Translator: AnubisTL
All the apprentices, including those who had previously worn arrogant or scrutinizing expressions, now stood at attention, their faces solemn as they listened intently.
"Apprentices!" the proctor's voice boomed, echoing beneath the vast dome. "You have gathered here not merely for yourselves, but for the grand expansion of wizard civilization. To more accurately assess your strength and intelligence, you will this time enter an entirely new plane!"
The apprentices weren't particularly surprised by this method of testing. After all, for modern wizards, no trial could compare to the real-world combat on the frontlines of a plane war.
"This is nothing like the childish games you played in your academies! This is a true plane invasion war!" the proctor's voice rose several decibels.
"This plane possesses unique laws, a powerful indigenous civilization, and divine beings forged from their collective faith!"
As the proctor spoke, a massive, semi-transparent map of the plane slowly unfurled in the center of the plaza, revealing the majestic contours of the Elosia Plane.
"This plane is called 'Elosia'," the proctor continued, his voice calm as he dissected the plane's structure.
"It possesses an abundance of elemental energy and is home to various intelligent races: the orc tribes of the north, who revere primal totems; the elegant elves who have established kingdoms in ancient forests; the stubborn dwarves who dwell deep beneath the mountains, renowned for their forging skills; and the human kingdoms that have built numerous cities and knightly orders across the plains."
"Furthermore, according to ancient legends within this plane, descendants of dragons and titans still exist here. Their power systems revolve around mana and divine arts, and they worship a vast pantheon of spirits, encompassing everything from the Lord of the Underworld, who governs life and death, to the Great Mother Earth, who grants bountiful harvests."
Bright spots gradually multiplied on the map, indicating the territories controlled by the wizard vanguard and the indigenous civilizations.
"Currently, our vanguard has established a firm foothold on the Elosia Plane," the proctor said, a hint of barely perceptible solemnity in his voice. "However, the war has reached a stalemate. The Great Gods of the Elosia Plane are sixth-tier creatures native to this plane. Led by a seventh-tier being they call the Supreme God, they have confronted our workshop's high-rank wizards, creating a delicate balance."
Upon hearing this, the apprentices' expressions shifted slightly.
The sheer power of a planar deity capable of stalemating high-rank wizards from the workshop was evident.
Even if the wizards were not inherently weaker, they simply feared the indigenous creatures' willingness to destroy themselves along with the plane.
Yet the intelligence reports confirmed the existence of sixth-tier and even seventh-tier creatures. For apprentices who hadn't even become formal wizards, these natives posed an extreme danger.
"Your mission is simple," the proctor's gaze swept across each apprentice present. "Break the balance and turn the tide of war!"
He paused, granting them immense freedom in their approach. "Whether you choose to seize strategic locations, undermine the divine being's faith, turn the indigenous against their own, hunt powerful magical beasts, or even explore unknown ruins for valuable data—every contribution that advances our plane's invasion will earn you merit points toward your final score!"
"The trial has a maximum duration of one year, and the final outcome..." The proctor's voice deepened, becoming both somber and alluring, like the whispers of a demon, yet it sent a tremor through the wizards' minds. "...will determine the permanent ownership of this plane, allocated proportionally based on contribution points!"
"This...!"
"What?!"
The square erupted into a frenzy of disbelief.
Plane ownership!
The apprentices were well aware that the trial's rewards would be substantial. The workshop's summons had already hinted at an unprecedented "opportunity."
Moreover, basic information about the Elosia Plane had been distributed to each participant—it was a mid-tier plane.
Most crucially, this plane had naturally given rise to a seventh-tier creature, whom the Elosians referred to as the "Supreme God," along with over a dozen sixth-tier creatures and hundreds of fifth-tier beings.
The natural emergence of so many powerful entities underscored the plane's immense resource wealth.
From Jieming's perspective, this mid-tier plane already rivaled Noren Plane No. 13, which had been meticulously cultivated and expanded by wizards over centuries!
No, it would be more accurate to say that Noren Plane No. 13 couldn't compare to this mid-tier plane.
The Elosia Plane, in addition to its central core plane, was surrounded by over a hundred smaller planes, forming a mid-tier plane cluster!
What did this mean?
It meant this wasn't just a single plane, but a complete resource system!
The apprentices erupted in excitement!
"Permanent ownership?!" someone exclaimed, their eyes burning with fervor. "That's a mid-tier plane cluster! Even a small core region would be enough to establish a minor Wizard Family!"
"Oh my god," another apprentice said, their voice trembling. "I always thought they'd just give us some resources or merit points at most! I never imagined the workshop would be this generous! They're actually grooming a batch of Plane Lords!"
"Controlling an entire world..." someone murmured, their eyes gleaming with ambition for power and resources.
Amy and Victor were utterly stunned. Amy covered her mouth, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Permanent ownership? Victor, did you hear that? Am I hearing things?"
Victor's eyes lit up instantly, his breathing growing heavy as he clenched his fists.
Jieming, though his expression remained calm, couldn't suppress a flicker of astonishment in his eyes.
He wasn't fighting for the expansion of the wizard civilization; he was only seeking his own maximum benefit.
But truth be told, even from the perspective of an independent individual, owning an entire mid-tier plane cluster—encompassing a vast network of planes—was an extravagant prospect.
Even if these assets were divided proportionally based on contribution points, those at the top would undoubtedly receive substantial rewards.
Such a level of compensation... it was clear the Noren Workshop was truly sparing no expense!
As expected of the wizard civilization, currently in its expansion phase—they're certainly deep-pocketed, Jieming mused inwardly.
He understood that this generosity wasn't merely the workshop's magnanimity, but rather a reflection of the wizard civilization's overall expansion strategy.
Only a rising power would dare offer such extravagant rewards.
If a mid-tier power like the Noren Workshop could afford such lavish compensation, Jieming shuddered to imagine what the major powers might offer.
(End of the Chapter)