Kalan and Alice

Greenleaf Road is one of the main thoroughfares in Fenlai City.

The tallest building in the entire eastern part of the city belongs to the Radiant Church.

Within the Holy Union, the six major kingdoms and fifteen duchies are all controlled by the Radiant Church.

Therefore, even in the eastern part of Fenlai City, an area controlled by the royal family, the Radiant Church remains the tallest structure.

"Why are there so many people?"

Linley looked at the crowd gathering in front of the Radiant Church, appearing somewhat surprised.

"Naturally, it's because of the rumor that a disciple of some ninth-level mage is coming to participate in the Magic Test."

Yale walked up to Linley's side, arms crossed, a smile on his face.

"Because of me?" Linley was a bit puzzled. "In any case, it's just a rumor. Besides, I'm not my teacher; is all this really necessary?"

"Is it necessary?" Yale looked at Linley, speechless. "This is a ninth-level mage! The entire Fenlai Kingdom doesn't have a single ninth-level mage belonging to the kingdom, not even the Dawson Chamber of Commerce. Even if it's just a rumor, they'll come to see for themselves. As long as they can get to know you, they have a chance to truly meet a ninth-level mage!"

Yale's words made Linley realize that the identity of the teacher he had fabricated actually held such immense influence.

"See that? That's the Duke, the King's own younger brother." Yale pointed out with his eyes. "That's the Prince, the future King, and those over there are all Marquises..."

Almost all the most powerful people in the entire Fenlai Kingdom, aside from the King himself, had come here.

The carriage of the Dawson Chamber of Commerce also attracted many people's gazes.

Especially the physique of Munro Dawson, which made him stand out too much in the crowd.

While Linley and Yale were still talking, a group of nobles walked toward the carriage.

"President Munro, long time no see." Patterson, dressed in a black robe, spoke with a smile. "And who is this?"

"Long time no see, Duke Patterson." Munro nodded slightly. "This is Baron Hogg. Hogg, this is Duke Patterson, King Clayde's own younger brother, and also the Minister of Finance for the Fenlai Kingdom."

"Greetings, Duke." Hogg bowed slightly. "Hogg pays his respects."

If this had been before, Hogg would never have had the opportunity to stand in front of Patterson.

But now, with the growth of his strength, Hogg actually didn't place much importance on power in his heart.

"This is Prince Kale, this is Count Bernard, this is..."

Munro introduced them to Hogg one by one, and Hogg greeted them with a smile.

"Mr. Munro, Mr. Hogg." Bernard spoke with a smile. "This is my son, Kalan, and his classmate, Alice. They are both students at the Welin Magic Institute."

"Hello, Mr. Munro! Hello, Mr. Hogg!"

Kalan and Alice both spoke, greeting Hogg.

Kalan's noble etiquette was very precise, but Alice, on the other hand, looked somewhat awkward while bowing, which made Hogg frown slightly.

Although Hogg now valued strength more.

But as the patriarch of a family with thousands of years of heritage, Hogg was still someone who valued noble traditions deep down.

Clearly, Alice, a girl who couldn't even perform noble etiquette properly, did not please Hogg.

"Hello, little ones." Munro smiled, his face bunching up. "You peers have more to talk about. Yale, go greet the young lady and gentleman."

"Over here~"

Hearing his father's words, Yale leaned against the carriage and waved at the two of them.

"Hello, my name is Kalan, and this is Alice." Kalan stepped forward and spoke first. "We are both nine years old and attend the Welin Magic Institute."

"Don't be so stiff." Yale rolled his eyes at Kalan, who was acting like a little adult. "There are no adults here, and this isn't a noble banquet. Relax."

Meanwhile, Alice, who was beside Kalan, walked up to Linley and spoke directly: "Hello, my name is Alice. What about you?"

Linley nodded slightly and said, "Hello, my name is Linley."

Strictly speaking, this was the first time Linley had spoken to a girl.

The ones in Wushan Town didn't count.

Country girls were tougher than boys from a young age.

Not to mention, Alice was indeed a beauty; although she was only nine, one could already see the outlines of her features.

She was as delicate as a porcelain doll.

Seeing Linley speak to her, a smile instantly appeared on Alice's face: "Is it true what they say about you being taken as a disciple by a ninth-level mage?"

"It's true." Linley nodded slightly. "But my teacher is about to break through to the Saint-level, so he could only let me come to the Magic Institute to study."

"Wow, it's actually true." Alice held her hands to her chest. "Can you tell me, what is a ninth-level mage like?"

"Hello, Linley." Kalan interrupted before Alice could finish. "My name is Kalan, a first-level warrior."

As he spoke, Kalan even flexed his muscles for Linley.

Being a first-level warrior at nine years old, Kalan could be considered to have some talent in the path of the warrior.

But, although Linley, who stood before him, was only eight years old, he was already an eighth-level warrior, and with his Dragon Transformation, he was at the peak of the ninth level.

Therefore, in Linley's eyes, Kalan's showing off was no different from children playing house.

Although, it must be said, Linley was actually a year younger than Kalan.

Consequently, Linley simply nodded slightly, treating it as a response.

But in Kalan's eyes, Linley was mocking him.

Especially since he was mocking him right in front of Alice.

"Linley, it wouldn't be a lie that you were taken as a disciple by a ninth-rank magus, would it?" Kalan raised his head and increased his volume. "There are many swindlers these days; don't let yourself be fooled."

After Kalan spoke, Yale looked at him as if he were looking at an idiot.

Meanwhile, not far away, the many nobles who had been conversing turned their heads with dark expressions on their faces.

"Count Bernard." Patterson spoke with a somewhat cold tone. "Your Excellency has truly taught your son well!"

"My apologies, Your Grace, Mr. Munro, Mr. Hogg, and everyone else, truly my apologies." Bernard spoke hurriedly. "Kalan has been training too hard lately and hasn't woken up fully yet; I will take him back to rest right now."

As he spoke, Bernard turned and walked behind Kalan, nodded in a friendly manner toward Linley and Yale, and then grabbed Kalan by the collar to lead him away.

"Father, Father, what are you doing?" Kalan struggled continuously as he was held by the collar. "Let go of me, Father, Alice is still watching!"

Bernard roared in a low voice with a dark face: "Shut up!"

Seeing Bernard's expression, Kalan finally realized that his father was truly angry, so he had no choice but to shut his mouth.

However, even until they boarded the carriage and left the Radiant Church, Kalan still did not know what mistake he had committed.

Looking at his son, who wore a bewildered expression opposite him, Bernard could not help but feel exhausted. "Still haven't figured out what you did wrong?"

Kalan lowered his head and did not speak, responding only with silence.

"Think about what you just said." Bernard explained with a sense of frustration at his son's lack of progress. "Do you think they hadn't considered that Linley apprenticing under a ninth-rank magus might be fake? Are you the only smart person in the entire world?"

Hearing his father's explanation, Kalan opened his mouth, his voice somewhat dry. "I, I just said it off the cuff at the time."

"Off the cuff?" Bernard raised his voice. "Your 'off the cuff' remark didn't just provoke a disciple of a ninth-rank magus for our family, it also provoked the Kingdom's Minister of Finance and many other high-ranking officials, and even the Dawson Chamber of Commerce. Do you know how much business our family conducts with the Dawson Chamber of Commerce?"

"I'm sorry, Father." Kalan spoke hurriedly. "Is there any way to remedy this?"

"Just wait!" Bernard sighed. "Tonight, His Majesty will likely hold a banquet; you will come with me to the royal palace then."

The departure of the father and son was merely an interlude; the atmosphere among the crowd in front of the Radiant Church quickly recovered.

And just at this moment, the gates of the Radiant Church opened, and a priest in white robes along with many church knights walked out from within.

The Magic Test, begin!