Three months passed in a flash.

In his dormitory at Aurelian Academy, Locke tidied everything, moved out, and stored excess belongings at the Augustine family’s manor.

During these three months, with Professor Alder’s help, Locke mastered the Skull Explosion spell on the final day.

Practicing Skull Explosion didn’t require killing a human; slaughtering livestock and using the resulting deathly aura sufficed.

Though rushed learning left it unsteady, he could refine it after boarding the wizard ship.

No matter.

After mastering his second trick spell, Locke felt his mental strength increase by at least thirty percent, but without magical resources on Corfu Island to test it, he didn’t know the exact value.

At the Augustine family’s temporary villa, Earl Augustine and Gorya held a farewell banquet for Locke, inviting many local nobles under the pretext of him traveling far.

Of course, they only thought Locke was journeying to another kingdom, unaware he was leaving Corfu Continent for a greater world.

Sienna Brown and her daughter tried hard to please Locke at the banquet, knowing he held the highest status in the family.

She wanted her daughter to get close to Locke, but he remained aloof.

Gorya hugged Locke tightly, whispering, “Brother, if you see Mother, send her my regards.”

“No matter what lies ahead, our family will always be your warmest harbor.”

“Come back to visit. Don’t be like Mother and our little sister… our real sister, gone without return.”

Locke nodded slightly. These months had deepened his bond with the family.

Earl Augustine patted Locke’s shoulder. “You’ve grown, so I’m at ease with you leaving.”

“Don’t worry about the family.”

“Thanks to you, the Frankish emperor returned the Augustine earldom, restored our title, and even plans to betroth a princess to your brother Gorya.”

Earl Augustine smirked, glancing at the nobles at the banquet. “Their ears are always sharp, so they’re rushing to flatter us.”

Locke asked, “Betroth a princess? The Frankish emperor is quite generous. Father, you agreed?”

Earl Augustine and Gorya exchanged a smile. The earl said, “Why not? Your brother met the delicate princess and is quite pleased.”

“For the family’s sake, if the future Earl Augustine marries a Frankish princess, it’ll greatly benefit us.”

“Of course,” Earl Augustine lowered his voice, “this is all because of you. When you do well, we all do.”

“The emperor truly wants to please you.”

“But I only hope you stay safe, Locke.”

Locke nodded, feeling warmth. In this strange world, he had family who cared for him.

His sense of belonging to the Augustine family grew.

Locke said, “I’ll take care of myself.”

“If I get the chance, I’ll return from the wizarding world to Corfu Island.”

“A family producing one wizard greatly increases the odds of wizard talent in their descendants. Perhaps one day, Gorya’s children could enter the wizarding world.”

“It’s just a possibility.”

Gorya’s eyes lit up. He’d been envious of his brother’s wizardry.

Lacking the talent himself, the prospect of his descendants having it was appealing.

He now understood that wizards were figures even the emperor of the near-unified Corfu Continent sought to please.

Locke said briefly, “It’s time. I must go.”

After farewells, Locke boarded a carriage arranged by Aurelian Academy, heading to the dock outside the city.

Dean Tongus and others awaited him there.

Today was the day the wizard ship arrived, marking Locke’s entry into the wizarding world.

At the dock, Aurelian Academy had stationed soldiers to seal it off, leaving few people present.

Only Dean Tongus, Professor Alder, Patty, Kode, and their families were there.

Since leaving Corfu Island without a formal wizard’s resources made returning across the Endless Mysterious Sea impossible, the academy had invited their families for farewells.

Kode’s family were serfs but had been granted commoner status by the Frankish emperor, along with wealth, making them minor tycoons.

Likewise, Patty’s merchant family had been elevated to minor lords.

Locke nodded to Kode and Patty upon arrival, then approached Dean Tongus and Professor Alder.

Alder’s eyes flickered but he said nothing, silently watching Locke.

He knew that, for others, there might be a chance to see Locke again, but for him, this was goodbye.

A sudden wind swept the dock, stirring sand and dust. A massive shadow emerged from the foggy sea, breaking through sea and sky toward Corfu Island’s dock.

It exuded overwhelming pressure.

Like a mountain bearing down on the dock.

Compared to the mortal ships moored there, it was like primitive canoes against an aircraft carrier.

Locke felt immense pressure, not just psychological. His body reacted—knees aching, eyes burning.

He noticed Patty and Kode struggling more, sweat beading on their foreheads.

Their families could barely stand.

Dean Tongus looked at the three. “It’s fine. This is likely your first encounter with magical pressure. Rest, and you’ll adjust.”

“Prolonged exposure could permanently harm mortals. But you’re third-class wizard apprentices or close to it, so a nap should help you adapt.”

“Such high magical pressure is rare in natural environments.”

Locke asked, “Teacher Tongus, what’s magical pressure? Your books never mentioned it.”

Tongus, surprised Locke could still speak, said, “Locke, once you board that ship, you’ll soon learn what magical pressure is.”

“I have little left to teach you.”

“Your path forward is yours to walk.”

“On the wizard ship, obey the wizards. Never violate rules or provoke anyone.”

“The wizarding world isn’t like Corfu Island. It’s more ruthless but full of possibilities.”

“You three are my students and friends. On the ship, look out for each other.”

Tongus bowed slightly to them. “I hope next time we meet, one of you is a formal wizard.”

“Only as a formal wizard will you have resources to return home. Otherwise, it’s nearly impossible.”

Tongus added, “We’ll do our best to care for your families. With your connections, their lives on Corfu Island will be secure.”

“My Tongus family in the wizarding world will know you’re my students and may offer some help.”

“Go, my students.”

A massive wooden ship docked, resembling a giant cruise liner.

Though shaped like a three-masted vessel, Locke doubted it was wind-powered.

A ship that size couldn’t rely on wind alone.

Wooden planks floated down, forming a hollow staircase, layer by layer, extending from the ship’s deck.

Tongus raised files on Locke, Patty, and Kode, which flew to the wizard ship.

Ten seconds later, an indifferent voice came from the ship. “Island 31 has three wizard prospects. Two third-class wizard apprentices, one mortal.”

“Locke Augustine, Patty Aisa, Kode Newman, board the wizard ship within one minute.”

“Second-class wizard apprentices Zack Tongus and Anlu Alder are each awarded 15 contribution points.”

Tongus and Alder showed faint joy.

These faction contribution points, more valuable than magic stones, were why they came to this barren land.

The points would bolster their families’ foundations.

Yet, they felt sadness. Their long-nurtured apprentices were leaving, and Aurelian Academy would be left with just the two of them for years, perhaps decades, until new wizard prospects arrived.

As Locke stepped onto the floating wooden stairs, Tongus suddenly shouted, “Great Wizards, I’ve been away from my family for years and miss them dearly. Could you deliver a letter for me…”

“It’s just a request from an old man far from home…”

An indifferent voice replied, “Second-class wizard apprentice Zack Tongus, do your job. You signed a contract to scout wizard prospects in this wilderness.”

“We owe you nothing.”

Tongus sighed. Though expected, the cold rejection stung.

He should’ve known.

Respected on Corfu Island for years, he’d begun to forget the wizarding world’s ruthlessness.

Locke glanced back at Tongus, gaining a deeper understanding of the wizarding world.

A wizard apprentice, stationed on a low-magic barren island for decades, was coldly denied even a request to send a letter.

Locke recalled Tongus’s frequent phrase—equivalent exchange.

The wizarding world operated on equivalent exchange, where rationality and ruthlessness prevailed.

Without payment, Tongus’s request was instantly denied.

Locke was the last to board the wizard ship’s deck. The floating stairs disassembled, returning to the ship.

Turning back, Locke saw Corfu Island rapidly receding, shrinking, blurring.

He saw the silent Alder nod slightly before turning to leave.

On the deck, Locke bowed toward the distant Corfu Island, honoring his teachers.

Patty and Kode gasped. Patty said, “I didn’t expect the wizard ship to be like this, not gloomy at all.”

“What’s with that sun…”

Locke turned and saw not the gray sea and sky of Corfu’s coast but a blue sky, white clouds, a rainbow in space, and a radiant sun.

Looking around, he realized the sky above the ship was vibrant, but gazing toward the distant sea revealed the gray, sunless Endless Mysterious Sea.

The wizard ship had an artificial sky with an artificial sun.

The deck wasn’t bare wood but adorned with flower fields, lush grass, crops, and beautiful flowers.

It resembled a splendid, self-sufficient garden.

Locke, Patty, and Kode were astonished.

“Heh, surprised, huh? I was shocked when I boarded this morning,” a young voice said behind them.

Locke turned to see a teenager in a white swordsman’s outfit, a silver cross-sword on his back.

He was handsome, with golden hair and a warm smile.

“I’m Lorne Guerrero, from Schleswig Continent.”

“Before you, three batches of students boarded today.”

“The wizard mentors here aren’t like ours back home—they’re aloof. You probably know nothing, so I’ll fill you in.”

“The ship has an artificial weather system. Wizards control the weather and grow crops for self-sufficiency.”

Locke, surprised by the greeting, nodded. “Lorne, I’m Locke Augustine.”

Following his lead, Patty and Kode reluctantly greeted Lorne.

But they remained wary, hesitant to talk much.

After a brief chat, Lorne said, “The wizard mentors are coming to arrange your accommodations.”

“If you need help, find me. I’m off.”

Locke turned to see three black-robed wizards approaching, their mana clearly stronger than Tongus or Alder’s.

Facing unfamiliar wizards, Patty and Kode grew even more tense.