Doctor Wilkins

"You should know that I've always been studying Necromancy." Green got straight to the point without beating around the bush.

"Of course, my friend. You even showed me that Bone Whistle before. It was a fine magic item, though unfortunately damaged." Vincent smiled noncommittally.

"I succeeded." Green spoke without warning.

Vincent failed to react for a moment. "Succeeded at what..." But he quickly understood. His eyes widened as he stared at Green. "You mean... you've become a Necromancer! My brother, you aren't joking, are you? This is incredible!"

Hearing that Green had become a Necromancer, Vincent was so shocked that he subconsciously changed the way he addressed him.

Although the two had a good relationship, Green's nominal identity belonged to the Wilson Family, and he also held the title of baronet. The heir to a family was not allowed to address an apprentice steward as his brother. But if Green became a Necromancer, everything would change. The Wilson Family could not afford to hire a distinguished Formal Mage as a steward.

"Don't get excited, Vincent." Green smiled. "I'm only a Novice Necromancer Apprentice who has just entered the field. I still have a long way to go before becoming a Formal Necromancer."

Vincent, however, laughed heartily without caring in the slightest. "Don't be so modest, Green. Every Formal Mage started out as a magic apprentice. Congratulations, my brother! This is wonderful!"

Vincent was genuinely delighted. He had always had a good relationship with Green. If everything went smoothly, then after another twenty or thirty years, Green could advance to become a Formal Necromancer. By then, Vincent would only be in his forties when he inherited the family.

If the Wilson Family possessed a transcendent being of Formal Rank, it would bring unimaginable benefits to the family's development.

Besides, mages and knights were different. Knights followed a pattern of easy entry but difficult advancement. Talent was not highly demanded at the beginning, but once they reached the rank of Advanced Apprentice Knight, they would encounter a bottleneck. Proportionally, only five or six out of a hundred Advanced Apprentice Knights could advance to become Formal Knights. Mages were precisely the opposite. Their entry threshold was high; if their talent was insufficient and they could not condense magic power within their bodies, they could not even become magic apprentices. Once they became magic apprentices, however, advancing to Formal Rank was easier. Thus, as long as he did not die prematurely, Green had at least a fifty percent chance of becoming a Formal Necromancer.

"By the way, my brother, you said earlier that there was something you needed my help with?" Vincent asked eagerly, even more excited than Green himself.

"You know my situation best. Although I became a Necromancer apprentice through a twist of fate, I came from an unorthodox background and have no teacher to instruct me. I don't know any magic at all." Green explained his purpose.

Vincent immediately smiled without even thinking. "That's easy. Doctor Wilkins must have some Necromancy. I'll take you to see him."

That was exactly what Green had been waiting for. Doctor Wilkins was the Wilson Family's private Attendant, a Senior Magic Apprentice and a scholar. He held doctoral degrees in physics and philosophy from Royal Capital University, which was why he privately preferred others to address him as Doctor Wilkins.

Although Doctor Wilkins was an Evocation School mage, his knowledge was extensive, and he had dabbled in many branches of magic. Soul Summoning was only introductory Necromancy, so it should not be beyond him.

At this time, Doctor Wilkins was most likely in the meditation room on the top floor of the castle. Given Doctor Wilkins's age and magical attainments, he had a good chance of advancing to become a Formal Mage within three to five years. By then, both his strength and lifespan would undergo a qualitative leap, so even Viscount Paul treated him with considerable respect.

Vincent was extremely swift and decisive. He immediately took Green to the meditation room on the top floor of the castle.

The top floor of the castle was considered forbidden ground for the Wilson Family. Only the direct descendants of the Wilson Family, Steward Laurence, and a few other people could enter. That was why, even though Green knew where Doctor Wilkins lived, he still had to find Vincent and ask for his help.

The meditation room was located in the eastern tower on the top floor of the castle. It included a meditation room, laboratory, study, and bedroom, with a total area larger than that of an ordinary two-story house.

When Vincent brought Green there, Doctor Wilkins was conducting an experiment with two students. Beakers and iron cauldrons clanged nonstop, filling the room with a choking haze.

Doctor Wilkins wore a blue hooded mage robe trimmed with gold. The hood was down, revealing a head of white hair. In his thin hand, he held an ebony staff more than half a meter long. Although he was old, he was brimming with vigor, and the vitality surging from him was even more intense than that of a young man.

Vincent and Green did not dare disturb him, so they waited to the side while watching the experiment.

Vincent was a complete layman and could only enjoy the spectacle in broad strokes. Although Green was a magic apprentice, he had entered the field halfway through and was not much better than Vincent.

After waiting nearly half an hour, Doctor Wilkins's experiment finally ended. As expected, it had failed. That was the norm when mages explored the unknown. Even exchanging ninety-nine failures for one success counted as tremendous progress.

Doctor Wilkins then ordered his two students to clean up the laboratory, which was in complete disarray. He walked toward Green and Vincent. As he moved, he waved his staff and tapped himself with it. A layer of blue light immediately enveloped his body. In the next moment, the blue light receded, and all the dirt and grime on him had been swept away, leaving him spotless.

"Little Vincent, what brings you to my place? Have you finally decided to study magic under me?" Doctor Wilkins laughed heartily. At the same time, he noticed Green and could not help studying him a few extra times. Green's heart tightened. He guessed that Doctor Wilkins had used an investigative spell on him and had probably already discovered that he was a Novice Necromancer Apprentice. A trace of surprise appeared on the doctor's face.

Vincent replied with a smile, "I don't have the talent to become a mage, but this brother of mine—Green Wilson—actually condensed magic power through his own efforts and became a Necromancer without any teacher to guide him."

When Doctor Wilkins heard this, the expression on his face froze. He had only seen that Green was a Novice Apprentice of the Necromancy School, but he had not expected that the other man had succeeded through his own exploration. He scrutinized Green again, clicking his tongue in amazement. "Boy, did you really condense magic power entirely by yourself? You aren't playing a joke on this old man, are you?"

"Doctor Wilkins, my cousin Vincent's words are essentially true. However, I didn't rely entirely on myself either. I have a broken Bone Whistle in my possession. It was a magic item once used by a Necromancer. Although it has already been damaged, it still contains magic power. I only managed to succeed with the help of that Bone Whistle."

"A damaged magic item! Boy, are you sure you became a magic apprentice with nothing more than a broken magic item?" Doctor Wilkins was even more surprised. He shook his head repeatedly in wonder. By his common sense, let alone a damaged magic item, even a high-quality magic tool would have no effect whatsoever on becoming a mage. Yet he could also tell that Green and Vincent were not lying.

"Doctor Wilkins, how would I dare spout nonsense in front of you?" Green hurriedly explained, then stated his purpose. "It was truly an accidental success. Although I became a magic apprentice, I have no teacher to instruct me in magic. Doctor, you are widely learned and proficient in many schools of magic. I wonder if you could teach me one or two basic spells from the Necromancy School?"