Witch Training Manual: My Water Magic Is Wrong

Wayne withdrew his fist.

"I've already said it, I'm not an ordinary kid."

Waldo gritted his teeth. He finally understood one thing: the child before him never used the tactics of a mage or a paladin. What lay hidden in that small body was a physique honed through countless life-or-death battles.

He suddenly laughed, as if he had resigned himself to his fate.

"Fine, I give up. Do with me as you please."

Wayne was about to step forward.

Suddenly, a thin, silvery-white thread shot out from Waldo's waist. The thread, as if alive, quickly wrapped around his body, tightened abruptly, and dragged him up from the mossy ground.

Waldo was suspended in mid-air, flying towards the depths of the mushroom forest.

Just then, a person emerged from the jungle.

The man was wearing a gray-black robe, with a few dried mushroom leaves clinging to the hem. He held the end of the silver thread in his hand, wrapping it around his palm in circles.

He removed his hood, revealing an old face, and then bowed deeply.

"Greetings, young friend. I am Klaus Andy."

Wayne didn't move, but his mind was already racing.

Klaus Andy.

He recognized the name. Ten years ago, he was the leading figure of the Mage Tower, nicknamed "The Silent One of the Tower of Stars," a late-stage sixth-tier archmage. Back then, to investigate a miracle, he led a team away from the Mage Tower and was never heard from again. The Mage Tower searched for him for several years, eventually concluding that he was dead.

As it turned out, this person survived and hid in this city of eternal sleep, becoming a member of the Black Hand.

The panel appeared.

[Klaus Andy - Biographical Information]

[Identity: Former late-stage sixth-tier archmage of the Mage Tower, "The Silent One of the Tower of Dusk." Currently the leader of the Black Hand organization, ranked third on the leaderboard.]

[Note: Ten years ago, he led an investigation team deep into the City of Eternal Sleep, intending to investigate the relics of the gods. Upon entering the city, he quickly discovered that its rules were far more complex than rumored. He stayed not for the gods' gifts, but to—prevent something from awakening from the depths.]

[Note 2: He formed the Black Hand, ostensibly to compete with the Divine Servant Team for territory, but in reality, he was secretly blocking the passage to the lower areas.]

[P.S.: He's heard of you.]

Wayne looked at Klaus, the same question swirling in his mind.

How could he have heard of his own name?

Logically speaking, he shouldn't have seen himself.

Just then, several figures emerged from behind the mushroom forest, dressed in the standard robes of the mage tower, walking hurriedly. The one in the lead was panting heavily and immediately spotted Wayne standing in the open space.

"Mr. Wayne!"

It was Rachel's voice.

Behind her followed Colin, Ruo, and Ashley. All four were covered in mud, their clothes torn in several places by fungal leaves, as if they had traveled a long way. The moment they saw Wayne, the expressions on their faces visibly relaxed.

Wayne didn't expect to run into them here.

But now it all makes sense.

"You're alright...that's great."

Wayne looked at Rachel and the other three.

"Have you been following him all this time?"

Wayne looked at Klaus.

Rachel nodded, took two steps forward, and said with a hint of relief, "Yes. We were separated after we entered the city. When I woke up, I was in a prison and didn't remember anything. It was the teacher who found us and woke us up."

She glanced back at Colin and Roux: "Colin and Roux too. We were scattered in different locations, but the teacher found us one by one by relying on the marks left by the school."

"A mark left by the school?"

"Hmm." Rachel extended her wrist, revealing an extremely fine silver pattern embroidered on the inside of her sleeve, almost invisible unless you looked closely. "Students sent abroad by the Mage Tower all carry this. It's not very useful normally, but it can be used for location in emergencies. The teacher recognizes this mark."

Wayne nodded.

No wonder Klaus was able to find them so quickly.

As he was thinking, Ashley squeezed up from behind. Her clothes were covered in mud, and her hair was a little messy, but her eyes were bright and full of expectation.

"Mr. Wayne, have you seen Ophina?"

Wayne looked at her but did not answer immediately.

Ashley pressed, "She came into town with me, but we got separated, and I haven't been able to find her. Do you know where she is?"

"...I saw him."

Ashley's eyes lit up: "Where is she?"

"She joined the Divine Servant Corps."

Ashley's expression froze for a moment.

"The Divine Servant Team?"

"Yes. She took the initiative to contact the Divine Servant Team on her second day after arriving in the city, and she is now an apprentice Divine Envoy."

Ashley was silent for a few seconds, his brows furrowing slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but then swallowed it back.

Colin, who was standing with his arms crossed, couldn't help but scoff after hearing this: "The Divine Servant Team? Has she lost her mind? Those people are obviously no good. Only someone like her would hang out with those charlatans."

Rachel tugged at his sleeve.

"Colin."

"What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?" Colin retorted defiantly.

At the same time, Wayne's gaze shifted from the unconscious Waldo to Klaus's face: "I think you're a person of principle, senior. Why would someone like Waldo stay in your team?"

Klaus sighed, his gaze lingering on Waldo for a moment: "Young friend, you may not know this, but lately, the Tomb of the Gods has become increasingly restless, and the Divine Servant Team's operations have become more frequent. The Black Hand Organization may seem powerful, but in reality, they are truly short-staffed."

He bent down and kicked the unconscious Waldo with considerable force, but Waldo didn't even utter a sound.

"As for this kid, he spread his reputation as a serial killer himself."

Wayne raised an eyebrow slightly.

Klaus straightened up and continued explaining to Wayne, "He's quite capable, but he's not ranked very high in the underworld. People here value reputation; if your reputation isn't strong enough, your words carry no weight. Waldo is quick-witted; he made up a reputation as a serial killer and acts like a mad dog who kills anyone he sees. You can ask around if you have time; aside from a few truly bastards, he hasn't killed many people."

Wayne didn't respond.

Klaus continued, "He puts on a show before he makes a move, acting like a bloodthirsty mad dog, which enhances his reputation."

Wayne nodded thoughtfully.

"So that's how it is! This kid's really stubborn; I almost killed him!"

Klaus's lips twitched slightly upon hearing Wayne's words, but he didn't respond. He turned and glanced at Waldo, who was lying unconscious on the ground, then gently kicked him in the side.

"Alright, stop pretending to be unconscious. You should be grateful they didn't kill you."

Waldo's eyelids twitched, and he slowly opened them a crack. He saw Wayne still standing there, then quickly closed his eyes again, mumbling incoherently, "...I'm a little dizzy, I'll lie down for a while longer."

Klaus ignored him and gestured to Wayne, "Young friend, this way please. The camp isn't far, let's talk as we walk."

Wayne nodded and followed.

He took two steps, then suddenly stopped, turned around, and shouted into the depths of the mushroom forest.

"Toren, Logan, come out. It's alright."

The mushroom forest was quiet for a couple of breaths, then a rustling sound came from behind. Toren poked his head out first, looked around to make sure Waldo was indeed lying motionless on the ground, before pulling Logan out from behind the mushroom bushes.

Logan, still wearing the floral underwear over his head, looked bewildered: "Big brother, are you done fighting?"

Toren slapped him on the back of the head: "Take it off! How many times have I told you not to wear that!"