Wizard Earl

Chapter 27 Poor wretch (_)

Upon hearing Reyes's words, Connor was stunned, as if struck by lightning!

Reyes knew he had become a wizard's apprentice! He knew about his connection to Valverde!

Taking a deep breath, Connor snapped out of his daze. He looked solemnly at his smiling mentor and reached out to take the notebook.

"Thank you, mentor!" Connor said in a deep voice, feeling the tactile quality of the notes.

With a soft chuckle, Reyes shook his head, took two wine glasses from his desk drawer, and poured the wine from the table into them. "Connor, this is red wine from my winery. This bottle was specially prepared for you, for this moment! Please enjoy!"

Looking at the bright red liquid in the wine glass, Connor slowly picked it up. He wasn't worried that Reyes had put something in the wine, because Reyes had no need to. The idiom he had once explained to Vidal, "Man is the knife and I am the fish," was equally applicable at this moment.

However, Connor has gone from being a knife that cuts however you want to to be meat, while Reyes has become the knife. Although Connor is now a junior wizard apprentice, the time has been too short. Connor has not yet learned the corrosive acid spell that Vidal taught him, and his strength has not increased much.

"Cheers! To tomorrow!" Reyes raised his glass and proposed with a smile.

"For tomorrow!" Connor forced a smile and toasted Reyes.

"clang!"

"How does the red wine from my winery taste?" Reyes asked with interest, watching Connor absentmindedly down his glass of red wine.

"A rich and full-bodied flavor on the palate, with hints of fruit and oak on the sip. Congratulations, mentor, on finding such a fine winery!" Connor exclaimed with a smile. But in reality, how could he possibly appreciate wine right now? He was just going to swallow it down!

Hearing Connor's compliments, Reyes pointed at Connor and chuckled.

"Connor, I know you have many questions and doubts, which is perfectly normal. I've given you the gift and we've had the drink. Now, as your mentor, I'll begin to answer your questions!"

"The first question, how did I know you became a wizard? The reason is simple: I'm a wizard too. And I've been on this path for much longer than you!" Reyes, still sporting that warm, inviting smile, explained gently:

Connor didn't speak, but just quietly looked at Reyes. Connor wasn't particularly surprised that Reyes was also a wizard. He had long suspected that Reyes was a wizard, but now it was just that Reyes had confirmed it himself.

Seeing that Connor remained silent, Reyes smiled and pointed to the notebook in Connor's hand, saying, "Connor, you've probably already figured it out. This notebook belongs to that detective Valverde you sought out. I must say, this detective's professional ethics are truly appalling! Therefore, given this, I've made sure he received the punishment he deserved!"

"The magical item I gave you, the Sun Badge, is known as an enchanted item in the wizarding world. The Gwendolyn Badge is a creation I made in my youth. When we last met, you sought my help, and I knew you were in trouble. This Valverde, though a mortal, was as cunning as a fox in the forest, so I helped you get rid of him!"

Connor sighed inwardly. Valverde's "suicide" was caused by the powerful wizard Reyes, so everything became clear.

Connor looked up at Reyes and said solemnly, "Mentor, you've done so much for me. How can I possibly repay you?"

Reyes gave Connor an appreciative look and said crisply, "In the world of wizards, the pursuit of truth and the principle of equivalent exchange are timeless laws. Therefore, I have one request for you: to inherit my mantle!"

Reyes' answer immediately made Connor's expression turn somewhat strange. He hesitated for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "Why me?"

"Why you? That's a good question, but the truth is, I don't know why it's you either. Perhaps it's fate!" Reyes said self-deprecatingly.

"It's time for Connor to make a decision, Connor Ferguson. Are you willing to become my disciple, Reyes?" Reyes' smile faded, and he spoke solemnly.

"I do!" Connor said without hesitation. Although Reyes had used the vague excuse of fate, Connor couldn't say "no" to Reyes!

"Very good! Connor, as your guide on the path of seeking truth, I hereby declare that you have now officially entered the world of wizards!" Without too much formality, Connor became Reyes's disciple.

"Tell me, Connor, what's your impression of wizards?" Reyes asked with a smile.

Without immediately answering Reyes' question, Connor pondered for a moment before finally uttering two words: "Mysterious! Powerful!"

"Is that all?" Reyes raised an eyebrow and continued to ask:

This time, Connor didn't hesitate and nodded directly. Apart from their mystery and power, Connor really lacked knowledge about wizards.

"Connor, it seems you see wizards as something wonderful! But as your mentor, I must tell you, you're far too idealistic!" Reyes's lips curled into a self-deprecating smile. "Wizards are believers in truth, symbols of the extraordinary, but we are pitiful creatures caught in a vortex of danger and madness!"

Reyes' words echoed in the study, resonating in Connor's mind.

"A pathetic creature constantly caught in a vortex of danger and madness? How am I supposed to understand what you mean by that, mentor?" After a long silence, Connor asked.

Reyes's concept of a wizard surprised Connor. Listening to the meaning behind Reyes's words, it seemed that becoming a wizard might involve some fatal danger!

"The path of seeking truth is fraught with danger. A single misstep can easily lead to loss of control. At best, it results in mental instability and an extremely sensitive and eccentric personality; at worst, it leads to death and the annihilation of years of arduous cultivation. The worst outcome is complete loss of consciousness, turning one into a monster!" Reyes said slowly.

"Mentor, could you please explain in more detail what the dangers are?" Although Reyes's description was frightening, Connor still didn't have a clear understanding of the dangers involved.

"There are many examples of this: experiments failing and becoming contaminated; being too eager for quick results during meditation, leading to a loss of control..."

(End of this chapter)