Passerby Villain In A Wizard World

[Arcane Highlands, Atali Ruin (Lower Level)]

"Wow! Is this really a ruin?"

"Is this the gate we are going in?"

"Hey, look, the Forbidden Society is also here. These bastards won't miss this opportunity to make money."

"Shhh... are you stupid? Do you want to get targeted for nothing?"

The moment Ian stepped into the portal that Varion had opened, he arrived in an open hollow surrounded by tall mountains and a vibrant forest.

Then he found out that besides them, there were a large number of people around, all clad in their own luxurious wizard robes.

Moreover, all of them were in groups with their respective organizations, just like how they were separately standing, with Varion representing the Forbidden Society.

"This is the Atali Ruin, just recently discovered. After the higher-ups searched it, it was opened up for us to explore."

After seeing everyone adjusting their state, Varion explained while pointing at a large gate ahead.

The gate was massive, its surface etched with faded runes with a large opening in the middle, yet nothing beyond it could be seen inside, as if an unseen force veiled whatever lay inside.

However, at the top of the gate, complex letters were etched in the arcane language, radiating a mysterious glow.

Ian's attention was also drawn toward the inscription at the top, just like everyone else, as it was quite captivating.

"Atali!"

Someone on the side couldn't help but call out the symbols inscribed atop the gate.

"Yes, Atali. It is precisely because of these letters that we can easily tell if this ruin is connected to the Atali Ruin."

Varion smiled and explained.

"After all, there are many ancient ruins on this continent, and we don't know if they are related to that colossal place that extends beyond this world."

"Okay, that's all for the introductions. Now, let's go and register there. It is almost time for the ruin to open. Let's not waste time."

He said and quickly walked toward a luxurious tent at the center of the hollow, right beside the gate of the ruin.

Seeing him signaling them to follow, all the apprentices in dark robes followed behind while taking out their Forbidden Tokens.

Ian also did the same while tagging behind, but his attention wasn't here.

'Atali. That guy's name is also Atali?'

Ian was battling against his thoughts after remembering the last words he heard from that behemoth.

'Atali awaits your return..... Sovereign!'

He never thought that the name of the ruin he was about to explore was the same as that of a guardian.

It was just too much of a coincidence.

'So that means Atali isn't the name of an organization or place, but a person?'

Ian thought, then looked at the massive gate that led to the unknown and asked himself in confusion,

'Then, what is this place? And why is it everywhere in this world, Aetherion?'

Ian had already keenly noticed that this world had a hidden history buried within the known one. Everyone knew about the Wizard War that almost shattered the world of Aetherion.

They also knew how Gravethrone came about. The higher-ups possibly also knew about the three forbidden zones there.

Not to mention his identity and unique bloodline—he didn't believe nobody was aware of their existence, just like how his Aunt Margaret was keeping an eye on his family.

But all these things were clearly separate from his identity as a Sovereign, his cocoon as an anchor point, his five different streaks across the life cores, and, more importantly, the existence of Atali, whom he had just met.

"Sir Wizard, these apprentices are from the Forbidden Society. Let's register them here for this exploration."

Just as Ian was musing over these things, he heard Varion's soft voice from the front.

There, he saw a tall, middle-aged man sitting quietly in front of a long desk, looking bored.

From the outside, Ian couldn't determine his rank, but someone whom Varion called "Sir" had to be higher than a First Ring Wizard.

"Forbidden Society? What are you bunch doing here?"

It seemed that Varion's appearance surprised him. The old man raised an eyebrow and asked with interest.

Although everyone knew that the Forbidden Society might be an Eight Ring Organization, people didn't hold its members in awe like they did with other organizations.

This was because of the structure of the Forbidden Society.

The so-called members couldn't truly be considered as belonging to the organization, as they always acted like mercenaries.

In fact, many members of the Forbidden Society didn't even know where their own organization was located.

So, it was normal for someone not to take Varion seriously. Of course, the due respect for being part of a behemoth was still given.

"Haha... I was just nearby when news of the Atali Ruin's appearance spread. So, I tagged along with my brothers and sisters from the same sect. Let's see if we can gain anything. I'm too poor."

Varion didn't mind the wizard's rough tone but explained with a hearty smile.

Then, without waiting for him to say anything, he took out his Forbidden Token and placed it on the table.

"Here is the token, Sir Wizard. You can check it yourself."

Varion said while signaling the apprentices behind him to do the same. So, all of them placed the tokens they had purchased on the table, including Ian.

"Tsk... whether you are brothers and sisters, everyone knows. You guys are as shameless as ever."

The old man snarled in annoyance but still took Varion's token, ignoring the dozens of others on the table.

Then, he inserted a little mana into the token as if checking whether it was real or fake.

"Well, it is indeed from the Forbidden Society. You guys can enter after the ruin opens. It's almost time. Just stand to the side."

After confirming the authenticity of the token, the middle-aged wizard nodded to Varion and handed it back.

As for the other tokens, he seemed uninterested, causing all the apprentices to quickly retrieve theirs.

After all, they had paid a lot to get them—how could they be willing to leave them here?

"Thank you, Sir Wizard."

Varion smiled, cupped his hands in respect, then turned around and said to them,

"Well, registration is complete. You can enter the ruin after it opens. No need to follow me. Just remember to exit once the one-month period ends. I wish you all luck."

After saying that, Varion quickly walked ahead, not caring about the apprentices' reactions.

Like he said, his job was done, and he wasn't in the mood to entertain them anymore.

"Well, that's the Forbidden Society for you."

Seeing him being so blatant and changing his attitude right in front of him, the middle-aged wizard twitched his mouth.

Didn't this guy just say he came with his brothers and sisters? Why was he abandoning them like this now?

'At least do it where no one is near you.'

The wizard thought in annoyance.

"What are you guys standing here for? Didn't I say to go to the side?"

And he directly poured that annoyance onto the four or so apprentices still standing there, unsure of what to do.

"Oh... sorry, Sir Wizard."

"We will leave immediately."

After being scolded, they quickly came back to their senses and hurriedly left, not wanting to offend a wizard—especially in such a place.

...

"Hey, did you find anything weird about this gate?"

While some apprentices were still confused about what to do, Ian was already near the large gate and asked Ignysyl, who was perched on his shoulder.

"Hmm? No, nothing seems weird. Why do you ask?"

The little dragon looked at the gate again and shook his head.

Besides looking mysterious with all those runic linings and the shimmering letters on top, he didn't see anything unusual about it.

"I don't know. Just a... feeling?"

Ian shook his head, wondering if hearing that voice had messed up his thoughts.

"Feeling, huh? Hey, did you find something in that Spirit Realm?"

The little dragon was intrigued by Ian's choice of words and asked curiously.

"Nothing. Otherwise, wouldn't I tell you?"

Ian didn't want to discuss such things with him, especially in this place. Instead, he asked what he really wanted to know through telepathy:

"Do you know what a Guardian of the Spirit Realm is?"

He remembered Ignysyl mentioning that the entity he saw was a Guardian, but he didn't know what that meant.

"Oh? It's nothing big, really. You'd know just by asking about the Spirit Realm."

Ignysyl then tilted his head cutely, thinking as if he had no idea how to describe it.

"Umm... A Guardian is just like the name says—a protector of the Spirit Realm, watching over a specific place. I'm not quite sure, but I know they're powerful and can appear anywhere in the realm, just like that entity we just saw."

"Then, it's basically a powerful boss monster?"

Ian nodded in understanding after hearing his explanation.

"A powerful monster? Um... you can say that. But they're quite different, though."

"Hmm? Are they really different? I don't see any difference except that it's quite strong."

Ian asked with a curious look. After today's incident, he wanted to learn more about such things.

And if possible, he also wanted to enter the Spirit Realm.

But to his surprise, what Ignysyl said next completely stunned him.

"Of course, they're different. In fact, they aren't considered monsters at all. That's because, unlike every other entity in the Spirit Realm, the Guardians have the power of Authority. They are basically at the top in that world."