She was puzzled, but she had no choice but to put away the letter and start replanning her route.
Hot water flowed into the teapot, thick white steam billowing out, carrying a faint, refreshing fragrance.
The white-robed, white-haired Intermediate Wizard Apprentice, Anslot, gestured. "This is a beverage brought by a wandering merchant from the distant East. It has quite a unique flavor. Try it."
Tim sat opposite, took a sip of tea from his cup, and shook his head. "This light beverage is more suited to the nobility in the Royal City. People like us, from humbler backgrounds, usually prefer stronger flavors."
"Is that so?" Anslot smiled. "It seems you’ve made up your mind."
"..." Tim took a deep breath and said, "I’m not getting any younger. Without sufficient resources, I might never become an Advanced Wizard Apprentice in this lifetime. Even if I did, I would definitely have no hope of becoming an Official Wizard! Only by inheriting my tutor’s legacy can I have enough resources to attempt to break into the Wizard Realm."
"Indeed." Anslot nodded. "One step slow, every step slow. The divine radiance here is so overwhelming it overshadows the wisdom of Wizards. Which Official Wizard didn’t achieve their status through some unique encounter?"
His voice rose as he continued, "According to the Wizard’s Book, if a Three-Circle Wizard emerges in a place, a Star Gate can be set up to connect to the true Wizard World. The Grey Robed Wizard is already a Second Circle Wizard, and it’s not impossible for him to become a Three-Circle Wizard. Whether we become Three-Circle Wizards or uncover the secrets deep within Black Swamp, we both have a chance to leave this place! Of course... the prerequisite is becoming an Official Wizard!"
These words made Tim’s breathing quicken, his hands clench tightly, and his eyes brim with intense desire.
If I became an Official Wizard and Black Swamp had a Star Gate, there might even be a possibility to become a Second Circle or even a Three-Circle Wizard in the future.
Anslot sighed lightly. "Your tutor made great contributions to Swamp Camp. As his successor, you needn’t worry about exploring Black Swamp for six years and can concentrate on your practice. By then, you’ll surely be an Advanced Wizard Apprentice."
"It’s too early to talk about this now." Tim shook his head. "I still have a junior female apprentice... um... and a junior male apprentice!"
Over the decades, many people had studied witchcraft under Adolf, but very few were actually considered his apprentices with inheritance rights. Theoretically, only Tim and Hibell were entitled, and now Carl could reluctantly be added to that list.
"Twenty Magic Stones—the price of one quality Demonized Item—and I can help you take care of this bother."
Anslot spoke up. "I know the contact person for the Hand of Shadows; some of them specialize in dealing with Wizard Apprentices."
"Twenty Magic Stones..." Tim’s facial muscles twitched. "That’s too expensive."
"Not expensive, not expensive at all," Anslot said. "Adolf’s inheritance is likely worth more than two hundred Magic Stones, and you only need to pay less than a tenth of that price."
Tim still shook his head.
"Then..." Anslot frowned. "Eighteen Magic Stones. It can’t get any cheaper than that. Otherwise, you’ll have to figure something out on your own."
"Only two Magic Stones cheaper?" Tim’s expression turned grim. Seeing the other’s stern, unyielding face, he sighed helplessly. "Fine! Eighteen it is then. But you must not harm my tutor’s wife. She must arrive at Black Swamp safely."
"Deal!" Anslot’s face broke into a smile. "I didn’t expect you to be so considerate. Actually, you could have just found another place to settle Adolf’s wife. She’s getting on in years; living in the Black Swamp wouldn’t be convenient for her."
"COUGH, COUGH..." Tim’s face turned slightly red. "My tutor’s wife isn’t old."
"Hmm?" Anslot was taken aback, then suddenly realized and laughed. "Understood, understood! I just hadn’t realized that Adolf, at his advanced age, would have such a young wife."
「The wagon rattled on.」
Hibell held a book, studying it intently. At times she frowned in confusion, and at others her face lit up with understanding, clearly immersed in it.
After a while, she put down the book and exclaimed, "The path of a Bloodline Wizard is truly complex and profound, involving many specialized disciplines such as biological anatomy and genetics."
"Carl," Hibell said, "maintaining a strong curiosity is a commendable quality for a Wizard, but you must also understand a principle: Jack of all trades, master of none. You should now focus your energy on practicing your Meditation Method and witchcraft, and not be distracted by unnecessary things. Pharmacology, crafting Demonized Items, and this bloodline modification are all fields worth a lifetime of study; one can’t learn much in a short time."
She obviously felt Carl was too distracted.
"You’re right, Senior Sister," Carl nodded. "When the Patrol Department was searching Robert’s Mansion, I found these books in his study, so I brought them out to have a look. Consider it broadening my horizons!"
"Hmm." Hibell smiled. "I’m very grateful that you’re willing to share your knowledge with me; these books can offset the Gold Coins you owe me. If you have any thoughts, we can discuss them... for free!"
She had discovered that although Carl was not outstanding in his witchcraft training, he often had unique and clever ideas in various other branches of knowledge. This was thanks to over a decade of learning in his previous life; while not an expert in any, he had dabbled in various disciplines. There were commonalities in some knowledge. For example, anatomy.
"The foundation of a Bloodline Wizard includes Transfiguration and Solidification spells," Hibell licked her lips, her eyes shining. "Robert also made money from this branch of witchcraft. If I could learn these two spells, I believe I would become a distinguished guest of many noblewomen in Sigerno City."