"Silence!"
Celia let the apprentices rile up for a while, then shouted a little loudly, causing all of them to shut up immediately.
After all, she already said she was a disciple of the Fourth Ring wizard. Nobody was stupid enough to irk her at this point, though their faces weren't exactly pleased.
"It isn't that we are trying to abandon you after taking you out of that continent. But since you arrived early and the Arcane Assembly hasn't started yet, you all have to take care of yourselves."
Celia explained and then smiled.
"But don't worry. Although it isn't exactly the responsibility of the Mystic Circle, we aren't that heartless. Since you all are new and don't know about this place, we decided to give you all simple accommodation and food for free for one month."
Only when people were desperate would they recognize the value of the help they got.
Celia knew this too well.
So, when she brought up the one-month deal while explaining it wasn't a problem for them to survive, many apprentices visibly brightened.
"Of course, in this one month, you all have to get familiar with Runeshire City, find a job, and be able to survive on your own."
"Oh, if you don't want to waste your time working and waiting for the Arcane Assembly, I suggest you join the Mystic Circle. Although you guys have low talent, I'm sure our organization has a place for you. But it's all your choice, and you can take your time deciding."
'Tsk... can't you just say this directly? Why tease them like this?'
Seeing Celia finally get to the point, Ian rolled his eyes, speechless. This girl had her way with words.
In fact, Ian knew why Celia couldn't directly allow all of them to join the Mystic Circle.
Wasn't it because she was afraid of false accusations? After all, their job was to bring seeds from the Gravethrone, not gobble them up for themselves.
So, if they wanted to recruit anyone, they could only do so if the apprentices applied voluntarily.
But it seemed her method worked, as many apprentices were already whispering about joining the Mystic Circle.
Although she said their talent was low, she was comparing herself and maybe Ian with theirs. In reality, the majority of people on this continent had similar talents.
So, if all 17 of them joined the Mystic Circle, it could really boost their overall strength. After all, wizard seeds were still a very strategic resource in the Calvora Continent that every organization would compete for.
"Okay, that's all I have to say. There's no rush, and you can decide slowly. For now, keep this."
Celia concluded her speech with a graceful wave of her hand. Then, with a flicker of mana, she suddenly opened the large drawer beside her, drawing out multiple mana rings, which slowly floated toward each person and landed gently in their hands.
"This is a basic mana ring given to you by Mystic Circle as a present. Inside, you'll find a simple apprentice robe, an instruction manual, a map, and your dorm key. Everything you need to know is inside that manual."
"Also, this is the administration hall of Mystic Circle, available to both the residents of Runeshire and the wizards of Mystic Circle. So, you can navigate around this place to find information and such."
She explained with a smile, and without giving them a chance to ask questions, she headed outside.
"That's all you need to know. Now, you all can go and do your thing. This city is very safe, you don't have to worry. Good luck."
After saying that, she swiftly left as if in a hurry.
In fact, not only her, but the atmosphere around them seemed to reflect the same urgency, as everyone appeared to be in a hurry with no time to spare.
"Wait!"
Prince Ray still had something to ask, but saw that Celia's figure had already disappeared in the corner. So, he stood rooted in place, not knowing what to do, just like the other apprentices.
However, Ian didn't care about their confusion. He took out the instruction manual from the mana ring, scanning the continent inside.
Then, he directly headed in a certain direction without waiting for anyone.
'Let's find the room first, then decide on other things. Let's visit the market too. I hope I find what I'm looking for.'
Ian thought while quickly making his way out, as he had a lot to do. Standing around like them wasn't going to help.
"Let's go outside too. We can first read the instruction manual."
Seeing Ian's disappearing figure, everyone finally came to their senses and began preparing for the exploration of this unknown place.
....
[Runeshire City, Mystic Circle]
In the hanging valley, surrounded by towering peaks, each crowned with a majestic wizard tower, a flourishing city sprawled in a perfect encirclement. Though it lacked an otherworldly aura, its unique charm was undeniable.
Rows upon rows of buildings made up of polished stone and enchanted wood, bearing intricate magical inscriptions, the buzzing marketplace with stalls selling rare herbs, alchemical ingredients, monster materials, and enchanted artifacts, and the dense crowd of apprentices and wizards alike everywhere made this place quite unique.
This was the City of Runeshire, a flourishing domain under the influence of the fourth-ring organization, Mystic Circle.
"Young man, there is no way you can get such an important potion recipe in a city. If you really need it, you either have to join the Wizard Organization or search for it in the unexplored wizard ruins. There is really no other way."
In a huge building resembling a Wizard Tower, with an impressive sign reading "The Apothecary's Rest," an old man with faint white hair and a long beard said casually while scanning the rows of potions before him with his mental power.
"That's a bummer. Why is it so hard to find even such a simple potion recipe, that too in such a large Wizard city?"