Bernie and the Fifth Magic Workshop

"Li Si, why did you take so long to get here?"

The moment he heard that voice, Li Si immediately knew who it was.

A handsome young man emerged from the door that had opened in the Magic Workshop. His short, slightly curly brown hair complemented the gentle expression on his face.

"Long time no see, Bernie. I ran into a little trouble on the way and just dealt with it." Li Si shrugged.

"Who would dare cause you trouble?" Bernie frowned, somewhat puzzled. In his eyes, Li Si was such a low-key person, and he even held a noble title. Who could be so reckless?

"Nothing major. But since you were waiting for me here, does that mean the matter of inviting me has something to do with you?" Li Si did not mention Camus and the others. He was still waiting for their next move.

Seeing that Li Si did not want to talk about it, Bernie did not press further and merely kept it in mind.

"You guessed it?" Bernie smiled. "I'm studying under Teacher Daher, remember? Teacher finally got approval for the usage rights to the academy's Fifth Magic Workshop. We were short on people, so I brought you up to him."

Though Bernie made it sound casual, the chance to study in the academy's Fifth Magic Workshop was extraordinarily rare. Especially for students from ordinary backgrounds, this might be their only opportunity to receive the finest magical instruction.

A Magic Workshop ranked among the top five at Fiss Royal Magic Academy could, in a sense, also rank among the top five in the entire Fies Kingdom.

Not to mention that the Fies Royal Mages were normally stationed at Fiss Royal Magic Academy. Their commander was the Legendary Mage Fran Stephens, the Flame of Judgement. That alone showed just how formidable the academy was.

So Bernie had indeed secured a remarkably valuable opportunity for him. Still, Li Si did not stand on ceremony. It might have been immensely precious to others, but for Bernie, it was not such a difficult matter.

If Camus, who had caused him trouble earlier, could rank in the top ten among students of Li Si's year, then the person before him was a genius who could rank among the top three students of the academy over the past decade.

As the prized disciple of Magic Rune Master Yousef Daher, Bernie had long since broken through to become an Intermediate Mage. His talent in Runeology had astonished everyone, and at such a young age, he had already become an Intermediate Magic Rune Master.

Though Bernie came from a commoner family, he had never wallowed in self-pity or resented and envied others after entering the academy. Instead, he had earned growth and progress through his own efforts, making his way step by step to where he was now.

What puzzled the others at the academy was that Bernie Bevin, who came from a commoner background; Mora Karl, the second young master of the Golden Vine Merchant Guild; and Li Si Kane, a Court Viscount, had been as close as long-lost brothers reunited ever since they enrolled. Their bond was exceptionally strong.

If Mora had not preferred doing business and making money over continuing his magical studies, Bernie likely would have secured him an opportunity to study at the Fifth Magic Workshop as well.

The same was naturally true for Li Si. In his memories, he had once provided Bernie with all kinds of precious resources. Bernie could even freely enter and use his underground laboratory, where outsiders had never been allowed.

So this time, Li Si naturally did not say any words of thanks.

"Where is Master Daher?" Li Si followed Bernie into the Magic Workshop. The opened wall closed behind him, leaving no trace that this was the passage in and out of the workshop.

"After all, Teacher only just got approval for the Fifth Magic Workshop, so there's still plenty of preparation to do." Bernie pointed at the various boxes of different sizes piled by a nearby wall.

"Teacher just finished calibrating the workshop's Magic Intelligent Life. He's probably applying to the academy for various resources right now."

"Oh, right." A Magic Aura flashed in Bernie's hand, and a somewhat cold female voice rang out.

"Mr. Bernie, how may I assist you?"

"This is Li Si Kane. He is a newly joined assistant. Enter his information into the records."

"Understood, Mr. Bernie." As the voice faded, a beam of white light swept across Li Si's entire body from somewhere unknown.

"Personnel information has been recorded. Welcome, Mr. Li Si. You have Level Three access to the Fifth Magic Workshop."

Though Li Si had seen quite a few Magic Intelligent Life forms in games in his previous life, this was his first time encountering one in this world. He could not help feeling curious.

"This is the Magic Intelligent Life of the Fifth Magic Workshop. Teacher hasn't had time to give it a name yet. Once you have authorization, you can enter and leave normally. But you still can't access certain important places, like Teacher's laboratory and storage room."

As Bernie introduced the place, he led Li Si on a slow tour of the workshop.

The interior of the Magic Workshop was more luxurious than it appeared from outside. Although there was not much decoration, magnificent Fies Carpets had already been laid across the floor. The magical patterns traced over the dark gray walls emitted faint, dreamlike glimmers, creating a clean yet grand atmosphere.

With an intelligent life form present, Bernie did not need to worry about the workshop's cleaning and maintenance. The preconfigured Cleanse Spell could handle those tasks perfectly.

The first and second floors contained public rest areas and several ordinary laboratories, while the third floor housed large laboratories that had already been fitted with some precious equipment.

"Teacher plans to turn the third floor into a Runeology research room. The fourth floor and everything above it are Teacher's private laboratories and quarters, so I normally don't go up there casually." Bernie pointed overhead. "But I'm basically responsible for this laboratory on the third floor. If you want, you can study magic here with me."

Li Si carefully examined the place. The ordinary research rooms on the second floor alone had equipment comparable to the laboratory beneath his estate, which had cost most of the Kane Family's savings. Not to mention the obviously more advanced experimental equipment on the third floor.

For example, the Element Stabilizer to Li Si's left was fully two sizes larger than his own. It should be capable of stabilizing the elements for high-level spells.

As for the Magic Rune Engraving Device on the other side, the more Li Si looked at it, the more something seemed off. That silver-white sheen on the matching engraving pen... could it be mithril?

Seeing Li Si's curiosity toward the Magic Rune Engraving Device, Bernie introduced it to him.

"This engraving device doesn't belong to the laboratory. It was Teacher Daher's personal device before. He plans to ask the academy for a better replacement this time, so he gave this one to me."

Li Si was somewhat speechless. "Why is Master Daher so good to you? He's even willing to let you use this set of equipment?"

Yousef Daher was one of the top three advanced Magic Rune Masters in the Fies Kingdom. The Magic Rune Engraving Device he had used before was incredibly valuable, yet he had simply given it to Bernie. It seemed he truly regarded Bernie as his inheriting disciple.

"That is Teacher's care for me." Bernie nodded, speaking with emotion.

"I've been helping Teacher organize the workshop and sort through things lately. I didn't even attend Mora's birthday party. It's a pity."

"It's fine. You know that guy. He won't care about something like that," Li Si said indifferently.

"It looks like your laboratory is almost ready. What are you researching now? Is there anything I can do?"

"Oh, I've been studying Enchantment Solidification. I've made a little progress."