Jean, who had been waiting patiently outside the door, heard the unnatural sound, but he didn't rush inside. There was no murderous intent or hidden attackers. The mage inside was serving the Hale family, so he was loyal. It was normal for mages to make strange noises.
"It broke." Claire said only two words while looking at the crystal shards scattered on the floor.
"Yes, it broke," the middle-aged man replied, still recovering from his shock.
Claire didn't say another word, but waited for the man to regain his composure. After a while, the middle-aged man finally regained his composure, slowly reaching into his robes and grabbing something. This time, he pulled out a larger crystal ball and said, "Again."
Just as before, the crystal ball exploded, and just as before, the middle-aged man's jaw was about to drop.
"Again?" Claire asked calmly. She understood that magical supplies were valuable and crystal balls weren't cheap.
"No, no, no need, miss." The middle-aged man's eyes filled with shock first, then ecstasy. He even wanted to accept her as his disciple right away. Magic had always been, of course, a magician's greatest asset, so they wouldn't teach just anyone. However, they didn't want to take their knowledge to their grave either. One way to pass that knowledge down was to teach a disciple they pleased. Since talented candidates were so rare, there were instances where magicians fought over brilliant disciples. Although the Sunrise Institute taught both Dou Qi and magic, it only taught the basics. At most, you could become a basic magician or a basic warrior. If you wanted to go further, you had to find a mentor, a teacher. Only by becoming a disciple of a mentor could you obtain a more brilliant education. And this little girl was no less talented than the prodigy Laishia—no, perhaps even better!
Although he truly wanted to take her as his disciple, he knew that was just his imagination. Not only did he need her approval, but he also needed Duke Jordan's. He was only a magician and not yet qualified to be the guide of this young woman before him.
"My lady, my young lady, please wait." The middle-aged man calmed down, then remembered that he had to inform Duke Jordan first. "My lady, I will first teach you how to sense the elements and then how to meditate."
"Are you talking about these tiny specks of light around me?" Claire pointed into the air.
The middle-aged man was surprised and said, "My lady, can you actually sense the elements?"
"That book was very detailed. I actually finished it last night." Claire took out the book, which taught the basics of magic.