Magic Apprentice Assessment

The blinding sunlight streamed into the room. The master of the Old Castle, lying in his magnificent four-poster bed, covered his eyes with the thick quilt.

"Hasn't the alarm gone off yet?" Allen, half-asleep, stretched out his arm to grope around, but unfortunately, he only touched a beautiful table lamp with a tassel.

The person huddled under the quilt cursed twice, "Damn it!"

"Second Young Master, Second Young Master, hurry up and get up!" A slightly hoarse female voice came from outside the door.

Allen rolled over, covering his ears with the quilt.

With a "clang," the two expensive carved solid wood doors were kicked open. A sturdy figure blocked all the light from behind, and the cold autumn wind swept in, causing the room's temperature to drop sharply.

Allen lazily sat up from the bed and said with dissatisfaction, "Big sister, please knock next time, okay? And can you stop wearing that outfit from now on?"

Dina, dressed in a maid's uniform, stood over 1.9 meters tall, with bulging muscles. She rushed to the bedside and said, "Second Young Master, how can I not wear clothes? Your request is too excessive."

Dina cupped her blushing, large, round face with both hands, her feet, at least size 45, stomping restlessly on the smooth floor like a maiden in love, making a continuous "clang, clang, clang" sound.

"I meant the maid outfit, not not wearing clothes at all." Allen, with his head hanging low, got out of bed. He really didn't want to dwell on this issue anymore and reluctantly took off his silk pajamas, changing into a black formal suit by himself.

Dina's large face flushed slightly. She covered her eyes with her large hands, but a wide gap was left between her fingers. She said coyly, "Second Young Master, you really have no shame, changing clothes right in front of me. You're making me so embarrassed! But Second Young Master, your physique is so strong!"

Allen stood in front of the mirror, speechless.

How can I be stronger than you, you brute!

Seeing Allen staring blankly in front of the mirror again, Dina said anxiously, "Oh, right! Today, the Duke has invited a Royal Court Mage to conduct an assessment. Have you forgotten again?"

"Oh, oh, I know."

Dina looked at her Second Young Master's perfunctory expression and sighed helplessly.

The Second Young Master wasn't like this before. Ever since he had a serious illness a few days ago, he's been like a different person. He doesn't like to go out anymore, locking himself in his room to read all day. Moreover, every evening he practices some incomprehensible martial arts, muttering words I can't understand. Even today, such an important day, he forgot about it. Didn't the Second Young Master dream of becoming a noble Mage since childhood?

Seeing Dina's slightly unnatural expression, Allen thought he had done something out of line again and quickly waved her away.

After Dina left, Allen stood in front of the mirror again, remaining silent for a long time.

The face was still that handsome face, and the body was still that body.

Unfortunately, reality was no longer the reality he was familiar with.

In the bedroom, which was at least 300 square meters, with a finely carved fireplace, Rococo-style oil paintings hanging on the walls, pure silver tableware, and captivating sculptures on the hearth in the corner, everything showed the nobility of the owner's status.

Unfortunately, although the room had everything, it lacked Wi-Fi, mobile phones, computers, and inflatable... basketballs.

Allen, once a machine gunner in an international mercenary group, was hit head-on by a shell during a combat mission deep behind enemy lines. The next second, he found himself in this异世界 called the Saint Cassis Continent, having become the Son of the Grand Duke of the Kingdom of Locke.

A soldier educated in modern ways had transformed into a noble young master living in seclusion in an Old Castle.

At this moment, although Allen possessed a huge Old Castle and a large fiefdom, he had no fondness for this异世 continent and prayed every day to return to his familiar Earth.

Unfortunately, the Overgod Holy Father, whom everyone in the Kingdom of Locke believed in, did not notice him, an unlucky fellow, in the heavens, nor had it ever responded to him. The other world remained the other world, and the Son of the Grand Duke remained the Son of the Grand Duke.

Allen had joined the army before finishing college. Although his education wasn't high, he had watched plenty of movies. Moreover, he had heard many people say that Old Castles and maids were the perfect match.

The Old Castle was there, and naturally, the maid was also there.

Unfortunately, the only maid, Dina, was a barbarian from the plains, like a miniature Hulk. She was usually lazier than him, her owner, and could eat the rations of eight people by herself.

Even the Old Castle's Butler was a slovenly old man who was always mumbling and appearing and disappearing unpredictably, rarely showing himself like a ghost.

What made Allen most depressed was that his fiefdom, Outpost County, was full of unruly commoners and was as barren as a national A-grade impoverished village. Every household was poorer than the last; there was no "poorest," only "poorer."

Allen felt less like a privileged second-generation heir and more like someone doing poverty alleviation.

Dina's urging voice came from outside again. Allen hurried out. The Old Castle didn't have enough money to buy new doors.

Allen and Dina walked side by side through the vast Old Castle, the master and servant sighing as they went.

Dina sighed because she was increasingly unable to fathom her Second Young Master's temperament.

If it were in the past, with a noble Mage visiting, the Second Young Master would definitely dress up meticulously, his excitement overflowing.

But now, the Second Young Master had merely changed into a worn-out formal suit, sighing all the way and looking around at the surrounding decorations like a thief, showing no resemblance to a top noble of the kingdom.

As for Allen, he sighed because he had observed for several days that there weren't many valuable items in the Old Castle. He had originally planned to sell some to make his life a little easier.

The Old Castle was very old, with high walls covered in vines, some of which had even penetrated the windows. In the silent Old Castle, only the rustling sound of the curtains being blown by the breeze could be heard. During the day, it felt somewhat eerie. The ornate candelabra and gleaming silver decorations seemed completely mismatched.

Every time he walked through the vast Old Castle, Allen felt an inexplicable palpitation, as if a pair of eyes were always watching him from some dark corner.

When the master and servant reached the main entrance, the guest had already been waiting for a long time.

As a Royal Court Mage, Austin had perfectly neat silver hair. Even after traveling all night, his black mage robe showed no wrinkles. His slightly stern features further accentuated the composure of this sixty-year-old Mage.

"High-level Fire Mage Austin, greetings to the Baron, and bringing the distant blessings of the Duke." Austin took off his hat and bowed. However, the slight frown on his brow revealed that his inner feelings were not as respectful as his words.

Allen curled his lips. Blessings from his cheap father in the Royal City? Tell that to a ghost!

Austin saw that Allen did not return the greeting immediately, and his frown deepened. He coughed slightly.

Only then did Allen remember to return the greeting. Just as he was about to raise his right arm to shake hands, he realized something was wrong. He quickly raised both hands and clasped them in a fist, adopting the demeanor of a chivalrous hero saying, "Brother Song, I have admired you for a long time."

Austin looked completely bewildered, and even the two companions behind him couldn't help but shake their heads.

It seemed the rumors in the kingdom were true. The Duke's youngest son was indeed an uneducated good-for-nothing.

Dina behind them nudged Allen's waist with her thick finger.

Allen was completely flustered. He truly knew nothing about this Western noble etiquette and could only awkwardly turn his head to look at his personal maid.

As expected of Dina, a seasoned maid who professionally served nobles, she didn't embarrass her master at all.

After letting out two hearty laughs, she strode forward with her long, thick legs, slung an arm around Austin's shoulders, and her ample bosom brushed against the old mage's face. She said enthusiastically, "Old Man, uh, esteemed old mage, let's go inside and talk. I personally slayed a Saros Beast a few days ago and saved the fattest intestines. Today, I'll let you properly taste Nana's cooking."

Looking up at the robust maid, who was a head taller than him, Austin felt a chill run down his spine.

He used his staff to swat away the hand on his shoulder and said awkwardly, "We've already eaten. The test is more important right now. Baron Allen, why don't we proceed immediately?"

Every year, the Royal City would send a Court Mage to the fiefdoms of royal descendants to test their magical cultivation. This year, it was Austin's turn.

Court Mages came every year, but Baron Allen failed every year. Austin had no expectations for this useless youngest son of the Grand Duke. He just wanted to go through the motions, end this farce as soon as possible, and return to the comfortable Royal City.

Everything here made the pampered Austin extremely disgusted.

The barren living environment, the dilapidated old castle, the rude maid, the master who knew no etiquette—all of this made it difficult for the esteemed mage to adapt.

Glancing at his companion behind him on his right, Austin continued, "This is my junior apprentice, Dick. He is a beginner water mage. He will test Baron, and if you can defeat him, Baron Allen will be awarded the title of Magic Apprentice."

Dina interrupted with confusion, "Isn't the test supposed to be about magic cultivation and meditation speed? Why has it turned into a fight?"

Austin didn't offer further explanation.

This arrangement was a spur-of-the-moment decision. According to the usual rules, the test was indeed supposed to be about magic cultivation and meditation, but he didn't want to waste so much time. He just wanted to properly teach this ill-mannered little baron a lesson, even though the baron's father now held immense power in the kingdom.

But what noble didn't know that the Grand Duke no longer cared about this useless son from a remote region?

Unaware that he was being tricked, Allen foolishly asked, "I just need to defeat your apprentice?"

Austin nodded.

Dina gave her master an encouraging look and said, "Second Young Master, cheer up! If you become a Magic Apprentice, you'll definitely be recalled to the Royal City by the Grand Duke."

Allen shrugged indifferently. To be honest, he didn't care at all about returning to the Royal City. Although his fief bordered the Savage Plains and was constantly at risk of attacks from the barbarian tribes of the plains, at least it was far away from the emperor's reach, and no one could control him. Except for Dina, oh, and the eccentric old butler in the old castle.

Allen felt a bit dejected because he suddenly realized that besides himself, there were only these two living people in the old castle, and both of them could control him.

Seeing that her master had no fighting spirit, Dina called out again, "Second Young Master, if you win, the Mage Association of the Holy See will provide research funds for magic every month."

"How much?" Allen's eyes lit up.

"Ten gold coins!"

"I just need to take him down?" Allen pointed at Dick, who was also wearing a magic robe.

The meticulous old mage Austin could no longer stand it. His voice was low but not without authority as he said, "Mind your status. You are a gentleman, not a hooligan."

"Sorry, sorry, I'll rephrase!" Allen quickly waved his hands to explain, "If I take him down, I get ten gold coins for free every month, right?"

Austin: "..."

Allen clenched his fists and looked at the youthful Dick with ill intentions.

After all, ten gold coins was half a year's expenses for a commoner family. As long as he took down this magic apprentice in front of him, at least Dina's monthly food expenses would be covered.

Dick looked at the noble in front of him, who displayed very obvious signs of violence, and inexplicably started to panic.