Translator: AnubisTL
Wizard Jack's words struck Jieming's mind like a lightning bolt, instantly illuminating the brutal truth hidden beneath the academy's propaganda campaign.
In just five years, over five thousand individuals had been reduced to a mere 153 survivors.
These weren't just ordinary cannon fodder; they were fully trained wizards who had undergone ten years of specialized training!
The glamorous returnees showcased by the academy were the rare "survivors" who had managed to survive among millions of cannon fodder and successfully advance in rank.
The academy paraded them to lure more naive young people to rush forward, becoming the next wave of cannon fodder.
A bone-deep chill instantly washed over Jieming.
This Wizard World was far more ruthless and pragmatic than he had ever imagined.
The wizard academy wasn't merely a hallowed hall of learning; it was a breeding ground and conveyor belt for a massive war machine.
They desperately needed "fuel," and new apprentices were the easiest fuel to ignite.
The thirty-year contract wasn't just a shackle; given the staggering mortality rate, such a long-term commitment also implied the academy's tacit acknowledgment of and expectation for the logistics wizards' survival capabilities.
Even with these measures, the mortality rate for logistics wizards remained close to fifty percent.
As for the Combat Department, the length of their contracts spoke volumes about the brutal casualties. Wizards were no philanthropists, yet even they considered a combat wizard who survived five years on the front lines to have earned their keep.
Such terrifying mortality rates... such brutal warfare...
"Aren't you afraid?" Jieming asked instinctively.
He had already used up his allotted questions as a newcomer, but the wizards didn't ignore him.
Hearing his question, they exchanged glances, fell silent for a moment, and then burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha! How could we not be afraid? There might be people in this world who aren't afraid of death, but they're definitely the exception!" A potion wizard chuckled, patting Jieming's head.
Jieming's confusion deepened. Wizard Jack, understanding his gaze, lowered his head and smiled. "Don't understand why?"
"No."
"We are indeed afraid of death. But beyond death, there are things more worth pursuing that drive us forward!"
"What?"
"Did you know? The multiverse is vast—so vast that even the destruction of an entire plane is but an insignificant flicker of starlight. On the other hand, this means there are nearly infinite possibilities."
As he spoke, Jack pointed to the Combat Department's promotional stage. There, Mars, a third-tier wizard standing at the forefront of all the wizards, was signing autographs for an apprentice.
"See him? Mars only has third-tier talent. Theoretically, he should never have become a formal wizard in his lifetime. But look at him now..."
"Knowledge, power, longevity, status, glory, wealth... any desire can be realized within the endless planes. All you need to do is simply survive on the battlefield."
"On the path to pursuing your desires and ideals, even the highest death rates are merely a necessary price to pay!"
Jieming's heart sank upon hearing these words.
A necessary price?
Behind those casually spoken words lay unimaginable bloodshed.
The clamor and fervent speeches in the square suddenly became piercing and menacing to Jieming's ears. The young faces, burning with ambition for glory and power, seemed to him already destined to fall on the otherdimensional battlefield.
"What a... cruel world..." he murmured to himself.
"But it's also a world full of hope, isn't it?"
Seeing Jieming's spirits flagging, Jack chuckled knowingly. "Of course. The Logistics Department's mortality rate isn't actually that high. After all, the Logistics Department is the true orthodoxy of Noren..."
"What do you mean?" Jieming asked, startled.
"There's no need to hide this from you. You'll find out when you sign the contract anyway." Jack glanced around.
"This plane we're on is called Noren Plane No. 13. The so-called Noren Academy is merely a training ground for fresh talent, supplying new blood to a certain wizard organization. So when you sign the contract, you're not signing with Noren Academy, but with the wizard organization behind it."
"As for the name of that wizard organization..." Wizard Jack drawled, "it's called the Noren Workshop."
Jieming's eyelid twitched. This conversation had just dropped a bombshell of information.
Leaving aside the absurd notion that a wizard organization would maintain multiple planes as talent reserves, even the name itself was unexpected.
Given the "Workshop" designation, it was clear that this wizard organization had initially been renowned for its "manufacturing" capabilities.
In this light, Jack's claim that the Logistics Department was the true orthodoxy made sense.
But...
"If the Logistics Department is the true orthodoxy, why would they use such a method?" Jieming asked, his gaze sweeping over the desolate surroundings.
Compared to the teeming crowds of the Combat Department, the Logistics Department's current area could only be described as desolate.
"Doing this... they're bound to miss out on many talented geniuses, right?"
Even setting aside the stark differences in benefits, those young prodigies who might recognize the underlying danger would likely possess an overwhelming sense of self-assurance, believing themselves to be the protagonists of the world. Such individuals would almost never choose the Logistics Department.
"Because... this is fundamentally a trial of 'wisdom.'"
As he spoke, not only Jack but all the surrounding wizards wore smug expressions.
"Those with high talent do indeed cultivate faster, but for wizards, the most crucial attribute is 'wisdom.'"
"Talent can be altered, but wisdom is innate. Moreover, with access to other planes and their endless opportunities, talent has become almost insignificant. Unlike talent, however, wisdom lacks a clear external manifestation, which is why the academy devised this method."
"The academy deliberately left many flaws in its propaganda. Those who can see through the underlying issues demonstrate the ability to think independently without being influenced by their surroundings, possess keen insight, and... sufficient self-awareness. These qualities are essential for becoming a wizard."
A nearby wizard couldn't resist chiming in with a jest: "I heard that back when wizards still resided on the primordial plane, they used to screen for wisdom by sending apprentices to the academy by ship. They'd arrange various enemies along the way to test them."
"But that method was too costly and difficult to control the severity of the trials. Plus, with the current era of rapid expansion, every sector is short-staffed, so they had to switch to this gentler approach."
Ignoring the ongoing discussion, Jack dispelled the illusion barrier and waved at Jieming. "Alright, that's all for the Q&A. The decision now rests with you."
(End of the Chapter)
Translator's Corner:
I am currently reading this at somewhere around Chapter 112, and I can guarantee that it is a really fun read.
🔓 𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦 — 13 Series (7 Ongoing) | 14+ New Chapters Daily | 6,100+ FREE