Strength: 2.7, Agility: 2.1, Constitution: 2.8, Spirit: 1.4
A membrane of light flashed into Ivan's field of vision, clearly displaying his body stats.
This was the second day after he had taken the third Ocean Blue Potion, combined with the Mountain Monster Potion, already bringing a considerable improvement on just the second day: 0.1 strength, 0.1 agility, 0.2 constitution. By the time the potion's effect wore off, his constitution might reach the standard of a squire.
His gaze fell on the last item—'Spirit.'
Initially, it was his highest attribute, and he once mockingly called himself a man of high spirit.
"I hope everything goes smoothly," he muttered.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward and rang the doorbell of the villa.
"Good day, Mrs. Harayer."
"Good morning, Mr. Ivan, are you ready?"
"Of course."
The two exchanged a few words before a carriage bearing a noble's crest stopped in front of the villa.
On Mrs. Harayer's invitation, Ivan boarded the noble carriage and could smell a rich scent different from Mrs. Harayer's perfume as he entered the carriage.
As the carriage started moving slowly, Ivan was not in the mood to discern the differences in scents. He couldn't help asking, "Madam, what will I need to do later?"
Mrs. Harayer gave him a reassuring smile, "It's quite simple, if I must say, you need to first pay the fee."
"No problem."
Ivan, without any suspicion, promptly handed over the prepared pouch, containing 15 Gold Coins.
He could earn money, but his expenses were significant, keeping him always tight on funds. This time, to gather the money, he had entrusted Beaman to sell a dose of the Ocean Blue Potion, which netted him 20 Gold Coins, more than he expected.
The coachman drove the carriage towards the city's more central area, stopping near a mansion close to the City Lord's Residence.
"Madam, we have arrived."
Mrs. Harayer brushed aside the carriage window's curtain and signaled to the guard who came to open the door.
From the window, Ivan saw a small estate-style mansion considerably larger than his own villa. Located in the city's central area, it surely belonged to a noble of high status.
The carriage continued and after some tens of seconds, stopped at a hall on the side of the mansion.
Ivan got off the carriage first, and then helped Mrs. Harayer down.
"Welcome, Mrs. Harayer," said the elderly butler as he led them into the side hall and asked them to wait momentarily.
Soon, a middle-aged nobleman appeared. Through his pleasantries with Mrs. Harayer, Ivan learned that this man was Baron Karl, also an official of Flying Fish Port, though his specific position was not known.
Baron Karl didn't inquire about the fee for the test. He took out a box he was carrying, unwrapped the blue satin around it, and pulled out a palm-sized crystal rod with a slightly larger crystal sphere on top.
Ivan couldn't help but look over; this object's shape could only be described as indescribable.
Baron Karl instructed, "Young man, hold it like this in a moment, and stare intently at the Crystal Ball above. Be sure not to think of anything else." He then handed the crystal rod to the butler beside him.
The butler passed it to Ivan.
"I understand."
Ivan took the crystal rod from the butler's hand, staring seriously at the small Crystal Ball, unblinking, trying to see what lay inside. He inexplicably fell into a daze.
In a flash, the Crystal Ball emitted a soft glow, growing from weak to strong, and then settled.
The eyes of everyone present lit up as they saw a wispy green from the light.
When Ivan came back to his senses, the glow had dissipated, and seeing everyone staring at him intently, he couldn't help but ask, "How is it? Do I have the potential for wizardry?"
Baron Karl chuckled in response to his words, "Congratulations, Mr. Ivan, you possess a precious sorcerer aptitude. According to the just now test, your wizard talents are at least 2nd Class, with a primary affinity for Plant-type element energy."
Ivan was puzzled, "At least 2nd Class, what do you mean by that?"
He casually handed the item back to the butler, who carefully returned it to the box, placing it upon the blue satin.
Baron Karl, showing great patience, pointed at the crystal rod and explained, "The small Crystal Ball has its limitations, it can only preliminarily test your aptitude. Your wizard talents should be above 2nd Class. Sorcerer talents are ranked into five classes, with 5th Class being the highest. This is good news for you."
"If you wish to further test your aptitude, you must find a true sorcerer. And by affinity, I refer to element energy, including water, flame, ice, wind, earth, plant, etc. You are closer to the energy of plants."
As a trusted confidant of the City Lord, Baron Karl knew much more about the secrets that ordinary people could hardly touch.
Plant energy, huh!
Ivan mused, no wonder he had seen a shade of emerald green in the Crystal Ball just now.
He did not know which affinity was better, but anyhow, as the Baron said, having wizard talents was good news, meaning he had the chance to embark on the path of a sorcerer.
"Your Excellency Karl, may I know where to find a true sorcerer?"
Baron Karl anticipated he would ask, "Wait."
What was that answer, Ivan was completely confused.
Before he could say anything, Baron Karl added, "Wait for the opportunity. A youth with talent and diligence like you will always gain favor from fate. You just need a bit more patience, quietly awaiting the opportune moment."
The Baron was unwilling to say more and motioned to the butler to show the guest out.
Ivan had no choice but to leave the small manor together with Mrs. Harayer.
Two days later.
Outside Flying Fish Port, in a cave beneath the secluded cliffs by the coast.
Rosyth and Benson made their careful way down the steep path to the mouth of the cave, looking at each other with heightened caution since both had suffered a setback there before.
"Be careful."
Rosyth gestured for Benson to enter the cave first while he himself kept watch for any movement from behind.
The cave was full of jagged rocks, one side met the sea water, and most areas within the cave were submerged, with the remaining land area being not so extensive and straightforward.
The terrain was higher at the entrance, and a few steps closer would allow one to overlook the interior completely, but no figures were seen.
Benson, warily sweeping his gaze toward the innermost part of the cave connected to the sea where a rotten shipwreck lay, now even more dilapidated, with scattered insects hovering nearby, remembered it as the place where their trio had previously faced danger and fallen out.
He shook his head and said back, "No one's here."
Gripping his iron sword, Rosyth stepped forward and shouted behind a particularly large protruding rock, "Come out, Ivan, I have seen you. It's time we settled all past scores and the humiliation you've given us."
Benson held his sword in front of him, his other fist ready as if to brace for an impending fight, adopting a stance as if he were facing a formidable opponent.
Inside the cave, aside from the sound of waves hitting the shore, there was no other movement.
After a while, Benson turned his head towards Rosyth with a puzzled look.
Rosyth's expression darkened slightly, "He didn't come, probably played us for fools."
He hadn't actually seen anyone else's figure; it was merely a ruse to draw out Ivan. Unexpectedly, the latter truly hadn't shown up for the appointment, making their careful preparation all in vain.
"What do we do now?"
"Let's wait a little longer."
They didn't dare let their guard down and remained cautious, slowly moving deeper into the cave.
Halfway through the cave, they suddenly heard a noise from behind. Rosyth quickly turned around only to see an additional figure had appeared—it was the very person they were searching for.
Ivan stood alone, sizing up the two while speaking, "I'm surprised you haven't resorted to any tricks or schemes. For that, I must give you credit."