I was an apprentice in Ferren

Chapter 181 Under the Moon
Even in the powerful kingdom of Harua, level 11 mages have considerable privileges. They are considered high-ranking and are respected everywhere. They only show humility in front of archmages and high-ranking priests.

But that was merely a sign of respect for knowledge and the divine, and had nothing to do with social status.

But DuPont looked at his Level 11 and felt it was a bit too unusual.

If he were to truly fight to the death against a high-level mage or a high-level warrior, this guy, who isn't particularly skilled in either, would likely have a very poor chance of winning; he wouldn't stand a chance against them.

Are there any benefits?
I feel like I'm quite versatile, knowing a little bit about everything.
Although it's true that having many skills is never a bad thing, I'm a man who earns a living through my own abilities. I don't intend to be a gigolo or make a living by talking, so why should I take on the role of a part-time poet?

But it was all for nothing; the poet's legal document was passable.

My total level is almost 12, and if I level up again, I can increase my free attribute value.

DuPont was torn between adding it or not.
He can become a mage through self-study right away, so increasing his level would obviously be a waste.

And he already attracts enough attention, so it would be inappropriate for him to be any more high-profile.

If we're really going to get free attribute points, then the Arcane Knight is clearly the better option. Sneaking in a spellcasting level is definitely not a loss, it's just that my warrior level is higher than the mage's, which is really annoying.
DuPont, you were born into a noble family as a mage, so how did you end up going further and further down that worthless path of a warrior?
Just as DuPont was experiencing a toothache, the band's performance came to an end. As the last note faded, the other band members put away their instruments and bowed, but DuPont was a beat behind.

However, no one else noticed the difference. As the lead singer and the most stylish one, DuPont's final thank-you gift was perfectly normal. What's so strange about that?

However, everyone was clearly in high spirits at this point, and many hadn't had their fill of dancing yet, so they were very unhappy that the music had stopped: "Don't stop! Keep going!"

"Yeah, DuPont, you guys should book the whole music show tonight. We're just killing time anyway."

DuPont thought to himself, "My little paladin is probably doing something else, he doesn't have time to care about you two scoundrels." Just then, Shana stepped forward.

"Please understand that those on stage also need to enjoy the Midsummer Festival. Now, let the Firestarter Church sing the 'Honey Skin Aria' for you. May you all have a sweet and beautiful evening, and may you remember this day forever."

Pastor Shuni's appearance saved the day, and three novice pastors also came to the stage. The bards who remained on stage sang long and sweet notes from their fingertips, and the pastors swayed their beautiful bodies and sang softly.

"Her honey-colored skin was as gentle as the morning light."

"That is the grace dripping from the goddess's fingertips."

“Every curve is a sacred verse.”

"Every tremor is a burning flame of love."

"Oh, sweet Shuni~"

"Let our bodies become your temple."

"Let our love become a story blessed by you."

"Let every gaze of ours become a devout prayer."

"Until eternal beauty blossoms in everyone's heart."

Listening to the bard's solo performance of multiple musical notes, and watching the elegant yet alluring red-veiled dancers, DuPont felt as if honey was flowing in his mouth, and even his heartbeat quickened.

Putting everything else aside, these church girls do have great figures; they're definitely much better in bed than the soft flesh of the female apprentices.

Perhaps it's because you dance a lot?

[You passed the test for Marilyn Aria; it was not affected.]

Even if you're not affected, you feel your heart racing. What about those who are affected?

DuPont glanced to the side and saw that the single guys who had formed a band with him now all had dance partners. They were clumsily but diligently swaying their bodies to the long, drawn-out music, their expressions a mixture of excitement and nervousness, as if they were anticipating something wonderful.

On the contrary, the vice president, who had previously refused the invitation from that beautiful senior, was now all alone.

Although there were quite a few eager girls, they were all clearly waiting for him to speak.

DuPont smiled, then vanished without a trace.

The girl was probably afraid of being rejected. After all, with so many people watching, being rejected would be incredibly embarrassing, practically a death sentence.

However, his love life is quite complicated right now, so it would be better to sort it out.

Upon arriving at the slaughterhouse, Man Shi and his group were having a late-night snack and drinking, along with a strange man.

Could this be it?

DuPont roughly guessed the man's identity but didn't make a sound. He simply came to Man Shi's side and said, "Here's your ring back." "I didn't realize you sang so well. It's a pity the tune is still a bit soft, not exciting enough." Man Shi said, taking out a large drum and throwing it aside. "Next time, try something more exciting."

“Maybe when the opportunity arises.” DuPont shrugged. “You guys keep eating, I’m going to Ale Town.”

"Why go there?" Man Shi scoffed. "I see quite a few girls are interested in you. Just pick a few to play around with. You're still so young, why hang yourself on one tree?"

Man Shi's words made the druid next to him stomp his foot hard, but DuPont shook his head: "It was agreed at the beginning. I don't know if there are other things affecting it, but I have to go and see. If nothing is wrong, then I can rest assured."

After DuPont finished speaking, he quickly left. Man Shi looked at the man who had used magic to change his appearance: "Lavoisier, how about your cheap apprentice?"

“He’s not my apprentice yet, just a smart guy. I just don’t know if he’ll have great wisdom in the future.” Lavoisier shook his head: “This guy’s mind is too scattered, and he’s learned a lot of different skills. If he continues like this, it will be a bit difficult for him to become a legendary mage.”

"All this talk about legends, legends? I'm not a legend and I'm still doing just fine." Man Shi took a big gulp of wine. "By the way, about what you were saying earlier, are we really going to move?"

“If you really intend to retire, then you really have to move. Harua will soon undergo major changes, in as little as one year or two at most, but I can’t tell you exactly what it is.” Lavoisier then looked at Morningstar: “Your Morningstar clan, if you want a peaceful life, then you all have to move out within three months, otherwise who knows how many people will die. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

The druid's expression was somewhat grim. These were comrades-in-arms who had gone through thick and thin together and could entrust their lives and families to each other, so she naturally did not doubt Lavoisier's words: "Is it really that serious?"

“The situation will likely be even more severe then, and when it happens, it will shock the world.” Lavoisier said, pointing to his pouch. “I can only tell you that 70% of my wealth will be donated, the archmages will donate 40%, and tomorrow I will order all high-ranking mages to donate tens of thousands of gold coins according to their rank. Formal mages will donate an equivalent amount of thousands of gold coins, and apprentices will donate one hundred. The donations must be submitted by the end of the month. If even one copper coin is missing, it will be deducted from their salary and benefits until the debt is paid off.”

Even someone as sensitive as Man Shi couldn't help but gasp upon hearing this: "Should I donate?"

Lavoisier chuckled: "It only applies to registered mages. Barbarians like you aren't even human in the eyes of the council, so we don't need your donations."

After hearing this, Man Shi cursed and swore, while the druid found it unbelievable: "This is impossible, isn't it? Wouldn't doing this just push all those who don't donate to the opposite side? You have so many councilors, how can you pass this decree?"

"Another opposing side? Anyone who dares to disobey will have their Harua citizenship revoked." Lavoisier chuckled mockingly. "And it applies to mages outside the country as well. Even mages exploring other planets must raise the money by the end of the year, or all assistance will be cut off."

As for those councilors, if they dare to oppose a direct investigation, and if there are any problems, they'll be thoroughly investigated. At that point, even confiscating their homes would be too lenient. I think the old man might be going to kill someone this time.”

"Didn't they say your councilor doesn't handle things?" Man Shi asked, somewhat puzzled. "Even the Barbarian King wouldn't issue such a harsh order, because someone would inevitably defect. High-level mages can teleport directly to other countries, so how many people would run away if this happened?"

"Run away to other countries? Even if they escape to other planes, they'll be caught and imprisoned in a magic-suppressing prison." Lavoisier's eyes flashed with excitement: "I told you long ago that Harua was going to be purged. What eight great families? Bullshit! They should have been stuffed into the garbage dump long ago."

The halfling wiped his sweat: "If they all move away, should I leave?"

"Why are you leaving? Who dares to touch my cook?" Lavoisier said, his brow furrowing as if he sensed something, but then he relaxed his expression in an instant: "It seems like all sorts of monsters and demons dare to come out here."

"What's wrong?" The druid took out his staff. "Has another family already received news that Harua is about to have a civil war?"

"Don't worry, this is nothing." Lavoisier spat out the pig bone: "Just a bunch of brainwashed brats. As long as I'm here, the sky won't fall down."

"What about Sophie?" The druid tilted her head slightly, the bright moonlight shining on her shoulder, cold and serene. "I only recently learned that even Wildstone doesn't know about your affairs. What are you going to do?"

Upon hearing this name, Lavoisier's smile vanished, and he shook his head: "I've said long ago that I don't believe in arranged marriages. With you all there, our friendship is naturally unbreakable. But those old devils in your clan insist on sending me women, and I can't refuse them."

"So you're just going to leave it like that?" The druid shook his head, his eyes full of pity. "That's too cruel to her. People's minds will become twisted under such emotions."

“I’ve given her almost all the privileges in this academy, and even told her that it’s okay to play around with men as long as no one finds out. Of course, it would be best if she just got married, since no one else knows we’re married anyway, but she just doesn’t want to. What am I supposed to do?” Lavoisier shook his head: “Love and affection are such distant things now, they’re so boring.”

"So you're just going to drift along like this?" The druid sighed. "You're still young; shouldn't the bloodline continue?"

“Bloodline? Who cares about such things?” Lavoisier scoffed. He took out a knife and cut his finger, but the liquid that flowed out was not blood, but a viscous, mysterious liquid that resembled molten mithril.

The group felt a chill run down their spines after reading it. Lavoisier chuckled self-deprecatingly, "I don't even know if I'm still human, or what kind of strange thing I'll give birth to. It's best not to cause myself any trouble."

Lavoisier looked at Manshi and deliberately distorted his voice: "Hey? Your barbarian bloodline hasn't been corrupted, has it? Why don't you have a little barbarian to play with? I'll be his godfather and make him a barbarian mage. In the future, he won't use his staff to cast spells but to swing it at people. How interesting would that be? He'll definitely be able to catch people off guard."

Man Shi chuckled: "There's a perfect one out there, why don't you adopt him as your godson? It'll save me the trouble."

Lavoisier found it hilarious to watch the druid go berserk; this show was truly endlessly entertaining.

You'll become as long-winded as my mom.

But he was genuinely curious: "Who are you talking about?"

"Who else could it be but DuPont?"

"Damn, why is it that kid's name again?"

(End of this chapter)