It's always been by your side.

Ethan had to admit, Old Ba indeed had the talent to be a master of horror films, as just a few words from him made Ethan's heart chill.

He reflexively glanced at Lindong and the blue-haired girl.

When he decided to use the universal process of elimination to solve the issue, obstacles immediately appeared.

Lindong was born on the Empire's frontier, and until he was invited by the academy's instructor, he had lived in a mountain cave deep in the north with a magic cat. The existence of the Northern Clan itself was also shrouded in mystery, known for their characteristic white hair and red eyes, with a history more ancient than the Empire itself. While the first king established the Empire, the Northern Clan had already existed as natives.

Ethan found some historical records about the Northern Clan in the Imperial Library.

When the first king established his capital here, they welcomed the newcomers warmly, introducing them to the ecology and risks of the northern region.

Inevitably, as the Empire prospered and grew, the Northern Clan was ostracized by the people of the Empire due to their peculiar characteristics. Conflicts escalated until they had to leave the capital city, retreating deep into the northern region, while some extreme citizens of the Empire insisted the Northern Clan were subhumans.

However, there are still no clear historical documents that can explain the origins of the Northern Clan, nor do historians seem keen on studying a group of foreigners.

Could it be possible that the Northern Clan is the ancient tribe that Old Ba mentioned?

When Ethan turned to the blue-haired girl, he immediately felt the wind element becoming suspicious as well.

Based on current knowledge, Elemental Elves are the oldest "natives" of this world, existing even before the Old Gods were invited here.

The Old Gods generally viewed humans of this world as mere specks of dust, but held a certain fear towards the Elemental Elves.

Among the many Elemental Elves, the blue-haired girl was the most interactive, showing the most pronounced emotional curve. Initially, when Ethan first learned the Wind Blade technique, this literary girl acted indifferent towards him, largely due to her outwardly quiet and introverted nature—wind elements are inherently socially anxious, struggling to interact with others.

Once familiarity grew, she seemed to become the clingiest, often appearing even when he hadn't summoned the Elemental Elves.

It is precisely because of the presence of the wind element that Ethan's meditation advanced further, allowing him to see things unseen by ordinary people.

Though some psychologists might consider this a sign of impending mental illness.

Having hallucinations often indicates a prelude to mental disorders.

The blue-haired girl felt Ethan's gaze and turned her eyes from the "Tentacle Encyclopedia" she didn't know where she found, meeting Ethan's gaze with innocent large eyes.

It's not her.

She seemed to want to convey this information with her eyes.

Moreover, if viewed from an absolutely fair and just angle, Ethan realized even he could not completely eliminate suspicion—a past shrouded in mystery to the point where even the church and Lofic Consortium earnestly sought to uncover his origins. Before arriving at Ximu Town, Ethan's identity was mysterious enough that even he had to ask, "Master, what exactly do you work as?"

When he regained consciousness, he found himself among a refugee crew heading to Ximu Town.

Professor Lindong repeatedly emphasized that Ethan's talent in Elemental Shaper magic was beyond ordinary comprehension—studying "Fireball, Ice Arrow Magic Power Theory" genuinely tested students' talent and comprehension ability. Yet Ethan almost taught himself heights unreachable by many academy tutors in their lifetimes—even before he comprehended the ascension of elements in polluted zones.

"Old Ba, you might as well say it clearly."

Ethan stopped the endless speculation, fully aware of the magic power of suspicion. If you view the world with doubtful eyes, you might find even Miss Keroy is anything but simple.

"That person—who is it? Is it one of us?"

——I don't know.

?

"Are you joking?"

——The presence is very weak, yet it is among you.

The red-haired woman explained.

——It doesn't have as long a lifespan as ours, only leaving a faint mark.

——However, it has a fondness for you.

This is what Bazatous found most regrettable—when He first learned of Ethan, Ethan was already a powerful Elemental Shaper, so powerful that the brilliance of fire element magic blazed across dimensions, shining right into His eyes.

This successfully piqued His interest, and when He witnessed Ethan's mastery of ascending ice elements, He knew Ethan was practically another Him.

Scarlet Death corresponds to crimson plague, signifying their shared pursuit in the realm of art.

And today, they further discussed the future landscape of the virtual world together.

Bazatous was excited, excited to the point of wishing the trial would end immediately, hastening matters in the abyss to return to the Empire and prepare the film business.

However, according to the festival tradition, Ethan and Lindong would still have to undergo the third trial.

The trial of wisdom prepared by Sincaro.

Alas, this damned Sincaro is so vicious!

Now Bazatous just wants to punch Sincaro.

"So, how do I communicate with him?"

Once again, Ethan asked, as Old Ba's word successfully turned this adventure into a game of werewolf—now it's known there is a "werewolf" among them, but even Old Ba couldn't say where exactly he exists.

——He will come to you.

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