The debate of magicians

"Why do you no longer support me now?" Horn looked straight into Old Douglas's eyes, hoping to get an answer this time.

Douglas sighed, his expression blank as he shook his head and after a moment of silence said, "Just eat, we have work to do."

"You still don't want to say? Then I won't ask today," Horn said, seeing that Douglas had no intention of answering and didn't pursue the matter further.

"After you're done eating, wash the dishes." Douglas quickly ate a few bites and then left the table, Horn's questions having spoiled his appetite.

This kind of conversation had occurred countless times over the past two years, always ending with Douglas's silence.

Two years ago, when the North Wind's Holy Maiden passed away and a new Holy Maiden was instated, Douglas seemed to become a different person. He no longer answered Horn's questions as he used to, offering only occasional, vague guidance, aside from that, he behaved just like any ordinary carpenter. No one but Horn knew he was a highly powerful wild witch.

Not even Enoch knew!

Douglas, who had brought Horn back more than a decade ago, had taught him knowledge that no other wild witch in the world had received. Along with this novel knowledge came the legendary tales that enthralled Horn!

Stories of individuals who Horn deeply admired!

They controlled nature, refined their spirits, and predicted the future's myriad changes. They lived in towering Mage Towers, summoning thunder and flames with a mere gesture!

They were powerful and noble, bowing to no gods, fearing no demons!

They were called,

Magicians!

In the stories, the status of magicians was similar, if not more exalted, than the priests of the major divine religions of today,

Because their great power came from within themselves! They did not need to obey the commands of high and mighty deities!

Perhaps the only commonality between the story's wild witches and the wild witches of Ceylan was the ability to manipulate elements at will,

However, aside from Horn, under Douglas's tutelage, and Enoch, to whom Horn had passed some skills, most wild witches couldn't even cast spells.

Even Horn, after studying with Douglas for several years, was far from the magicians in the stories!

Because of this shortfall, there was desire.

After washing the dishes, Horn began working with Douglas. They were tasked with making a delicate cabinet for a nobleman in Lien City. Douglas had prepared the design blueprint in advance, and now they meticulously began their work following the blueprint.

Douglas picked up a piece of wood, scrutinizing it as if considering where to start sawing, but he hesitated for a while, opening and closing his mouth as if he wanted to say something to Horn.

Seeing Horn engrossed in his work, Douglas finally spoke:

"I should have told you, the stories I've told you are products of imagination. They only exist in legends and literary works. Even in my homeland, I've never seen a real magician. Magicians don't exist, and you shouldn't be so fixated on something that isn't real."

"Teacher, does your world have gods and demons?"

Douglas thought seriously for a moment: "Maybe not."

"But Ceylan does, and if your homeland doesn't have magicians, then Ceylan might. If not, I'll create them!"

Horn, with glasses slipping down his nose and sweat on his brow, grinned at Douglas.

"You're being stubborn..."

"Teacher, because I once saw a real magician, I firmly believe magicians exist," Horn stated confidently.

"Really? Who? Do I know them?"

Douglas was taken aback by Horn's assertion. He had never seen a magician himself; where could Horn have seen one?

"Of course, it's you! You, who took me down from the pyre when I was eight years old! You looked just like a magician from your stories then!"

Horn looked at Douglas with admiration.

"How could I count, I'm just an old wild witch," Douglas said with a bitter smile, shaking his head after hearing Horn's words.

"It doesn't matter. What's important is that you've used your wisdom to make us more like the magicians in your stories. If you can do that, then you are a magician! No one deserves that title more than you!"

Horn said earnestly to Douglas, truly believing what he said from the bottom of his heart.

Coughing awkwardly, Douglas felt somewhat embarrassed.

"Teacher, before you, no one in the community of wild witches knew oak could be used as a medium for casting, no one had the concept of spells, and no one thought meditation could strengthen a wild witch!

Everything I know now, apart from the tiny flame I could barely light when I first awakened, is the result of your teachings."

Horn listed Douglas's research achievements.

"Teacher, you are great, and what you've created is great. You know this. So why stop your research to settle for being a carpenter?"

Horn asked, puzzled. He had been angry when Enoch criticized Douglas, but he was also somewhat confused himself.

Douglas remained silent, unsure of how to respond to Horn, or perhaps not wanting to.

"Teacher, I've made a new breakthrough in my research on wands." Horn respectfully took out a walnut wood stick from his bag and handed it to Douglas.

Although Douglas no longer taught him, Horn still showed him every research outcome, deeply hoping Douglas would guide him as he used to.

"I've known for a while that specially treated walnut wood is one and a half times more effective as a medium than oak."

Douglas recognized Horn's research result with just a glance.

"You knew!" Horn was dumbfounded, having planned to surprise Douglas.

"I know a lot more!" Douglas said flatly.

"Then tell me everything." Horn put down the wood he was holding and smiled at Douglas.

"No."

"Alright then." When Douglas said no, Horn didn't ask further. Douglas was just like that, unable to be persuaded if he didn't want to do something.

After a busy day, evening came quickly. After dinner, Horn prepared to meet Enoch at their arranged spot, planning to continue their unfinished experiments and offer some guidance to Enoch.

Wild witches, although much weaker compared to other practitioners, were still extraordinary in essence, at least having more spirit than ordinary people.

Horn could go for four to five days without rest without it affecting his normal life. It was this extraordinary vitality that allowed Horn and Enoch to practice together at night and work as carpenters during the day.

"Remember to come back earlier tomorrow morning; I'm making steamed buns," Douglas said as Horn was leaving.

"Okay, I want lamb-filled ones." Horn smiled and said goodbye to Douglas, walking out of the carpenter's home. Among the many strange foods Douglas made, buns were one of Horn's favorites.

Horn confidently headed to the meeting spot with Enoch, planning to join him as usual, but he was shocked to discover the ground at that location was emanating an unusual magical frequency.

This frequency was very familiar to Horn because it was a prearranged signal between him and Enoch.

And the meaning of this frequency was,

Danger!