The Traveling Wizard of Worlds

There was no conversation during the ride, and the two approached the city in a carriage.

"Give me your badge," Mardo suddenly said to August as they neared their destination.

August took his badge from his pocket and handed it to Mardo.

Mardo took the insignia, opened his palm, placed the insignia in the center, and quietly chanted a spell.

"Aethel, Cynian, Vorlag'ath! Thraka'dor, Vyl'thas, Umbra-k'tah!"

August didn't hear it clearly, but it no longer mattered; his insignia was changing in Mardo's hand.

The silver metal serpent writhed like a living creature, continuously coiling and twisting around the Mercury droplet at its center.

"Put a drop of your blood on it," he suddenly commanded, handing a small knife to August.

August didn't ask why when he heard it, but quickly took the knife, pricked his fingertip, and then squeezed his finger, forcing a drop of bright red blood onto the central Mercury droplet.

"Not just the center, but also on the Silver Serpent's mouth," Mardo indicated that it wasn't finished yet.

August obediently squeezed a few more drops of blood onto the Silver Serpent's head.

The Silver Serpent opened its mouth like a real snake, and the blood on its snout was actually swallowed.

"Alright! Repeat after me!" Mardo's expression brightened, and he then chanted a rather complex spell, returning the Mercury Serpent insignia to August.

"Rhys-Gaelon, Kyl'vethra, Corvan-dor, Adurna-kai!

Sigilum Animae, Vinculum Verum, Vitae Sanguinis;

Per Obscura, Per Lumina, Transcende Nexus;

Ferrea Fides, Aeternum Cor!"

August listened intently as Mardo recited it several times before memorizing it. Then, immediately following Mardo's instructions, he watched the Mercury Serpent in his hand carefully, concentrating all his spiritual energy on it.

A series of complex and profound incantations resonated in the carriage. August felt the surrounding atmosphere suddenly calm; even the rattling of the carriage wheels disappeared.

"Rhys-Gaelon, Kyl'vethra, Corvan-dor, Adurna-kai!/"Rhys-Gaelon, Kyl'vethra, Corvan-dor, Adurna-kai!

Sigilum Animae, Vinculum Verum, Vitae Sanguinis;/Sigilum Animae, Vinculum Verum, Vitae Sanguinis;

Per Obscura, Per Lumina, Transcende Nexus;/Per Obscura, Per Lumina, Transcende Nexus;

Ferrea Fides, Aeternum Cor!"/Ferrea Fides, Aeternum Cor!"

Observing the Mercury Serpent in his hand, its appearance had changed. Tiny scales shimmered with fleeting flashes of blood-red light, and the agile eyes of the Silver Serpent also stared at August. The central Mercury droplet had become bright red—it must be his own blood!

As he chanted the last part of the spell, August suddenly felt the Mercury Serpent insignia become a part of him. He knew he had succeeded.

"Very good, it seems you've succeeded," Mardo said with a smile, looking at the young man he so admired.

"What is this?"

"The Mercury Serpent Formal Mage insignia needs an upgrade. After our meeting a moment ago, your admission was unanimously agreed upon."

He pointed to the Mercury Serpent insignia: "This insignia is now connected to your bloodline. The spell you just cast imprinted your soul's aura on it."

"From now on, any future meetings will transmit information through this insignia. And since it's connected to your bloodline, it's useless for others to take."

"Thank you," August said, expressing his gratitude. From today onwards, he was also part of an organization; he no longer had to study and research alone, and he could get answers to his questions.

"Furthermore, it has a solidified spell reflection that can block one minimum-level attack from a Formal Mage per day. For you, it's a life-saving opportunity."

August was somewhat surprised and pleased; this insignia also had a self-preservation function. It seemed he would have to keep it close.

Though it could only withstand a Formal Mage's minimum-level attack, for apprentices, it was a treasure that prevented instant death, especially now that they were being targeted by a group of evil cult mages.

"You're surely aware of our situation. Being targeted by a bunch of madmen is nothing good." He saw that August also seemed somewhat worried.

"You don't need to worry. They don't know that you're also an apprentice and that you've joined us, so they won't target you," Mardo reassured him. "As long as you don't ostentatiously use magic to expose yourself, you'll be fine."

August nodded, indicating he understood and would by no means court death.

"The most urgent task is to quickly accumulate magical power. I'm not worried about your foundational knowledge, but don't forget that magical power is also very important."

"I'll keep that in mind, Mr. Mardo. I'll take my leave now." August bowed, and after Mardo's bow, he headed home.

It was already night. Although there were oil streetlights, their sparse light seemed ineffective under the blanket of darkness.

August walked down the quiet, empty street, paying attention to his steps to avoid stepping on horse manure.

At that hour, all the shops were closed. There were no customers at night to buy, and keeping the shops open meant wasting oil money.

Only one profession was still active at that time. As August took a shortcut through the alley, he saw some lightly clad women, with half their "front lights" exposed and heavy makeup, standing at their doorways soliciting clients.

August could hear groans coming from inside as he passed the doorways.

He didn't discriminate against these women; he only felt sadness for those who had to sell their bodies to survive.

Having lived in this world for several years, he knew that most of these people were girls from impoverished families or widows whose husbands had died.

"Go back," he said, seeing a young girl, still childlike and probably not yet an adult, standing somewhat timidly in front of a small doorway. She wore clothes that were a bit loose and ill-fitting, and she looked at August approaching with a mixture of fear and a hint of expectation.

"Sir... sir!" She timidly tried to grasp August. "May I ask if you need...?"

"Go back," August shook his head, refusing to accept her despite her look of disappointment. "This isn't something you should be enduring at your age."

The girl sighed with relief, seemingly relaxed, but then seemed to remember something: "No... I—"

Before the girl could speak, August stopped her. He pulled out a few silver coins from his pocket and put them in her hand: "Use this to treat your mother's illness. Everything will be alright."

The girl's eyes immediately reddened. Just as she was about to thank him, she saw August had already turned and left. His shadowy figure, barely visible in the darkness, appeared especially tall.

"Thank you..." The girl lowered her head, tears falling. She knew she wouldn't have to sacrifice a girl's most precious thing to get through this difficult time.

August didn't feel much about it; he had seen such things so many times over the years that he had become desensitized. The alley he had just passed through was a place where normal families lived, so this girl was doing something like this for other reasons.

August had heard coughing from inside the house a moment ago and then saw a thin, middle-aged woman hiding behind, watching him. August could see the regret and struggle in her eyes; she was probably the girl's mother.

In that era, a serious illness was fatal; ordinary people simply couldn't afford to see a doctor, let alone buy even more expensive medicines.

He even saw the woman's determination to die in her eyes.

Being unable to stand idly by and offering money was probably his last shred of conscience; expecting him to do more was impossible.

"When did I become so sentimental?" he chuckled with self-deprecating humor, quickly dismissing the emotions the recent incident had caused him.

"If I hadn't read so many novels, I'd probably be selling my ancestors' house to survive right now."

He soon returned home. The neighbors had long since turned off their lights and gone to sleep. In that era, apart from the super-rich and nobles, no one else had a nightlife.

August lit the oil lamp, and a warm light illuminated the dim room. August relaxed completely; it felt good to be home.

Feeling a bit hungry, he first prepared a pot of tea and then spread jam on a piece of bread. He ate a little peacefully and drank a cup of steaming tea.

After that, August washed up and returned to his second-story room, preparing to spend the night.

Fatigue always led him to a quick sleep. August lay down on his bed and soon fell asleep.

*Whoosh!*

Something passed through the courtyard fence, rustling the leaves softly.

"Meow—"

*Hiss!*

The cat's meow abruptly ceased, and its body slumped to the ground as if falling into water.

"August?" A dark shadow appeared in August's courtyard. It looked at his house number, compared it to the information it had received, and chuckled: "It's you. Blame your bad luck."

Its body dissipated, like a wisp of smoke, surging towards August's front door and seeping through the crack.

However, no one witnessed this eerie scene. The only witness was Mrs. Carter's cat, who lived next door and was now buried in the same spot.

August was completely unaware of the danger approaching him.