In the last Regional Tower Academy War, Azure Source Tower hadn't a single apprentice in the top ten—only one in the top twenty, at seventeenth place. No one knew what to expect this time, now that the tower had switched tactics.
A month passed quickly, and the war began. During that month, Kai spotted his friend Glen at the training sessions. To his surprise, Glen had also reached Archapprentice. Unlike flashy, attention-seeking Mark, Glen and Kai were quiet, dedicated seekers of truth. Glen, like Kai, had never returned to the Challenge Stage after advancing—he was too busy, even cutting short their brief chat at the training session to rush back to an unfinished experiment as the war neared.
As the war drew closer, training expanded to include Mid-tier and lower apprentices. Serena attended, though her sessions differed. For the vast majority (over 90%) of the tower's apprentices, the Mages didn't bluntly tell them to run and hide—doing so would panic the entire student body. These lower-tier apprentices were the war's backbone. A hundred Mid-tier apprentices unleashing a barrage of spells could make even the most confident Archapprentice think twice. They were also key to capturing resource nodes.
The Mages drilled into them one rule: obey Senior Apprentices and above without question. After a month of training, every Senior Apprentice except Kai was expected to follow the tower's defensive strategy. In planar wars, lower-tier knights and mages obeying higher-tier leaders was standard.
On the war's eve, three massive crimson portals appeared in Azure Source's North Campus. The color alone evoked blood and death, and with apprentices already on edge and rumors swirling, the atmosphere was grim.
"I still don't like our chances," a female Mage on a broom said, hovering near Johnny. She was another grade director, far more responsible than Johnny—she actually monitored classes and student progress. Her inside knowledge made her even more pessimistic.
"Azure Source needs two or three thousand years to catch up to the others," Johnny replied. "Dean Archimedes' strategy is our best bet."
"Word is the Tower Lords themselves will observe this war," the female Mage revealed.
Tower Lords were Level 4+ Mages—gods to primitive otherworldly beings. It was rare for multiple Tower Lords to watch a regional war; usually, only deans attended. A tower's rank and apprentice quality reflected on its dean, justifying their high salaries. Even grade directors like Johnny and regular Mages got rewards based on war performance—meager ones, but rewards nonetheless, even when Azure Source came last.
"With the Tower Lords watching, casualties should be lower," Johnny mused.
Despite the war being a competition, the Tower Lords of rival towers were actually on good terms. Even Shadow and Towers, which had ganged up on Azure Source last time, counted Azure Source's Tower Lord as a friend. With them watching, other deans would likely rein in their apprentices from brutalizing Azure Source's students.
The female Mage nodded, then dropped another bombshell: "Rumor has it the Tower Lords are here because a big shot is visiting our region."
"A big shot?" Johnny asked, surprised.
The crimson portals led to the war's trial space—a vast realm, larger than most human kingdom battlefields, created by all five towers. It contained over twenty large resource nodes, hundreds of medium and small ones, and thousands of spawn points for otherworldly creatures. The terrain varied: mountains, valleys, forests, waterways. The war was expected to last two and a half years, though it could be extended or shortened based on progress and the point rankings.
To apprentices like Kai, stepping through the portal into the endless space felt overwhelming. But to the figures observing from above, the entire trial space—encased in a red barrier like an eggshell—was no bigger than a sandbox. The tens of thousands of apprentices inside were mere ants.
"It's an honor to have the Great Summer Guardian visit during our war," a burly, open-chested 中年 man said. He looked more knight than Mage, but he was actually an Earth Elementalist—the Tower Lord of Earth College Tower, a Level 5 Mid-tier Mage and the strongest present besides the Summer Guardian.
Surrounding him were four other Tower Lords:
A man in a blue-purple robe (Tower, Level 5 Early-tier).A man in black robes (Shadow Tower, Level 4).A woman in wave-patterned robes (Whisper Tower, Level 4).A woman in green robes (Azure Source Tower, Level 4).
At the center, commanding their respect, stood a woman in a red gown—the Summer Guardian, one of the wizarding world's Four Guardians, second only to the Winter Guardian. She was rumored to be on the cusp of Level 7 Dominator.
The Tower Lords couldn't discern her true strength, only feel waves of fire-element energy emanating from her—harmless, yet beneficial to be near. Guardians were chosen by the wizarding world's planar will, acting as its envoys. Their authority even surpassed ancient True Spirit Mages and Dominator Knights. No wonder her mere presence had the five Tower Lords scrambling to receive her.
"You flatter me," the Summer Guardian smiled. "I should thank you for quelling the recent unrest in your region so quickly."
The world painted the Summer Guardian as fiery, ruthless, and direct. But in person, she seemed poised and sophisticated—her true age far exceeding the Tower Lords'. The oldest, Earth College's Tower Lord, was a mere 90,000 years old—a youngster by her standards. Azure Source's Tower Lord, the youngest, wasn't even 10,000 years old—a rookie among Level 4 Mages. She was meeting the Summer Guardian for the first time, and her usual dignity had given way to nervous excitement.
Earth College's Tower Lord, the most seasoned, was the only one bold enough to converse freely. "Why did the spread of foreign gods' faith in our region draw your attention? If it's just a (ordinary) foreign god, we could handle it ourselves. Which backwater star's foolhardy Level 4+ being dared to spread faith here? Haven't they heard of our wizarding civilization?"
His words resonated with the others. Only a Dominator-level or higher foreign being, or a famous Level 6 star being, would know of the wizarding world's might. Only a clueless, isolated god—lucky enough to find a rift into the wizarding world—would dare spread faith here. Such beings were usually killed on sight. Knights might devour their flesh (Level 4+ creatures were valuable), while Mages preferred to preserve them as prized specimens. Earth College's Tower Lord had one in his collection from a planar war.
The Summer Guardian chuckled. "The incidents in your region weren't caused by foreigners—they were the work of a misguided young lady in our own world. Don't worry, it won't happen again. I'm heading to the Western Isles next."
The Tower Lords' expressions stiffened. They knew the Western Isles well—it was a knightly holy land, and its northern regions were the infamous Black Domain. Were the Black Domain's dark Mages behind the faith spread?
Though she smiled, the Tower Lords felt the fire-element energy and Summer's laws intensify around her. Her visit to the Black Domain wouldn't be a friendly one. They wisely kept silent.
To lighten the mood, Earth College's Tower Lord grinned. "Since we're hosting the war, Guardian, would you consider offering a reward to encourage these young talents?"
Items from a Guardian were never ordinary. The Tower Lords watched Summer Guardian with curiosity and respect.
She smiled. "Very well. I'll offer thisLight of the Planeas the reward for first place in this regional war."
A slender golden beam materialized at her fingertip, frozen in time. The Tower Lords leaned in, fascinated. This wasn't just light—it was a manifestation of the wizarding world's laws. As the Summer Guardian, its fire and light elements were pure to the extreme.
For Level 3 Grand Mages, this was irresistible—not for its elemental energy, but for thelawsit represented. Law manipulation was a power only Level 3 Peak and above beings could grasp, a cosmic force beyond physical form, touching the very essence of truth. Level 4+ beings were called "gods" in the astral sea precisely because they wielded such incomprehensible laws.
For the war's young apprentices, though, the law aspect was far too advanced. Even its elemental energy was beyond their current grasp. The true value lay in the sliver of the wizarding world's will it contained—a recognition of potential. Any Magic Apprentice or Knight Squire who claimed it would beinstantlypromoted to Level 1.
The wizarding world's will, fueled by planar origin power, could forcefully elevate even Level 4+ or Level 7 beings. Lifting an apprentice to Level 1 cost barely a fraction of that power.
The Tower Lord of Whisper Tower spoke up: "Whoever claims this Light of the Plane will have a smooth path to Level 3 Peak—if they survive. More importantly, they'll gain the planar will's attention."
Her voice was ethereal, fitting her mastery of mystery, divination, and sonic magic. Though only slightly more senior than Azure Source's Tower Lord, even Earth College's Tower Lord respected her.
The Summer Guardian tossed the Light of the Plane into the trial space, where it hovered, waiting for the top scorer to claim it—no tricks, no interference.
At the crimson portal, Kai handed Serena his refurbished Crimson Mask and other mid-tier magical items. "Once inside, prioritize your safety above all else," he warned. After she nodded firmly, he stepped into the portal. As an Archapprentice, he was among the first to enter.
Emerging from the portal, Kai found himself on a vast plain. The portal vanished behind him, and he'd lost sight of the other Azure Source Archapprentices who'd entered with him.
"From what the tower Mages said, each apprentice enters at a random location, though same-tower apprentices are grouped in the same region," he mused.
The war provided no maps. Azure Source's training focused on survival and scoring, not "cheating" by revealing hidden resources.
Kai looked at the plain, then flew east. He'd masteredLevitationwhen he became an Archapprentice—a costly spell, but worth it for speed and aerial recon. Xiao Qi couldn't enter the trial space, as it wasn't a contracted summon. Apprentices relied solely on their own strength and wits.
With his ample energy crystals and stockpiled recovery potions, Levitation was sustainable. After half an hour, he landed in an eastern forest. A stream ran through it, dotted with colorful stones.
"Water Chromite—low-tier water resource. A small node," he realized.
He was the first Azure Source apprentice here. After marking the node with his badge, he felt a strange energy flow into it. His initial 100 points jumped to 200. Only the first three to claim a node earned points, with early claimants getting more. If another tower took it, he'd lose 100 points. Lower-tier apprentices could also earn 1 point every ten days by holding a node—letting some juniors sit tight for nearly 100 points by war's end. But was it really that easy?
Kai collected some Water Chromite, then flew east again. Over the next three days, he found four more small nodes—two he claimed first (50 and 30 points), two others had been taken by Azure Source apprentices. On day five, he finally met other Azure Source students—testament to the space's vastness.
Three apprentices approached: two Mid-tier, one Low-tier. They saluted him respectfully.
"How long have you been here? When did you meet?" Kai asked.
"Three days, Senior. I met Ina and the others yesterday," the male Mid-tier replied.
Kai nodded, then, recalling the tower's training, added, "Head that way—you'll find a valley with a Fire Crystal node in about a day."
The apprentices' faces lit up, and they saluted again. Kai had already flown off. The Fire Crystal node wasn't his—three Azure Source marks were already there.
Competition was fierce. To earn big points, resource nodes alone wouldn't suffice.
"Our Senior Apprentices are all focused on claiming nodes. Wonder if anyone's targeting other towers yet? Given the tower's defensive strategy…" he sighed.
Over the next few days, his scoring slowed. Most nodes he found were already claimed. His last was a small Fire Rune Stone vein—he was third, earning 20 points. With over a hundred Senior Apprentices, Azure Source's fast movers could dominate small nodes in a month.
As time passed, he met more Azure Source apprentices—mostly Mid-tier and lower. He spotted other Senior Apprentices and Archapprentices too, but they didn't stop to talk. He still hadn't seen Serena, Mark, or Glen—with 10,000 Azure Source apprentices, it was normal not to meet for years.
Half a month in, Kai reached a medium resource node. It wasn't claimed, but nearly twenty Azure Source apprentices had gathered. Three otherworldly beings guarded it—green, humanoid creatures with thin wings and emerald eyes, wielding javelins with unfamiliar metal and intricate patterns.
One was Arch-tier, the others Senior-tier. They hissed threateningly at the sevenfold force arrayed against them.
When Kai arrived, a female Archapprentice said, "Another Archapprentice—let's attack, Jack! We have enough strength now!"
Jack, another Archapprentice, shook his head. "Wait—these beings aren't easy. Let's gather ten more."
His caution reflected the others' hesitation. These were their first otherworldly creatures—exotic, dangerous. The beings' scars spoke of past wars, yet they refused to back down.
Kai, however, had dissected countless specimens—otherworldly included. He saw points, not fear.
He struck first. A massive azureFlame Bladecleaved toward the strongest being.
Jack cursed—he didn't recognize the golden-masked Kai and resented his recklessness. But the female Archapprentice and others joined in, unleashingGiant Wind Blades,Fireballs,Ice Lances, and more.
Kai was right—Jack had overcautious. The barrage overwhelmed the creatures. The Arch-tier being blocked the Flame Blade with its javelin, but most of the fire energy seared into its flesh. It stood, defiant, as a green energy aura flared around it.
Kai closed in, hurling two amplifiedFireballsat its chest and head. The creature screamed "Vaka!" and a brighter green energy erupted from its body, draining its vitality. A large green orb formed above its javelin. It aimed it not at Kai, but at the weaker apprentices behind him.
The orb split into smaller, mid-tier-powered blasts.
"Realizing it can't kill me, so it targets the weaker, more numerous apprentices?" Kai marveled. The creature's eyes held despair—and a resolve to make them pay. It wasn't like the Sand Worm King, which had only cold arrogance. This being's defiance stirred something in Kai, but he pushed it aside.
Weakness was sin. He'd learned that at the Black Magic Academy.
The Fireballs engulfed the creature, followed by another Flame Blade to its neck.
The battle ended faster than expected, but not without cost: three Azure Source apprentices dead, five wounded. It was a stark lesson in war's brutality.
Kai marked the node first, earning 500 points for the node and 300 for the creatures—1,280 total.
"You bastard! You're responsible for their deaths!" Jack shouted, pointing at the bodies.
Kai checked his badge, then said coldly, "What do I care about the weak?"
Jack sputtered, but Kai flew east, ignoring him.