"Death Prairie truly is not something an ordinary person can cross!"
Leilin sat in the carriage, his body jolting with every bump. The small window was open, letting a sliver of yellow sunlight stream in, adding a few traces of life to the cabin.
Ever since the Scavenging Wolf pack attack, more than ten days had passed. During these days, as the caravan ventured deeper into the Prairie, the dangers they encountered grew ever more numerous.
Only now did Leilin realize that the Scavenging Wolves were merely at the bottom of the Prairie's food chain. Above them lurked far more cunning and ferocious predators.
Along the way, Leilin had witnessed several times groups of creatures as numerous as the wolf pack before.
Besides the Scavenging Wolves, there were flocks of giant black birds several meters tall, and even enormous monsters over a dozen meters long, looking somewhat like saber-toothed tigers but as big as small hills. Their mere aura made Leilin feel suffocated.
Fortunately, the apprentice death toll seemed to have reached its limit, and the white-robed wizards began to act. They not only set up defensive magic circles on each carriage but also directly intervened to drive off the beast packs, preventing massive casualties within the caravan.
The most dangerous encounter had been the standoff with that monster over a dozen meters long.
Fortunately, that hill-sized beast seemed to possess some intelligence and knew the white-robed wizards were not to be trifled with. After a standoff, it departed without launching an attack, allowing everyone in the caravan to breathe a sigh of relief.
"It's time!" Leilin took out his pocket watch, checked the hands, which pointed to around three in the afternoon.
He stood up, opened the carriage's front door. A moist breeze blew past, carrying a faint salty scent. It smelled very refreshing, and Leilin took several deep breaths before sitting down next to Angelei.
"Good afternoon, Lord Angelei!"
"Good afternoon, polite young noble!" Angelei didn't turn his head, simply handing the reins and whip to Leilin. "Perfect, I need to rest a while!"
Leilin smiled, took the whip, and skillfully took over driving the carriage.
Angelei leaned back, unfastened a water flask from his waist, and opened it. A strong scent of alcohol wafted out. He took a sip, then squinted his eyes in satisfaction.
"We're almost at our destination. Seeing as you've been driving the carriage for me for a whole month, I can answer two of your questions!"
As Leilin was admiring the scenery on either side, he heard Angelei's voice.
"Alright!" Leilin smiled. He had deliberately cultivated a good relationship with Angelei, and this was part of his consideration.
"Then, first question. What's at the destination?"
"Some temporary tents from the academies. There, you'll be able to freely choose which academy to join based on your own interests, and undergo a more precise aptitude test!"
Angelei answered, his expression looking somewhat impatient. "The wizard lords will explain all this once we arrive. Don't waste the opportunity!"
"A more precise aptitude test?" Leilin paused, then recalled that he had originally only been identified as having wizard potential before being sent off by the Viscount in a carriage. As for whether that potential was good or bad, he knew nothing.
"Temporary tents from the academies? It sounds just like school recruiting from my previous world. I wonder what the requirements are?" Leilin thought silently.
"Alright! Second question! In your view, what is a Wizard?"
Leilin asked the second question.
"Wizards, huh? They wield immense power, pursue truth, and operate on the principle of equivalent exchange. Kid, don't ever fantasize about getting something for nothing from a Wizard, or else the flames of desire will erupt from the abyss to punish your soul!"
Angelei's face twitched, as if recalling something unpleasant. His voice suddenly dropped to a very low pitch.
"Pursuing truth, equivalent exchange? I like it!" A smile played on Leilin's lips.
After answering, Angelei seemed to lose his interest in talking. He took two deep swigs of strong liquor, lowered his head, and closed his eyes. A dozen minutes later, the sound of snoring could be heard.
Leilin watched the scenery ahead, bored. Though the prairie scenery was beautiful, after a solid month of looking at it, he was starting to feel sick of it.
"This is..."
As the carriage continued forward, the expanse of green in the distance diminished, replaced by a vast stretch of blue and powerful gusts of wind.
"Finally, we've arrived! The Death Coast!"
Angelei, who had been sleeping, opened his eyes and looked at Leilin. "We've reached our destination!"
As they drew closer to the sea, a marketplace-like settlement came into view at the end of Leilin's sight.
Tents of varying heights stood in a dense cluster, some even having bizarre shapes, forming a large encampment. Around it, several dozen carriages identical to the one Leilin was driving were parked.
The most numerous, however, were the apprentices just like themselves—thirteen or fourteen years old, their faces filled with curiosity. Leilin did a rough count and knew there were at least several hundred people, filling the camp. Apprentices occasionally walked in and out of the tents, their faces showing different expressions.
"Alright! Ladies! Gentlemen! Welcome to the midway point of your journey—the Death Coast! Here, you will decide on your future academy, and return with your teachers to your respective schools to begin your Wizard training!"
The caravan of carriages halted. Three figures in white robes emerged and gathered the apprentices together. The Crow at the head of the group spoke.
"Now, follow me into the camp and select your academy. Remember! You may examine multiple academies, but once you sign the contract, there is no going back! Anyone who violates this will be hanged outside the camp gate!"
The Crow's voice was icy, and his words sent a chill through the hearts of the apprentices.