The next morning, the Guiding Ship slowly touched down on the ground.
The cabin doors slowly opened, revealing the outside world. A massive plaza appeared before everyone. Paved with smoothly polished stone slabs, it was large enough to accommodate tens of thousands of people.
The most eye-catching feature on the plaza was the dozen or so giant semi-circular metal devices. They looked like severed steel rainbows, half-clasped to the ground. Light and shadow circulated within them, and from time to time, figures and cargo would appear or vanish out of thin air.
Allen thought to himself that those devices must be the Cross-plane Teleportation Star Gates that had been mentioned.
These were the key devices connecting various realms. This plaza was just like an airport from his previous life, transporting cargo and passengers, only the destinations of these journeys were entire worlds.
The moment they left the airship and stepped onto solid ground, many of the teenagers felt their legs give way. Wizard Gray stood right at the exit of the boarding stairs, scrutinizing these anxious rookies.
"Go on. Based on your grades, go find your own organizations. I'll give you a piece of advice: ask around before making a decision."
The crowd began to diverge. The boys and girls who had been graded as unqualified wore expressions of bewilderment and despair as they were led by another group of black-robed figures toward the edges of the plaza. Located there were minor Wizard Organizations that were considered uninfluential to the wizarding community as a whole, though they still possessed the power to dictate the rise and fall of a mortal kingdom. It was there that these youths would have to fend for themselves.
"Allen Wesren."
Gray called out to stop him.
Allen stopped in his tracks and bowed slightly.
Gray took a few steps closer. The indifference that had clouded his gray eyes yesterday was gone, replaced by a complex, scrutinizing gaze.
"Don't waste your time on these small fries." He pointed at the small Wizard Organizations and families on the plaza who were waving various flags and loudly recruiting apprentices. "With your 'Exceptional' rating, you can head directly to the central district and look for the encampments of those three factions."
Gray pointed toward the three magnificent buildings in the very center of the plaza, each boasting a completely different architectural style.
"Let one of them sponsor your entry into the best Wizard Academy. Only there will your talent not be buried."
Having said that, Gray didn't linger. He turned around and headed back into the cabin.
"Sponsor..." Allen chewed on the word.
The surrounding crowd completely dispersed, like a handful of gravel thrown into water. The qualified ones clutched their rating reports, running toward the recruitment spots with excitement or apprehension. Those with A-level ratings were surrounded by crowds, while those with B and C-level ratings worked hard to sell themselves.
"Hello, Mr. Wesren. We are the Silver Moon Tower. We are willing to offer you a full scholarship..." A decently dressed middle-aged man intercepted Allen.
"Apologies." Allen politely sidestepped him, his pace not faltering in the slightest.
He rejected recruitment offers from at least five or six small and medium-sized organizations, heading straight for the center of the plaza. He could feel a hesitant gaze following closely behind him. It was the girl named Vera. She seemed at a loss, but seeing that Allen, who also had an S-level rating, had a clear goal, she subconsciously followed him.
Allen ignored her. His attention was completely focused on the three buildings ahead.
In the center of the plaza, the three buildings stood in a triangular formation, distinctly separate from one another.
In the very middle was a pure white building with strictly symmetrical lines. It exuded an aura of justice and majesty, resembling a tribunal of judgment.
The building on the right was the exact opposite. It was a fortress forged of black iron and brass. Giant gear structures were exposed on its exterior, and its chimneys spewed sulfur-scented steam. It was brimming with the iron-blooded essence of industry and war.
On the left was a quaint, ancient tower. It lacked any ornate decorations; there were only countless profound Runes slowly flowing across its stone walls, giving off a tranquil and profound feeling steeped in eons of time.
Allen stopped in front of a nearby glass screen. It seemed to be a public information terminal that listed various trading details and flight schedules. It could also be used to look up information on various organizations. He tapped his finger gently on the screen of light, and introductions for the three organizations surfaced.
The three major organizations Gray had mentioned were precisely the cornerstones of order for the wizarding community: three cross-plane super Wizard Organizations. They maintained the fundamental foundation of the Wizard Civilization and served as the highest representations of rules, martial might, and knowledge.
[Mystic Code Council: The supreme court and legislature of the wizarding community... Maintains the "Wizard Codex," defines taboos, and arbitrates Plane Level disputes.]
"The political center." Allen immediately crossed it off.
Entering such a place meant endless factionalism, scheming, and power struggles. For an individual pursuing power and truth, the efficiency was far too low.
[Ring City Alliance: A military-industrial complex composed of the twelve strongest Floating Cities... Philosophy: Power is truth, resources are justice.]
"A war machine." Allen's assessment was equally swift.
Joining this place would undoubtedly result in being molded into a cog of a war machine. Although he could gain access to top-tier Alchemy Creations, his personal freedom would be extremely low, and he could be dispatched to some meat-grinder-like battlefield at any moment. His double S-level talents might be useful in battlefield command, but the risks were entirely disproportionate to the rewards.
His gaze finally landed on the third option.
[Gate of Truth: A pure academic institution exploring the ultimate Laws of the universe... Philosophy: Knowledge above all else.]
This was it.
Allen's analysis had taken less than ten seconds.
[DSeek: Target confirmed. High compatibility between the "Gate of Truth" and the host's current core demands (analyzing the underlying rules of the world and pursuing truth). This organization emphasizes individual research capabilities, highly aligning with the host's "Memory" and "Focus" talents.]
A purely academic organization meant less political infighting and more research freedom. Their pursuit of knowledge perfectly matched his own goal of exploring the essence of the world. Crucially, they valued a Wizard's "software" much more than their "hardware."
He noted that his current body's mediocre Magic Power affinity and Meditation Talents might not become a fatal shortcoming here. Though current information was scarce, he believed this was the best choice for him.
Allen took a step forward, walking toward the quaint tower in the center.
Seeing him make his choice, Vera hesitated for a moment before following along with quick, small steps.
The tower's doors were wide open, and the interior was unexpectedly spacious and bright. There were no noisy voices, only the faint scent of ink and parchment, accompanied by the dim glow of Energy Crystal Stones. Over a dozen towering bookshelves that reached the ceiling were neatly arranged. The books on them all seemed to be analytical reports detailing the Plane beneath their feet. A few people wearing gray Apprentice Robes were quietly consulting materials.
This place didn't feel like a recruitment spot; it felt more like the entrance to a library.
Behind a long table at the end of the hall sat an Elder Wizard with completely white hair and a matching beard. Wearing a monocle, he was carefully reading a manuscript in his hand, completely ignoring the people who walked in.
Allen walked up to the table and gently placed his rating report on it.
The Elder Wizard paused his movements. He looked up and picked up the report with one hand. When he saw the words "Comprehensive Rating: Exceptional," he finally set down his manuscript.
"Allen Wesren," he read out Allen's name, then carefully finished reading the data on the page. "Magic Power Affinity A, Meditation Talent B.
"Memory S, Focus S."
The Elder Wizard took off his monocle and studied Allen.
"An interesting combination. Powerful mental control abilities, yet paired with a relatively mediocre Soul Container. You are a... highly lopsided individual, but these two S-level talents will indeed make your path as an apprentice much smoother than others."
His tone was calm. There was no praise and no disparagement; he was merely stating a fact.
"I am more inclined to believe that exceptional memory and focus are the sharpest tools for exploring the truth," Allen replied, neither haughty nor humble.
"A nice way of putting it." The Elder Wizard placed the report back onto the table. "The Gate of Truth welcomes all souls who hold a passion for knowledge. But we are not a charity. Before your talents are realized, you aren't worth much."
He took a document from his drawer and pushed it in front of Allen.
"An initial investment intent agreement.
"We can fully sponsor you to enter the Seven Towers Alliance for fundamental studies; it is the best Wizard Academy. During this period, all your tuition and basic living expenses will be provided by us until you become an Advanced Apprentice. At that time, you can come to us to sign a higher-level agreement.
"As for you, whether you graduate or not, you will need to serve one of our subordinate organizations for at least ten years. Alternatively, you can buy out this agreement with an outstanding research outcome that has been certified by the Council."
The conditions were very fair, perhaps even generous.
Allen picked up the agreement and quickly scanned through it. The terms were clear, the rights and responsibilities distinct, and there were no textual traps.
"I agree, but I have a question. Why a subordinate organization? Can I not work directly for the Gate of Truth?"
"Work directly for the Gate of Truth?" The Elder Wizard scoffed. "Boy, even the mentors at the Seven Towers Academy might not be qualified for that. Stop dreaming."
The Elder Wizard picked up a Feather Pen and a bottle of ink from the side.
"Then, sign your name."
Allen was just about to reach out and take the pen.
"Oh, right," the Elder Wizard suddenly added. "Before we officially sign, there is one minor procedure. A... routine confirmation."
He pressed his hand onto a Crystal Ball on the desktop. The originally dim and lusterless sphere instantly lit up with a faint blue light inside, with countless Runes constantly sparking to life and extinguishing.
"We need to confirm whether your soul... is intact."