The battle sounds outside slowly faded.
In Ivan and Olivia's cabin, silence gradually settled in.
The air still carried traces of tension, as if the chaos had yet to fully leave.
Olivia sat quietly at the edge of her bed, fingers intertwined, her expression still a little pale… yet calmer than before.
Ivan sat cross-legged on his bed, eyes closed, breathing steady.
At a glance, he seemed to be meditating.
But in truth…
He wasn't cultivating at all.
His awareness was elsewhere.
Through Nova, he was watching the battle unfold outside.
Faint flashes of fire.
Violent bursts of energy.
The clash of spells and bodies.
Everything reflected clearly within his mind.
This wasn't the first time he had done this.
Over the past months aboard the wizard transport ship, Ivan had quietly conducted repeated experiments.
Again and again.
Carefully adjusting the strength of Nova's scanning rays.
Testing limits.
Testing reactions.
Until he reached a conclusion.
Wizard apprentices… could not detect it.
That discovery gave him confidence.
And from that confidence—came curiosity.
Through weeks of silent observation, Ivan had already formed a rough understanding of the wizard apprentices aboard the ship.
Not just from scanning…
But also from books, scattered notes, and fragments of knowledge he had gathered along the way.
In the wizarding world, apprentices were not all the same.
There was a clear hierarchy.
Low-level.
Intermediate.
High-level.
Each step… was a leap.
Ivan had not seen a single low-level wizard apprentice on this ship.
Everyone here… was stronger than that.
From Nova's data, the intermediate wizard apprentices already possessed physiques far beyond ordinary people.
Their stamina and constitution had long surpassed the limits of normal humans. Some had even reached the level of high-level knights.
But more importantly—
Their mental energy.
Most of them had already stepped far beyond the basic threshold.
Ivan remembered what he had read.
When a wizard seed's mental energy finally broke through the limit of ten…
That was the moment they stepped into the rank of a low-level wizard apprentice.
And when that energy continued to grow—
Crossing twenty—
They would naturally enter the realm of an intermediate wizard apprentice.
But the real gap…
Lay beyond that.
Once mental energy broke past thirty, the transformation was no longer simple growth.
It was a qualitative change.
That was the threshold of a high-level wizard apprentice.
The ones Ivan had scanned…
Most of the high-level apprentices possessed frightening physical strength—comparable to grand knights.
And their mental energy…
Forty.
Forty-five.
Some even stood at the edge of something greater.
Forty-nine.
Just one step away.
Ivan knew what that step meant.
To become a true wizard…
Mental energy must reach fifty.
That was the minimum requirement.
The threshold that separated mortals from something beyond.
But even that… wasn't absolute.
Some geniuses, blessed with extraordinary talent, could push even further.
Through rare potions…
Through precious auxiliary resources…
They could strengthen their foundations, forcing their mental energy beyond the limit—
Fifty-five.
Even sixty.
That kind of accumulation…
Would determine how far they could walk on the wizard's path.
All of this—
Came from Nova's data.
And Ivan's own observation.
So at one point, Ivan issued a new command.
Scan the entire ship.
After a brief pause, Nova responded.
The scan began.
But the result… was not what Ivan expected.
"Several areas detected with abnormal interference."
"Scanning rays unable to penetrate."
Ivan's brows furrowed slightly.
Barriers.
Not one.
Not two.
Multiple sections of the ship were shielded.
Then came the most crucial detail.
"Upper deck—special energy field detected."
"A circular barrier… exhibiting autonomous fluctuation."
Ivan's breathing slowed.
"Around that region, scanning rays are being suppressed."
"Reducing output… dissipating signal."
Nova's voice grew faint.
The scan cut off.
Ivan's heart tightened slightly.
A barrier that reacted.
That suppressed detection.
There was only one possibility.
A formal wizard.
He didn't speak immediately.
Instead, he asked calmly in his mind:
"Was it detected?"
A brief silence followed.
Then—
"Probability of detection: low."
"Scanning rays weakened prior to contact."
"No direct feedback observed."
Ivan remained silent for a long moment.
Only after several days passed without any abnormal movement…
did he finally relax slightly.
Just slightly.
Outside, the battle gradually came to an end.
The violent fluctuations faded.
The noise died down.
Only then did Ivan slowly open his eyes.
His gaze returned to the quiet cabin.
To Olivia.
She noticed immediately.
Their eyes met for a brief moment.
Then—
Olivia quickly lowered her head.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
She didn't speak.
Ivan watched her for a second.
Then, as if deciding something, he broke the silence.
"Why?"
His voice was calm.
"Why did you do that?"
Olivia's body trembled slightly.
For a moment, she didn't respond.
Then slowly…
She raised her head.
Her eyes met his again.
There was hesitation in them.
But also something firm.
"Because…"
Her voice was soft at first.
"You're the first person… other than my father… who truly cared about me."
Ivan didn't interrupt.
He simply listened.
"Since I was young, there were always people around me," she continued.
"They laughed with me… talked with me…"
"But I knew."
"They weren't really my friends."
"They only stayed because of my father."
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"When Victor started targeting me… when he began to bully me…"
"All of them disappeared."
"Not one of them stayed."
She paused.
Then looked at Ivan again.
This time, her voice was steadier.
"But you were different."
"You spoke to me normally."
"You didn't look at me the same way they did."
"And when Victor tried to…"
She hesitated slightly.
"…you stood in front of me."
Silence filled the room again.
Ivan looked at her quietly.
At those clear, slightly trembling eyes.
Bright.
Unprotected.
Honest.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Foolish girl."
He reached out and gently patted her head.
The movement was simple.
Natural.
Olivia froze for a moment.
Then her face flushed slightly.
She lowered her head again, not daring to speak.
"Rest," Ivan said softly.
"You've had a long day."
Olivia nodded lightly.
She lay down on the bed, still holding the blanket slightly.
Within moments…
her breathing steadied.
She had fallen asleep.
Ivan remained where he was.
Watching her, Ivan felt a jolt in his chest
He exhaled softly.
Something had changed.
He could feel it clearly.
After everything that had happened—
this girl…
had quietly taken a place in his heart.
Not forcefully.
But deeply.
And for the first time—
Ivan did not push that feeling away.
Thirty minutes later, a low humming sound spread through the ship.
Then—
A voice echoed across every corridor.
"attention , all wizard seeds."
"The external threat has been eliminated."
"The ship is now secure."
"You are permitted to leave your cabins."
The announcement repeated twice before fading.
Silence followed.
But… the doors did not open.
Inside their cabins, most wizard seeds remained where they were.
No one moved.
Even those who hadn't seen the merfolk directly had heard enough—the violent impacts, the screams, the chaos that had shaken the entire ship earlier.
That alone was enough.
Fear lingered like a shadow.
It clung to their thoughts.
Pressed down on their chests.
Only a handful of people slowly stepped out.
Cautious.
Hesitant.
They walked onto the deck just to take a look… then quickly retreated, their faces pale.
The smell of blood still hung faintly in the air.
In that sudden ambush—
Forty-seven wizard seeds had died.
Among them… one possessed high-level affinity.
A rare seed.
Someone who could have had a bright future ahead.
Gone.
The rest were not insignificant either.
Several had third-class aptitude.
And the rest had first- or second-class potential.
But in the end—
Talent meant nothing in the face of sudden death.
After confirming the ship's condition, they resumed their duties without hesitation.
Formations stabilized.
Energy flows restored.
The transport ship slowly began moving again.
As if nothing had happened.
As if those forty-seven lives had never existed.
The sea stretched endlessly ahead.
And the ship continued toward its destination.
Three days passed.
The atmosphere aboard the ship gradually returned to normal.
But something had changed.
The wizard seeds had grown quieter.
More cautious.
More aware.
According to the wizard apprentices, the ship would reach its destination tomorrow.
Academy Island.
The news spread quickly throughout the ship.
For a moment, even the tense atmosphere from the recent battle loosened.
Many wizard seeds couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
After months of drifting across the vast sea, enduring uncertainty, danger, and long days of monotony…
They were finally about to arrive.
Their destination.
The place where their true journey would begin.
That afternoon—
Inside the cabin—
Ivan sat across from Olivia.
A book rested open in her hands.
Ancient Byron script filled the pages.
"…read this line again," Ivan said calmly.
Olivia nodded.
Her voice was soft, but steady as she read.
Her pronunciation—almost flawless.
Ivan watched her quietly.
A faint hint of surprise flashed through his eyes.
Six days.
It had only taken her six days.
Her memory wasn't perfect—not the kind that could recall everything in a single glance.
But her comprehension…
Was sharp.
After reading something once or twice, she could grasp it.
Understand it.
Remember it.
That alone made her far better than most.
"Not bad," Ivan said.
Olivia lowered her head slightly, a small smile forming on her lips.
A little shy.
But happy.
Ivan closed the book in his hand.
"The basics are enough for now."
He paused, then added,
"I'll teach you more later."
Olivia nodded obediently.
Then Ivan continued, briefly explaining some simple concepts about the Wizard Plane—things he had pieced together over time.
Fragments of knowledge.
Hierarchy.
Power.
Just enough to broaden her understanding.
Not too much.
Not yet.
After finishing, Ivan stood up.
"I need to go out for a while," he said.
"You can rest… or read."
Olivia looked up at him for a moment.
Then nodded.
"…okay."
She reached for another book.
It was one Ivan had given her earlier—
A basic text on wizard classifications.
Soon, she was quietly reading again.
Ivan glanced at her once more.
Then turned.
And walked out of the cabin.
His steps were steady.
Purposeful.
There was something he needed to confirm.
Something important.
And now—
He was finally ready to act.
After leaving the cabin, Ivan did not rush.
He walked along the corridor at a steady pace, his expression calm, his thoughts clear.
Soon, he stepped onto the deck.
The sea breeze brushed against his face.
Ivan paused for a brief moment… then turned toward the stairs leading upward.
Step by step, he ascended to the upper level.
The surroundings grew quieter.
Fewer people.
Fewer sounds.
Finally, he stopped in front of a wooden door.
Ivan raised his hand and knocked lightly.
Knock. Knock.
A voice came from inside.
"Who is it?"
"Ivan Thornheart," he replied calmly. "I've come to ask Lord Kael a few questions."
There was a brief pause.
Then—
The door opened.
Kael stood inside, his gaze sweeping over Ivan.
There was no surprise in his expression.
During the long journey, many wizard seeds who possessed a few magic stones had come to him for information.
What did surprise him slightly… was how late Ivan had come.
But he said nothing about it.
Instead, he stepped aside.
"Come in."
Ivan nodded and entered.
After entering the cabin, Ivan noticed the difference.
The cabin of a wizard apprentice was far superior to those of wizard seeds.
Clean.
Spacious.
A proper bed stood against the wall, beside a wooden table and chair. A cabinet held neatly arranged items, and even the floor was covered with a soft woven mat.
It was simple—
But comfortable.
Far from the cramped quarters below.
After a brief exchange of greetings, the two sat down.
Kael leaned back slightly and spoke in a calm tone.
"Each question… costs two low-level magic stones."
Ivan did not react.
He simply nodded.
In the wizarding world, this was normal.
Equivalent exchange.
If you wanted knowledge, you paid for it.
Nothing came for free.
After a brief pause, Ivan spoke.
"What types of academies exist… and which ones are considered better?"
Kael's eyes flickered slightly.
A good question.
He adjusted his posture, then began.
"In the Wizard Plane, academies are not all the same."
"Some focus on battle."
"Some focus on research."
"And some… walk both paths."
He paused briefly, organizing his words.
"A battle-oriented academy trains combat wizards."
"These wizards specialize in destructive spells, real combat, and plane wars."
"Their strength lies in fighting."
"Direct. Violent. Efficient."
"In contrast…"
"Research-oriented academies focus on knowledge."
"Spell models. theory. resource analysis. experimentation."
"These wizards aren't weak—far from it."
"But their strength lies in understanding, not frontline combat."
"They are often called 'white wizards.'"
"When necessary, they can form large-scale formations—hundreds… even thousands working together."
Kael's tone shifted slightly.
"Then there are mixed academies."
"They don't force a single path."
"You can choose your own direction."
"Combat. research. or something in between."
"Their resources are more balanced… more flexible."
He looked at Ivan.
"Which one is better… depends on you."
"Your affinity. your talent. your thinking."
"Choose wrong… and your path becomes harder."
Ivan listened quietly.
Then he took out two low-level magic stones and placed them on the table.
Kael accepted them without hesitation.
Ivan asked his second question.
"Then… which academy would be suitable for me?"
Kael raised an eyebrow slightly.
"I can't decide that for you," he said calmly.
"But… I can give you a direction."
He leaned forward a little.
"In this region of the Wizard Plane, three academies stand at the top."
"The Six Ring Tower Academy."
"The Dark Claw Academy."
"And the White Ring Saint Academy."
He lifted a finger.
"Six Ring Tower… is purely research-oriented."
"They produce traditional 'white wizards.'"
"Their strength lies in knowledge, resource control, and large-scale wars."
Another finger.
"Dark Claw Academy."
"A battle academy."
"They cultivate 'black wizards.'"
"Specialists in combat."
"Their numbers are small… but their efficiency is terrifying."
"They don't form massive formations like white wizards."
"They operate in squads."
"Ten. Twenty. Sometimes a hundred."
"But each unit…"
"Is deadly."
"Assassination. infiltration. battlefield disruption."
"They strike where it hurts the most."
Finally—
"White Ring Saint Academy."
"A mixed academy."
"They don't limit you."
"You choose your path."
"Combat. research. or both."
"Their system is more flexible… but also more demanding."
Kael leaned back slightly.
"Of course, there are many other academies."
"But these three…"
"Stand at the top."
He looked at Ivan meaningfully.
"With your talent… you have a chance."
"But which one to choose—"
"That depends on what kind of wizard you want to become."
Ivan fell silent for a moment.
Then he placed two more magic stones on the table.
Kael accepted them.
"Any other questions?" he asked.
Ivan shook his head.
He had many.
Too many.
But he stopped himself.
He did not yet understand the true value of magic stones in the wizarding world.
And the Thornheart family had only accumulated fifty of them over centuries.
Spending blindly now…
Would be foolish.
"Thank you," Ivan said.
He stood up.
Kael nodded slightly.
Ivan turned and left the cabin.
The door closed behind him.
Inside, Kael watched his departing figure.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"…another genius," he murmured softly.
"…has stepped onto the wizard's path."
Night fell quietly.
The ship sailed on.
—
By morning—
A faint outline appeared on the horizon.
Land.
At first, it was just a shadow.
Then slowly…
It grew clearer.
On the front deck, more and more wizard seeds gathered.
They stood in silence, staring ahead.
Some held their breath.
Some clenched their fists.
After months at sea…
After danger, fear, and endless waiting—
They had finally arrived.
Academy Island.