My inventory is full of monster materials.

The association's hall was packed with people, making it impossible to move.

Only a small circle remained blank under the dome of the hall; the rest was filled with a dense crowd of onlookers. Many heads were also craning their necks along the second-floor railing. The number of people had exceeded two hundred, and they were still calling out to their friends.

All eyes were fixed on the dome, gazing up at the star projection surrounded by flowing golden light, their expressions ranging from bewilderment and awe to greed.

Pierce led Helena, Anna, and Dorothy, the three girls on the outermost layer. The dense crowd blocked their view, and the hushed whispers were a distraction.

Pierce frowned, turned to a familiar grey-robed apprentice beside him, patted him on the shoulder, and asked.

"Fan, what's everyone doing gathered here? The magical projection on the dome has always been like this, what's so interesting about it?"

The gray-robed man named Fein initially looked impatient when disturbed, but his expression instantly became respectful upon seeing who was asking the question.

"It's Young Master Pierce! You don't know, but today's projection is different; it's alive, it moves!!"

"It's alive? It can move?"

Pierce's brow furrowed even more.

He studied at the association for five years, passing through the lobby every day, and the projection always looked the same.

Could the projection residing on the Association's dome be some kind of astral creature?!

Pierce immediately realized that this was probably not as simple as a projection, and might have touched on some of the association's secrets, so he quickly pressed for answers.

"What exactly happened? Tell me in detail!"

"I... I'm not quite sure either."

Finn shook his head hesitantly.

"I haven't been here long, and I heard from the people ahead of me that a new apprentice named Mark was swallowed up by this projection!"

"ha?"

Pierce was completely stunned, his eyes widened slightly, and his face was full of disbelief. The three girls next to him were also equally astonished.

Just then, a loud and deliberately drawn-out sound came from the entrance of the hall.

"President, you're here!"

The stone stirred up a thousand waves; the originally noisy hall instantly became agitated, with waves of discussion rising higher and higher, and everyone's eyes turned to the entrance of the hall.

"This is the first time I've ever met the president in person, even though I've been a member for so long!"

"My goodness, this has actually alarmed the guild master! This matter seems quite serious!"

"President! Could you please sign your autograph?"

...

The crowd spontaneously moved aside, creating a wide passageway.

Pierce and the three girls were swept forward by the surging crowd, and managed to squeeze to the front of the crowd, finally able to see what was in front of them.

An elderly man dressed in a plain white robe, with long white hair and eyebrows, walked in slowly, leaning on a long, silver-white cane, with an invisible wind swirling behind him.

Behind the old man followed a group of mages dressed in blue robes with gold patterns, both men and women, each with a solemn expression and extraordinary bearing.

The elderly man at the head of the group walked straight to the dome. His gaze swept across the area and he spotted Maurice standing to the side watching. A look of joy appeared on his face, and he quickly stepped forward.

"That's great, Maurice. I feel relieved to have you here."

"Patrick".

Morris smiled and went to greet him. The two hugged lightly, showing that they were very familiar with each other.

Immediately afterwards, Chairman Patrick eagerly inquired about the reason for the matter.

"I just received word that a kid named Mark is getting promoted to a professional here. You should know the details better than I do. Could you tell me more about it?"

Morris did not answer immediately, but after a moment's thought, he asked in return.

"Patrick, tell me the truth, what exactly is this magical projection on the dome? It's definitely not just a decoration."

Upon hearing this question, President Patrick paused, his expression turned serious, and he gathered magic power at his fingertips, releasing a pale blue magical barrier.

Enveloping himself, Morris, and several high-ranking mages behind him, the outside noise was blocked out, and the atmosphere among them instantly became quiet.

Only then did Patrick slowly speak.

"This is actually not a secret among the association's upper echelons."

According to records, more than three hundred years ago, when the Surge City Magicians Association was first established.

"A third-tier 'Mage' named Elliot Thorne cast the seventh-circle spell 'Projection' here, projecting a magic network node onto the prime plane."

"Mage! 7th Ring Spell!"

Morris's expression changed drastically. He never expected that it would involve a third-tier professional—a level only one step away from the legendary realm, a peerless existence even in the entire kingdom.

Suddenly, Maurice realized something and muttered to himself.

"Could there be a mage here...?"

"Cough cough cough."

Before he could finish speaking, Patrick deliberately interrupted him with a series of loud coughs.

Morris immediately realized he had misspoke and quickly changed the subject.

"There are magic network nodes here, but why does it feel like there's not much of a magic boost?"

President Patrick let out a long sigh.

"Alas—the previous presidents of the association have always tried to repair this spell, but all have failed. As time goes by, its magical effect has gradually weakened, until in the end only a phantom remains."

Morris nodded.

"No wonder. But if this is a former node of the magic network, then it makes sense. That child has received the call of 'wisdom'."

Upon hearing this assessment, even the usually composed Patrick couldn't help but change his expression and eagerly pressed for details.

"You mean, this child named Mark is the chosen one of 'wisdom'?!"

"The Chosen One?!"

Upon hearing this, the several high-ranking blue-robed mages inside the barrier were all shocked and gasped.

The chosen ones are the chosen people of the gods. In layman's terms, they are the gods' adopted sons who can directly share in the gods' authority, and their importance is self-evident.

There are many chosen ones in the world of Euler, but almost every chosen one eventually reaches the legendary realm and becomes a giant in their own right.

Sergei City is just a remote little town, yet it has produced a legendary powerhouse. The shock of this is enough to make all the high-ranking officials' hearts and minds stir.

However, Morris shook his head, pouring cold water on the overheated group.

"I have seen a true chosen one, he is not yet at that level, but he is definitely a benefactor of 'wisdom', that's for sure."

"The Blesser..."

President Patrick gradually calmed down and nodded in agreement.

"That's right. There are many kinds of divine grace, and the Chosen Ones are just the most famous of them."

"However, those who bestow blessings are also very rare. In the future, they will at least grow into 'mages,' far stronger than you and me."

"Yes, yeah."

Morris sighed, a hint of helplessness on his face.

"I have accumulated a great deal of knowledge throughout my life, but I have always been stuck at the level of 'Grand Master,' unable to advance any further."

But then, Morris's expression suddenly changed, and he became serious, asking in a solemn tone.

"Patrick, what are you going to do with this kid?"

Upon hearing this question, President Patrick fell into deep thought, his brows furrowed. After a long while, he raised his head, his eyes serious, and uttered two words.

"Shelter them!"