Inside the tent, the surroundings were quiet.
A faint smell of herbs lingered in the air. The white-robed wizard apprentice sat behind a wooden table, his posture relaxed yet dignified.
In front of him stood a metal stand.
On the stand rested a crystal sphere, about the size of a human head.
The sphere looked mysterious.
Countless tiny specks of light flickered inside it, like distant stars floating within a miniature universe.
Ivan's gaze lingered on the crystal sphere.
For the first time since entering the tent, his heartbeat sped up slightly.
This crystal sphere would determine whether he could step onto the path of a wizard… or remain an ordinary knight for the rest of his life.
Recalling the wizard apprentice's instruction, Ivan stepped forward calmly.
He slowly extended his right hand and placed it gently on the crystal sphere.
The moment his palm touched the surface—
Ivan's mind suddenly went blank.
A cool sensation spread from the crystal into his body.
It felt as though a stream of cold energy was flowing through Ivan's veins.
At the same time, Ivan faintly sensed something being drawn out from within him.
It was subtle… yet undeniable.
It was as if the crystal sphere was absorbing something from his body.
Inside Ivan's mind, Nova's voice sounded softly.
Energy fluctuation detected…
Unknown energy interaction occurring…
Ivan remained calm and did not react outwardly.
A few seconds passed.
Then suddenly—
The crystal sphere burst into dazzling white light.
The entire tent was illuminated.
Ivan instinctively narrowed his eyes.
Before he could react—
"Hmm?"
A surprised voice sounded.
The wizard apprentice, who had remained calm the entire time, suddenly leaned forward.
Ivan could not clearly see his face.
A faint layer of magical distortion covered the wizard apprentice's features, making them appear blurred and difficult to discern.
However, from his sudden movement and the change in his tone, Ivan could tell that the wizard apprentice seemed somewhat surprised.
The man carefully examined the crystal sphere.
He observed it repeatedly, as if confirming the result.
After a moment, he muttered softly.
"Interesting…"
"I have conducted wizard aptitude tests for many years…"
"But I have never seen a result like this before."
Hearing those words, Ivan's heart tightened slightly.
For the first time, he felt a trace of nervousness.
"Lord… Kael," Ivan asked carefully.
"Is there something wrong with my aptitude?"
"Did I pass… or is there some problem?"
The wizard apprentice—Kael—lifted his head slightly and looked toward Ivan.
Although Ivan could not see his expression clearly due to the magical distortion surrounding his face, his voice sounded calm and thoughtful.
"There is no problem with your aptitude."
"If anything…"
"Your situation is simply… unusual."
Ivan remained silent and waited.
Kael continued slowly.
"Normally, wizard aptitude is divided into different levels."
"First class. Second class. Third class. Fourth class, Fifth class."
"The higher the level, the better the talent."
He glanced again at the glowing crystal sphere.
"Your aptitude has already surpassed the threshold of third class."
"It is extremely close to entering the fourth class."
"But it has not completely crossed that boundary."
"In other words…"
"You are what we would call a top-tier third-class aptitude."
He paused.
"Yet at the same time…"
"In some aspects, it can even be compared to a low-level fourth-class aptitude."
Ivan was slightly stunned.
Kael frowned slightly.
"This situation is extremely rare."
"In fact…"
"I have never personally encountered such a case."
After saying that, Kael raised his hand and placed two fingers lightly on his forehead.
A faint magical light flickered.
It was as if he was communicating with someone through a spell.
The tent became quiet.
A few moments later, the light faded.
Kael slowly lowered his hand.
Then he looked at Ivan again.
"I have just consulted a Wizard Lord."
Hearing the words Wizard Lord, Ivan's heart trembled slightly.
Kael continued calmly.
"Although your aptitude has not completely entered the fourth class…"
"Your potential is still considered close enough."
"Therefore, the Wizard Lord has decided…"
"Your aptitude will be recorded as Fourth Class."
He looked at Ivan.
"Congratulations."
"You have already taken your first step on the path of a wizard."
For a brief moment—
Ivan froze.
Even with his usually calm personality, excitement rose uncontrollably within him.
Fourth-class aptitude.
That meant he had truly qualified to become a wizard.
All the preparation.
All the planning.
Everything had finally paid off.
Ivan took a slow breath and forced himself to remain calm.
"Thank you, Lord Kael."
Kael nodded.
"You may go meet your family now."
He paused before continuing.
"Tomorrow morning, the wizard ship will dock at Blackwater Harbor."
"All successful candidates must gather there before sunrise."
"If you are late…"
"You will miss the opportunity."
"The wizard ship will not wait for anyone."
"It will depart at the designated time."
Ivan nodded seriously.
"I understand."
"You may leave."
Ivan bowed slightly and walked out of the tent.
Although his expression remained calm—
Anyone who looked closely could see the excitement hidden in his eyes.
Outside the tent, the courtyard was still crowded.
When Ivan walked out, Baron Joseph immediately noticed him.
Their eyes met.
Baron joseph's heart tightened.
"Ivan?"
Ivan walked toward him calmly.
When he reached his father, he spoke softly.
"Father…"
"I succeeded."
"I have the aptitude to become a wizard."
For a moment, Baron Joseph froze.
Then his body trembled slightly.
His eyes became moist.
After two generations…
The Thornheart family had finally produced another wizard seed.
Although Joseph had tested Ivan with the Mental Compass, that tool could only detect spiritual strength.
It could not guarantee wizard aptitude.
Deep down, Baron Joseph had always been worried.
But now—
The heavy stone in his heart finally fell.
Around them, many people had already noticed the scene.
Some nobles looked indifferent.
Some showed envy.
Others revealed complicated expressions.
Several nobles who were close to the Thornheart family walked over.
"Baron Joseph, congratulations."
"It seems your family has produced a talented heir."
Joseph smiled politely and accepted their congratulations.
After staying for another half hour and exchanging greetings with several nobles, the father and son finally left the manor.
By the time they returned to the Noble District, the sun was already setting.
Golden sunlight covered the streets.
The Thornheart carriage slowly stopped in front of their manor.
Ivan and Baron Joseph stepped down from the carriage.
After washing up and changing clothes, they sat down for dinner.
Neither of them had eaten anything all day due to the wizard aptitude test.
The warm food quickly disappeared from the table.
After the meal, Joseph suddenly stood up.
He walked to a cabinet nearby and brought back a large wooden box.
He placed it in front of Ivan.
"Son," Joseph said calmly.
"This is the accumulation of our Thornheart family over many years."
"These items were sent back by our ancestors who once traveled to the Wizard Continent."
"They left these resources for their descendants… so that the next generation would not struggle at the beginning of their journey."
Ivan opened the box slowly.
Inside were fifty dark blue crystals.
Each crystal emitted a faint and mysterious energy.
Beside them lay a silver-white ring.
And two books.
Ivan looked toward his father.
Joseph explained.
"On the Wizard Continent, gold and silver are not used as currency."
"Wizards use these crystals."
"They are called Magic Stones."
"These fifty are low-grade magic stones."
He pointed to the ring.
"That ring is a magical item called Silver Guardian."
"It is a defensive magic item."
"It can withstand three consecutive zero-level spells."
"It was sent back by one of our ancestors for future descendants."
Finally, he pointed to the two books.
"One contains basic information about the Wizard Continent."
"The other teaches the official language used by wizards."
Ivan picked up the books.
He flipped through the first one briefly.
Most of the information matched the knowledge he had already obtained from the ancient book inside his space ring.
Then he opened the second book.
The moment he saw the contents—
His eyes brightened slightly.
It contained a complete explanation of the Ancient Byron language.
And it included detailed comparisons with the common languages of this continent.
Inside Ivan's mind, Nova immediately reacted.
New linguistic data detected.
Language system optimization possible.
Ivan felt secretly pleased.
With this book, Nova could perfect its translation database completely.
Seeing Ivan examine the items, Joseph smiled faintly.
"This is the most our family can offer."
"We cannot help you much on the wizard path."
"But at least you will not start with nothing."
Ivan felt warmth in his heart.
He looked at his father seriously.
"Thank you, Father."
Joseph waved his hand dismissively.
"There is no need for thanks."
Later, after chatting for a while longer, Ivan finally returned to his room.
Night had fallen.
After completing a round of breathing method cultivation, Ivan slowly exhaled.
He walked to the window.
Outside, Blackwater City was still lively.
Lights flickered across the streets.
Above the city, a bright moon hung quietly in the sky.
Ivan looked at the moon silently.
Then he murmured to himself—
"Tomorrow…"
"I will officially step onto the path of a wizard."
His eyes reflected the moonlight.