Chapter 2: with translation of chapter title

Unqualified, next.

The neighbor girl ahead of Lin Ke was also eliminated; her eyes were red, and she pressed her lips tightly.

Lin Ke didn't pay much attention; at that moment he had only one thought:

Finally, it's my turn!

Before this, the entire force was wiped out, with not a single person qualifying.

The four peers standing behind Wizard Paro more or less showed expressions of arrogance or contempt.

However, they indeed had the grounds for such arrogance.

Wizard Paro landed on the Quelte Archipelago, visited seven noble territories big and small, and only then selected four youths with qualifications of at least Third Class Lower.

These four can be described as one in a hundred miles, one in ten thousand—a true genius.

Moreover, once chosen by Wizard Paro, their status and position undergo a complete transformation.

Normally high-and-mighty noble lords must speak humbly and even lower themselves to curry favor with them.

Becoming a wizard apprentice, they have not yet gained power, but they first taste the sweetness of authority.

Lin Ke took a deep breath, stepped forward, and placed his hands steadily on the crystal ball.

He felt two streams of qi enter his body from his hands.

The cool airflow from the black transparent crystal ball traveled from his left hand up his arm and neck into his brain.

The warm airflow from the colorless transparent crystal ball went from his right hand up his arm and chest into the viscera.

Each stream of qi swirled for a moment, then returned along the same path into the crystal ball.

The crystal ball began to emit light.

The colorless transparent crystal ball gave off a rich azure and verdant light, while the black transparent crystal ball emitted a dazzling white light.

Wizard Paro, who had been squinting, suddenly widened his eyes, his voice slightly surprised, and said: 'Innate mental strength 17, high affinity for water element, high affinity for wood element. Overall wizard qualification rating: Fourth Class Middle.'

As his words fell, the entire castle hall fell silent at once.

Then, various gazes fell upon Lin Ke—some envious, some jealous, some hateful.

There will always be people like that: if they can't have something, they don't want others to have it either.

Stand behind me.

Wizard Paro quickly regained his aloof demeanor and gave a soft command.

Yes.

Lin Ke bowed to Wizard Paro, walked to the left behind him, and stood beside the golden-haired, blue-eyed girl.

The four peers—a pair of twin siblings, a brown-haired boy with uneven eyes, and the golden-haired, blue-eyed girl—all nodded to Lin Ke in greeting.

Obviously, Lin Ke had been accepted by them, and there was a faint intention to deliberately get on good terms.

Lin Ke returned the greeting with a friendly smile.

He didn't realize that among these four, the highest qualification belonged to the brown-haired boy with uneven eyes, who was Fourth Class Lower.

The twin siblings and the golden-haired, blue-eyed girl were all Third Class Upper, just like each other.

As soon as Lin Ke arrived, he became the one with the highest qualification.

Wizard Paro had previously revealed that the probability of advancing from Third Class to official wizard is thirty to forty percent, while from Fourth Class it is forty to fifty percent.

Calculating it, doesn't Fourth Class Middle have a forty-five percent chance of advancing to official wizard?

Of course, this calculation method is incorrect.

But it does have some persuasiveness, right?

…… -> "……"

The wizard qualification test ended, taking up a whole morning.

The Holledi Viscounty had sixty-eight participants, but only Linke Grand obtained the precious ticket to the Mainland.

Viscount Holledi, who had been watching the test ceremony all along, was very happy.

Like them, nobles whose territories are scattered across the Storm Sea islands and island nations find it greatly beneficial to be able to send a wizard apprentice to the Mainland.

Not to mention the rewards from the Mainland Wizard Organization, such as the Knight Breathing Technique, potions, and runic items; if a wizard apprentice or even an official wizard hailing from their territory is active on the Mainland, the territory's nobles need not worry about being squeezed by neighboring nobles.

Should they happen to encounter a wizard nostalgic for his homeland who impulsively returns home, only to find his territory already destroyed—what the hell!

…… -> "……"

Wizard Paro, I have prepared a banquet and would be honored if you would grace it with your presence, allowing me to fulfill my duties as host.

Viscount Holledi extended the invitation to Wizard Paro with great humility.

Hmm.

Wizard Paro gave a slight nod, responded indifferently, then turned to Lin Ke and said: 'Go home, pack some clothes and belongings, say goodbye to your family; we leave this afternoon.'

Lin Ke blinked slightly at the words; he hadn't expected the schedule to be so tight, but he quickly reacted, bowed to Wizard Paro and said: 'Thank you, Wizard Paro; I'll head back now.'

Having said that, Lin Ke walked out of the hall.

Viscount Holledi gave a glance to the steward standing nearby.

The steward understood, immediately came forward, accompanied Lin Ke out of the castle hall, and arranged a carriage to see him off.

This really does have a touch of returning home in glory.

A high-end carriage, exclusive to nobles, came with a coachman and knight escort.

If it were truly a naive youth untouched by worldly affairs, he would likely be moved by Viscount Holledi's whole setup.

Lin Ke's home is not far from the viscount's castle; walking takes over half an hour, while by carriage it's only about ten minutes.

The Grand family had already learned the news from the boys screened behind Lin Ke who were eliminated; a crowd of relatives—close, not-so-close, and even rarely interacting—gathered.

The family patriarch, the usually taciturn blacksmith Grand, his face flushed, accepted relatives' blessings and congratulations.

And Grand Madam (Mmm... this title cannot be used before Lin Ke is selected by the great wizard) stood outside the door, continually gazing toward the Viscount's castle.

In the past, someone from Viscount Huo Le Di's territory had also been chosen by a wizard.

People her age all know that in the afternoon, the Wizard Lord will take people away.

What Lady Ge Lan De had on her mind at the moment was not the family's future wealth and honor, but that little son who had been injured over a year ago and, upon waking, had changed greatly.

Finally, in Lady Ge Lan De's eager anticipation, a splendid and luxurious carriage drove over.

Lady Ge Lan De lowered her head, rubbed her slightly reddened eyes, turned and went inside, took out the package she had quickly prepared after hearing the news, and went to meet the carriage.

"Mom……"

After the knight opened the carriage door, Lin Ke got off the carriage, saw Lady Ge Lan De approaching, and called out warmly.

Before he could say anything, Lady Ge Lan De shoved the package into Lin Ke's arms, gripped his hands tightly, and remained silent for a long moment.

Moments later, Lady Ge Lan De took the little son's hand and pushed him toward the carriage, her voice choking as she said, "Go, Xiao Lin Ke, study well, don't worry about home."

She would not let Lin Ke be entangled by relatives with ulterior motives, only releasing her grip after she had pushed Lin Ke onto the carriage.

Lin Ke did not defy Lady Ge Lan De, gesturing for the coachman to turn around and leave.

Through the curtain, Lin Ke saw Lady Ge Lan De standing there, waving continuously, seeing the carriage off.

Facing children setting off on a journey, a mother naturally worries, yet she always tells them not to worry.

Being together is not easy; cherish each moment as you go.

(End of chapter)