Chapter 2

"Ha ha ha, Sein, you’ve done well. It’s actually mature starlight grass, which I need for an upcoming experiment..."

The hoarse voice came from a middle-aged mage in a black robe standing before him.

The wide hood obscured most of the mage’s face.

The only part visible was a withered face like that of a thousand-year-old corpse, and a turbid eyeball.

Facing the intermediate-level magic beast, the saltwater crocodile, Sein had maintained his composure from start to finish.

But in front of this black mage, Sein’s body couldn’t help but tremble slightly.

Sein believed that if this black mage merely extended his finger, even the most ferocious magic beast would have to cower like a kitten at his feet.

This was the power of magic, the authority of a black mage! It was the epitome of true terror and despair.

"So, Sein, we mages generally adhere to the principle of equivalent exchange. Speak up, what do you want?"

The black mage named Mosido tapped his magic staff with his pale fingers and asked the young man before him.

Taking a deep breath, the large movement and his agitated state caused Sein’s wound to reopen, and a fresh trickle of blood seeped through his chest.

But the pain from the wound did not make Sein pause in his actions or words.

He bowed ninety degrees forward, speaking in an extremely humble and respectful tone: "I wish to become your apprentice, Lord Mosido, to help you with your troubles and explore the true essence of magic."

His bent waist received no response, and he maintained the ninety-degree bow.

Until Mosido, the black mage, gave a definitive answer to Sein’s request to become his apprentice, he remained motionless.

"Drip."

"Drip."

The magic quartz clock recorded the slow passage of time.

Sein couldn’t see Mosido’s expression, only a bony, slender finger slowly tapping the head of his magic staff.

The feeling of one’s fate being in someone else’s hands was very unpleasant.

But Sein knew that if Mosido agreed to take him as an apprentice, he would at least have a better grasp on his future compared to over seventy percent of the magic apprentices in Muzobura City!

Rather than one day being thrown onto an experimental table as a specimen by a black mage in a bad mood.

The waiting time was long, and the wound on Sein’s chest even began to drip a small pool of blood onto the ground.

Under normal circumstances, defiling the laboratory of a noble black mage would have severe consequences.

But strangely, Mosido did not reprimand Sein for this, and Sein, who was entirely focused on becoming Mosido’s apprentice, did not even notice this detail.

"Heh heh heh, I heard that the old woman Anginia and the old man Kolonso also praised your performance in the magic class."

"Why didn’t you go to them to become their apprentice?" The oppressive silence was finally broken, and Mosido asked casually.

Sein had his reasons for choosing to become Mosido’s apprentice.

But he knew his reasons were not easy to express. Should he openly say that he found Mosido to be more "normal" in the Black Magic Academy?

Unlike Anginia, who occasionally went mad, or Kolonso, who often used his apprentices for magic limb amputation experiments.

Mosido’s main courses in the Black Magic Academy were "Introduction to Alchemy" and "Basic Knowledge of Fire Elements."

Coincidentally, Sein’s constitution was more compatible with fire elements, and the limited magic knowledge he possessed was primarily fire-based.

After much consideration, he chose to apply to become the apprentice of Mosido, who was known for his low profile in the Black Magic Academy.

The three starlight grass plants he obtained at great risk were also important neutralizing agents in the alchemy process.

For ordinary black mages, the value of starlight grass was not high.

But for Mosido, it had significant value because it was difficult to cultivate artificially and only grew in the wild.

After a moment of contemplation, Sein said softly, "Because I believe you have advanced further on the path of magic than Masters Anginia and Kolonso."

"Only by following you can I grasp the true essence of magic."

Sein’s response quickly elicited a hearty laugh from Mosido.

However, due to Mosido’s naturally hoarse voice, the quiet laboratory became even more eerie with his laughter.

The flattery and the denigration of the other two black mages made Mosido feel very pleased.

But what truly made Mosido decide to take Sein as an apprentice was the latter part of Sein’s words.

"Grasp the true essence of magic? Not to pursue greater power?!"

"Heh heh heh! Sein, if you truly understand that knowledge is the source of our mages’ power, then you surpass over ninety percent of the apprentices in the Black Magic Academy."

"Even many boring official black mages are often deluded by power."

"Perhaps because they have been underground for too long, these fellows have gradually forgotten the true essence of magic." Mosido sneered.

A beam of "Regeneration" green magic light shot from Mosido’s magic staff.

This was a high-level healing spell from a great and official mage, and the moment Sein saw the green light, his long-held heart finally relaxed.

Along with this, he felt a deep fatigue from his body and an itchy sensation from the regenerating flesh on his chest.

"Go back and rest for a while. I agree to take you as my fifth disciple."

"There is still a trace of paralyzing toxin in your blood. Did you eat blue moss?" Mosido asked.

"Yes, Master. On the way back to Muzobura City, I used blue moss to simply treat my wound." Sein respectfully replied, calling Mosido "Master."

Blue moss was a relatively common low-level plant with little magical value, but it could numb muscles to some extent.

However, the cost of using it was that it was toxic and required a corresponding antidote to neutralize the toxins afterward.

Mosido, the black mage, gave off a cold and sinister vibe, but it had to be said that Sein had made an absolutely correct decision this time.

A large bottle of intermediate-level antidote was taken out from Mosido’s black robe.

Along with it, a short staff and a medal appeared.

Both the short staff and the medal emitted a strong magical aura.

This was the first time Sein had seen real magical items.

The former was a magic staff, a gift from Mosido to Sein as a token of acceptance.

Although it was a "trinket" Mosido had made during his free time, it was a genuine treasure for Sein.

It contained a corrosive acid that could melt the scales of high-level magic beasts.

The latter, the medal, was a key that allowed Sein to freely enter Mosido’s laboratory in the future, and it also served as a symbol of Sein’s status as Mosido’s apprentice.

"Go back and rest for a while. Come to my laboratory in three days. I have an experiment that needs your assistance." After handing over the three gifts, Mosido waved his hand and said.

Only then did Sein dare to look up at Mosido.

Before him was a middle-aged man with a slightly sinister face and yellowish eyes, hidden under the black robe.