Wizard: Starting from the Skill Tree

Tom stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and placed his right hand on his chest.

"Sir." His voice was deep, much rougher than three years ago.

Duke looked at him, silent for a few breaths.

"Level 1?"

"Yes." Tom looked up respectfully, "Promoted last year."

Duke stared into his eyes. "How did you promote?"

Tom did not avoid his gaze.

"Bloodline Mage." His voice was steady, without any fluctuations, "I fused with the bloodline of the Casseydia Sea Demon."

Duke was silent for a moment; the Casseydia Sea Demon was the top predator of the deep-sea plane, with strength comparable to a Level 3 Mage in its adult form.

Its bloodline power was renowned for a strong physique and terrifying regenerative abilities, but the fusion risk was extremely high, with a failure rate exceeding seventy percent.

Moreover, after fusion, the wizard’s own magic power would be eroded by the bloodline power, becoming impure and limiting their future path.

"Why?" Duke asked.

A flash of light passed through Tom’s eyes.

It wasn’t anger or hatred, but something deeper and more determined, like steel tempered in the flames, still shining in the darkness.

"I only realized how powerful the Void Insect Race is after embarking on the path of a wizard." His voice remained steady, but each word seemed squeezed from the depths of his chest, "With my aptitude, normal practice wouldn’t allow me to seek revenge in a lifetime."

He paused.

"Bloodline Mages don’t care much about talent. As long as there are enough resources and luck, one can gain power. I was lucky, and I survived."

Duke looked at him, silent for a long time.

He recalled the boy who knelt to beg him for refuge in the ruins of Bessom County, the boy who said, "I will wipe them out completely."

Back then, Tom’s eyes were hollow, desperate, grasping for the last straw in the darkness.

Now his eyes were determined, clear, lighting his own lamp in the darkness.

"Get up." Duke said.

Tom stood up straight in front of Duke.

The scar on his face was particularly prominent under the light, but Duke noticed that it wasn’t left by an enemy but was torn from within.

It was the mark of his body being torn by foreign forces during the bloodline fusion.

Under his skin, faintly visible were dark blue patterns, like blood vessels, like scales — traces of the Casseydia Sea Demon bloodline flowing within him.

Duke withdrew his gaze, took out two magic stone cards from the Space Ring, and pushed them to the edge of the desk.

"Shari, this is for you." He pushed one card towards her, "Ten million magic stones. You’ve handled many matters for me these years, well done."

Shari paused for a moment, then shook her head.

"Sir, that’s my duty; I don’t need..."

"Take it." Duke’s tone was calm but irresistible.

Shari remained silent for a breath, then took the magic stone card, slightly bowing, "Thank you, sir."

Duke pushed the second magic stone card towards Tom, "This is for you, also ten million."

Tom looked at the card, did not immediately reach out.

His lips moved slightly, as if wanting to say something, but finally he just lowered his head and took the card.

"Thank you, sir."

Duke leaned back in his chair, looking at the two before him.

One was a girl he brought from the East Coast, the other, a slave he picked up from the ruins.

Three years had passed, one became a Level 1 Mage, the other a Level 1 Bloodline Mage.

Their paths were different but had reached unexpected places.

Shari’s aptitude wasn’t great, but with the resources on his side, help from Giant Rock Commerce Association, and her own effort, she successfully promoted to Level 1 Mage.

As for Tom, he was the most surprising to Duke, initially thinking this kid, after embarking on the wizard’s path, would be swallowed by the waves, unable to stir even a ripple.

Unexpectedly, he managed to successfully promote to Level 1 Mage on his own, and as a Bloodline Mage at that.

Duke thought about it; indeed, this was the most suitable path for Tom, so he didn’t say much more.

Since both had demonstrated their value, additional investments could be made.

Ten million magic stones were already a lot for them, enough for a long time, considered a reward.

Duke watched them as they left, the study door gently closing.

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze falling on the distant sea outside the window, his thoughts drifting briefly.

Soon, the Wizard’s Mark showed new messages from Lucas.

"Swain the Legion Commander wants to see you, tomorrow at twelve o’clock, Elizabeth."

Swain, Third Corps Commander, Demigod-level Mage.

Duke had hardly spoken with Swain before; this meeting must be for something important.

The next day at noon, Duke stood at the dock, the sea breeze salty and the sky grey-blue.

He activated the Black Sail Badge, sending a wave of Spirit towards the depths of the sea. Moments later, a small black boat emerged from the fog, the head of the dark demon silently paddling.

Duke boarded the boat, the dark demon turned the bow, heading into the deep sea.

The surrounding fog grew denser, the light dimmer, until the last sliver of daylight was swallowed by the fog, and the front suddenly opened up.

A gigantic black city floated on the sea, like a sleeping ancient beast.

Duke stepped onto the deck, passing through familiar corridors to the area of the Third Legion.

Lucas was already waiting at the door, still dressed in the dark magic robe, face stern, gaze steady.

Upon seeing Duke, he nodded slightly, without pleasantries, just sidestepping to allow passage.

"Follow me."

Duke followed him, passing through several doors to a large black wooden door.

The door was unmarked, only adorned with a small skull emblem.

Lucas knocked, a deep voice sounded from within, "Come in."

The door pushed open, the room was large, yet unadorned.

A wide desk, a few chairs, a nautical map hung on the wall, the sea outside grey and hazy.

Behind the desk sat a man—tall, burly, densely beard-and-haired, with eyes of deep grey, like the sea before a storm.

He wore a black military uniform, the Third Legion insignia pinned on his chest, without any superfluous embellishment.

Swain lifted his head, his gaze landed on Duke, lingering for a few breaths.

That gaze was not sharp, not oppressive, just calmly observing, as if assessing the gold content of a delivered ore.

Then he spoke, his voice deep, like stone grinding against stone.

"Sit."

Duke sat opposite him, Lucas did not enter, the door gently closed behind him.

Swain bypassed pleasantries, straight to the point.

"I’ve heard about your activities on the Central Islands. During the three-year study, you’ve performed well, earning honor for Black Sail." He paused, those deep gray eyes still fixed on Duke, "Black Sail hasn’t had someone like this in a long time."

Swain leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping lightly on the table.

"Morgan is not at Black Sail, handling certain affairs. He instructed me, before leaving, to arrange your matters." He paused, "The Third Legion needs a new Battle Group Commander, are you interested?"

The rank of Battle Group Commander is only second to Legion Commander, a position of real power within the organization. Duke didn’t expect Swain to offer it directly.

Previously, the Black Sail Level 1 Honor Medal allowed him to enjoy the benefits of a Deputy Battle Group Commander, but those were benefits, not real power.

Being a Battle Group Commander meant real power, the authority to command and lead a battle group in plane wars.

"What do I need to do?" Duke asked.

Swain leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping lightly on the table.

"The position of Battle Group Commander doesn’t usually oversee the troops. Black Sail’s focus in recent years is on assimilating existing plane resources, with no large operations. You don’t need to stay at Black Sail daily; carry on with what you need to do. Lucas will notify you when necessary." He paused, "In the event of major plane wars in the future, arrangements will be made for you to serve in a particular battle group. Whether to participate in actions will depend on your decision, not mandatory."

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