Bilan Stone was 18 years old this year. She was the second daughter of a nobleman, and she was also an apprentice-level mage. Typically most noble children like her would be married into some family at the age of 16 or 17, but because Bilan had a good mage talent, she managed to get away from this strict social circle of nobles successfully.
With the guidance of an elderly mage, the young Bilan started her journey on the path of magic from a very young age. However, the Stone family, wanting to gain the most benefits and control her, steered her towards a different path, that of an alchemist, to keep her from becoming too powerful.
However,"The difficulty of training an alchemist exceeded the Stone family's expectations. Without proper guidance and sufficient resources to support her, Bilan, who had just entered the professional realm, found herself stuck in her journey and unable to make significant progress."
Before too much time had passed, Bilan began to realize that the path of a mage was growing increasingly challenging for her. Despite dedicating several years to tireless efforts, there was no sign of her breakthrough. This led most of her family to think that she didn't have potential.
As an embarrassingly low-level alchemy master who couldn't even refine high-quality apprentice-level potions, she couldn't make any contribution to the family at this stage. And because of it, her family also had made it clear that they wanted to give up on a mage like her with no potential. So this little mage could only continue to wait for her destiny where she would just end up as a more advanced marriage tool. However, Bilan, with her high-minded aspirations, was deeply reluctant to embrace such destiny.
However, as the saying goes- "There is always a way out." Just when the young girl was lost and desperate, a piece of sudden news made her see a glimmer of hope again.
Some time ago, a powerful mage from the Kingdom of Camos went to a small town near Dolez city to live quietly for his research. The Minohorn family, supported by this mysterious mage, started a business that nobody dared to compete with. So, in the field of making magical potions, the name "Minohorn" became very popular in Dolez city. Bilan once saw the leader of this family, Lady Lo Lan, who was liked by the powerful mage, at a fancy party for nobles. The brave and impressive image that Lo Lan left on her mind is still fresh in her mind.
Just a few days ago, Lo Lan, who had recently met with the mysterious high-level mage, came back to Dolez City. Along with a large box of magical potions, she also shared some really surprising news. The official mage, who had been living in the small town of Niailan, was actually looking to recruit some assistant apprentice.
Although nearly all the mages in Dolez City wished to become apprentices of the high-level mage, that lord had made it clear that he would only accept mages skilled in alchemy. This requirement disqualified most of the mages because alchemy was really not something that ordinary mages could lay their hands on.
Then there was another piece of news that made many alchemists who were thinking about applying hesitate. It was said that this mage had openly created a portal connecting to a Evil plane in the small town of Niailan, showing no concern for the safety of the town's residents.
Although such actions completely disregarded the unspoken rules among lawful factions, because Punk was a high-level mage, even the lord of Dolez City merely offered a few words of criticism, and that was the end of it.
However, in the hearts of many professionals, including Bilan, there was a significant question mark about the true intentions and character of this mage. As a result, many young mages who initially wanted to test their chances of becoming apprentices decided to back down.
Their thought process was-
"Who knows if I would be killed by a fireball because of a small mistake or just because of his unpleasantness."
The thought of an official-level mage possibly being associated with an evil faction made their scalps tingle. Therefore, as cautious professionals, most of them chose to give up the opportunity rather than risking their lives.
However, Bilan was different; she was moved.
Tired of the constant bothering from noble's sons and the unpleasantness of the aristocratic circle, and knowing that if she continued like this, she would become a "caged bird," she wanted to hold on to any opportunity that could change her current life.
....
Perhaps because there weren't many mages who took on this assistant role, fearing the possibility of being near a powerful evil official; so, even with Bilan's talent in alchemy, she was chosen as an apprentice.
Until she got on the carriage to Niailan, Bilan had a kind of unreal feeling,
"I... just escape that filthy Dolez just like this?"
Sitting in the slowly moving carriage, Bilan rested against the window, her long, light green hair flowing in the breeze. She had slender eyebrows like a phoenix and eyes as bright as the moon, shining beautifully. Her delicate nose, slightly rosy cheeks, and partially open lips resembling cherries made her flawless face look shy and endearing. Additionally, her snow-white, smooth skin and slender figure made her resemble a lovely orchid in a room – graceful and serene.
....
Far from the busy streets of Dolez City, Bilan felt the gentle morning breeze on her face and the sweet scent of nature, and she was utterly captivated. Although her future was still unknown, and she had many concerns about the unknown official-level powerhouse, small glimmer of hope started to grow in the heart of this lovely lady. The anxiety, mixed with fear, gradually eased in her mind.
As she gazed quietly at the beautiful wilderness outside the window with her aquamarine eyes, Bilan drifted off to sleep, her heart's faint turmoil slowly settling.
...
The future was always unpredictable, but if one doesn't move forward, how can one know whether the future is good or bad? Maybe she was stepping towards the bottomless abyss, thinking it was an "opportunity", But at least, at this moment, she could still enjoy the beautiful scenery of her path and the feelings of freedom and hope.
…..
The faraway mountains were rolling endlessly, and everything around was getting greener. Soft, green grass on the nearby hill was gently sprouting from the ground, adorning the steep slopes. The trees on the hillside were quietly growing new branches and leaves. From the branches of the Albizia trees, silky green strands hung down. The small yellow leaves covering the branches looked like a row of petals strung on a rope.
In the fields close to the town, the vast amount of QuQu wheat seedlings seemed like green waves, and the golden wild cauliflowers seemed like colourful fishes in this wave.
"What a beautiful view!..."