In a rather nicely decorated room.
Standing before a blazing fireplace, with the firelight as his backdrop, Saya Glens waved his hand and spoke passionately to the dozen or so people gathered before him. "Intermediate apprentice is only the first step. We must work even harder. A bright tomorrow is still waiting for us."
The crowd answered with excited shouts, "Yes!"
Saya nodded repeatedly to himself, deeply satisfied with the foundation he had built. His time and effort had not been wasted.
Over these three years, he had not only successfully advanced to an intermediate apprentice, but had also gathered a group of talented new students and formed a faction centered around himself.
This made him one of the very few newcomers who had truly made something of themselves. He might not have been striding about with the wind at his back, but among apprentices, he was at least someone respectable.
To Saya, who had been born a prince, his head could be cut off and his blood could flow, but dignity had to remain.
Considering that they were not yet ten years old and drinking too much might affect their growth, he picked up the fruit juice the maids had prepared beforehand and said grandly to his companions, "Today, I have prepared excellent food. Everyone must enjoy yourselves to the fullest."
What followed was a pleasant time of play.
Although this group was much more mature than ordinary children due to their education and the like, they still had little resistance when faced with games and play.
This was especially true when they usually had to study wizard knowledge so diligently. Naturally, they would not easily let go of this rare chance to relax.
After a round of frolicking, everyone had eaten and drunk their fill and was now