The two people took a while to regain their bearings before responding to August's question.
"Hello there, fellow Sorcerer I'm Tristan. Thanks for saving us."
The young man called Tristan had a grateful expression on his face and quickly introduced his companion.
"This is Ophelia, She is my sister and we are pleased to make your acquaintance"
Tristan performed a polite bow as he made his introduction. August made a similar gesture before he commented "Before we talk anymore let us tend to your sister"
" Ah, you're right!"
Tristan quickly removed some herbs from his pouch beside his waist and applied them on Ophelia's shoulder which was covered in blood and produced a sizzling sound that made her wince in pain. Tristan tore away the clothes on her right sleeve and bandaged it which reduced the bleeding.
After he was done, Ophelia stood up, looked at August with a complex expression, and remarked " Your wind sorcery was really powerful. Although you saved my life, don't get the wrong idea that I'm weak. I could have still handled the situation if you did not interfere."
August was calm and not flustered. " You're pretty good, I know that. I will leave the kill to you next time.
Tristan sighed when he heard his sister say that as he knew how stubborn his sister was.
Ophelia was a battle maniac and loved to charge into battles to display her strength and because of that she had an unmistakable pride in her abilities and believed she was the strongest among her peers. But today she was given an eye opener as although with her brother's assistance she managed to kill one wind wolf, she nearly lost her life. What made her even more ashamed was the fact that this seemingly handsome guy managed to kill a wind wolf in one shot with his powerful sorcery.
Was he an Intermediate Sorcerer?
According to what she knew, the sorcery of that power required a sorcerer to have at least 10 Spirit!
The only reason she could kill that wind wolf was that she had cast the rank 0 fire sorcery: Fire Arrow on her enchanted longsword and that combined attack took everything she had. While she was lost in her thoughts, her brother calmly spoke to August" Please don't mind my sister. She can be like that sometimes"
"It's fine Tristan, I like people with such strong will", August cooly smiled in response
"So where are you heading?"
"I'm applying for an apprenticeship at Great Sorcerer Phelan's Sorcerer Tower in Feronia town."
"Oh is that so? It turns out that we are heading there as well maybe we can head there together."
"Okay, sure!"
"Before that let's loot the valuables from the wind wolves", Tristan handed August a dagger.
When August's hand came into contact with the dead wind wolf the voice of Rhea immediately sounded in his head
*Master August, I've discovered a trace of wind affinity in the wind wolf would you like to extract it?*
"Yes, do it, Rhea." August hurriedly said in his mind while trying to hide the surprise on his face. Luckily, Tristan and Ophelia did not notice it.
*Extraction completed. Wind Affinity + 0.1%. An increase in wind affinity has led to a slight change in Spirit by 0.1%. All available wind sorceries have gained a 0.1-point increase in range and damage and a reduction in cast time.* Rhea reported to August a moment later. If one noticed August's expression just now he holding back his delight as he realized how powerful an asset Rhea was to him.
It seemed that by increasing the percentage of the affinity he had with the wind element, his Spirit was also nourished as he could absorb a little more wind elemental energy into his body. It also improved his wind sorcery and reduced the casting time, and increased its range and damage!
The three young sorcerers after taking out the valuable parts of the wind wolves began moving across the plains that lead to the main route leading to Feronia town. On the way, the group encountered 3 more wind wolves which they handled with ease with August singlehandedly able to kill two wind wolves.
***********
Three days later, Feronia town
It was a bustling town, with traders selling their ware whether, in shops or stalls, Mortals and Apprentice Sorcerers could be seen roaming around trying to gain cheap deals for some relics and other magic items. August, Tristan, and Ophelia did not bother asking directions as even from their current location, one could see a greyish tower that was on a hill, north of Feronia town.
The tower was about 50 meters tall and was made of granite and it looked imposing. The high degree of concentrated elemental energy could be felt by August even from this distance which made him sigh in awe at the sheer power of Sorcerers in this world.
After getting to the entrance of the tower an Intermediate Sorcerer approached them with a scrutinizing expression and a slightly cold voice. "Who are you guys and state your purpose"
"My name is August and beside me are Tristan and Ophelia. We are Apprentice Sorcerers and we're here to apply for an apprenticeship at the Great Sorcerer Phelan Sorcerer Tower" August replied with a respectful expression on his face. Hearing this, the expression on the Intermediate Sorcerer relaxed and said in a calm tone " Come with me. We first have to verify whether you are Apprentice Sorcerers like you said you were and then after that, the application will be approved by the Great Sorcerer's direct apprentice, and then you can be part of the tower.
After completing their registration, August and his comrades were given a grey magic robe with a lion head insignia on the left breast. This was the insignia of the Brander Clan and they were also given a pouch containing a magic bracelet. The Intermediate Sorcerer who introduced himself as Sorcerer Mark gave them a summary of the rules and regulations of the tower.
"The tower offers exclusive sorcery Knowledge and resources to its members. The catch here is that to gain access to them, Sorcerers must exchange them for points. Points can be earned by completing tasks that have been issued by the tower. Note that apart from Optional tasks, you must also complete compulsory tasks issued by the tower. On your magic bracelet, you can see the number of points you have and the points that you would require to access the various facilities in the tower such as the library, the testing rooms, the alchemy lab, and so on. "
Sorcerer Mark had a calm expression on his and seemed unhurried as he knew that this new information needed time to sink into the heads of the newbies in front of him.