Cultivators at the Wizarding Academy

Chapter 14 The Beginning of Fate

Guts, the most outstanding genius in the Warrior Division.

To win the second-place position in the Warriors Division as a commoner with almost no resources allocated to him undoubtedly demonstrates that his talent surpasses that of the top student, Aphrodite.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, once Avery graduates this year, Gus will naturally take over the position of Chief.

At only seventeen years old, he was already a powerful figure of official rank, admired by many commoners. Even many instructors had high hopes for Guts, believing he had the potential to reach even greater heights.

Guts and Tayya first met two years ago. The academy's annual trials required students to form teams. At that time, Tayya was far more famous than Guts; she was already one of the academy's four beauties, enjoying immense popularity.

Guts was merely a talented commoner warrior who appeared on the list of candidates for the team due to his mentor's recommendation.

The list was entirely composed of nobles, both high and low, so the appearance of a commoner naturally led to Guts being ostracized. In the end, it was Tayya who took pity on him and allowed Guts to join the team.

Subsequently, during the trial mission, Taiya, as the squad leader, mediated disputes between Gus and other team members on several occasions.

The mission went awry, and Guts was critically injured and on the verge of death. Just when everyone was about to give up on Guts, it was Taeya who took out an invaluable, perfect-quality life potion and used healing spells time and time again to save Guts's life.

Their relationship began from that moment.

Taiya almost single-handedly reversed Guts's stereotypes about nobles. He had previously believed that nobles were all selfish and parasitic, living off the people.

The kind and beautiful Miss Taeya is Gus's ideal woman, a goddess who cannot be defiled.

Everyone knows that Guts is pursuing Taeya, and although he has never confessed his feelings, he always appears when she needs him.

Taeya naturally sensed something was amiss, but when asked by others, she simply stated that the two were good friends.

Nobles and commoners are two circles that never intersect, and there is almost no possibility of them marrying.

There's no denying that Guts is exceptionally talented. If he continues to work hard, develops his abilities, and earns merit on the battlefield, he might be able to marry the daughter of a minor nobleman.

However, as the daughter of the Count of Blue Rose, Taiya was a member of the highest nobility.

Even if Guts enters the elite stage in the future and becomes an honorary nobleman, it will still be far from enough!

Their marriage would become a laughing stock in their social circle, a disgrace that would last for generations, and would lead to their families being ostracized. In severe cases, it could even affect the continuation of their lineage.

In fact, in the eyes of most nobles in the kingdom, the lower class who did not even deserve to have a surname were almost no different from cattle and livestock, and their value was far less than that of a dragon or a pair of nice leather boots.

Some cruel nobles would frequently execute their servants for trivial matters. Aside from a damaged reputation, they would rarely face legal punishment, at most receiving strong condemnation from the noble council.

In the extraordinary world, the social hierarchy is more clearly defined. Those at the bottom have no power to challenge or even threaten those at the top, and thus naturally lose all their rights.

Nobility represents the supremacy of power, symbolizing the law of the jungle and the fundamental principle of nature.

The door to upward mobility has never been closed; those with exceptional talent must be accepted. Any spellcaster, as well as elite-level warriors, can directly become a lord, acquire their own surname, become a lower-ranking noble in the kingdom, possess permanent ownership of land, and enjoy unrestricted freedom.

To go further, one needs to acquire actual territory. This can be done through any legal means, such as purchasing through trade, exchanging land, earning merit and titles through military service, serving a lord, expanding the frontier, and so on.

The council of nobles generally ranks individuals based on four indicators: land, population, military, and economy, and then bestows corresponding titles upon them.

A baron must be granted a title for three consecutive years, a viscount for six consecutive years, an earl for nine consecutive years, and so on.

Barons and viscounts who possess territories and lineages are generally considered mid-level nobles. As for earls, they are considered the dividing line between the upper-level nobles of the kingdom, possessing completely independent power and the ability to amend the laws within their territories. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them independent countries...

Guts believed that if he became strong enough, he could one day change everything. If becoming an elite-level powerhouse wasn't enough, then he would become a super-level powerhouse! He would become a hero of the Holy Realm.

Every teenager is full of hope and dreams for the future.

They strolled through the streets, making various purchases. Although Atayal was generally frugal, Gus felt a pang of guilt and discomfort watching her spend so easily and naturally, without the slightest hesitation, on a gold coin that would cover an average family's annual expenses.

Back at the grilled fish restaurant, Gus finally found an opportunity to talk.

"Miss Taeya, after graduation, I hope to become your follower."

"Huh?" Taiya paused slightly, looking at Guss with curiosity. "Why would you have such a thought?"

They clearly had a better future; they could have chosen to serve the direct heir of a noble family in the kingdom, making it easier for them to be granted land and rise to the upper echelons of society.

Why choose her?

"Because..." The crew-cut youth's face flushed red, and he stammered, "I feel you can trust me."

"Alright! I won't refuse, but I can't make any promises to you." Taiya paused slightly, noticing the gazes around her. "My younger brother, Tai'an, is the heir to the Blue Rose. I can help you with the introduction."

"No, I only want to follow you," Gus insisted stubbornly.

Your loyalty to my brother does not prevent you from becoming my follower.

Taiya described how close the siblings were and how gentle Taian was. Borrowing manpower was just a matter of a word for her, like with the panda Mussophie; it was simply a formality.

Thinking of his sister, Gus, who valued the trust and affection between siblings, slowly nodded: "I believe you..."

"In that case, I'll take you to meet him later...to get to know your colleague first." Taiya patted the panda eating fish with a grin: "Butler, Mr. Mussophie."

"Hello! What's your name?" the panda asked in a friendly tone.

"My name is Gus, senior!" The young man with a buzz cut and thick eyebrows bowed deeply.

"Please take care of me in the future," Mussophie greeted politely, her attention returning to the food.

"And my guardian, Mr. Bruno."

Summoned by Atayal, a gentle breeze swept by, and an elderly man with white hair, dressed in a sharp black suit and wearing white gloves, bowed slightly in a standard posture.

"Hello! I'm in charge of the lady's safety."

"My name is Guts! Senpai..."

Gus sensed an unfathomable aura and a meaningful gaze emanating from the old man.

However, there was no malice intended.

(End of this chapter)