A heavy magical barrier enveloped the isolated defensive fortress, and the air around it filled with an icy and oppressive atmosphere.
Lynn sat quietly in the central seat, his gaze slowly sweeping over the assembled apprentices below.
"Lord Lynn, all the third-level apprentices currently within the fortress have gathered. Please inspect them and issue your orders."
The one who spoke was an old apprentice with short white stubble. His face was etched with the marks of time, his eyes filled with caution and exhaustion. Though his tone was respectful, there was also a hint of numbness in it.
Lynn raised his eyes slightly, scrutinizing the third-level apprentices before him.
Their strength varied, and their talents differed, but they all shared one common trait defeatism.
Even in the presence of a full-fledged wizard like himself, their gazes remained filled with pessimism and despair, devoid of the usual reverence.
This was abnormal.
In the wizarding world, formal wizards stood far above apprentices in status, even on the battlefield.
Moreover, as the stationed guardian wizard, he held absolute authority over them.
He could assign them tasks at will, and if necessary, execute them on charges of disobedience!
Yet, despite all this, they remained utterly dispirited...
Lynn knew the reason.
The crushing defeat on the frontlines had cast a shadow over the entire battlefront, plunging it into hopelessness.
These apprentices had already been relegated to the "margins" discarded pieces on the chessboard of war. They likely believed that sooner or later, they would meet their end here.
Lynn withdrew his gaze, not angered by their attitude.
After all, he had just arrived and was still unfamiliar with everything here, so making any rash decisions would be unwise.
With a casual wave of his hand, he spoke calmly, "I've only just arrived. Give me an overview of the fortress and our specific duties."
Hearing this, the old apprentice immediately bowed and replied respectfully, "Yes, Lord Lynn."
His voice was steady, his words well-structured as he explained:
"Our fortress is located outside the main war citadel and serves as one of the magical array's key nodes. We must ensure the security and stability of this node."
"Thus, our primary task is to maintain the function of the magical array."
Lynn nodded slightly. This was more or less what he had expected.
However, the old apprentice then shifted the conversation:
"Beyond that, we have another crucial responsibility extracting and processing local resources to sustain the battlefront's war effort."
During wartime, wizards couldn't rely solely on supplies from their home world.
They had to fortify their positions while simultaneously exploiting the resources of the new world.
"Lord Lynn, the region you're stationed in contains a unique extraordinary resource known as 'Permafrost'."
Permafrost?
Lynn raised an eyebrow, hearing this term for the first time.
Sensing his curiosity, the old apprentice promptly elaborated:
"Permafrost, as the name suggests, is a type of soil that resembles ice in its properties."
"It does not promote plant growth or provide additional nutrients. Instead, it has the unique ability to freeze and prolong the lifespan of plants."
"For example, certain short-lived plants those that bloom only for a brief moment can have their blooming period greatly extended when planted in Permafrost."
Lynn frowned slightly.
Extending the lifespan of plants?
That was certainly an intriguing property, but it didn't seem to have any significant strategic value.
If Permafrost were truly essential, this location wouldn't have been left with such meager defenses.
The old apprentice seemed to understand this as well and quickly supplemented his explanation:
"Although Permafrost's effects are quite peculiar, it neither increases crop yields nor enhances the extraordinary properties of plants, making its overall value somewhat limited."
"That is why this fortress doesn't hold a particularly high strategic importance."
Lynn quietly absorbed the information, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the table.
Tap... Tap... Tap...
The tapping wasn't hurried, but each sound carried a certain cadence. The apprentices below instinctively tensed up, unsure of what the new guardian wizard was thinking.
For those who had long grown accustomed to being at the mercy of their superiors, the arrival of a new wizard could mean new rules, new hardships, or even new dangers.
However, Lynn simply narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
A key node in the magical array, ensuring security here.
Beyond that, developing the Permafrost resource…
He now had a much clearer understanding of his role.
Tap.
With one final tap, Lynn's fingers came to a halt. His gaze darkened slightly as he spoke in a calm but firm tone:
"Unless exceptional circumstances arise, operations here will continue as usual. If any issues arise, report them to me immediately."
"Additionally, all Permafrost shipments destined for the war citadel must first be inspected by me."
"That will be all. Dismissed."
As soon as these words were spoken, the apprentices below all let out a sigh of relief.
It seemed that the newly appointed wizard had no intention of making things difficult for them. This was undoubtedly the best outcome for everyone.
The only thing that surprised them was that Lynn required all permafrost resources to pass through his hands before being sent to the war fortress.
They exchanged glances, faintly guessing the reason.
Embezzlement?
To them, this was hardly surprising.
After all, such behavior was all too common in the wizarding system.
During wartime resource distribution, even official wizards would often take some benefits for themselves if it was completely within reasonable bounds.
As long as they didn't cross the fundamental lines of the wizarding world, the higher-ups usually wouldn't pursue the matter.
It was, after all, an issue for the upper ranks, and had nothing to do with mere apprentices like them.
Thus, the apprentices all bowed to Lynn and then dispersed to complete their tasks.
Lynn watched their departing figures, his eyes narrowing slightly as a faint, unreadable smile played on his lips.
This position as a guardian wizard seemed to be even easier than he had imagined.
According to the older apprentices, the fortress he was stationed at was close to the war fortress but not exactly on the front lines.
This meant that the main forces of the Goddess's army were unlikely to reach this place directly.
As long as the node of the sorcery array remained stable, his work wouldn't be too troublesome.
In other words, he wouldn't be caught in the most chaotic battlefields and could instead develop in relative safety.
Lynn contemplated silently.
His original assignment was to be a "maintenance worker for the interdimensional purification device," but now he had been reassigned as a guardian wizard.
On the surface, the change seemed minor, but in reality, it was vastly different.
If he had been a maintenance worker, he would have been constantly occupied with handling that purification device, possibly even exposed to unknown interdimensional contamination.
Moreover, the device was the foundation of the wizarding world's presence in this realm, making it a likely target for assassinations and sabotage by the Goddess's forces.
But now, he only needed to guard the fortress. He even had time to pursue his interests.
"This arrangement isn't bad at all."
He leaned back in his chair, the corners of his lips curving upward slightly.
Of course, the only concern was the power of the "Goddess of the Weave."
If they sent an elite force to attack, this fortress might not be able to stay out of harm's way...
At this thought, Lynn let out a deep sigh and gazed into the distance.
"For now, I just hope the Goddess's forces don't come looking for trouble here..."
"But even if they do, it will likely just be some small-scale probing."
....
On his second day at the fortress, Lynn decided to personally visit the permafrost resource collection site.
At his core, he was still a nature wizard, and he possessed a transcendent plant Yfgríd.
Although Yfgríd did not rely on soil for survival and could grow freely within his spiritual domain, Lynn was still curious about the permafrost in this region.
"Perhaps this permafrost has some unique properties that could benefit Yfgríd?"
With that thought, he arranged for someone to escort him to the collection site.
"Lord Lynn, we've arrived."
His guide was a middle-aged female apprentice, who stood beside him and gestured ahead.
What came into view was a massive excavation site.
Inside the pit, apprentices and mechanical golems were busy digging and transporting permafrost, creating a scene of orderly activity.
At the center of the excavation, a colossal permafrost collection device rumbled continuously, emitting a deep hum.
Whenever it reached full capacity, the permafrost would be transported to the war fortress and then sent further to the distant Eastern battlefront.
"Greetings, Lord Lynn!"
A man in an apprentice's robe quickly approached, his expression somewhat nervous.
Lynn glanced at him and saw that he was a third-level apprentice someone he had not met before.
It was likely that this apprentice had been stationed at the collection site for a long time and had missed the meeting held upon Lynn's arrival.
Lynn casually waved his hand, signaling the apprentice to dispense with formalities, and then said,
"Show me the current permafrost resources."
The third-level apprentice quickly nodded, his attitude exceedingly deferential perhaps even a little obsequious as he hunched his back and carefully responded,
"Yes, my lord, please follow me."
Lynn's gaze flickered slightly as he scrutinized the man.
Shifty eyes, a thin frame he didn't look like an honest person.
Still, Lynn said nothing and simply followed him to the permafrost storage area.
When the massive storage machine was opened, Lynn finally saw the so-called "permafrost."
Chunks of blue-white soil lay before him.
So this is permafrost?
Raising an eyebrow, he examined it closely.
Permafrost was not frozen earth. On the contrary, it had a loose texture and a soft feel, completely lacking the cold, solid nature of regular soil.
Yet its coloration resembled ice, a peculiar blue-white hue, as if infused with some kind of extraordinary energy.
Beyond that, Lynn could vaguely sense that the permafrost contained some form of active component, making it distinctly different from ordinary soil.
He reached out his hand, scooped up a handful, and let the fine soil trickle through his fingers.
Narrowing his eyes slightly, he focused on its unique texture.
It was more than just dirt there was a faint energy fluctuation hidden within it, stirring a strange feeling within him.
"Interesting…"
A thought formed in Lynn's mind he would take some back for further study.
Just then, the third-level apprentice subtly tilted his head, exchanging a glance with the middle-aged female apprentice.
His gaze carried a clear implication.
The middle-aged woman hesitated momentarily before realizing his intent.
It seemed this third-level apprentice wanted to speak with Lynn privately.
Though curious, she quickly masked her emotions.
After all, it was perfectly normal for an apprentice to try and curry favor with an official wizard.
Their conversation was not something a second-level apprentice like her should interfere with.
Thus, she quietly bowed and stepped away, putting some distance between them.
Lynn continued to idly rub the permafrost between his fingers, appearing calm, though his mind was already analyzing the situation.
What does this man want to tell me privately?
His gaze lowered slightly, his expression unreadable.
The shifty-eyed apprentice hunched his back even further as if fearing anyone would notice him. His voice was low, cautious, and deliberately restrained, carrying a hint of nervousness:
"Lord Lynn, I recently discovered some strange traces in the excavation site… they seem to be related to the forces under the Goddess…"
Hearing this, Lynn's eyes narrowed, a sharp glint flashing within.
The Goddess's forces? Were they planning to target the fortress?
His voice turned cold. "What did you find?"
But in the next instant
A sudden change erupted!
The third-level apprentice, still bowing his head as if hesitating, suddenly underwent a drastic transformation!
His once-shifty eyes turned vicious, brimming with murderous intent!
At the same time, a sinister dagger slipped from his sleeve its blade gleamed with an eerie glow, like a mist of death that sent shivers down the spine!
"For the Goddess! Die, blasphemer!"
Rip!
The air seemed to be torn apart as a strange divine aura erupted from his body!
This man was a spy, secretly planted by the goddess's forces!
His attack was unbelievably fast even Lynn couldn't fully react in time!
In the next instant, the dagger in his hand stabbed fiercely toward Lynn's chest. The icy blade, shimmering with a sinister glow, aimed straight for his heart.
"Witch-Hunting Dagger!"
This was a forbidden weapon designed specifically to assassinate wizards. It could tear through their magical defenses and even shatter spell imprints!
As expected
Clang!
A faint silver magical imprint, "Void Tranquility," surfaced, but it was instantly torn apart!
Lynn's magical protection… was completely broken!
Seeing this, the spy's face twisted into a hideous grin, his eyes filled with bloodthirsty madness.
"No first-level wizard can withstand a sneak attack from the Witch-Hunting Dagger!"
He could already picture Lynn collapsing, his blood staining the frozen earth.
But things did not go as he expected!
Buzz!
Just as the dagger was about to pierce Lynn's flesh, a brilliant green light suddenly burst forth!
The second permanent magical imprint, "Echo of Vitality," activated!
Boom!
A rich aura of nature spread out, as immovable as an ancient towering tree!
Clang!
The dagger was violently deflected, unable to advance even a fraction further!
"Impossible! You're not just a first-level wizard?!"
The spy's face changed drastically, his pupils shrinking in disbelief!
A first-level wizard how could he possess two permanent magical imprints?!
But the reality before him shattered his understanding!
Ding!
Lynn's mind trembled slightly as he keenly sensed the resonance of Yfgríd's Echo of Vitality like a pulsing heartbeat vibrating through his mental field.
Just from that one attack, the eerie dagger's power had nearly pierced through two layers of first-level magical defenses.
Even Yfgríd's vitality had diminished by more than seventy percent!
Such a terrifying strike!
Lynn's expression turned grim.
Had it not been for Yfgríd providing a second permanent magical imprint, that attack would have killed him instantly!
Killing intent condensed into something almost tangible in the air.
"You're courting death!"
He let out a low growl, his mental power surging violently as his connection with Yfgríd intertwined seamlessly!
Boom!
A surge of immense life energy spread outward. Yfgríd's roots extended swiftly from Lynn's body, piercing into the ground!
Crack! Crack!
The earth splintered, stones shattered beneath the spy's feet, and the ground suddenly caved in, forming a dark, gaping pit!
Whoosh!
In the next moment, countless twisted roots erupted like ravenous beasts, coiling madly toward the spy!
"AHHHH!"
The spy's pupils shrank to pinpoints. The frenzy and ferocity on his face instantly froze, replaced by sheer terror.
He struggled desperately, but Yfgríd's roots seemed almost sentient
They wrapped tightly around his limbs, torso, and even his neck, binding him completely!
Squelch!
Squelch!
The roots writhed and tightened like a massive serpent squeezing the life out of its prey!
Even steel armor would be crushed instantly under such terrifying force!
"Ugh… ahhh!"
The spy's face turned crimson, veins bulging as he let out a strangled scream, writhing in agony.
Yet Lynn did not order Yfgríd to kill him outright.
He wanted a captive.
"Power level… approximately at the peak of a First-Circle Mage, but not yet Second-Circle."
Lynn's gaze remained icy. With a mere thought, his Gray Hawk Armor scanned the spy, precisely analyzing his energy fluctuations.
A Third-Level Apprentice.
Before being deployed to this Thirteenth World, Lynn, and all other first-level wizards had undergone systematic training.
He was well aware of the hierarchy and factions of the Goddess's forces.
The Goddess of the Weave had four major factions one dominant and three subordinate:
The Church of the Weave Goddess is the central religious authority.
The Knights of the Mystic Flame, an elite order known for their formidable physical prowess, were the most loyal warriors of the goddess.
The Star Hunters is a covert organization specializing in espionage, assassination, and intelligence gathering.
The Starborn Poets' Society, is responsible for information dissemination, propaganda, and ideological control.
Meanwhile, the power levels of wizards and theocratic civilizations corresponded as follows:
Second-Level and Third-Level Apprentices equated to Zero-Circle and First-Circle Mages.
The three stages of a First-Level Wizard matched Second-Circle, Third-Circle, and Fourth-Circle Mages.
The three stages of a Second-Level Wizard aligned with Fifth-Circle, Sixth-Circle, and Seventh-Circle Mages.
The three stages of a Third-Level Grand Wizard corresponded to Eighth Circle, Ninth Circle, and Saint-Rank Mages.
This spy… must be from The Star Hunters!
"Since you've come knocking…"
Lynn's expression remained indifferent. A faint smirk curled at his lips, his voice calm yet carrying a chilling menace.
"Let's have a little… chat."
Boom!
As his words fell, a surge of powerful mental pressure radiated outward, engulfing the surroundings like an invisible tidal wave.
Even though Lynn was still at the early stage of a First-Level Wizard in the divine civilization's system, merely a Second-Circle Mage
At this moment, the aura he exuded far surpassed that of his peers, like a hidden predator lurking in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment!
The Star Hunter's face twisted in horror.
The once fanatical confidence in his eyes flickered with a barely perceptible tremor.
"Blasphemer…"
He gritted his teeth, then suddenly let out a mad, twisted laugh.
Even though he was bound and powerless, his expression remained fanatically resolute, his lips curling in mockery.
"I may have failed to kill you… but don't expect to get anything from me!"
His breath quickened, yet his voice brimmed with unwavering faith and crazed devotion.
"Even if death claims me, I will never betray my god! The divine light will grant me eternal life in the godly realm, while you… you heretic, will fall! Your soul will be cast into the abyss, suffering eternal torment!"
"Hahahaha!"
His laughter was sharp, filled with fanaticism, ringing through the cold air.
"Fool."
Lynn's eyes were devoid of warmth.
He simply snapped his fingers.
"Snap."
In an instant, Yfgríd's roots constricted violently, tightening like iron chains.
Clamping down mercilessly on the spy's throat!
"Mmmf!"
The mad laughter was abruptly cut off.
The spy's eyes bulged in shock, and his throat squeezed shut, choking off any further insults.
Lynn never expected the church's zealots to talk easily.
They were absolute fanatics, shackled by blind faith.
Interrogation through words was utterly pointless.
So
He didn't need them to speak.
He had a more direct approach.
Lynn's gaze was cold as he slowly extended a finger.
The Starhunter Society spy watched in horror as Lynn's index finger underwent an eerie transformation.
It writhed and split, elongating...
Extremely fine strands of tree-like fibers sprouted from his fingertip, thinner than a hair, shimmering faintly under the dim light, trembling slightly like delicate tendrils.
"W-What is this?!"
The spy's pupils shrank in shock he had never seen such a bizarre ability!
"Life and Death Entwined."
Lynn spoke calmly.
At that moment, his mental power surged into his finger, and those ultra-fine tree fibers shot forward, instantly piercing into the spy's forehead!
"Ugh!"
The spy's pupils contracted violently, his body stiffening as if he had been completely paralyzed.
Yet, to his horror, there was no wound on his forehead at all!
The fibers left no trace as if they didn't even exist in the physical realm. Instead...
They had bypassed the material world and invaded his mind directly!
Soul Search!
This was Lynn's first-level wizardry: Life and Death Entwined!
After advancing to a third-level apprentice and officially stepping into the ranks of a Natural Wizard, one could deepen their bond with their supernatural plants through this spell.
Lynn had witnessed this for the first time when he met his mentor, Rosalind. Her delicate hand had transformed into a massive wooden disc an ability achieved through her deep connection with her supernatural plant via Life and Death Entwined.
Moreover, this spell didn't just allow Natural Wizards to transform parts of their bodies into supernatural plant matter it also...
Enabled them to use supernatural plants in place of their mental power to invade another's mind!
This was a soul-searching method far more concealed and efficient than ordinary soul-searching techniques.
Not only could it extract crucial information with minimal disturbance, but it could also directly strip away a person's will!
This wizardry was a technique Lynn had learned from the Will of the Maple Tree!
Thanks to a deal once made with the Golden Scale, Lynn's first-level wizardry training had been smooth sailing almost as if he had grown directly from the Maple Tree's foundation!
And now, this spell was finally proving its worth.
The Starhunter Society spy's mocking, fanatical expression quickly twisted into terror and dread!
If this had been an ordinary soul-searching technique, no matter how powerful, his soul's divine faith energy would have locked down his mental domain.
Even if his soul was shattered, the enemy would still gain nothing!
But now, things were completely different!
His consciousness was collapsing!
"Urgh... Agh...!"
He tried to resist, to fight back, but deep within his soul, a mysterious 'faith chain' was trembling violently, seemingly being forcefully peeled away and unraveled!
He could feel it his memories were being exposed!
His secrets were being stripped away!
His faith in his divine lord was wavering!
"ARRRGH!!!"
Miserable screams echoed endlessly within the mental domain, filled with pain and despair.
Yet, in the real world, there was only silence.
Not a single sound escaped.
For Yfgríd's roots had already wrapped around the spy's mouth and nose, pressing tightly, preventing even the faintest whimper from escaping.
His eyes were wide open, bloodshot, tears, snot, and cold sweat mixing as he thrashed frantically but all his struggles were futile.
Lynn stood beside him quietly, his gaze cold and abyssal.
He didn't need this man to speak.
The man would reveal everything himself!
Lynn's mental power was like an invisible blade, mercilessly slicing through the core of the spy's consciousness.
He saw the man's memories:
A mind filled with fanatic devotion, overflowing with praises for the Goddess of the Weave.
Even during training, the spy constantly prayed, worshipped, and made offerings his entire mental domain resembled a grand temple, bathed in the divine light of the Goddess.
Unfortunately for him, that divine light was meaningless to Lynn.
What Lynn wanted was information!
With a thought, he forcibly filtered out the religious nonsense, focusing only on the key intelligence regarding the war!
"The great Goddess of the Weave is about to awaken. She will spread her divine radiance upon this world…"
"The Starhunter Society's spies have infiltrated every fortress. Some have as few as one or two, while others have as many as four or five... They await the Goddess's full descent…"
"The Hunter's Dagger imbued with divine power can easily tear through the permanent spell imprints that Wizards rely on for survival…"
"Even a peak first-level Wizard would die instantly if caught off guard!"
"This weapon is extremely valuable and has no activation requirements anyone can use it. But it only has three uses after which it shatters completely…"
"And lastly, the Starhunter Society's secret passphrase Dark clouds shroud the sky, seven stars shine bright…"
Lynn's gaze sharpened.
The Hunter's Dagger… could directly destroy permanent spell imprints?!
This meant that Wizards' core defensive magic was utterly useless against this weapon even a peak first-level Wizard could be assassinated with ease!
The Starhunter Society was indeed a formidable enemy…
But just as Lynn tried to dig deeper, a burst of black light exploded deep within the spy's mind!
Boom!
Lynn's soul shuddered violently he instantly realized that there was a hidden failsafe within the spy's mental domain!
Not good!
BOOM!!
The next moment
BANG!!!
The spy's head exploded!
Thick, viscous fluids splattered everywhere, crimson droplets tracing eerie arcs through the air!
Lynn's permanent spell imprint activated instantly.
A faint protective barrier expanded, blocking all incoming filth leaving him completely untainted.
Even so, his expression creased slightly with disgust.
"...Tch."
Casually shaking off the lingering mental aftershock, Lynn released Yfgríd's grip on the corpse.
Thud.
The spy's lifeless body collapsed, now a headless husk.
Lynn, however, granted him a swift end.
A Fireball Spell incinerated the remains into fine ash, leaving behind only a sinister-looking Hunter's Dagger, glimmering ominously.
"Still has two uses left… A deadly weapon against Wizards…"
Lynn had Yfgríd store it away.
Concerned about any lingering divine safeguards, he sealed it within a spatial ring isolating it completely.
If he ever needed to use it, he would simply have Yfgríd wrap around the dagger and launch a surprise attack.
No Wizard would expect a sudden tree branch to emerge from underground, bearing a weapon capable of tearing through their defenses.
On his second day in this fortress, Lynn had already ensured that things would be anything but ordinary.
The death of a third-level apprentice was a big deal especially since this fortress didn't have many third-level apprentices to begin with.
His sudden demise was bound to stir up some waves.
But as a Wizard lord, Lynn had the power to crush any unrest.
The other third-level apprentices might murmur in private, but none dared speak up openly.
Lynn, of course, didn't bother explaining.
For one, he didn't need to he was in charge.
And second…
He had already learned from the spy's memories that in a few days, an agent from the Goddess's faction would come to rendezvous with him.
Instead of exposing the spy and muddying the waters, it was better to wait for their contact to arrive…
And then…
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