Wizard Lord:I can Extract Anything

Richard's command was swiftly disseminated, but unlike previous orders, this one met with skepticism from many black wizard apprentices.

"Boss, these white wizard apprentices are easy pickings. Not pursuing them is a waste!"

Richard stood silently, fixing his cold gaze on the dissenting apprentices, sending a chill down their spines.

"Richard, why aren't we pursuing them?"

Eugene stepped forward from the crowd, the dissenting apprentices gathering around him.

"Why?" Richard sneered. "Am I the leader or are you? Do I need to explain every decision I make?"

In an army, obedience is paramount. If he had to justify every command, waging war would be impossible.

Eugene's expression shifted, feigning anger.

"Richard, are you really acting like a wizard? We're all apprentices. We let you lead because you're strong. If we don't want it, you're nothing!"

His words sparked agreement among several apprentices.

"Yeah, if we don't want it, you're nothing!"

"A self-appointed leader thinking he's something special!"

"These white wizard apprentices are so weak, we don't need a leader to win."

Richard listened to the mutterings, smirking as he noted the dissenters.

These apprentices had harbored grievances from the start but refrained from voicing them due to Richard's strength. With Eugene stepping up, they revealed their true colors.

Eugene, hearing the support, felt a sense of triumph.

During the first battle with the white wizard apprentices, he regretted relinquishing leadership so easily.

Those white wizard apprentices were too inept.

But once words are spoken, they cannot be retracted. Leadership had passed to Richard, and unless Richard made a mistake, regaining control seemed unlikely.

Unexpectedly, Richard's mistake came swiftly. Seizing this opportunity could destabilize Richard's leadership, potentially allowing Eugene to take over.

"Well, well, well, I'm nothing, am I?" Richard chuckled darkly, drawing his Demon Eater greatsword from his magic pouch. "Looks like you want to be the people's champion, Eugene!"

"I wouldn't say champion, but this is what everyone thinks," Eugene declared righteously.

"But being a leader isn't so easy."

The Demon Eater sword ignited in black flames, its magical aura scattering the surrounding apprentices.

Eugene, unwilling to back down, unleashed his staff's magic.

In the world of black wizards, might makes right.

The apprentices' discontent hadn't reached the point of overthrowing Richard. To challenge Richard's leadership, Eugene needed to prove himself with strength.

With a wave of his hand, Richard summoned the fire giant to his side, its energy signature marking it as a senior wizard apprentice.

Eugene, not to be outdone, retrieved a cage from his magic pouch, containing a pulsing flame.

With a smirk, Eugene released a fire elemental bird, its strength nearing that of a senior apprentice.

"An elemental creature, I've got one too."

Though the bird's strength fell short of a senior apprentice, it could certainly stall the fire giant.

Eugene aimed to swiftly defeat Richard, after which the fire giant would fall under his control.

Without further words, Richard's body became shrouded in black scales.

The battle for supremacy among the black wizard apprentices commenced.

...

Meanwhile, among the white wizard apprentices, turmoil brewed.

With the black wizard apprentices embroiled in internal strife, the defeated white wizard apprentices were far from peaceful.

Returning to the resource point, Orey faced immediate scrutiny, particularly from Bartola, who hadn't participated in the earlier fight.

At the heart of the white wizards' resource point, within a newly constructed building, Bartola and the senior apprentices of the white wizards convened.

"Orey, it seems your strategy failed," Bartola remarked, resting his chin in his hand, a sly smile on his face.

Orey remained silent, leaning back as he surveyed the room's occupants.

"Yes, I failed. So what?" Orey snapped coldly. "Is anyone here willing to take my place and fight those black wizard apprentices?"

His gaze settled on Bartola, seated prominently.

"Bartola, do you want to take over? Lead these demoralized, spiritless apprentices against those blood-soaked, battle-hardened black wizard apprentices."

"Come now," Bartola chuckled. "I have no intention of usurping your role."

Yet, he quickly pivoted the conversation:

"But according to what the academy taught us, I propose forming a command council. All senior apprentices will join and participate in military decisions."

"A command council..." Orey laughed, a mocking edge in his tone. "Bartola, you're still the same. Lacking the resolve to take responsibility, always slippery and noncommittal."

Unfazed by Orey's ridicule, Bartola tapped the table, addressing everyone in the room:

"What do you all think of my proposal?"

The apprentices varied in their reactions—some hesitated, others frowned, some pondered deeply, while a few made quick decisions.

"I agree with the Mechanic's plan to form a command council."

"...I agree as well."

"I... agree. We can't afford more losses."

"I disagree. War isn't child's play; we don't have time for debates. Decisions need to be made swiftly..."

Ultimately, the apprentices turned to Orey.

As the leader and strongest among them, Orey's willingness to peacefully transfer power was crucial for the war's continuation.

In wizard warfare, while teamwork is vital, individual strength still holds significant sway.

At times, a decisive action by a strong individual can change the tide of a battle.

Orey rose, scanning the room before turning to leave.

He knew further discussion was pointless and would only invite ridicule.

"I agree to the formation of the command council."

Bartola smiled victoriously, standing to announce to the others:

"Very well, from this day forth, the Keeper Academy Command Council is officially established."

...

Fire blazed and explosions echoed.

In the dense forest, the fire giant and the fire elemental bird clashed.

The fire giant raised a massive hand, gathering fire elements into a fiery spear.

"Foolish fire beast, taste the spear of the great Firist!"

The fire elemental bird let out a screech, erupting in flames to increase its speed, narrowly dodging the giant's spear, which traced a brilliant arc through the air.

This clash had persisted for some time, with the bird's agility allowing it to evade the giant's lethal attacks repeatedly.

Barring unforeseen events, the battle seemed set to continue indefinitely.

Meanwhile, on another part of the battlefield, the duel between Richard and Eugene was nearing its conclusion.

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Happy New Year Everyone! May this year bring you joy, peace, and prosperity. Cheers to new beginnings! 🎉🍻🎊