The next morning, Lynn arrived at the service hall bright and early.
Expecting a relatively empty space at this ti, Lynn was surprised to find it packed to the brim upon arrival.
The most conspicuous feature of the task hall was a whole wall on the right side upon entering, presumably the task board ntioned by Angley. Covered in task orders, the wall was surrounded by apprentices. A succubus approached, clutching a small stack of papers, recognized by Lynn as the sa succubus who had attended to him yesterday.
Tearing down all the old tasks from the wall, the succubus replaced them with new ones. Lynn squeezed through the crowd to reach the center.
With a physical fitness approaching 20 points, Lynn easily parted the apprentices crowding the sides.
Seeing Lynns familiar face, the succubus who was prepared to leave offered a slight smile and waved in greeting.
The separated apprentices grumbled but refrained from causing any trouble. This was the service hall; no one dared to cast spells here, as those who dared had basically beco fertilizer for the magical plant gardens.
Lynn quickly scanned through the tasks.
Acquire 10 well-preserved Blue Silver Grass plants, Procure two attractive elf slaves (gender unspecified), Need a wizard proficient in undead studies to assist with an experint, Acquire poison potions.
The tasks were diverse, covering a range of types, but most required purchasing sothing.
The rewards varied greatly, with so offering raw materials while others paid in magic stones.
Lynn thought for a mont and requested to see Toby at the front desk.
Im sorry, but Lord Toby isnt available today without an appointnt, the receptionist elf girl gently replied, blinking her big sparkling eyes.
Retrieving Tobys business card from his ring, Lynn presented it to the receptionist. Upon seeing the card, the elf girls deanor changed imdiately. Please wait a mont.
Putting a seashell-shaped tool to her ear, she inquired and soon relayed the response to Lynn. Lord Toby is currently out on a business trip. Could this evening work for you?
Sure, Lynn replied. It wasnt urgent anyway; he just wanted to inquire about so information regarding the wizard tower.
Excuse , friend, but you seem a bit lost. Are you new around here? Can I help you with sothing? a stout wizard approached, followed by a black-haired companion.
Im Jim, but you can call Honest Jim, the stout wizard introduced himself.
Lynn, Lynn replied.
Wizard Lynn, Ive been in Demon City for thirty years now. I know every nook and cranny of this place like the back of my hand. Since youre new here, let give you a detailed tour. Dont worry; it wont cost you a thing, Jim offered, patting his chest.
The companion beside initially had so doubts about why his good friend beca so enthusiastic, and even called himself Honest Jim. Who didnt know that your nickna is Miserly Iron Rooster?
Imdiately after, he suddenly realized, looking at Lynn with a sowhat fervent gaze.
Shall we go to the lounge inside and chat? Lynn suggested. He rembered that the lounge inside was accessible to apprentices of the Abyss Wizard Academy.
As for going outside, Lynn decided against it; he wasnt familiar with the area outside, and it would be awkward if he ended up getting lost in the alleyways.
From his hotown all the way here, the last thing he needed was to get knocked out in an alley the next day.
Um, my friend and I arent eligible to enter the lounge inside, Jim said awkwardly.
Arent you both apprentices too? Lynns gaze fell on the wizard robes worn by Jim and his companion. Were these two not wizard apprentices?
We are, but were not apprentices of the Abyss Wizard Academy, Jim explained.
Lynn pondered for a mont, then understood.
So, Demon City refers to this entire area? Lynn asked.
Exactly. Many people like to call this place Demon City because its the closest spot on the Wizard Continent to the Abyss and demons, Jim explained.
Are there many apprentices from the Abyss Wizard Academy in Demon City? Lynn asked.
Quite a few. Every year, apprentices from various avenues co to Demon City. Unlike so wizard factions outside that admit students at regular intervals each year, Demon City accepts apprentices and wizards all year round for 13 months, but the requirents are quite strict, and many people dont et the standards, Jim said. Those who can enter the Abyss Wizard Academy are talented wizard apprentices, and many of them co with skills. Very few are complete novices who have just started learning about wizards.
Wizard Lynn, youre probably not a complete novice when it cos to being a wizard, are you? Jim asked.
Lynn shook his head, his expression unreadable.
So, the third-level apprentices who have the potential to beco official wizards rarely show themselves. They usually stick to their own circles, either collecting experintal source materials when theyre out or seeking more knowledge when they hit a bottleneck. Most wizards spend the majority of their ti studying and researching, so those who are out and about every day are mostly like usclearly not the most talented, but still striving apprentices, Jim lanted.
Glancing to the side, Lynn observed the hall packed with apprentices. They clustered around the task board, like temporary workers waiting to be recruited.
So apprentices had torn wizard robes, simply patched them up and continued wearing them. There were also wizard apprentices with white beards holding magic books, bowing their heads and quietly discussing with young apprentices whose faces were still youthful.
So pairs or trios collaborated to take on tasks involving source material gathering, hastily leaving the hall.
Demon City has many foreign wizard apprentices like us. Theyre all here seeking opportunities to break through to beco official wizards. After all, the Abyss Wizard Academy is a major force, and opportunities here are undoubtedly more abundant than in ordinary places. So people also aim to try entering the Abyss Wizard Academy, Jim coughed twice.
My sources are quite reliable. If you need any magic source materials, I can inquire through my channels for you. If you have sothing to sell, I can also help you find suitable buyers.
Do you happen to know any construction experts? Lynn inquired.
Of course, I have a friend who specializes in construction business. The buildings they construct are of excellent quality. If you have any specific requirents, you can tell them. After the experint, they can extract mories from the construction period to ensure the safety of your building, Jim explained.
Is there really a spell like that? Lynn found it unlikely that apprentices could delve into spells involving mory extraction.
Indeed, but its not a wizard; its an earth elental, Jim clarified.
An earth elental. Lynn assud that mory extraction ability must be an innate racial talent of its species.
How does your friend charge for their services?
The fees are quite reasonable, based on the area and complexity of the building you need. However, their fees might be slightly higher than market prices, but the quality is guaranteed, and confidentiality is ensured, Jim replied.
That sounds good. Help contact them, and Ill discuss it with them later, Lynn nodded.
Alright, Mister Lynn. Normally, there would be a brokerage fee, but since this is the first ti you have beco my client, Ill waive it this ti, Jim said earnestly.
Hm, Lynn nodded, and Jim turned to leave.
Seeing the conversation between Lynn and Jim co to a temporary halt, the black-haired wizard standing nearby spoke up promptly, Mister Lynn, hello, Im called Liszt. Im a potion master, and I am proficient in many basic magic potions.
Magic potion studies was not an obscure field of study; many wizards were skilled in crafting magical potions.
Ill keep you in mind if I need anything, Lynn replied.
In the mortal world, many people talked about wizards who could brew all sorts of strange bubbling green liquids.
Magic potions served various functions, including healing, poison, utility, and explosive properties.
Im not here to promote my potions; I hope to beco your follower, Liszt said.
A follower?
Yes, Im already thirty-eight years old this year, and Ive just barely beco a second-level wizard apprentice. Without opportunities, I may never beco an official wizard in my lifeti, and then Ill have to find a way to perform the transformation ritual to extend my lifespan, Liszt said with a bitter smile.
I cant help you beco an official wizard, Lynn declined.
But you surely will in the future, Liszt insisted.
Do you believe in just like that, even though weve just t?
We have indeed just t, but Ive known Jim for five years, and I trust his judgnt, Liszt said seriously.
Jim is a broker; he knows many people in Demon City. His resources are extensive. In the past, he has also seen other apprentices from the Abyss Wizard Academy, but he has never shown such respect to anyone like he does with you this ti.
Lynn thought for a mont, figuring it must have been yesterday when Wizard Harin brought him in, and perhaps Jim saw him when Toby, the administrator from the service hall, escorted him out.
Otherwise, he couldnt imagine why an ordinary wizard apprentice like himself would be valued.
Let look into it first before I say anything, anyway, you know Jim, dont you? Lynn didnt directly agree, giving a vague answer.
Alright, by the way, Lord Lynn, here are the potions I made. You can check their quality. Liszts spatial ring flashed, and the next mont he produced three bottles of potions and handed them to Lynn.
Lynn took the potions and put them back into the spatial ring. Are you familiar with the surroundings?
Upon seeing Lynn directly put the potions back into the ring without even looking at them carefully, Liszt paused for a mont, a hint of disappointnt flickering in his eyes. Nevertheless, he managed to force a smile. Im very familiar with the central city area. Ive been in Demon City for eight years now. However, Demon City expands every year, so there may be so areas on the outskirts that Im not very familiar with.
Walk with , Lynn walked ahead, with Liszt falling half a step behind him.
No need to be so formal; lets just treat it as a casual stroll between friends, Lynn said, placing his hand on Liszts shoulder.
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