Chapter Four: The Black and White Sorcerers

The howling gale, laden with yellow sand, swept fiercely across the ground, making the stacked boulders tremble uncontrollably, as if they might join the smaller stones in soaring away into the storm. Nearby, several quarry trucks that had been neatly lined up were now mostly battered and broken by the wind; only one remained relatively intact, with three teenagers—two boys and a girl—sitting inside.

Through the swirling sand, a figure gradually emerged from a blur into clarity. The green-haired boy on the truck’s roof brightened at the sight, leapt down with his bow in hand, and waved energetically.

“Over here!”

Qi Xiao paused for a moment, then strode toward the quarry truck. Since he had come all this way, he had no intention of abandoning his purpose simply because there were three people waiting for him.

The green-haired boy, watching Qi Xiao approach, apologized with some embarrassment, “Sorry, the weather’s been fine here the past few days. We didn’t expect such a violent storm today. If we’d known, we’d have picked a better spot to talk.”

Qi Xiao was unconcerned. He met the green-haired boy’s gaze and said, “Go on, then. Why did you ask me to come?”

Scratching his head, the green-haired boy glanced at his two silent companions, then spoke up with a hint of frustration. “Let me introduce myself first. My name’s Feng Cai, but you can just call me Feng. The girl with the long golden hair is Laura, and the boy wrapped in bandages—call him White.”

With the introductions complete, Feng continued, “We invited you because we want to form an alliance. I’ve been watching for strong rookies who’ve already collected ten badges. Laura and White here are allies I’ve recruited over the last couple of days.

“When the final day comes, those who don’t have enough badges will become desperate. There could even be a dozen people ganging up on one. If we join forces now, we won’t give them that chance.”

Qi Xiao applauded lightly, offering his praise. “Not a bad plan. But wouldn’t it be even better if I just took all your badges now? I’d walk away with at least forty, and the reward would multiply, wouldn’t it?”

Laura leaned out over the car door, her silken golden hair cascading straight down before Qi Xiao’s eyes—so much so, he felt tempted to draw his dagger and cut it off. She spoke gently, “My father always taught me, to be a true mage, you can’t only consider immediate gains.

“If we fight among ourselves, all we get is a handful of basic apprentice resources. Those misers won’t give us anything truly valuable. It’s better to join forces now. After we enter the Omnispirit Vault, we’ll have a foundation for future cooperation—more friends to watch each other’s backs. Isn’t that preferable?”

White, swathed head to toe in bandages, nodded in agreement though he remained silent.

Qi Xiao had already intended to draw Feng into his orbit; naturally, he had no reason to refuse such an offer of cooperation, especially with two bonus allies. Friends were always welcome—if they could help his future alchemy business, so much the better.

He hadn’t expected, however, that the strongest newcomers this year would strike a deal so amicably. It was nothing like the film, where the main character’s cohort clashed at first meeting. Still, a peaceful resolution suited Qi Xiao just fine.

“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Qi Xiao. What you say makes sense—I’m always happy to make friends. Here’s to our cooperation.” He extended his right hand to Feng.

Feng visibly relaxed and hurried to shake his hand. They’d already heard from White just how formidable Qi Xiao could be. It was a wonder, really, why someone with alchemical talent would risk a dangerous tournament at all. Most mage mentors would gladly accept an alchemist as a disciple.

Qi Xiao, smiling amiably, sized up his three potential customers. “I have some inscribed talismans here—quite powerful, with both functional and protective uses. Care to buy a few? There are only two days left. You wouldn’t want to get blindsided now, would you?”

For the first time, White spoke, his voice raw as if seared by flame. “What’s your price?”

Qi Xiao displayed several types of inscribed talismans he had crafted. “Badges or magic crystals—your choice.”

After a brief discussion, Laura pointed to the “Explode” inscription and bargained, “Twenty crystals each for this one. For the others, three badges apiece, two of each kind—deal?”

Qi Xiao shook his head. “The rest is fine, but the ‘Explode’ talisman is at least thirty crystals.”

Laura frowned. “A cheap, one-use inscription like this wouldn’t fetch two crystals outside.”

Qi Xiao sighed, “But we’re not outside. Nothing can be brought in here—everyone arrived empty-handed. This is a game-changer. Thirty crystals is already a friendly price, since we’ll be working together. I barely have enough for myself.”

In the end, the trio accepted his terms. They each exchanged three badges for two each of the Fire, Light, Shield, and Speed inscriptions. Qi Xiao walked away with IOUs for 180 magic crystals and six badges.

He obtained spell models for “Water Elemental Control,” “Earth Elemental Control,” “Water Delivery,” and “Purify”—all zero-level cantrips, just as he’d expected. The “Explode” inscriptions traded on IOU didn’t earn him any reward; only completed transactions counted.

If he received no reward even after the IOUs were paid, he’d refuse deferred payment for first-time sales of alchemical creations from then on.

Feeling out the four new spell models, simple as they were, Qi Xiao was well pleased. The four of them sat together in the truck, waiting for the storm to pass, chatting amiably and deepening their understanding of one another.

Watching Feng, who was holding court nearby, Qi Xiao couldn’t help but wonder why he’d left the Omnispirit Vault later on. After all, becoming a full mage implied he had no lack of talent, as his badge count now attested. From what the film showed, major factions distributed resources with extreme selectivity—those with potential to become mages were showered with support, while apprentices with depleted prospects were ruthlessly squeezed. Feng, therefore, was unlikely to have suffered any injustice; he’d have been a beneficiary.

Still, perhaps it was a matter of principle, rather than resources, that drove him away. From the protagonist’s interactions with Feng in the film, it was clear his beliefs and conduct leaned toward the path of the White Mage.

That was one of the main reasons Qi Xiao wanted to befriend him—good people, whether bad or otherwise, preferred the company of the good.

As for black and white mages, the terms described differences in conduct more than ideology: White Mages were gentler with apprentices and commoners, while Black Mages were more ruthless. But these were only rough categories, not a definitive guide to a mage’s true allegiance.

Unlike individual mages, the alignment of a mage’s organization was more significant. Members of predominantly White Mage factions, even if Black Mages themselves, would not usually massacre innocents; a White Mage would even risk their life to save endangered civilians or apprentices.

It was worth noting that, despite its brutal duels and exploitation of apprentices, the Omnispirit Vault was still classified as a White Mage organization on this continent.

After all, true Black Mage organizations had no qualms about seizing commoners or apprentices for human experimentation—sometimes even their own members fell victim.