The shocking news of Baron's death at the hands of Yünli quickly spread among the wizard apprentices on the ship, becoming the most talked-about topic. No one understood why Baron suddenly attacked Yünli, but it was clear to all that Wizard Dira must have had a hand in it. Otherwise, Baron would not have attacked Yünli without reason.

Yünli, as if prepared for the attack, engaged in a fierce battle with Baron. The clash of strange sorceries and powerful axe strikes lasted several rounds until suddenly, Baron's head disappeared, the cut on his neck smooth as a mirror, and his headless body fell to the ground. Yünli remained indifferent, barely pausing for breath, and continued playing with the small white mouse, unfazed by the attack.

Those who witnessed this battle were stunned, seeing Yünli not as a human but as a monster. No one dared to provoke such a terrifying being.

A day later, a massive shadow enveloped the Iis Small House Wizard Academy's ocean-going ship, drawing the apprentices out from their cabins to gape in horror at the sky, where a swarm of black crows formed the shadow. No one knew if Dira was alive or dead.

A mysterious wizard descended from the cloud of crows, and as he landed on the deck, the countless crows transformed into two torrents, flying into the wizard's wide sleeves, which seemed endlessly spacious, swallowing the cloud of crows in an instant.

The wizard, landing in the center of the deck, was a sight that filled everyone with dread. His face was devoid of eyes, nose, or mouth, entirely smooth, as if a layer of skin covered his head, presenting a terrifying appearance.

"Heh heh, little ones, welcome to the Black Sotha Wizard Academy!" he announced.

This ship, originally headed for the Iis Small House Wizard Academy, had been hijacked by what seemed to be a more powerful and sinister wizard academy. The eyeless wizard scanned the crowd, resting his gaze on Yünli and Bibilianna, and wickedly introduced himself, "You may call me Nilmaza, or the Faceless Mask, heh heh heh, I don't mind."

Amidst the anxious group, a calm wizard apprentice stepped forward, handing a crow to the wizard and addressing him as "Master."

"Well done," the Faceless Mask praised, as the crow disappeared into his sleeve.

The apprentices glared at this student, understanding he had been an inside agent against Wizard Dira. Cold sweats ran down the backs of Nidhogg, Nina, Yorkris, and Yorkliana as they recognized the apprentice as Kiran—the one who had looked down on them.

Even now, Kiran, or Solang as he was now known, ignored Nidhogg and the group, focusing his interest on Yünli and Bibilianna.

The Faceless Mask had no interest in the apprentices' thoughts. With a chilling smile, he declared, "The Black Sotha Wizard Academy is part of the Twelfth District of the Seven Ring Holy Tower. It believes in competition, survival of the fittest, and natural elimination!"

As he spoke, he continued with a sinister laugh, "So, to help you adapt better to future academy life, and to eliminate some of the useless products among you, I’ll establish a rule on this ship..."

Every apprentice listened intently, fearing to miss a word.

"From now on, every morning, I must find five people thrown into the sea, or else... heh heh, I will randomly kill ten of you!"

After delivering this ruthless ultimatum, he pointed casually at a sailor in the distance. Without warning, the sailor exploded into pieces with a loud "boom," scattering blood and flesh across the deck.

Terrified screams erupted among the apprentices, but the Faceless Mask ignored the chaos, calmly stating, "Just like that."

Stolen novel; please report.

The apprentices stared at the wizard in horror, viewing him as a monstrous demon.

He ignored their fear, laughing wickedly, "From now on, my word is law on this ship, unless one of you can defeat me or kill me! Heh heh heh, see you tomorrow, little ones!"

With that, the wizard retreated to the tent set up on the deck’s edge, signaling the bosun to join him as they seemingly planned a new course.

Everyone on deck was on high alert, feeling a palpable unease. Nidhogg cast a glance at Yorkris, Yorkliana, and Nina.

Yorkris, clutching his sister, asked hurriedly, "We're not really going to do what the wizard said, are we?"

"I don’t want to die! We might have to," Nina replied, glancing at Nidhogg. Her statement shocked Yorkris and Yorkliana, but Nidhogg, deep in thought, accepted it as a harsh reality.

Nidhogg pondered bitterly, realizing that if their voyage to Black Sotha took forty days, two hundred people would have to be thrown overboard. If it lasted sixty days, would he even survive?

"Ah..."

A scream broke the silence, drawing attention to a female apprentice stabbing a male apprentice in the chest with a knife, shouting, "If not for you, Rhea would still be alive! I'm going to kill you!"

The female apprentice’s face twisted with rage as she repeatedly stabbed the male apprentice. The crowd realized it might be a personal grudge, or perhaps an attempt to complete the "task" set by the wizard.

Cautiously, everyone began leaving the deck. Nidhogg and his group decided to regroup in Nina's room to discuss a strategy. Soon, only Yünli, Bibilianna, and Kiran remained on the deck.

Given their prowess, Yünli and Bibilianna were formidable, and Kiran, now known as Solang, had proven his worth by aligning with the formidable wizard. Not wanting to get involved, the group retreated to avoid sparking deadly confrontations.

"What should we do? I never imagined Kiran... or Solang, would betray us," Yorkris remarked, frowning at Nidhogg and Nina.

Nina snorted, "What can we do? Take it one step at a time."

She pulled out a small, ornate crossbow, adding coldly, "Although it's not a magic artifact, the poison on this is enough to kill a giant elephant."

Nidhogg quickly interjected, "Let's not rush. We’ll be at sea for a long time. Besides, Solang doesn’t seem to view us as threats."

Nina nodded, putting the crossbow away, and the group settled in for a tense night's rest. Bin Hanson was nowhere to be found, off in the lowest deck somewhere.

The next morning, a commotion brought Nidhogg and his companions back to the deck. Clusters of apprentices had formed, each keeping a safe distance from one another, wary and ready to act at the slightest provocation.

The Faceless Mask stood idly, then remarked with a calm smile, "Heh, three fewer, still missing two? Then..."

With four dismissive gestures, four apprentices exploded, drenching the deck in gore and creating chaos. Among them, one apprentice was part of the group closest to Nidhogg.

A female apprentice in that group collapsed, screaming and crying uncontrollably.

Nidhogg, Nina, Yorkris, and Yorkliana wiped the blood from their faces in shock. Nidhogg found a piece of flesh on his clothes, the heavy scent of blood confirming the grim reality of the situation.

"Oh..."

Nina and the Yorkris siblings vomited, while Nidhogg, though queasy, stood firm, watching the surrounding apprentices warily.

The Faceless Mask paid no heed to the turmoil, his gaze seemingly resting on each person despite his lack of eyes.

He sneered, "The Black Sotha Wizard Academy, part of the Seven Ring Holy Tower, adheres to its rules, under the wizard alliance’s control, and won’t slaughter human civilians. Heh heh heh... Remember, you’re apprentices now, not civilians. The path to wizardry is fraught with obstacles."

As he turned to leave, he added coldly, "Except for Bosun Lab, Solang, Yünli, and Bibilianna, any of you could be next unless five are selected."

Solang and Yünli walked away without looking back. Bibilianna gave the crowd a cold glance, then a playful smile.

Everyone on the deck was stained with blood and gore, looking like they had emerged from hell. But no one dared to clean up, knowing they had to decide on five sacrificial names or face the fear of a sudden death.

"Kill!"

A sudden roar erupted as the remaining sailors, driven mad, attacked a group of five apprentices with knives. The group, caught off guard, quickly fell to the skilled sailors.

In moments, the five were killed, their screams echoing as their bodies were tossed into the sea, while the bloodthirsty sailors glared at the rest.

The lead sailor spoke coldly, "No one wants to die, but the wizard world is cruel. From now on, you’re no longer lofty apprentices here to boss us around."

With a bloodied knife in hand, he continued, "From today, find five to sacrifice yourselves, or we’ll do it."

The sailors, exuding murderous intent, disappeared into the cabin.

Nidhogg’s group was pale, having been so close to the dangerous sailors. With Wade gone, Bin Hanson joining another group, and Solang elevating to a position of power, their group faced great change.

Now, the apprentices were confronted with the dilemma: how to decide who would be sacrificed?