's eyes glittered. He stopped sending the fried chicken into his mouth and said, "Aren't you very good at psychoanalysis in the field of illusion? Apply for the Tower of Wizards."

"Psychoanalysis…" Donnie was delighted at first. Then, as if he remembered something, he turned to the bookshelf.

Interpretation of Dreams, by Lannister Stanis and Lucien Evans…

Behavioral Psychology, by Lucien Evans, Erica Lavinie, Isabella…

Sixteen Countermeasures to Deal with Personality Deficiencies, Psychological Shadows, and Real Illusions, by Lucien Evans…

Application of Lucien's Personality Analysis in Illusion…

…

Donnie moved his eyes back and patted the bed hard, before he lowered his head in frustration. "It doesn't work either. Although there aren't so many equations and formulas, Lucien and Evans are still everywhere. Many definitions in this domain have been completed by Mr. Evans…"

Why is he everywhere?

Although it was much better than the microscopic and macroscopic domains, Donnie, who was subconsciously running away from it, was still too astounded to look at them again.

The ghost behind Sammy grew active, picking up and playing with the gadgets around him. Sammy, on the other hand, turned lackluster and said, "Then, only the schools of necromancy and transformation are left. Mr. Evans barely has any achievements in those two categories, except for the soul nature theory that does not have details and the life origin experiment that is more inclined to the school of elements.

"Also, necromancy and illusion require a profound understanding of the body structures of different creatures. So, apply for the Heidler College. The anatomy and biology here are the best in the Congress of Magic. Sometimes, Mr. Felipe would even come to teach in person. Besides, we will still be classmates."

He was already drowsy, but his eyes were full of passion when he said that. Because of the Back Spirit, he had been feared and hated by most people. The four-man dormitory now had only Donnie left. So, he cherished his rare friend.

"Necromancy… Transformation… Anatomy… Biology…" Donnie repeated the words and suddenly beamed with interest. "Although we have basically learned the truth of magic and the world, we actually do not know much about it yet. Even our own body structure and inheritance factors haven't been figured out yet. This is a field full of hope and passion!"

He grew excited.

Sammy smiled with obvious sleepiness. "Then, just apply for the Heidler College. There are dozens of founders and authorities of the field of anatomy and genetics, including Felipe, who will come to guide us from time to time."

Pausing for a moment, he said, "Also, since Mr. Felipe won an Evans Prize in Arcana and the Prize of Immortal Throne for the discovery of chromosomes a decade ago, there haven't been any groundbreaking achievements in this domain. So, it's getting less and less popular each year. With fewer applicants, the competition will be less intense."

Donnie nodded his head as he listened, growing more and more excited, as if he had found a path that he would stick to for the rest of his life.

He stood up and paced back and forth. Now and then, he clenched his fist and waved it, with his face sometimes delighted and sometimes twisted. It was not until a long time later that he finally took a deep breath and said with a shivering but firm voice, "Sammy, I've decided to apply for the Heidler College and study body structure and genetics factors in the school of necromancy!"

He felt that he no longer had any hesitation after saying that. The gloomy mist before him was cleared. He turned around to Sammy, only to discover that he had fallen asleep with his eyes closed. The ghost behind his back, on the other hand, was waving its arms, as if it was cheering for Donnie's decision.

…

A week later, Mr. Slington gave everybody a form that was cast with magic power. He looked at all the students and said solemnly, "Please write the college and the fields that you are interested in for the additional tests. You must think carefully before you write anything down! You can ask for another form if you misspell a word, but after you finish it, the contract will be in effect, and there will be no regretting it unless you are willing to wait and take part in the College Entrance Exam next year."

Donnie, who had figured everything out, took over the form calmly and looked around at his classmates. He saw that the beautiful elves with two pointy ears, the werewolves who were brawny and densely-haired, and the regular humans were all deep in thought. It was obvious that they hadn't made up their mind yet.

Smiling, he picked up the special quill, dipped it in the ink, and wrote down the college and field he was interested in.

Seeing that Donnie wrote quickly and filled in the form so soon, Slington grew curious and stopped next to him to read his form.

"The Heidler College, school of necromancy, and body structure and genetics factors…" Slington scratched his beard and asked in confusion, "Donnie, have you learned something? Didn't you prefer the microscopic domain? Why have you suddenly changed to the school of necromancy?"

"What have I learned…?" Donnie shook his head in confusion.

Slington chuckled. "Over the past year, a manuscript has raised extensive and heated discussions in Allyn, making many arcanists in the microscopic domain interested in genetics in the school of necromancy. I thought that it would take a year before the trend spread to magic schools and ordinary people."

Thanks to the social development and the soaring radio stations, TV channels, and newspapers, entertainment shows and programs had completely dominated people's life, and the contents that introduced arcana knowledge and current research trends were getting lesser and lesser. For most people, they did not need to learn the sophisticated arcana knowledge at all until it was transformed into the corresponding alchemical products that they could use.

The nobles and part of the sorcerers were quite satisfied with the situation, and they even secretly boosted it. After all, it was a good thing to reduce competitors, particularly when interstellar travels were still only limited to legends.

"Mr. Slington, what manuscript?" Donnie was still at a loss.

Slington smiled while holding his white beard. "It's a manuscript that analyzes the body and genetics by an authority of the microscopic domain. It has abandoned the traditional methodology of the school of necromancy and regards the whole body and the genes as a whole arcana system. Then, based on the theories in the microscopic domain, many bold and genius speculations have been proposed, like the quantum explanation of genetics and the code of genetics. It raises the arcanists' interest in the body structure on the microscopic level."

Authority… An authority of the microscopic domain… Donnie suddenly felt that the magic lamp was dimmed, and an enormous shadow was rising from his back. He asked uneasily, "Master, what is the name of the manuscript? Who wrote it?"

"The name of the manuscript is 'What Is Life?'." Slington smiled. "As for its author, it's naturally Mr. Evans."

Boom.

Donnie's head hummed as if it had just been smacked by a hammer.

Why? Why is this field now within his reach too?

Chapter 827: Test Field

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

The cold wind of the night chilled the heart. Under the bright moon, Sammy felt that his head was much clearer than during the day when the sun was high.

However… He yawned again. He thought to himself that such a beautiful night should be left for sleeping, which was the greatest entertainment of life.

The ghost behind him extended its right hand. Before he reached the door, it had already been opened.

"Donnie, have you filled the form?" Sammy walked into the dormitory and asked casually, but he already knew the answer. Donnie would never have cold feet as long as he had made up his mind.

"Yes." A depressed, lost, and lethargic voice came from a corner. Sammy could tell that something was not right despite his drowsiness. So, he looked over in surprise, only to discover that the light of the dormitory was still off. The bright moon shined through the glass window on the desk and the bookshelf, covering them in silver brilliance. Donnie, on the other hand, sat on his bed, with half of his face basked in the moonlight and the other half hidden in the deep darkness. He couldn't have looked more depressive.

"What happened?" Sammy asked in surprise. Countless thoughts turned over in his head, only to be ruled out by him one after another.

In a low voice, Donnie said, "Mr. Evans has introduced quantum theory into body structure and genetics by regarding life as a whole arcana system. He believes that there is a most fundamental genetic unit that passes the information on to the next generation through duplication…"

His description was slow and stunned, as if it were his dream talk.

"Well…" As a talent of the school of necromancy, Sammy keenly sensed exciting content from the brief and inaccurate narration. That was an innovative and groundbreaking hypothesis. Arcanists would be filled with the passion to study life. After his excitement, he also frowned and said, "Does it mean that we have to study quantum theory as well as the formulas and equations?"

Was it still the school of necromancy that played with… no, studied the body and the soul?

Donnie seemed to be crying. "What you said will undoubtedly become a reality."

"That explains why you…" Greatly enlightened, Sammy looked at Donnie sympathetically. "You must've learned it after you filled out the form, right?"

Donnie heaved a sigh. "Yes."

If he wanted to make another choice, he would have to wait for the application next year, and his family conditions obviously did not allow him to do so.

"As a matter of fact, you can think from an alternative perspective. Since even Mr. Evans has started paying attention to the realm, it means that the realm boasts extremely high exploration and research value. With Mr. Evans' guidance, there are bound to be plenty of creative and groundbreaking achievements. If we join the realm at such a time, we will earn copious returns. It's just like the Atom Institution. Thanks to the crazy development of the microscopic domain, of the few major arcanists, two have become archmages, and the rest of them are all senior-rank sorcerers above the seventh circle." Sammy comforted Donnie.

Donnie's face was rather gloomy, and he opened his mouth many times only to come up with nothing. In the end, he could only smile bitterly.

"Hehe."

...

The sunlight in June was as enthusiastic as fire, and the test field of the College Entrance Exam of Advanced Magic was even hotter, like boiling oil.

Although apprentices who were admitted by the preliminary magic schools and successfully reached the fifth grade were considered elites decades ago, thanks to the development of arcana and magic, the ratio of such elites was getting higher and higher. If they went to study in magic colleges, the odds that they became official sorcerers were above fifty percent. They would turn from ordinary people into someone of the upper class with knowledge and power. Therefore, not only had the apprentices come to the test field in advance, but their parents, relatives, and friends had also gathered outside of the test field to cheer for them.

Since only a limited number of test fields had been set up, the place was jam-packed with people.

"For me, such an environment is like a grave." Sammy looked around lethargically. This place was the Mills Noble School. It was one of the test fields for the College Entrance Exam.

Donnie intended to smile, only to discover that his facial muscles were rigid. "No, for you, graves are great places. They're cold, quiet, and undisturbed. This place can hardly compare to that."

"You seem a bit nervous?" Sammy raised his bloated eyes and looked at Donnie. He had been admitted by the Heidler College and therefore was not worried about the exam that was only part of the formalities. Of course, he could not give too bad a performance either, or his application wouldn't pass the Committee of Arcana and Magic Education, which was a new committee established twenty years ago and led by both the Affair Committee and the Magic Research Board.

Donnie licked his dry lips and said, "Now that I've made a choice, I'll have to do my best. Since it is unavoidable, I have to face the shadow bravely…"

He did not answer the question. Suddenly, the sunlight became dim, and the obstreperous crowd fell silent.

"What's that?" Donnie raised his head subconsciously, only to see a silver aircraft floating in midair. It was as huge as dozens of common aircraft, blocking the sun and emitting a cold and dreamy sheen. Long and graceful, it slowly descended without any shaking.

"Such a huge aircraft? Also, it completely ignores the restraints of floating and flight skills. Its engine system must be a minimized fission device!" Sammy's eyes bulged as he observed the aircraft with great interest, making a "professional" judgment.

For the children who grew up after the beginning of the arcana calendar, which was 830 of the divine calendar as well as the year of Viken's demise, it was their common wish to have their own aircraft. The alchemical cars that ran on the ground were simply too crude and hideous!

Therefore, the journal "Aircraft" had always been a bestseller.

Donnie shared his passion for aircraft. With his anxiety soothed, he looked at the sky and said in amazement, "It must be a minimal fission device. At the very least, there's no news about the success of controllable fusion devices yet… Mr. President, Mr. Evans, Mr. Fernando, Ms. Hathaway, Mr. Raventi, and Mr. Morris haven't broken the obstacle yet…"

"Those who can afford the minimized fission devices can't be general nobles. Even the common grand nobles can't think about it either…" Sammy squinted under the sunlight. "Huh. Why is there no sigil? Is it blocked on purpose?"

Donnie looked carefully. "Indeed, there isn't any, but a big shot must be inside nonetheless."

The aircraft moved forward slowly and lowered its altitude, until it was parked on the unmanned square behind the teaching building, leaving everyone's sight.

"Which sir has come to inspect the exam? Or has a big shot of extraordinary background come to take the exam?" Sammy moved his eyes back and became as pale as before. The ghost behind him, on the other hand, seemed to have melted into his body. It could barely be seen now.

Donnie was about to say that he did not know when the crowd was separated and a team of knights in silver armor, carrying weird black backpacks and cylindrical metal guns, walked by neatly. They were expressionless and intimidating. The people were so scared that none of them made any sound.

"It's the Sword of Truth's Knights!" Donnie noticed that the knights all had red and purple emblems on their chests. It was a crown made of cloud-like lines, next to a scepter that represented the ultimate power and a cold longsword. That was the badge of the Hoffenberg family.

Even more surprised, Sammy said, "It's the Guardian Squad! They're carrying the super-mini fission devices!"

The crowd was even quieter after they heard his words. The Guardian Squad was an elite team of the Sword of Truth's Knights. They were dedicated to protection missions. Although not all the members were radiant knights, they were all equipped with super-mini fission backpacks and Gauss Rifles. The former could provide abundant electricity and triggering medium for the latter, thereby significantly lowering the demand to use a senior-rank item like the Gauss Rifle. So, in the Guardian Squad, even a level-four grand knight could use the Gauss Rifle many times.

"It seems that a certain big shot with a terrifying background has indeed come to participate in the College Entrance Exam…" Donnie said with complicated feelings.

The students here had all applied for the Heidler College. After the regular subjects were finished in the first three days, the additional tests on necromancy would be held here.

Clang!

A bell rang, urging the apprentices to enter the classrooms.

Donnie took a deep breath and looked at Sammy before he slowly walked into another teaching building.

...

Inside a library where the sun was shining brightly…

A young man in a magic robe turned on the strange alchemical device the size of a desk with a smile. On the screen that looked like a water beam, the words "You're welcome to use artificial intelligence" appeared. Then, another interface was displayed, with many icons that were marked with different words.

The young man picked up a pair of metal plates that were connected to the artificial intelligence device and stuck them to his forehead before he clicked on the icon that read "Virtual Adventure".

Then, the young man felt that the bookshelf, the desk, and the sunlight around him faded off and was replaced by a green and refreshing grassland, on which there were plenty of bizarre-looking magic creatures.

"Developing games by combining illusion with artificial intelligence is the most thrilling achievement in the past five years!" The young man complimented again, "It's a pity that the network hasn't been established, and the artificial intelligence device is too expensive. There are too few players in the game. Otherwise, it would be exponentially more interesting."

The moment he finished his remark, he suddenly felt enormous pressure. He saw that a giant dragon whose whole body was in red flew by and glimpsed at him with its gold eyes as if he were an ant. Both his mind and his legs were trembling.

"Is… Is this the might of dragons?" The young man felt that his heart was beating particularly fast. He was very excited. That was how the might of dragons felt!

Right when his body was still frozen, a bull-like monster full of thorns passed by and looked at him greedily. Then, its body shook and launched dozens of sharp black thorns.

"Crap. I'm ambushed by the Anarchi Bull. My level is going to be lowered again…" the young man cried before he was hit in the heart by the thorns.

Unimaginable pain came over, making him think subconsciously, "The pain of the illusion is so real. It hurts!"

He suddenly felt that his body was cold and paralyzed. His heart seemed to have stopped beating. His head was in a mess, and he could see nothing but darkness.

Chapter 828: A Small Accident

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

After the examinations, which were held over three days in a row, the sky started getting cloudy, and now, it was drizzling, bringing a slightly cold feeling to the students.

"Donnie, how were the tests?" asked Sammy on the square of Mills Noble School. They were waiting for the sorcerers. In the past several days, Sammy finished all his tests, including for Magic Structure and Arcana Basics, in about half the given time, as he was always determined to go back to get more sleep.

Donnie looked at the busts on the square—they were the busts of all the most outstanding graduates from this school. He answered while pretending to be in a peace of mind, "I did okay. I checked with other students, and I think I should be qualified for Heidler Magic Academy. I'll see how well I can do with this additional exam on Necromancy. You?"

In the early morning, Sammy was in a relatively good spirit. He yawned and stretched a bit. "No major mistakes. Not bad for me."

He didn't ask Donnie more about the exam, because when they were in school, even in Necromancy, Donnie was always more competitive than him in terms of magic theories and spell analysis. He only had the edge over Donnie in terms of casting speed, the power of casting, skipping-level casting, and some special abilities, and that was because of the specter behind his back.

In the drizzle, none of the apprentices left for the building to keep themselves warm and dry. In their minds, necromancers were known for their gloomy and unpredictable tempers as depicted by television channels, radio, and newspapers. It did not matter if they studied how to cure diseases or anatomy, they would still be the same. They were mysterious, and they also made people stand in awe of them.

"Jane Heinrich Hunt, countess, famous mathematician, astrologer…" Sammy read the words inscribed below one of the busts. "Nothing about this lady's arcana or magic level. Maybe she's below middle-rank. Maybe she's a pure mathematician."

"Nothing special. Mr. Longman just became a sorcerer the year before last, but he's now already in the top twenty as a mathematician as he has solved a couple of mathematical problems put forward by His Excellency Mr. Evans," said Donnie in great respect. "Although Mr. Longman isn't very talented in magic, his great contribution to math is important. And now, he has lots of support and resources, and he's catching up. We're more gifted than him, so we should never easily give up. I think the lady is similar to Mr. Longman, and it looks like she's a noble, a big one, from Heinrich family…"

Sammy nodded. "Also, with the development of 'artificial intelligence', many mathematicians who lack magic talent are already catching up because of their powerful calculation abilities."

"I wish I also had one, to avoid those trivial and time-consuming math questions…" Donnie sighed.

"Wait, the surname, Hunt…" Donnie suddenly recalled something.

His tone suddenly rose a bit as he said, "Yes, that lady should be Mr. Ali Hunt's wife."

Ali Hunt, an encouraging name for both the ordinary and magic apprentices, was so far only a level one arcanist and a second-circle sorcerer.

However, when artificial intelligence first developed, he dug his first bucket of gold because of his sharp instinct. Later on, he even won the support of some werewolves and became their spokesperson. His original small company had now grown into a business empire, under which the subsidiary companies had covered magic communication, telephone communication, radio, satellite application, werewolf guards, and even mercenary hiring. Now, he was already one of the leading tycoons in Holm.

What made people even more jealous of him was the fact that he had married Jane from the Heinrich family. Since then, he was no longer just a lucky upstart but had won the support of the major noble family plus the werewolves.

For many ordinary people, it was like the most beautiful dream they could have. Although Mr. Evans' experience was, of course, more fascinating, it was too far away from them! However, in comparison, Ali's story seemed more likely to be copied, as he got all he had today because he caught the opportunity of this era. That could happen to anyone!

Then, with enough money, they could also learn magic!

"I see. No wonder…" Sammy commented with a sigh, and he took a glance at the clock on the magic tower and said in confusion, "It's almost eight. Why are we still waiting?"

Donnie also felt that it was a bit strange. The examinations for entering senior magic schools were under the supervision of the royal family of Holm, the cabinet, and the Committee of Arcana and Magic Education. So it was a pretty big deal.

At this time, several gloomy-looking sorcerers flew out of the building. Some of them were wearing Holm-style suits while others were wearing long, magic robes.

"Here they are." Donnie felt a bit more relaxed.

The leading sorcerer in a long, black suit said to them in a voice that was loud and clear enough for everyone to hear, "Those whose candidate numbers are of even numbers, please follow the sorcerer on the left to take the additional subject on specters, ghouls, and souls, and the rest of you follow your examiner on the right to take the exam on body structure, corpse combination, and summoning specters. And you'll switch in the afternoon. Don't even try to exchange information, as the tests will be different."

Donnie patted Sammy's shoulder. "I'll see you around."

He knew that they were in different groups.

"You're gonna nail it!" There was finally a big smile on Sammy's sleepy face as he wielded his right fist.

Donnie also grinned and responded with an encouraging gesture.

After walking past the first building, the apprentices started leaving the queue while following different sorcerers. In the end, Donnie started feeling the surroundings to be very quiet, and he could even hear the little birds chirping in the trees.

At this time, he saw the magic tower in front of them surrounded by a group of people in black uniform coats. They were blocking this place using alchemy barriers.

Cops on Granlin Street? Donnie's heart missed a beat. Did anything really happen?

Granlin Street was where the headquarters of the Holm Empire Police was located.

Then he saw two middle-aged men wearing the special badge walking out. On the badge, there was a black staff.

Donnie recognized them. They were sorcerers from the Punishment Department. He started getting a bit nervous, as sorcerers from this department were known for their investigation skills.

The necromancer walking in the front asked the apprentices to make way for the two sorcerers from the Punishment Department.

"… Asystole is the cause of death. The person who died had heart disease, pretty bad…" The sorcerer with brown hair was talking to his colleague as they were walking past the apprentices.

The other sorcerers nodded slightly. "He was off the leash playing virtual adventure and the illusion had triggered the dangerous amount of adrenaline secretion. Never saw people die like this before Ms. Heidi's artificial intelligence joined illusion. I guess Affair Committee and Magic Research Board now have a good excuse to pause such projects…"

"Having no idea about his own health condition… He had no one else to blame…" said the brown hair.

Donnie basically figured out what happened. He was quite surprised that a game based on artificial intelligence could kill a sorcerer.

But was there a conspiracy behind?

As a big fan of adventure and crime shows, Donnie was a typical conspiracist.

But this little accident did not bug Donnie for long, as he was facing this very important exam, and he should give the top priority to it.

They then walked in a cold, gloomy magic tower. At this time, a black-haired teenage girl walked in from the side door.

She was absolutely gorgeous. Although Donnie was worried about the exam, his attention was still caught by the girl's beauty. Although she had short hair, her face looked stunning, and her manner was also beyond elegant.

At this time, the girl's gentle silver-purple eyes suddenly became very sharp. The apprentices all looked down to avoid her eyes.

Donnie finally realized that the girl was wearing a simple black suit and a pair of trousers, as well as a black bow.

Wait, why was she dressed like this? And why did she have an Adam's apple?!

Boom!

Donnie felt his head buzzing. The "girl", who was much more beautiful than all the ladies he had ever seen, was a male!

Someone coughed, and there was more coughing that followed that. Donnie knew that he was not the only one who got shocked.

"Go into your test room following your own candidate number," said the necromancer with gray hair. "You'll have to identify the materials and which part it is. Then, you'll design and make a stitched body. You may leave spare materials if you don't need them, but don't take them with you."

Donnie sobered up as a sudden chill ran over him. He quickly found his room, and the teenage boy was right in the room beside his.

Chapter 829: Dangerous Exam

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

The magic crystal lights hung down from the ceiling and made this gloomy room look even paler. A chill ran over Donnie's body, and he felt that he had entered some haunted old castle.

But this also helped him stay concentrated and forget about the teenage boy he just saw. Donnie started looking around.

To the left side of this room, there was a long table that was loaded with all kinds of materials. Some were in magic containers, some were in vacuum magic circles, and some were wrapped in green leaves. However, there was nothing to the right side, not even a carpet.

"Mercury, low-rank Repose Stone powder…" Donnie gently closed the door and walked to the table. He instantly recognized the basic materials for building a magic circle.

He sprinkled sunflower powder over the silver candlestick and lit the candles up carefully. In the same great caution, he picked up a glass bottle full of black liquid and put it closer to the candlelight.

Lit by the candle, the patterns on the surface of the glass bottle appeared, and in the black liquid, a creepy eyeball without a pupil emerged.

After carefully looking at the shape of the eyeball and the magic patterns on the glass bottle, he picked up the quill-pen and wrote down.

"A mutant ghoul's eyeball…"

Putting down this glass bottle, Donnie turned to look at the vacuum magic circle and saw an arm wrapped in greasy, light brown bandages.

Donnie's eyes slightly lit up as a mummy's arm was very precious. Heidler Magic Academy was indeed very well-off. To make a mummy, there should be a mysterious burying ritual that had been passed down since the Age of Mythology. Therefore, a mummy was often very strong among all undead creatures in terms of magic resistance and defense. Even a real sorcerer rarely had the chance to have a mummy to be his specter servant.

Donnie wrote down the answer, but he couldn't help but stare at the mummy arm. It was his first time seeing a real one.

From the bandages and exposed skin, the mummy didn't look like a very powerful one, but it was still a mummy! Also, the materials for producing a stitched body could be recycled… Maybe that was why the academy was being this generous.

Like this, Donnie identified the parts of different magical creatures one by one,

"Stinky murloc lymph…"

"The front claw of a werewolf…"

"The skull of a goblin…"

"The back hoof of a demonized goat…"

It took Donnie half an hour to finish the work and then he started working on his own stitched body following the instructions.

He kept changing the design, so it took him a long time to finish the stitching. Swallowing, he took a glance at the clock on the wall. He knew that he had to hurry up, or he wouldn't have any spare time for correcting the design if anything went wrong…

He started drawing the magic circle using mercury.

As an apprentice, his spiritual power was not enough to complete this magic circle from the very beginning all the way toward the end, and the exam would not allow them to take potions. He had to do this part by part.

After an hour, Donnie was gasping hard on the floor, waiting for his spiritual power to recover again after over a dozen times of exhaustion. He then stood up and put the materials he picked in the magic circle in the right spots. He picked the mummy arm, the mutant ghoul's eyeball, a little demon's wings, and specter dust.

Donnie checked multiple times before activating the magic circle, in case he made any mistakes.

This was the key moment of his life. If he did it, he would enter Heidler Academy, the most authoritative magic school for necromancy, and his future would be beyond promising. However, if he failed, he could end up becoming one of those countless common magic apprentices who would become a consultant for a businessman or the police force. Indeed, those weren't bad jobs, but they wouldn't be able to provide him with high social status.

He was only seventeen, and he did not want a plain life.

Great desire seized Donnie's heart like fire. He had all those desires for knowledge, for life, and for a better future.

And it all depended on this exam!

He kneeled down in front of the magic circle and pressed his hands against the core section. His blue eyes lit up slightly from using all of his spiritual power.

The magic circle lit up, and the black magic symbols started sucking in the Repose Stone powder like crazy. The magic circle was then overwhelmed by the pale light, and the magic gems cracked one by one.

He felt great pain after activating the magic circle in his brain, and he was pushed away by the power. However, he did not care, and his eyes kept staring at the magic circle.

The pale light slowly faded away, and in the middle of the magic circle, there was an intimidating monster with wings. It had a lion head, and its left arm was wrapped with greasy, light brown bandages. Its body consisted of chunks of flesh stitched together.

The monster stood up, although it had not found its full balance. Its pupil-less eyeball took a glance at Donnie, which immediately took all his strength away.

Fortunately, the monster then lowered its head and just stood there in great respect.

Yes! Donnie wielded his arm, and his heart was full of wild joy.

However, he suddenly sensed the air of death. A chill ran over his body.

Out of his consciousness, Donnie dodged to the side and commanded his stitched body to go in front of him.

Bang!

The wall was collapsed by a fierce punch, and he felt the blood and flesh everywhere.

He was so stunned that his eyes opened wide. In the flying dust, a monster about two to three meters tall ran in and had punched his stitched body into pieces.

The body from next door was not even like a proper stitched body. All the parts were just put together without any order. Eyes were on its arms, and head in the belly. The monster had thick black miasma surrounding it.

Meanwhile, its intimidating, horrible air made Donnie's stitched body keep trembling even though it could not think and had no intelligence.

Donnie felt that he was in an ice hole. He tried to defend himself using spells, but he did not have any spare spiritual power after making the stitched body.

What was going on?

What did she, no, he, make?! That was dreadful!

He had to depend on himself until an examiner came.

Although he knew it, knowing it did not do much help. Facing the intimidating air, Donnie could not even move his single finger. His heart sank, as it was full of desperation.

He once met a level two knight, but even the knight's power was nowhere close to the monster's power.

It took him lots of work to make this stitched body, and he was this close to entering the magic school. And now, he was going to die here!

Donnie could smell the stink from the monster's mouth.

At this time, an arm wrapped in light brown bandages came between them and stuck into the mouth in the monster's belly.

Donnie was a bit touched by what his stitched body did. He then seized the chance and dodged aside. He took a deep breath and tried his very best.

"Help!!!"

Yes, that was all he could do; a bitter cry at the top of his lungs to catch the attention of the examiner.

He saw the monster's mouth chewing the mummy arm.

Donnie's mouth was wide open due to great shock. The monster could even chew a mummy arm!

When the eyes on the monster's arm opened again, Donnie saw the dark red pupils. He felt totally numb in his body, and he couldn't even talk now.

This is the end of me, Donnie thought to himself.

At this time, a beautiful face popped out in front of him,

"Sorry, my experiments always go wrong somehow. My father said that it's because of my talent and also because I'm not able to control it yet…"

It was a charming, male voice; a standard male voice.

That was Donnie's first thought when faced with this great danger. He believed there was something wrong with this world.

"I tried to make it fly, you know. But who knows… Ha…" The teenage boy scratched his head with a big smile on his face as he said, "But this is actually not a big deal. You know last time when I…"

Donnie's brain was in a total mess. With great effort, Donnie stammered, "Be… care… ful…"

At this time, the monster in black miasma had come behind the teenager!

Donnie could not imagine why this guy could just talk so much when faced with such danger!

"I know, I know… I'll be more careful next time with my experiment. Thank you very much. I promise I'll be more careful in the future. I'm very sorry for putting you into this. By the way, I haven't introduced myself…" The beautiful teenage boy wouldn't stop talking.

Donnie stammered again; his tongue was already out of his control. "Mon… monster…"

The teenage boy's sleepy silver-purple eyes suddenly looked rather sharp. Turning around, he faced the monster right in its face. He then suddenly dropped down his shoulders and hit the monster with his own body violently.

A light somehow burst out. The monster took a few steps backward, and all its parts started falling onto the ground and rotted away into a pile of mud.

What… Donnie's mouth dropped open again. He wondered why this guy did not choose to be a knight.

"Problem solved." The teenager turned around and said in embarrassment, "I'm sorry to put you through this. My name's Brades. My father gave me the name with the hope that I can be happy, but I prefer people to call me 'Karl', which means a real man…

"I've also got a brother whose name's Barzel. He looks nice, but he's full of mischievous ideas. Other people say that that's because he resembles my father, but I don't think so…"

Donnie wished that Karl could first help pull him up from the floor before making such a long introduction.

Chapter 830: "Karl"

While Donnie was still struggling to stand up, the sudden knock interrupted them, and they both turned to look at the door.

The door was half open, as half of the wall it was in had collapsed. The examiner wearing the ancient magic robe was looking at them with an expressionless face.

Donnie's face also felt numb, but he really wanted to ask him what took him so long to arrive, just like what often happened in those TV series that cops and knights always came so late after all the problems had been solved.

The gray-haired necromancer held a black notebook in his hand, and the way he looked at them was rather cold. He started writing on his notebook as he said, "Mutant stitched body, made from mostly low-rank materials… Power close to grand knight level. Best among these years. But the body was out of control, so some scores should be taken away…

"Common stitched body, fully used the mummy arm… Power equivalent to a knight… Stopped the mutant stitched body twice. Very good for an apprentice, and the body was under the absolute control of the maker…"

Donnie was shocked. So the examiner was just looking? Why didn't he help? Did he trust Karl that much? Or was it also a test?

"So, that means we passed?" Brades, who preferred to be called Karl, asked in surprise, "In fact, I tried out 'the Original Body' when I was making it, to make it fly, but it turned out…"

He kept talking and talking, which made Donnie feel totally speechless. Basically, he admitted that he did not plan on making a mutant stitched body and that this whole thing was just an accident. It turned out that the thing was a twisted, weird dead body with unusual strength! How could he confess that?

The necromancer had amber-colored eyes, and they looked a bit muddy. He looked down at his notes and said in a rather peaceful tone, "You two could make them, which means both of you know the materials well."

Donnie finally realized that his answer paper had been destroyed by the miasma of the monster, but fortunately, the examiner could tell it.

"The result will be available with the rest of the subjects. Check them on your own later," said the necromancer who had put away his notebook as he had zero interest in sharing Karl's fascination.

After the necromancer turned around, he paused and said, "It does work better shouting out 'help' than relying on yourself…"

Donnie's face flushed instantly. His cries were so anguished that they were much worse than the cries of those girls who saw ghosts in school. And he had always considered himself fairly calm most of the time.

But it also relaxed his body. He could finally stand up.

"Sorry I didn't help you there. I was so caught up in my self-introduction. How do you feel? Move your arms and legs. See if there's anything wrong," said Karl.

His silver-purple eyes looked gentle again, and they were like two shining ponds in the sunlight. Donnie had to look away. The world had been confusing to him.

"It seems that you're mentally traumatized. It shouldn't be like this… A mutant stitched body shouldn't be able to hurt you mentally, apart from the deterrence of death… Did I miss anything?" Karl murmured.

But he soon grinned and said, "I know. You're just startled. Sorry. The examiner just interrupted my self-introduction. I'm Brades, and my father gave me the name, which means 'a happy person' in the common tongue, but I actually prefer…"

Donnie hurriedly cut him off, "'Karl'. You prefer people to call you Karl. I know."

"Very good! You're the first one who remembers my name so fast!" Karl smiled, and his eyes were like two crescents. "So, my biggest target right now is to become a real man. I don't know your name yet, but I suppose you're a student from Nature's Heart, right? Look at the magic robe on you. Are there many elves in your school? Last time, when I visited Stroop Forest, the Elder told me that more and more elves started to accept human beings and that they were willing to seek a sustainable way of living with human beings…"

"I'm Donnie," Donnie answered straightaway. Karl's face and his charming male voice bugged him. He wished that Karl could just stand there and remain silent.

"We should go now. The exam has ended," said Donnie.

Karl clapped his hands and nodded. "You're right. We can talk on our way. Your stitched body was good, but you can use some theories at a higher level, say, the Original Body. I used it."

"What is it?" Donnie asked out of curiosity.

"The Original Body came from the rite called 'Life Traceback' and the concept of 'Origin' in the ancient Meshkate Empire. They believed that…" Karl went on and on and still had not finished when they walked out of the magic tower. "His Excellency Thanatos became a top legendary because of his success in making 'the Original Body'…"

That wasn't something that Donnie could get to know from the radio, Tv programs, or even his teachers. Although the many concepts made his head dizzy, he was still showing great interest. The only thing he wished was that Karl could be briefer.

At this time, he suddenly realized that this wasn't some kind of information that an apprentice should know. Was Karl someone important? Were there knights or guards secretly protecting him nearby?

He looked around, as if those guards were staring at him behind the trees along the street and that they were pointing their Gauss rifles toward him.

Fine beads of sweat began to form on his forehead, and he felt a bit cold in his back.

"Donnie, you got it?" Karl asked him.

Donnie stammered, "What… What?"

"You didn't get it? Fine. I'll start all over, no worries." Karl looked even more excited now.

Donnie's head buzzed. "I think I've got a general picture."

"I see." Karl stopped himself, feeling a bit disappointed. When he was not happy, he looked much more serious and dignified.

Donnie was even more nervous now. He wondered if the guards would pull their triggers anytime. Would he be left with a complete body?

"You know… Actually, I think you're more like a knight. I think your strength can compete with that of a grand knight." Donnie tried to switch the topic. In his mind, he believed that Karl was as strong as a dragon.

Karl looked a bit shy. "I'm okay."

He then wielded his right hand and casually hit a tree beside them.

Bang!

The tree snapped right in the middle and collapsed to the ground.

Donnie almost dropped his chin.

"That's my best, you see? Only a tree." Karl laughed and patted Donnie's shoulder.

Donnie felt that his guts almost came out.

Karl looked more serious now as he said, "A knight always has to face the ultimate problem sooner or later, which is to face himself and explore himself. Therefore, arcana and magic are the most important. Also, what makes me want to go to the Heidler Magic Academy is that I'm trying to change my look by modifying my 'genes'. Well, you know 'gene', right? It's a concept put forward in the manuscript called 'What Is Life'. Have you ever read it? It's a masterpiece in the microscopic domain as…"

The muscles in Donnie's face twitched slightly when Karl did not leave him a chance to answer anger. He hurriedly asked before Karl went even further, "Change your look? I know many magic potions that can do this. I think you can afford these kinds of potions. They're permanent."

"Well, don't you think I'm actually quite good-looking?" Karl smiled.

The smile made Karl's face look even more gorgeous. Donnie could only nod, feeling stunned.

Karl continued, "Those kinds of magic potions will do too much to my perfect face. What I'm trying to do is to make myself look more like a man, but not doing any fundamental changes! Then I'll be a very good-looking man! I've always had this wish. My mother wished that she would have a daughter when she was pregnant…"

"What does that have to do with your mom?" Donnie was feeling less nervous now that he realized he basically didn't have to do anything as long as he was willing to listen. Karl was willing to share everything, and in this perspective, he was very easy-going.

Karl looked at Donnie and said, "Like spiritual power, willpower can also change matters, and thus, change genes…"

He was about to give a lecture again.

"That's quite a powerful and horrible willpower…" Donnie blurted out.

Karl chuckled dryly and said, "I gotta leave now. I'll see you at the Heidler Magic Academy. I'm sure you'll get in because of your stitched body…"

Karl walked away, leaving Donnie there alone.

Donnie felt that Karl was in fact very easy to get along with.

At this time, Donnie suddenly recalled something. Karl told him that a mutant stitched body shouldn't be able to hurt him mentally, apart from the deterrence of death… But how did Karl get to know that?

Donnie was totally lost.

Behind one of the biggest trees along the street, a knight had put away his rifle and said in low voice to someone else via an alchemical item, "Find his information. Don't miss anything. We gotta be cautious."

Chapter 831: Casually Confessed Secret

The cool rain drizzled on Donnie's face, making him gradually come back to himself. He shook his head. "It can't be what I thought. His behavior showed anomalies. Such a gentle and friendly man can't be…"

Donnie slowly turned around and walked out of the Mills Noble School. He intended to take a good rest in the dormitory to get himself prepared for the additional tests on ghosts, spirits, and souls in the afternoon.

He did not wait for Sammy because he knew very well that Sammy must've left an hour ago after he finished the exam. This was the field that Sammy was best at, and it was also the most mentally exhausting one. He wouldn't be able to control his desire for sleep.

As he expected, after Donnie returned to his dormitory, he found Sammy snoring on the bed. The ghost on his back was also rather lazy and unenergetic since it was noon.

Donnie couldn't help but smile at the familiar Sammy. His anxiety and concerns were greatly soothed. Pouring himself a glass of water and drinking it up, he lay on his own bed and stared at the ceiling. "He rode on an aircraft that was equipped with minor fission devices, and he was protected by the Guardian Squad of the Sword of Truth's Knights. Karl definitely has a special identity. Is he the heir of a certain grand noble? No. He has a brother…"

"Thanks to Karl, the stitched body I crafted today was highly praised by the teacher. As long as my performance isn't too bad in the afternoon, I will probably be admitted by the Heidler Magic College. With Karl's background, he will probably be admitted by the college…"

Donnie sighed in the middle of his fantasies. "If he were a girl, everything would be perfect. None of the commercial girls between TV programs can compare to him…"

The world was truly malicious!

He took a deep breath and eliminated his messy thoughts, allowing him to enter a deep-level sleep with meditation tricks so that he could be revitalized for the afternoon tests.

In the afternoon, Donnie came to the Mills Noble School on the special bus again. Led by the gray-haired necromancer in the morning, he entered a graveyard nearby.

He looked around, hoping to find Karl. However, many students were taking the exam, and they were scattered in the spacious graveyard and blocked by tombstones and trees. It was barely possible to locate a specific person. However, when he summoned and drove ghosts, Donnie suddenly heard a distant and scary scream that sounded like it came from a terrifying wrath. Together with the scream were cries for help.

Hehe. Karl is here for the exam after all. Who's so unlucky? However, since the teacher is here, there shouldn't be any problem, Donnie thought with a gloating smile on his face. Not to mention that there are still Karl's "Guardians"…

As he expected, the terrifying scream of spirits soon died down.

Since souls and spirits were not Donnie's best field, he calmed himself down and was devoted to his own tests. He modified, commanded, and adjusted the ghosts prudently until he felt that it was perfect before asking the necromancer to review his works. As a result, by the time he left the cemetery, Karl was long gone, which slightly upset him. Although Karl was a man, it was always a pleasant experience to see him.

"Donnie, how is your work?" The moment Donnie returned to the Mills Noble School from the cemetery, he heard Sammy calling him. The evening of a gloomy day was particularly dim, so Sammy was in high spirits. His ghost no longer hid in the shadows anymore. It was waving its fuzzy arms and creaking.

Donnie smiled. "I'm 90% confident."

He was talking about his confidence to be admitted by the Heidler Magic College.

Sammy rubbed his messy hair and chuckled. "I am 100%. Right, Donnie, now that the exam is over, our dormitory will be reclaimed. I will return to Wolfburg. What about you? Are you going home or staying in Rentato for now to wait for the final result?"

He was a native of Wolfburg, a southern city.

Hearing Sammy's words, Donnie immediately thought of his parents and his sister. He couldn't have missed them more, but he quickly shook his head and pointed at his neck where there were no accessories with a bitter smile. "I have to work in Rentato for two months to pay for the Lucidity Necklace that I borrowed."

He signed a contract with the bookstore owner.

"Is that so?" Sammy asked in surprise. He had obviously forgotten what Donnie told him earlier. However, he quickly dropped it and went on, "I'm here to tell you that you can apply for a dormitory, as long as you move out before September so that the new apprentices can move in."

"Really?" Donnie had been wondering where he could find a cheap residence. He was both surprised and delighted, and his sorrow was gone.

"So, you've saved a great amount of money. You have to buy me dinner!" Sammy said jokingly.

He did not feel that sad that they were graduating and departing from each other because he believed that he would see Donnie again in the Heidler Magic College.

...

The next morning, Donnie went to the office of his school to apply for a dormitory. After he listed his poor conditions and his excellent study performance, the sympathetic elf teacher quickly granted his request. Then, without any rest, he went to the Triumph Square and entered the Knowledge Bookstore.

Dollos, the owner of the bookstore who had owl eyes, glanced at Donnie. "I thought you were going to break the contract."

"I was delayed by something in school. Here is your Lucidity Necklace." Donnie handed the Lucidity Necklace back to the boss. Without the Lucidity Necklace, his review and consolidation in the last three months couldn't have been so effective.

Dollos nodded. "You will wipe all the bookshelves and spines today."

After that, he hurried to greet a new guest who just came in.

Donnie was not a spoiled child. He found a piece of cloth in a corner and began to work.

As he wiped, he read the titles of the books. Reading was his greatest hobby.

"'Evans Instructions', 'Lucien's Guidance', 'Detailed Explanations of the Questions in the College Entrance Exam of Advanced Magic by Lucien Evans'…" Looking at the row of books, Donnie felt that the veins on his forehead were suddenly bulging. He was so agitated and nauseated that he almost burned them up.

Donnie had the same feelings when he saw the tests on his own bookshelf in his dormitory. Had it not been for the fact that he could earn a lot by selling those books as well as his solutions, he would've set them on fire.

"Why is the nightmare still haunting me here?"

Thankfully, the Knowledge Bookstore only had one row that was about tests, or Donnie suspected that he would go crazy.

It was already noon after he cleaned half of the bookshelves. Dollos turned on the home TV embedded on the wall and watched "Noon of the Empire", a news program.

"Considering the two cases of sudden death when the sorcerer was playing virtual adventure games, Master Karu, most famous for his fraternity, has filed an application to the Affair Committee and the Magic Research Board, asking them to abort the funding for the project of 'Virtual Magic Exercise'. He believes that the project has serious safety problems and that the combination of artificial intelligence, alchemical life, and illusion will definitely go wrong. The project should not be activated until the arcanists behind the project propose practical precautions."

The anchor was a black-haired and blue-eyed Holmish lady, pretty with a pleasant voice.

"Ms. Heidi, the arcanist who is responsible for the 'Virtual Magic Exercise' project publicly states that the two sudden death cases do not contradict the principle of 'virtual reality', and what is needed is a body examination before the stimulation with illusion. She believes that Master Karu's attack is absurd and illogical. It's like when somebody drives off a cliff in an alchemical car after getting drunk, he is calling for a total ban on alchemical cars instead of forbidding drunk driving.

"The arcanists have been debating fiercely on the matter. Right now, the Affair Committee is more inclined to control the promotion of the 'Virtual Magic Exercise…"

Donnie heard the news in the middle of his work. Finding it odd, he blurted out, "How is this happening?"

Under normal circumstances, as Mr. Evans' student, Ms. Heidi's project shouldn't have been attacked so hard.

As if he guessed Donnie's confusion, the boss chuckled. "After writing 'What Is Life?', it is said that Mr. Evans left our world with the empress and went to another universe for adventure to seek the path of immortality. Right now, the prince is the regent of the country. After certain things are figured out in the adventure, it is possible that the empress will return and give away the throne."

In the first year of the arcana calendar, the Kingdom of Holm obtained the Holy City as well as all the papal states. So, "empress" was added to Natasha's titles.

"Wow… We can go to a parallel universe for adventures now?" Donnie asked in confusion and shock.

"What do you think Mr. Evans has been working on in the past twenty years besides quantum field theory?" Dollos seemed to be rather informed.

Donnie was suddenly reinvigorated. "Are they going to the universe that intersects with ours?"

"How is it possible? When we go to that universe, the ocean of energy we count on will be no longer usable because of the quick fluctuations. Other than the demigods who partly grasp the secrets of high dimensions, the other demigods wouldn't have much strength left after they go there." The boss chuckled. "However, even if they go to other parallel universes, their strength will also be greatly reduced. I wonder if Mr. Evans has solved the problem in his research. After all, I'm told that only the top legends can be taken away by the demigods."

"Alright…" Donnie suddenly felt that his horizon was broadened. This world included not just the Rentato he lived in, but also the vast cosmos and the countless parallel universes. There were too many places he could explore.

So, there was no telling when Mr. Evans or Her Majesty would return from their exploration? That could explain the situation. For the grand arcanists, it was very common for them to be engaged in field research. They wouldn't tell anyone on purpose, and naturally, the TV channels, radio stations, and newspapers did not know anything about it.

Shaking his head, Donnie went on wiping, and he reached a corner, where a row of books on the theories of the school of necromancy was placed.

"It's a shame that none of the books are about specific applications. Otherwise, I can try to analyze them right now." Donnie sighed regretfully. Under the government of the Congress of Magic, arcana theories were not confidential, and everybody was welcome to study and discuss them. However, the specific magic application and alchemical tricks could only be exchanged when they had clearances, like when they became students of a certain magic college.

As he wiped, Donnie suddenly saw a book with a black spine. On the cover of the book, written in the language of the ancient Magic Empire was…

Parchment of Death.

This is… Donnie's heart beat fast. It seemed to be a magic book about an application?

Chapter 832: A Dense Net

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

A magic book on an application?

How could it be publicly sold in a bookstore?

Donnie seemed able to hear his own heart beating intensely and crazily. As per the regulations of the Congress of Magic, other than exchanging for such knowledge in magic colleges and arcana libraries, there were only two ways to obtain the applications that exceeded their own levels—to gain it from adventures or family heritage, or to become a personal student of a certain sorcerer. There had never been a common bookstore that publicly sold magic books!

It was the Congress' control measure on magic to maintain the social order, which was greatly supported by the nobles.

"If… If I can analyze a first-circle spell in advance or become an official sorcerer, my future in the Heidler Magic College will be even brighter…" Donnie felt that his heart was jumping out of his chest.

He was not born in a magic family, and he did not go through any fortuitous incidents. He had reached where he was purely with his hard work. He did not have as many resources as his classmates did, but he believed that it wouldn't be difficult for him to analyze the official spells with his talents.

Donnie quietly looked at the counter, only to discover that Dollos was fixated on the TV. So, his heart beat even faster.

"With my ability in memorizing, I can remember a complete model in one minute…" Donnie touched the back of the book.

The cover of the magic book was made of special materials, giving a cold and paralyzing feeling as if it were a bolt of frozen lightning.

The itchy feeling stunned Donnie. Then, he breathed heavily.

After that, he opened his mouth and breathed hard, moving his hand back as if his arm was being cut off.

In another three months, I'll be learning the first-circle spells and the applications legitimately in the Heidler Magic College. Why do I have to read the book stealthily and cowardly right now?

If I am caught, I will be thrown into a prison, and my future will be ruined.

The returns are absolutely disproportionate to the risks. Is there any need to hesitate?

The more Donnie thought, the more he felt that he was overwhelmed by a desire just now. This Parchment of Death was perhaps an ancient book that was only of reference value in the Congress today!

After all, magic had been soaring since the establishment of the Congress, and particularly during the past fifty years. Most of the achievements in the Magic Empire had already become antiques. It was barely possible for anyone to pick up an ancient classic and beat the contemporary sorcerers with the knowledge in the book as his trump card.

Getting rid of his desire, Donnie subconsciously wiped his forehead, only to feel coldness. He raised his head in shock, only to discover that he still had the piece of cloth, which was used to wipe bookshelves, in his hand.

"It's like somebody cast Chaos on me…" Donnie shook his head in self-mockery. Then, he looked at the Parchment of Death, hesitating. Selling an applied magic book seemed to be a violation of the rules of the Congress and the law of the empire. What should he do?

Report it to the Punishment Department or the police department?

What if it wasn't an applied magic book?

Donnie hesitated for a long time and gnashed his teeth. He then walked to his boss, Dollos. From the corner of his eye, he glimpsed at the few guests in the bookstore, ready to stop anyone who would approach the bookshelf where the Parchment of Death was placed. If somebody else reported it, he would be in trouble. Thankfully, the few guests all turned a blind eye to the row. Donnie was greatly relieved.

"Boss," Donnie said next to Dollos in a low voice.

Dollos turned around expressionlessly. "What's up?"

"There's a 'Parchment of Death' on that bookshelf. Did you forget to bring it away?" Donnie had practiced saying it many times in his heart, but it still sounded dry and dumb when he actually said it.

Dollos' face suddenly became enlivened. He said in a feigned smile, "Yes. That's my trophy from one of my adventures. I forgot to take it away when I rearranged the bookshelves last night. Donnie, thank you for your reminder. I'll take it back right now."

Donnie was greatly relieved that Dollos solved the matter with the excuse he offered instead of denying it and describing the Parchment of Death as a history book. In such a case, the boss wouldn't need to kill him to keep his mouth shut because he knew too much. He had to be cautious because there were many similar plots in the TV dramas.

Dollos slowly rose, took out the Parchment of Death, and put it on the counter, before he smiled gently and said, "It's noon. Go take care of your lunch. I will not offer you free food and accommodation, but of course, your reminder is worth additional reward at the end of the month."

"It's my responsibility. That… that is unnecessary!" Donnie hurried to wave his hands, but Dollos did not say anything more. He could only walk out of the bookstore as he searched for the cheapest food in the alleys near the Triumph Square.

Watching him disappear in the crowd in the square, Dollos touched the Parchment of Death and put on an interesting smile.

Under Dollos' touch, the Parchment of Death suddenly emitted a cold and evil flash.

One of the guests in the Knowledge Bookstore pressed his soft hat and glanced at Dollos before he walked out.

…

It was not evening yet, but Donnie asked to get off work early from the Knowledge Bookstore because he intended to send a letter to his family in the post office.

Although wired phones and telegrams had been popularized in major cities, Donnie's family was in a small town and wasn't rich enough. So, they still had to count on the postal services that were cheaper.

Considering that his family did not know too many words—most of which had been taught by himself—Donnie's letter was very simple. He told them how his exam went, the magic college he chose, the arrangements for the coming months, and asked about the situation in the family. So, when he gave the letter to the staff in the post office, he did not need extra stamps.

"How many days will it take before the letter arrives? When can I get a letter back?" Donnie had sent a few letters during the past years, and he had sent letters at different times every time. So, he had to ask about the information.

The staff looked at the address on the envelope without a smile. "Normally, it will take five days. As for when you can get a letter back, that is not something we can control."

Although it was sarcasm, Donnie was still amused. It was rare for him to encounter such a humorous clerk. This bald man was much more fun than he appeared.

After Donnie left, the bald man suddenly picked up Donnie's letter and walked backward. Soon after he left, a middle-aged man came back, rubbing his belly and complaining, "Why is my stomach so funny today? Aya, no, I need to go to the toilet again! Somebody fill in my place!"

In the storage room behind the post office, the bald man wiped the envelope with his right hand, and the sealed envelope was opened, revealing the letter inside.

"Nothing special…" The bald man unfolded the letter as he muttered to himself. He then wrote something down on a notebook quickly.

After recording it, he folded the letter again and put it back into the envelope flawlessly. Then, he took out a seal and sealed the envelope casually.

…

In a town near the Stroop Forest…

Dum, dum, dum.

Somebody knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" A girl with flaxen hair was busy preparing the dinner.

"Postman. There's a letter addressed to your family." A strange male voice came over.

The girl was briefly stunned. She looked out of the window, and since it was dusk, there were still plenty of people on the street. So, she opened the gate without concerns. "A letter addressed to my family? From where?"

"Rentato." The postman was a plain-looking man whose face would be easily forgotten.

"Rentato? It's from my brother!" Refreshed, the girl immediately opened the letter after she took it over.

The postman did not stop her but secretly observed the room. A beetle crawled out of his pants into a gap on the wood floor.

…

At the mayor's house…

A stranger looked at the old man on his opposite side solemnly and said, "I need to check the files of everybody in this town."

"Yes, sir." The old mayor did not know what was going on, but he recognized the identification and the sigil.

…

In the city hall of Rentato…

A few clerks were standing before a renowned big shot respectfully.

"I need the files of all the bookstores in Rentato," the big shot, who headed an important department in the empire, said seriously.

"Yes, my lord," the clerks answered at the same time.

…

In the Allyn magic tower in the City in the Sky…

"Good afternoon, mister." The arcanist who supervised the library of sorcerers' files rose and bowed in respect. The visitor was a member of the Affair Committee with an emblem of black fire on his chest.

"I'm here to retrieve Dollos' files that are available according to my permissions…" the member said casually.

"Yes, of course."

…

Inside a palace with dim lights…

"Your Highness, this is Donnie's letter…"

"Your Highness, these are the files from Pico Town…"

"Your Highness, these are the register files of the Knowledge Bookstore in the city hall…"

"Your Highness, these are Dollos' files…"

Many documents were placed on the desk made of red wood. Five long, narrow, fair, but manly fingers tapped on them softly and gracefully, as if they were playing music.

"He's born in a poor family with mediocre talents, but he is determined and hardworking. Also, he is a man of integrity and is not tempted by Dollos' 'Parchment of Death'…" As he tapped his fingers, a low and magnetic male voice echoed, with strange gentleness and peacefulness in it.

"There's nothing wrong with his family background. His father is the owner of a grocery store, and his mother helps with the business. His sister is not in a school… None of their relatives, neighbors, or friends have anything wrong either…"

"Dollos, don't presume that I do not know who is behind you. I don't bother you about other things, but if you surpass the limits and are captivated by greed…" The five fingers clenched into a fist and bashed the documents.

In the palace, the ticking sounds of a strange second hand echoed. Behind the desk of red wood was a chair that had been moved sideways. A black-haired man was sitting on the chair, with his left hand scratching his chin.

His face was obviously chiseled despite the dim light. His eyebrow was thick and long, reaching his temples and making his black pupils sharp and deep. In the meantime, his long legs stretched forward lazily. Even though he did not stand up, it was not hard to imagine his height.

He pushed the files aside and pulled a drawer. Looking at the letter inside, he immediately looked upset.

On the letter, it wrote,

[Lu Xiaoen, protect Lu Xiaoxi. Your loving father and mother.]

"Why is my gentle and graceful father always fond of giving us such weird nicknames and calling us that all the time?!" the young man complained incessantly, and his previous casualness and peacefulness were gone.

Chapter 833: Enrollment

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

In the morning, the brilliant yet not scorching sun illuminated Donnie's dormitory through the window, covering everything with gold.

Donnie was pacing back and forth with a pair of panda eyes. It seemed that he did not sleep at all last night.

Today was the day that the result of the College Entrance Exam of Advanced Magic would be announced. Even though he was quite confident about his performance, he was still ill at ease and could not go to sleep because there would be no way out for him if he failed.

"It's alright. I've done the theoretical tests, the practical tests, and the additional tests well, unless all the distinguished apprentices applied for the Heidler Magic College this year…" Donnie comforted himself in a low voice.

At this moment, the bell rang with a pleasant voice. Donnie came to an abrupt halt and hurried to turn on the home TV embedded on the wall. He saw that the snowflake-like spots spread out ripples on the screen. Gradually, a beautiful elf with pointy ears showed up.

"Welcome to 'Morning, Nature'. I believe you must be running out of patience. Hehe. I have in my hands the list of students admitted by the major magic colleges." The elf on the TV waved the paper before her. It was covered in a red band with a magic seal.

It was the school channel of "Nature's Heart School". There was a one-hour program in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening. They mostly reported the major events in school or "shared" the bad or hilarious mistakes that the apprentices made.

Looking at the paper that was unbelievably thick, Donnie felt that his heart was beating faster and faster. Even though he was holding his breath, he could still sense its pounding.

The elf dropped the paper and smiled. "Our apprentices have performed well this year. The ratio of admittance is higher than before. But of course, somebody must be very close to success too. However, those people need not be upset. You can choose to go to the Stroop Forest and learn after the druids. After the arcanists' years of work, the magic apprentices can be transformed into 'Nature's Guards' or druid apprentices easily…"

Donnie felt that his veins were bulging. The most important thing right now was to announce the list. Why was she talking so much? To make everybody more anxious and uneasy?

Thankfully, the elven lady quickly removed the seal without further ado. She broke the band and unfolded the paper. "Now, I will announce the students admitted by the Holt Magic College. The apprentices whose names are on the list should go to the president's office after nine to get your notice of enrollment and your rewards."

Right now, there were only nine magic colleges, but there were almost four hundred magic schools worldwide. It was a glorious thing for both the apprentice and the school to be admitted. That was why the president of the magic school was giving the notices of enrollment in person. As long as the apprentices who were admitted by the magic colleges did not slack off and give up, they all had good chances to become official sorcerers.

"The Holt Magic College…" The more Donnie listened, the more anxious he became. The names that he was very familiar with made him feel even worse. As it happened, the elven anchor did not announce the list of the students admitted by the Heidler Magic College until the end.

Donnie held his breath and put his right hand on his left chest again, sensing the intense fluctuations that almost broke out of his chest.

"Gordian… Caroline… David…" The elven anchor read the names that Donnie was very familiar with. Right when he almost couldn't handle his heartbeat and the terrible pressure anymore, the word "Donnie" finally came out of the loudspeaker of the home TV. It was so pleasant!

As if struck by lightning, Donnie felt numb and rigid. Then, he waved his arms hard, but his body collapsed without any strength.

He finally made it!

His life, as well as the lives of his family members, would be changed from today!

...

Inside the Knowledge Bookstore, Dollos looked at Donnie who had come late and observed the lingering excitement on his face. He smiled. "You've been admitted?"

"Yes, by the Heidler Magic College, on the studies of body structure and genetics." Donnie smiled brilliantly at whomever he met today.

As the studies in the microscopic domain went deeper and more detailed, as the models on the nature of the world and magic were basically established, and as the influences spread out to all the major fields, the arcanists had discovered that the knowledge was too enormous for them to learn. They could not study the basics of every school before they chose their favorite field like before. They had to specify the direction that they would like to work on in order to build the foundation well. Those who were not geniuses could hardly learn anything more than the fundamental knowledge of their own fields.

Of course, after they became middle-rank or senior-rank sorcerers and their longevity was extended, the arcanists still had to go back and study the basics of astrology, elements, and necromancy because astrology involved prophecy and fate, and the microscopic domain in the school of elements reflected the essence of the world. If they did not know it at all, their future studies might be greatly affected.

The school of necromancy, on the other hand, was a necessity for life extension. They did not have to learn it well, but they had to grasp the basics.

Dollos nodded his head and closed the book before him. "Congratulations, Donnie. I hope that you will make remarkable achievements in the school of necromancy."

"Thank you, Mr. Dollos," Dollos replied with a smile.

Dollos looked around, and seeing that there was no guest at this moment, he said, "Donnie, the three greatest problems in necromancy that need addressing are the model of the soul structure, the model of genetic factors, and the real mechanism of the 'Original Body'. If you can unveil the mysteries of genetics, you will definitely win an Evans Prize in Arcana and the Prize of Immortal Throne, and you may become a grand arcanist and a legendary sorcerer in the future. That's what you should work on."

Donnie scratched his head and felt rather embarrassed upon hearing Dollos' encouragement. "They are not something that I can take care of. I do not know the first thing about them. Well, are you aware of the Original Body?"

He keenly sensed the unusual term and asked rather curiously.

Dollos lowered his eyes and looked at the book before him. "Have you heard about the Original Body before? Even in the school of necromancy, there are few arcanists who understand it and study it. I only happen to know it because one of my old friends has been working on it."

"I learned it from a fellow student during the College Entrance Exam…" Donnie suddenly felt that his question could be dangerous, but he had no choice except to answer it.

Dollos nodded and smiled. "Since you have heard it before, I can talk to you about the details. It's from the ancient Meshkate Empire…"

He introduced the beginning and evolution of the Original Body. Donnie listened very attentively. Although Karl had introduced it to him before in a much more detailed way, he wasn't in the mood to listen to it at all at that time.

"The Life Traceback ritual features slanted tombstones and coffins that only have clothes but not bodies… All the bodies are filled in the wood puppet buried at the center…" As he talked, Dollos suddenly sighed. "I'm told that the Cemetery of Eternal Sleep outside of the Heidler Magic College contains the secret. It's a shame that I'm not qualified to visit the most mysterious and unique magic college…"

Was the secret hidden right outside of the Heidler Magic College?

Donnie looked forward to his college life even more now. If he could find some files and cracked some of the mysteries from the Cemetery of Eternal Sleep, it was possible that his capabilities would soar.

Dollos coughed. Not talking about the Original Body anymore, he simply introduced the school of necromancy in general and asked Donnie to go to work.

...

Wu!

Clang! Clang!

The long magic steam train stopped at a dark and gloomy station. Donnie got off the train eagerly with his old black suitcase.

"So, is this Heidler?" Donnie looked around excitedly and curiously. He saw that the sky was gray and lackluster as if it were frozen, and that a vague mist was everywhere. Far away, the high, spiky magic towers that were in pitch black indicated the city's style that was different from any other cities on the continent.

As expected of the camp of necromancy… Donnie was not intimidated. Having braced himself for this, he felt that only such an appearance befitted Heidler's fame.

It was the middle of August, and the sunlight was burning hot outside. However, there was nothing but paleness and heartfelt chill when the sunlight got into Heidler.

Donnie moved his eyes back and searched for the signs in the station. After he finished Dollos' contract, there was no time for him to go home. After all, Heidler was the college whose semester began earliest.

"The freshmen of the magic college will gather in 152, Ghoul Street…" Donnie soon found the announcement and read the content on it.

"How to reach Ghoul Street?" Donnie frowned at the map of Heidler that he bought from a small dealer on the train. It was full of zigzagging and dizzying twists and turns.

Looking around, Donnie picked up his suitcase and walked to a worker who was busy cleaning the station. "Hello, could I ask you the way? I am a freshman at the Heidler Magic College."

The cleaner suddenly raised his head, only to reveal his rotten face, dim bones, and the two deep black holes in his eye sockets. Donnie was so scared that he almost cried out loud.

Although he had dissected cadavers, summoned zombies, and crafted stitched bodies before, it was still a horrifying experience to run into a decayed corpse in the middle of a day without any warning.

The "cleaner" struggled to shake his head. He then lowered his head as he continued to clean the station.

So, this is Heidler… Donnie's tone had changed greatly.

"Donnie!" A familiar voice came from far away. Donnie turned around in surprise, only to discover that somebody was waving his arms at the entrance of the state. The ghost on his back was also waving its fuzzy hands. It was Sammy.

Chapter 834: The Silent College

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

The streets of Heidler City were not messy, filthy, or filled with rotten pieces of bodies everywhere, which was what Donnie expected to see. Instead, they were rather clean and broad, with a lot of passersby on them.

However, the crowded streets, which were supposed to be lively and obstreperous, were awfully quiet. Nobody talked loudly at all. They communicated with each other in the voice of mosquitoes. There seemed to be a strange force that forbade noises in this place.

With a closer look, Donnie finally realized that most of the passersby were actually undead creatures. Some were corpse dogs with weird redness beaming out of their eyes, some were skinned men whose flesh was exposed to the air, and some were the commonly seen ghosts, zombies, and skeletons.

Naturally, necromancers in black magic robes were among the undead creatures too. Most of them were not as grim and rigid as Donnie imagined. They talked and laughed with their friends, except that their voices were kept down.

"It's a pity that there aren't any liches…" Donnie remarked in a low voice.

Sammy seemed to be in great spirits after he came to Heidler City. Although he still seemed drowsy, at the very least, he was not yawning frequently. Rubbing his hair that was as messy as a bird nest, he smiled and said, "I don't think liches are fond of walking on the street…"

I don't think they are fond of anything… Donnie leaned aside to give the way to a three-headed hell hound. It was tall and strong, with burning fire drooling from its mouth, but it had a ring on its neck and was pulled by a petite female sorcerer, running ahead of her slowly.

"This hell hound is the size of a bull…" After the female sorcerer left, Donnie couldn't help but observe. The difference in their sizes was too glaring.

Sammy chuckled. "I saw a lich walking his bone dragon in the sky yesterday. It's about the size of a hundred hellhounds."

He arrived in Heidler City yesterday and lived at 152, Ghoul Street. He was waiting for the students who were to come the next day so that they could go to the college together.

"That's great." Donnie looked at the sky in admiration. At this moment, they already reached Ghoul Street. The high-rising magic tower made it impossible for them to lose their way.

Suddenly, a pale skull drifted out, with two needle-like red lights in the eye sockets. The teeth of the skull clattered and let out a harsh voice as it said, "All freshmen will gather and go to the college. Those who come later will be shuttled the day after tomorrow."

The voice was so unpleasant, as if somebody were rubbing a bone with rusty iron. Donnie shivered and walked into the hall with Sammy.

"Give me your notice of enrollment and your identification mark inside." An expressionless man approached them before Donnie got steady. The stranger had an emaciated face, with the same needle-like redness in his eyes.

Donnie hurried to take out his notice of enrollment and a black beetle. "Yes, sir."

"Call me Mr. Robert." The man's voice was strangely gentle and comforting. When he looked at the black beetle, the bug seemed to be illuminated by the redness too. "Well, Donnie, there is no need to apply for accommodation. You will come to the college with us."

Then, he returned the notice of enrollment and the beetle back to Donnie. Pausing for a moment, he said, "As it happens, I am an instructor in the field of body structure and genetics. I hope that you can keep up your current performance."

After a moment, Sammy looked at Robert, who had walked to the other side of the hall, and said in a low voice, "It is said that Mr. Robert is very close to the senior rank now. His body has been modified by him for so many times that nobody knows what special abilities it has."

"Well, Mr. Robert gave me a lot of pressure…" Donnie had cold sweat while walking in the gloomy environment of Heidler City. He looked at Robert, only to discover that the man stopped before the stream screen in the hall and watched the amusing program on it, with what could almost be called a smile on his face.

"I didn't know that a dead-looking man like Mr. Robert would like to watch TV…" Donnie said in shock.

Sammy looked at him confusedly. "Why can't a dead man watch TV?"

"Well…" Donnie was rendered speechless by Sammy. He hurried to change the subject. "We're about to go to the college. I'm told that it's not in the city but in a mysterious place, isn't it?"

Sammy nodded solemnly. "I'm told that it's a great place for necromancy."

Both of them were rather curious about that, and they tried to guess where their destination was. Could it be in an enormous tomb?

After a while, the pale lich flew back and continued with the nasty voice, "Follow me closely and don't get lost. Once you are lost, I will assume that you are already dead, and I will not bother searching for you."

Donnie's heart was palpitating. Even a drowsy and inert man like Sammy suddenly widened his eyes too. The whole team became extremely silent.

Following the lich, Donnie and his fellows passed the Ghoul Street, the Soul Avenue, and the Square of Brains before reaching a building that seemed no different from any other magic towers.

"Is this our college?" Donnie looked at the magic tower before him in disappointment.

The lich stopped and floated before the gate of the magic tower while chanting coarse, intricate, and gruesome spells.

A shadow emerged from the rocks on the ground. Spreading and growing, it soon covered the gate, making it shiver softly in the darkness.

"Follow me," the lich said coldly, and instead of opening the gate, the lich disappeared into the shadow.

Donnie and Sammy held their breath again because of the weirdness. They slowly moved forward with the apprentices before them, wondering where the shadow would lead.

It was a pity that, however slow they were, they still reached the shadow gate. Gritting his teeth, Donnie stepped in.

As if his body were in a lake, Donnie felt depressed and suffocated, exactly like when he was almost drowned when he was a little kid. Then, Donnie felt that his body was light again, and he got rid of the "water". He was now facing a black, white, and gray environment.

It was a messy and corrupt city, without the slightest color except for the monotonous black, white, and gray. Even the wind had been frozen in the air, like a peaceful and weird portrait.

Donnie looked at the sky in shock. It was as pale and dime as that of Heidler City, but the sun was nowhere to be seen!

The basic knowledge about alternate dimensions popped up in Donnie's head. He shouted at Sammy who was stunned next to him, "It's the World of Souls!"

However, after he blurted out, Donnie did not hear any sound at all. Everything was so quiet as if they were in eternal sleep.

As expected of the World of Souls. Donnie took a breath, having the illusion that his body was decaying. This place was definitely the best place for the school of necromancy. However, he was told that this place was very dangerous for even the senior-rank sorcerers. After all, the unintelligent specters did not care for one's background or whether or not they were rich. They only desired fresh flesh and blood.

"Follow me. Let me repeat myself. Don't get lost." With a spell that they did not know, the lich spoke into everyone's heart.

Donnie patted Sammy, who was still in a daze, and followed the lich warily and attentively, fearing that he might be left out and faced with the tide of specters alone.

Passing through the silent city, the team walked into a desolate wilderness. There were wandering ghouls with rotten and hideous faces everywhere. They could almost smell the indescribable stench.

Further away, many fuzzy ghosts were floating in the sky, with black long robes on their body.

Such an environment and such a scene refreshed the ghost on Sammy's back. It craned its head and let out soundless shrills, waving its hands back and forth hard.

Hehe. Donnie looked at the scene in amusement, while Sammy shook his head helplessly.

Suddenly, the gray sky became dark, as if it had been dyed black. No, the sky did not turn dark, but instead, the phenomenon was caused by ghosts that were gathering from all directions!

Also letting out soundless shrills, they flew toward Sammy overwhelmingly. The terrible pressure and scent of death almost made a lot of apprentices wet their pants. Had they run into a scourge of the undead?

His body shivering, Donnie pulled Sammy, hinting him to stop the ghost on his back.

At this moment, the lich before them sniffed, and a black curtain appeared out of nowhere, covering all of them.

After the black curtain disappeared, Donnie realized that they had already pressed deep into the wilderness and were far away from the army of ghosts.

"Get your ghost under control," the lich said coldly.

"Yes, sir," Sammy replied; his voice shaking. The ghost behind him, on the other hand, held its own legs like a scared kid who was crying soundlessly.

Donnie looked at the ghost in amusement. Are you terrified by the army of ghosts too? You almost turned us into ghouls.

Dragging Sammy, whose legs were too unsteady to support him, to move forward, Donnie suddenly saw a magnificent city in the frozen black, white, and gray world. There were black, silver, and white pointy magic towers in the city that displayed different colors. Among the magic towers were rarely-seen overpasses that connected different directions delicately.

Around the city was a quiet cemetery with tombs everywhere, which were packed densely. Slanted black tombstones were before them.

"Slanted tombstones…" Donnie was briefly stunned.

After passing the cemetery, Donnie and his fellows reached the edge of the city under the leadership of the lich. After they passed the city gate that was dozens of meters tall, the feeling of consolidation and depression was immediately gone. They heard the familiar sound of talking again, as if they had suddenly returned from the realm of the dead to that of the living.

"Everyone, as you have seen, there is no way that you can leave this place without the guidance of senior-rank mentors. Therefore, you have to work and study really hard, because those who slack off will not be able to go home. Alright, welcome to the Heidler Magic College. Please claim your school robe and badge with your identification mark and your notice of enrollment. Then, you can go to your dormitory with the mark on the badge." The lich disappeared after giving the announcement.

Dragging Sammy, who had not fully recovered, and his ghost, Donnie got the black robe and the emblem of pale fire from a magic tower nearby. He asked the way and walked to his dormitory.

When they were near their dormitory, Sammy finally took a long breath and rubbed his hair. "The World of Souls is really horrible. I was so scared just now…"

As he spoke, he opened the door of the dormitory, only to be stunned. He blocked Donnie's sight.

"I… I'm sorry. We… We've come to the wrong dormitory!" Sammy stammered and apologized.

Donnie looked at the door plate. "Room 202 of the Life Tower in the Origin Zone. It can't be wrong."