Appraisal

Chapter 23: Appraisal

Rest day.

Karl hailed a carriage and headed to the manor outside the city.

He had accumulated many questions about the Meditation Method and Sorcery during this time, and urgently needed an experienced person to answer them. After all, knowledge doesn't just come from books.

Unlike the previous two times, today Karl's manor was bustling with carriages and people, very lively.

"You've come at the wrong time."

Hibel came out to greet him and explained:

"There's a gathering of Wizards being held at the Black Marsh, and the mentor left yesterday."

She then pointed to the busy crowd:

"They will bring their goods and head there in the next few days."

"The Black Marsh?" Karl had seen the area on the Kingdom map, about five hundred miles north of Signo City, and couldn't help but ask:

"Do people live there?"

The Black Marsh was as its name suggested, an area as large as a city-state, covered in various dangerous swamps.

There was also miasma that corroded flesh and blood.

Let alone people, even plants and animals were scarce, making it a veritable no-man's-land for living creatures.

"Ordinary people naturally cannot survive in that environment, but Wizards can," Hibel said.

"The Grey Robe Wizard, Addison, lives in the Black Marsh. He is a Formal Wizard."

"Every so often, Wizard Apprentices from various parts of the Kingdom of Gondo gather there to exchange knowledge and supplies."

"Exchange?" Karl's heart stirred:

"Can I learn Sorcery there?"

"Of course, provided you have enough Magic Stones," Hibel turned around, her expression serious.

"Also, you have to come back alive."

"Huh?" Karl frowned:

"Is it very dangerous there?"

"Of course," Hibel nodded.

"The world of Wizards has always been full of various risks."

"Not just dangerous creatures, but also fellow Wizard Apprentices. It's common for fathers and sons to turn on each other for a Sorcery or an Enchanted Item, let alone strangers with no prior relationship."

Karl's expression changed slightly.

If people knew he had mastered Sorcery in such a short time, would they also become covetous?

How could he explain that he could construct complex Spell Models even though he hadn't even grasped the Meditation Method?

He couldn't tell them!

What if Addison harbored ill intentions? He would have no power to resist.

I originally planned to reveal a bit of my Talent to attract attention, but it seems better to be cautious now. It's never wrong to be careful.

"But you really have some patience."

Arriving at the living room and sitting down, Hibel waved for the servants to leave and said:

"People who have just come into contact with the world of Wizards are often full of curiosity and have all sorts of questions."

"You've learned the Meditation Method, and after so long, this is only your second visit."

"I was afraid of disturbing Teacher," Karl chuckled awkwardly. "Also..."

"I have to save up money. I'm just a fallen Noble, and Teacher's lesson fees are a bit expensive for me."

Asking questions also cost money.

Addison had corresponding Sorcery lessons, each lasting half an hour and costing one Gold Coin.

During the lessons, Sorcery would be explained and doubts would be answered.

In the world of Wizards, all knowledge had a price, and it wasn't cheap.

"That's true."

Hibel nodded and said with a smile:

"Why don't you ask me? My lesson fees are only half of the mentor's, and I can answer basic questions too."

"Can I?" Karl's eyes lit up.

Most of the questions he wanted to ask were about basic knowledge and common sense in the world of Wizards. It didn't matter who he asked.

"No problem," Hibel said.

"I believe my mentor won't mind."

She was a child adopted by Adolf, so not exactly an outsider. However, Karl still had a question:

"Are all wizards short on money?"

"Of course."

Hibel sighed, "Especially those of us who do potion research. All sorts of sorcery materials and knowledge cost money. After all, not every Wizard Apprentice is like Robert."

"Robert?" Karl asked, "Dr. Robert?"

The doctor who could add a few centimeters to a man's height.

He was actually a Wizard Apprentice?

But then again, it made sense. After all, only sorcery could possess such magical abilities.

"Him," Hibel said, resting her chin on her hand. "Although Robert is only an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice, he has mastered a unique sorcery, rumored to be related to flesh and blood."

"This makes his wealth even surpass our mentor's. Truly enviable."

Uh...

Karl gave an awkward chuckle, unsure if Hibel knew the specifics of Robert's sorcery.

He immediately changed the subject: "Let's get back to class."

In class.

Hibel looked at Karl with some surprise. "Your understanding of the Meditation Method and the Lesser Force Field is profound. It's hard to imagine you only recently started dabbling in sorcery."

"What a shame!"

She sighed regretfully. "I was hoping to earn more lesson fees from you, but it seems that plan won't work now. After a few more lessons, you probably won't need to see me anymore."

"When the Lord of Dawn closes one door, he also opens a window," Karl said. "Perhaps it's precisely because my cultivation Talent isn't high that my understanding of sorcery is so rapid."

A flawless version, checked one by one!

"That's an interesting way to put it," Hibel chuckled. "Unfortunately, in reality, if the Lord of Dawn closes your door, he'll also casually seal the window."

"Hmm..."

"You don't need to be surprised. Most wizards are broadly religious, which is why I made a joke about the Lord of Dawn."

Karl composed himself, showing understanding. For wizards pursuing knowledge and truth, wholeheartedly believing in a single Deity was impossible. The fact that The Church allowed these "heretics" to exist also spoke volumes about the wizards' power.

"Senior Sister," he said. "Besides wanting to hear the teacher explain sorcery, I also have some things I'd like him to examine."

"The teacher isn't here, can you help me appraise them?"

"Of course," Hibel puffed out her chest. "As a potion master, appraising unknown items is a fundamental skill. But as you know..."

She made a universal gesture.

Karl understood. "Knowledge requires payment."

"Exactly!"

"How much?"

"Given that you're my junior brother and this is your first appraisal, I'll charge you the fee for two lessons," Hibel said. "Is that okay?"

Two lessons, meaning one Gold Coin.

Karl breathed a sigh of relief. "No problem."

He could afford that much.

He then opened the package he brought, laying out the items inside on the table.

"Huh?"

Hibel subconsciously picked up a Black Stone, then her face showed regret:

"I thought it was a Magic Stone..."

"Where did you get this ore? It has a slight Yin attribute, which can be used to refine weapons and armor. It's a decent ore material."

"My grandfather went to the battlefield and got some spoils of war. He just piled some things in the warehouse without knowing what they were," Karl explained.

"So I brought them to take a look."

"Mhm."

Hibel had only asked casually. After putting down the Black Stone, she picked up the tail of an unknown beast.

"This is an Ember Rat's tail. It tastes similar to grass roots and is one of the ingredients for making Rage Potions. Collecting a hundred of them can be exchanged for a Magic Stone."

"Gloomy Spider silk. It's said to be usable for making an Invisibility Cloak, but this amount is too little to be valuable."

"..."

"Eh!"

Hibel pinched some powder, examined it closely, and her expression gradually became excited.

"Necromancer Dust! This is a good thing!"