"Nina, you're the last one we're waiting for. Come sit next to me," said a male wizard apprentice in a wide robe, greeting her warmly as she arrived. He gestured to an empty space beside him. His handsome face, deep eyes, and warm smile could nearly melt the heart of the other girl sitting nearby. Just like Nina, this male apprentice was strikingly attractive.

Nina, however, ignored him completely and casually sat down elsewhere. Her exquisite face was icy as she glanced at the male apprentice. "Hmph, do I know you?" she asked coldly.

"You..." The apprentice's warm smile vanished, replaced by a cold tone. "Just as the rumors say, you have a sharp tongue."

"Looking for trouble?" Almost escalating to violence, Nidhogg quickly intervened. He played with a sharp dagger in his hand, glaring menacingly at the male apprentice.

"Fireball King? A Bruhn caster?"

"Hmph, everyone smart enough to survive on this ship knows better than to insult us with fake smiles. It makes us feel like you're treating us like those who got tossed into the sea," Nidhogg retorted.

"What you think is your business..."

With a cold snort, the apprentice turned his head away, adopting a distant demeanor.

Yorkris nonchalantly brushed his teeth with his sword, showing off his robust physique, and echoed, "Exactly, no need for pretense."

"Haha, I've heard that Nina has two fierce warriors at her side. This must be the valiant Yorkris, and the ruthless Nidhogg, I presume?" said another male apprentice with a noble demeanor, laughing.

This apprentice, Amelande, was known among the apprentices for his commendable reputation. He wore the finest noble attire, complete with jewelry and a distinguished look. The most notable items were the two exquisite gemstone rings on his left hand, one blue and one purple—clearly valuable, beyond what an average noble could afford.

Nidhogg had made a name for himself over the past month, partly from his association with Nina, the Vine Caster, and partly due to his own cautious and ruthless nature, having silenced six who had targeted him.

Nidhogg nodded curtly at Amelande, signaling no desire to get closer. On this ship, strength mattered most, not friendships, which had proven useless.

"Amelande, tell us why you've gathered us here," said a girl with a doll-like appearance but a rough, wizard-like voice.

Despite her innocent look, Imys, the Puppet Caster, was the most ruthless among them. Nidhogg once witnessed her white puppet brutally kill a group of apprentices, leaving a chilling memory.

The last caster present remained silent, his face dark. Notably, he had an empty sleeve, having lost an arm during the sea monster attack. This Manipulation Caster, known as Weipimod, had intriguing magic, which Nina speculated involved mental illusions to temporarily influence others. She believed he was the only one among them who didn’t rely on magical artifacts.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Together, Nina the Vine Caster, Bruhn the Fireball Caster, Amelande the Holy Sword Caster, Imys the Puppet Caster, and Weipimod the Manipulation Caster, formed the group known as the Five Great Wielders, revered by the frightened apprentices on the ship.

A silence fell over the deck. Amelande surveyed the group before suddenly letting out a laugh, abrupt and unsettling, drawing frowns from those watching him.

"My fellow casters, we may be called the Great Wielders by the apprentices, but we all know the truth," he began. "Aside from Weipimod, we rely on magical artifacts for our spells. To the ignorant, we seem invincible, but among real wizards’ apprentices..."

Amelande shook his head with a sneer.

"Amelande, we know this already. Why did you call us here?" Imys interrupted impatiently.

"The reason is simple: to consider our future," Amelande replied coldly, scanning the group. "Not just our time on this ship, but also at the Black Sotha Wizard Academy. If the conditions here are any indication, the academy won’t be a kind place."

As he spoke, he looked around. "Our small groups might end up like those thrown into the sea."

The thought sent chills through the group, even surprising Nidhogg.

Amelande’s foresight awakened them to the reality—they would continue their lives at the academy, which could be even harsher than the ship.

"So, I propose we form a new alliance from the surviving apprentices on this ship, to stand together at the academy," Amelande suggested, piquing everyone’s interest.

Nina frowned. "It’s a good idea, but how do we form this alliance? Here, the rule is to kill each other. Everyone besides our closest allies is an enemy."

Her question echoed the concerns of all present, prompting them to look at Amelande.

Amelande, appreciating Nina’s insight, looked at her. Despite rumors labeling her a pretty fool, Amelande saw her as intelligent and capable of managing her subordinates well.

"Indeed, there are irreconcilable differences within the alliance. But we all understand the true source of conflict isn't within, but rather from that wizard..." He glanced at the Faceless Mask's tent. "The great Faceless Wizard's will. Thus, our alliance can be formed under certain conditions."

Weipimod, who had remained silent, let out a cold laugh. "If joining the alliance still means killing each other, what’s the point?"

Amelande focused on Weipimod, speaking deliberately. "At least we could first target those outside the alliance!"

Weipimod was taken aback. "You mean..."

"Exactly. The sailors! There are seventeen, enough to save seventeen of our members, granting us safety for three and a half days. This should be incentive enough, whether for establishing dominance or mutual gain."

He paused before continuing, "All present will be the first elders of the alliance. Future hierarchy will naturally favor the strong."

"If we can defeat the sailors, that’s fine. But if we lose, the alliance is a farce. I agree, though."

"Good, I also agree!"

"Count me in!"

"Support..."

The next day, the Faceless Mask conducted the usual headcount, confirmed five were missing, offered some grating encouragement, and returned to his tent. Solang, Yünli, Bibilianna, and the bosun left without unnecessary words.

The deck, once overcrowded, was now sparse, with each person keeping their distance, eyes cold, weapons ready, showcasing their strength. Those who survived were formidable, having withstood trials and hardships.

The apprentices habitually tested each other, but with each passing day and growing cunning, reaching the daily five-death quota had become a prolonged ordeal, often taking until noon to select the unfortunate victims.

None wished to die, so all protected themselves while seizing chances to eliminate others—preferably those without backing. Attacking "The Five Great Wielders" was discouraged by consensus.

"Listen, everyone..." Amelande stood among the tense apprentices, his voice commanding attention. The other four wielders joined him, drawing focus from all.

The presence of the Five Great Wielders had the greatest impact, and all eyes were on them.

"Today, I announce the formation of the Blood Sail Alliance, backed by the five wielders. We unite to face external threats. The initial members will only include the ship's survivors. Future membership will require sponsorship from existing members."

Shortly after, news of the "Blood Sail Alliance" spread among all the ship's apprentices.