The towering structure before them was a tall, plain tower with an overall limestone-gray appearance and an air of weathered age. A large area around it had been cordoned off by walls, creating entirely different scenes inside and outside.
It was a special place completely independent of the city proper.
After entering through the walls by carriage, the clamor of the bustling streets outside vanished in an instant. All that remained were the birdsong and fragrant flowers within, and even the air seemed exceptionally fresh.
"Ah, I'm still more used to the air here. The air outside is so polluted. Those mine merchants are to blame."
After entering the walled area, Ian seemed to relax as he spoke. Xuan Ye, on the other hand, was extremely curious upon encountering this phenomenon for the first time. He kept staring at the walls outside, his eyes flickering.
With the condensation of the Perception Core and the enhancement of five Talent Runes, Xuan Ye could see, even without activating the Eyes of Lawbreaking, a faint, distorted fluctuation that took the walls as its boundary and enveloped the area with the Mage Tower at its core once he concentrated.
A Barrier...
As expected of a lordly Six-Star Mage at the Occupational Peak. Since he could easily isolate sound and purify the air, he could probably display the defensive power expected of him when necessary as well.
"Hehe, Teacher Roland is also among the very best Formal Mages. This Magic Tower contains years of his painstaking effort, and his greatest specialties are puppets and Barriers."
Seeing the astonished look on Xuan Ye's face, Ian stood to the side and explained with a laugh, his eyes filled with pride.
In Stanrosai City, Roland was unquestionably the number-one expert! With the support of the Mage Tower, he could protect himself even if a Professional Rank bigshot came knocking!
After observing the invisible Barrier before him and forcibly stuffing all the parameters he could record into the Database, Xuan Ye turned back to admire the scenery inside.
A few plain wooden cabins stood amid the lush green lawns. Apart from the Mage Tower, they were the only buildings, and were probably where Ian and the other apprentices usually lived.
What was slightly comical and made people want to laugh, however, was that beneath the welcome sign at the entrance, a large swath of crooked charcoal writing had been scrawled like graffiti.
'Stanrose Mage Guild' 'Stanrose Alchemy Guild' 'Stanrose Alchemist Guild' 'Stanrose Rune Guild'...
It seemed that every guild with any connection to mages had hung up a sign here.
"I never expected Master Roland to be so knowledgeable in so many fields."
Xuan Ye clicked his tongue in amazement before turning back to tease Ian. He also understood that a mage's limited energy was mostly devoted to specializing in one or two fields. As for the others, it was enough to dabble in them and know the general principles. Roland was certainly no exception.
Eight or nine times out of ten, these guild names were there because Stanrose only had one Formal Mage. He had no choice but to temporarily take on these "part-time jobs."
"Actually, it's not entirely wrong. Teacher's level is right there. At the very least, he can handle every apprentice-level profession quite well. If there are promising talents in other professions, he can directly recommend them to suitable branch guilds in other cities. Several of our junior brothers and sisters have received such recommendations."
Ian gave an awkward little laugh before speaking. Well, actually, the sign had been made on a whim by a few of them apprentices.
"Master Roland's abilities are indeed beyond question. The environment he's created here alone is extremely suitable for meditation."
Xuan Ye rarely restrained his urge to be caustic and refrain from poking fun at others. Instead, he voiced the emotion in his heart.
Well, before this, he had meditated either at night while traveling or inside an airless stone cave. There was indeed no comparison with a place like this.
"Of course. Away from this environment, I can only maintain at most seventy percent of my meditation efficiency. There, we've arrived. This is my Magic Cottage."
As he spoke, Ian led Xuan Ye to a small cottage. He then quietly recited an incantation, and the door opened by itself.
Following him inside, Xuan Ye suddenly sensed something the moment he entered and glanced to the side. A hollow-eyed skeleton stood there, staring blankly at him and giving him quite a scare.
"What the hell is that?!"
Xuan Ye had nearly thrown a punch, but forcefully suppressed the impulse and spoke with restraint. Given his current identity, he couldn't go around doing anything violent.
"Haha, this is my proudest treasure. What do you think? Not bad, right?"
Seeing Xuan Ye get startled, Ian seemed delighted and proud. He then snapped his fingers, and the skeleton, which had been standing there like a coat rack, suddenly moved and mechanically brewed two cups of milk tea for them.
"Necromancy? Hmm, it doesn't quite look like it. A puppet? That's not it either."
Xuan Ye quietly observed it from the side, constantly comparing it with the knowledge he currently possessed. He still couldn't identify it completely. It resembled both, yet it didn't truly resemble either.
"It's a puppet, but my style differs somewhat from Teacher's. Teacher studies and observes the Undead because he plans to incorporate their strengths. The core is still his own puppetry combined with engineering constructs. I, however, plan to major in necromancy, with puppets as an auxiliary discipline, using them as tools to strengthen the Undead."
Ian spoke with great pride. He had always been suppressed by this young apprentice, but now he could finally hold his head high for once.
"This is my pride. Don't let the way it clumsily brews tea fool you. If I keep it by my side, I can guarantee that I'll retreat unscathed even when facing an ordinary Professional Rank Expert."
As he watched the stiff skeleton, Xuan Ye's expression changed slightly. He realized that Ian wasn't exaggerating. A hint of metallic luster covered the skeleton's bones, while its joints had faint red tendons.
Although it looked fragile, its bones were filled with a sense of strength, and the power it could unleash was considerable. It was not to be underestimated.
Indeed, even Magic Apprentices could not be underestimated. Apprentices lacked spell-triggering and emergency-response abilities, but if one had such a tireless bodyguard by their side, their safety could truly be greatly improved. Xuan Ye couldn't help feeling envious.
"Are you not going to follow your teacher's path afterward? What are you planning to choose for your First Star Palace, light or darkness?"
After casting an envious glance at the foolish-looking skeleton, Xuan Ye asked curiously. Clearly, his teacher didn't specialize in necromancy.
"My goal is the Dark Star Palace. I know my own talents. Although darkness born from the corruption of light best suits the characteristics of necromancy, my natural aptitude ultimately doesn't allow me to take that path."
Ian lifted the milk tea and took a light sip, his face calm. Only then did he continue, his voice carrying a hint of yearning.
"Teacher told us on our very first day that a mage who cannot walk their own path and create innovations is merely a Spellcaster, not a true mage..."
This statement left Xuan Ye, who had only encountered books and had never received systematic instruction, momentarily stunned.
So this was what a mage was? This was what a mage truly was!
I was asked to produce three chapters in two days... So this is the only chapter today as well. I did manage to write two chapters, though. I'll release them around mid-September.
Also, thanks to Cangxing Shenyu and Tianxing Chu for the tips.
Before you continue