**Chapter 3: Promotion and Concealment**

“All apprentices who have passed the aptitude test, proceed immediately to the central plaza! The selection of major disciplines will begin shortly!”

The cold announcement repeated relentlessly, urging the crowd to move.

Jie Ming, barely having time to collect his thoughts after the tests, was swept along by the tide of people toward the hall’s exit.

He could feel the anxiety and confusion radiating from the apprentices around him.

The emotions from the test results hadn’t fully settled, yet they were being herded like ducks to the next life-altering decision.

The hall’s exit led directly to the academy’s vast central plaza, and as Jie Ming emerged with the crowd, the sight before him elicited an involuntary gasp.

The plaza was enormous, like a miniature city.

Its black, glossy surface stretched to the horizon, reflecting the light from above.

But what truly captured everyone’s attention were the massive magical projections floating in the air, pumping adrenaline with their vivid imagery.

Wizards clashed in bloody battles on alien planes, powerful spells falling like meteors, each strike accompanied by heart-pounding sound and visual effects.

Ferocious otherworldly creatures, crumbling ancient ruins, and colossal magical constructs traversing the starry void… it was all displayed in the most visceral, eye-catching way.

Below the projections, glowing rune text flashed boldly:

[Glory Awaits!]

[Infinite Wealth!]

[The Fastest Path to Advancement!]

[Join the Combat Division, Achieve Legend!]

Soon, a towering wizard’s silhouette materialized from the light in the sky, his expression stern and cold, his voice resonating like it came from a distant star, devoid of emotion:

“Welcome to Noren Academy. The academy will provide you with the finest transcendent knowledge to ignite your spiritual flame and forge your ring of truth.”

“But power comes at a cost! Per the principle of equivalent exchange, every apprentice must sign a contract with the academy. Upon reaching a certain level of strength or completing a set period of study, you will be sent to other planes connected by the Star Rail Network to expand the territory for the Federation and the academy!”

The wizard’s silhouette swept its cold gaze over the dense crowd below, its voice unwavering:

“Now, you must choose between two major disciplines—the Combat Division, representing power and conquest, or the Logistics Division, representing creation and support!”

“You have one day to decide your major discipline. This is your only chance, and once chosen, it cannot be changed!”

With that, the wizard’s silhouette dissipated.

Massive magical screens rose in the center of the plaza, dividing it clearly like barriers.

Above, bold signs read: [Combat Division] and [Logistics Division].

Below, smaller screens listed specific sub-disciplines: [Soul Magic], [Evocation Magic], [Summoning Magic] for the Combat Division, and [Alchemy], [Potioncraft], [Enchantment], [Construct Engineering] for the Logistics Division.

Near the apprentices, academy mentors and senior students stood, making their final pitches.

“Choose the Combat Division! Shortest contract term! Greatest resource allocation! The front lines are the best whetstone and the fastest path to high-rank wizardry!” a middle-aged wizard shouted enthusiastically in the Combat Division area, his voice laced with compelling fervor.

“The academy will provide the most elite spell models, the most powerful magical gear! And the chance to inherit ancient relics, seizing wealth and glory across countless planes!”

The scene made Jie Ming dizzy: “What is this, a job fair? Have I been transported back to my old world?”

Amid the familiar hustle, a temporary stage in the Combat Division area showcased a group of imposing wizards.

They wore uniform robes, adorned with badges of at least first-rank official wizards, though most were second-rank, and a few were even third-rank!

According to the academy’s promotion, these were alumni who had returned from the front lines to “guide the new students.”

They stood tall or chatted casually, their eyes sharp with battle-honed confidence, exuding powerful auras.

“Look! That’s third-rank wizard Mentor Mars! He just returned from a mission on the Red Flame Plane, slaying several powerful fire elemental lords!” an apprentice whispered nearby, eyes full of awe.

“And that young one, recently promoted to second-rank! They say he completed his contract in just five years and stayed on the battlefield to hone his skills.”

“…Tch, aren’t we all just apprentices here for testing? How do you guys know so much?!” Jie Ming grumbled inwardly.

Of course, he knew that, unlike a true outsider like himself, many talented apprentices came from noble families—nobles who were often wizards themselves.

It was natural for them to know more about the wizard world through exposure.

Jie Ming approached the “Puppet Magic” section of the Combat Division, where a screen clearly listed the contract terms:

Apprentices joining Puppet Magic had ten years of study. After ten years or reaching first-rank official wizard status, they would be sent to the battlefield.

During this time, all basic and advanced Puppet Magic knowledge was freely available, with monthly resources equivalent to 100 points.

The contract required seven years of battlefield service or earning a second-class merit to complete the obligation.

Jie Ming scanned the other Combat Division sections, finding similar terms.

Study duration and strength requirements were consistent, with related knowledge freely provided.

The differences lay in monthly resource points (100 to 150) and service terms (5 to 15 years).

After a thorough review, Jie Ming turned to the Logistics Division.

In stark contrast to the bustling Combat Division, the Logistics Division was noticeably quieter.

The mentors there seemed uninterested in promoting, pointing impatiently to the screens when asked questions.

Jie Ming glanced at their contract terms and understood the lack of enthusiasm.

The study duration was the same, but everything else was worse.

Logistics provided only basic knowledge, with advanced knowledge requiring points. Monthly resources were a meager 10 points.

And the service term—a staggering thirty years!

All Logistics Division terms were nearly identical, varying only in name.

“What kind of joke is this? Thirty years of service?” an apprentice muttered. “The Combat Division’s shortest is five years!”

The stark disparity in benefits and the vivid “success stories” fueled a craving for power and glory, driving many toward the Combat Division.

High-aptitude apprentices were especially targeted by Combat Division mentors.

Jie Ming’s level six aptitude drew subtle glances from several mentors.

Yet, amid this feverish tide, Jie Ming stood apart.

Having lived through an information-saturated world, he wasn’t swayed by dazzling magical projections or glorified “success stories.” The constant fear of becoming an experimental subject kept him vigilant, and he soon noticed something odd.

“There are ninety-seven Combat Division wizards who returned… why that number?” Jie Ming frowned.

These battle-hardened wizards had a distinct aura, gathered on the stage like exhibits for the Combat Division’s promotion.

The Logistics Division, while less flashy, also had its returned wizards, who occasionally cast mocking glances at the Combat stage.

Jie Ming suspected they were tasked with aiding the promotion, hence their gathering.

So why only ninety-seven?

For a “promotional event,” why not a round number like one hundred?

In a wizard academy renowned for rigor and knowledge, such an “incomplete” number seemed unlikely.

“Two possibilities. In the wizard world, ninety-seven is a ‘whole number’ due to some rule or symbolism. Or…”

Jie Ming’s face darkened at the thought: “…they couldn’t muster one hundred.”

What did that mean?

It meant… the rest were likely dead!

These ninety-seven were probably the sole survivors of a batch sent to the battlefield, enduring countless trials and slaughter!