Chapter 8: The So-called Crucible (Please keep reading, add to your library, and recommend!)

Chapter 8

Quite unlike the cold and gloomy dark wizard Lynn had imagined, Colin appeared exceptionally enthusiastic, even taking the initiative to patiently explain the background and current state of the "Crucible" to Lynn, a "pure newcomer."

However, as he listened to Colin’s account, Lynn’s expression did not improve; instead, it grew even uglier.

It turned out that the Crucible recruited wizard apprentices every year to absorb fresh blood.

But the resources of the entire Crucible were limited, and these resources had to be distributed among the subordinate wizards and apprentices.

As time passed, the growth in the number of new apprentices inevitably intensified internal competition for resources, even threatening the vested interests of certain wizards.

Consequently, every decade or so, the Crucible would launch an external war.

On one hand, these wars were used to hunt for resources to replenish the Crucible’s consumption;

On the other hand, they served to "cleanse" the excess wizards and apprentices within, freeing up more resource space.

After a war, the interior of the Crucible would be temporarily empty, so the number of apprentices recruited in the following years would increase, and the assessments would be relatively lenient.

But as time went on and the resources left over from the war were gradually consumed, the number of apprentices recruited would tighten once again, until the arrival of the next war.

Lynn’s current assessment took place during a period of resource scarcity.

Almost everyone who could pass such a rigorous assessment had direct connections to certain wizards or apprentices within the Crucible.

Once these "connected individuals" passed the assessment, they would usually defect to their relatives or backers, not needing Colin to waste his breath on explanations.

Only "pure newcomers" like Lynn could possibly pass the assessment in the years immediately following a Crucible war.

Because in that "lenient" environment, the death quota for the assessment would be lowered, leaving room for survival for outsiders like him.

In the assessment Lynn participated in, all three others had connections to wizards or wizard apprentices within the Crucible. Lynn had relied on his own talent to take one of them down, luckily entering the Crucible.

But this also meant that Lynn had already offended the backer behind that Russell...

Not only that, but Colin’s explanation also made Lynn fully realize a fact.

The place he had entered was not some peaceful, academic "wizard academy" at all, but an organization called the "Crucible"—a completely different world.

Colin continued to explain that in the wizarding world, only a very small number of powerful wizards had the ability to construct their own wizarding territories.

Depending on the wizard faction, these territories were divided into two types: those of dark wizards were collectively called "Crucibles," while those of white wizards were called "Towers."

"So, I didn't join an academy at all..."

Hearing this, Lynn felt a shock in his heart and suddenly understood.

The "wizard academy life" he had been full of expectations for now seemed like nothing more than his own wishful thinking.

Everything in the Crucible revolved around the Master of the Crucible—that great dark wizard.

Its purpose was not to cultivate academic wizards, but to maintain the production and operation of the Crucible through the collaboration of wizards and apprentices at all levels.

The so-called recruitment of apprentices was merely to replenish the Crucible’s labor force.

Newcomers who passed the assessment would not enter a unified curriculum like in an academy; instead, they would be assigned to various departments in the Crucible that needed them, receiving individual guidance and performing related work.

At this moment, Lynn’s situation appeared particularly delicate and awkward.

He could only wait quietly for Colin to send his information to the various branches of the Crucible, hoping that one of the departments would be willing to accept him and take him away.

However, Lynn knew very well that this was merely an idealized assumption.

It was far more likely that during this waiting period, the backer behind Russell would find him, avenge Russell, and erase him from this world.

Thinking of this, Lynn’s face suddenly turned grim.

Colin, sitting to the side, watched Lynn with a constant, cheerful smile, his chin resting on his hands, seemingly very happy to appreciate the changes in this "pure newcomer's" expression.

He had clearly seen through Lynn’s situation and emotional fluctuations, and understood that the other party had realized his own danger.

Despite the anxiety in his heart, Lynn quickly forced himself to calm down.

He knew that impatience would not help; only by staying calm and clearing his thoughts could he find a way to solve the problem.

After adjusting his mood slightly, Lynn’s gaze fell back onto Colin’s face.

At this moment, he noticed the meaningful smile at the corner of the other man's mouth. His heart stirred, and he recalled an old saying: "There is no such thing as a free lunch."

Why was this Lord Colin explaining the background of the Crucible to him so patiently?

The other party was clearly not helping out of pure kindness without reason; he had other motives.

Lynn realized that since he knew nothing about the Crucible, he might as well take the initiative to probe.

"Lord Colin,"

Lynn quickly organized his thoughts, bowed slightly, and said respectfully, "You should know that I snatched my assessment spot from a 'connected individual,' and therefore have already offended that person's backer. Since you are being so amiable to Lynn, you must have some guidance for me, right? If there is anything Lynn can help with, please command me, Lord Colin."

As soon as he finished speaking, a more satisfied smile spread across Colin’s lips.

He clapped his hands lightly, his tone full of approval

"Hehe, quite sharp, aren't you? Not bad, not bad. Only smart apprentices have the capital to survive."

Colin was clearly very satisfied with Lynn’s attitude.

He could see that the "pure newcomer" before him was by no means mediocre. After all, a newcomer who could fight his way out from a group of "connected individuals" could not be ordinary trash.

"That’s right, I do have something I need your help with. And this matter requires a 'pure newcomer' like you. Follow me."

Colin stood up from his seat and beckoned for Lynn to follow.

However, he changed the subject, shrugged slightly, and his tone carried a hint of mockery and helplessness

"But I must warn you, my teacher has always had a discerning eye. If you cannot meet her requirements, then I cannot guarantee your safety. When the time comes, if that connected individual's backer comes knocking, I won't be able to fight them for your sake—not to mention I can't beat them anyway."

Hearing this, Lynn’s heart tightened, but his face immediately showed a look of gratitude

"Many thanks for your help, Lord Colin! Regardless of success or failure, Lynn will definitely give it his all!"

In Lynn’s view, this might be his only chance.

He had just seen with his own eyes that even that scarred wizard was quite polite to Colin, and the reason was, in all likelihood, the "teacher" behind Colin.

Lynn grabbed this straw of life without hesitation.

He understood that regardless of the outcome, the fact that Colin was willing to give him a chance was already a great stroke of luck.

Seeing this, Colin nodded, found someone in the hall to cover his shift, and then led Lynn out of the hall.

The two passed through the living quarters of the Crucible, turning through the streets for a long time, the surrounding scenery constantly changing.

Finally, they arrived in front of a small courtyard at a street corner.

The courtyard was decorated elegantly with flowers and plants, completely different from the cold, hard style of most buildings in the Crucible, revealing an atmosphere of warmth and tranquility.

"This is my teacher's residence."

Colin stopped and turned to say to Lynn.

Although his tone was calm, Lynn could sense that when Colin mentioned his "teacher," there was a hint of underlying awe in his voice.

Lynn took a deep breath and looked up at the gate of the courtyard.

He knew that every step from here on out would concern his own survival.

(End of chapter)