Apprentice Mage One

In the noble district of Giant Stone City stands a massive complex. It resembles the manor of a high-ranking noble, yet its spires and decorations lack the typical aristocratic opulence, favoring instead a strange style imbued with an aura of mystery.

Although the main gates are open for most of the day, few people are willing to approach. Even those passing by keep their heads down, not daring to speak above a whisper.

If you knew what this place was, you would understand that this is the natural awe people feel toward mysterious and formidable power.

Mage Associations are typically funded by local nobles and organized by resident mages. They serve as gathering spots for local spellcasters and provide various convenient services for traveling practitioners.

Compared to the large-scale mage organizations backed by royal families or major noble houses, the regulations of local Mage Associations are generally loose. This makes them attractive to the majority of free mages who dislike being constrained.

Because mages are so rare, these associations are usually only found in cities or larger settlements. For a local noble, having a Mage Association in their territory is highly beneficial; not only can they hire mages for tasks during peacetime, but when war breaks out, these mages often spontaneously contribute their strength to eliminate enemies and protect the territory.

One must realize that an ordinary low-level mage possesses destructive power equivalent to seven or eight warriors of the same rank, while a powerful high-level mage can easily wipe out an army of over a thousand men.

Beyond providing a space for mages to socialize and lodge, these associations are responsible for certifying mage qualifications. Typically, a small city's association can certify two professional ranks: Apprentice Mage and low-level mage.

Donald's goal this time is to obtain his Apprentice Mage qualification at the Giant Stone City Mage Association. Having an official status, even as a mere apprentice, creates a distinction from commoners and makes certain matters much easier to handle.

There are no guards at the entrance, yet it is not a place for just anyone to wander in, as the doorway is protected by a Mage Barrier. Aside from those wearing the association's badge, only spellcasters can enter.

The so-called Mage Barrier sounds impressive, but it is actually just a low-level trick used to identify mental energy. This barrier has virtually no offensive power; it merely causes those who are unqualified and attempt to force their way in to trip and fall. Invented a thousand years ago by an Arcanist apprentice of the Bannai Empire, it is highly favored by mages because it is simple to set up and effectively identifies whether a visitor is a spellcaster. It has been passed down to this day, named by later generations as the Mage Barrier.

Donald does not fully understand the principles behind this barrier, but that does not hinder his entry.

Extending a sliver of his mental energy—which is more robust and flexible than that of an average apprentice—Donald walked through the association gates with ease. Code and the three attendants, who had intended to follow their young master inside, were blocked at the threshold. They could only cast a glance inside before helplessly returning to the carriage and driving it out of Giant Stone City.

Before arriving at the Mage Association, Donald had already instructed them that he might be inside for quite some time, so he told Code to take the three attendants back, as there was still plenty to do at home. Upon returning, he would also need to hire a coachman in town; after all, he couldn't always have George and the others acting as drivers. They hadn't received any training, and just like a driver without a license would make a passenger feel uneasy, this was far from ideal.

Beyond the gate lies the main hall of the Giant Stone City Mage Association. While one can see some of the interior from the outside, the barrier's interference with mental energy makes everything appear blurry to outsiders. This only adds to the mysterious impression mages leave on the public.

Walking into this building for the second time, Donald felt a strange sense of nostalgia. The last time was when he was a young child, brought here by his grandfather to have his aptitude tested; his memory of it was already quite hazy.

Having integrated the original Donald's memories, he is increasingly accepting of this identity and has come to embrace everything associated with it.

After a few seconds of hesitation, Donald walked toward the front desk under the curious gaze of an attendant.

Seeing the youth in noble attire before him—who wore no entrance badge on his chest and did not look like a mage or an apprentice—the attendant in charge of reception felt a flicker of annoyance. He assumed the visitor had hidden his badge in his sleeve, which he considered a sign of disrespect toward the Mage Association.

Nobles who come to hire mages are usually gifted badges by their acquaintances, marking them as guests of the association so they can enter to find their contacts or post tasks at the front desk. Nobles who receive such badges always show sufficient respect to the mages, typically wearing them prominently on their chests.

"Excuse me, is there any Master currently available? I am Donald Melina, and I have come today hoping to undergo an assessment to become an official Apprentice Mage!"

The youth's voice, carrying a blend of youthful crispness and steady composure, interrupted the attendant's disgruntled assumptions.

"What?" The attendant snapped back to reality, asking in astonishment, "Could you please repeat that, sir? I didn't quite catch it."

"Certainly. I said I wish to undergo certification by a Master here at the association to become an official Apprentice Mage!"

This time, the attendant didn't let his mind wander. Having heard clearly, he widened his eyes, his face full of disbelief.

As a veteran attendant of the Mage Association, he had pulled every string to get hired here nearly a decade ago. He, too, had once yearned to be spotted by a Master and taken on as an official apprentice, which would have been a leap to a status and position comparable to that of a noble.

Unfortunately, a mage he served, who was in a good mood, once tested his aptitude and found his chances of becoming a mage were slim to none; he might have had a slight chance as a warrior, but nothing more.

This result left him deeply depressed and disillusioned, as he had longed for the mysterious and powerful status of a mage.

Nearly ten years had passed in the blink of an eye. He was no longer suited to be a mage, and the prime age for training as a warrior had long since slipped away. Now, he only hoped his children would possess excellent aptitude and become great mages. But even that wish had been shattered; his child's talent for magic was even worse than his own, forcing him to spend money to send the boy to a famous old warrior to learn combat techniques.

Yet, the appearance of this youth reignited his long-dormant longing, and this long-suppressed desire became stronger than ever. The boy looked no older than seventeen, was already a noble, and was a talented Apprentice Mage to boot!

His third child would be turning four in a few months. With the noble status and resources of this Apprentice Mage, becoming an official mage was a very real possibility. If he could get his son into the service of this noble apprentice—even as a menial servant—the boy would have a chance to come into contact with magical knowledge. If he had even a shred of talent, he might one day become an official apprentice himself!

Having spent ten years dealing with all sorts of people, the attendant's eye for character was perhaps sharper than that of many high-ranking figures.

Having made up his mind, the attendant decided he must build a good relationship with this future noble mage. He bowed humbly and politely:

"Respected sir, there are currently three Masters resting in the association. Two are Black Iron Mages, and the other is the only Silver Mage in the city, Master Messer. I will go and inquire for you. If the Masters have no urgent business, your certification test can begin immediately!"

Donald was quite satisfied with the attendant's attitude and placed a Gold Sol on the front desk.

"Thank you. Please go and inquire with the Masters for me."

Without a hint of greed, the attendant collected the Gold Sol, bowed, and retreated toward the rear lounge.

Donald still held great respect for powerful professionals. Without a hint of impatience, he stood patiently in the hall, admiring the murals and decorations.

This Mage Association was built with funds from all the mages and nobles in the North Shire, where Giant Stone City is located. The decorations are exquisite artworks that meet noble standards. However, out of consideration for the mages' status, the content of the murals has been replaced with scenes of great professionals from human history battling evil demons and various magical beasts—with mages, naturally, taking center stage.

Before long, the attendant hurried back, his face beaming with joy as he bowed to Donald:

"Congratulations, sir! The three Masters were very interested to hear that you have come for certification and have decided to conduct your professional assessment together to test your Apprentice Mage qualifications! Please, follow me."

Hearing this, Donald happily followed the attendant through the hall.

As they walked, the attendant lowered his voice and whispered to Donald: "Master Messer is the most powerful mage in North Shire. Not only is he a peak Bronze Mage with a spellcasting level of six, but he is also a Silver-ranked Alchemy Master. Being certified by Master Messer personally will be very beneficial to your future, so I hope you can win his favor. However, the other two—Master Naron, a mid-level Black Iron Mage, and Master Xue, a high-level Black Iron Mage who is currently away—are not very fond of young apprentices, especially those with talent. Please, sir, do be careful later!"

Donald looked at the attendant with some surprise, unable to fathom why he would be so helpful and offer such advice. Nevertheless, Donald was grateful for the man's care, nodded with satisfaction, and asked:

"I am very pleased with your help. May I know your name?"

The attendant broke into a wide grin, answering excitedly:

"Respected sir, my name is William. It is a great honor to receive your praise!"

"Very well, William. I will remember you. If you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, come to the manor in the eastern part of Red Maple Town to find me. If it is within my power, I will certainly help!"

Having received Donald's promise, the attendant William was too excited to speak. However, now was not the time to make a request, so he suppressed his excitement, bowed deeply to the young noble, and led him to the testing grounds.

The testing grounds of the Mage Association are located in an open area in the center of the complex, surrounded by buildings so that the mages' activities remain hidden from outsiders.

In the open space stand three humanoid targets carved from hard black rock.

At this moment, three male mages, all around fifty years of age and wearing mage robes without the traditional cloaks, are standing in the center of the testing grounds.