Chapter 67: No Talent

"Strange temperament?" Robin raised an eyebrow, his tone tinged with a hint of teasing, "As long as he can let me access Wizard knowledge, I can accept even the strangest temperament."

Meng Fei Si laughed heartily, patting Robin's shoulder: "Good, hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. However, I must warn you, that Wizard Apprentice is a complete oddball. He locks himself in the laboratory all day, and apart from studying Magic Automatons, he hardly interacts with anyone. Even the Mining Area supervisor can't deal with him."

Robin nodded, silently resolving in his heart: "No matter how odd he is, I will learn something from him."

The Caravan stopped in front of the warehouse within the Mining Area, and Meng Fei Si began directing his subordinates to unload the cargo.

Robin took the opportunity to wander around the Mining Area, carefully observing the operation of those Magic Automatons.

He discovered that these automatons could not only transport ore, but also perform complex tasks, such as sorting ore, crushing it, and even conducting preliminary refining.

"The Rune structure of these automatons must be extremely intricate," Robin muttered softly, excitement flashing in his eyes. He took out his portable notebook and began recording his observations and thoughts.

Just then, a young man dressed in a gray robe walked over.

His hair was a mess, and his face bore some black stains, looking as if he'd just come from a laboratory. His gaze lingered on Robin for a moment, then he asked coldly, "Who are you? Why are you wandering around here?"

Robin looked up, saw the Wizard Apprentice badge on the other's chest, and instantly realized this was the Wizard Apprentice Meng Fei Si had mentioned. He quickly tucked away his notebook, smiled, and said, "Hello, I am Robin, a guard of the Caravan. Mr. Meng Fei Si sent me to find you; I wish to ask some questions about Magic Automatons."

The Wizard Apprentice frowned, his tone edged with impatience: "Meng Fei Si? That merchant? Hmph, what scheme is he plotting now?"

Robin hurriedly explained, "No, I'm personally very interested in Magic Automatons. I want to learn some of the mysterious knowledge about Wizards, and I wonder if you could give me some guidance?"

The Wizard Apprentice stared at Robin for a few seconds, then said coldly, "Wizard knowledge isn't something just anyone can learn. Do you have a foundation?"

Robin nodded, his tone tinged with humility, "I have studied some Basic Meditation Method and some basic Wizard theory, and I have also examined simple mechanical structures. However, I have only dabbled so far; driven by my yearning for the Wizard world, I wish to understand it more."

A hint of interest flashed in the Wizard Apprentice's eyes, and his tone softened slightly: "Oh? Then tell me, what is your understanding of Wizards?"

Robin took a deep breath, gathered his thoughts, and began slowly, "In my view, Wizards are people who alter the real world through mastery and understanding of Magic Energy. They are not merely wielders of power, but also seekers of knowledge.

A Wizard's power stems from the use of Magic Runes, the manipulation of Elemental Energy, and the cultivation of Spiritual Power. Whether a White Wizard or a Black Wizard, their essence is the same: they achieve their goals through magic, differing only in methods and aims."

He paused, then continued, "The Wizard world is far more complex than that of Knights. A Knight's strength relies heavily on the body and weapons, whereas a Wizard's power comes from a deep understanding of magic's essence. For example, a Wizard can construct intricate magic formations using Runes, or elevate his Spiritual Power through Meditation, thereby casting world‑shattering spells.

Such power is not only destructive; it can be creative as well—take those Magic Automatons, which are products of magic combined with machinery."

The Wizard Apprentice, after listening, showed a flash of approval in his eyes: "Not bad, your understanding of Wizards is far deeper than I expected. However, the Wizard path is not as idyllic as you think. Though our magic is powerful, it is also fraught with danger. A slight misstep can lead to Magic Backlash, even loss of self."

The Wizard Apprentice's warning did not make Robin flinch; his gaze remained steadfast, as if already prepared to face any difficulty.

Seeing this, the Wizard Apprentice sneered, his tone laced with mockery: "Looks like you truly don't shed a tear even at a coffin. Come, I'll take you to test your Wizard aptitude. If you truly have the talent, I won't mind teaching you the Basic Meditation Method."

Robin was slightly taken aback, a surge of excitement bubbling inside him. He hadn't expected things to progress so smoothly, yet he immediately felt a hint of nervousness.

The Wizard Apprentice's mention of a "Wizard aptitude" made his heart uneasy, fearing he might lack any talent at all.

"Alright, then I'll trouble you," Robin nodded, his tone carrying a mix of anticipation and unease.

The Wizard Apprentice said no more, turned, and led Robin into a laboratory deep within the Mining Area.

The laboratory was piled with all sorts of strange devices and materials, and a faint oily scent permeated the air.

Robin's eyes were drawn to a complex apparatus, composed of countless Runes and metal components, with a crystal‑clear Crystal Ball floating at its center.

"This is the Aptitude Testing Device; it can detect your magic affinity and Spiritual Power strength," the Wizard Apprentice explained coldly, "Step in front of the device and place your hand on the Crystal Ball."

Robin inhaled deeply, walked to the device, and, following the instructions, placed his hand on the Crystal Ball.

The Crystal Ball instantly emitted a faint glow, then began to rotate slowly.

The Wizard Apprentice operated the device from beside, his gaze fixed intently on the Crystal Ball's changes.

Time passed second by second, and Robin's heartbeat grew faster.

He felt a faint energy pulse emanating from the Crystal Ball, as if probing his body and mind. Yet that pulse quickly faded, and the Crystal Ball's light dimmed gradually.

The Wizard Apprentice frowned, his tone tinged with disappointment: "The test results are in. You do indeed have Wizard aptitude, but it's extremely low—so low that even entering the Meditation Method at Entry Level would be very difficult."

Robin's heart sank instantly, as if doused by a bucket of icy water. He clenched his fist, his voice hoarse, "Really… there's no hope at all?"

The Wizard Apprentice shook his head, his tone laced with indifference: "Wizard aptitude is innate; your Spiritual Power is too weak, and your magic affinity insufficient. Even if you force yourself to practice the Meditation Method, it would be hard to achieve anything. I suggest you abandon it and focus on the Knight's path."

(End of Chapter)