Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
In the hall of Wizard Tower, Lu Zhiyu looked at the apprentices. They were about the same in number as had gathered the previous year. Some of them had even been recommended by the previous batch of apprentices, which themselves had been the original elites selected by Lu Zhiyu himself. Some of them had extraordinary abilities, like Bohr and Li Weisi.
For this batch, many of them had started with meditation. They had used the meditation methods, which some of the wizards had modified, and those ones taught at Wizard Tower. If he could find one or two apprentices of Uruk’s caliber, Lu Zhiyu would be happy.
Without saying a word, Lu Zhiyu hosted the admissions ceremony. All the apprentices left the hall of the castle looking happy. Lu Zhiyu looked at both sides of the seats. There were nine students. The first one, sitting in the front row, was Bohr.
Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to look Lu Zhiyu in the eyes. The atmosphere was intimidating. Lights were glittering in the castle, and no one dared say a word. Bohr was the first to stand up. After taking a deep breath, he bowed to Lu Zhiyu.
“Teacher, Li Weisi had come to me previously. It is my fault that I was unable to stop him.”
“How many people have died, Bohr?”
Bohr dared not look at Lu Zhiyu. He said, “Li Weisi, Henry, Agra, Dellas, Blair…”
Lu Zhiyu was familiar with the list of people that Bohr had named. Li Weisi and Henry were the first batch of trainers, who had been appointed by Lu Zhiyu. Other than Bohr, Li Weisi was one of the most talented wizards. Li Weisi was creative, and also was the next to breakthrough to level three wizard.
“Besides this, the entire Light Clan and other countries have started to suppress us. Even the orcs do not welcome us. The saints of Light Clan had ordained the first generation of priests, and they possess extraordinary ability. They have been searching out and capturing our people.”
“We can only hide ourselves from them. There are not many priests, and unless the saints are here, they will not pose a threat to us. However, Li Weisi’s behavior had caused us to be ostracized by the people. Be it the nobles or ordinary people, none of them welcome us.”
Bohr was about to continue, when Lu Zhiyu shook his head and said, “Bohr, sit down. I have nothing to say about it. It is fair that Li Weisi has died. Man has to take responsibility for the silly things that he has done. The price is too dear for Li Weisi, and he can only repay it with his life.”
“I know that there are people who agree with Li Weisi and Henry. However, I hope that all of you will think before you act. You must ask yourself if you are prepared to pay the price.”
As compared to Li Weisi, Lu Zhiyu favored Bohr more. Li Weisi was too somber, materialistic, and overly anxious for success. Although Lu Zhiyu did not think that Li Weisi was wrong, he did not like it.
As for Bohr, he was similar to Lu Zhiyu, in terms of his character and many other aspects. He was meticulous, optimistic, objective and systematic in his work. He was patient, and had planned well for his life. However, he was not a risk-taker, like Lu Zhiyu, and he abided strictly by the rules. He dared not challenge conventional ideas.
Lu Zhiyu looked at his nine students in white wizard robes. They were the first batch of trainers in the tower. Lu Zhiyu nodded and said, “From tomorrow onward, you will be conducting the trainings. Other than the highest level in Wizard Tower, which needs to be authorized, you can have free access to all levels.”
“Bohr will be in charge of the laboratories in levels 10 and 11. When I am not around, he will be acting on my behalf.”
“Wendy and Wofter will be in charge of the botanical garden in level nine. You will also be the trainers for phytology and teach the apprentices how to use their mental strengths.”
“Uruk will be in charge of the beast prison in level eight.”
“Akat will teach alchemy.”
“…”
After assigning the tasks, Lu Zhiyu got ready to leave. Bohr asked, “Teacher, are you not staying in the tower?”
Lu Zhiyu usually visited the tower a few times a month. Bohr and the rest were used to this routine. He nodded to Bohr and said, “The few of you will be in charge of the tower from now on. I will visit you more frequently.”
Wendy stood up and asked, “Teacher, where are you planning to go?”
Lu Zhiyu thought for a while and said, “I will be going to the astral, outside Maria’s World. Other than this world, there is a huge astral. It is a plane full of stars. Maria’s World is a small, insignificant world.”
Lu Zhiyu looked at his students and said, “One day, when you reach level seven and become mythical wizards, then I will bring you to the astral. Level seven is the beginning of the wizards’ journeys. It is only then that you will be able to survive in the astral.”
What Lu Zhiyu had said had caused his students to talk excitedly among themselves. To them, Maria’s World was huge beyond their imaginations. There were the lands and the deep sea that they had not yet explored. They would need to use their entire lifetimes to explore the world. There were also many secrets that they would like to explore and seek out.
They had never thought of other planes and the astral besides Maria’s World. They had never even heard of them. Maria’s World was everything to them.
Wendy opened her mouth wide and said, “Astral? Plane? Does that mean that the world that we are in is insignificant?”
Bohr found it amazing and unbelievable as well. What kind of world had his teacher seen? As compared to him, Bohr felt like a frog in the well. What he and the others had seen was only a small part of the world.
Lu Zhiyu had humbled everyone with what he had said. They started to hold the world in awe. Bohr could barely wait to travel to the planes and see a different world. He wanted to see these amazing things that his teacher had mentioned.
Lu Zhiyu stood up and put on his blue and white checkered robe. The fire in the fireplace was burning fiercely. He stood before the flames and said, “Bohr, I will leave Wizard Tower under your care. I hope you will be different from Li Weisi. Bring the true light to the world.”
Having said that, Lu Zhiyu disappeared before the fireplace. Bohr bowed and said, “Teacher Anthony, please believe me. I will definitely let you see a different world, and a different Wizard Tower.”
Bohr stood up and stood before the long table. His eyes were filled with hope and enthusiasm.