Chapter 39: The Gathering

"An apprentice gathering?" Richard accepted the invitation.

"Yes, it's a chance for us formal apprentices to get acquainted," Eric explained, adding, "Most formal apprentices will attend this gathering."

"I see."

After a few more pleasantries, Eric left to invite other apprentices, leaving Richard to ask Chaxes, "Senior, what's the story with this Eric fellow? He seems incredibly strong."

"Strong? He should be. He's the apprentice of our Vice Principal, Elrix," Chaxes replied. "By the way, junior, do you have a date for tonight? If not, I can introduce you to someone."

"No need, senior," Richard chuckled, declining Chaxes' offer. "I already have a date."

"A date?" Chaxes was surprised. He thought his reserved junior was solely devoted to the pursuit of knowledge. "Who is she? What school is she from, and which master?"

"She's from the Enchantment and Curse schools, apprenticed to Master Susanna," Richard admitted, knowing it was pointless to hide such things from a close senior.

"Impressive, junior!" Chaxes exclaimed, giving Richard a thumbs up. "Master Susanna hasn't taken an apprentice for years, and you managed to win one over!"

Richard smiled, saying nothing.

"Since you have a date, I won't play matchmaker," Chaxes said, his expression turning serious. "But before you go, I need to tell you something."

"These gatherings are just for fun. Don't take the boasting and flattery too seriously. Don't waste too much time on so-called relationships. If you're strong enough, connections will find you automatically."

"Like today, you just supplied a batch of Focus Potions to the shop, and Eric personally waited for you. If you had no achievements, he'd have left an invitation for me to pass on instead of waiting for you."

Chaxes spoke with gravity, hinting at past experiences.

"Understood, senior," Richard replied earnestly.

"Good. Go prepare," Chaxes said, patting Richard's shoulder. "I expect you to shine tonight and win over a few admirers."

...

That evening, on the 72nd floor of the central Black Tower.

Richard, arm-in-arm with Ellie, approached the gathering's venue with their invitations.

Tonight, Richard donned a crisp black suit, adorned with a badge on his chest, and polished shoes. Ellie wore a black evening gown, with a sapphire necklace around her slender neck.

"This should be it," Richard said, noting the humanoid mechanical guards at the entrance. Eric certainly knew how to make a statement, even using humanoid golems.

Most wizards couldn't afford such luxury.

Richard handed his invitation to a guard, which swallowed it, producing a sound of gears turning within.

"Identity confirmed: Richard, formal apprentice of Master Jolord. Welcome to the gathering," the guard said, bowing slightly.

Ellie followed suit, handing her invitation to the guard.

"Identity confirmed: Ellie, formal apprentice of Master Susanna. Welcome to the gathering."

Entering the hall, Richard found it lavishly decorated, contrasting sharply with the Black Tower's typically dark, eerie style.

Apprentices who arrived early gathered in groups, chatting over drinks.

Formal apprentices were mostly wizard descendants; only those like Richard and Ellie, with exceptional talents, were taken as formal students before the first bloody exam.

Richard surveyed the room, noting several apprentices who exuded powerful auras.

"These must be those who became formal apprentices after the bloody exam," he thought.

As a "wild" apprentice taken from the common folk, Richard knew none of the wizard descendants. He and Ellie found a quiet corner to sit before the gathering began.

This gathering was full of hidden talents, and Richard preferred to remain inconspicuous.

As the time approached, more apprentices filled the hall. Many were familiar with one another, forming groups with varying dynamics. Inevitably, friction arose.

A burly apprentice, resembling a gorilla, suddenly roared at another apprentice, his magic power indicating an intermediate level.

"Kahman, you bastard, you're still alive!"

As he roared, the apprentice swung his staff like a thunderous club at the other apprentice.

The staff was less a traditional wizard's staff and more a long mace, with a crystal ball encased in metal spikes engraved with runes.

At that moment, the runes glowed with magical energy.

"Ha ha, Lack, you fool, still as stupid as ever."

The targeted apprentice laughed maniacally, neither defending nor dodging, simply watching the staff descend.

Bang!

"Lack, I told you to stay calm at tonight's gathering." A figure appeared in front of Lack, catching the mighty staff effortlessly, despite Lack's attempts to move it.

"Did you forget?"

The figure exuded a powerful magical aura, causing Lack to tremble involuntarily.

His instincts screamed a warning—resistance meant death!

"I-I-I apologize, Brother Eric. I didn't mean it. Please forgive my foolishness!"

Lack bowed deeply to Eric, his trembling voice a stark contrast to his earlier bravado.

Eric cast a cold glance at Lack, casually tossing the staff aside.

"You're lucky I'm in a good mood today."

With that, Eric took a drink and moved to the center of the hall, tapping a silver spoon against his glass.

The room fell silent, all eyes on the host of the gathering.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm pleased to welcome you to this apprentice gathering," Eric began, smiling and bowing slightly to the crowd. "You are the formal apprentices of the Black Tower's masters, the future pillars of our academy."

"My goal in hosting this gathering is to foster connections and camaraderie among you. I hope you'll manage your emotions and not disgrace the masters behind you."

"Remember, restraint and composure are a wizard's foremost traits."

With that, Eric raised his glass and drank.

"Now, the apprentice gathering officially begins!"