Half a month later, Green and his companions finally arrived at the famous Port of Zelato.
Now, Green's group had gained a new apprentice named Binson, selected by the wizard Arovoz from thousands of candidates in the previous two cities, based on his potential as a wizard's apprentice. However, this new addition was an incessant chatterbox, and unfortunately, Green found himself relentlessly entangled in his conversation.
The cause was simple. During the wizard's apprentice qualification test in Tambroson, Binson had been publicly identified by Wizard Arovoz as having the necessary qualifications. His exuberance was overwhelming, causing an uproar with his loud shouting that shattered the previously solemn and quiet atmosphere. Even when the wizard tried to hush him, his words went unheard.
Reluctantly, Green, who was closest to him, had to intervene, asking him to stand beside him and quiet down. But ever since then, Green felt like his life was being slowly drained away. He even suspected he might succumb to an ear infection.
"Shh, let me tell you a secret. Don't tell anyone, but Sherry has a birthmark the size of a bowl on her backside. I saw it when I was on her roof watching her bathe... haha. This is the twenty-seventh time I've told this secret. Don't you dare tell anyone else," Binson continued relentlessly beside Green.
Since Binson had joined the group seven days ago, Green had heard at least a hundred similar "secrets," and Binson's loud voice ensured that almost the entire team could hear them. Green could hardly imagine what was left for him to keep secret, especially when he didn't even know the people Binson mentioned and had no interest in them.
Green casually asked, "Who is Sherry?"
Binson gasped in exaggerated surprise, "You don't know Sherry? She's the woman I was talking about from Badara, my little lover!"
Green was at a loss for words. He almost wanted to ask who in the world Badara was, but he wisely held back, pretending to understand and nodding in sudden realization.
Green figured that if he asked again today, it might either lead to brain hemorrhage or ear inflammation.
The Port of Zelato, one of the four major harbors on East Mountain Lake Island, was a bustling, prosperous place, with countless ships coming and going, numbering in the thousands, including some massive ocean liners over a hundred meters long.
"Wow, this is the Port of Zelato? It's my first time here!" Laffey exclaimed with delight.
The long journey had allowed Laffey to momentarily forget the unpleasant journey to the Wizarding Continent, her gaze now focused on the vast sea and the many ships sailing by.
Laffey was tall and slender, at least 1.75 meters, standing nearly even with Green. With her eyes closed and arms spread wide in front of the ocean, a slender belt tied around her waist accentuated her graceful, alluring figure. The sight made the male apprentices nearby pause in awe, and Green could hear Wade swallowing nervously ahead, with his own heart involuntarily racing for a brief moment.
At that moment, a sudden voice shattered the tranquil beauty, causing Green, Wade, and Kiran to curse under their breath.
"Ah, Laffey! I finally realize, you are the goddess of love I have long been waiting for, my guiding light. Your beauty ensnares me, and I vow to protect you forever, even to the point of death! Please... save me from this torment!"
Looking toward the source of the outburst, they saw Binson staring at Laffey with an expression that could only be described as disgusting—a love-stricken, nauseating display that made everyone cringe.
Green slapped his forehead in disbelief. Had Binson lost his mind? Who did he think Laffey was, to dare provoke her like this?
The others couldn't help but watch with a mix of anticipation and amusement, while Yorkliana, the shy girl, covered her mouth in astonishment, unable to comprehend the spectacle of such a public confession.
As expected, Laffey turned around in surprise, but her expression quickly darkened, fixing a cold gaze upon Binson. The secrets Binson had been whispering to Green in the past days...
"Hmph... Save you? Well then!" Laffey muttered something under her breath and pointed a finger toward Binson. Immediately, vines sprouted from the ground, wrapping around him seven or eight times, binding him into a large, helpless bundle.
"Magic!" several apprentices exclaimed in shock, unable to believe Laffey was capable of casting magic.
"Ugh..." Binson, now bound and gagged by the vines, tried to speak, but all that escaped were muffled sounds. The surrounding people, seeing the sudden appearance of the vines and their binding of a person, began murmuring in curiosity. However, compared to places like Bisserl City, the Port of Zelato was accustomed to such displays by wizards.
Laffey silently enjoyed her success. She had two enchanted magical artifacts, both procured at great expense by her father. The spell she just cast had been triggered by her magical earrings, which could only be used once a day. Her other artifact was a small wand, sealed with a powerful spell, which she hadn't yet used, as her magic wasn't strong enough to fully activate its power.
Green and the others had never encountered magical artifacts before, and since they knew little about wizards, they were genuinely startled when Laffey performed magic.
Through his study of Meditation Guide, Green understood that the basic requirement for casting magic was having magical power, which depended on one's mental strength. Green had been attempting to refine his magical power through meditation without success. He never imagined that Laffey would be capable of using magic.
However, considering Laffey wasn't an ordinary commoner, it made sense that her family had likely exposed her to wizard knowledge long ago.
After a moment, Laffey withdrew her magic, causing the vines to disappear. The group continued their journey with Arovoz, but just then, a group of thirteen knights arrived at full gallop, approaching Arovoz.
"Welcome, Wizard Arovoz, to the Port of Zelato. The Duke has prepared a banquet in your honor," said the leading knight, riding a warhorse and bowing respectfully to Arovoz.
"Mm," Arovoz responded nonchalantly and followed the knights with his seven apprentices, ignoring the gossip from the surrounding civilians and merchants.
The banquet was lavish, but for the group, such feasts had become routine during their travels. Even Green had become somewhat accustomed to noble etiquette, exchanging pleasantries with other guests. This Duke, unlike the Marquis from previous cities, held a higher position and appeared to be well-acquainted with Arovoz.
Thin slices of medium-rare beef, still dripping with blood, were dipped casually in caviar and mustard before being eaten. Arovoz seemed uninterested in the feast, stirring the colorful mushrooms in a bowl with a delicate golden spoon.
"Is something troubling you?" the Duke asked, noticing Arovoz's distant expression.
Shaking his head, Arovoz sighed. "The situation there is worsening. There have been frequent reports of wizards disappearing. Perhaps you were right all along. After all, no matter how chaotic it becomes, it shouldn't affect us here."
The Duke scoffed. "Don't compare me to you. I've no hope of advancement, so I came here to enjoy peace. But you still have a chance to reach higher levels." He ate another slice of beef. "Look at these young ones, so excited—it reminds me of my own youth. I wonder how many will still be alive decades from now. Will any of them return after a century to become wizards?"
Arovoz glanced at the seven apprentices, now socializing with local noble youths while eating, and shook his head. "What's so interesting about this East Coral Island? By the way, which wizard will be coming to collect these apprentices?"
"Dirah," the Duke answered casually.
"That guy? Well, these kids should have it easier in two months. The Lilith Hut has decent provisions for apprentice wizards. It's not as competitive. I plan to visit the underworld soon; I hear there's a new world rift discovered by wizards there..."
After the banquet, Green was led by the Duke's servants to a peaceful estate. All seven apprentices received the same treatment, as they still needed to wait seven days in the port. Afterward, a special sea vessel from the Lilith Hut Wizard Academy would arrive to take them away.
Opening the window, the salty sea breeze blew in, carrying the faint smell of fish. Three hundred meters away was the vast sea, with steep cliffs rising below the window, some seventy or eighty meters high.
"Sigh... the Wizarding Continent..." Green sighed. The more he learned from Laffey about the Wizarding Continent, the more nervous he became. Laffey had made it sound like a terrifying slaughterhouse ruled by wizards—no wonder she had been so unwilling to go.
Shaking his head, Green closed the window. The evening sea breeze was damp, so he walked to the side of the room, lit all the candles, and took out the Meditation Guide, determined to study it further.
In recent days, Green had started to piece together how to convert his mental strength into magical power. He thought that perhaps he should take advantage of these seven quiet days to study in earnest.