Ancient Wizards: A Little Progress Every Day

After putting away the exquisite storage pouch, Dagger took out a bulging, ordinary cloth bag.

He lay down on the table and counted them; there were a total of twenty-eight low-level magic stones.

Twenty of them were spoils of war obtained from killing the black-robed wizard and were the common property of the forest patrol.

All of it was used for the three people's daily expenses and equipment supplies.

The wizard inn we found in the town's noble district that night had already cost nine magic stones; three low-level magic stones per person per month.

They had hoped to find a place to stay in the town's residential areas, but without exception, all of them were fully booked, so they had no choice but to come to the upscale district to look for accommodation.

Finally, they found this wizard's inn, which was more than ten times more expensive than the inns in the residential areas on the outskirts of town.

It must be said that the price is justified; this hotel is both quiet and safe.

To allow wizards to meditate and cultivate more effectively, soundproof rooms were specially built.

The hotel is separated from the street by a high wall, and there is a courtyard and tea room on the first floor for wizards to calm their minds.

Since all three of them were exhausted by nightfall and just wanted to rest as soon as possible, they chose this place.

Dago stared at the small pile of glittering pigeon-egg-sized magic stones on the table, feeling somewhat troubled.

Given the current price levels in the town, these magic stones are not enough to cover expenses.

Even disregarding the issue of food, just staying in the hotel for three months would drain their magic stone bags dry.

Dago stood up from the table, walked to the window of the hotel room, pushed it open, and the bright moonlight shone in.

He leaned on the windowsill, letting the breeze ruffle his half-dry hair, pondering his future plans.

It was late at night, but the tea room below the hotel was still lit up, and many hotel staff members were walking around.

In the distance, at the location of the Aynark Wizarding Academy, a luminous membrane enveloping the entire academy glowed faintly under the moonlight.

If you look closely, you can see that the huge rock at the entrance of the academy emits a beam of light that maintains the light membrane.

Everything is because of the war brought about by the Darkblood Council, and in the days to come, the town and the academy will become even more turbulent.

Dago gazed calmly at the distant academy, thinking of his own progress and transformation through the Flame Core Air Bomb.

In the cruel wizarding world, he barely managed to have a trump card to save his life.

Although activating this trump card will deplete all his mental energy the moment it is used, reducing his combat power to zero.

However, as one progresses, meditation techniques will also undergo a transformation, the total amount of mental energy will increase significantly, and one will feel more confident.

At this stage, he can only use one Flame Core at most in each battle, and his total mental energy is too small to support such a huge and frequent consumption.

As Dago was lost in thought, he suddenly heard a distant "whooshing" sound, like the wind blowing through bronze pipes.

He looked toward the source of the loud noise.

A silver-patterned wooden airship, several tens of meters long, slowly rose into the air from the academy castle.

The hull is covered with tree-like silver patterns that flow with brilliance and shimmer in the night sky, resembling a flying silver tree.

The airship hovered in the air, its silver patterns shimmering, and it rippled through the academy's light membrane from the inside out.

Then, it spewed out high-temperature flames from its tail and flew rapidly into the distance, completely disappearing into the night.

Dago's worldview was instantly refreshed, and for a moment he was mesmerized, as if he had entered a magnificent new world, which felt wonderful.

...........

The next day at noon, Dago, old Marico, and Serena walked out of the wizard inn side by side and went into a restaurant that looked reasonably priced.

The restaurant was filled with the buzzing of voices. Dago and his two companions randomly chose a round table, sat down, and ordered their preferred lunches.

After a night's rest, Dago found that both of them were in good spirits.

Old Marico looked much better, and Serena's sprained ankle had healed.

While the three were eating, the wizards at the surrounding tables were chatting...

The conversation naturally revolved around the invasion by the Darkblood Council, and Dago listened intently, trying to glean the information contained within.

Some were talking about how many wandering wizards had flooded into the town yesterday, and now it was a mess, a chaotic mix of all sorts.

Some were pessimistically discussing how the Darkblood Council had already besieged the city, advanced into the town's forest, and was about to breach the city.

Some were excitedly discussing how the silver-patterned airship that flew from the academy last night would surely defeat the Darkblood Council.

Dago said to the two of them, "The town should be relatively safe for the time being, but we can't stay in the hotel forever. We need to find a new place to stay in a suitable location. But there's no rush. We have a month to choose one."

The two nodded in agreement.

Dago nodded and continued, "Furthermore, we also need to conduct combat readiness resupply. We cannot be complacent. The afternoon's tasks are roughly these two."

Then Dago took out six low-level magic stones, gave each of them three as activity funds, and agreed on a time to return to the inn.

After finishing their meal, the three of them left the restaurant and went about their own business.

During this time, Serena wanted to go with Dago, but he refused.

Dago's intention was to toughen up her timid and introverted personality and help her become more independent.

Following the town's central avenue, we arrived at the Wizarding Hall, where the magnificent hall was packed with academy wizards who had retreated from the front lines, fiercely protesting something.

"On what grounds do you say we might be spies and therefore refuse to let us return to the academy?"

"We shed blood for the academy, and we want to go back to the academy."

"Refund, damn it, refund!"

Hearing the leaders shouting loudly, Dago had a bad feeling and hurriedly ran towards the academy.

Before long, Dago arrived at the academy gate and saw a dozen or so wizards in tattered robes sitting silently at the entrance.

In the middle of the gate stood a dozen or so academy wizards with cold and serious expressions, each holding a staff and staring intently at the wizard sitting on the ground.

Two of them were acquaintances of Dago: Raymond and Wiesel.

Raymond stepped forward and said loudly, "Some of you have betrayed the Academy. Please forgive us for taking such drastic measures to prevent you from returning to the Academy. Please wait quietly in the town, and we will clear your names."

The wizard sitting on the ground ignored him, seemingly dissatisfied with the academy's explanation.

Raymond shook his head helplessly, but then he saw Dargo waving at him, and his eyes lit up.

But at that moment, Viser also saw Dago, and his face instantly turned ugly, his eyes flashing with jealousy and panic. He walked over and whispered a few words in Raymond's ear.

After he finished speaking, Raymond's expression remained calm. He gave Dago a meaningful look, then turned and walked into the academy.

As Viser watched Raymond leave, he gave Dago a smug look.

Seeing this, Dago thought to himself, "Judging from this situation, I won't be able to enter the academy for the time being. I didn't expect Viser to be so narrow-minded. I'll have to find another way."

He didn't linger there, not even glancing at Viser, and turned to leave.