Chapter 124: Arrival

Chapter 124: Arrival



The Magic Forest, also known as the Cursed Realm of the Gods.

In ancient times, a war between deities erupted here, and even nameless beings met their demise.

This conflict gave rise to this peculiar region.

To the south, beyond the thousands of miles of the Cursed Jungle, lies the Eastern Kingdom Continent. To the north, across the vast Azure Sea, lies the legendary Calim Continent.

However, the Cursed Jungle is a forbidden land for all living creatures, and the Azure Sea is boundless, making it nearly impossible to traverse either.

This isolation has turned the Magic Forest into an enclave.

Here, one finds decaying creatures, undead monsters, and ordinary people struggling to survive amidst these chaotic conditions.

There are also wizards seeking truth and uncovering secrets.

The unique geography and chaotic survival rules have kept the Magic Forest in a constant state of turmoil.

For countless years, there has never been true unification.

Even the wizard organization from the Calim Continent can only establish a small foothold here.

The Sixth Circle Tower is one such outpost.

Atop a mountain peak, inside a wizard's tower, a wizard named Daniel, clad in his robe, lightly waves his staff, activating the tower's defenses.

With the aid of the tower, Daniel, a one-ring wizard, can exert the strength of a two-ring high wizard.

"The Academy is paying less and less attention to the Magic Forest," says a wizard named Bella, standing by his side, watching the ancient star portal react with a sigh of resignation. "Every decade, they should send wizards to replace the previous ones. Last time, they sent a wizard apprentice, but this time, they transferred someone from elsewhere. It's becoming more and more perfunctory."

Her voice carries a clear tone of dissatisfaction.

"I was forced to come here, and I couldn't refuse. Others, however, can avoid it," she adds.

"It's better to have someone come than no one at all," Daniel says with a faint smile. "You know that the Magic Forest is far less convenient for both cultivation and exchange compared to the Calim Continent."

"Wizards from the Academy go to great lengths to avoid being assigned here," Bella mutters.

"Hmph!" She scowls, clearly unhappy about this very fact. She had pulled many strings to avoid this assignment, all to no avail.

"Alright," Arch's voice rasps. "The star portal is open, and someone from the other side might arrive at any moment. Let's not make a fool of ourselves in front of the newcomers."

Bella rolls her eyes at his words.

In a little over a year, Arch's thirty-year rotation will be complete, and he can return to the Academy's high tower.

Naturally, he has no objections.

"Buzz..."

The portal's glow intensifies.

Three wizards take a step back, each casting defensive spells, while offensive spells are locked onto the portal.

The chances of something going wrong during the teleportation process are minimal, but the possibility of an invasion by star realm creatures cannot be ruled out.

Even with a one-in-ten-thousand chance, they must remain vigilant.

The glow slowly dissipates, revealing over a dozen wizards and wizard apprentices, each carrying large and small packages.

Most of them wear expressions of bewilderment, clearly still reeling from the shock of space travel.

"Barbarians!" Bella mutters under her breath.

Among this group is a formal wizard, but their attire, demeanor, and actions all exude a rural quality.

"Miss Marianne!" Daniel is the first to dispel his spells, stepping forward with a smile. "Welcome!"

"Welcome to the Magic Forest!"

"Forgot the introductions!"

He straightens up, pats his forehead with his left hand, and says, "I'm Daniel. This is Wizard Arch and Wizard Bella, all members of the Sixth Circle Tower."

"Greetings, seniors," Marianne says, her eyes filled with the caution of meeting strangers for the first time. She bows to the three wizards. "I'm Marianne from the Eastern Kingdom Continent, and these are my juniors who accompanied me."

Nancy, the only official wizard apprentice among Marianne's group, possesses a second-rank talent and is a high wizard apprentice.

While high wizard apprentices are not particularly noteworthy to the three official wizards, a second-rank talent is exceptional.

This means that,

With sufficient resources, Nancy has a seventy percent chance of advancing to the rank of official wizard.

Seventy percent is already a high probability.

In reality,

Many wizard apprentices have a much lower chance of advancing, and those who do often rely on luck to a large extent.

Among the wizard apprentices who have arrived in the Magic Forest, Oma also possesses a second-rank talent, just like Nancy.

Not only do they have the opportunity to advance to official wizards, but they may even become two-ring wizards.

"A second-rank talent!" Daniel exclaims, his voice filled with awe. "It seems that in just a few years, we'll have two more official wizards here."

"Indeed," Wizard Arch nods in agreement. "Although the Eastern Kingdom Continent may not be ideal for wizard cultivation, it also has a higher likelihood of producing exceptional talents."

Even Bella, who initially looked down on the newcomers, now wears a solemn expression.

"Even with great talent, it's crucial to see how one develops in the future," Marianne says, shaking her head. "Moreover..."

"They are already among the best wizard apprentices in several countries, but in terms of proportion, it's actually quite low."

This is an undeniable truth.

In the Calim Continent and the Magic Forest, where wizards are abundant, the combination of their talents results in a higher number of individuals with wizard talents.

In the Eastern Kingdom continent, a city with a population of several hundred thousand, might not produce a single person with wizard talent in a year.

The ratio is pitifully small.

"Haha..." Daniel burst into laughter:

"Let's talk about the future later!"

"I've already prepared a feast to welcome you all. Enjoy the food and rest well today, and we can discuss the plans for tomorrow."

The banquet was held in the grand hall on the first floor of the Wizard Tower.

Ghost-like magical servants floated around the hall, serving exquisite dishes and soups.

The wizard apprentices, who had never witnessed such a scene before, were filled with astonishment.

They were like ordinary people newly exposed to the Wizard World, finding everything before them awe-inspiring.

Their surprise extended far beyond the magical servants.

"This chandelier can change colors; it's a magic item?"

"How extravagant!"

"They're using ingredients that restore spiritual power to cook... This is over the top!"

"It's the meat of a magical creature..."

"My goodness!"

"..."

The three archwizards looked on with smiles, observing the astonished wizard apprentices, each with their own thoughts.

"Oma."

At some point, Wizard Bella approached Oma and whispered:

"I heard you don't have a formal mentor yet. Are you interested in learning spells from me?"

Hmm? Oma was taken aback and instinctively glanced at Marianne.

She had a mentor in the Black Swamp, but it was just an ordinary apprentice high mage.

This time, in the Magic Forest, she intended to follow Marianne's teachings.

However...

Bella the Wizard seemed pretty good too.

Thinking this, she lowered her head and said:

"Before coming here, I already promised to learn from Senior Sister Marianne."

It was about learning,

not becoming a disciple!

And certainly not a formal master-apprentice relationship.

Bella understood the implication of Oma's words. Oma was willing, but Marianne might disagree.

"It's fine."

Bella smiled and spoke:

"I'll handle this."

"Now!"

"Let's re-evaluate the wizard talent."

The talent evaluation in the Eastern Kingdom continent was rather crude, still using the old five-tier system from thousands of years ago.

In the Kalim continent, they had already refined it into fifteen tiers.

Soon, a large crystal ball was placed in the hall, and the wizard apprentices lined up to be evaluated.

"Nancy, Second-Tier Lower-Grade Wizard Talent!"

"Not bad."

The archwizards nodded slightly.

With the Second-Tier confirmed, the evaluation would further divide it into Upper, Middle, and Lower grades, increasing the chances of a Middle-Grade talent.

However, they hoped for at least a Second-Tier Upper-Grade talent, which would be more impressive.

Nancy was an ordinary-looking girl with freckles on her face. Seeing the evaluation, her eyes dimmed slightly, and she quickly made way for the next person.

"Oma, Second-Tier Middle-Grade!"

"Great!"

Even before others could react, Bella couldn't contain her excitement and started clapping, while Marianne frowned slightly.

What a loss!

If only she had known, she could have taken Oma as her disciple or asked Bella for some favors before letting her go.

A Second-Tier Middle-Grade talent almost guaranteed becoming an archwizard.

"Gaben, Third-Tier Middle-Grade!"

"Hodgson, Third-Tier Lower-Grade!"

"..."

When it was Karl's turn to approach the magic ball, his face showed a hint of excitement, and he took a deep breath to calm the ripples in his heart before placing his hand on the ball.

"Karl, Fourth-Tier Upper-Grade!"

Upper-Grade?

Karl's face lit up with a smile.

A Fourth-Tier talent wasn't exceptional, but being an Upper-Grade made him stand out among the mediocre.

"Karl."

At this moment, Archwizard Arch, who was in charge of the evaluations, spoke:

"Do you know how to refine potions?"

"Yes."

Karl's expression turned solemn as he bowed respectfully:

"My mentor, Adolf, is an excellent potion master, and I've learned some potion-making knowledge from him."

"Mhm." Arch nodded:

"Would you like to help out in my shop? Three magic stones a month, and there's an additional bonus at the end of the year."

"Three magic stones?" Karl's eyes lit up:

"Really?"

Three magic stones a month meant thirty-six in a year, and with the bonus, it would be at least forty.

Forty magic stones!

In the Black Swamp, many apprentice high mages might toil their entire lives without ever seeing such a substantial reward.

Why were the wages so high here?

Not just Karl, but everyone who had come from the Black Swamp with him, held their breath, their eyes burning with enthusiasm.

"Of course."

Archwizard Arch smiled faintly at the sight:

"If you do well, there might be more."

"I accept!" Karl eagerly nodded, then repeated:

"I accept!"

"Good." Arch smiled:

"Once you're familiar with the environment here, you can start working. Someone will guide you then."

Waving his hand, he signaled for the next person to take Karl's place.

Karl turned and retreated into the crowd, only then realizing that he had broken out in a cold sweat, his muscles tense and sore from the tension.

Just now,

for a fleeting moment, he thought his disguise had been seen through.

On the surface, his spiritual fluctuations were that of an apprentice high mage, but in reality, he was already a high wizard apprentice.

By all accounts.

Karl had entered the wizarding world only six or seven years ago.

In such a short time, and with the limited resources of the Eastern Kingdom continent, his wizard talent was remarkable.

Despite his status as a High Wizard Apprentice, anyone who saw him would harbor suspicions.

Fortunately, the potions he prepared were flawless, masking his psychic fluctuations to the level of an Apprentice High Mage.

...

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

Even an Archwizard couldn't detect any abnormalities.

...

Night.

Karl stepped out of the Wizard Tower, braving the cold wind as he made his way to the hillside.

A slender figure had already claimed a spot, and the wind gently lifted the wizard's robe, outlining her graceful curves.

"You said..."

Oma's voice drifted into the distance as she gazed into the horizon:

"Will we ever go back?"

"Of course," Karl nodded,

"As long as you're willing."

Unlike Karl, Oma still had close relatives in the Kingdom of Gando and a mentor she relied on for survival in the Black Swamp.

Her homesickness for her homeland ran deep.

"Wait until I become an Archwizard."

Oma's expression turned solemn:

"I'll definitely find a chance to return."

"With your talent, it won't take too long." Karl smiled and gestured forward:

"Shall we take a walk?"

"Sure."

Oma nodded.

When they were in the Black Swamp, they weren't very familiar with each other, but as members of the Star Secret Society, they often crossed paths.

Here, surrounded by strangers, their relationship naturally grew closer.

"The main task of the Sixth Circle Tower in this place is to harvest magic plants. Each wizard is responsible for a section of the forest."

Oma spoke up:

"Ordinary people are assigned to cut down magic plants, while we mainly refine wood essence, a type of wood-based spell material."

"I heard from the locals that if you work diligently, you can earn two to three magic stones each, or even more."

"Don't worry about the work," Karl said:

"Wizard Bella will make the arrangements. It would be a shameful waste to have a Second Rank Wizard Talent person do manual labor."

"There's a Sixth Circle Tower business at the magic market, and they might ask you to manage the shop?"

"Maybe." Oma smiled:

"But it's not as good as your situation. You've already found a job right after arriving here, and it's... quite suitable."

"Luck." Karl also smiled:

"The Sixth Circle Tower must be short-staffed, whether it's refining wood essence or managing the business."

"Huh?"

His eyes flashed, and he stopped in his tracks:

"Someone!"

"Hmm?" Oma turned her head, and a look of realization appeared in her eyes:

"It's Nancy and Hodgson. They really don't waste any time. This is a Wizard Tower, after all."

She shook her head lightly.

In the nearby bushes, two figures were intertwined, rolling on the ground, emitting moans filled with desire.

Clothes were scattered nearby.

It was obvious that they were a pair of lovers who couldn't bear the loneliness.

Just as Oma said, this was a Wizard Tower, and their every move might be clearly visible to others. It was admirable that they could continue in such a situation.

"Nancy has spoiled Hodgson too much."

"The sounds coming from the bushes grew louder, and Oma's face also showed obvious dissatisfaction:

"I shouldn't have brought him here."

"I really don't understand what Nancy sees in him. His talent is lacking, his personality is not good, and he's just passable in looks."

Hodgson originally had no right to come to the Magic Forest. It was only through Nancy's persistent pleading to Marianne that he was able to accompany them.

"In matters of the heart, no one can be convinced."

Karl shook his head lightly:

"But Hodgson is famous for his good looks. Initially, many female Wizard Apprentices pursued him."

"Hmph!" Oma snorted coldly:

"A fake face made with bloodline spell."

"It's just a minor touch-up. His foundation is good to begin with." Karl turned around:

"Let's go back!"

It was impossible to continue the conversation under these circumstances.

The two left, and the roars from the bushes continued, with a man and a woman writhing like worms.

Leipzig Market.

One of the most famous markets in the Magic Forest.

Wizard Arch's potion shop was located near the core area of this market.

The shop faced the street, occupying three storefronts, with a nearly 300-square-foot courtyard at the back.

On the shop's shelves, various potions were displayed, each with a bookmark underneath providing corresponding introductions and prices.

"We mainly sell potions that assist Wizard Apprentices in their cultivation and various healing potions."

Charlie, a disciple of Wizard Arch, was also a potion master, leading Karl around the shop.

"We also sell potions that Archwizards can benefit from, but due to limited quantities, we usually don't put them up for sale."

Karl nodded.

The potions used by Archwizards were undoubtedly crafted by Wizard Arch.

Eight or nine out of ten of his potions were pre-ordered, and they were usually taken away privately before they could even be displayed.

"Restoration Potion!"

Charlie picked up a bottle and introduced it:

"It can restore psychic energy. One magic stone for three bottles, it's one of the essential potions for Wizard Apprentices in the wild."

"Health Potion!"

He took out another silver bottle.

"It can restore life force and treat minor injuries. It's one of the essential potions for knights in the wild."

"One magic stone for five bottles!"

"This is a Brilliant Potion."

His voice became slightly solemn as he held up a silver bottle:

"It's a potion that assists Wizard Apprentices in their cultivation. One magic stone for one bottle, it's our shop's signature product."

Speaking, he introduced the other potions one by one.

"Brother Charlie."

Karl's eyebrows furrowed slightly as he asked, "There are dozens of potions here. Did we make all of them ourselves?"

"Of course not."

Charlie shook his head with a chuckle.

"Actually, apart from the Brilliant Potion, the rest are not made by us. We acquire them from other apothecaries and then sell them through the shop, profiting from the price difference."

"So..."

"Brother Karl, your task is to look after the shop and sell the potions. Additionally, you are responsible for checking if the acquired potions meet our requirements."

"How is your progress in the Analytic Spell?"

"This..." Karl hesitated, as he lacked a reference point to evaluate his own skills. "I guess it's not bad."

"Not bad is not good enough." Charlie shook his head.

"It needs to be excellent. For the time being, I'll be on duty as usual, and you'll observe carefully by my side."

"Although the apothecaries we work with are long-term partners, there might still be cases of substandard potions."

"Yes."

Karl nodded.

"Ah!"

As they reached the entrance and turned back to look at the shop, a complex expression flashed in Charlie's eyes.

"Thirty years ago, I followed my mentor here, starting from scratch. We've built this apothecary to what it is today."

"It's a bit hard to let go..."

Karl turned to look at him.

Charlie was no longer young, with a head full of white hair and wrinkles, looking even older than Wizard Arch.

"But I don't regret it."

Smiling at Karl, Charlie began, "Back then, I was just an inconspicuous disciple by my mentor's side. Even at thirty, I hadn't become an Apprentice High Mage, let alone have any prospects."

"When the task came, out of all my mentor's disciples, only I was willing to give up everything and come here. It was because of this that my mentor valued me, and I became who I am today."

"In a little over a year, we'll return to the Calim Continent. I wonder how everyone there is doing?"

He was not only a skilled apothecary but also an Apprentice High Mage.

Although he was already in his sixties, there was still a chance to become an Archwizard.

Spending thirty years in an unfamiliar land, striving for a future.

This determination was admirable.

"Brother Charlie!"

Just then, a cheerful voice rang out.

Following the direction of the sound, they saw a middle-aged man dressed in merchant attire walking towards them.

He wore a leather merchant's hat with a brim that was both practical and fashionable. Unlike the other apprentices, he held a staff resembling carved ivory in his hand. His fine fur-trimmed robe swayed with his steps, exuding an air of nobility.

"Simon!"

Charlie nodded and gestured towards Karl, "Let me introduce you. This is Karl, an apprentice from the Sixth Circle Tower."

"And this is Simon, who helps me manage the business."

"Haha..." Simon burst into laughter and took a step forward, grabbing Karl's arm.

"An apprentice from the Sixth Circle Tower, truly enviable. I'm a local from the Magic Forest, feel free to call on me whenever you need something."

"Simon mainly handles the relationships with our suppliers." Charlie explained, "We have over twenty contracted apothecaries, most of whom were found by Simon."

"He's a very capable young man."

Young?

Perhaps in your eyes, he was young.

Karl smiled and greeted Simon.

Archwizard Arch, Apprentice High Mage Charlie, and Simon, who was dressed as a merchant.

They were the pillars that kept the shop running smoothly.

Additionally, there were other employees, including a Grand Knight and two Peak Knights as guards.

Two salespersons.

And now,

Karl.

"My treat."

Simon patted his chest and said,

"To celebrate Karl's arrival, we'll go to the Bordeaux Restaurant today."

"Oh!" Charlie's eyes lit up.

"You're quite generous."

Seeing Karl's confusion, he explained,

"The owner of the Leipzig Market is the Cape Family, which has two Second Circle Wizards. The Bordeaux Restaurant is one of their businesses, renowned for its exquisite cuisine."

"However, the prices are also high. A regular meal would cost ten or eight magic stones."

"This..." Karl shook his head repeatedly.

"It's too expensive. Not worth it."

"Agreed," Charlie nodded. "There's no need to be so wasteful."

"Let's go!"

He gestured and said, "I'll show you the backyard. If everything goes as planned, this will become your personal residence in the future."

Simon didn't insist and smiled, watching them leave.

His expression briefly turned cold.

Damn them!

I've put so much effort into this shop, and now they're leaving. They won't leave anything for me, but instead, they'll give it to an outsider.

Karl?

Scum!

His teeth clenched in anger, but as someone approached, he immediately smiled and strolled alongside Charlie and Karl.

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(End of Chapter)

Chapter end