He entered the Castle.
This time, he was actually the first to arrive.
He went straight to wait in the back. Before long, two familiar faces entered: Harold, and another apprentice named Erte.
At this point, the three of them were the only wizard apprentices left under Horton. The others had either been eliminated or had already advanced.
Because of that, when the two entered and looked at one another, their gazes were no longer as friendly as before.
The three did not say a word.
After a while, Peter entered. Seeing the three of them evenly matched, he greeted them all without favoring anyone.
The three were currently neck and neck in their progress, and over the past half year or so, none of them had drawn any further attention from Kieran.
Then Andre entered.
He nodded to the three of them as well, then sat without a word among the Official Wizards.
He had advanced three months ago.
Ever since becoming an Official Wizard, he had almost entirely lost contact with the three of them, having stepped into a new circle.
Soon, El... and the other wizards arrived one after another.
Kieran was the last to arrive.
He was no different from how he had been over a year ago, still as calm and steady as a great mountain.
He walked to the center and began explaining the day's lesson.
Everyone soon became immersed in it.
"You may begin asking questions."
After finishing, Kieran spoke slowly.
Once the Official Wizards had each asked their questions and left, it was Ian and the other two's turn.
Harold was the first to ask.
His question concerned advancing, and he was clearly already on the verge of doing so.
Erte, meanwhile, asked an ordinary question.
"Your turn, Ian."
Kieran finally looked