Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice

As the last rune was recorded in Charles's mind, all the runes began to emit a faint glow.

The glowing runes connected into lines, bringing about changes in Charles's body.

His mental power began to surge and strengthen.

In a meditative state, Charles's mental power could leave his body and observe the surrounding environment through it.

At the same time, he could capture the scattered traces of magical power around him.

Recalling the method from Wood's cultivation notes, Charles began absorbing those magical particles.

His mental power was like tentacles, catching the magical power and drawing it back into his body. The magical particles slowly condensed within his mental space.

Before long, he began to feel tired.

Magical particles could erode the body. Having only just advanced to a Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice, Charles could not absorb too much magical power.

When Charles opened his eyes, Molly had already dozed off, still clutching that bottle of Mental Power Potion in her hand.

Charles rose to his feet and felt the changes in his body. He had now become a Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice, but he had yet to master any spells. He had magical power, but no corresponding combat ability.

Even so, he was much stronger than before. As a Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice, Charles could already use his mental power to affect other things.

His mental power wobbled as it lifted the water cup from the table.

The sight brought a smile to Charles's face.

He looked at the sky outside. It was nearly evening, and now that he had become a Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice, Charles had no desire to remain in the middle deck cabin any longer.

He did not want to go through another experience like last night's.

Charles walked toward the door, but halfway there, he turned to look at the drowsy Molly.

He patted Molly's wine-red hair and woke her.

Molly raised her head blankly. "Hm?"

Charles said, "I've become a Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice. I'm going to the upper deck now. Do you want to come with me?"

"Hm?"

"Hm!!"

A second ago, Molly was still confused. The next, her eyes widened.

She gripped the Mental Power Potion in one hand and pointed at Charles with the other. "You!"

"Th-this... you!?"

Molly was so shocked she could barely speak. After struggling for quite a while, she finally squeezed out, "Is this potion really that powerful?!"

Charles chuckled. "Maybe."

Then he said, "It's getting dark. I can definitely go to the upper deck, but you might not be able to."

"Are you sure you want to come with me now? If I get in but you can't, you'll have to come back alone."

Molly hesitated when she heard that, but she still gritted her teeth and said, "I'm coming with you!"

Charles nodded slightly. Wearing his light armor and carrying his sword, he led Molly out.

The ship was not small, but it was not that large either. Before long, they arrived at the stairs leading to the upper deck cabins.

A squad of knights guarded the place, all clad in heavy armor. However, judging by their combat ability, they were far stronger than Charles.

As Charles started up the stairs, a knight stretched out a hand to stop him. Lowering his helmet, he peered at Charles through the slit.

"Stop!"

"Only Wizard Apprentices may enter the upper deck cabins!"

Charles took a step back and said, "I'm already a Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice. You can call someone to verify it."

The knight immediately nodded. "Wait here!"

One of the guarding knights left the group and headed upstairs.

Before long, a Wizard Apprentice in a gray robe came down. He was also someone Charles somewhat knew.

Wood.

Wood looked at Charles, a smile tugging at his lips. "So it's you. Release your mental power, and I'll know whether you can go up."

Charles nodded respectfully. "Yes, Lord Wood!"

Then he released his mental power.

Wood nodded in satisfaction at the sight. "Not bad. You're a lucky fellow, breaking through to Wizard Apprentice at such a dangerous time."

"Come up!"

At Wood's words, the knights blocking the way stepped aside, opening a path.

At that moment, Molly grew nervous and clutched the corner of Charles's clothes tightly.

Charles sighed inwardly, but remembering that he had used Molly's potion, he still bowed and asked, "Lord Wood, may I bring a companion with me?"

"I heard that some people who aren't Third-Rank Wizard Apprentices can also go up."

Wood glanced at Molly, who stood behind Charles with her head lowered.

He walked down the stairs with a smile. "Yes, but also no."

"You can bring someone up, but not for free."

"Do you understand what I mean?"

Charles understood immediately. He took out Magic Stones and asked, "Lord Wood, I'm willing to pay the price."

Wood smiled. "I like smart people like you. Every Wizard Apprentice may bring one attendant or maid upstairs."

"I won't charge you too much for this person. Ten Magic Stones will do."

Charles sighed inwardly. The Magic Stones he had gotten from Molly had not even had time to warm in his hands before he had to give them away again, and add some of his own on top.

Charles respectfully took out ten Magic Stones.

Wood put away the Magic Stones, then turned and headed upstairs. "Follow me."

Charles and Molly hurriedly followed. Once they entered the upper deck, the first thing they saw was a brightly lit hall.

Dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of candles had been lit there, their flames illuminating the surroundings.

Wood casually summoned an attendant and instructed him, "Arrange lodging for them and explain the rules."

Then Wood left.

Charles and Molly followed the attendant. Though he was called an attendant, he was also a knight.

The knight led them to a room. After pushing open the door, he said respectfully, "My lord, this will be your room from now on."

"Fresh food will be available for selection in the hall every morning, noon, and evening."

"But it has been rather dangerous lately, so outside mealtimes, it would be best for you to remain in your room."

After giving the key to Charles, the attendant left the room.

Charles turned to look around the room. It was not particularly luxurious, but compared to the middle deck cabin he had stayed in before, it was far better.

The room was at least three times larger than before, and it even had a private bathroom.

Charles took a deep breath. The room carried the scent of incense.

For the past two days, all Charles had smelled was the fishy stench of Mermen. Now, he finally felt alive again.

He said with feeling, "Now this is living!"

Molly also ran her hand over the things in the room and sighed. "I kind of miss my room back in the kingdom."

"Back then, I wouldn't have even spared a glance for a room of this standard."

"But now, this room is a luxurious place that could only exist in dreams."

Charles laughed at that, then patted Molly on the butt and said, "Enough with that nonsense. Hurry up and pay me back!"

"To bring you up here, I even had to shell out five Magic Stones of my own!"

"What?!"