Blue smoke rose slowly, winding between the bell-shaped stalactites.

Passing through the gate that had already turned into ruins, Sherman walked on the devastated street, his eyes scanning all around.

In the distance, the faint sounds of battle cries could be heard, sporadic fights were still happening within the city, but the battle was already decided, and soon, the war would be completely settled.

The process of breaking through Fire Hammer City was exceptionally smooth.

The dwarves used sturdy bright black rock to build the city walls, pouring ice iron molten liquid, greatly enhancing the walls’ resistance to elemental energy.

In addition, various defense mechanisms were arranged on the walls, with even ballistae and stone throwers, equipment so exquisite that it was rarely seen in the entire underground world.

Unfortunately, they were facing an immensely powerful and indestructible Golem Legion.

The attacks from the ballistae and stone throwers had limited effect on the golems with hard bodies.

The walls themselves were equally unable to withstand large-scale golem charges.

Under the fierce assault led by the refined gold golem of the Golem Legion, the city defense that Fire Hammer City prided itself on only held up for less than half an hour before it declared collapse.

With the barrier of the walls gone, the Golem Legion drove straight in, quickly crushing the defenders of Fire Hammer City.

Now, most of Fire Hammer City was under the Star Alliance’s control.

The Demon Pattern Knight Order was clearing out the remaining enemy forces still resisting, expecting to soon completely control the entirety of Fire Hammer City.

Leaving the finishing work to the Demon Pattern Knight Order, Sherman and Attila took the wizard apprentices straight to the palace at the center of Fire Hammer City.

To enhance expansion efficiency, the Star Alliance’s more than forty second-level wizard apprentices were split into two teams, led by Sherman and Attila, Cole, and Ethan, respectively, leading the Golem Legion on a two-pronged assault against indigenous tribes and city-states.

Fire Hammer City was the seventh city-state Sherman’s army had conquered in over half a year.

The dwarf king had long died in the siege battles at the gate, and they were going to the palace next to seize this city-state’s wealth.

With unimpeded progress charging into the palace, when they opened the warehouse and saw the array of rare metals and gold coins inside, the group of wizard apprentices couldn’t help but let out a light gasp.

"We’ve struck it rich!" A wizard apprentice said excitedly.

The others were also all smiling brightly.

Their contribution points from the war not only depended on the size and number of conquered city-states but mainly on the value of the loot.

The higher the loot value, the more contribution points they would ultimately receive.

Sherman was also quite delighted.

Gathering all the loot from the warehouse into their space rings, the group carefully searched the palace again to ensure nothing was missed, then began arranging accommodations.

After conquering Fire Hammer City, they would stay for a few more days, waiting for the follow-up forces to take over the city-state, while replenishing consumed supplies before heading to the next destination.

Sherman found a study, preparing to write a war report.

Every so often, he needed to write a report summarizing the recent battle situation, and these reports would ultimately gather on the teacher’s desk.

Attila sat nearby, casually chatting with Sherman.

"I heard there’s a crystal ball at Starlight Academy that can test spirit and physique data. I really want to see it."

"Once we capture Magic Spider City, we can see it when we return to the academy."

Sherman said with a smile while writing the war report.

When the academy opened, they were outside conquering cities; they hadn’t personally seen the academy’s situation to date, only occasionally hearing some intelligence from apprentices traveling between the battlefield and Dragon Forest.

But such circumstances wouldn’t last long, the Star Alliance’s front line had now advanced to less than five hundred kilometers from Magic Spider City; if things went smoothly, within a year at most, they should be able to capture Magic Spider City.

By then, with the war settled, they could go back to the academy for a look.

"I heard the three new tutors at the academy used to be in the same wizard organization with the teacher, seemingly called The Forest Lodge?" Attila’s eyes gleamed with curiosity, "Wonder what kind of people they are?"

Sherman mused, "Being in the same wizard organization with the teacher, their strength and knowledge should be outstanding."

"Makes sense." Attila nodded in agreement.

Those invited by the teacher to become academy tutors were naturally extraordinary.

"With tutors teaching, future students will find learning easier."

"Unfortunately, we didn’t catch the good times."

"It’s not really the case; when we first arrived, there were few people at the base, back then we could exchange contribution points for guidance from the teacher, so it’s not too bad," Sherman said with a smile.

Thinking about it, Attila agreed, and at that time they could ask Amy for advice if they didn’t understand something.

Later students didn’t have such good treatment.

Now Lord Amy was obsessed with treasure hunting games throughout the underground world, having no time to pay attention to others.

Only when encountering her, Sherman, and Cole would she exchange a few words.

Now, many new apprentices only knew her name without ever seeing her.

"The new round of aptitude tests ended a few days ago. I heard that quite a few people passed this time, meaning the academy will gain a large batch of new students this year."

"That’s good news." Sherman’s face showed a gentle smile.

With the teacher’s promotion to wizard, the Star Alliance was visibly accelerating its development and expansion.

Especially the establishment of Starlight Academy, undeniably marking the dawn of a new era.

From now on, wizard apprentices on Starlight Continent would become increasingly active, participating in more events, known by more people, and no longer just existing in legends.