Chapter 170: The Apprentices
Translator: Kris_Liu Editor: Vermillion
The arrangement of the third floor was very different from that of the second. Lucien saw a spacious blue and white living room. On eash side of the living room, there was a row of big windows, through which the sunlight came in and brightly lit up the whole place.
Although the living room was still quite smaller than the hall on the first floor, everything there looked rather lively and energetic – couches that could move around; small-sized tea tables everywhere; small black writing boards hanging on the wall; green plants, etc.
There were some teenagers in that place. The oldest might be around fourteen or fifteen, and the youngest might be only twelve. Some of them were sitting in the couches, calculating and writing something down in a very dedicated way, while others were standing in front of the small blackboards, discussing something seriously. In a second, Lucien thought that he was visiting a study hall or something.
Because of the unique design of the place and the thick carpet on the floor, Lucien and Tom’s arriving did not attract the teenagers’ attention at all.
“Annick, I found this book, Math Principles in the Philosophy of Magic, very interesting. Although the three fundamental laws of force field look quite simple, when you think about it, all of them are very close to our daily life when we cast a spell,” said a young girl in a low voice to her friend sitting in the couch beside her.
Another teenager boy with blond curly hair looked up and said, “Layria, I agree with you. You know once Mr. Astar mentioned that Math Principles in the Philosophy of Magic is one of the two major theories supporting the contemporary magic system, and if you can have a thoroughout understanding of it, probably you can become a real sorcerer soon!”
The girl with linen-colored hair sitting beside them joined the conversation, “Annick, Layria, are you two still reading the first chapter? The other day I took a quick glance at the book and found the third chapter was beyond imagination. The third chapter tries to explain all kinds of movements happening in this world, including stars and tides, by introducing the concept of gravity, a force that exists between the stars and the land. And that is why star trails can actually be predicted. I believe that it’s very important to our further study in Astrology.”
Layria’s lovely ponytail slightly jumped up and down as she was nodding, “Yes, yes… but I cannot understand the derivation here, and I also don’t understand the mathematical method called…calculus. What about you two, Heidi and Annick?”
“No idea… I cannot get it at all,” answered Heidi casually. “But just like what Mr. Astar told us, before we become real sorcerers, we only need to remember a few principles and formulas, instead of understanding why.”
“Still… We need to read a lot of books according to Mr. Astar…” Layria sighed. “Basic Geometry of Magic, The Mapping of Magic Principles and Model Building and… and…”
“And The Significance of Modelling, Element Equation behind Magic Formula, Basic Element, Common Algebra, Classification of Low-rank Meditations, Simple Analysis of the Essence of the Cold and the Heat, Motion and Force in Magic.” Heidi took over the words and listed all the books they needed to read.
“You see, I cannot even remember the books.” Layria shrugged. “Although Mr. Astar said that if we could fully understand Math Principles in the Philosophy of Magic and then spend a year on studying calculus, when we got enough spiritual power, we could work on becoming a middle-rank sorcerer, I don’t know how long this whole process would take me without a teacher… maybe fifteen years…”
As Astar said, all these apprentices in this living room were more talented than the average, and for sure, they had their own targets.
Annick scratched his hair a bit and said, “We’re not gonna be on our own for long, right? Mr. Astar said that we would have mentors teaching us in Allyn. Maybe four or five years later, we can become real sorcerers, and at that time…”
“At that time, we’ll be councillors of the city council. We’ll have servants,” said Heidi full of hope.
“At that time, we can meet our families as well,” added Layria.
The three apprentices remained silent for a bit and then sighed at the same time.
There was a rare smile on Ferryman’s face while he looked at the three teenagers, “Those three, together with Sprint, Oimos and Katrina, they were the most gifted kids in the last test. Especially Sprint and Katrina, they both have quite potential spiritual power and talent in arcana.”
As Tom was saying, he pointed at the the teenager boy with dark red hair, the other teenager who was sitting in the couch calculating, and the blonde girl who was discussing seriously with her peers.
“All promising young people,” responded Lucien in a real sorcerer’s tone.
Their conversation seized the apprentices’ attention. They turned around and bowed politely, “Mr. Tom.”
Tom apparently looked way less gloomy than usual when he was in front of the teenagers. He nodded and smiled, “I’m very glad to see that all of you’re working so hard, but at the same time, I want you ladies and gentlemen to understand that the author of Math Principles in the Philosophy of Magic, and also the inventor of calculus, Mr. Douglas, is the president of the congress, and the greatest arcanist ever, hence there is still a long way for you folks to go. Work hard and be patient.”
“Thank you, Mr. Tom. We will.” Sprint took a step forward and said with pride, “Becoming an arcanist has always been my target, and I finally became a junior apprentice yesterday.”
Some of the teenagers were very surprised. It did not take Sprint long to make this breakthrough.
“You’re gifted, Sprint.” Tom nodded, feeling quite surprised as well, “And I saw you were helping your peers as well.”
“Of course, we’re all friends,” answered Sprint cheerfully like a kid. Then, he took a glance at Lucien, “Is this our new friend, Mr. Tom? He looks a bit older than us.”
Then Sprint turned to Lucien, “Do you know anything about arcana? I can provide you with some help if you want.”
“Yes, you can ask me as well,” said Katrina. This fourteen-year-old girl was wearing a white dress and already looked like a beautiful young lady. “And I’ll also become an apprentice very soon.”
Both Sprint and Katrina arrived here recently, and when they were chosen, neither of them was an apprentice but just talented kids. Now Sprint already made his breakthrough, and it seemed that Katrina was on her way as well. Without doubt, Sprint and Katrina were the most potential two among all the apprentices and the other young kids who were working on becoming one.
And just like all the smart people, Sprint and Katrina were competing with each other all the time.
In Katrina’s mind, this young man, who was probably only twenty or something, should be no more than a senior apprentice who knew nothing about arcana.
Tom was a bit amused, “This is Mr. Evans. He is a real sorcerer.”
“A real sorcerer?!”
“But he looks so young?!”
The teenagers were very surprised.
Although they heard that from time to time there were very talented teenagers who could become real sorcerers after turning eighteen when their souls became more stable, they never met a sorcerer who was this young as Lucien. They suspected that probably this Mr. Evans was using some kind of magic to maintain his young appearance.
“When you arrive at the congress, you’ll see sorcerers who’re only fifteen or even fourteen.” Tom slightly shook his head and smiled, “In my eyes, Mr. Evans is rather smart, and I’m actually not surprised with his achievement.”
“Mr. Evans.” All the apprentices bowed politely with their right hands on their foreheads.
This was the tradition that an apprentice should show great respect to a sorcerer.
Lucien smiled, “We’re peers now.”
“You want to study arcana with them?” whispered Tom to Lucien.
“I want to start from reading the books they just mentioned,” answered Lucien, “We can discuss if it’s necessary.” Lucien believed that his arcana knowledge was no inferior than most middle-rank mages.
“Then you have to fulfil a task from the congress in advance,” Tom grinned, “since the books are only for the apprentices. Sorcerers can only get them when they arrive the congress.”
“What task?” asked Lucien.
“You gotta be the teacher of an apprentice,” explained Tom patiently. “In order to get the books and all kinds of support from the congress, a sorcerer needs to help an apprentice to reach his or her senior level. Due to the limit of the environment here, the hope that they can leap forward to reach this level is slim to none, but you can try helping an apprentice in training to become a junior one. How does this sound? Fulfilling half of the congress’s task in advance right here?”
“Then what will happen after we arrive in Allyn?” asked Lucien, “Will I still be the teacher?”
“No worries.” Tom waved his hands, “All the apprentices will be sent to the secret schools to study at that time. They won’t bother you.”
“I see. Sounds very reasonable.” Lucien nodded. He agreed on the emphasis that the congress put on training apprentices.
Tom clapped his hands to draw the teenagers’ attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve got an opportunity for you. Because Mr. Evans needs to study arcana, he wants to work with some of you. Who wants to volunteer? You folks gotta know that the chance of working together with a real sorcerer is precious!”
The reaction of the apprentices varied. Some got quite excited and started to whisper to each other, while others remained quite doubtful toward a sorcerer who knew nothing about arcana.
No one knew how much this young sorcerer could help them with their arcana study.
Besides, according to the tradition of the ancient magic empire, some sorcerers were quite strict with training new apprentices. Those apprentices who had other teachers before would not be taken into their consideration at all, hence they might miss the chance of becoming the students of some more powerful sorcerers. And that was the thing that concerned them the most.
“Who volunteers?” asked Tom again.
Sprint responded first, “I’m afraid that Mr. Evans cannot provide me with enough guidance with regard to arcana. I’m sorry.”
“Me neither. Sorry, Mr. Evans.” Katrina lowered her head, “I want to stick to my own study schedule.”
The other six or seven apprentices who were close to Sprint and Katrina were also very hesitant.
