The young warlocks and witches whispered and exchanged secrets with each other, unaware that they were also being observed by others, just like the famous saying: you are admiring the scenery on the bridge, while someone upstairs is admiring you.

On the rock platforms protruding from the halfway point of Centimeter Mountain, and behind the mist-covered peaks, gentle and scrutinizing gazes fell upon the lakeside of Crescent Lake, examining those children full of lively energy. Subtle and obscure thoughts intertwined, critiquing the future of Shanglin Garden and the Wizard World, stirring the mountain’s breeze and mist, endowing the silent Stone Mountain with an awe-inspiring aura.

Though most of them were just spectators, they represented the deepest heritage within the Alliance. Their gazes carried significant weight. The future of these young people by the lakeside, whether entering branches of the Alliance, staying on campus, adventuring in the New World, or remaining home to continue their lineage, largely depended on the perspectives of these onlookers.

"The folks from South Mountain Falcon will probably return home to inherit the South Mountain Shrine... Their shrine has a legacy of some powerful shikigami."

"Nicholas Dunnigan is the druid sect’s designated choice for a priest. Old Prinny holds him in high regard and reportedly plans to have him train under ’that ancient oak’ for a while before he graduates next year."

"vas Eagle shouldn’t be considered anymore. The old Eagle runs a dragon hunting ground in Newcastle with over forty wild dragons, and only this kid from the Eagle family has the capability to shoulder this responsibility."

"To maintain Shanglin Garden’s influence in the Spring Hunt against Trident Sword, Danghag, and even the New World, without being overshadowed by Baddminton’s Winter Hunt, we can’t just focus on our families. The children from Shushan Tang, Shao Xing Zhou, Langya Wang, Hongnong Yang, and Qinghe Cui will all go to the New World to join the pioneering battle, not a single one will stay home."

"Hey, your family is large and prosperous, crowded with clan members, naturally, you don’t need to care about the petty hustle and bustle."

"Don’t argue, don’t argue; during a grand ceremony, harmony is precious."

"The Commander is a fine kid; not long ago, Gongsun Bing asked me for a few taels of Xuan Yin Water, saying he wanted to clean the Commander’s eyes. It seems the Zombie Clan might send this kid to the Trident Sword... but which department remains unknown."

"Although Carlisle O’Brien didn’t enter the First University, the Miskatonic University’s mysticism specialization is no less than Buji Island, especially in research involving the starry sky. I think she could be placed in the ’Henry Amity Lab’ co-founded by Miskatonic University and the First University, dedicating to research in mysticism."

"The Alliance doesn’t need too many mysticism experts but requires more scholars in the unified information theory or dimension theory. The Blake family alone suffices for mystic studies, with their Kabbalah Life Magic Laboratory at the First University focusing on the mystical side of research. Undoubtedly, some Blake family children present today will join that lab."

"Mystic side research can easily go astray. A member of the Crowley family from the Golden Dawn Society said their organization has been restless again and reportedly has connections with a group called ’Ravens’ on Buji Island... That Crowley family child across the lake is confirmed not to enter the Golden Dawn. His family’s bloodline can’t take the strain anymore, haven’t you noticed no one from the Crowley family showed up today?"

"Too few are choosing to go to Danghag."

"The atmosphere in Danghag is too heavy, not suitable for young people."

"How about that kid from the Ness family? He looks quite handsome, at least he carries himself well."

"Arthur Ness is not suitable. The Ness family has no outstanding talents left; for even such a person to attend Shanglin Garden shows it. I heard during his third year, he was beaten by a group of freshmen, disgracing the entire Alpha."

"Not the same, among those who beat him were children from the Tianmen Zhang family, the Observer Xiao family, and that recently famous young guy, what’s his name Zheng something? The one rumored with Su Councilor... Being beaten by those people doesn’t look bad at all."

"Are you talking about Zheng Qing? Su Councilor’s rumored partner. The newly opened academy at the school offered him a formal teaching position, though just a teaching assistant, but it’s unique among the younger generation."

"Tsk tsk, securing a formal teaching position while still in school..."

"My cousin working at Trident Sword said that during the winter vacation, Zheng Qing participated in the operation against the Black Wizard Walter, seemingly making significant contributions and earning a Merlin Gold Medal. He hadn’t even entered his first year when he received a Merlin Medal."

"Which family is Zheng Qing from? The Xingyang Zheng family?"

"No, he is said to come from a line of master and disciple, but the specific heritage is unclear. Some say he came down from Kunlun Mountain, some say his master is an unknown figure who simply found a talented child, and others say he has a demon bloodline..."

"Demon bloodline? Impossible. The First University, while lenient in certain areas, requires reaching a certain height to gain such leniency. Even if a student’s talent is exceedingly high, it wouldn’t lead the school to violate the Alliance’s prohibitions."

More thoughts started focusing on a certain name, exchanging insights and inquiries with reluctant caution, vaguely forgetting about the young ones across the lake.

"...The school keeps these matters tightly sealed, afraid we might learn something. Just like the incident in the Black Prison last year, they continue to obscure the facts, thinking we don’t know who ascended to become an Ancient One..."

This sentence brought a solemn silence over the entire Centimeter Mountain.

The rolling mist and swaying mountain wind seemed to hush down, as if having heard something deeply profane, freezing within the mountains, trembling slightly.

After some time, a somewhat stiff thought once again flickered to life, "...That child named Zheng Qing seemed to have participated in last year’s battles in the Black Prison?"

"It was his formed hunting team."

The entire Centimeter Mountain seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, with breezes stirring once more; the conversation continued subtly, "The Tianmen Zhang family, Observer Xiao family, Zhongshan Jiang family, the Tabbot and that half-blood from the O’Brien family, along with a Blue Giant of rare bloodline, were all in his hunting team, following him to the Black Prison."

Many immediately noted that the names involved in this hunting team belonged to top-notch powers within the Alliance.

These wizards seated on the mountain’s midsection, while not considered the top wizards within the Alliance, belonged to its vital ranks, adept at simple divination skills.

Hence, they soon noticed the subtle yet complex destiny surrounding a certain young man, unspokenly unfolding, realizing their inability to glean more information on that child, fearing why many among them had only truly started to focus on this name today.

Fear and tension seemed to hold the entire Centimeter Mountain with bated breath.

Until a thought from the mountain foot slightly jumped.

"Huh? Wait, Zheng Qing? I think I saw this name on the enrollment list."

Whoosh!

The thoughts diving down from the mountain top and midsection seemed to coalesce into a gust, swirling down with fallen leaves and dry grasses, swiftly reading the name on the enrollment list. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Then, following this clue, they easily found the name’s owner.

In a slightly secluded corner of the Crescent Lake shore, a male student wearing a large hood was holding the hand of a brightly smiling witch, whispering something. The young hunters by the lake had their attention mostly on the witch, except for the eyes descending from the mountain, which all focused on the male student.

The weight of the gazes seemed to cause the male student slight discomfort. He raised his head and looked towards the mist-covered mountain top across the lake, a look of confusion on the half of his face that was visible.

"Is that the boy the Miss Jiang family is holding onto?"

"Indeed, it’s him."

"He knows well to wear a hood and cover his face, haha..."

"Wait, why is he holding the hand of Miss Jiang family?"

The slightly abrupt question plunged the entire Centimeter Mountain back into an eerie silence, with many eyes quietly wandering between the withered expressions of the elder members of the Zhongshan Jiang family and the iron-blue faces of the female members of the Qingqiu Su family.

The floating clouds at the mountain peak seemingly couldn’t bear the continuous heavy pressure anymore and tore themselves into pieces, scattering with the slightly chill breeze.