Wizard: Starting with Dealing with Magical Plants

Chapter 302 Arrival at the Secret Council, A New Journey

Ellie also walked to the window, gazing at the enormous city and wooden tower, her eyes filled with awe and a hint of fear.

"Wow—it's so big—"

"Hmm." Roland took a deep breath of the dry, fresh air on the plain, his eyes regaining their calm and sharpness.

"Get ready to disembark."

The cargo ship slowly approached the dock, dropped mooring lines, and set up gangplanks.

Hawke was the first to disembark, and several distinguished wizards in grey robes immediately came to greet him on the dock. They exchanged a few words briefly.

Then, Hawke turned around and waved to Rowling and Ellie on the ship's side.

Rowling picked up his simple luggage, took Ellie with him, stepped off the gangplank, and onto the solid, flat stone slabs of the Wooden Tower City dock.

The moment my feet touched the ground, a strange sense of security washed over me.

No longer the mud of a swamp, no longer the gravel of a wilderness, but the foundation of civilization, repaired by human hands and bearing the footsteps of countless people.

Calvin walked up to them and whispered, "Come with me, Lord Hawke will take you to the Parliament headquarters to complete the formalities."

"Your magical pets and birds—it's best to leave them on the ship for now, and bring them over after you've settled into your accommodations."

"The city has certain regulations on unregistered magical creatures."

Rolin nodded, conveying a message of calm to Bahamu on his shoulder and Broken Blue Feather on Ellie's shoulder.

Baha flew back to the cabin silently, and the two rainbow finches, though somewhat reluctant, obediently followed.

Hawke finished speaking with the wizards who were there to greet him and then walked over.

"Let's go, let's go to the wooden tower first." Hawke said succinctly, turning and walking towards a wide and clean stone-paved road outside the dock.

Rowling and Ellie followed behind, while Calvin brought up the rear.

Stepping out of the dock area, the entire cityscape unfolds more clearly before your eyes.

The streets are wide, lined with shops on both sides, and pedestrians throng the streets while carriages and horses pass by.

The building features a robust and practical architectural style, with the Secret Council's emblem visible everywhere – a simple wooden tower.

Besides the hustle and bustle of the city, there were also faint magical fluctuations of varying strengths in the air, indicating that this city was extraordinary.

Their appearance attracted some attention.

Hawke clearly held a high position in the Secret Language Council, with many people bowing or nodding to him. At the same time, they curiously observed Rowling and Ellie, who were following behind him. The two were obviously unfamiliar faces, and their demeanor was different from that of ordinary apprentices or mercenaries.

Hawke strode confidently toward the towering wooden tower in the city center, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

The closer you get to the wooden tower, the more solemn and majestic the surrounding buildings become, and the proportion of wizards among the pedestrians also increases significantly.

Occasionally, patrol teams dressed in uniform gray uniforms can be seen on the streets, exuding a sharp and capable aura.

Finally, they arrived at the foot of the wooden pagoda.

Looking up at it up close, the tower is even more awe-inspiring.

The tower's base is probably over a hundred meters in diameter, and the tower itself is made of a strange grayish-white boulder, its surface covered with traces of wind erosion and countless fine, shimmering rune lines.

The tower gradually narrows upwards, piercing the clouds until its top is no longer visible.

The tower entrance is a heavy metal gate, ten meters high, which is currently open. The lintel is etched with intricate magic circles and inscriptions in the common and ancient languages ​​of the Secret Language Council.

The interior was brightly lit, and one could vaguely see a large hall and the figures of people coming and going.

Hawk led Rowling and Ellie straight through the gate.

The interior of the tower is even more magnificent than it appears from the outside.

The hall has a ceiling height of over thirty meters, with smooth black marble flooring and countless glowing magic crystals embedded in the dome, illuminating the entire hall as if it were daytime.

In the center of the hall was a circular reception desk, behind which sat several clerks dressed in formal gray robes.

The walls are covered with huge oil paintings depicting historical events or important figures of the Secret Language Council, as well as display cases showing strange magical items or biological specimens.

The air was filled with a faint, peculiar scent, a mixture of old books and magical potions, and an invisible, solemn atmosphere.

Hawke walked to the reception desk and nodded to one of the older clerks: "New members reporting for duty, both of you."

"Rolling, a second-ring wizard, originally from Shadowraven Tower."

Ellie, a natural energy apprentice.

I'll take them to the registration and assessment office to complete the formalities.

The older clerk looked up at Hawke, then at Rowling and Ellie, and gave a formulaic smile: "Yes, Lord Hawke."

"The registration desk is on the third floor, east side. Turn right after exiting and it's at the end of the second corridor. Do you need someone to guide you?"

"No need, I know the way." Hawke waved his hand, signaling Rowling and Ellie to follow.

They left the hall and went up the wide, carpeted spiral staircase.

The walls on both sides of the staircase are also adorned with paintings and exhibits. Occasionally, wizards in grey robes can be seen hurrying by. Some nod to Hawke, while others are completely absorbed in their books or thoughts, oblivious to their surroundings.

"The interior structure of the wooden tower is very complex, with public areas as well as private research rooms, libraries, laboratories, training grounds, and so on."

"You'll get to know each other better as you go," Hawke explained briefly as they walked. "The registration office is responsible for handling all new members' onboarding procedures, competency assessments, and initial assignments."

The assessment process includes basic tests of mental strength, magical power, and elemental affinity, as well as simple knowledge quizzes and practical demonstrations.

Don't be nervous, just perform as usual.

Rowling nodded.

Ellie seemed a little uneasy, following closely behind Rowling.

Upon reaching the third floor, walk along the east corridor to the end, where a bronze plaque reading "Registration and Assessment Office" hangs above a heavy oak door.

Hawke knocked on the door, then pushed it open.

Inside the door was a spacious room, similar to an office.

Several rows of bookshelves were placed against the wall, crammed with files and books.

In the center of the room was a huge long table piled high with documents and magical instruments.

Behind the long table sat an old wizard with gray hair, thick glasses, and a somewhat wrinkled gray robe. He looked a little absent-minded and was holding a crystal lens, carefully studying a tiny magical light and shadow on the table that was constantly changing shape.

Hearing the door open, the old wizard didn't even look up, and mumbled, "Newcomer? Fill out the form, third row on the left shelf, the one with the blue cover."

"Fill it out and put it on the table, then wait for further instructions."

Hawke stepped forward and tapped the table: "Old Irving, stop fiddling with your crappy model. I've brought some men; take care of them first."

The old wizard Owen slowly raised his head, pushed up his glasses that had slipped down to the tip of his nose, squinted at Hawke, and then at Rowling and Ellie.

"Oh, it's Hawke."

"A newcomer? Who is he that you had to bring him here personally?"

"They're from the sunken town, so they're a bit special," Hawke said briefly. "Get them through the formalities as quickly as possible, and arrange accommodation and mentors for them."

Irving muttered something, put down the crystal lens, rummaged through the pile of messy documents on the table, pulled out a thick, dark blue register, and then took out two quill pens and a bottle of ink, pushing them to the other side of the table.

"Fill it out. Personal information, background, area of ​​expertise, preferred advisor."

"Leave it blank if you're not interested yet."

"Someone will take you to the next test items later."

After Owen finished speaking, he picked up the crystal lens again and continued to study his magical light and shadow, seemingly not very interested in the special features Hawke had mentioned.

Rowling and Ellie walked to the table and picked up the register and pen.

The forms in the booklet were indeed very detailed, ranging from name, age, place of birth, and past experiences to the types of spells one was good at, research direction, and even expectations and suggestions for the council, totaling several pages.

Rowling did not hide anything, but he also simplified some of his experiences.

In the Origin section, it says Shadowraven Sanctuary (has left); in the Specialties section, it says Ancient Rune and Rule Structure Research, Wilderness Survival and Combat; and in the Research Interests section, it says Ancient Civilization Heritage, Energy Anomalies, and Rule Fusion.

Ellie filled in "Natural Energy Apprentice" and "Basic Stage of Green Wood Spiritual Art" according to the actual situation.

After filling out the form, I handed it to Owen. Owen glanced at it casually, then took out a stamp engraved with complex runes, stamped it at the "Approved" mark at the end of the form, and then put the form into two numbered leather folders.

"Alright, wait." Owen pressed an inconspicuous button on the corner of the table.

A few minutes later, a young woman dressed in a neat gray robe, who looked like an assistant, knocked on the door and came in.

"Take these two new members to the testing hall for a basic assessment," Owen ordered without looking up.

"Yes, Master Owen," the young assistant replied respectfully, then gestured for Rowling and Ellie to follow him.

Hawke nodded to Rowling: "After the test, someone will take you to your temporary accommodations."

"I have some things to take care of, I'll come see you later."

"If you have any questions, you can ask this assistant, or come directly to my office at the Aegis Hawke's office on the fifth floor. Just ask the guard."

After saying that, Hawke turned and left the registration desk.

Rowling and Ellie followed the young assistant out of the office and down another corridor, deeper inside.

Testing — New Environment — Unfamiliar Rules —

Luo Lin silently adjusted his breathing and mindset.

No matter what tests or evaluations you face, demonstrating your true strength and value is the foundation for establishing yourself.

Life in the Dustwind Plains and the Secret Council has officially begun.

The exploration of the Observer Protocol and the Purification Command will continue on this new stage.