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Ouch, this wicked disciple either never comes back, or when he does, he brings so much delicious food.

Would I, his master, actually lack these snacks?

I do!

I really do!

For one, Lein wanted a proper meal, and for another, he had come to realize that since this broken world had dragons, it naturally had all sorts of absurd attribute resistances and immunities.

As long as he still wanted to make it in this world, there were many things he had to face.

Knowing that his monstrous first disciple was his greatest hope, Lein temporarily shelved the idea of taking on other disciples.

After finishing the dragon meat meal, a somewhat trembling Downs wisely knelt down: "Master, I've returned. I know I'm not yet qualified to be your direct disciple, but compared to those awkward people and things outside, I'd rather serve by your side, waiting for when you're in the mood to casually instruct me a few words, and I'll be very happy."

Lein lifted his eyelids: "Didn't your original lord offer you promotions and riches?"

Downs dared not hide anything and told the truth: "His Majesty Cervantes wished to hire me as a Royal Mage, with status and treatment equal to a Hereditary Viscount."

"Oh? Why didn't you accept?"

"I... I felt that wasn't the life I wanted." Downs recounted everything that had happened these past days one by one.

Whether it was the Earl of Ramanque or the King's Advisor of Ganis, neither had looked down on him. On the contrary, this generous treatment was too heavy for Downs, making the young mage feel suffocated. The key point was that Downs felt these big shots were all fixated on his teacher, not truly appreciating him personally.

"So I hope that when I truly become a mage capable of standing on my own, it won't be too late to emerge. In the future, whenever Master has any orders, I and my descendants will surely obey. Before that, please allow me to serve at your side. Master!"

Downs bowed deeply. This time, it was his complete formal apprenticeship and pledge of allegiance.

Lein half-closed his eyes. He had figured it out—this world's people were all about this: exchanging their loyalty, strength, and even lives for extraordinary power, knowledge, or status.

Offering one's life wasn't just empty talk. Because often, this service wasn't for one generation, but for several, even dozens of generations. True transcendents could bind the power of restraint into their servants' souls, extending it to their offspring. Unless a stronger mystical force helped break the contract, this bond could last for millennia.

Even without soul binding, adopting the mage academy system meant sharing glory and ruin alike.

Not to mention for Downs' entire life, the Quijote Family would most likely be retainers of Lein's lineage.

Lein didn't agree directly. He propped his cheek with his left hand and lifted his eyelids: "Heh! I thought you'd be content with your current status. Tell me, didn't the Earl of Ramanque send you any beautiful maidservants?"

Downs instantly flushed red: "Well, I still think magic is more interesting!"

Lein slapped his thigh: "That's right! Women only slow down our spellcasting!"

No boasting, no bashing! If this brat had tasted pleasure before his master, he would have kicked this rebellious disciple off the mountain no matter what.

Now it was fine.

A gleam flashed in Downs' eyes. He suddenly recalled his panicked flustered state when attacked by beautiful maidservants and had an epiphany: "So women really are a scourge!"

"Mm, women are a disaster, that's certain. This disaster, my disciple, you're too young to handle. If you really encounter it, let your master vet it for you first." Lein spouted nonsense with a straight face.

"Understood! Master!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lein patted his eldest disciple's shoulder: "Alright, let's leave it at that for now. I'll keep you here once more. Same as before, I only teach [knowledge]. How much you comprehend depends on your comprehension."

"Got it! Master!" Downs replied with immense excitement.

Next came more time for feasting.

The frost resistance provided by Ice Dragon meat was too damn crucial. Lein estimated that if he could earn 10 points of Frost Resistance, he might just make it through the Cold Pool and escape this godforsaken place.

Ideals were full, but reality was bare.

It was like the Sichuan People of the Celestial Empire saying 'not spicy' while having the most Proctology Hospitals in the country. After two consecutive successful judgments, the third time...

Man in the latrine, king of the pit, do not disturb!

Lein finally realized that some things couldn't be rushed, and being a Gambling Dog led to no good end.

He had to patiently regulate his stomach, then have a meal of White Dragon meat every other day.

On the other hand, after learning that His Majesty Cervantes' Embassy had been scared off by him unintentionally, Lein's little heart still trembled. He didn't know if his system would still work its magic when facing a true expert, smoothly handling that old monster who was at least two hundred years old.

If it turned out to be [Too advanced, not convenient to display], wouldn't his image as a reclusive master be exposed?

When Lein learned that a bunch of king-level big shots were waiting for him outside, the feeling was a bit like about to jump into a Crocodile Pool... Rather than hunting crocodiles and eating crocodile meat, it felt more like being served as a meal!

[Congratulations, Host. Legend +1 in the human world. The kings of various countries now know that in the Vulture Dragon Mountain, there is an extremely powerful human Legendary Archmage...]

Lein looked at this bit of legend with mixed feelings—both happy and troubled.

Sure, King Cervantes had sent him a pile of gifts: luxurious mage robes, magic books from before the Age of the End of Dharma, and even thoughtfully packed them in a waterproof cartilaginous box. (This magical box, seemingly made of pig soft bones, was actually sealed, not heavy, and could easily pass through waterways.)

But once people discovered that Lein's strength was insufficient and his reputation didn't match his power, the better the treatment now, the greater the backlash later.

Lein was even more aware that the current situation was like playing League of Legends. As a Jungler, the lane he should help most wasn't the losing one, but the winning one.

Relying solely on himself to advance to Legendary Mage would probably be quite difficult. Quickly building up Downs' strength and letting Downs bring greater bonuses to him as the master—that was the right path.

So that day, Lein tried to guide Downs' talent development direction.

"Downs, use this bucket to fetch water."

The good disciple looked at the broken bucket with a rotted plank, and although he didn't understand his master's intention, he still did as told.

By the lake, after filling a third of the bucket, it couldn't hold any more water.

After spending over an hour explaining a bunch of physics theories, Lein said with utmost seriousness: "[Science] is rigorous, and science is comprehensive. Many principles in the world are still universal. So when you study [Physics] under me, you can't have Partial Subjects and only study [Electromagnetism]. Subjects like [Thermodynamics] and [Fluid Mechanics], you'll need to dabble in them in the future too."

Downs listened in a fog, left with only a feeling of [Unfathomable, yet impressive].

"Let me give you an example. [Smoke] is actually solid, because smoke is made of countless tiny particles. But [Fog] is liquid, because what makes up fog is actually countless tiny droplets. Yet [Fog], in electromagnetism, becomes a [Conductor] that can transmit electricity. Alright, knowledge can't be swallowed whole. Go and ponder it yourself."

After repeatedly explaining the concepts of what a conductor and an insulator were, Lein once again patted his butt and left.

Leaving Downs standing there in a daze.