Chapter 83: Opposition

Robin realizes this is the so‑called class opposition, possibly stemming from the conflict between Black and White Wizards.

"Can you tell me what a Black Wizard is? What a White Wizard is?" Robin asked on a whim.

Lina said without hesitation, "Black Wizards are a group of evil Wizards; they are destroyers of order, wicked and malicious, and many of the kingdom's tragedies were caused by Black Wizards."

When mentioning White Wizards, Lina's face immediately showed lofty reverence: "White Wizards are different; they are guardians of order, the lighthouse of human civilization, constantly battling various evil forces to protect humanity."

Robin twitched the corner of his mouth.

"That woman is brainwashed beyond cure."

Robin asked, "Then how do you distinguish Black Wizards from White Wizards?"

Lina's answer was even simpler and clearer.

"It's simple: any Wizard who is a Second-level Wizard Apprentice, hasn't joined a Wizard School, and roams around is a Black Wizard."

After hearing Lina's explanation, Robin couldn't help feeling helpless. Her answer was blunt and crude, full of prejudice against Black Wizards and blind worship of White Wizards.

This black‑or‑white mindset made Robin realize that the opposition in the Wizard World is far more complex and profound than it appears.

"I see..." Robin feigned sudden enlightenment, nodded, then tentatively asked, "What if someone hasn't joined a Wizard School, hasn't done anything bad, and just trains alone—would that person still be labeled a Black Wizard?"

Lina frowned, seeming a bit impatient with the question: "Not joining a Wizard School means not being supervised by the Wizard Council. Who can tell what such a person does behind the scenes?"

Black Wizards excel at disguise and deception; they may appear harmless on the surface, but in reality they plot all sorts of conspiracies in secret.

Robin shook his head inwardly; Lina's answer was clearly full of bias and arbitrariness. He realized it would be hard to get objective information from her, and he might be swayed by her views.

So he decided to drop the topic and asked, "If I want to join a Wizard School, what should I do?"

Lina's expression softened a bit, and her tone returned to its previous coolness: "Once you become a Second-level Apprentice, a Wizard School will naturally recruit you. However, the prerequisite is passing the Wizard Council's assessment to prove your talent and loyalty."

Robin nodded, but felt a hint of sarcasm toward the word "loyalty."

In his view, the so‑called "loyalty" was merely a tool the Wizard Council used to control Apprentices.

Yet he showed no sign of it, calmly saying, "I will do my best."

This is almost no different from the aristocracy.

Lina said nothing more, got up, and left the campfire.

Robin watched her departing silhouette, his mind a whirl of thoughts.

He realized he was in a complicated situation: on one hand, he needed to rely on Lina and the Wizard Schools' power to boost his strength;

on the other hand, he could not fully trust them, especially their extreme attitude toward Black Wizards, which made him uneasy.

"Perhaps Lao Mao and his crew are the ones truly worth trusting..." Robin thought. Although Lina described Lao Mao and others as "mice hiding in the shadows," the help Robin received from Lao Mao was tangible.

In contrast, the so‑called "orthodoxy" of the Wizard Schools and Wizard Council gave him an intangible pressure.

Late at night, Robin sat alone by the campfire, continuing to leaf through the Booklet Lina gave him.

Though he harbored doubts about the Wizard Schools' philosophy, the knowledge in the booklet was concrete.

He decided to first use these resources to strengthen himself, then gradually seek the truth.

Early the next morning, the party continued onward.

Robin advanced with the party while secretly trying to apply the Magic Power Manipulation Technique from the booklet.

His Magic Perception and Magic Manipulation Ability were gradually improving; progress was slow, but each step felt immensely fulfilling.

However, Robin did not know that his actions had already drawn Lina's attention.

Though Lina appeared cold toward him outwardly, she was secretly watching his every move.

She seemed interested in Robin's talent and potential, yet remained doubtful about his background and motives.

After all, Robin looked far too young, not even twenty.

"Luo Yi, your Magic Power Manipulation is progressing quickly," Lina suddenly walked up to Robin and whispered.

Robin was startled internally, but kept a calm face: "Thank you, I'm just practicing according to the booklet you gave me."

Lina nodded, her tone carrying a hint of probing: "Your talent is good; if you're willing to join a Wizard School, there could be promising prospects in the future."

Robin gave a slight smile, not answering directly: "I'll consider it."

Lina said nothing more, but a complex expression flashed in her eyes.

Robin knew he had to be more cautious.

Whether it's Lao Mao or Lina, complex interests and motives lie behind them.

The party continued northward, Robin following while secretly honing the Magic Power Manipulation Technique.

As his understanding of Magic Power deepened, he found he could more keenly sense surrounding Magic Waves, even perceiving distant movements through Magic Perception.

This Magic Perception training, for someone with his level of experience, was as easy as drinking water and could be practiced twenty‑four hours a day.

That evening, the party set camp on a wasteland. Robin sat by the campfire, closed his eyes and meditated, trying to further solidify his Magic Power Manipulation ability.

At that moment, he suddenly sensed an abnormal Magic Wave, as if something was approaching.

"Something's off..." Robin opened his eyes, scanning the surroundings warily.

Karl noticed his unease, walked over and asked, "What's wrong, Luo Yi?"

Robin whispered, "I feel like something is watching us."

Karl frowned and immediately raised the alert: "Everyone, stay alert, something may be happening!"

The others in the party quickly went on guard.

Lina gripped her staff tightly, Aiwen readied his bow, his sharp gaze scanning the surrounding darkness.

Not long after, a deep roar echoed from the distant darkness, and several huge magical beasts burst from the shadows, charging straight at the party.

"Shadow Wolves!" Karl shouted, "Prepare for battle!"

Shadow Wolves are magical beasts that live on the wasteland, fast and adept at hiding, and are among the enemies mercenaries most dread encountering.

Robin swiftly drew his Sword and stood shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Karl, ready to engage.

The battle erupted in an instant. Aiwen's arrows flew precisely at the Shadow Wolves, while Lina unleashed a scorching Fireball, driving back the wolves at the front.

(End of Chapter)