The ship was about to dock at its destination when someone unexpectedly caused trouble, and it was no small matter.


    On the deck, everyone’s attention was drawn to Rosyth.


    Ivan furrowed his brow, aware of the look Rosyth had given him earlier, but he didn’t care much about it. Unexpectedly, Rosyth had jumped into action, and Ivan detested this sort of unnecessary troublemaking.


    The grey-robed figure turned around, a smile of great interest appearing on his face.


    "Speak."


    Rosyth pointed and said, "Him, Ivan Marichardon, he dared to impersonate me, Rosyth, and deceived your lordship. Clearly, he harbors ill intentions."


    The little green winged snake vigorously pped its wings, quickly positioning itself in front of Ivan: "You’re not called Rosyth?"


    Ivan did not want to offend the sorcerer’s magic pet and exined, "Rosyth is another name for me, a nickname. Who says a person can’t have two names, just like a ship can?"


    "Makes sense."


    The little green winged snake nodded as though it understood perfectly.


    The Swamp Spade below was also called Dark Lahr; if a ship could have two names, then it made no sense that a person couldn’t have two as well.


    This was clearly nonsensical, and although the others found it amusing, no one dared to call it out.


    Seeing his tactic dissolve, Rosyth hurriedly brought up a second matter: "My lord, you once pursued and killed a runaway ve, theme Pharmacist. He has a close rtionship with that man, he is actually his—his student."


    The rtionship as a student was his guess, but he didn’t realize that he had inadvertently hit the mark.


    The grey-robed figure was about to say something when the ship jolted heavily as it docked.


    "Sorcerer Toyennes, why have youe personally?"


    The little green winged snake noticed a figure approaching the ship; it was their own sorcerer, and it immediately flew over without a second thought.


    The grey-robed Eckerz also lost interest in the current affair, turned around, and leaped over the railing to quickly reach the sorcerer, tipping his hat in a salute:


    "My respects to you, esteemed mentor."


    Sorcerer Toyennes questioned, "Eckerz, you arete in your return."


    The simple reproach made Eckerz shudder and he quickly exined, "Mentor, I was injured, and the nobles dyed in sending the candidates, causing a few days’ wait."


    "You were injured? Are you better now?"


    "I am healed."


    "Remember next time, don’t make your mentor wait for you."


    "Yes."


    In front of Sorcerer Toyennes, Eckerz was like a well-behaved child.


    Not far away, Ivan and the others also jumped off the ship one after another,nding on the ind’s rudimentary dock where only Dark Lahr was docked.


    Seeing Eckerz’s true face under the hood, with a ck python head growing behind his neck, many were taken aback.


    "Children,e over here."


    A swift nce at the group of only eight, a flicker of anger passed through the depths of Toyennes’s eyes as he gestured for the youngsters toe closer.


    The eight youths quickly approached.


    Toyennes was also cloaked in a robe, made of visibly finer materials. With his white hair and his face and figure resembling that of a middle-aged man, he looked cultured and schrly. If one didn’t know he was a sorcerer, they’d likely think he was a profoundly erudite schr.


    The hearts of Ivan and the others weren’t at peace, having heard of the fate that befell the previous batch of apprentices.


    "Children, I am Sorcerer Toyennes."


    "Greetings, Lord Toyennes."


    "Ha ha ha, once I test and enlighten you, you will be my disciples. Remember to call me ’Mentor’ at that time."


    Despite their far journey, Sorcerer Toyennes was particrly gentle towards the eight youths with sorcerer potential, easing their anxious hearts a bit, though Ivan still maintained a skeptical and vignt attitude.


    Following Sorcerer Toyennes and the little green winged snake, the eight youths headed deeper into the ind.


    This was an ind where vegetation was not lush, with many rocks scattered about, only deeper in did forests appear.


    After a ten-minute walk, they arrived at a castle.


    Comparing it to ck Pine Castle, Ivan thought it was about five or six times as big, with perimeter walls extending a full two meters higher.


    The ind was shrouded in a drifting mist and enveloped by clouds, rendering the ind and its castle somewhat lifeless in appearance.


    Inside the castle, it was no different from the usual noble residences. As they went deeper, aside from a few scattered servants, there were no other apprentices with distinctive robes in sight.


    "Children, let me test your aptitude. Who will go first?"


    In the main hall at the central area, Sorcerer Toyennes got straight to the point. He produced a crystal clear Crystal Ball, a faint ink color within adding just the right touch of mystery.


    Laurie stepped forward again, "I will."


    The others voluntarily lined up.


    The testing process was the same as with Baron Karl, simply cing one’s hand on the Crystal Ball and dispelling stray thoughts, trying hard to see inside the Crystal Ball. Laurie did as instructed.


    His face took on a brief trance-like state, as if he were once again upon the high seas, standing atop flowing waters surrounded by yellow dust, with thin ck smoke overhead.


    "Sorcerer with 3rd ss talent, affinity for water, earth, and shadow, specializes in Water-type energy."


    Baron Karl’s crystal rod had an upper limit, but Toyennes’ Crystal Ball provided a more detailed test.


    Hearing the sorcerer’s pronouncement, Laurie’s rank had dropped from 2nd ss to 3rd ss, and even though earth and shadow affinities were detected—an improvement—he wasn’t thrilled, as it was far from the highest 5th ss he had hoped for.


    To the other youths, this was exhrating news.


    Next was Charlene.


    "Sorcerer with 2nd ss talent, affinity for water and earth, specializes in Water-type energy."


    There was little difference from her previous test. The previously excited Charlene looked like a frostbitten eggnt.


    Then, Finkel, Glen, and Feyen—all had 2nd ss talent. The atmosphere in the hall became tense.


    It was Thomson’s turn; he approached nervously and carefully ced his hand on the sorcerer’s Crystal Ball. His prior test indicated 1st ss talent, and he hoped the results from Baron Karl’s crystal rod were erroneous. Experience more content on м??


    "1st ss, affinity for earth and water, specializes in Earth-type energy."


    Thomson’s hopes went unfulfilled, as he still possessed the lowest rank of sorcerer’s talent.


    The warm smile had vanished from Sorcerer Toyennes’ face.


    Ivan stepped forward, standing before Toyennes with an anxious air. He forced himself to calm down, not to overthink, before cing his hand on the sphere.


    Gradually, his thoughts entered an ethereal state, and when he finally saw clearly, his body tensed and his feet pressed harder against the ground. He was standing atop a hundred-year-old tree, fiery clouds above him illuminating the ancient branches in a fiery red glow.


    "Sorcerer with 3rd ss talent, affinity for nt, fire, water, specializes in nt-type energy."


    Toyennes looked on approvingly, while Ivan stepped aside in a daze.


    3rd ss talent—that was not too bad. He muttered to himself.


    Last was Justine, who still had 2nd ss talent, specializing in Water-type energy, with Lightning-type and Earth-type trailing behind.


    Sorcerer Toyennes summoned a Cloud Fog servant, instructing it to show the youths to their amodations.


    After the youths had left, Toyennes turned a stern gaze towards the little green winged snake.


    "Lahr, are these the individuals you have brought back? Have you earnestlypleted the task I assigned you?"


    Sorcerers’ talents are categorized into 5th sses, with 5th ss being the highest. Eight people and not one of upper ss—aside from Ivan and Laurie, who were intermediate, the rest had lower ss talents. No wonder Sorcerer Toyennes was angry.


    The nobles had chosen the candidates, and the little green winged snake had nothing to say in its defense, regretting its hasty decision toe along.


    "Flying Fish Port’s Hobson, I shall remember this."


    "Sorcerer Toyennes, perhaps I should make another trip and deal with that insolent City Lord?"


    "Get out of here, you are more trouble than you’re worth."


    Sorcerers abide by their own rules, and Toyennes had his own concerns to consider—it wasn’t the right time to confront the nobility of Flying Fish Port.


    Relieved as if granted amnesty, the little green winged snake sped towards the exit of the great hall. Behind it, it heard orders being issued: "When the ship docked, a servant dared to challenge his betters, offending my apprentice. Send that individual to myboratory."


    "Right away."