Wizard: Starting from the Skill Tree

Robert stood up, placed his hand on his chest to salute once more, then turned and walked out of the alley.

The silver-white armor glinted coldly in the moonlight, his footsteps gradually fading, swallowed by the night wind.

Duke withdrew his gaze, stood up from the stone steps, adjusted his magic robe, and walked towards the alley entrance.

The headquarters of the Light Sect is in the very center of Azure Vault City, adjacent to the Divine Hall Plaza.

It is a grand scale, gray-white stone building, with the emblem of the Light Sect engraved above the main entrance, a rising sun radiating light.

Two Knights in heavy armor stood before the door, their eyes cautiously visible beneath their helmets.

Upon seeing Duke, they questioned him and then went inside to report, soon coming back out to inform Duke that he could enter.

Duke nodded graciously, then entered the Light Sect.

It was quiet inside the hall of the Light Sect, with only a few oil lamps on the walls flickering with faint light.

The ceiling was very high, painted with vibrant and lifelike murals of the God of Light descending to the human world.

On the walls on either side hung portraits of past Holy Daughters, with their names and life stories beneath each one.

Duke walked through the hall, ascended a spiral staircase to the third floor, stopping before an ornately carved wooden door.

He knocked on the door.

"Come in." A clear voice came from behind the door.

Duke pushed the door open and entered the room.

The room was small and simply furnished.

A desk, a chair, a bookshelf, a bed.

Several thick tomes lay spread out on the desk, beside which stood an oil lamp, its wick flickering with an orange flame.

A woman stood by the window, her golden hair cascading like a waterfall over her shoulders, gleaming gently in the lamplight.

She wore a white long robe with a heart-shaped cutout at the neckline, revealing a portion of her fair collarbone.

Dali turned around, her azure eyes looked at Duke, initially surprised, then beamed with a warm smile of great delight.

"Lord Duke! It’s you! You’re back." Dali exclaimed, joyfully like a little girl, though she appeared more mature now than before.

Duke nodded: "I’m back. How have things been lately?"

Dali went to the desk, pulled out a chair for Duke, and gestured for him to sit down.

She then sat down across from him, hands folded on the table, her gaze fixed on Duke’s face, as if scrutinizing any changes in him.

After a few moments, she withdrew her gaze and softly said, "In these years, the situation for the Light Sect hasn’t been great."

"The territory of the Four Gods Sect has been expanding." Dali’s voice was calm, but Duke could hear the concern in her tone, "They have built three new shrines around Abilene Town and expanded a missionary route southwards. Although we have also taken actions here, the pace has been much slower. The bishops are too conservative, unwilling to invest too many resources into uncertain matters."

Duke leaned back in his chair, watching her.

"And you? What do you think?"

Dali fell silent for a moment.

"I believe we should fight. Not fighting is retreating. One step back leads to two more. If we wait until we have no room left to retreat, it’ll be too late to fight." She paused, "But the bishops disagree. They think it’s good enough if the Light Sect can maintain its current territory and should not actively provoke the Four Gods Sect."

Duke nodded slightly, without commenting.

He understood that when Dali mentioned the bishops, she referred to the elders, those holding actual power within the sect.

They were old, conservative, seeking stability, and unwilling to take risks.

This wasn’t their personal flaw, but a common issue in all large organizations.

When those in power grow old, they lose their drive for progress, only wanting to hold on to what they have instead of exploring new territories.

"Anything happening recently?" Duke asked.

Dali thought for a moment. "There seems to be some activity over at Stonehammer City."

"Stonehammer City?"

"A newly constructed city, about three hundred kilometers southeast of Azure Vault City," Dali explained, "A few years ago, it was just barren land, but later mineral and forest resources were discovered, attracting people to move there gradually. People of providence also like going there because of the abundant beasts and monsters around, making it suitable for... leveling up? That’s what they say. Now Stonehammer City has developed into a medium-sized city, with a large population and abundant resources."

Duke knew that players couldn’t level up just by fighting monsters; their term for leveling up was likely more of a jest, primarily for resource acquisition.

Duke’s eyebrows raised a little: "Has the Four Gods Sect intervened?"

Dali nodded: "They’ve already built a temple in Stonehammer City and set up several missionary points outside the city. Traditionally, in such new cities, the Four Gods Sect would have their share of the pie. But the Light Sect should also have a chance to participate since Stonehammer City isn’t within any sect’s traditional territory." She paused, "However, participation means facing competition."

"What kind of competition?"

Dali picked up a thin booklet from the desk and handed it to Duke.

"It’s a tradition between the Light Sect and the Four Gods Sect since ancient times. To avoid large-scale disputes and conflicts, when there are contested territories, resources, or items, each side sends one person to decide ownership through a duel." She paused again, "But the Light Sect has always been the one to back down. The bishops feel that it’s not worth the risk for those things."

Duke flipped through the booklet, quickly scanning the contents.

The rules were simple: each side sends one person for a duel at a specified time and place.

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