"It's good you can think that way," Modili nodded. "I was also worried you might hold a grudge for offending an Official Wizard. It's just a pity... I joined White Teeth Castle."

He didn't have the authority to choose which faction to join; that decision rested with his tutor.

"No matter where we go, or which faction we join, we are always members of the Starry Secret Society." Hibell raised her glass. "Here's to each of us becoming Official Wizards!"

"Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

This time, three members of the Starry Secret Society were determined to leave the Black Swamp: Modili, Oma, and Carl.

Hibell wasn't in a hurry. She had only recently advanced to an Advanced Wizard Apprentice and needed a few more years to consolidate her level. Going to the Wizard World wouldn't change anything for her at this point. It would be the same for the next decade. So, staying behind only brought a slight sense of regret.

The others also had their own choices. This gathering could be considered a farewell banquet, as everyone would soon be heading off on their separate paths.

"Modili, when you leave, what will become of your family? They surely won't be able to go to the Wizard World."

"I've left some Magic Stones and Gold Coins for them. I'm not worried about the others, just my brother; he's just a mortal."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of him," Hibell assured, patting her chest. "Your fiancée..."

"She's no longer my fiancée," Modili shook his head. "Hibell, which faction do you plan to join in the next decade? White Teeth Castle, or the Six Rings Tower?"

"The Six Rings Tower, I suppose. Oma and my junior apprentice brother are there. I'm really sorry I can't join you."

"It's alright."

Amidst the lively chatter, the four of them drank until they were completely intoxicated.

...

「The next day.」

Alesya came for a visit.

She brought with her a thick stack of papers and knocked on the door of the room Carl was renting.

"Sit."

Carl, his eyes bloodshot and still feeling the effects of the alcohol, fetched a pitcher of cold water and gulped it down, trying to sober up.

"In your current state, I highly doubt you can handle any business."

Alesya shook her head, pulled up a chair, and sat down. "These are the valuations for your assets: your real estate shares, properties, consigned goods, and some Magic Materials. The total value is around 600 Magic Stones."

Carl slowly nodded. His largest investment was in Heidi's real estate, which he had to liquidate before leaving. Combined with the Magic Stones remaining from purchasing Advanced Demonized Items, his total assets now exceeded 1,000 Magic Stones. That was a staggering amount!

"Additionally," Alesya continued, taking out a paper filled with text, "are you really planning to purchase these items? Although the Magic Forest isn't part of the Wizard World, there's no shortage of Magic Materials there. I've inquired a bit; with the same amount of Magic Stones, you could buy more items there."

"Buy them!" Carl rubbed his forehead. "I have an urgent need for them."

An urgent need? You're about to leave, so what could possibly be so urgent? Could it be you're afraid of facing danger in the Magic Forest? But the items you're buying aren't particularly lethal Demonized Items, are they?

Alesya shook her head but didn't probe further. After all, she was a businesswoman; there was no reason to refuse Carl, who was willing to spend at her establishment.

"Demonized Items that conceal one's aura—amulets or Seals—I've already started acquiring them. These kinds of items aren't cheap. I can get you four powerful Seals, but the price will be 150 Magic Stones."

Due to Kolon's retaliation and the ongoing assassination missions, Seal prices had been rising. They had reached 40 Magic Stones apiece. Four for 150 Magic Stones was the current market price.

"Deal!" Carl nodded.

"The four Seals are Chain Fireball, Potent Plague, Gravity Field, and Ice Burst—all of which are rather rare types of Seals," Alesya said. "You won't be at a loss."

"I trust you." Carl closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair, and cleared his mind. "In about a month, I'll be heading to the Magic Forest. What do you think I should take with me?"

"Aside from Magic Stones, you don't need to bring anything," Alesya shrugged. "Everything is cheaper there than here. If it weren't for the time limits and restrictions on the number of people who can travel to the Magic Forest, I'd want to go myself."

Everything's cheaper... Carl fell into thought. There must be some advantages here that aren't available there, right?

"Like what?" Alesya shook her head. "Magic Materials? Demonized Items? Seals? I heard they even sell 'inheritance weapons' over there."

"No!" Carl's eyes snapped open. "There's one thing that's cheaper here."

"What's that?" Alesya was taken aback.

"Knowledge!" Carl declared. "A few Magic Stones can buy a witchcraft spell; a dozen can secure an apprentice's inheritance. With several dozen Magic Stones, you can acquire the inheritance needed to advance to an Official Wizard! Although I don't know the situation over there, I bet it can't be done!"

Alesya's eyes lit up.

"Help me acquire witchcraft knowledge. Acquire all sorts of it!" Carl tapped the table. "I have some matters to attend to in the coming period and might not be around, so I'll have to trouble you with this."

"Don't worry!" Alesya nodded emphatically. "I'll make sure you're satisfied."

*

*

*

The once-bustling Freedom Port had long since become a ruin.

Upon the ruins, countless zombie-like shark people roamed back and forth, occasionally screeching as they pounced on insects emerging from the ground.

In this place, the only living, normal creatures were found underground.

Terrible monsters had taken up residence in the ruins, treating the wandering shark people as a food source.

For some unknown reason, the shark people did not resist being devoured by the monsters; they even actively fed those that were immobile.

Atop a distant hill.

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