Standing by the window of the wooden cabin, Charles watched as a colossal curtain slowly descended from the sky.
His mouth fell open involuntarily, and just as he was about to exclaim in shock, he turned to find his usually irreverent and eccentric mentor, Todd, wearing an uncharacteristically solemn expression—completely devoid of his usual carefree demeanor.
Baffled, Charles asked, "What's wrong with you?"
After several years of companionship, he had come to understand that despite Todd's peculiar way of thinking, the man was genuinely kind-hearted. Charles had grown to regard him as a true mentor in his heart.
Faced with the question, Todd replied irritably, "That is the [Wall of Wudama], the barrier encircling our world—a treasure of the Wizarding World. Established during the earliest days of world expansion, it has served as one of this world's most vital defenses since ancient times."
Seeing Charles's still-confused expression, Todd rolled his eyes, lamenting the lack of knowledge among the younger generation these days. Clearly, some hellish education was in order. He continued explaining, "Moreover, it has another name—the [War Proclamation]. Its descent signifies that the entire Wizarding World has entered a state of war."
Charles gasped in shock. "A state of war!"
Hearing those words, he instantly realized what lay ahead.
The Wizarding World typically entered a state of war for only one reason: impending conflict with another world. And this time, the situation had arisen so abruptly, without any preparation or warning, that it was highly likely the opposing world had initiated the hostilities. Soon, they might have to face a formidable enemy.
For a Wizard Apprentice like Charles, who hadn't even completed his training, this was far from good news.
He wasn't even sure he could survive a single second on the battlefield.
Historical records of similar events showed that rookies like him tended to perish en masse, vanishing without a trace—reduced to mere numbers in casualty reports.
Seeing Charles turn deathly pale, Todd, though equally unsettled deep down, couldn't help but curl his lips in disdain from his position of seniority.
Running a hand through his thinning, yellowish-white hair, Todd spoke up, "No need to be so terrified. Unless the war reaches a critical stage, most apprentices like you will just handle logistical support. The frontlines are no place for you—the aftershocks of battles between powerhouses alone would wipe you out."
Even so, he knew full well that in an all-out war, nowhere was truly safe. History was littered with periods when the Wizarding World's population had been decimated to the brink of collapse.
For the first time in his over four hundred years of life, faced with such a monumental event, Todd sighed inwardly: I thought that even if I couldn't break through to become a second-tier Wizard, at least I'd get to enjoy my twilight years in peace. Now, it seems that might be too much to ask…
But his despondency didn't last long. A shift in perspective soon brightened his expression, and he began to think excitedly: At the end of my life, getting to participate in something like this—I'd say it's not a bad deal. I've already enjoyed everything there is to enjoy. Who'd have thought I'd witness a true spectacle before I die!
For a moment, he even felt like he'd struck gold, wallowing in self-satisfaction!
His mood shifted so rapidly it could be called a textbook case of polar reversal!
From sudden misfortune to unexpected windfall—just a matter of perspective!
Charles, standing nearby, was utterly baffled, unable to comprehend why he was so elated, as if he'd found money on the street.
[Silent Heart Academy – Fifth-Level Wizard Hawthorne Kea, for reporting an extremely critical message and making an outstanding contribution, has been specially awarded 1,500,000 contribution points by the Wizarding World's Supreme Council.]
Standing on the lawn, Hawthorne ignored the message on his personal communicator.
His gaze was fixed on the Wall of Wudama slowly descending from the sky.
Though somewhat surprised, Hawthorne quickly accepted the turn of events, having mentally prepared himself to some extent beforehand.
'It seems the Council views this matter even more gravely than I imagined…'
After obtaining the Memory Crystal from Olthagia, though its contents were chaotic, he had gleaned from the scattered useful fragments that this was no simple intelligence probe. The implications far exceeded his capabilities, so he had decisively submitted both the crystal and his analysis to the Council.
The rest was beyond his involvement.
Now, observing the phenomenon in the sky, he understood the Council's stance.
He was immensely relieved his decision had been correct. A discovery warranting such gravity from the Council meant every day earlier it was reported could save the Wizarding World incalculable losses—possibly even shaping its future.
Shortly after, another directive arrived.
After reading it with a solemn expression, he pondered briefly.
Then, bypassing Silent Heart Academy's barrier, he issued an assembly order to all faculty and students.
Standing on the platform, his stern gaze swept across the hundreds of thousands of eyes fixed on him.
He had no idea how many would survive this crisis—even his own odds were uncertain.
A fifth-level wizard might be a pillar of strength, but in a world war, death was just death, barely causing a ripple.
As he spoke, his voice resonated in every ear present:
"You should already have a rough understanding of the situation. The Wizarding World has now entered a state of total war. This is unlike past conflicts between academies. Anyone familiar with history knows world wars are existential threats. I can guarantee nothing—only urge you all to strive. This is both your crisis and your opportunity. The first world war in over a hundred millennia means rare resources once dreamed of will be distributed under the Council's orders. Access to knowledge will also become far easier."
"Next, I will announce the Council's directives."
"July 11, 4578454 Wizarding Calendar: We have discovered a civilization called Gainser that has infiltrated the core regions of the Wizarding World through unknown means, with all operatives equipped with special camouflage gear. Through the use of Divination Wizardry by the Council, it has been confirmed that their intentions are highly malicious. Based on current intelligence estimates, their world will make direct contact with ours within two years. Therefore, from this moment onward, the entire Wizarding World shall enter a state of war, and all operational protocols will shift to serve the global war effort. —Wizard Council. July 12, 4578454 Wizarding Calendar."