Chapter 104: Invitation
“Huh? You’re a senior initiate?” The gray-robed old man could not help but express his curiosity.
In the Magus World, spellcasters were collectively referred to as “mages” among ordinary humans.
Due to their lack of magical insight, distinguishing between magic initiates and full-fledged mages proved impossible for them.
The clear distinction between initiates and full-fledged mages was an internal matter within the mage community.
Frank, the elderly mage, was an intermediate magic initiate who served as the magic advisor to the city lord of Berthold City.
To the ignorant ones, he was a mysterious and powerful figure. N0v3lRealm was the platform where this chapter was initially revealed on N0v3l.B1n.
Although he was only an intermediate initiate in reality, the friendly demeanor he exhibited earned him the respectful title of “master” by both nobles and commoners.
In the Black Magic Academy of Mystralora City, anyone who was still an intermediate initiate at Frank’s age would likely have met their demise long ago.
Sein did not take offense at the old man’s somewhat blunt inquiry.
He simply nodded and replied, “Yes, I’ve just recently been promoted to a senior initiate.”
Sein’s response deepened the envy and surprise on the gray-robed old man’s face.
The old man then sighed and remarked, “To become a senior initiate at such a young age, you must either hail from a prestigious magic family or have a knowledgeable and powerful mentor.”
This time, Sein did not offer an immediate response to the old man’s question.
After a long pause, Sein finally nodded and said, “Yes, my mentor is indeed very knowledgeable.”
“In that case, your mentor must be a formidable full-fledged mage, right?” the gray-robed old man continued asking.
The old man’s questions were becoming overly intrusive, causing a flicker of coldness across Sein’s face as his patience waned.
Although the old man might lack innate magical talent, his eyes were sharp, finely honed over the years, particularly in his role as a magic advisor in the city lord’s mansion.
Frank had to pay a substantial fee for his mentor’s guidance, only to barely scratch the surface of magical truths before being dismissed.
They not only stumbled blindly in their quest to explore the truth of magic but also struggled to secure the funds necessary for experimentation and research.
The required funds were financial burdens too hefty for even most nobles to bear.
If that was not the case, Frank would not have found himself here in Berthold City, serving as the city lord’s advisor.
His presence here was solely for the city lord’s money.
Frank’s mentor was only a Quasi Mage.
He had only accepted apprentices like Frank primarily for the substantial tuition fees they were willing to pay, as part of upholding the principle of equivalent exchange.
Sometimes, the act of accepting an apprentice as a mentor was merely a transaction.
Nevertheless, such a price was certainly more favorable than the conditions in the Black Magic Academy in the Underworld.
In the Black Magic Academy, some apprentices had to pay the ultimate price to study in the faction of a certain full-fledged black mage—their lives.
Frank was about to agree to Sein’s proposal, but a shrewd suspicion held him back.
Considering that Sein might come from a prestigious magic family or a prominent faction, the old man speculated that the young mage likely possessed valuable items.
The old man cunningly responded, “Certainly, we can make a trade. In five days, there’ll be a small trade fair organized by magic initiates outside of Berthold City. Would you be interested in attending?”
“We can finalize our transaction at the fair, with other magic initiates serving as witnesses. That way, we can ensure that it’ll be a fair trade,” the old man added, looking at Sein with keen interest.
“Five days? That seems a little too long...” Sein remarked, expressing a hint of impatience.
“Four days then! Just four days! I have their contact information in my crystal ball. Organizing the fair a day or two earlier won’t be an issue. We’re all old friends, and magic initiates from cities near Berthold City are known for their honesty and fairness,” the gray-robed old man reassured, patting his chest.
Sein finally nodded and agreed, “All right, I’ll wait here for four days.”
The old man then offered an invitation. “Would you like to rest at the city lord’s mansion? Baron Berthold would surely welcome a young and knowledgeable mage like you to Berthold City.”
Sein cast a glance at the city lord’s mansion, then shook his head and prudently declined, “No need. I’ve already secured a room at an inn in the city.”