Chapter 76 A Visit to a Wizard
Chapter 76 A Visit to a Wizard
Before leaving the Hobson family's manor, Ivan had already received the certificate of becoming a noble - the iron scroll of the title. It looked like a plain iron plate with the oath of the noble alliance engraved on the front, and the other side was blank, left for the family crest and motto to be engraved later.
He is only an apprentice baron now, as he has not yet been recognized by Grand Duke Xiangmai. It will probably take one or two years of observation for the Grand Duke to see his ability to govern the territory.
In fact, as long as there is no massive rebellion by his subjects, as long as he as a baron does not do anything big that would anger God and people, and as long as he does not die suddenly, there is a 99% chance that he will receive the Letter of Nobility issued by the Grand Duke, become a hereditary baron, and turn Sanggu into the permanent territory of the Marichatton family.
Ivan guessed that the earl had another intention, which was to bring the limelight to him so that when Toines or other wizards held him accountable, he would have to bear more responsibility.
"Congratulations, Lord Baron Marichadon."
"Thank you for your congratulations. I am very happy."
In the carriage leaving the manor, Penny, who had changed her clothes, teased him.
Ivan looked indifferent. He estimated that Pernie's instigation was indispensable. Only Pernie's words could make Earl Hobson take a fancy to him and choose to invest in advance and place a heavy bet.
Jiushi was also in the carriage, staring at Ivan with her beautiful eyes from time to time.
Ivan asked curiously, "What is Sanggu?"
Penny replied: "You will know when you go there, there is a place for you to display your talents."
Ivan understood. It seemed that this was a territory in very poor condition. This was not unexpected to him. Basically, every outer territory was like this. It needed the nobles to slowly manage it before it could develop and prosper.
At this moment, they were on their way to visit the two strange wizards. There was not much surprise on the faces of the three of them, but they were filled with anxiety in their hearts.
Soon, the carriage arrived in front of a house, which was the residence of Wizard Ange.
The attendant went in to report, and the three of them waited anxiously.
"My three lords, Lord Ange is letting you in."
Following the entourage, the three of them came to the small garden at the backyard of the house, where a tall figure in a wizard robe stood.
He turned around and looked no older than thirty.
"Are you Toines' apprentices?"
"Yes."
Without waiting for the three to greet him, the wizard started asking questions directly. The three did not dare to neglect him and could only nod and say yes.
Ange asked again: "Briefly tell me about your qualifications."
"Third level, affinity with wood, fire, and water."
"Fourth level: earth, water, and wind."
"Second class: water, thunder, and earth."
After hearing the answers from the three people, Wizard Ang took a closer look at Penny, who had the fourth-level talent.
Then I asked them about the island and asked them to talk about their experiences. I listened to them from beginning to end without giving any opinions.
Ang seemed to be asking them a routine question, and then he sent them out of the house.
The three of them came to another house nearby, inside which lived the wizard Bernardson, who was from the same academy as Toins. The three of them needed to be more careful when dealing with this wizard.
Inside the hall, there was also a young wizard who met the three people.
Bernardson said, "You are all apprentices of Toines, right? Basically, you all belong to the Mona Ant Hut. You are all from the same academy, so there is no need to be nervous."
Compared with Wizard Ange, his attitude was more friendly.
The three dared not to be nervous: "Yes, Lord Bernardson."
Bernardson went on to say, "We went to that island. Apart from the disruptive elemental creatures and chaotic elemental particles, there was no one alive. Wizard Toins should be dead."
This meant that the other apprentices and followers were dead.
Hearing this, the three of them looked at each other and were glad that they left early, otherwise they would have become one of them.
Now that Toines was dead, they felt much less stressed.
If Toins didn't die, it would be a hurdle they couldn't overcome. They would always have to worry about him coming to them, or suddenly transferring the curse power to them. Death would be the best outcome. Billel actually did this.
A trace of sadness and shame flashed across the depths of Purney's eyes, which eventually turned into a heavy sigh.
Bernardson said, "Toinsko left a difficult problem for the academy, which caused the deaths of many apprentices, including all his former students. As his current students, I need you to explain this problem clearly."
"Let me tell you, I know more details."
This question was the most important one. Ivan did not expect to fool around, so he took the initiative to explain everything from meditation to branding the curse to rune formations. He told the story one by one, but he hid the fact that he had comprehended the formation.
After he finished speaking, the three of them revealed the cursed patterns.
Bernardson glanced at it and waved his hand unhappily for them to put it away, ignoring the eager anticipation in the three people's eyes.
Bernardson thought with regret that it was a pity for such an apprentice with fifth-level talent. It was a recognized fact in the wizarding world that a person with fifth-level talent had an 80% to 90% chance of becoming a formal wizard. Otherwise, he could have brought back a great general for the patrol team.
"We will stay in Flying Fish Harbor for a month. After a month, follow me back to the academy. Remember to bring 10 low-grade magic stones as tuition."
Wizards believe in equal exchange. Penny was not surprised about the tuition fee, but Ivan felt bad. He wanted to see if he could use potion instead.
Jiushiti asked a question carefully: "Sir, can I not go?"
The other two looked at her in surprise, not knowing what she meant.
Seeing the wizard's displeasure, she quickly added: "I don't want to go to the wizard academy. I just want to stay in Xiangmai Principality. I really need to take care of my mother. I only have second-class talent and am destined not to become a formal wizard."
This was the first time Bernardson had seen an apprentice unwilling to go to the wizard academy. When he heard her say that her talent was only second-class and she looked timid, he immediately took out a test crystal rod and tested Jiushi's wizard qualifications.
"Remember, you are not allowed to join other houses."
"I must remember that I'm not going anywhere."
Her second-class talent actually became an advantage, not to mention that she was an apprentice with a second-class talent who was cursed and had not yet learned the academy's meditation method. It would be a waste of resources for her to go to the academy. Bernardson agreed after thinking it over.
Coming out of the house, the two couldn't help but look at Jiushiti.
"I've never been good at fighting. Wizard training is too dangerous. I don't think it's suitable for me." Jiushiti said frankly. She was frightened by the various situations on the island. She escaped from death and she didn't want to face the same danger again.
So, how to solve the curse problem on your body?
"This is a choice, and it's good if it suits you."
"Good luck, Jiushiti."
Both of them knew that she had a big hidden danger, but this was Jiushiti's personal matter. She had already made the decision and must have her own considerations.
Looking at the two people in front of her, Jiushi suddenly felt that she was somewhat out of place, and couldn't help feeling a little regretful and uncomfortable.
She left in a hurry, and the two of them were left in silence.
"Where are you going?"
"Administrative Office."
"That's right, you need to learn more about your territory. If you need any help, just ask."
"I'll remember what you said."
Penny took him to the government office.
Ivan needs to come here to go through the formal procedures, register as a noble, receive the territory boundary map, and confirm the specific scope of the territory.
In the government office, he got some information about 'Mulberry Valley', which was a remote territory next to the Black Mist Forest. There was a large mulberry forest in the territory, and sericulture and silk production were the mainstay industries.
But in recent years, large tracts of mulberry trees have died, and silkworms can no longer be raised well, so there is an urgent need for a lord to take charge of the situation.
Ivan didn't believe all of this. It was not difficult for him to guess that Sanggu had a big problem that needed to be solved urgently.
(End of this chapter)