Lynch began preparing for his upcoming journey; this time, the trip was unlike any he’d taken before.

The boundaries between witch domains in this world were clearly defined, and the distances were incredibly vast. Going out was already difficult enough, but returning would be even harder. Careful planning was essential.

First, the goal.

The purpose of leaving was to broaden his horizons, but more importantly, it was to pursue better development opportunities and more convenient access to resources. Additionally, it was to acquire higher-level materials. Therefore, the next destination had to be a witch domain more advanced than the Ancient Ruins.

Wasting time at the Four-Ring Witch Domain wouldn’t be meaningful—it wasn’t like climbing a ladder where one had to go step by step. It’s like Africans aiming to immigrate to America on Earth; they wouldn’t take a detour through Canada first, right?

Lynch decided to cut to the chase and head straight for the Five-Ring Witch Domain, the most powerful domain in this dimension.

Currently, there were only four Five-Ring Witch Domains in this world: the Land of Fran to the east of the continent, the Land of Freedom to the west, the Land of Extreme Winter to the north, and the Old Land to the northwest.

The north was too far, the east wasn’t very welcoming to foreign witches, and the northwest appeared to have a similar rigid hierarchical system like the Ancient Ruins. That left only the west—Land of Freedom.

The name alone was telling: a place that claimed to have no restraints and welcomed witches from all corners of the world. Achievements there depended entirely on one’s skills and abilities. It was basically the ideal destination for any witch far away from their homeland.

Of course,

Lynch’s knowledge of the Four Great Witch Domains came solely from books and word-of-mouth among witches. What they were truly like, and whether they lived up to their reputations, was something he could only find out upon arrival.

In any case, Lynch set his next destination—

Five-Ring Witch Domain: Land of Freedom.

…

Sometime later, at the Shadow Tower, during the White Wizard Magic Exchange Society.

The White Wizard Magic Exchange Society was an academic seminar held irregularly by the White Witch Council. It was initiated by the three major wizard organizations that managed the council and invited various wizard organizations affiliated with the council to participate.

This particular session of the exchange society was held at the Shadow Tower. On this day, witches and apprentices from all directions arrived one after another at the various entrances of the Shadow Tower.

At the Wind Forest entrance, Lynch was busy receiving members of other wizard organizations entering the tower.

After advancing to wizard status, Lynch had remained idle due to his lack of family ties—he hadn’t been assigned any duties typically expected of a wizard in a tower. But for some reason, recently, this idle status seemed to be coming to an end.

Perhaps it was meant to show good faith toward Avery, signaling some willingness to accept him. If they simply let him cultivate without assigning tasks, it might raise suspicions, wouldn’t it?

In any case, Lynch, who had been idle for some time, was now given a task: welcoming foreign guests.

“Wow! Look at that! Over there, over there!”

“Those legs! That chest!”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, I wish I could take a bite.”

The one speaking was Graham, standing next to Lynch. Recently, Graham had advanced to High-level Apprentice status with the support of family resources, and coupled with his pureblood identity, he was fully qualified to help receive guests.

At the moment, he stood beside Lynch, his expression distasteful as he ogled a few witches who had just stepped down from a carriage.

Lynch followed his gaze.

All he could say was…

This guy did have an eye for beauty.

About 16 or 17 years old, possessing both looks and figure. What stood out most was the pure and radiant aura she exuded, like a flawless lily. Her blooming smile overflowed with carefree innocence and whimsy.

’Not bad, not bad.’

Lynch couldn’t resist sneaking a few more glances.

Though this girl couldn’t compare with Avery on a thousand levels, she was undoubtedly a beauty of the highest order. Men have this annoying tendency—not that they intend to do anything indecent, but sometimes they just can’t stop fantasizing a little.

“What are you staring at, Wizard Lynch? So engrossed.” At that moment, an oddly familiar voice called out.

Lynch turned his head to see a young man approaching him.

Brown hair, an impressive face, carrying an air of innate confidence and pride derived from both excellent lineage and exceptional talent. Draped over him was a cloak from Dawn Wizard Academy.

Lynch was momentarily stunned: “Blair?”

It was Blair Jomans, someone Lynch had crossed paths with in the Blood-colored Battlefield.

Blair smiled. “Long time no see, Lynch… or should I say Wizard Lynch? I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you yet.”

Lynch nodded. “Thank you.”

After a pause, he added, “And congratulations to you as well, Wizard Blair.”

The other was similarly clad in a wizard-level cloak.

As he spoke, Lynch took the opportunity to carefully examine Blair.

After leaving the Blood-colored Battlefield, Lynch had learned that prior to entering the battlefield, the purebloods of wizard families would use biological magic to create ’backups’ of their bodies.

The unique spatial nature of the battlefield meant that when someone died inside, their soul wasn’t immediately taken away by the Rule Power. With the aid of specific enchantments and resources cultivated within the battlefield, their soul could be fused with the backup body, allowing resurrection.

It was undeniably ironic: Muggles became the fertilizer, while the purebloods used resources cultivated by them to regain life.

On the surface, everyone was fighting side by side, charging into battles together. But in truth, Muggles were merely sacrificial pawns, while purebloods treated it like an ultra-realistic immersive game.

Chaos? Order?

Those life-and-death decisions they made, believing they were shaping the future of this land, believing they were controlling their destiny.

But in reality…

Destiny had never been in their hands.

Chaos, order—these were nothing more than different lifestyles for those truly in control of this land.

A thousand years, ten thousand years.

The order of this land had never changed!

Blair turned his gaze, landing on the girl Lynch and Graham had just been ogling. He teased, “So Wizard Lynch’s type is this, huh?”

Lynch shrugged: “Isn’t she gorgeous?”

They were all men with the same thought processes—why pretend to be righteous here? Seriously!

Later, Lynch learned that the girl’s name was Julia. She was an apprentice from Starshine Castle, hailing from the palace of the Burgundy Kingdom. She was the king’s most beloved young daughter and had only been in the Wizard World for a few years.

Her outstanding appearance paired with that untainted disposition attracted countless men. Rumors claimed that the number of suitors professing affection for her around New Radiance Castle could circle the castle three times.

However, Julia remained steadfast in rejecting them graciously, devoting herself entirely to magic.

Beauty, aura, and the effect of men’s psychology—the more unattainable, the more desirable—made Julia an undeniable sensation at Starshine Castle. Countless admirers worshipped her like a goddess placed on an unreachable throne…

…

That evening, at Star Language Manor.

With the guests from all directions gathered, Shadow Tower naturally had to fulfill its duty as a host, ensuring they didn’t come across as petty.

That night, the tower organized a special banquet.

In the grand hall, Lynch stood idly by a dining table, nibbling on a piece of strawberry cake to pass the time.

Originally, he’d planned to attend with Avery, but at the last moment, Avery had to leave unexpectedly, leaving Lynch to attend alone. Though technically it was part of his job today, it was undeniably dull.

He glanced at the clock on the wall—just a few more minutes to hit the one-quarter mark needed for his designated working time. Then he’d leave…

“Lynch, Wizard?”

At that moment, a slightly flippant voice sounded from behind.

Lynch turned and saw a stranger approaching. He appeared to be in his early twenties, with golden hair, donning an elegant and obviously expensive formal outfit. His chest bore the emblem of a High-level Apprentice.

“And you are?” Lynch asked quizzically.

In the Wizard World, hierarchy was strictly observed. Generally speaking, an apprentice standing before a wizard might not need to kneel constantly but should at least demonstrate proper humility—lowered head and restrained gestures were appropriate.

Yet this young man showed no signs of submission, even standing before Lynch. He held his chin high, exuding arrogance as he spoke brazenly.

He drawled, “You don’t know me, but surely you recognize my surname. My name is Albert, Albert Monbatten.”

The Mountbatten family, ranked among the top ten in the Ancient Ruins, had seen glorious times, producing multiple Second Tier members in its prime.

The current generation of Mountbatten had continued that tradition of excellence. Their leading figure hadn’t yet reached three hundred years of age but was already a High-level Wizard honing soul power, with a high likelihood of advancing to Second Tier.

Achieving Second Tier would place them among the highest rulers of this land, elevating the entire family’s status. This was exactly why an apprentice from Mountbatten dared to act arrogantly in front of a wizard.

Lynch placed the silver spoon, still coated in cream, into his mouth, biting it as he asked, “Do you need something?”

Albert’s expression darkened slightly. Speaking to someone while eating was immensely rude. What was this supposed to mean? Was Lynch looking down on him—a mere Muggle-born wizard with an inflated ego?

Albert’s face turned grim. He stepped back slightly before continuing, “Everyone knows about you and Karina. Word has it that Miss Karina even went so far as to convene a family meeting to advocate bending the rules for you.”

He paused briefly, then looked at Lynch with a face full of ’sincerity,’ adding, “I came here just to remind you—a man ought to know his place. Your bloodline and hers? You’ve already profited enough, so keep your head down and behave.”

He concluded with a hint of menace, “Don’t be greedy, or it won’t end well for you!”