Greenleaf Road was one of the main thoroughfares in Fenlai City.
The tallest building in the entire eastern district was the Radiant Church.
Within the Holy Union, the six kingdoms and fifteen duchies were all controlled by the Radiant Church.
So even in eastern Fenlai City, an area under royal control, the Radiant Church was still the tallest building.
"Why are there so many people?"
Linley looked at the crowds gathered in front of the Radiant Church, surprised.
"Because of the rumor that a certain Ninth-rank Mage's disciple is coming to take the Magic Test, of course."
Yale came up beside Linley, arms folded and a smile on his face.
"Because of me?" Linley asked, puzzled. "No matter what, it's only a rumor. Besides, I'm not my teacher. Is all this really necessary?"
"Is it really necessary?" Yale looked at Linley in disbelief. "We're talking about a Ninth-rank Mage. There isn't a single Ninth-rank Mage in the entire Fenlai Kingdom, and even the Dawson Chamber of Commerce doesn't have one. Even if it's just a rumor, people will come to see for themselves. If they can get acquainted with you, they might get the chance to meet a real Ninth-rank Mage!"
Yale's words made Linley realize just how much influence the teacher he'd invented had.
"See that? The man over there is a duke, the king's younger brother." Yale pointed him out with a glance. "That one's a prince, the future king. Those others are marquesses..."
Almost all the most powerful people in the Fenlai Kingdom, aside from the king himself, had come here.
The Dawson Chamber of Commerce's carriage was also attracting plenty of attention.
Munro Dawson's massive frame made him especially conspicuous in the crowd.
While Linley and Yale were still talking, a group of nobles approached the carriage.
"President Munro, it's been a long time." Patterson, dressed in black robes, smiled as he spoke. "And who might this be?"
"It's been a long time, Duke Patterson." Munro nodded slightly. "This is Baron Hogg. Hogg, this is Duke Patterson, King Clayde's younger brother and the Fenlai Kingdom's Minister of Finance."
"Greetings, Your Grace." Hogg bowed slightly. "A pleasure to meet you."
Before, Hogg wouldn't have had the chance to stand before Patterson.
But now, with his growing strength, Hogg had come to care less about power and status.
"This is Prince Kale. This is Earl Bernard. And this is..."
Munro introduced them one by one, and Hogg greeted each with a smile.
"Mr. Munro, Mr. Hogg." Bernard smiled. "This is my son, Kalan, and his classmate, Alice. They're both students at the Welin Magic Institute."
"Hello, Mr. Munro. Hello, Mr. Hogg!"
Kalan and Alice greeted Hogg.
Kalan's noble etiquette was impeccable. Alice, by contrast, seemed awkward as she bowed, making Hogg furrow his brow.
Though Hogg valued strength more now, as the head of a family with a history spanning thousands of years, deep down he still valued noble tradition.
Clearly, a girl like Alice, who couldn't even manage a proper noble bow, didn't appeal to him.
"Hello, kids." Munro's smile made his face bunch up. "You youngsters will have more to talk about. Yale, keep these two company."
"Over here~"
At his father's words, Yale leaned against the carriage and waved to them.
"Hello, I'm Kalan, and this is Alice." Kalan stepped forward and introduced himself. "We're both nine, and we study at the Welin Magic Institute."
"Don't be so stiff." Yale rolled his eyes at Kalan, who was acting like a little adult. "There aren't any adults here, and this isn't a noble's banquet. Relax."
Alice, standing beside Kalan, walked up to Linley and spoke directly. "Hi, I'm Alice. What's your name?"
Linley nodded slightly. "Hi, I'm Linley."
Strictly speaking, this was the first time Linley had ever spoken to a girl.
The girls in Wushan Town didn't count.
Country girls were even tougher than boys from the time they were little.
Besides, Alice really was beautiful. Though she was only nine, you could already make out the shape of the lovely young woman she would become.
She was as delicate as a porcelain doll.
When Alice saw Linley talking to her, a smile instantly appeared on her face. "I heard a Ninth-rank Mage took you on as a disciple. Is that true?"
"It is." Linley nodded slightly. "But my teacher is trying to break through to Saint-level, so he could only send me to study at the Magic Institute."
"Wow, it's true!" Alice clasped her hands to her chest. "Can you tell me what a Ninth-rank Mage is like?"
"Hello, Linley." Before Alice could finish, Kalan cut in. "I'm Kalan, a Rank 1 Warrior."
As he spoke, Kalan even showed Linley his muscles.
Being a Rank 1 Warrior at nine meant Kalan had some talent as a warrior.
But Linley, who was only eight, was already a Rank 8 Warrior, and could reach the peak of Rank 9 when he underwent Dragon Transformation.
So to Linley, Kalan's bragging was no different from a child's game.
Even though Linley was a year younger than Kalan.
Linley simply nodded in response.
But to Kalan, Linley was mocking him.
Especially since he was mocking him in front of Alice.
"Linley, is it a lie that a Ninth-rank Mage took you on as a disciple?" Kalan raised his chin and spoke louder. "There are plenty of swindlers these days. Don't let yourself get fooled."
After Kalan spoke, Yale looked at him as if he were an idiot.
Nearby, the nobles who had been chatting turned to look, their faces dark.
"Earl Bernard." Patterson's voice turned cold. "You certainly raised a fine son."
"I'm sorry, Your Grace, Mr. Munro, Mr. Hogg, and everyone else. I truly apologize." Bernard hurriedly spoke up. "Kalan has been training too hard lately and hasn't woken up properly. I'll take him back to rest right now."
With that, Bernard went around behind Kalan, nodded amicably to Linley and Yale, then grabbed Kalan by the collar and left.
"Father, Father, what are you doing?" Kalan struggled as Bernard dragged him by the collar. "Let go, Father! Alice is watching!"
Bernard's face darkened. "Shut up!" he growled.
Seeing his father's expression, Kalan realized he was truly angry, so he fell silent.
But even after they got into the carriage and left the Radiant Church, Kalan still had no idea what he'd done wrong.
Bernard looked at his bewildered son across from him and sighed inwardly. "You still haven't figured out what you did wrong?"
Kalan lowered his head and said nothing.
"Think about what you just said." Bernard explained, exasperated. "Did you really think no one else had considered the possibility that Linley hadn't actually become a Ninth-rank Mage's disciple? Were you the only clever one in the world?"
At his father's explanation, Kalan opened his mouth, his voice a little hoarse. "I-I just said it without thinking."
"Without thinking?" Bernard raised his voice. "Your careless remark has not only offended the disciple of a Ninth-rank Mage, but also the kingdom's Minister of Finance and a number of other important officials. And then there's the Dawson Chamber of Commerce. Do you know how much business our family does with them?"
"I'm sorry, Father." Kalan hurriedly said. "Is there any way to make it right?"
"Just wait." Bernard sighed. "His Majesty will probably hold a banquet tonight. You'll come with me to the Royal Palace."
Bernard and his son leaving was only a brief interlude. The atmosphere in front of the Radiant Church soon returned to normal.
Just then, the doors of the Radiant Church opened, and a white-robed priest came out with a group of Church knights.
The Magic Test was beginning!
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