Sixth Ring Wizard

Chapter 60 War

"what?"

Herag was surprised; he hadn't expected Larry to have prepared the Dawn Potion for him.

Larry laughed, "I originally wanted you to take this opportunity to gain some experience in potion making. The Dawn Potion was still too difficult for you, I didn't expect you to actually succeed."

"Genius! Of all the wizards I've seen, your talent in potions is second to none. Your wizarding aptitude is 75, and your potions talent is a whopping 95."

Herag scratched the back of his head, surprised that Larry thought so highly of him. Deep Blue played a crucial role in the creation of the Dawn Potion; without Deep Blue, he indeed would not have succeeded.

"Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Larry. These are the ingredients for the Dawn Potion that I borrowed from you earlier." Herag returned the unused portion of the ingredients.

Larry snapped his fingers and put the materials away, then said solemnly, "You'll be a second-class wizard apprentice in a few days, and the academy might assign you some tasks."

"Task?"

Larry explained, "You know about what happened with Green Hut recently, right? It started as Malcolm's personal act of revenge, and such frictions are not uncommon. However, a week ago, the level one wizards from both sides clashed."

"A first-level wizard." Herag realized the seriousness of the problem. No matter how much fighting occurred between wizard apprentices, that was only the most basic level of things.

Once first-level wizards start fighting, it escalates into a matter between two wizarding organizations.

"Therefore, it is foreseeable that our battle with Green Hut will not stop for some time to come. On the contrary, the situation will become more and more tense. I can tell from the potions that the woodlands have entrusted me to make during this period that they want to do something big."

"Both sides seem to want to use this as an excuse to fight a big battle. The fighting will not stop easily and may escalate into a war between the two wizarding organizations."

Herag had read about wizard wars in some ancient texts. Even formal wizards might not be able to protect themselves, let alone wizard apprentices. At that time, all wizard apprentices were just expendable resources.

Many magical formations were even activated by sacrificing the lives of hundreds of wizard apprentices in order to unleash their immense power.

"I still remember the last wizarding war I experienced firsthand, where countless people died in various tragic ways every day. On nights after the war ended, very few houses in the northern forests had their lights on," Larry recalled.

"Aren't there any wizard apprentices who run away?" Herag asked.

In the event of a large-scale war, a weak wizard apprentice, knowing that danger is imminent, should choose to flee.

Larry shook his head helplessly: "Do you remember the form you filled out the day you joined?"

"Forms?" Herag suddenly realized something. Moonglade might seem to have little control over wizards, but in reality, there were ways to enforce them.

"That's right, I told you about that form. It's enchanted. Besides its functions of identity entry and verification, it's also a contract. If Moonglade wants to attack you, you can't escape," Larry explained.

Helag was somewhat surprised, but upon reflection, it made sense.

There's no such thing as a free lunch. Moonlight Grove won't provide these conditions for you free of charge; you'll have to step up when they need you.

However, this still bothered Hrag, who did not want his fate to be controlled by others.

"So, when war breaks out, we wizard apprentices are left with no choice but to follow the orders of Moonglade?" Herag asked.

Larry shook his finger: "There are four ways. First, if you can advance to become a full wizard, the magic's binding force on you will cease to exist. At that time, you can decide whether to stay in Moonglade or leave. If you stay, you will have to sign a new contract, a very fair exchange of benefits."

"The second option is to apply to Moonglade to leave the organization, but this is generally not allowed. Only wizard apprentices who are nearing the end of their lives and want to leave are permitted to do so."

"The third method is that the wizarding woodlands, which are often away from home, can't control you. Many wizards are in extremely remote places and can't be contacted at all. This method is no longer feasible. There are now access controls in the woodlands. Before, no one cared if you went out, but now you must have a legitimate reason to go out."

"The last reason is for those who are on duty abroad, which is one of the legitimate reasons for going out now."

Herag listened attentively, then after a moment's thought, asked, "Mr. Larry, it seems the best thing for me is to take on a mission and go out openly and legitimately?"

Larry replied, "Theoretically, that's true, but these missions must be officially issued by Moonglade, and many people are eager to take them. The duration of these missions is also uncertain; you might have to come back in a month or two."

Hrag frowned. It seemed that Moonwood, which he had thought was safe, was now in danger of being drawn into war at any moment.

"But there is another way." Larry gave a meaningful smile as he stared at Herag.

Herag felt a little uneasy under his gaze and tentatively asked, "What method?"

"Become my student," Larry said slowly.

"Students?" Herag had somewhat anticipated this outcome.

Larry had always taken good care of him, not because Larry was a good person, but because he saw potential in Hrag, a fact that Hrag had always been well aware of.

If I could become his student, I would definitely avoid a lot of detours.

Larry chuckled, "So, Herag, would you like to become my student?"

Instead of answering immediately, Hrag asked, "What do I need to give in return?"

Larry laughed, "Don't be nervous, I won't make you pay any price, like your soul. Actually, the teacher-student relationship is just a strong bond of mutual benefit. I'm helping you now, and you'll help me in the future if you can. Wizards don't talk about feelings; mutual benefit is always the most effective tool for maintaining relationships."

"Actually, what I've given you so far is worthless to me and doesn't cost me anything."

"I originally intended to observe you for a while longer, at least until you could advance to the third-class wizard apprentice level before considering taking you on as my student, because only then would you have sufficient value. However, the potion-making talent you have shown has forced me to reconsider, and after thinking it over, I believe you already possess sufficient value."

"So, Herag, would you like to become my student?"

Herag smiled and said, "Greetings, Professor Larry!"

"Very good, wait a moment, I'll tell you about the things you need to pay attention to during the promotion process, and how to handle any special situations you encounter. After you go back and complete the promotion, I will assign you a mission, at which time you can go out to Moonglade to avoid this war," Larry instructed.

"What about you, teacher? Are you going to stay in Moonglade?" Herag asked.

(End of this chapter)