Chapter 148: Chapter 147: Seeing Gro Again, No Examination Exemption Certificate
In the blink of an eye, several days had passed.
The weather was clear, the sun splendid, and the sky cloudless as far as the eye could see.
The springtime sun bathed the earth in warmth, its reflection shimmering on the surface of the Jade River outside Cuijin City.
At the port, a ship as large as a small hill lay steadfastly docked.
This was a ship belonging to the White Stone Tower Wizards and had been at port for three days.
During these three days, the wizards from the White Stone Tower had done two things:
First, they investigated the cause of death of their Third-level Apprentice, Hua’er, but ultimately found no leads, let alone caught the murderer.
Second, they tested for wizard talent among the suitable residents of Cuijin City and the surrounding villages, eventually selecting about a dozen qualified individuals, granting them permission to board the ship.
Today was the date for boarding. All students with boarding rights could get on the ship. And those without the rights might also be allowed aboard, provided they had an Examination Exemption Certificate.
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Richard approached the White Stone Tower’s wooden ship at the port, with Pandora in tow.
Richard’s hands were empty, while Pandora carried a sizable suitcase in each hand, swaying as she walked. The swaying, however, was not due to the weight of the luggage, but sleepiness.
“Sleeping hours are getting longer lately,” Richard thought as he continued toward the ship. Suddenly, something caught his eye, and turning his head, he saw a familiar figure—Gro.
Gro’s attire was distinctly different from before; gone were the prince’s lavish clothes, replaced with a simple black noble’s hunting outfit, which made him look somewhat capable. Yet, as he walked, there was something furtive about him, as though he was being followed, often looking back.
It was only when Gro came closer that he noticed Richard watching him, and he halted, his mouth slightly agape, his expression a tangled mix of embarrassment and complexity.
“So…” Richard, unaffected, spoke softly, “So… have you finally decided to board the ship and become a wizard?”
“Uh… this…” Gro drew out his words, nodding, “Yep.”
“That’s fine,” Richard said. “Although, honestly, I really wouldn’t recommend it, as long as you’ve made your choice, just don’t regret it.”
“I’ve thought it through,” said Gro, pursing his lips. “Rather than going to a remote border dominion, living as a poor duke in constant fear of an enemy attack, I’d prefer to get on this ship and try to become a wizard.
I mustered a lot of courage this time and decided without telling anyone, sneaking out directly. Now, my elder brother and the others probably haven’t realized I’ve left, so it’s impossible for them to stop me.
By the time they react, I will have successfully boarded, and they can only watch helplessly as I leave.”
“Are you sure?” Richard asked with a slight smile.
“Hm? What do you mean?” Gro looked at Richard, suddenly feeling uneasy, “Did… did I say something wrong?”
“Are you sure that nobody realized you’ve left? Are you sure that nobody is following you?” Richard inquired.
“Could it be!” Gro’s complexion changed, he turned abruptly to look behind, but after sweeping his gaze around, found nothing. In reality, he had been vigilant all along his journey and hadn’t detected any followers.
At that moment, Richard spoke, “Look to your left, over a hundred meters away, by the cargo, that person. Now, look to your right, about fifty meters away by the wooden frames, that individual. And in front of you, on the wagon, that person there. Do you see? They’re all watching you.”
“Them!” Gro finally sensed something amiss, his body going rigid. “Could it be they are…”
“Don’t be nervous; indeed, they are following you. Your actions were probably discovered long ago, but they’re not trying to capture you to take you back. On the contrary, it seems they want to make sure you board the ship before they relax,” Richard said.
Gro’s eyes flashed; he wasn’t completely naive. After hearing Richard’s words, he began to understand. “So, my elder brother is actually hoping for me to leave?”
“Well, shouldn’t he? With your departure, at least the land remains. Even the worst territory has its value, so why wouldn’t they hope for you to leave?”
“Alright, time to board,” Richard said softly.
“Ah.” Gro came back to his senses, turned his head towards the White Stone Tower Wizard’s ship, took a deep breath, steadied himself, and said, “Alright, boarding.”
After speaking, Gro stepped forward and was stopped.
Between the White Stone Tower Wizard’s ship and the port lay a gangplank for boarding. At the end of the gangplank, where it met the pier, stood a beautiful girl in a black robe, giving off a mysterious vibe. Her ponytail added a touch of liveliness.
However, her face was icy as she blocked Gro, glanced at him, and said, “You’re not on the boarding list; you have no right to board.”
“But… I… I have an Examination Exemption Certificate,” Gro said in a rush.
“Oh?” The ponytailed girl arched an eyebrow, “You have an Examination Exemption Certificate? Show me.”
“Right,” Gro responded, reaching into his chest to search.
Then he pulled out a money bag, opened it, and fished out a… Gold Coin.
Under the sunlight, it glistened brilliantly; Gro was stunned.
A spreading aura of awkward stupor began to take hold.
The ponytailed girl’s eyebrows gradually raised as she glanced at the Gold Coin in Gro’s hand before looking at him and saying, “Is this your Examination Exemption Certificate?”
“Are you trying to mock me? Do you realize that if it weren’t me checking but Mr. Siv instead, you’d be dead!”
“No, no!” Gro gestured frantically, trying to calm the situation, “It’s not like that, not like that at all. I remembered clearly, I put the Examination Exemption Certificate in there, which I bought at the auction for nearly twenty thousand Gold Coins. Many people saw it, and Lord Richard here can testify.
I remember last night, I truly put it into this Money Bag… how… how did it suddenly become a Gold Coin? There must be some kind of mistake…”
“I don’t care if you made a mistake or not,” the ponytailed girl spoke coldly. “According to White Stone Tower’s rules, whoever has an Examination Exemption Certificate can bypass the test and board the ship. It doesn’t matter if the certificate was stolen, snatched, or obtained by any means, as long as it’s in hand. But… if you don’t have it, I’m sorry.”
After a pause, the ponytailed girl unceremoniously announced to Gro, “Now you have two choices: either turn around nicely and disappear from my sight as quickly as possible, or try out the power of the spell I just learned. Hmm, I’m kind of looking forward to it.”