Attila said, "Cole has recently been learning to craft Black Rock Leopards, but his progress doesn’t seem to be going well."
"Crafting puppets is indeed quite difficult," Sherman nodded in earnest agreent.
He had also tried to craft Black Rock Leopards, but unfortunately, all attempts ended in failure.
His talent in puppet crafting wasn’t as good as his potion-making skills.
Thinking about puppet crafting, Sherman felt a bit sentintal.
The Black Rock Leopard is a knight-level puppet.
Two years ago, a knight was an exalted figure to him, and he never imagined that he would one day craft a puppet equivalent in status to a knight.
The changes in himself over these past two years have truly been imnse.
And all of this is thanks to his ntor.
Thinking about his ntor, Sherman couldn’t help but feel a silent gratitude.
During their conversation, the two had already arrived at the base’s gate, and could see Cole waiting in the distance.
Compared to two years ago, the fifteen-year-old Cole had grown significantly taller, with an elegant physique and handso appearance, making him the type of noble young man very much liked by girls.
Seemingly aware of soone’s arrival, Cole turned to look, his eyes brightening slightly at Attila, but quickly returning to a blank expression upon seeing Sherman.
Sherman couldn’t help but secretly roll his eyes.
Cole really did consider him a rival.
Ever since falling behind Sherman in the entry to the Star Ring ditation thod and the construction of the first star ring, Cole’s pride seed to have been hurt, prompting him to intensify his efforts, showing a determination to surpass him.
Though Sherman didn’t enjoy competition, he couldn’t deny that Cole’s actions exerted considerable pressure on him, driving him to work harder, rapidly advancing in both ditation and studies.
Their ntor even praised both him and Cole recently.
Perhaps this was the benefit of having a rival.
The three stood at the gate, just starting to chat, when a group of figures erged in the distance.
Twelve young n and won rode Black Rock Leopards, escorted by a team of Black Rock cavalry, approaching the base.
The leader was none other than Lord Brad.
"I heard Lord Brad has been promoted to Great Knight, becoming the second Great Knight in the Flashing Territory besides the lord himself," Attila said in a low voice.
"With Dragon Blood Fruit, the number of Great Knights in the territory will only increase,"
Sherman responded quietly, his gaze scanning the twelve young n and won.
Judging from their clothing, among them were children of noble families and those from middle-class origins.
Yet there were none from impoverished or farming backgrounds, like him.
Literacy is ultimately a significant barrier, blocking the path for poor farrs to beco wizard apprentices.
Sherman had thought about changing this situation, but the complexities of widespread education were daunting even for the lord, much less himself.
"Good morning, esteed ones."
Arriving nearer, Brad dismounted from his Black Rock Leopard, saluting Sherman and the other two.
Though he was old enough to be their father, being a Great Knight and Lord, he still maintained respect for Sunan’s three students.
"Lord Brad, long ti no see."
Sherman and the others hastily returned the salute.
"I’ve completed my task of bringing them here, and now it’s over to you three."
After leaving them, Brad swiftly departed with his soldiers.
Watching Brad leave, Sherman and the other two then looked at the twelve newcors.
"Hello, seniors."
The twelve newcors offered their greetings promptly, visibly nervous and cautious.
After two years of ditation and study, Sherman, Cole, and Attila had developed a certain mysterious and profound aura, giving ordinary people a sense of inscrutability.
Even Sherman, originally from a poor background, had transford, displaying assertiveness and decisiveness in his actions.
Anyone seeing him for the first ti would never guess that he was a self-conscious and timid child just two years ago.
Even the youth from noble backgrounds felt an inexplicable pressure standing before these three.
"No need to be nervous, we are classmates from today onward," Attila said gently.
Her kind smile slightly eased the newcor’s tensions.
"Let’s go, ti’s running out," Cole remarked blandly. "Let’s get things wrapped up—I need to go back to puppet crafting."
His impatient tone made the barely relaxed atmosphere tense again.
Attila shot Cole a displeased glance and led the newcors into the base.
"The base is quite large and divided into many zones, but it’s easy to tell them apart."
"Most areas are freely accessible, but places like the confinent zone and energy hub are off-limits to apprentices, equipped with magic alerts—be careful not to trigger them."
"Ah, those are Clay Golems, tasked with various odd jobs. In addition, there are Stone Golems responsible for base security and patrols."
"Besides us apprentices, the base has Lady Grell, who oversees the warehouses; Lady Madeleine watching over the Magic Plant Garden; and the flower spirits cultivating magic plants—they are all helpers summoned by Sunan from another world."
Throughout the journey, Attila enthusiastically introduced the base to the newcors, explaining various precautions.
Sherman occasionally chid in with additional remarks.
Cole remained indifferent, saying nothing at all.
Fortunately, the newcors didn’t mind, gazing with gleaming eyes at the sights, finding everything exceptionally fresh and fascinating.
Seeing the newcors’ manner, Sherman felt quite moved, as if he was seeing himself two years ago.
Back then, his first tour of the base must have looked much like this.
"There is also Hidden Dragon and Lord Amy."
"Hidden Dragon is the ntor’s magical pet, a powerful Dragon Lizard that can beco invisible."
"Lord Amy is the ntor’s friend, shrouded in mystery. If it were in the base today, it might have co to see you."
After touring most areas, Attila led the newcors to the warehouse.
Grell was seated at the warehouse entrance, playing the violin, her lodic music soothing their minds.
Attila signaled the newcors to stop and patiently awaited Grell to finish her piece, then approached and said, "Lady Grell, I’ve brought the newcors."
"There are quite a few newcors this year."
Grell smiled warmly, glancing over the newcors and pointing at the books sitting on a nearby table.
"These are what Sunan tasked with giving to the newcors, including the Star Ring ditation thod and so basic texts—take them."
Attila thanked her and took the items to distribute among the newcors.
"By the way, in the confinent area, there is a difficult individual recently brought in. Sunan asked to warn you to steer clear of there."
A difficult individual?
Sherman, Attila, and Cole exchanged looks.
Clearly, this troubleso character spoken of by Grell was another assistant summoned by their ntor.
Though curious, the three had always obeyed their ntor’s instructions, and readily agreed when warned.
Once they left the warehouse, the group headed towards the residential area, letting the newcors choose their rooms.
Woo woo woo!
Suddenly, a shrill alert sounded in their ears.
Sherman, Attila, and Cole simultaneously turned pale.
"Soone triggered the magic alert!"
"It’s coming from the direction of the gate, let’s go check it out!"
"Stay put and don’t move around,"
They instructed the newcors and then hurried towards the base’s gate.
From afar, they saw a squad of Stone Golems surrounding soone at the gate.
Upon closer inspection, they found the intruder surrounded by Stone Golems.
Against expectations, there was only one person.
The person was shrouded in a long robe, only revealing a pale face with rigid features, looking about thirty, exuding a gloomy aura.
Seeing that face, Sherman and the others inexplicably got goosebumps, feeling chills down their spines.
The man’s gaze swept over Sherman and the other two.
"Three young level 1 wizard apprentices."
"Interesting, not many these days are willing to take on students."
The man’s voice was hoarse and unpleasant, like sandpaper.
What surprised Sherman and the others even more was that the sound emanated from beneath the man’s robe; his mouth hadn’t moved at all.
A gentle breeze blew past.
Sherman and the others felt it, turning to find Sunan beside them without them noticing.
"ntor!"
The three young apprentices saluted swiftly.
Sunan waved his hand, saying, "You should return, leave this to ."
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