Chapter 2

Early morning.

Dawn City, noble district.

Lady Agneth of Azure Blue Manor is a woman of great prestige.

She is not only the younger sister of the Baron of Shire County in northern Weilan, but also became a High-tier Mage at a young age, and also enjoys a reputation for generosity and kindness.

As her magic apprentice, life is much better than that of other High-tier Mage apprentices, but this does not change Luosen's lack of money.

Studying magic is truly too expensive.

Luosen differs from other magic apprentices in that he spends money especially heavily.

Fortunately, he has already obtained a sum of money through a not-so-honorable method.

Although it is still far from enough to repay the debts owed over the years, it should be enough to persuade the instructor to sign his graduation certificate.

At this moment, he sits in the corner of the manor's living room with a money pouch, patiently awaiting the instructor's summons.

Time passed second by second, and when the sunlight patch on the carpet had moved about twenty centimeters, the butler, Mr. Dewa, approached.

Luosen, the lady summons you.

Luosen, drowsy in the warm sun, perked up and asked humbly.

"Uncle Dewa, is the instructor in a good mood today?"

Dewa shrugged slightly: "He was fine at breakfast, but hearing you were coming, his mood soured, and he even called you a 'good-for-nothing little brat'."

Luosen flushed slightly with embarrassment; he knows the instructor looks down on him.

She has reason to look down on him.

Because the previous owner of this body was her first apprentice, and also her worst apprentice.

Starting when the other party reached rank advancement at 18, he became her apprentice, studying for a full ten years, from age ten to twenty, yet still failed to fully master all the knowledge a formal mage needs.

Normally, other apprentices need only four years, and outstanding ones as little as two and a half years.

If it were another instructor, they would have long advised him to go home.

He let out a light sigh and asked again: "Uncle, is the instructor alone, or is there a guest?"

"There is a guest, the lady's close friend Princess Selena. No need to feel shy; this noble lady knows all about you."

Luosen's cheeks flushed slightly, making him look even more shy.

"Thank you, Uncle."

He rose, crossed the spacious bright living room, went up the blue-white stone spiral staircase to the second floor, then walked down the corridor about twenty meters, passed a beautiful malachite carving, and finally stood before a carved wooden door.

From inside, voices could be faintly heard, occasionally interspersed with a few clear laughs.

This commotion gave Luosen a bad feeling.

'This lady host is not bad either, her personality is straightforward, but we have little acquaintance; please don't interfere with my plan.'

Given his understanding of the instructor's temperament, if they were alone, he could easily pass this test; but with the princess added, there is an extra variable.

He composed himself, gently knocked on the door, and respectfully said: "Instructor, I have arrived."

The laughter behind the door ceased, and then a gentle female voice said: "Come in."

Luosen gently pushed open the door.

Beyond the door was a spacious, exquisite, bright study.

Most striking is the large window occupying half of the outer wall, fitted with crystal carved glass from the Allen Kingdom.

It lets warm sunlight flood the whole room without revealing the interior's privacy.

And in the left corner of the wall sits a set of thick-skinned lizard benches from Gold Bridge County in northern Weilan Island, warm in winter and cool in summer, reserved for honored guests; apprentices are not qualified to use them.

On the right is a semi-circular, pale purple star-wood desk, not only elegant and noble but also emitting a faint woody fragrance, yet it is a specialty of the Kao Kingdom.

The walls also hang famous paintings, and the desk is adorned with exquisite ornaments from around the world, each valuable.

In short, High-tier Mage Lady Agneth possesses wealth that leaves Luosen in the dust, even though Luosen's current status is the heir of a baron's fief.

Luosen saw his instructor, Lady Agneth.

As usual, she sat behind her beloved star-wood desk.

At twenty-eight years old, she has a pair of extremely bright violet eyes, a handsome and intelligent set of features, her hair styled in a simple yet elegant maiden's coiffure, and she wears a tailored bright purple silk gown; in short, she is an extremely charming beautiful woman.

And her close confidante Princess Selena is much younger, twenty-three years old, even more radiant, dazzling to the point of being hard to look at directly.

In fact, she is also a High-tier Mage, as well as the lord of Dawn City, the Supreme Lord of Weilan Giant Island, and the younger sister of the Duke of Dawn.

She truly deserves the title of princess.

Her most striking feature is a pair of emperor-green jade-like eyes and a head of lustrous deep gold fluffy curls, said to be the manifestation of natural divine blood.

At this moment, this noble princess leans beside the star-wood desk, smiling at Luosen with a teasing expression.

"Anna, your apprentice looks quite shy; should I step aside?"

Lady Agneth shook her head: "No need; anyway, you already know everything you need to know."

Saying this, she looked at Luosen, her willow-leaf brows slightly furrowed: "Early in the morning, you're not focusing on practicing magic; what are you doing coming here?"

Luosen lowered his head slightly, directing his gaze to the thick camel-hair carpet on the floor, while making his expression and voice as respectful as possible.

"Instructor, I have successfully touched the first magic ring, obtaining low-intensity magical power, and I have mastered the mage's three techniques and the travel five arts."

"Moreover, I have memorized all the knowledge a formal mage is required to know, such as the World Bestiary, Alchemy Primer, and World Noble Genealogy."

"The relevant experimental parts have also been successfully reproduced in the lab."

"I believe I now possess all the abilities of a formal mage."

Lady Agneth understood, raising her eyebrows.

"That sounds wonderful, but I must test you, lest your inadequacy tarnish my reputation."

Luosen immediately replied: "Instructor, please give the question."

"Quite confident, huh? Looks like the young man is already ready." Princess Selena teased.

Agnite became very solemn and serious, even straightening his back.

She said seriously, "A formal mage should master eight Zero Ring spells; you have already mastered seven proficiently."

"Now, release the final 'Food Creation' for me to see."

Luosen took out a short piece of peeled pine wood, placed it flat with his left hand, pressed it with his right hand, and then whispered silently in his mind.

"Laifu, cast 'Food Creation: Pine Bread'."

In an instant, a mechanical indifferent thought surfaced in his mind: "The spell has been released."

With that thought, Luosen's right hand emitted a wisp of hazy white light, which continuously seeped into the pine wood.

The pine wood instantly swelled rapidly like fermenting dough.

After about ten seconds, the short piece of pine transformed into a fluffy, milky‑white bread, emitting a strange fresh scent of pine mingled with flour.

Selena lightly inhaled with her nose, surprised: "Eh~ it smells fragrant, and it looks quite tasty; is this a unique food‑creation formula, Luosen?"

Her voice was very pleasant, and Luosen felt that she was looking at him with a somewhat peculiar gaze.

If an ordinary youth were here, he would certainly not grasp the meaning of that look, but Luosen was not.

He not only possessed extremely keen perception, but also a past life, and in that past life he had already experienced most of a human lifespan.

He instantly sensed that the Princess harbored a vague affection for him, perhaps even she herself was unaware of it.

"Zhe, what a pity she's a Princess, otherwise…"

But graduation was the priority now, so he immediately withdrew his reverie.

He first bowed and then respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Highness, I have slightly modified the basic Food Creation, making the final product as tasty as possible."

Lady Agneth also grew interested; she used Mage Hand to bring the bread before her eyes for careful inspection, and finally even broke off a small piece and tasted it.

After chewing a few bites, her delicate eyebrows lifted slightly, looking at Luosen in surprise.

"The texture is soft, tasty, delicate, with the unique pine‑nut fragrance; the flour conversion rate reached at least 99%, making it a rather outstanding Food Creation." "I'll try it too."

Selena reached out, snatched the bread, took a big bite, and her eyes lit up.

"Mm~ indeed very delicious; judging solely by the level of this Food Creation, it can be called excellent."

She looked at Luosen and smiled kindly: "Luosen, you could at least be a good chef."

Luosen felt a tickle in his heart from her smile, but her noble status easily dispelled his superfluous thoughts.

He then gave a courteous smile: "Your Highness, Mentor, I indeed progress slowly when learning new spells. Yet precisely because of the slowness, I have ample time to contemplate the spell details, so I often learn better."

If this had been said earlier, it would have had little persuasive power, but with the pine bread as proof, Lady Agneth's impression of Luosen changed dramatically.

She smiled faintly: "If that's truly the case, then it is naturally the best."

After saying that, she immediately resumed her stern Mentor expression.

"Then, in terms of casting ability, you have finally qualified."

"As for the knowledge a formal mage should firmly remember, I believe you have memorized it all. After all, you've studied for a full ten years; even a stubborn donkey would have mastered it."

"However, there is still one final problem to resolve."

At this point, Agnite raised his voice slightly: "Deva~ Deva~ come over here, and also bring the ledger."

After a while, the steward Deva entered, holding a thick ledger in his hand.

Agnite said, "Deva, check how much tuition Luosen owes over the past ten years."

"Yes, Madam."

Steward Deva opened the ledger, examined it carefully, and reported the figures.

"Madam, over ten years, apprentice Luosen received a total of 1500 class‑hours of instruction."

"At a rate of 10 Grun per class‑hour, the total tuition is 15,000 Grun. Adding the damaged equipment from various spell experiments and the extra materials consumed due to multiple failed experiments, the total is 2,800 Gold Ogre."

"After deducting the wages Luosen earned over ten years for collecting spell materials, drawing spell scrolls, and crafting basic magical implements, as well as the tuition already paid, he still owes you 1,854 Gold Ogre."

Lady Agneth nodded, turned to Luosen: "The detailed breakdown is recorded in the book; my apprentice, do you need to verify it?"

Luosen shook his head: "No need, Mentor, I've roughly calculated it myself; it's about that amount."

Lady Agneth continued: "Luosen, you are the first apprentice I have taken."

"In the teaching process, I believe I have been responsible, meticulous, and patient, doing my utmost to help you master the knowledge a formal mage should possess. Do you acknowledge that?"

Luosen nodded: "I acknowledge, Mentor."

"I have also repeatedly agreed to let you defer tuition payments, right?"

"That's right, Mentor."

"Then, how do you intend to pay this tuition?"

Saying this, Lady Agneth's expression was very serious.

Obviously, if Luosen cannot give an explanation today, he won't obtain his graduation certificate.

Luosen took a deep breath and said, "Mentor, a month ago I received a letter from my mother. The letter said my father was ambushed and killed by a Forest Spirit while patrolling the border of our domain."

To be honest, the news surprised him somewhat.

Because the Old Baron was a highly capable High‑Level Warrior, the letters always said the island's situation was fine, and the Forest Spirit was kept suppressed and dared not appear.

As a son, Luosen also sent back some high‑level magical implements for self‑defense within reasonable capability.

He thought that the Old Baron was at the height of his prime, stubborn, and would be a nuisance if he returned, so he considered studying a few more years, never expecting this incident.

"As the sole male member of the Saxon Family and the eldest son, I hold the primary inheritance right to the barony. However, according to the Duke's decree, I must obtain a respectable formal occupation to be eligible to inherit the title."

"So, if you, Mentor, could first sign my graduation certificate, allowing me to smoothly inherit as a Baron, I am willing to repay the tuition over ten years at the highest market loan interest rate."

Lady Agneth furrowed her brows again: "To my knowledge, even if you become a Baron, you couldn't amass that much money in ten years, could you?"

Beside her, Princess Selena smiled brightly and added.

"Luosen, with your barren, remote island, the biggest export is bird‑droppings fertilizer from the forest, which at most brings in 330 Ogre per year, right?"

Luosen thought again: "They know the exact numbers, it's so accurate; they must have specifically looked into me."

It seems the other party's affection for me is not shallow.

A vague thought suddenly rose from Luosen's heart, but he immediately dismissed it.

The status difference is simply too great; it's unrealistic, so it's better not to invite trouble.

Thus, he responded politely.

Actually, the average fiscal surplus over the past ten years is roughly 330 Ogres, but this is not only because the island is barren; my father's shallow understanding is also a main cause.

If I could inherit the position of Baron lord, I would use the knowledge I've learned to strive to increase the territory's fiscal revenue.

Furthermore, to demonstrate my determination and sincerity, I had my mother bring out all her savings and sell some valuable household items, raising 400 Ogres as the first year's repayment.

While speaking, Luosen took out his money pouch and handed it to the steward Dewa beside him.

Dewa took the money pouch, counted it carefully, and nodded, confirming: "Madam, it's exactly 400 Gold Ogres."

Lady Agneth's expression eased slightly, and she let out a soft sigh.

Luosen, although I don't think highly of your abilities, you do possess the virtues of diligence and trustworthiness.

I don't think you can pay off the tuition within ten years, so I'll extend the repayment period to twenty years. No need to bother calculating interest—just spread 200 Ogres evenly over twenty years.

Princess Selena beside them leaned close to her friend's ear and whispered, "Anna, you're too kind-hearted; this will cost you a lot of income."

Lady Agneth spread her hands, wearing a look of emotion.

Anyway, this clumsy brat is my first apprentice; he's already suffered enough—I can't possibly drive him to have no way to survive, can I?

Unexpectedly, the princess added, "Why not be kind to the end? After all, the money isn't much."

Er—

Lady Agneth unexpectedly glanced at her: "That also won't do; it would be unfair to my other apprentices."

Alright, what you say is also correct.

Lady Agneth then took a specially made gilded sheet from the drawer, wrote "Luosen Saxon" at the top, and at the bottom wrote the title "High-tier Mage Anna Robert Agnite".

Finally, she took out her own magic seal and stamped it on each of the two names.

This is your graduation certificate; take it to submit to the Mage Guild.

By the way, regarding your repayment, you and Dewa should go sign a contract.

Luosen received the flying graduation certificate with both hands, secretly letting out a sigh of relief.

"The mentor really is a good person."

Given his currently revealed ability and status, if her personality were a bit harsher and she made a slight move, she could obtain a slave for lifelong free use.

Given her position, even if she did that, no one would blame her.

In fact, apprentices like this, enslaved year‑round by their mentors, are too many to count.

Thus he earnestly promised: "Mentor, thank you very much for your care; if you ever need my strength in the future, just write me a letter and I will certainly do my best to help."

Lady Agneth shrugged, looking indifferent.

Don't boast here; just live your own life well, and not coming to ask me for help is already the greatest help to me.

Having said that, she waved her hand at him: "All right, don't stand there foolishly—go get busy."

After Luosen left the room, the radiant Princess Selena let out a soft sigh, a trace of sympathy appearing on her face.

In my view, your apprentice is unlikely to marry a good family's daughter. Any family with a bit of decency wouldn't want to marry their daughter off to White Sturgeon Island.

Lady Agneth glanced at her close friend, somewhat surprised: "That's true, but why would the esteemed Highness concern herself with my apprentice's marriage?"

Selena wore a look of feeling: "After all, I've watched him grow from a frail child into this mighty, tall figure. Now he's ended up like this, and I just feel a bit of sympathy."

(End of Chapter)