Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1536 - 528: Mutant Spider Swarm (Part 3)

"You... Are you a High Rank Wizard?" Elder Brighton found himself compelled to inquire.

Rein cast a quick look toward the faint silhouette of Nirheim City far off and chose not to respond to Elder Brighton's query. With a faint smile, he remarked instead, "Everyone, I've got other business to handle, so I'll be on my way."

"Sir, may I know your name?" Ayana blurted out impulsively.

"Sister!" Antaruka rushed to hush her right away!

The wizard standing before them possessed astonishing strength; that recent surge of energy had been utterly horrifying.

At that realization, he understood the man had no malicious plans. If he did, then not just him, but the whole caravan too would seem like those alien spider lairs to the wizard—mere trifles to wipe out effortlessly.

Before anyone could blink, Rein had vanished right from where he stood.

"My name is Rein!"

Yet, a distant voice lingered softly in the air.

"This..."

The Brightons stood even more stunned by this display; they'd encountered wizards in the past, and their own clan even had priests on par with them. Still, disappearing like mist into nothing? That was something they'd never laid eyes on.

"A miracle from the divine..." Elder Brighton whispered under his breath.

"Lord Rein, is it..." Ayana strained to burn that image deep into her memory.

...

Since they were already close to the Isodre School Station, Rein employed 'Shadow Shifting' briefly to reach the outskirts of Nirheim City.

"Hmm, security here's pretty strict."

Rein quickly discerned that a massive Witch Array covered all of Nirheim City, apparently designed just for sensing intrusions.

After a moment's thought, Rein flickered again. Suddenly, it felt like he'd slipped through a thin membrane, and he materialized atop a commoner's rooftop.

None of his moves set off warnings from the giant detection Witch Array; it was as though he'd blended in seamlessly, not broken through forcefully.

Rein took in the urban landscape. Amid the crowded cluster of two- or three-level stone buildings with flat tops, the grand Isodre School Station dominated the city's heart.

As dusk fell, a sizable gathering milled about, though their clothing suggested most were wanderers or ethnic groups akin to the Brightons.

"They've seized the heart of an entire city..."

"Such a shame, letting the Evil God and hidden cults flourish unchecked—hardly deserving of that spot..."

Rein shook his head, then in a flash, he stood right before the Isodre School Station.

"Huh? Where'd this guy pop up from?" A few guards blinked hard and exchanged baffled glances.

"Who... who might you be?" one guard ventured warily.

"Kindly let them know Rein has arrived for a visit," Rein stated evenly.

"Hold on a second."

Faced with Rein's almost uncanny arrival, the guard wasted no time in carelessness and dashed to a nearby outpost, alerting what appeared to be the shift's leader—a Third Level Wizard Apprentice:

"Sir, there's a visitor here."

The Third Level Wizard Apprentice was idly browsing an old book. Upon the guard's words, he glanced up sluggishly, noted Rein's boyish features, and mused inwardly: "Just another kid hoping to sign up?"

"What's his purpose? You check?" The Third Level Wizard Apprentice inquired indifferently.

"Er... slipped my mind. I'll check now." Overwhelmed by Rein's odd entrance, the guard truly hadn't thought to probe further.

"Forget it; these roaming young apprentices usually just want in. Inform him tryouts are over—return next year." The Third Level Wizard Apprentice brushed it off with a wave, eyes still on his page.

"Uh..." The guard sensed something off instinctively, yet hadn't asked details, so he paused uncertainly.

"Oh, right—what's his name?" The Third Level Wizard Apprentice tossed out the question offhand, as if it just occurred to him.

"He claims he's Rein!"

"What! Rein?" The Third Level Wizard Apprentice jerked his head up and stared straight at Rein!

He'd gotten fresh orders moments ago: should a Dawn Wizard by the name of Rein show up, alert the higher-ups at once. But no one had warned him the fellow would look this juvenile!

Yet now, Rein seemed a touch restless and channeled a hint of his spiritual force, declaring, "Lord Stuart, Rein has come to visit!"

In that instant, an unseen sonic ripple emanated from Rein toward the Isodre School Hall. Those final four syllables grew ever more booming, crashing like a surging sea, exploding like thunder right at the hall's entrance!

...

Right then, within the Isodre School's meeting chamber.

Deputy Sect Leader Malcolm was there, along with four Peak Crystallization Wizards and Stuart Abel—the Dawn Wizard known as the 'Shield of Rock'—as they conferred on a matter.

"Sect Leader, are you certain Rein will head straight for the Shirendil Plateau?" inquired an aged wizard whose hair had turned silver.

"Belief isn't the issue anymore. Solid intel shows Rein departed Mingster just half a day back, with his airship veering northwest then, so chances are high he's bound directly for the Shirendil Plateau and right here at our school," Malcolm clarified.

"This... this kid's arrogance knows no bounds; fresh into Dawn Wizard rank, and he pulls a stunt like this!" An older wizard sporting a mustache wagged his head in disapproval.

"True enough—the Isodre School has endured on the Shirendil Plateau for close to a millennium; no mere youth can topple it. Bet once he spots our enormous Defensive Witch Array at the station, he'll turn tail and flee."

The elderly wizard toying with a dull yellow orb quipped lightly.

"Hahaha!"

The rest chuckled at the remark, their laughter booming.

All at once, a mighty roar boomed through the conference hall!

"... Rein has come to visit!"

...