Identification

It was a day off.

Karl hired a carriage to take him to the estate outside the city.

He had accumulated many questions about Meditation Methods and sorcery lately, and urgently needed an experienced person to answer them. After all, knowledge did not come only from books.

Unlike the previous two times, today the road in front of Adolf's estate was crowded with carriages and people, bustling with activity.

"You didn't come at a good time."

Hibel came out to greet him and explained:

"There's a gathering of wizards going on in the Black Swamp. My mentor went there yesterday."

She gestured toward the busy crowd:

"They're taking goods with them and will be heading there over the next few days."

"The Black Swamp?" Karl had seen the region on the kingdom map. It was about five hundred miles north of Signo City, and he couldn't help asking, "Do people live there?"

Just as its name suggested, the Black Swamp covered an area as large as a city-state and was full of all kinds of dangerous wetlands.

There was also miasma that could eat away at flesh.

Not to mention people—even plants and animals were scarce there. It was a true no-man's-land.

"Ordinary people naturally couldn't survive in an environment like that, but wizards can," Hibel said.

"Grey Robe Wizard Addison lives in the Black Swamp. He's a Formal Wizard."

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

"Exchange?" Karl's interest was piqued. "Can you learn sorcery there?"

"Of course, as long as you have enough magic stones." Hibel turned around, her expression serious. "And you have to make it back alive."

"Hm?" Karl frowned. "Is it dangerous there?"

"Of course." Hibel nodded. "The world of wizards is always full of risks."

"It's not just dangerous creatures. Your fellow Wizard Apprentices can be a threat, too. It's not uncommon for fathers and sons to turn on each other over a sorcery or an Enchanted Item, let alone strangers with no ties to one another."

Karl's expression shifted.

If people found out he had mastered sorcery in such a short time, would they covet what he had, too?

How could he explain that he could construct a complex Spell Model despite not even having mastered the Meditation Method?

He couldn't tell anyone!

If Adolf harbored ill intentions, Karl would have no way to fight back.

I'd planned to reveal a little of my talent to draw attention, but now it seems safer to keep a low profile. There's no harm in being cautious.

"You really can be patient, though."

After they went into the living room and sat down, Hibel waved the servants away and said:

"People who've just entered the world of wizards are usually full of curiosity about it and have all kinds of questions."

"You learned the Meditation Method so long ago, yet this is only your second visit."

"I was afraid of disturbing my mentor." Karl smiled awkwardly. "Also..."

"I need to save up money. I'm just a fallen noble, and my mentor's fees are a little steep for me."

Asking questions cost money, too.

Adolf offered sorcery lessons. Each class lasted half an hour and cost one Gold Coin.

The lessons covered sorcery and answered questions.

In the world of wizards, all knowledge came at a price, and the price was steep.

"Fair enough."

Hibel nodded and smiled. "Why not ask me instead? My fee is only half my mentor's, and I can answer basic questions, too."

"Would that be all right?" Karl's eyes lit up.

Most of what he wanted to ask concerned basic knowledge and common sense about the world of wizards. It didn't really matter who answered.

"No problem," Hibel said. "I'm sure my mentor won't mind."

She was Adolf's adopted daughter, so she wasn't exactly an outsider. Still, Karl had one question:

"Are wizards all short on money?"

"Of course."

Hibel sighed.

"Especially those of us who research potions. Sorcery materials and knowledge all cost money. Not every Wizard Apprentice is like Robert."

"Robert?" Karl asked. "Doctor Robert?"

The doctor who could make men a few centimeters taller.

He was a Wizard Apprentice?

Then again, it made sense. Only sorcery could have such a miraculous effect.

"That's him." Hibel propped her chin on her hand. "Robert is only an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice, but he knows a unique sorcery. I hear it has something to do with flesh and blood."

"That's made him even richer than my mentor. I'm so jealous."

Uh...

Karl gave an awkward smile, unsure whether Hibel knew what Robert's sorcery actually involved.

He changed the subject at once.

"Let's get started with the lesson."

In the classroom.

Hibel looked at Karl in surprise.

"You have a deep understanding of the Meditation Method and the Lesser Force Field. It's hard to imagine you've only recently started learning sorcery."

"What a shame!"

She sighed, looking regretful.

"I was hoping to earn more lesson fees from you, but that doesn't look like it'll work out. After a few more lessons, you probably won't need to come to me anymore."

"The Lord of Dawn closes one door but opens a window," Karl said. "Maybe my talent for cultivation is lacking, which is why I understand sorcery so quickly."

This line was interesting," Hibel said with a smile.

"Unfortunately, if the Lord of Dawn closes a door on you, He might just seal the window shut, too."

"Hmm..."

"You don't need to look so surprised. Most wizards have only a loose faith, which is why I can joke about the Lord of Dawn."

Karl composed himself, showing that he understood.

For wizards who pursued knowledge and truth, devoting themselves wholeheartedly to a Deity was out of the question. The fact that the Church allowed these "heretics" to exist also showed just how powerful wizards were.

"Senior Sister," he began.

"I came today not only to have my mentor explain sorcery, but also because there are some things I'd like him to look at."

"My mentor isn't here. Could you identify them for me?"

"Of course." Hibel puffed out her chest. "As a potioneer, identifying unknown items is a basic skill. But you know..."

She made a familiar gesture.

Karl understood.

"Knowledge comes at a price."

"Exactly!"

"How much?"

"Since you're my junior and this is your first appraisal, I'll charge you for two lessons this time," Hibel said. "Sound good?"

Two lessons came to one Gold Coin.

Karl breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's fine."

He could afford that much.

He opened the bundle he'd brought and took out the various items inside, laying them on the table.

"Oh?"

Hibel picked up a piece of Black Stone without thinking, then looked disappointed.

"I thought it was a magic stone..."

"Where did you get this ore? It has a slight affinity for yin energy and can be used to forge weapons and armor. It's a decent material."

"My grandfather fought in a war and brought back some spoils. Some things were piled up in the storeroom without anyone knowing exactly what they were," Karl explained. "So I brought them here to have a look."

"Mm."

Hibel had only asked in passing. She set down the Black Stone and picked up the tail of some unknown beast.

"This is an Ember Rat's tail. It tastes a little like grass roots and is one of the ingredients used to make Rage Potions. If you collect a hundred, you can trade them for a magic stone."

"This is silk from a Gloomy Spider. They say it can be used to make an Invisibility Cloak, but there's too little here, so it's not worth much."

"..."

"Oh!"

Hibel pinched up a little powder and held it close to her eyes. Her expression gradually grew excited.

"Necromancer Dust! This is a good find!"