Three days later.
Binhan and Yorkris finally reunited with Nina, Nidhogg, Yorkliana, and Robin, forming a complete small group.
If Nidhogg hadn't been so powerful, Nina and Armland could have teamed up. However, with Nidhogg's presence and Armland's ambition and refusal to be ordinary, he naturally no longer wanted to team up with Nina.
As for Haynel, despite Yorkliana's plea for him to stay, he left, claiming he didn't want to hold them back. This, along with the stories heard from Yorkliana, changed Nidhogg and the group's perspective on this otherwise inconspicuous apprentice sorcerer.
After a moment of warm interaction, everyone gathered around Nina.
Nina sat on a fallen log, casually crossing her legs, a serious expression on her face as she pointed at a map with a branch she had picked up.
"We're here now. According to probability, the second time the secret realm opens, it’s likely to be nearby. We're in a relatively secluded valley and forest area, so we're less likely to be noticed. Over the next few days, we should practice our teamwork."
After saying this, Nina cast a sideways glance at Nidhogg and said dryly, "Even Robin has fought with us twice and knows some of our strategies. But you haven't fought with us at all!"
Though Nina was angry with him, Nidhogg was secretly pleased, as it showed Nina had forgiven him.
Binhan, unaware of the previous events, cheerfully patted Nidhogg on the shoulder, "Who would've thought, after not seeing you for three years, you'd become the strongest among us. But Nina's right, a lot of strong folks will gather for the second secret realm contest. You should practice teamwork with us."
Yorkris, carrying an axe, laughed heartily, "Nidhogg, what kind of sorcery do you specialize in? Let Nina decide your role."
"Hmph, he's a defensive sorcerer, so have him protect me and Yorkliana. Binhan can join if he feels overwhelmed."
Nina didn’t give Nidhogg a chance to speak.
Yorkris and Binhan exchanged glances, unsure why the queen was treating Nidhogg so harshly, assuming it was due to the mysterious dynamics between girls and women.
They speculated maliciously.
Meanwhile, Robin and Yorkliana, having gotten used to this dynamic over the last few days, paid it no mind.
Nidhogg smiled wryly, realizing he was the designated meat shield.
An hourglass later...
Nidhogg stood at the front, shielding Nina and Yorkliana, truly experiencing the team's combat synergy for the first time, though he was particularly intrigued by Yorkris.
All of Yorkris's sorcery was high-energy, explosive magic. Transformed into a werewolf, wielding a massive axe in one hand and spiked claws in the other, Yorkris’s occasional explosive sorcery multiplied his strength and speed, becoming a terrifying fighter.
By Nidhogg's estimate, Yorkris's werewolf form had attack energy levels ranging from 15 to 40, with significant fluctuations in close combat.
However, during his bursts, his peak attack exceeded 60 degrees.
But since Yorkris's sorcery rapidly depleted his magic, after two or three uses, he would likely struggle to maintain his transformation, let alone fight.
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That's where Yorkliana came in.
Yorkliana’s sorcery allowed her to channel her magic into others.
Moreover, her magic reserves seemed to far exceed her spiritual capacity, and she seemed to have developed a rapid magic recovery technique.
Together, Yorkris and Yorkliana formed a terrifying combat unit, effectively turning Yorkris into a fearsome killing machine.
"Haha, with Nidhogg, I can finally charge in recklessly!" Yorkris shouted enthusiastically.
Nina tapped Nidhogg and said, "Stay focused; Yorkliana and I aren't strong in close combat."
"Understood."
Nidhogg replied, concentrating on adapting to the team’s combat style.
Binhan focused on stealth and mobility, ideal for ambushes and reconnaissance.
Though not the strongest attacker, his escape capabilities were top-notch, likely due to his study of dark elements.
Nidhogg gave Binhan the magic wand he won from the secret realm, as it held little value for him.
Binhan’s girlfriend, Robin, nicknamed "Moon," specialized in contract summoning and, according to Nina, had impressive curse magic.
Nidhogg didn’t support this development path since he knew any sorcerer who reached level four could control a slave army without needing contract summons.
However, reaching level four was a distant goal for most sorcerer apprentices.
Robin currently had two summoned creatures: a giant steel-quilled porcupine about 1.5 meters tall and 4 meters long, likely her main combat summon, and a small green-eyed monkey on her shoulder, possibly for scouting.
Robin also received a magic wand Nina acquired from the secret realm.
Moreover, Robin’s real trump card seemed to be a mysterious entity called the Moon Bell, the source of her nickname.
Finally, there was Nina.
Now a long-range sorcerer, Nina could shoot life energy arrows up to fifty meters with a strength of 30 to 40 degrees, an impressive feat for a typical sorcerer apprentice.
For instance, Nidhogg’s firebird could only attack within fifteen meters.
Nina also possessed four special arrows called Hurricane Arrows, capable of generating over 100-degree attacks instantly.
In critical moments, Nina could convert her life energy into basic healing sorcery.
As for Nidhogg, there wasn’t much to say. With Nina present, he obediently played the meat shield role, protecting Nina and Yorkliana in the “back line,” perhaps reducing Nina's focus on him.
Nighttime.
After taking his watch, Nidhogg sensed someone entering his tent. Recognizing the familiar scent, he relaxed, removed his mask, and kissed Nina passionately.
...
Four days later.
"Hmph, from Blacksaw Tower Sorcerer Academy?" a mocking voice issued from a woman observing the six people ahead.
This female sorcerer apprentice had a sandglass-shaped mark, parted short black hair, a distinct scar by her right eye, a high-slit skirt revealing long white legs, and held a writhing whip.
It was unclear if the whip was a plant or rare sorcerer artifact.
Thirteen sorcerer apprentices accompanied her, forming a sizable group.
Nina sneered, "Time Sandglass Sorcerer Academy? Hmph, do you think because Sun's Child defeated Gold Eye, it means Time Sandglass surpasses Blacksaw?"
Yesterday, the Despairer known as Sun's Child from the Time Sandglass Academy nearly chased Bibilionia across half the trial grounds, witnessed by many apprentices in a dramatic display.
The exotic-looking Time Sandglass female sorcerer carefully scrutinized each member of Nina's group, though she hesitated to engage, despite outnumbering them.
Meanwhile, Yorkris muttered, "What are they stalling for? Fight or leave, enough chatter."
Only Nidhogg’s team heard this.
Robin grinned, "Let Nina decide. Our goal is the second secret realm. Being described as a powerful magic artifact is serious—capable of threatening Despairers, unlike the trivial items from the first secret realm. With this artifact, whether we join the third secret realm or not, we hold the advantage."
During the standoff, a massive mark energy appeared on the horizon and rapidly flew into the distance, accompanied by searing waves of heat.
Though quickly fading from view at a hundred-meter distance, everyone felt the terrifying energy within the heat center.
Both teams’ eyes widened!
"Sun's Child!"
Everyone murmured, puzzled by the Despairer's hasty retreat.
Sun's Child vanished swiftly, soaring into the distance.
At that moment, three terrifying marks followed, one casting a glance and slight smile toward Nina and Nidhogg’s group.
This was Solum.
"Undying, Twisted, Gold Eye! The three Despairers from Blacksaw are all here, chasing Sun's Child!" the Time Sandglass sorcerer gasped.
Even confident in their Sun's Child, she doubted he could face Blacksaw's three Despairers together.
Nina’s and Nidhogg's group looked on with complex emotions.
On the ocean liner, these three had been dominant; were they still so in this trial three years later?
In the sky, Bibilionia's shriek echoed, "Sun's Child, you can't run! Brother Yunli, Brother Solum, today we kill him and avenge my humiliation from yesterday!"
Gone was Bibilionia's feigned innocence—rage had driven her mad.