The Traveling Wizard of Worlds

"These three ingredients, when eaten together, are equivalent to a very simple potion," Reinster said, pointing to the food on his plate.

"A potion?" August looked at the food on his plate; it didn't resemble a magical potion at all.

"Of course, compared to true magical potions, this is just the most rudimentary application of alchemy. It simply allows the magical power of these three foods to naturally fuse when chewed, achieving an amplifying effect." He explained, seemingly noticing August's confusion.

"I see." August nodded. He looked at the other apprentices who hadn't chosen these foods. "So why do only a few know this knowledge?"

From their previous conversation, August had already understood that these apprentices had been part of the Mercury Serpent for at least three years, with August being the only unexpected newcomer.

"Them? Hmm..." Reinster snorted dismissively. "These people have probably become too relaxed with this comfortable life."

He swallowed the last bite of food, his face flushed, and exclaimed with satisfaction: "Truly wonderful!"

"You should know that peaceful wizard organizations like our Mercury Serpent are a minority. Most are sects of dark origins, like The Umbral Cabal, or organizations based purely on etiquette," he told August.

"These apprentices probably forgot, in this environment, that accumulation and effort are the most important things on the Path of the Mage. Perhaps they forgot knowledge taught to us by the Formal Mages." He seemed quite disgusted with those apprentices. "This is the path they chose."

"So, the Formal Mages won't remind them?" August asked.

"Remind them? Why would they remind them? You don't think every wizard apprentice can advance, do you?" Reinster looked at him strangely, then said coolly.

"Actually, this is a selection process for apprentices conducted by the Formal Mages. Those without firm determination have no chance of advancing!" he stated pointedly. "My mentor told me that talent accounts for less than thirty percent of an apprentice's advancement to a Formal Mage; the rest is compensated by effort. Only after becoming a Formal Mage can talent approximately determine the limits a Mage will reach."

This kind of assertion was also mentioned in the ancestors' notes, which recorded such a set of data.

In a wizarding school where one of his ancestors' mentors had been, only two or three out of ten apprentices managed to advance formally, and those who did were undoubtedly the most diligent. Even those with good talent accumulated magical power a bit faster but didn't guarantee metamorphosis.

The most crucial point for advancing to a Formal Mage is transforming one's own mental world.

Apprentices continuously accumulate fundamental wizarding knowledge, and then use the apprentice's Universal Meditation Technique to deeply engrave this knowledge into their minds, thus steadily building a solid spiritual world.

Undoubtedly, this is a long-term process that requires perseverance.

August didn't feel guilty about this; he had approached learning this knowledge with the same dedication he had for his university entrance exam in his previous life.

August had already thoroughly studied the Common Language of Mages, the Undead Magical Text, alchemy, biology, and other subjects accessible to apprentices during the past few years. Of course, since he had no one to communicate with before, he accumulated a large number of questions, which only increased after Mardo appeared.

However, Mardo doesn't always appear, and August still has many pending questions.

"So, why are you telling me this? It's not just because I bought your notes, is it?" August was a little confused about this.

Logically, August and Reinster had only just met today, and their relationship was limited to a simple transaction. As for friendship, he certainly couldn't compare to those apprentices who had known Reinster for so many years.

"Is your referrer Mr. Mardo?" Reinster asked.

"Yes, why?"

"My mentor is Mage Blair, and their relationship is... well!" He made a subtle gesture backward.

August looked and saw Mr. Mardo smiling awkwardly next to Mage Blair, whose face was flushed. Anyone could see that they felt something for each other.

"So it's highly likely we'll become fellow disciples, and your mentor will be Mr. Mardo." Reinster patted him on the shoulder. "Of course, we have to take care of our own."

This reason was sufficient, and August immediately believed it. He didn't expect to unknowingly use nepotism.

Of course, he didn't think it was unfair at all: the world itself is unfair.

"Mr. Mardo is the most talented mage in our Mercury Serpent. He successfully advanced at twenty, and now the distance to a High Mage is probably not very far," Reinster said with a look that implied August was fortunate.

Formal Mages usually advance after the age of thirty; the preceding time is used to lay foundations. Many apprentices gradually get lost during this period, either quitting or failing due to excessive pressure.

"Why will my mentor be Mr. Mardo?"

"Don't you know? I thought he'd already told you." Reinster looked at him with some surprise.

"In the Mercury Serpent, mentors usually choose apprentices. Mr. Mardo has never had an apprentice in all the years since he became a Formal Mage," he explained.

"Do you know how surprised I was when I heard my mentor say that Mr. Mardo was going to guide an apprentice to join? I thought he would never teach."

August was also surprised. He had always thought that Mr. Mardo had introduced him, since he was the first to discover him.

However, August remembered that when Mr. Mardo appeared, he never refused when August asked him questions.

"So many apprentices envy you. Your future could include being instructed by a High Mage." Reinster also seemed envious, indicating that August had gained a significant advantage.

As for becoming Mardo's disciple, August was undoubtedly willing. Not to mention the benefits he would receive, having a powerful figure protecting him in this world would undoubtedly increase his sense of security.

Normal wizarding relationships are not like this; the dangers are imaginable. He had just heard apprentices comment on how an apprentice was found dead in his home a few days ago, with his heart ripped out—a truly tragic death.

Not to mention that he would receive more detailed guidance, which would greatly benefit his growth.

August already knew The Umbral Cabal, a malevolent organization hiding in Colin's shadows. He was also in their hunting ground, and the sudden danger worried him a little.

After all, he was just an apprentice and knew what those The Umbral Cabal mages could do.

In his previous world, he was a powerful spellcaster and only needed to worry about a handful of people, but upon returning to this world, he was once again at the bottom.

It was impossible not to feel a sense of inequality, but August took it as a way to motivate himself. To escape the pressure of imminent danger, becoming a Formal Mage was truly taking one's place in the magical world.

The ancestor's notes once said that the world in the eyes of a Formal Mage is completely different from that of an apprentice; only by becoming a Formal Mage can one truly comprehend the mysteries of the Path of the Mage.