Wizard: Starting from the Skill Tree

At the edge of the open ground, the crowd watching the battle exploded into chaos after a brief silence.

"Oh my god..." A mercenary wearing leather armor opened his mouth wide, nearly dropping the longsword in his hand, "One person against four... and they are four Magic Masters!"

His companion did not speak, just stared at Duke’s back in a daze, his throat dry, unable to utter a single word.

A merchant who had traveled from Stone Hammer City to watch the battle still clutching a bag of Crystal Stones, originally planning to negotiate with the winner after the match, now let the bag slip through his fingers, scattering the stones everywhere, oblivious to the loss.

"Child of Light... Is this the power of the Child of Light?" he murmured, his voice hoarse.

Further away, the players gathered in twos and threes were engaged in heated discussions.

A hunter-type player wearing leather armor and carrying a longbow had his eyes wide open, muttering, "This NPC is called Duke? I can’t even see his level, it’s all question marks! All question marks!"

Beside him, a mage-type player in a cloth robe pulled out a magic book from his chest, flipping through it frantically in search of the name "Duke," "No matter how I search, I can’t find it. The Child of Light, this NPC has never appeared before."

Another warrior-type player, arms crossed, raised his chin, speaking with a kind of knowing certainty, "NPCs of this level have forces behind them; it’s not something you can approach as you wish."

"No, no, no, you don’t understand." A player with thick-framed glasses pushed up his lenses, lowered his voice, but his gaze was fixed on Duke’s back, "An NPC that can win one against four so effortlessly is definitely a main storyline-level big shot. If you can get his quest, the rewards will be amazing!"

At this remark, the players fell silent simultaneously.

They looked at each other, a shared gleam in their eyes, recognizing an opportunity.

They were shaken by Duke’s casual defeat of the four Magic Masters, awed by the unfathomable aura around him, but more importantly, each calculated how to connect with this "awesome NPC," how to receive quests from him, and how to obtain high rewards.

Meanwhile, those traveling merchants, residents, mercenaries from Stone Hammer City, and adventurers camped outside the city whispered among themselves.

Some said the Light Sect was truly rising this time, others claimed the Four Gods Sect hit a snag, and some mentioned the Light Sect had been lurking for so long, finally revealing its hand.

All discussions, all eyes were focused on the figure clad in a white robe with gold trim.

Duke ignored those voices, turned, facing the camp of the Four Gods Sect.

The fire sect’s Magic Master Alberto had already climbed up from the ground, wounds from his fall still fresh on his face, his crimson robe stained with dirt and grass, his hood askew, looking wretched.

The other three were in bad shape too, especially the one who took Duke’s punch head-on—it was not a pleasant experience.

The eyes of the four Magic Masters all contained the same thing, fear.

Not fear of death, but fear of the unknown.

They did not know how strong Duke really was, how much power he used in those punches, and whether they would survive if he decided to kill.

Duke looked at them and said slowly, "You lost. According to the rules, leave Stone Hammer City. From today onwards, the Four Gods Sect shall not set foot in Stone Hammer City."

Alberto bit his lip, fists clenched tightly, clearly very unwilling.

The elder from the Earth Sect paused, then spoke slowly, "Child of Light, you are indeed strong. But the affairs of Stone Hammer City are not yours alone to decide. The Four Gods Sect has been operating here for two years, invested a lot of resources, can you just say leave?"

Dali emerged from behind Duke at that moment: "The ownership of Stone Hammer City, according to the rules set by the Four Gods Sect and the Light Sect a thousand years ago, disputed lands should have a representative from each sect, deciding ownership through a duel.

The winner preaches in Stone Hammer City; the loser leaves.

This rule was set by your ancestors, sworn before the gods. Will you break your ancestors’ oath?"

She swept her gaze over the members of the Four Gods Sect around them.

"Breaking an oath—isn’t it fearful for the gods to descend their wrath?"

At these words, no one dared speak.

Regardless, none would dare show the slightest disrespect to the gods.

After a moment of silence, the elder from the Earth Sect sighed.

"The Holy Daughter is right." His voice rasped, like dry leaves swept up by the wind, "Rules are rules. We lost, and must accept that." He turned, walking towards the Earth Sect’s camp.

The elder’s steps were slow, each step as if sinking into a mire, his silhouette like an old tree bent by the wind.

Alberto from the Fire Sect stood at the spot, gazed at Dali for a long time, then looked at Duke.

He ultimately said nothing, turned and walked towards the Fire Sect’s camp.

The people from the other two sects followed suit and left.

...

That night, campfires lit up outside Stone Hammer City.

Not just one, but dozens, illuminating the entire camp.

The flickering firelight reflected on the knights’ armor, casting warm orange glows.

Mages sat around the fires, magic wands resting beside them, Crystal Stones on the wand heads glimmering faintly in the firelight in various colors.

Warriors held wooden cups filled with ale bought from Stone Hammer City, occasionally speaking in low voices, but mostly just sitting silently, lost in thought watching the flames.

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