CH263 - CH264

CH263

Helag was about to message Barren to ask what the Wizard Array Association was, but then a notification popped up:

[The other party has blocked you.]

Helag was speechless. Barren had just straight-up blocked him.

He didn't bother looking at other tasks. Instead, he realized he needed to figure out what this Wizard Array Association was, or he'd likely run into the same problem again.

He opened the tavern forum and searched for information about the Wizard Array Association.

Soon, several posts and related information appeared, and after reading through them, Helag understood the basics.

The Wizard Array Association was a neutral organization backed by the six major wizard organizations.

Its main purpose was to manage all wizard array practitioners, conduct evaluations, and assign levels.

There were three levels of wizard array practitioners: First-Level, Second-Level, and Third-Level Wizard Array Masters.

Anyone could sign up for the association's evaluations, and if they passed, they would receive an official certification from the Wizard Array Association.

Additionally, a tag indicating their level would be added to their personal information in the magic stone. When someone viewed their profile, they could see the certification.

This was why most task issuers in the task hall would first check if a person had a certification tag and what level it was before considering them for a task.

Helag's earlier attempt to take on a task was like a newbie jumping in with a blank profile. Naturally, Barren had assumed he was messing around and blocked him.

"If there's a Wizard Array Association, there must be a Potion Master Association too," Helag thought.

He searched for the Potion Master Association and found that such an organization did indeed exist.

Like the Wizard Array Association, the Potion Master Association was a neutral organization jointly established by the six major wizard organizations, and anyone could apply for an evaluation.

The levels of potion masters were divided similarly: First-Level, Second-Level, and Third-Level Potion Masters.

Helag learned that the standard for a First-Level Potion Master was the ability to brew high-level potions, which already eliminated most people.

The ancient potion required for advancing to an official wizard was a typical example of a high-level potion.

High-level potions required the potion maker to have a strong mental capacity, at least at the level of an official wizard.

In other words, according to the Potion Master Association's standards, being a potion master of any level meant you were at least an official wizard.

After browsing through the information, Helag decided to take the evaluations for both the Wizard Array and Potion Master certifications.

He understood that these certifications were important.

Whether it was taking on potion-related tasks or wizard array tasks, most people would require a certain certification level.

Since tasks were visible to everyone in Silvermoon City, many people would be competing for them.

However, there weren't many people with certification levels.

Task issuers received numerous requests daily, and they couldn't easily judge a person's skill level just by looking at their magic stone profile.

But the certification level from the association was a solid indicator of someone's abilities, ensuring that the person wasn't lacking in skill.

Therefore, most task issuers would only allow people with certification levels to take on tasks.

Unless the issuer was extremely poor and couldn't afford to hire someone with a certification.

But those tasks didn't pay well and weren't worth taking.

Having made up his mind, Helag began researching the evaluation process for the Wizard Array Association.

Once he was sure there were no issues, he left his house, hailed a carriage, and headed to the Wizard Array Association in Silvermoon City.

The Wizard Array Association was located in the southeastern part of the city, housed in a series of Gothic-style buildings with pointed roofs.

When the carriage stopped in front of the association, Helag stepped out and saw the association's emblem above the entrance: a six-pointed star with a pointed wizard's hat inside.

The entrance to the Wizard Array Association was modest, not as grand as the city hall or the bank.

There were also fewer people coming and going, but those who did were almost all official wizards.

After paying the carriage fare, Helag walked into the association's lobby.

The lobby was nearly empty, and though the few people inside spoke quietly, their voices echoed clearly in the spacious hall.

"Hey, old buddy, do you know any reliable wizard array masters? I'm planning to build an underwater house," a bald middle-aged man leaning on the counter asked.

"Why don't you just post a task on the magic stone? You'll get tons of people looking for you," replied the man behind the counter, named Moz.

"Don't even mention it. I'm still pissed. I posted a task, and all sorts of nobodies came knocking. Half of them didn't even have a certification from the Wizard Array Association, yet they dared to take on a first-level array task!" the bald man grumbled angrily.

***

Hearing their conversation, Helag glanced at the bald man and realized this was likely Barren, the task issuer who had blocked him.

Without saying anything, Helag walked over to the registration counter.

"Hello, I'd like to apply for the First-Level Wizard Array Master evaluation," Helag said softly.

"Of course. Please fill out this registration form and present your magic stone," the staff member said, handing him a form.

Helag nodded, took a quill, and began filling out the form while placing his magic stone on the counter.

The staff member took the magic stone to verify his identity, then handed it back.

After Helag finished filling out the form, he handed it over.

The staff member reviewed it carefully and said, "You're all set. Your evaluation will take place in two days at 10 a.m. Please come prepared and bring your magic stone."

"Thank you," Helag nodded and left the Wizard Array Association.

Helag had already learned that the evaluation process for the Wizard Array Association was straightforward.

During the evaluation, a random task would be assigned, and the candidate would have to design a wizard array based on the requirements and then set it up.

All the necessary materials would be provided by the association. As long as the array could be successfully activated and function properly, the candidate would pass.

The tasks were usually specific and not common wizard arrays.

Therefore, memorizing pre-existing arrays wouldn't help. The evaluation required candidates to design arrays on the spot.

This method was a more accurate way to assess a person's skill level.

Otherwise, if everyone just memorized the structures and setups of existing arrays, the evaluation would be too easy.

With a wizard's memory, passing a test based solely on memorization would be trivial.

Two days later, Helag arrived at the Wizard Array Association an hour early, ready for his evaluation.

CH264

Helag arrived a bit early today, and the Wizard Array Association was still relatively empty.

"Hello, I'm Helag, here for the evaluation," he said as he approached the counter.

"Oh, let me check. Mr. Helag…" The staff member ran her finger down a list, searching for his name. "Your evaluation starts at 10 a.m. Please be prepared. The evaluation will last six hours."

Helag nodded and sat down on a bench in the lobby, waiting for the evaluation to begin.

He already knew that the Wizard Array evaluations were lengthy.

The evaluation required candidates to design and set up a wizard array on the spot, and six hours was actually a tight deadline.

Many wizard array masters could complete the task if given enough time, but doing it within six hours was a challenge that tested their true skill.

Ten minutes before the start time, a staff member in high heels and black stockings walked over.

"Mr. Helag, your evaluation is about to begin. Please follow me."

Helag followed her into a small side room, where he saw a middle-aged man with a thick beard.

The man glanced at Helag and said, "I'm Israel, your evaluator for this Wizard Array certification. If you're ready, we can begin."

Helag nodded. "I'm ready to start."

The staff member bowed respectfully and quietly left the room, closing the door behind her.

Israel walked to the center of the room, where a table held a dry, twisted branch.

"This is a Shadow Branch, which will serve as the medium for your wizard array. But first, you'll need to pass the design phase of the evaluation. Only if your design is approved will you be allowed to use the Shadow Branch to set up the array," Israel explained.

The Wizard Array evaluation had two parts. First, the candidate had to design the array based on the given task, selecting the appropriate runes to form the array.

Once the design was complete, the evaluator would review it. If there were no major issues, the candidate could proceed to set up the array.

If the design had flaws, there was no point in setting up the array, as it would only waste materials.

Materials capable of supporting a first-level wizard array were expensive, and while the Wizard Array Association was wealthy, they wouldn't waste resources unnecessarily.

"I understand," Helag nodded, having already familiarized himself with the evaluation process.

Israel pulled out several sheets of parchment and said, "Your task is to design a first-level Water Repelling Wizard Array. It must cover a 100-square-meter house. Write your design on the parchment, and once you're done, I'll review it. You may begin."

Helag was stunned for a moment. This was the exact same task that Barren had posted two days ago—the one that had led to him being blocked.

How had the Wizard Array Association ended up using this task as an evaluation? Could it be that they were planning to use the design from the evaluation to complete the task?

Helag knew the tasks were assigned randomly and were often based on real-world scenarios. It seemed like a coincidence, but it was likely that Barren had commissioned the Wizard Array Association to handle the task.

The association, looking for convenience, had simply used it as an evaluation task.

All they had to do was provide the materials, and the candidate would do the work.

Helag picked up the parchment, pretending to be deep in thought.

Israel sat down in a chair behind the table, leisurely reading a book.

After all, Wizard Array evaluations weren't something that could be completed quickly. Israel had come prepared with a book to pass the six-hour evaluation period.

As a second-level wizard, Israel's role as an evaluator was to ensure that Helag didn't cheat.

With Israel watching, it was nearly impossible to cheat.

But Helag was different. While he appeared to be thinking, he was actually giving instructions to Deep Blue.

"Deep Blue, design a first-level Water Repelling Wizard Array that can cover a 100-square-meter house."

[Task created. Analyzing and compiling data. Estimated time: 10 minutes.]

With the vast amount of knowledge Deep Blue had recorded about wizard arrays, completing this task was a breeze.

Wizard arrays involved numerous runes, and selecting the right combination of runes to solve a specific problem was no easy feat.

It required a deep understanding of runes and a high level of proficiency.

Normally, a wizard just starting to learn about arrays would find it difficult to pass the certification exam.

It usually took years of practice and study to gain enough experience to handle the real-world problems presented in the evaluation.

But with Deep Blue, Helag didn't have to worry about these issues.

Deep Blue's powerful data storage and analytical capabilities allowed it to handle many tasks, provided Helag had input enough relevant knowledge.

For most candidates, the design phase alone would take at least three to four hours.

After all, this was the most critical step. Only if the design was flawless could they move on to the setup phase.

But Deep Blue only needed ten minutes.

During those ten minutes, Helag maintained a thoughtful expression.

In truth, he was thinking about how he would approach the task based on his own understanding.

Helag planned to compare his own ideas with Deep Blue's solution to identify any discrepancies and learn from them.

This was a great learning opportunity.

Israel glanced at Helag but didn't pay much attention. He took a sip of tea and continued reading his book.

In his mind, Helag wouldn't finish the design for at least two or three hours.

Ten minutes later.

[Based on the given requirements, the following first-level Water Repelling Wizard Array has been constructed. It can cover a 120-square-meter house.]

Deep Blue presented the design.

Helag immediately reviewed it. The design was simple and clear, with a well-structured array.

After just one look, Helag knew the design met the task's requirements and even exceeded them, covering an area larger than the 100 square meters specified.

After reviewing the design, Helag couldn't help but smile wryly.

Deep Blue's computational abilities were too powerful. The array design had already been optimized to the limit, with no room for improvement.

The structure was extremely concise, with no redundant runes or unnecessary functions.

Deep Blue had used the fewest runes possible to create the most efficient and optimized array design.

Helag had originally planned to compare his own ideas with Deep Blue's to learn something, but now he realized there was nothing to learn.