Chapter 125: The Quest

The security in Saint Circle City was quite strict, with regulations forbidding anyone from appearing on the streets after midnight. Hsius wasn’t sure why, but since it was a rule of Saint Circle City, he had no choice but to abide by it obediently.

“Hey! Hsius, got a moment to meet up?” Three days later, Jelin contacted Hsius through the wizard’s mark.

Hsius had been waiting for Jelin’s return, intending to learn about the wizard organizations in Saint Circle City from him.

“Make yourself comfortable, Hsius!” When Hsius arrived at Jelin’s villa, Jelin casually invited him to sit down and talk at leisure.

As soon as Hsius sat down, a maid brought him tea and snacks, filling the room with a unique fragrance of tea.

“Try this, I got it from someone else—newly cultivated!” Jelin said proudly.

“It’s indeed quite good!” Hsius tasted it, then set down the cup, ready to get to the point with Jelin.

“I want to join a wizard organization here in Saint Circle City. Do you have any good suggestions?” Hsius didn’t know if Jelin had joined any organization, but he assumed Jelin was well-informed.

“You want to join a wizard organization?” Upon hearing Hsius speak seriously, Jelin quickly grew solemn.

“How else am I supposed to repay my debts if I don’t join one?” Hsius felt a headache at the thought of the many magic stones he still owed.

“You’re an alchemist. Afraid of money? Isn’t it said that alchemists are rolling in riches?” Jelin naturally didn’t believe Hsius.

“Do I look like it to you?” Hsius spread his hands helplessly.

“Hahaha! But there are many wizard organizations in Saint Circle City; you have to choose carefully!” Jelin laughed and began introducing various organizations in Saint Circle City to Hsius.

“There are many wizard organizations in Saint Circle City: the Tower of the Ring of Light, the Rose Cottage, the Silver Rose, the Institute of Nature…”

“These are some of the stronger organizations in the city, with abundant resources and advanced knowledge. You should choose the one that suits you best! The Tower of the Ring of Light and the Institute of Nature are among the top-tier organizations here. They possess rich advanced knowledge, but entry is very strict. You must pass tests and swear an oath with your soul to join. Think carefully,” Jelin said seriously.

He understood Hsius’s mindset: joining an organization was a means to access better resources and more advanced knowledge.

Saint Circle City valued advanced knowledge and wizard promotions deeply. Such materials were never sold in shops or public centers. Every wizard organization guarded these secrets zealously, forbidding any leaks.

“I recommend you choose the Silver Rose. Though it’s not at the very top in terms of strength, it specializes in plant cultivation and alchemy. Most of the potions in Saint Circle City come from the Silver Rose. You could say it monopolizes the potion industry here!

Since you’re an alchemist yourself, joining the Silver Rose would be more advantageous. Besides, their resources and advanced knowledge are plentiful,” Jelin kindly offered his advice.

“The tea you just drank came from the Silver Rose. And joining it doesn’t require you to swear an oath with your soul! There are other small wizard organizations, but they’re mostly nominal—a bunch of people conducting experiments. Many of these groups are actually subordinate to the larger organizations!”

Seeing Hsius deep in thought, Jelin went on to list all the notable wizard organizations in Saint Circle City to give him a clearer picture.

“The Silver Rose…” Hsius finally decided to join the Silver Rose. As Jelin said, since he was an alchemist, it would be more convenient. Moreover, it was an organization focused on alchemy, so materials would definitely not be scarce.

He also had three potion formulas on hand; entering the Silver Rose would make it easier to brew them.

“So how do I join the Silver Rose?” Hsius had made up his mind.

“That’s simple. Just go to the public center to register. They’ll tell you when the assessment is. Pass it, and you’ll be in. But…” Jelin hesitated to continue.

“But what? Just say it!” Hsius noticed Jelin’s reluctance and encouraged him to speak freely.

“Every wizard organization investigates the applicant’s past to prevent black wizards from sneaking in. Although Saint Circle City doesn’t outright reject black wizards, the organizations take this very seriously,” Jelin said cautiously.

He wasn’t sure about Hsius’s background. If Hsius were truly a black wizard sneaking in, Jelin would inadvertently be endangering him.

“I see.” Hsius wasn’t too concerned. Although not a good man, he wasn’t truly evil either. Besides, since embarking on the wizard’s path, he hadn’t done anything truly heinous. Moreover, whether they could uncover the truth was another matter.

“Jelin, do you know where Alercri is?” Hsius was curious about how far the Lost Domain was from Alercri.

“Alercri? Oh, Hsius, is that your hometown? From the name, it sounds like a beautiful place!” Jelin tried to recall but had never heard of it.

“I’d love to visit someday,” Jelin said wistfully.

“What? You’re a first-level wizard and still hesitant to go elsewhere?” Hsius looked at Jelin oddly.

After becoming a formal wizard, wizards gained unparalleled power and long lives. Leaving the Lost Domain shouldn’t be a problem.

“I’d like to. But the nearest continent is ten years away by ship, not to mention what lurks in the sea!” Jelin said helplessly.

“Five years…” Hearing this, Hsius suddenly understood why it was called the Lost Domain.

“But what exactly is in the sea?” Hsius was curious about what could make a formal wizard unwilling to leave.

He didn’t believe time alone could imprison someone longing for the outside world.

“What else? Sea monsters!” Jelin didn’t hide it and told Hsius directly.

“Sea monsters!?” Hsius was puzzled. That was a broad term.

“They’re a group of creatures in the sea. They believe our world is mostly ocean, and we humans are traitors to the sea. So, whenever a ship passes, they attack and devour it.

These sea monsters are numerous, varied, and powerful. Once, a merchant ship from a wizard organization was attacked. That organization sought revenge and tried to exterminate the monsters. At first, it went well, but somehow they provoked a three-hundred-meter deep-sea demon whale.”

“Over three hundred meters…” Hsius was shocked by the size but reminded himself this was a wizard’s era—anything was possible.

“Tsk tsk tsk, you don’t know. In the end, every wizard involved died. That deep-sea demon whale single-handedly sank several empires. Many sea monsters and sea tribes took advantage of the chaos to come ashore and profit.

A group of second-level wizards were powerless against that whale. Finally, a third-level wizard arrived. After some negotiation, the whale retreated, resolving a major crisis in the Lost Domain.” Jelin seemed well-versed in this story.

“A third-level wizard…” Hsius sighed. Now a formal wizard himself, he had no clear idea how powerful a third-level wizard really was, but he instinctively admired the strength.

“That’s why I don’t leave the Lost Domain! You must know there are no merchant ships in the surrounding seas now. I simply can’t get out!” Jelin rambled on, seemingly oblivious to Hsius’s comments, showing no intention of stopping.