For a brief moment, the air in the examination hall seemed to freeze.
"Ding!"
A crisp sound broke the silence in the hall. Many candidates unconsciously paused their actions and turned their gazes toward Lynn, who had already "submitted" his assessment ahead of time.
Some of those gazes carried dissatisfaction and jealousy, but Lynn remained unfazed, his calm eyes fixed on the mechanical wizard overseeing the evaluation.
After a brief moment, the mechanical wizard smiled slightly, his gaze warm as he spoke slowly:
"Congratulations, Lynn. The City of Machinery welcomes you."
Hearing these words, Lynn revealed a slight smile but remained silent.
The mechanical wizard continued, "You may call me Gilru. In seven days, we will hold a welcome ceremony for you, during which your citizenship status, token, and other related matters will be processed."
Lynn nodded and walked to the side of the hall with Gilru.
Gilru briefly introduced the next steps: "Do you plan to live in seclusion and focus on your cultivation, or would you like me to arrange an official position for you?"
This was a common question, as many who came to the City of Machinery obtained citizenship and chose to settle down, either to continue their cultivation or take on a job.
Lynn did not hesitate to choose the latter, for a simple and practical reason he was nearly out of magic stones. Continuing to idle without income was not a viable option.
Taking an official position was one of the benefits of being a citizen of the City of Machinery. The work wasn't too difficult, and the salary was decent comparable to being a civil servant.
After all, it wasn't the officially recognized wizards who toiled tirelessly but the countless wizard apprentices at the bottom of the hierarchy.
Before coming here, Lynn had done some research. Jobs in the City of Machinery were generally divided into combat roles, research roles, and logistical support.
What he wanted was a stable job that would allow him to remain within the city.
Thus, Lynn spoke up, "I have some enemies outside, so it's not convenient for me to leave the City of Machinery for now. Is there a job that doesn't require me to go outside?"
He did not attempt to conceal his true thoughts, and Gilru showed no sign of surprise.
This was not uncommon in the City of Machinery many people sought refuge here to escape external conflicts.
"One moment, let me check…"
Gilru said as he turned to browse through his records. Lynn's request was straightforward, but finding a suitable position still required some time.
As Gilru scanned the data, his expression suddenly showed a hint of surprise. He looked up at Lynn and said:
"You're quite lucky. A vacancy just opened in the Theoretical Research Department of the Research Division a few days ago. Do you want to take it?"
Hearing this, Lynn's eyes narrowed slightly.
Official positions were generally divided into combat, logistics, and research roles.
Initially, he had planned to take a logistical support job preferably something related to alchemy or potion-making, an area in which he had expertise.
But unexpectedly, a research position had opened up.
"A research project? There are no requirements or assessments?"
Lynn couldn't help but ask, slightly furrowing his brows.
Research positions usually had high standards and were only given to wizards with proven talent. They weren't something offered lightly to an ordinary new citizen.
Gilru shook his head with a relaxed expression and said, "No special requirements on my end. Would you like to consider it?"
Lynn was silent for a moment, suspicion flashing through his mind.
Why was a research position being offered so easily? Was there something hidden behind this?
However, after some thought, this opportunity seemed to fit his needs perfectly.
A research position would not only allow him to stay within the City of Machinery but also grant him the highest level of protection.
Confident in his abilities, Lynn weighed his options and made his decision: "With my talents, I will surely make progress in any research project. There's no need to worry about failing the task or being dismissed."
After all, logistical support jobs, while mostly confined to the city, sometimes involved tasks like material transport, which could require leaving the city something he wanted to avoid. A research position was the ideal choice.
Finally, Lynn nodded decisively and said, "I'll take the research position."
"Alright, I'll submit your information and secure the spot for you. Once you've completed the necessary procedures, you can report directly to the department."
Gilru smiled and swiftly recorded Lynn's details before submitting them.
The two chatted for a while, discussing various aspects of citizenship. Eventually, they agreed to finalize the paperwork and token issuance in seven days.
However, just as Lynn was about to leave, Gilru suddenly froze in place, as if he had just received a new message.
He paused for a moment, then turned to Lynn and said, "Wait a moment, Lynn…"
Lynn frowned slightly, sensing something unusual. He had initially thought there might have been an issue with his job selection.
"What's wrong? Is there a problem with my position?"
Gilru sighed, shaking his head with a complicated expression:
"No, the job is confirmed. But… I just received some other news."
He looked at Lynn with a relaxed smile and said:
"Let's be friends. We should find a chance to have a drink together. Lynn, your luck is truly extraordinary..."
Lynn frowned slightly, sensing something unusual in Gilru's words.
However, before he could think further, Gilru suddenly turned to the other examinees. In an instant, his spiritual energy burst forth, and his imposing aura became sharp and oppressive. He then shut down all the examination machines.
The atmosphere in the hall seemed to freeze, and many examinees' expressions changed as they looked at each other in confusion.
"I just received a notification. As of now, all assessments are over. Those who have successfully passed can come to me for the final verification. If you haven't passed, you may leave."
Gilru's voice was calm, yet it carried a chilling undertone, devoid of any emotion.
This abrupt change caused an uproar.
"This isn't fair! Why did he pass, but we..."
A formal wizard's face darkened, unable to hold back his protest.
As soon as he spoke, the other examinees also displayed dissatisfaction, their gazes filled with doubt.
Either everyone's results should be valid, or no one's should. Why was Lynn the only one who passed?
Gilru, however, remained composed as he responded coldly,
"An hour has passed since the assessment began. During this time, only Lynn, standing beside me, has completed the task. Can you still claim this is unfair? I recall your assessment task was a basic modified model of the Tina-type construct, which is even easier than Lynn's. He completed his task faster than you. You know full well whether you deserve to pass or not."
His voice carried a sharp edge, his tone indifferent, but there was an unmistakable trace of killing intent in his eyes. His spiritual energy subtly spread out, almost taking a tangible form.
"Do you have any objections?"
Gilru's gaze turned cold, his voice deep and imposing. "Or are you planning to cause trouble in the City of Machinery?"
As soon as those words fell, the formal wizards' expressions changed drastically. They immediately suppressed their emotions and dared not make another sound.
Though the City of Machinery upheld neutrality and peace, its rules were absolute.
Anyone who caused trouble here would be as good as dead.
Failing an assessment was no big deal it just meant losing 100 magic stones.
For formal wizards, that was merely a minor loss. They could always return for another assessment in the future.
However, as if sensing their thoughts, Gilru spoke again in a detached tone:
"A kind reminder: as of now, all assessments are suspended. The entire City of Machinery has entered a lockdown. You may return to the fourth floor and await further instructions."
His words made the wizards' expressions turn even uglier.
A lockdown?
Something serious must have happened.
Gilru undoubtedly knew some inside information, but he wasn't going to share it with them.
Although the formal wizards were full of doubts, they dared not say another word.
In the end, they left unwillingly, though their hearts were filled with frustration.
At this moment, Lynn was the only one who had passed, and he became the target of envious gazes from the other wizards.
Yet he remained indifferent. His mind was focused on one thing he needed to find Darwin.
As the apprentice of the Warhammer Master, Darwin likely knew more about what was going on.
However, just as Lynn stepped out of the assessment hall, he and the other wizards were met with an unexpected sight a patrol squad of wizard apprentices approached, blocking their way.
"Return to your designated areas immediately. You do not have the necessary clearance. Please proceed to the second, third, or fourth floor, and do not linger here," one of the apprentices said.
"Follow me, and I will escort you back to the fourth floor," another apprentice added, his tone cold and firm.
The City of Machinery had already entered a lockdown, and all movement was now strictly controlled.
Lynn hesitated slightly. He realized that he might not be allowed to return to the fifth floor.
Based on what the patrol team had just said, despite passing the assessment, he might not be granted entry.
He spoke up, clarifying, "I just passed the assessment. Am I permitted to go to the fifth floor?"
Even though the one blocking him was merely a mechanical wizard apprentice someone Lynn could easily eliminate in an instant outside the city things were different here.
With the city under strict lockdown, he had to follow proper protocol.
"Please present your citizen's token," the apprentice responded without hesitation, adhering strictly to the procedure.
Lynn's heart tensed. He had only just passed the assessment, and none of his paperwork had been processed yet. He didn't have a citizen's token!
At that moment, a calm voice suddenly rang out:
"This is Lynn. He has passed the assessment. You may take him to the fifth floor I am granting him access."
The wizard apprentices immediately tensed, their indifferent attitudes vanishing. They quickly bowed and said in unison,
"Greetings, Lord Gilru!"
Gilru glanced at them with a cold, detached expression, not lingering on them for even a second. Instead, he turned to Lynn and spoke in a low voice:
"There are some unusual circumstances at play, and I cannot disclose much. The previously planned welcome celebration is canceled. If the address you provided is correct, I will have someone deliver your token tomorrow."
His tone was completely neutral, but the underlying meaning was clear.
"Additionally, I advise you to complete your formal employment procedures as soon as possible. I can't tell you much, but what I can say is this: Lynn, your luck is truly extraordinary..."
Lynn's heart tightened. This remark only heightened his vigilance.
The situation in the City of Machinery seemed far more complicated than he had initially thought.
"No problem. Thanks for the reminder," Lynn replied, nodding. Though his words were simple, his mind was carefully analyzing Gilru's warning.
Gilru nodded slightly, then turned and left without paying any further attention to the others.
"Lord Lynn, please follow me…"
The apprentice who had been cold and indifferent moments ago now spoke with deep respect, his attitude a complete reversal.
Lynn's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold smile forming in his heart.
How amusing. A small figure is momentarily given authority dared to disregard formal wizards entirely…
The only reason for this sudden reverence was the "citizen" status he had just earned.
However, Lynn had no interest in settling scores with such insignificant individuals.
What concerned him now was what exactly had happened in the City of Machinery. The deeper meaning behind Gilru's words could not be ignored. He needed to return and find Darwin to get to the bottom of things.
Without delay, he let the apprentice lead the way and headed straight for the fifth floor.
...........
When Lynn first arrived in Mechanized City, he immediately sensed that, despite its claim to be a neutral city, its massive and tightly structured steel framework made it feel more like an enormous fortress brimming with the aura of war.
At the time, he had thought to himself that if this city ever entered a state of war, its true nature would be fully revealed.
However, he never expected that today, Mechanized City would enter wartime status!
Beyond the boundless steel metropolis, the sky was densely covered with countless dark specks.
At a glance, these seemingly insignificant dots appeared to be as different in scale as elephants and mosquitoes.
Yet, those so-called "mosquitoes" were, in fact, fleets of flying machines, organized in perfect formation, stretching endlessly toward the horizon as if they were infinite.
"Control the movement of people within Mechanized City. Apprentice wizards from the second and third levels must immediately be conscripted into the ranks!"
"Formal wizards from the fourth level must present their Wizard Alliance tokens and sign the contract to voluntarily participate in this operation."
"Complete these tasks as quickly as possible! Anyone who resists you has my authorization to execute them!"
As orders were relayed one after another, the massive fleet of flying machines began to disperse, swiftly entering various zones of Mechanized City.
The second and third levels were where apprentice wizards resided.
As figures moved through these areas with military precision, swarms of mechanical puppets emerged, quickly rounding up the apprentices and organizing them into units.
The leading mechanical wizard apprentice coldly declared that all apprentices in Mechanized City had now been forcibly conscripted.
Resistance was effortlessly crushed.
However, the fourth level was different it was the domain of formal wizards, making it far more difficult to subdue than the apprentice districts.
As powerful auras erupted one after another, wizards floated into the air, their spiritual energies condensing into near-physical forms, weaving an invisible net over the sky, pressing down upon the entire city with suffocating intensity.
"Mechanized City prides itself on absolute neutrality! What exactly are you trying to do?"
A wizard stood in midair, his gaze cold and voice filled with overwhelming pressure.
If he didn't receive a reasonable explanation, the surrounding wizards would likely take immediate action.
At that moment, a mechanical wizard levitated from the ground and calmly tossed out a command:
"This is a direct order from the Wizard Council. We are now in a state of emergency. Every living being in the Wizard World is obligated to unconditionally protect it."
He paused briefly, his gaze carrying an undeniable authority.
"Enforcement wizards are already on their way. Within a few days, you will witness their arrival yourselves."
"So, does this answer satisfy you?"
The mechanical wizard's voice was calm yet forceful as if he had anticipated resistance and had already prepared a response.
Almost every formal wizard, unless they were as new as Lynn, had some understanding of the current state of the Wizard World.
The most powerful wizards within the Wizard World formed an organization known as the Wizard Alliance.
Though the Wizard World was divided into multiple regions the East, West, South, North, and Central territories each with its formidable factions such as the Furnace of Stone in the South and the Nightmare Rift, these were all merely regional powers.
The Wizard Council, however, was a cross-regional organization with significant influence over the entire civilization.
The requirements to join the council were not particularly high any wizard who had reached the rank of Morning Star Wizard or above was eligible.
Once a wizard became a council member, they weren't restricted to any specific duty or role within the council. Instead, they were free to build their influence and power as they saw fit.
The main role of the Wizard Council was to guide the development of wizard civilization, much like a captain steering a ship.
For internal conflicts within the Wizard Continent, the council rarely intervened.
Even during prolonged wars between Dark Wizards and White Wizards, the council had never stepped in to mediate.
To some extent, the council represented the overall stance of wizard civilization.
No matter how wizards clashed among themselves, such conflicts were considered a normal part of civilization's evolution, and the council typically refrained from interference.
The council's true focus was always directed beyond the Wizard World.
There was a saying among wizards:
"If the Wizard Council takes action, there's a nine-out-of-ten chance it's related to an external civilization."
In other words, the council's involvement usually signaled the emergence of an external threat.
Thus, given the current situation in Mechanized City, there was almost no doubt that this was related to some foreign civilization.
As members of the Wizard World, every wizard bore the responsibility of unconditionally defending it.
Regardless of the circumstances, they had to follow the Wizard Council's commands this was their fundamental duty to the Wizard World.
Therefore, when the mechanical wizard presented evidence of the council's involvement, the formal wizards on the fourth level, though visibly displeased, had no choice but to comply with Mechanized City's directives for the time being.
The fifth level was where the citizens of Mechanized City lived.
With the entire city under lockdown, this area was no exception.
However, compared to the "rough" measures below, enforcement here was much more restrained. Only a few mechanical puppets patrolled and monitored the area.
Orders from Mechanized City were transmitted directly through citizen tokens.
Yet, since Lynn had not yet obtained his citizen token, he was growing increasingly anxious to find Darwin and learn more details.
However, just as he caught sight of Darwin's villa, a figure suddenly flew toward him.
"Mechanized City is under lockdown. Any non-citizens are prohibited from entering the fifth level. Lynn, you have been conscripted come with me."
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