Funeral

"Lewin Andrew."

"Strength: Level 7 Warrior."

"Potential: Saint-level limit."

A Level 7 Warrior was considered a significant figure even in the Fenlai Kingdom, and with this, Lewin felt much more confident about hunting in the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

The next day, Lewin left the Welin Warrior Academy and headed toward Fenlai City.

Today was the day for the magic aptitude test, held at the Church of Light.

The Church of Light was located on Greenleaf Road and was the tallest building in the East City.

The square in front of the church gates was almost entirely occupied by various carriages, and hundreds of people—children coming for the magic test and their families—had gathered near the entrance.

The crowd waiting in the square was clearly divided into two circles.

One consisted of nobles from within Fenlai City, dressed in fine clothing and speaking loudly.

The other consisted of commoner families from Fenlai City and minor nobles from the countryside who had traveled from afar, like Linley.

The nobles within Fenlai City looked down upon those in the other circle, their eyes filled with disdain as they pointed and gossiped.

Several priests in white robes emerged from the church, and under their guidance, everyone entered the building in an orderly fashion for the testing.

On the Yulan Continent, mages were a symbol of status and power; a mage of the same rank held a higher position than a warrior of the same rank. Whether or not one had magical talent determined their future fate to a certain extent.

Lewin saw Linley and Hillman. He pretended to be a guardian bringing a child and followed behind them into the church.

Walking through the main gate, they entered a hall paved with marble.

Huge crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling of the hall, which was so vast that it didn't feel crowded even with hundreds of people inside.

Admissions teachers from various magic academies and the priests responsible for the testing were seated within the hall.

All the children went to the testing point in the center of the hall one by one.

The test consisted of two parts: one was using a crystal ball to test elemental affinity to see which elements one was suited to study, and the other was testing spiritual energy within a magic array to see if there was any possibility of becoming a mage.

Watching the children being tested one by one, Lewin remembered when he had taken the test himself.

His results back then were high-grade affinity for the light element, and his spiritual energy was twice that of his peers—not enough to meet the standard for a mage.

I wonder what the result would be if I tested now, Lewin muttered to himself.

His potential had already been greatly improved, so he figured his test results would certainly be better than before.

Finally, it was Linley's turn, and the crystal ball lit up with a dazzling radiance.

The brighter the light, the higher the elemental affinity. Linley's affinity for the wind and earth elements was super-grade, and his fire element affinity was mid-grade.

In terms of spiritual energy, Linley was sixteen times that of his peers.

After meeting Doehring Cowart, Linley had begun practicing magic and was already a Level 1 Mage, so passing the magic test was not a problem.

As soon as Linley's test ended, admissions teachers from various magic academies swarmed him, promising all sorts of generous conditions to recruit him.

However, in the end, Linley chose the Ernst Institute, the number one magic academy on the Yulan Continent.

"Witnessed Linley entering the Ernst Institute, potential upgrade count +1."

"Add points!"

"Lewin Andrew."

"Strength: Level 7 Warrior."

"Potential: Lowgod."

"Potential upgrade count: 0."

Looking at the changes on the system panel, Lewin was very satisfied.

According to the system's prompt, the next witnessing event would be in eight years, when he would witness Linley carving the sculpture "Awakening."

These eight years would be the time Linley spent studying and improving at the Ernst Institute.

Under the guidance of Doehring Cowart, Linley would begin learning stone carving.

Doehring Cowart's "Flat Blade School" of stone carving was highly effective for improving spiritual energy. Relying on the Flat Blade School, Linley's spiritual energy would advance by leaps and bounds, making him one of the two great geniuses of the Ernst Institute, alongside Dixie.

Over these eight years, Linley would meet his three roommates—Yale, George, and Reynolds, who would become as close as brothers—as well as his future lover, Delia, and would also experience the pain of a failed first love.

After his first love ended, Linley would pour the pain of his heartbreak into his stone carving, creating the sculpture "Awakening." Linley would use this to emerge from the haze of his emotions, and at the same time, his spiritual energy would break through, making him a Level 7 Mage.

"Eight more years. Let little Linley grow well during these eight years," Lewin thought, taking one last look at Linley, who was surrounded by the crowd, before turning to leave the church.

In order not to change Linley's growth trajectory, Lewin decided to avoid participating in events related to him as much as possible. During these eight years, he would also focus on cultivating and becoming stronger.

Lewin left the church and walked along Greenleaf Road. Before long, he saw the mansion of the Andrew Family.

Lewin had not intended to go in, but he saw white cloth hanging from the mansion's gate, and carriages were stopping in front of it one after another.

The carriages were not small, clearly belonging to nobles, but they were entirely black, a stark contrast to the luxury of typical noble carriages.

Noble men and women with distinguished appearances stepped out of the carriages one by one and entered the Andrew Family mansion.

These noblemen and noblewomen were all dressed in black.

As soon as Liewen saw this, he understood that the Andrew Family was currently holding a vigil for Joseph.

A few days ago, Liewen had heard the news that Joseph had passed away due to illness.

According to the traditions of the nobility in the Fenlai Kingdom, when a noble passed away, their children were required to hold a vigil for seven days, after all of which a priest from the Radiant Church would preside over the funeral before the body was interred in the noble cemetery.

After Joseph died, the Andrew Family did not notify Liewen to attend the vigil, so Liewen had not gone; however, now that he was already at the door, it would be inappropriate for him to leave immediately. Since they were father and son, he had to pay his respects regardless.

"Count Juno of the Fenlai Kingdom, arriving—"

"Viscount John of the Fenlai Kingdom, arriving—"

"Marquess Nobo of the Fenlai Kingdom, arriving—"

The attendant at the entrance of the Andrew Family estate shouted out each time he greeted a noble.

Liewen walked up to the entrance.

The attendant recognized Liewen and froze, unsure whether he should announce him.

Helen and Danton certainly would not welcome Liewen, but it was only human nature for Liewen to come and pay his respects to Joseph. As a mere attendant, he dared not make the decision, nor did he know if he should stop Liewen.

While the attendant was stunned, Liewen walked into the Andrew Family estate.

Joseph's coffin was in the main hall of the estate, draped in black velvet.

Helen and Danton were kneeling to the side. The nobles who came to pay their respects stepped forward one by one, bowed to Joseph's coffin, and then offered their condolences to Helen and her son, who would return the gesture with a "thank you."

Upon seeing Liewen, Helen and Danton's expressions darkened instantly, their gazes filled with hatred.

Helen said coldly, "What are you here for? Still not giving up, hoping for the Andrew family's wealth? Let me tell you, don't even think about it!"

Liewen couldn't be bothered to deal with them; he bowed to Joseph's coffin and intended to leave.

"Liewen, you've come."

As Liewen turned, he saw a tall, elderly man.

"Greetings, Marquess Nobo." Liewen greeted the old man.

Marquess Nobo was a close friend of Joseph and a warrior of the eighth rank, holding a high status in the Fenlai Kingdom.

Years ago, it was he who had tested Liewen's warrior talent.

Marquess Nobo's gaze shifted between Liewen and the mother-son duo, and he sighed inwardly.

How could he not understand the inheritance struggle between nobles?

He knew of the arrangements Joseph had made before his death.

Although he was a close friend of Joseph, he was ultimately an outsider and found it difficult to say anything more.

Marquess Nobo patted Liewen on the shoulder and walked to the side.

Liewen headed toward the main gate.

Just then, another noble arrived to pay his respects.

"Duke Paterson of the Fenlai Kingdom, arriving—"

Paterson?

Liewen looked toward the newcomer. The man had long golden hair, eyes like a hawk, and a straight posture, exuding a natural noble air.

Paterson was the younger brother of King Clayde of the Fenlai Kingdom and a warrior of the seventh rank.

Liewen had not expected Paterson to appear. The Andrew Family was considered a middle-tier noble family in the Fenlai Kingdom, while Paterson was a top-tier noble.

There were actually social circles among the nobility; for a funeral like Joseph's, those who came were mostly middle-tier nobles or lower, with only Marquess Nobo being a top-tier noble.

However, Marquess Nobo had come due to his personal friendship with Joseph.

Liewen did not dwell on it, though.

Paterson had some involvement in Linley's growth, but Liewen had no intention of interacting with him, and the two brushed past each other.

Paterson was also somewhat surprised to see Liewen and glanced at his retreating back.

Paterson walked to the coffin, bowed, and then whispered into Helen's ear, "Why did that brat come here?"

"I don't know. Perhaps he still hasn't given up."

"Rest assured, with me here, he won't be able to stir up any trouble."

Paterson looked around; there were no other nobles coming to pay respects for the moment. At Helen's signal, Danton went to attend to Marquess Nobo and the other nobles, leaving only Paterson and Helen by the coffin.

Paterson quietly took Helen's hand.

"I've missed you."

A faint blush appeared on Helen's still-charming face, and she whispered, "I'll come find you tonight."

"No, I will come find you—right here."