Chapter 147: Death and Planes

A rare, faint smile appeared on Mentor Clark’s face.

He retrieved a pristine wizard robe and a badge shimmering with profound light from behind him.

“Jie Ming, this is the badge of a first-rank official wizard, along with your formal robe.”

Mentor Clark handed the badge to Jie Ming. It wasn’t crafted from mere metal but from a translucent material.

Intricate wizard runes were etched upon it, with what seemed like a miniature elemental storm swirling within, symbolizing recognition of a first-rank wizard’s mastery over elements.

The robe, woven from special black silk, effectively shielded against external energy interference and served as a hallmark of an official wizard’s identity. It featured ample blank spaces for the wizard to inscribe their own enhancements.

Jie Ming accepted the badge and robe, feeling the potent energy within them, a ripple of emotion stirring in his heart.

From this day forward, he could shed the title of apprentice and become an officially recognized wizard in the wizarding civilization.

This was not just an honor but the culmination of years of arduous cultivation and a passport to broader horizons.

“Well done.” Mentor Clark nodded with satisfaction. “Your performance exceeded my expectations. I look forward to more surprises from you in the future.”

“Thank you for your guidance, Mentor.” Jie Ming bowed respectfully and then stood behind Clark to observe the ceremony.

Aside from a few students with truly poor talent, the other graduates smoothly received their first-rank official wizard badges and robes.

Those who failed to reach first-rank due to limited talent bore stubborn expressions, their eyes frequently darting toward the nearby spatial teleportation array.

That was the gateway to their upcoming battles on other planes.

If all students feared conscription upon entering the academy, years later, those limited by talent and unable to break through to first-rank were the ones most eager to join planar wars.

The number of graduates varied by department, with most logistical disciplines completing their ceremonies quickly.

The academy didn’t delay; once a department finished, its wizards could depart immediately.

Thus, while some combat disciplines continued their ceremonies, on the other side of the hall, graduates bound for other planes began boarding the massive spatial teleportation array.

As the array’s runes lit up and light flickered, each teleport whisked away a group of young, passionate figures, sending them to planes Noren Workshop was conquering or exploring, to fulfill an official wizard’s duty—pioneering and gathering new knowledge.

Standing behind Mentor Clark, Jie Ming watched those departing silhouettes, a profound sense of awe rising within him.

He clearly remembered attending such a ceremony five years ago.

Back then, he sat in the audience, watching graduating wizards embark on their journeys with fervor, their eyes filled with longing and curiosity for the wizarding world…

Wait, no?

Jie Ming fell into thought.

He recalled… though he’d only studied for five years, he could already overpower every graduating wizard present at that time.

At this thought, his gaze drifted.

Scanning the other students who, like him, had passed Noren Workshop’s trials and were temporarily exempt from planar battles, Jie Ming felt an inexplicable unease.

It wasn’t until he saw the haughty Augusta standing behind a combat mentor that he realized who was missing.

He instinctively searched for a vaguely familiar figure.

“Right, where’s Horn?” Jie Ming asked casually, still scanning the crowd.

Horn, a prodigy with eighth-rank elemental talent, had been a prominent figure among the new students, his exceptional talent making him a likely focal point of this ceremony.

Amy, hearing this, remained calm, her tone almost indifferent, as if discussing something trivial. “Him? Dead.”

“Dead?”

Those few words struck Jie Ming’s heart like cold lightning.

He looked at Amy, whose expression remained serene, as if stating an accepted fact.

Victor, beside her, nodded slightly in agreement. “Yeah, he died during the Elosia planar trial.”

Horn was dead?

A complex emotion surged within Jie Ming.

Not sorrow or fear, but a dazed, intricate feeling, like hearing of an acquaintance’s passing.

As an eighth-rank elemental talent “prodigy,” many believed Horn would go far in the wizarding path, a standout who carried high expectations.

Amy continued, “It’s a pity. After passing the academy’s trial, he got a bit full of himself. He focused more on networking than self-improvement, busy befriending noble families’ heirs and attending banquets, neglecting his studies.”

“So, he was just unlucky enough to die in the last trial,” Victor added, a faint trace of regret in his tone.

But this regret seemed more for the loss of talent than for the individual.

Jie Ming felt a twinge of sentiment.

Though he and Horn were barely acquainted, with almost no interaction, hearing that a once-celebrated genius had perished so quietly still stirred him.

He recalled Horn’s confident, almost arrogant demeanor at the academy.

Such talent, yet squandered on misguided pursuits, wasting precious time and energy on “connections,” only to fall in the brutal planar trial.

In the wizarding world, this was all too common.

Talent was crucial, but the thirst for knowledge, the pursuit of power, and the resolve to constantly improve in fierce competition were even more vital.

Those who indulged in worldly power, relationships, or rested on their talents, no matter how high their starting point, would ultimately be culled by this cold, efficient system.

Jie Ming’s gaze returned to the official wizard badge in his hand.

It seemed to remind him that true power always lay within oneself.

Connections, resources, and honors were external; only personal strength was the foundation for standing tall across the multiverse.

As the crowd dispersed and the hall regained some quiet, Mentor Clark’s steady voice sounded in Jie Ming’s ear. “Jie Ming, come to my office.”

“Yes, Mentor.” Jie Ming responded respectfully, following Clark through the familiar academy corridors.

Mentor Clark’s office was, as always, minimalist.

Clark gestured for Jie Ming to sit across from him at the desk.

“Sit.” Clark’s voice carried a barely noticeable ease.

He picked up a stack of documents from the desk, and Jie Ming’s magic network terminal simultaneously received an encrypted message.

“These are the planar details you requested,” Clark said directly, pushing the documents toward Jie Ming.

Jie Ming’s attention was immediately drawn to the stack.

It was the demon plane he’d earned through his top contribution in the Elosia trial—finally finalized!

“Based on the workshop’s surveys, evaluations, and your preferences, the selected demon plane is a premier one within the Elosia cluster,” Clark said calmly, though the weight of his words quickened Jie Ming’s pulse.

“This plane is called ‘Infernal Sulfur,’” Clark continued slowly. “Its physical size surpasses even the main surface of the Elosia plane. It’s a vast, primal land brimming with active fire elements and frequent geological activity.”

Jie Ming’s eyes gleamed with disbelief.

This meant the plane held immense resources and vast space for countless large-scale experiments!

Clark gestured toward the magic network terminal. “This is the detailed survey report and the plane’s coordinates you’ll receive. Noren Workshop has installed a permanent spatial teleportation gate there. These coordinates are the ‘key’ to that gate, allowing you to travel between Noren Workshop and the plane at will.”

He paused, adding, “Once you arrive, you can adjust the gate’s specific coordinates based on your needs and safety. If you wish, you can share the coordinates with trusted individuals—it’s up to you.”

Jie Ming took a deep breath, calming his excitement.

This meant a genuine, full-fledged plane was truly in his hands.

“Due to its harsh environment, the plane is primarily inhabited by fire-element creatures, heat-resistant magical beasts, and a few demons born in volcanic depths. Their numbers are vast, their strength formidable, and they’re highly aggressive. Prepare thoroughly,” Clark cautioned.

“I understand, Mentor. I’ll be careful,” Jie Ming nodded.

“Additionally, if needed, the workshop can arrange a team of low-rank wizards for logistical construction to handle initial development and resource collection. The relevant permissions have been sent to your terminal for you to manage,” Clark continued. “Any questions?”

“None, Mentor. Thank you and the workshop for your support!” Jie Ming sincerely expressed his gratitude.

Clark gave a barely perceptible nod. “Go. The wizard’s path lies in exploration and practice. Good luck.”

“Yes!”

Jie Ming didn’t linger. Eagerly, he stood, bowed to Mentor Clark once more, and hurriedly left the office.