As Eggerberg's words fell, the surrounding barrier also dissipated in response.
Second Rank Wizards didn't hesitate too much and swiftly soared into the air.
Atbolde said a word to Colin, then turned and flew behind Eggerberg.
Swish swish!
Like swallows leaving their nests, a mighty stream of wizards, led by Eggerberg, powerfully flew out of the School.
Only Colin and the others remained, standing still, startled.
This was clearly a secret operation, coming in silence and departing as swiftly as lightning!
Colin turned his head, watching the figures of Eggerberg and the others grow distant. Neustadt City remained tranquil at the moment.
The morning sun was warm and comforting, making one reluctant to move. The melting ice on eaves and branches as white and silent as cotton.
The surrounding wizards were whispering to each other, their hushed voices somehow making the quiet more profound... as if the eve of a storm was approaching.
Colin stood still for a while, exhaled gently, and walked towards the General Affairs Castle.
He had to wait until tomorrow to leave the School premises; there was nothing he could do about outside matters, and worrying was fruitless, so he decided to stick to the plan and complete the confirmation of his mission.
...
Swish!
At a certain moment, in the Wape district.
The figures of Eggerberg and his team suddenly appeared at the top of the central tower.
Without any superfluous movements, he waved his brown cane.
Assisted by the other Third Rank Wizards beside him, a deep blood-red light suddenly exploded from the tip of the cane, spreading rapidly in circles, swiftly enveloping the entire Wape district.
Moments later, Eggerberg's eyes, sharp as a hawk's, clearly reflected several suspicious red lights.
"Crush them!"
Swish!
Swish, swish, swish!
The wizards descended mercilessly like raindrops, tacitly dispersing and swooping toward the red lights!
And this scene was also happening in other places within Neustadt City.
Even... it was occurring in the other nine Wizard Cities!
In Merredith City.
Within a grey-black spire of the Viting School.
Eliel gazed out the window, her expression somewhat anxious, as the sounds of witchcraft explosions, human screams, and cries of pain came flooding in like tides.
"Don't worry," the mature-looking senior Perry touched her head, calmly comforting, "As a Third Rank Wizard, our mentor will certainly be safe in this operation."
"I'm not worried about our mentor," Eliel glanced at Perry and said softly, "I'm just thinking, after tonight, how many more people will perish..."
Perry fell silent for a moment, then said, "War is always like this."
...
"I see him! He's right ahead!"
"Catch him!"
"No, is he a red-robed Bishop Level follower?!"
Boom!!
The explosion occurred suddenly, a blinding light and heat engulfed the surroundings.
"Not good, quickly request High Rank Wizard support!" A nearby Wizard exclaimed in horror, urgently shouting.
"...May the gods bless us!" In the center of the explosion, a middle-aged man with the look of a peddler stood up straight, took a deep breath, and loudly proclaimed.
His voice, like a stone causing ripples in water, rippled outwards.
"May the gods bless us!!" Various echoes came from Neustadt City, spreading slowly like a chilling tide, unsettling to the soul.
"Hmph!"
However, the next instant, a powerful, chilling snort sounded like a bell ringing, instantly suppressing all the fervent shouts of the followers.
"In Neustadt City, you still dare to dream of revolt?"
Boom!!
Inside the General Affairs Castle, Colin steadied himself, the black iron chandelier with the Bright Crystal embedded in the ceiling creaked and swayed, and the pen holder on the desk before him toppled over with a bang.
"What a commotion," the duty Wizard fixed the pen holder absentmindedly, murmuring as he gazed in the direction outside.
Colin didn't respond. He turned to look out the window, his curiosity piqued like a cat's scratch,
But alas, they, the Wizards below Second Rank, were not allowed to leave the Tin Saint School at this moment.
"Master Colin, your mission has been confirmed as complete.
The Magic Stone and School Points have been recorded in your badge, a total of eight thousand Magic Stones, two hundred School Points, you may check at the lobby on the first floor for confirmation."
The duty Wizard pulled back his gaze, composed himself, and handed back the School Badge to Colin.
"Okay, thank you," Colin nodded slightly.
Boom!
A sense of shaking came again, Colin gripped the School Badge firmly, stood up, and quickly walked to a window facing outside the School premises.
The duty Wizard also stepped out from behind the counter and joined him at the window.
The vast blue sky, the sunlight casting a thin veil of gold over the white snow-covered ground, with grey-black houses densely packed, and a few spots emitting plumes of black smoke, others sparking with blinding lights...
The Wizards' search and battle were continuing.
From the looks of it, Neustadt City was set to sweep through all places thoroughly this time.
Colin's guess was not wrong.
Until the orange hue of sunset dipped below the horizon, the sounds of battle within Neustadt City finally began to fade, gradually returning to tranquility.
A few hours into the late night, a Wizard finally came to inform Colin and the others that they could leave the School.
Stepping out from the School, the night sky was dark and empty streets stretched out below.
Under the shrouded night, flames' red glows were faintly visible in places within the city, while some Wizards' figures flew back and forth in mid-air, likely taking care of aftermath tasks.
This battle, like a sudden summer downpour, arrived hastily and left just as quickly.
Eyes drawn back in, Colin quickened his pace toward home.