The mist had not yet cleared.
A pitch-black carriage entered the narrow path, its driver skillfully maneuvering the wheels to avoid the uneven terrain.
Carl lifted the carriage curtain, looked at the familiar road, and asked, "Is this the road to Earl Reckton’s manor outside the city?"
Sitting opposite him, Tim wore a top hat and a white tie, dressed as if he were a guest attending a banquet.
He lightly lifted his cane and pointed outside. "At the same time, this is also the road to my tutor, Advanced Wizard Apprentice Adolf’s manor."
"Adolf?" Carl’s eyes flickered. "The Pharmacist?"
"Yes." Tim nodded. "My tutor’s research primarily focuses on Potionology."
"What is a Wizard?" Carl pressed. "Why have you brought me here?"
"HAHA..." Tim chuckled. "You’ll know when we arrive. In any case, it’s a realm many people never have the chance to encounter in their lifetime."
Carl had asked about ’Wizards’ many times along the way, but Tim had always remained silent.
Although I don’t know what I’ll face next, deep down I feel this journey will change my destiny. That’s why I agreed to follow him here.
The U-shaped iron gate opened towards both sides. The stone wall’s surface showed clear signs of mottling, and the wooden name plaque bearing the name was covered by vines.
It was a dilapidated manor. Everywhere, there was a sense of time passing.
An elderly gardener, shears in hand, was trimming the flowers and plants. He bent with some difficulty to bow to Tim.
"He..." Carl eyed the gardener, his look skeptical. "Has he practiced a Breathing Method?"
At the moment the gardener’s gaze swept over him, the Poison Wolf Breathing Technique involuntarily activated, and a warning flashed through my mind. It was only a moment, but there’s no doubt about it.
"Yes." Tim nodded nonchalantly. "Old Harry is a Knight."
Carl was taken aback. Knights are even rarer than nobles. Even an old one would hold significant status in the city, yet here he is, trimming plants for people.
"Let’s go." Tim quickened his pace. "We shouldn’t keep the tutor waiting."
Carl withdrew his gaze and hurried to catch up.
The manor was vast and rather empty. They crossed the lawn to an ancient castle-like building before seeing anyone else.
Tim led the way to a hall specifically for receiving guests, where someone was already waiting.
The elderly man seated in the center wore a long gray robe. His white hair was casually strewn. His features were composed, and despite his age, it was clear he must have possessed considerable masculine charm in his youth. His eyes were clouded, his gaze dim, seemingly disinterested in everything. This despondent demeanor made him appear somewhat dispirited.
Adolf! An Advanced Wizard Apprentice.
The ancient manor, the mysterious Wizard, the scrutiny of those around, and the inexplicable atmosphere all made Carl instinctively reserved.
"It has been some years." Fixing his gaze on Carl, Adolf’s eyes brightened slightly as he murmured, "I didn’t expect that in Sigerno City, there would be another potential seed, and you’ve come at just the right time."
He didn’t specify what time, but he gestured to someone beside him.
"Hibell, go test his talent."
A young girl stepped forward at his words.
The girl held a Crystal Ball the size of a human head, approached Carl with a graceful smile, and said, "Relax. Just place your hands on it."
"Hands." Carl snapped out of his trance. "Okay."
He followed her instructions and placed his hands on the surface of the Crystal Ball, immediately feeling a tremor through his body. It was as if an electric current surged from his hands through his entire body.
Carl let out a muffled groan. He felt as though his mind had exploded as a sudden, intense pain overtook him. The pain came quickly and left just as quickly.
By the time he regained his senses, his hands had already left the Crystal Ball. The young girl was now intently observing the Crystal Ball with her head bowed. The originally clear Crystal Ball had somehow become filled with changing, multicolored brilliance.
The girl turned back to Adolf. "Tutor, his talent is Level four, but his spiritual power is much stronger than an average person’s, making it easier for him to advance to Wizard Apprentice."
"Level four?" Adolf sighed, clearly disappointed. "That’s rather low." Then he said, "According to the ancient ’Wizard’s Rules,’ when a seed with talent is discovered, it should be guided onto the correct path of witchcraft. Carl, I will teach you the Meditation Method, but whether you can become a Wizard Apprentice depends on your own efforts."
"Old sir," Carl finally had time to voice the doubts in his heart. "What is a Wizard?"
"What is a Wizard?" Adolf looked thoughtful. After pondering for a moment, he replied, "A so-called Wizard is a being who, in their pursuit of knowledge and truth, has mastered a portion of special forces."
"Special forces?" Carl’s eyes lit up. "Like Miles?"
"Yes." Adolf clearly knew what had happened the day before and nodded. "The Miles you’re talking about, and Hibell, Tim, including myself, are all such people."
"Then what is a Wizard Apprentice?" Carl asked again.
"It’s very difficult to become an Official Wizard. The learning process before that is for Wizard Apprentices," Adolf said, smiling and lightly stroking his beard. "My life’s pursuit is to advance to an Official Wizard."
"Carl," Tim chimed in, "There are not many Official Wizards in the whole Gando Kingdom, and Sigerno City has only two Advanced Wizard Apprentices. The tutor is one of them."
Carl was inscrutably impressed.
"So..." He swallowed. "What is a talent Level?"
"Most people in this world do not have the talent to become a Wizard, and talents vary in strength," explained the girl named Hibell. "We usually categorize talent into five Levels: Level one is the best, and Level five is the worst."
"Level four... is quite ordinary." She spoke rather diplomatically. In reality, most with talent Level four could only become Basic-level Wizard Apprentices in their lifetimes; it was extremely rare for them to even reach Intermediate Wizard Apprentice, let alone an Official Wizard.
Carl could detect the change in her tone but didn’t really mind. He barely understood what a Wizard Apprentice was, let alone the impact of talent Level on his future.
"Old sir... Teacher." Carl bowed to Adolf, taking the opportunity to correct his form of address. "After learning the Meditation Method you mentioned, will I be able to possess abilities like Miles?"
"No!" Adolf shook his head. "The Meditation Method will increase your spiritual power, enabling you to use witchcraft, but you’ll need to learn specific witchcraft to master special forces."
"Witchcraft?" Carl asked. "What witchcraft can I learn?"
"Carl." Adolf chuckled. "In the world of Wizards, everything has its price, especially knowledge. You call me ’Teacher,’ and I will teach you the Meditation Method, but learning witchcraft requires an additional price."
"Price?" Carl asked. "Gold Coins?"
If I can get abilities like Miles, any expense would be worth it.
"No." Unfortunately, Adolf shook his head. "I do not need Gold Coins. However, you possess something I am interested in."
What could he be interested in?
Carl lowered his head, hesitated for a moment, then took out a ring set with a sapphire from his person.