"The Seville Empire..." came Lis’s very faint whisper from behind, "The strongest mechanical wizard civilization on the East Coast, presided over personally by Master Raphael, Level 6 Mage. I’ve heard that this time they’ve sent the top students from the Seville Empire Royal Academy..."

The group continued forward, passing through the landing yard, walking along a corridor lined with silver-leafed trees on both sides for about fifteen minutes before the view opened up.

It was an outdoor plaza, not large, yet extremely meticulously arranged.

In the center stood a black stone monument, ten meters square, with a mirror-smooth surface where countless small runes could be seen flowing slowly within it.

Six crystal pillars of equal height surrounded the monument, each corresponding to the color of a basic element.

Groups of bronze chairs were scattered around the edges of the plaza, with several delegations already taking a break or talking quietly.

Raymond slowed his pace.

"Appalachian East Coast, you’ve already seen them just now." His tone returned to calm, like an instructor in class, "The Seville Empire’s Augustus, Level 3 pinnacle, a mere step away from becoming demigod. In his youth, this man followed Raphael in numerous plane wars, known for his fierce combat style."

He paused, his gaze shifting to the other side of the plaza.

There sat six or seven young wizards in deep blue magic robes, embroidered with intertwined vine and star patterns.

The leading woman appeared just over thirty, with a gentle demeanor, discussing softly with her companions, occasionally letting out light laughter.

"Golden Continent, Star Tower." Raymond said, "Led by Elena, Level 3 Mage, specializing in prophecy and astrology magic. Those beside her are the best students from Star Tower in the last ten years."

Leon glanced slightly, his gaze lingering for a moment on the young wizards from Star Tower before whispering something to Vera.

Vera nodded gently, without replying.

Adrian, however, thoughtfully looked at the leading woman before withdrawing his gaze, his expression calm. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Duke took a look at the wizards from the Golden Continent, rarely having seen them before.

The moment he saw the vine and star patterns on their robes, he was reminded of the time he saw robed wizards in the Void Corridor, although there wasn’t much interaction.

Now seeing them again, it instantly jogged his memory.

Raymond led the team onward, making brief pleasantries with a few familiar delegations at the plaza’s edge.

The delegation from Scavvy Continent numbered fewest, only eleven, led by a silent middle-aged warlock who exchanged only three words with Raymond to conclude their conversation.

Duke noticed several in that team wearing unfamiliar organization emblems, ones he had never seen in any materials.

"Wizard organizations on Scavvy Continent are quite scattered, without an absolute dominant force." Erin mentor quietly explained to Vera, "But they have an abundance of mineral veins, with many medium and small organizations living off mineral trade."

Vera nodded gently, somewhat thoughtful.

Scavvy Continent is the furthest continent from Appalachian Continent, though geographically one could directly cross the endless ocean from the West Coast to Scavvy Continent.

But the route from the West Coast is extremely distant, with large areas designated as forbidden zones typical of the Sea Race along the way, amidst various unknown risks lurking.

Let alone ordinary caravans, even stronger wizards dare not recklessly take this route.

Usually, the conventional route from Appalachian Continent to Scavvy Continent starts from either the West Coast or East Coast, heading eastward where the journey is relatively safer, with places to rest scattered along the way.

And the route from the West Coast all the way westward is deemed a true no-man’s land, with nothing but boundless ocean and the unknown.

Therefore, to the young wizards from Appalachian Continent, especially those from the West Coast, Scavvy Continent is an extremely foreign land with almost no interaction.

Another delegation from Appalachian East Coast, belonging to the same zone as the Seville Empire but under separate jurisdiction, was much more enthusiastic, led by a slightly plump elder who waved energetically to Raymond from afar:

"Raymond! I knew it was you leading the team again this year!"

Raymond’s brows lifted slightly.

"Ferguson." His tone remained calm, but the tight facial lines seemed to soften a bit, "Your White Cliff Academy is sending students this year?"

"What do you mean sending?" Ferguson feigned anger, running over, "We send students every year! It’s just you circled the East Coast every year, avoiding us!"

They exchanged glances and both laughed.

It was a laugh belonging to acquaintances, needing no further words.

Ferguson quickly noticed the young team behind Raymond, swiftly scanning them, his gaze momentarily resting curiously on Duke, flashing a hint of shock and complexity in his eyes.

He quickly masked this emotion and nobody noticed.

"They are promising." He withdrew his gaze, nodding to Raymond, "The West Coast is teeming with hidden talents this year."

Raymond did not pick up this topic; he simply turned slightly and began introducing to the young wizards behind him:

"White Cliff Academy, a renowned wizard organization from Appalachian East Coast. This is Ferguson White Stone, Level 3 pinnacle, who once single-handedly resisted the impact of a number of Level 3 Void Insect Race tribe and other plane creatures..."

Ferguson waved repeatedly: "That was back when I was reckless and stubborn, now I’d definitely turn and run."

He grinned, showing his neat white teeth.

Raymond ignored him, continuing: "Behind him are the current top students of White Cliff Academy."

Duke’s gaze swept over the young wizards.

Their robe styles were similar, all pale gray with silver trim, and their chests adorned with White Cliff Academy’s unique scroll and scepter emblem.

Among them, a witch with a high ponytail stood out, not for her striking looks, but for her aura encircled by an extremely thin, almost transparent energy field, a natural outward manifestation following intense concentration of Spiritual Power.

Raymond conversed quietly with another wizard, wearing the uniform of a Central Islands Council institutional representative, discussing topics like accommodation allocation, course adjustments, and a special event a few days later.

Vera, Leon, Adrian, and others were surrounded by several students from White Cliff Academy, exchanging names and communication imprints.

Vera’s tone remained calm, but her response speed was significantly faster than during the banquet.

Leon was already engrossed in a conversation about combat techniques with a tall warlock, their dialogue becoming ever more engaging, even leading them to sketch simple magic models in the air using Magic Power.

Morris stood at the edge of the group, cautiously being questioned by a female witch from White Cliff Academy about necromancy.

He remained silent for a long while, eventually answering half a sentence, the witch responded with immense gratitude.

Samuel remained by himself, leaning against a crystal pillar unnoticed by others, his fingers toying with Shadow runes, his gaze sweeping over the team from White Cliff Academy, over the gentle witch from Star Tower, over the silent team from Scavvy Continent, before finally landing in the direction of Seville Empire.

Duke stood calmly in the rear of the team’s center, quietly watching everything.

Lis had unknowingly approached closer, her voice dropped to a low attempt, cautiously probing:

"Duke, wouldn’t you exchange wizard imprints? That senior from White Cliff Academy seems approachable..."

"No need, exchange when necessary." Duke replied with a smile.

Lis opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately swallowed it back silently.

Sunset drew near.

The celestial light in the Central Islands differed from that on the West Coast.

Here, there’s no distinct sunrise or sunset, the glow from Sky City slowly adjusted its color temperature with time, transitioning from the pearl white of noon gradually to the warm gold of twilight, ultimately settling into a moonlight-like silver blue at night.

When the first strand of silver blue glow enveloped the plaza, Raymond concluded all conversations.

"We shall stop here today." His voice was calm, yet clearly heard by everyone, "Follow me to the accommodation zone; we will gather in the lecture hall tomorrow, where Master Alfred will personally preside over the admission ceremony."

Duke walked at the edge of the group, remaining low-profile, his steps steady, aura restrained.