Before Departure

Aside from Adam, the others all wanted to stroll around this bustling city. Compared to Southern Seaport City, Cold Maple City in the Northland was undoubtedly a backwater little town. Young people all yearned for the dazzling world beyond.

Plans could never keep up with change. Before they could leave separately, the gates of the Duke's Mansion opened, and a group of people emerged.

The Duke looked like a middle-aged man. He came to Black Mage's side and performed a standard aristocratic salute. "Respected Black Mage, welcome." Then he made an embracing gesture toward the six apprentices and said, "And welcome to you as well, little apprentices."

Everyone returned the greeting. The Duke laughed heartily as he led them into the Duke's Mansion. "You have arrived at just the right time. Preparations for the banquet have just begun. The other Mages and their apprentices have already arrived."

Black Mage smiled. "Oh? That is good. It seems we can set off sooner. I have been away from the Mage Continent for too long; even this body of mine has grown somewhat weary."

The Duke expressed his regret. "So hurriedly? I still have many questions I wished to ask you."

"There is no helping it. This time is different from before. You know, the academy is in a hurry..."

As they spoke, they arrived in the banquet hall. Many people were already seated around an enormous Round Table. Two men and one woman sat at opposite ends, conversing among themselves. When they saw Black Mage, they all rose to greet him. "Black Mage, you are rather late."

Black Mage returned their greetings one by one. "Mage Robert, Mage Jerome, and the beautiful Eileen Mage. You must understand, I was responsible for the distant Northland, so naturally I could not arrive as quickly as you."

After Adam and the others bowed to the three unfamiliar Mages, they took their seats. Aside from them, there were thirty-four apprentices in all, all about the same age. Yet they did not seem very friendly toward Adam's group.

The Duke reappeared wearing an elaborate and extravagant formal outfit. He personally stood at the doorway, directing Servants as they brought out plate after plate of exquisite food so beautiful one could scarcely bear to ruin it. Barrel after barrel of richly scented wine flowed into the cups as if it cost nothing, then beautiful Maids aerated it before delivering it to everyone.

Ophelia's expression darkened, and she looked extremely embarrassed. Compared to the banquet at the Duke's Mansion, Earl Johnsson's hospitality truly could not be brought out into polite company.

Krystal and the three male apprentices were utterly stunned. One was a commoner, while the other three came from minor noble families. Added to the fact that they had lived in the barren Northland, they had never seen such a luxurious banquet.

The Duke announced the start of the banquet in a booming voice, then walked over to join the Mages. The apprentices were naturally attended by the Servants.

"Gulp."

Sam Aiden could not stop himself from swallowing audibly.

Adam's attention was not on the food. In the Northland, whether noble or commoner, people used oil lamps for lighting at night. Yet here, Adam discovered devices resembling electric lamps. However, he could not detect any trace of Electrical Energy being used.

"Is this an Alchemy Product? The power of magic?" Adam was intensely curious and kept staring at the lamps.

Just as everyone was about to enjoy the meal, an unpleasant voice came from nearby and ruined their mood. "Heh, what is it? Never seen a banquet of this caliber before? Well, no wonder. I hear you are from the Northland? Do people there live alongside beasts? Tsk tsk, how pitiful. You should eat more while you can, or you may not get another chance in the future."

The Northland apprentices turned angrily toward the speaker. They found a slick-haired young man with every strand of hair meticulously combed back. He leisurely toyed with the food on his plate using his Knife and Fork, not even lifting his head as he spoke, displaying the utmost rudeness. Only after feeling their stares did he look at the Northland apprentices and sneer, "What is wrong, everyone? Was I mistaken? If so, I am willing to apologize to you on behalf of the nobles of the civilized world."

Sam Aiden shot to his feet. As if by magic, he pulled a glove from his clothes and said in a voice filled with fury, "Tell me your name, then apologize immediately. Otherwise, you will bear the wrath of the Aiden Family."

The slick-haired man remained utterly disdainful. "Did I hit the mark? The Aiden Family? Hahaha, I have never heard of it. Did you gain your noble status with that mouth of yours?"

The Duke and the Mages paid no attention to the conflict unfolding right before their eyes. They merely offered a faint reminder: "Do not break anything." Then they ignored it entirely.

Most of the other apprentices watched the show, especially as they waited for the Northlanders to make fools of themselves.

A faint surge of blood energy rose around Sam Aiden. He waved the glove and roared, "Tell me your name, coward! Do you not dare?"

Adam was somewhat puzzled. Perhaps he had encountered too few nobles, but even Marshall and Dennis had never seemed to do anything so foolish. Sam Aiden and the others had grown somewhat distant after learning he was a commoner, but they had ultimately not been discourteous. Why was the man before them so stupid?

This time, even Ophelia could not help speaking up. "Insulting a noble yet not daring to give your name and accept a duel—I never knew there were cowards like you among the nobility."

With Ophelia supporting him, Sam Aiden found even greater confidence. He viciously flung the glove into the slick-haired man's face. "Duel me, coward. Only one of us will leave alive."

After the glove fell from his face, the slick-haired man could no longer maintain that mocking, provocative expression. He looked around at his companions for help, only to find that no one paid him any attention.

At that moment, a young man with a temperament similar to Ophelia's stood and said, "Enough, Tom. I never knew a commoner could represent the nobility. Now apologize, then sit down."

The slick-haired man—no, Tom—looked at the young man in disbelief. "No, Mr. William, I only wanted to teach these country bumpkins a lesson. You cannot do this, I..."

"William Alfred. That is the young man's name—the Duke's son, the South's most dazzling genius. His Mental Power is exceptional, and his soul inclination possesses Fire Element affinity." After taking a light sip of wine, Eileen Mage said, "Congratulations, Duke Alfred. Your son has even greater aptitude than you. There is a strong chance that the Alfred Family will produce a Formal Mage."

The Duke grinned from ear to ear, clearly extremely pleased with his son. Still, he said, "You flatter him. William still has much to learn."

Eileen Mage did not think much of it and asked her companions, "What about you? Did you find any promising seedlings?"

Mage Robert, who was responsible for the west, complained, "This time was far too rushed. There was simply no way to organize a larger-scale test. The apprentices I brought all have very ordinary aptitudes. Only one has shown a faint curse affinity."

The other Mages expressed their regret. Ever since the Mage Revolution succeeded, most curse spells had become ineffective. Curse affinity truly was a path with very limited prospects.

Mage Jerome, who was responsible for the east, said, "The east is fairly good. There are several with excellent Mental Power aptitude. One commoner apprentice named Quentin possesses the gift of vitality affinity."

"And you, Black? The Northland is barren. I imagine your harvest was not much better?"

While the Mages conversed over there, the conflict among the apprentices had not ended here.

Ophelia easily saw through William Alfred's intentions. He had first allowed his companion to provoke them, then stepped in to smooth things over when that companion could no longer hold the stage. How could things be settled so cheaply? Soldiers against soldiers, generals against generals. Ophelia stood and said, "Since when can a commoner insult a noble and settle it with a single apology? Is this the South's Rules? Since Sam has already issued a challenge, this commoner must either accept, compensate Sam with a price sufficient to buy his life, or become his slave."

Tom was thoroughly terrified. Trembling, he pleaded, "Mr. William, please, I cannot..."

William ignored him. Everyone had to pay for their own foolishness. If this were not such an occasion, and if Tom were not from the South, William would have been quite happy to see him suffer.

"May I have the honor of knowing this beautiful lady's name?" William asked Ophelia with a slight bow.

"Ophelia Johnsson."

"I have heard of your name. The Goddess of War of the Northland—it is an honor to meet you." As he spoke, he removed a ring from his hand and placed it before Ophelia. "This is a magical item containing the zero-level spell Fireball. I believe it is enough to make up for Tom's offense."

A chorus of sharp intakes of breath sounded. Even Ophelia and Sam had not expected William to offer such a thing as compensation.

Having just witnessed the wonders of Mages, the apprentices had absolutely no resistance to the prospect of immediately obtaining a magical item. In an instant, Sam "forgave" the commoner's rudeness and repeatedly nodded at Ophelia's questioning look.

Seeing this, William smiled. "Then it is a deal."

Sam excitedly picked up the ring. After struggling inwardly countless times within a few seconds, he reluctantly handed it to Ophelia. "Miss Ophelia, I think this ring should belong to you."

Though Ophelia longed for it as well, she had no intention of claiming the ring for herself. She shook her head and said nothing more.

Thus the conflict came to an end. At this moment, Black Mage said, "It seems my luck is not too bad. Although I recruited only six apprentices, three possess soul inclinations. Ophelia has astonishing talent in body tempering, another girl possesses the same gift as I do, and the last one has astounding aptitude. As for his gift, I cannot quite see through it."

The Mages congratulated him. After returning to the academy, the Headmaster would grant rewards based on the number of geniuses recruited, though they would only be better than nothing.

Duke Alfred, however, took those words to heart.

A transition chapter...