CHAPTER 60: CHAPTER 60: WAR

"Huh?"

Herag was surprised, not expecting Larry to have prepared the Dawn Potion for him.

Larry smiled and said, "I originally wanted you to use this opportunity to gain some experience in Magic Potion Refining. The Dawn Potion is still too difficult for you, but you actually succeeded."

"Genius, I’ve seen many wizards, and your talent in Magic Potion is unparalleled. Your wizard aptitude is seventy-five points, but your talent in Magic Potion can be rated as ninety-five points."

Herag touched the back of his head, not expecting such high praise from Larry. During the refining process of the Dawn Potion, Shenlan played a crucial role, and without Shenlan, he would’ve truly been unable to succeed.

"Thank you, Mr. Larry, for your compliment. Here is the unused portion of the Dawn Potion materials I borrowed from you." Herag returned the unused materials.

Larry snapped his fingers to collect the materials, then said solemnly, "In a few days, you’ll be a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice. The academy might assign you some tasks."

"Tasks?"

Larry explained, "You know about the recent matter with the Green Cottage, right? Initially, it was just Malcolm’s personal vendetta, and such clashes have happened before. But, a week ago, both sides had Level 1 Wizards confront each other."

"Level 1 Wizards." Herag realized the severity of the situation; conflicts between wizard apprentices were only trivial matters.

Once Level 1 Wizards are involved, it escalates to a conflict between two Wizard Organizations.

"Thus, it can be foreseen that in the upcoming period, our battles with Green Cottage won’t cease, and the situation will only become tenser. I can see from the magic potions the forest commissioned me to refine in this period that they plan something big."

"Both sides seem to want to use this as an excuse to go all out, and the battle won’t cease easily. It might even evolve into a war between two Wizard Organizations."

Herag had read in some tomes about the records of wizard wars; even Official Wizards might not be able to protect themselves, let alone wizard apprentices, who in such times become expendables.

Many Magic Arrays are even triggered by the sacrifice of hundreds of wizard apprentices, unleashing great power.

"I still remember the last wizard war I personally experienced. Every day, countless people died in various tragic ways. The night after the war ended, few houses in the Northern Forest Region had their lights on," Larry recalled.

"Were there no wizard apprentices who escaped?" Herag asked.

In times of large-scale wars, weaker wizard apprentices should choose to flee knowing danger has arrived.

Larry helplessly shook his head, "Do you remember the form you filled out on the day you joined?"

"Form?" Herag suddenly had a realization; Moonlight Forest seems to have little management over wizards, but there’s actually a means of constraint.

"Yes, that form I told you about. It contains magic; aside from identity recording and authentication functions, it’s also a contract. If Moonlight Forest wants to take action against you, you can’t escape," Larry explained.

Herag was somewhat surprised but then realized it made sense.

There are no free lunches; Moonlight Forest will not provide these conditions for free, and when they need you, you must step up.

However, this still left Herag with a sense of discomfort, as he didn’t want his destiny to be controlled by others.

"So, during a war, do we, the wizard apprentices, have to follow Moonlight Forest’s arrangements?" Herag asked.

Larry shook his finger, "There are four ways. The first is, if you can be promoted to an Official Wizard, the magic’s binding effect on you will lapse. At that time, you can decide whether to stay at Moonlight Forest or leave based on your own will. If you stay, you must re-sign a contract, a fair exchange of interests."

"The second option is to apply to leave the organization, but generally it’s not feasible, except when your life is nearing its end and you want to leave."

"Third, if you’re often outside, the forest can’t manage you. Many wizards are in extremely remote places and cannot be contacted. This method doesn’t work now; the forest now has entry and exit controls, and you must have a legitimate reason to go out."

"The last option is to be executing tasks outside, which is also one of the current legitimate reasons for going out."

Herag listened carefully, pondered slightly, and asked, "Mr. Larry, so it seems the most suitable for me is to take a task and then go out publicly?"

Larry replied, "In theory yes, but such tasks must be officially issued by Moonlight Forest, and many people scramble to take them. The duration of these tasks isn’t fixed; you might have to return after just one or two months."

Herag furrowed his brow; it seemed the ostensibly safe Moonlight Forest now constantly faced the risk of possibly engaging in a war.

"But there’s one other way." Larry smiled meaningfully, staring at Herag.

Herag felt a bit uneasy under his gaze and tentatively asked, "What way?"

"Become my student," Larry said slowly.

"Student?" Herag had somewhat expected this outcome.

Larry had always taken care of him, not necessarily out of being a good person, but more because of recognizing Herag’s potential, something Herag had always been aware of.

If he could become his student, he could surely avoid many detours.

Larry smiled, "How about it, Herag? Are you willing to become my student?"

Herag didn’t rush to answer but instead asked, "What do I need to pay?"

Larry smiled, "No need to worry, I won’t make you give up your soul or anything like that. In fact, the teacher-student relationship is essentially a stable interest relationship. I help you now, and if you can help me in the future, you do so. Wizards don’t talk about emotions; interests are always the most effective tool for maintaining relationships."

"Actually, the things I’ve sacrificed for you so far are worthless to me, requiring no cost at all."

"I originally wanted to observe a bit longer, at least until you could advance to a Third-Class Wizard Apprentice before considering taking you as a student, as only then would you have enough value. But your talent in Magic Potion makes me reconsider, and after deliberation, I believe you already have enough value."

"So, Herag, are you willing to become my student?"

Herag laughed, "Greetings, Mr. Larry!"

"Very well, hold on, I’ll explain the points you need to note during the advancement process. And if you encounter any special situations and how to handle them, after you complete the advancement, I’ll arrange a task for you. You can then go outside Moonlight Forest to avoid the forthcoming turmoil," Larry arranged.

"What about you, teacher? Are you staying at Moonlight Forest?" Herag asked.