A delicate goblet held fragrant wine, its aroma drifting lightly across the table.
Before Green lay a veritable feast: nearly seventy or eighty condiments alone—foie gras, yeli sauce, and more—without even counting the array of exquisitely crafted roasted meats, many of which he had never seen before. To be invited to dine with the Lord Mayor on his very first visit was nothing short of miraculous. Of course, this honor owed entirely to the great wizard seated nearby.
"Green."
The wizard's voice rang out suddenly.
Setting down his cutlery, Green bowed respectfully. "Master."
"Hm. I wish to impart this: a child whose Spirit Power can naturally reach ten will often sense their own innate gift when tested with the crystal orb. This awareness is crucial for your future development as a wizard. Never forget all that transpires during the test. Should you rise to the ranks of a wizard, you must cultivate your talents deliberately."
The wizard's voice was curiously neutral, slightly hoarse, as if his throat had faltered—or perhaps it was a mimicry, a parrot echoing through the folds of his robe.
"Yes, Master," Green replied with reverent solemnity.
His talent? Those bizarre, chaotic phenomena? Green did not imagine that such strange entities would serve as allies. Judging by their otherworldly nature, they seemed more likely to be adversaries than companions.
The wizard then turned toward the Lord Mayor's daughter, Raffie, and Wade, the son of the Moon Bay tavern owner.
"Your Spirit Power does not reach ten, and thus you would not normally qualify as wizard apprentices. Yet for a wizard, external conditions are secondary; true power stems from intellect. Knowledge, not innate talent, is the wellspring of a wizard's strength."
"Yes, Master," they responded in unison.
"Ha! Master, you have journeyed far. Today, allow me to properly entertain you. Come, come—taste these rare delicacies from the Endless Southern Sea."
The Lord Mayor donned resplendent ceremonial attire, smiling broadly as eight beautiful maids carried eight platters, placing them before the Lord Mayor, the enigmatic wizard, and the six wizard apprentices.
Green frowned at his own plate. Upon it lay a seemingly ordinary shell.
This was a rare delicacy? How was one meant to consume it?
"The Enchanting Shell! Ha! I first encountered this rare delicacy during a mission in the Endless Southern Sea a hundred and twenty years ago. I never expected to taste it again here, among the Eastern Coral Isle. You have gone to great lengths, Lord Mayor."
The wizard's excitement was palpable, his fascination with this so-called Enchanting Shell evident in every word.
"Please, enjoy," the Lord Mayor invited.
All except the Lord Mayor, Raffie, and the wizard stared blankly, unsure how to partake of such a bizarre dish.
Green observed the Lord Mayor carefully. His plump hands, adorned with seven gleaming rings, lifted the shell effortlessly. With a casual snap, it opened.
Green's eyes widened in astonishment.
Inside lay a living, miniature figure—a soft-bodied, naked being resembling a human, curled in slumber. As the shell opened, the creature slowly awakened, peering around in confusion.
"Hehe," the Lord Mayor chuckled, bringing the shell to his lips. His thick lips pursed, as if to draw the still-dazed creature into his mouth. The tiny being, sensing its peril, writhed desperately, squeaking like a newborn mouse. Yet with one firm inhale, the cry vanished into the Lord Mayor's mouth, and a faint stir in his belly followed.
"Ah… exquisite," he murmured, tossing the empty shell aside, eyes closed in bliss.
The wizard and Raffie partook similarly, all appearing nonchalant.
The wizard then addressed the hesitant apprentices: "For a wizard, taste is secondary. The true value of the Enchanting Shell lies in its ability to purify fire elements. Those interested in the study of fire magic will find it invaluable. Yet be warned, such a gift carries the ocean's curse—after consuming the shell, your flesh will emit an aroma irresistibly alluring to sea spirits."
Surprisingly, Green was the first to act. Eyes closed, head held high, summoning all his resolve, he swallowed the soft-bodied creature. He could even hear the faint, desperate squeals within his stomach. Controlling his unease and nausea, he nonchalantly resumed eating, dipping fresh beef into foie gras.
The other three boys—Yorkris, Wade, and Kiram—swallowed their portions reluctantly, faces pale. Faint squeals occasionally arose from their bellies. Only Yorkliana hesitated, ultimately refusing to partake, pushing the shell aside—a shining example of courage and principle.
Overall, the banquet proceeded smoothly. Green glimpsed the true opulence of the nobility: the cost of such ingredients alone must exceed two hundred gold coins, and the Enchanting Shell, so rare a delicacy, was priceless.
The next morning, Green dashed to the viscount's estate to retrieve his old carriage. From afar, Raffie and Wade rolled their eyes—this trivial vehicle was worth delaying their time?
"Bastard! Didn't you hear yesterday? One more step, and I'll break your legs!"
The old steward saw Green rushing in, shouting furiously. In truth, he hoped Green would comply, for the steward had forgotten to secure proper preparation for tonight's viscount's feast.
Glancing at his carriage, Green noted it had been moved inside, likely by the estate's staff.
"Steward, I've retrieved the carriage. I'll be on my way immediately."
Though the chance to become a wizard apprentice was monumental, Green could not bear to abandon his old horse. It had belonged to old Hamm, and he had grown attached.
The steward froze, unprepared for Green's words, before erupting in anger.
"Scoundrel! Peasant! You dare defy me? Scada, throw him out!"
The steward truly intended to destroy the carriage. As a massive man approached, Green swallowed hard. Then, a cold snort echoed from afar: "The dignity of a wizard must not be violated!"
A jet of black light shot toward the approaching brute. Quick to react, the knight dodged, but the light struck the doorframe, transforming into thousands of tiny, jet-black insects, each no larger than a fingernail, winged, with ferocious mandibles. Seven or eight thousand in all.
The knight, realizing the peril, pleaded: "Mercy, Master Wizard!"
"Hmph."
The wizard ignored him. To a seasoned wizard, a knight was no more than a larger insect—trivial unless he ascended to legendary status.
With a whispered incantation and a single finger, the wizard transformed the panicked knight into a small pig.
Green's jaw nearly dropped. A pig?
The swarm of black insects surged, devouring the transformed knight amid his squeals.
The steward, witnessing this, froze in terror, unable to comprehend such power.
A long, swift tongue lashed out, and the steward vanished instantly.
The red-eyed frog shrank from seven meters to the size of a palm, hopping into the wizard's hand.
Onlookers gaped in horror, Green himself speechless. This was his first sight of a deathly act—so uncanny and absolute!
Silence reigned, sharp as a needle's fall.
A wizard's might was indeed terrifying.
Green clenched his fists, vowing that one day he, too, would master such power, erasing all who dared oppose him. The desire burned fiercely within.
Gathering his composure, he led his old carriage to the blacksmith's, bidding a stunned farewell to his sixth brother.
"Wait… wait, Old Eight… are you really going to become a wizard?"
For the seventh time, the sixth brother asked in disbelief.
Green smiled wryly. "Only an apprentice…"
"Fine, an apprentice… but truly, truly, you're going to be a wizard?"
For the eighth time, the sixth brother asked, and Green could only smile ruefully.