The Traveling Wizard of Worlds

"Nothing, I just felt we'd get along well from the moment I saw you." Reinster waved his hand, signaling August not to worry. "Besides, our relationship might grow even closer in the future."

"Get some rest. It'll soon be time for the Formal Mages to answer questions." Reinster pulled a thick Dark-Hide notebook from his pocket and began to read it.

August also opened the notes he had just bought from him and quickly became engrossed.

The meal continued for quite a while. August compared the explanation of magical runes in the notes, pondering the differences with his ancestor's notes.

At that moment, a clinking sound was heard. Cups and plates seemed to stack themselves, and then Grandmaster Lior waved his hand, making all the tableware and tables disappear.

"It's time to begin," Reinster murmured quietly and then put away his notebook.

Hearing the commotion, August quickly put away his things and sat upright like the other apprentices, waiting for something.

The formal mages gathered, facing the apprentices. Grandmaster Lior stomped his foot, and immediately, vines and roots rose, coiling into chairs.

After these mages took their seats, Grandmaster Lior was the first to speak.

"I'm very disappointed!" He looked at the apprentices below with great dissatisfaction, a stern gaze in his eyes. "Except for a few, the rest didn't realize what they missed!"

"Reinster!" Grandmaster Lior called out. "Explain to them the effects of the Roman fish roe, hollow flower juice, and Moonberry jam."

"Yes!" Reinster immediately stood up and responded loudly: "These three foods are not special on their own; at most, they are low-magic materials. However, when consumed together, they interact and become foods with potion effects."

"This food mixture can accelerate the absorption of magic, although it's only effective for wizard apprentices," Reinster concluded.

"Very well, sit down." Grandmaster Lior nodded with satisfaction. Blair, beside him, looked very pleased; her student had made no mistakes, thus saving her reputation as a mentor.

"Let me tell you one more thing: this knowledge was once mentioned three months ago by Potion Master Mu during a Q&A session. It seems you didn't take it seriously," Grandmaster Lior reiterated.

The apprentices below bowed their heads one after another. The bolder ones even glared resentfully at August and the others, seemingly blaming them for not revealing the information.

"Why don't you reflect on yourselves? The food offered to you today was clearly announced before your arrival!" Grandmaster Lior startled the apprentices.

The nearby mages also showed disappointment. They understood the intention behind the matter, but seeing their own students among them made them quite uncomfortable.

"Remember, your efforts are not for others, but for yourselves!" Grandmaster Lior gave them another lecture and then sat back down.

August felt as if he were back in high school, listening to his homeroom teacher scolding them like quail. However, this time he sat as a good student representative, so the feeling was naturally different.

"Alright, let's begin the free Q&A session. Each person can ask three questions." Mage Lior gestured for it to begin.

Reinster was the first to raise his hand: "Mr. Mu, I'd like to ask, why must moonstone be used to refine the antidote for lycanthropy? Can't materials with similar properties be substituted?"

A plump mage spoke: "Oh, to think you've really grasped the causes of lycanthropy..."

Following this was a professional explanation. The apprentices, who had just received the lecture, no longer dared to be distracted and took notes. August was no exception, though he still wasn't clear on what lycanthropy was.

Then the apprentices posed their questions one after another, and the mages answered them all. Some had sudden revelations, while others remained completely confused.

August saw that the others had almost finished asking questions, so he raised his hand.

"I'd like to ask, what is the function of these two Undead Magical Texts when combined?"

August controlled his magic, writing two strange characters in the air in front of him.

Whose student is this apprentice? He's already studying the Undead Magical Text so early?

I don't know.

I saw Mage Mardo bring him.

Mardo? Has he started accepting apprentices?

The mages above were initially stunned, then began to discuss in low voices among themselves.

The nearby apprentices were impressed without understanding. Was this newcomer already studying the Undead Magical Text? Don't you usually acquire this kind of knowledge at the very end, and only a general understanding is needed, with apprentices not requiring deep study?

This question was clearly not superficial, indicating that August had indeed researched magical runes.

"I will answer this question," Grandmaster Lior surprisingly responded.

"The Undead Magical Texts are mysterious runes that endure from the ancient civilization of mages, totaling six hundred and sixty-six. Any arrangement or combination will have different effects, and mages have yet to research all combinations of Undead Magical Texts." He looked at August with admiration.

"And these two magical runes were analyzed and applied over ten years ago." Lior explained the function of this combination. "Their application requires very skilled magical puppet memory. This combination is specifically used in the field of magical puppets."

Magical puppets, as the most reliable experimental assistants and combat weapons for mages, have always been widely used. Of course, they have a flaw: the problem with their joints.

He drew a circle in front of him, and an illusory portal appeared before everyone's eyes.

Then, a figure walked out from within. Everyone saw that it was a tall humanoid creature, and it was female.

The reason they called her humanoid was because artificial traces were clearly visible at the joints.

"This is a low-level magical puppet. Its joints still use ball joints, which can get stuck after prolonged use and require maintenance to continue functioning."

However, this combination of runes allows the magical puppet's joints to soften when turning, like a real person, allowing the limbs to be created in a unique, integrated design.

Then he summoned another male-style magical puppet. This magical puppet was no different from a real person; if not for its rigid expression and bright blue eyes, August truly couldn't distinguish it from a real person.

Grandmaster Lior commanded the magical puppet to rotate its arm, as if it were a flesh-and-blood creature.

"Very flexible, no maintenance needed."

"Thank you, Grandmaster Lior, for the explanation." August thanked him with satisfaction and sat down, seeing that Mardo was looking at him with approval.

"August, you're already studying magical runes? Now I understand why Mardo chose you." Reinster looked at him in surprise.

"What does this have to do with magical runes?" August asked, bewildered.

"Don't you know that Mr. Mardo's greatest specialty is the Undead Magical Texts? My mentor said he was obsessed with them when he was an apprentice."

August immediately understood why Mardo was willing to be his guide.

However, August didn't particularly like magical runes; rather, he had no other choice. Most of the knowledge in the notes left by his ancestors focused on magical runes, and there were almost no other fields like potion-making, leaving him no alternative.

The mages above looked at August, then at Mardo, seemingly also understanding the reason for choosing August.

"Any other questions?" Grandmaster Lior's gaze swept over the apprentices. "If not, this Q&A session will end here."

"Apprentices, it's best to leave with your mentors. The The Umbral Cabal mages have been looking for those of us who are alone. Be careful and remember to send a signal if you encounter any problems."

Grandmaster Lior opened a colorful light door in the middle; that was the exit.

"Come back with me in a moment." Mardo appeared by his side.

"See you next time." Reinster waved his hand, and August nodded in response.

The two walked through the illuminated door and emerged in another corner of the lake. The other mages had already left, leaving them alone.

"The carriage is here." August saw that the carriage Mardo had booked arrived on schedule.

"Let's head back. You need to properly assimilate the knowledge you gained these past two days," Mardo reminded August.

"Also, remember not to reveal the existence of mages to ordinary people; the unknown is safer for them."

He emphasized the importance of secrecy again.