Chương 12: A New Look

Zelier opened his eyes. Instead of the sagging canvas roof of a tent, a sturdy wooden ceiling greeted him overhead. He'd slept well. Judging by the sunlight spilling through the window, it was already close to noon. He lay there for a while, staring blankly into space before finally sitting up. A full night's dreamless sleep had washed away most of yesterday's exhaustion. His gaze flickered. The familiar status panel appeared. The numbers had changed slightly.

Mistveil Embrace Analysis Progress: 4% Four percent in a single day... So it would still take over twenty days to finish analyzing it. Matrix Deduction really was a talent that needed time to mature. If he'd chosen Spell Surge instead, his combat power would've increased immediately. His eyes drifted lower. The Grand Creation — Analysis Progress: 0% Still nothing. Zelier flopped back onto the bed and began planning the day. There was no rush to pick up another quest from the Adventurer's Association.

The money he had on hand would keep him comfortable for quite a while. Besides... His first adventure had been recklessly underprepared. He'd gone into the forest carrying nothing but a dagger, with armor that barely qualified as protection. They'd been lucky the original target had only been wild wolves, and luckier still that Marcus and Grey had held the Mistwraith back. Otherwise... He probably would've died. Before accepting another commission, he needed proper equipment.

And there was something even more important. His mage certification. Zelier wanted to understand this world's magic system as quickly as possible. According to the previous owner's memories, Blackstone Town had a branch of the Mage Guild. The original Zelier had never dared approach it, crippled by insecurity and fear. But if he intended to walk the path of a mage, the Guild would become unavoidable. Maybe... If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

He'd even get the chance to witness advanced spells firsthand. That alone could make Matrix Deduction evolve much faster.

"Then today's settled." Muttering to himself, he climbed out of bed.

"I'll visit the Mage Guild... and get myself officially evaluated." After washing up, Zelier enjoyed a hearty breakfast of diced salted pork with roasted potatoes before leaving the inn. His first destination, however, wasn't the Mage Guild. It was a clothing shop. The outfit he was wearing was... embarrassing. Not quite beggar-level. But not much better. His coarse linen clothes were stained with dried wolf blood and mud, making him look more like a drifter than a spellcaster.

That appearance was perfectly normal inside the Adventurer's Association. The Mage Guild, on the other hand... He doubted those refined old mages would even let him through the front door dressed like this. Standing before a mirror, Zelier admired his new appearance. He had chosen a fitted gray long-sleeved tunic, belted neatly at the waist, paired with black linen trousers and mid-calf soft leather boots. Nothing extravagant. A perfectly ordinary outfit.

Yet with his 46 Charisma, ordinary became surprisingly impressive. Years of farm work hadn't left his skin dark or rough. His complexion remained fair. His lean physique gave him a clean jawline and sharp facial contours. Combined with black hair, black eyes, and naturally gentle features, he possessed the refined beauty of a handsome young scholar. Looking into the mirror... He resembled a young academy instructor far more than an adventurer.

"Not bad." He straightened his collar with a satisfied smile. The outfit cost him five silver coins, leaving him with 3 Gold, 53 Silver. After asking for directions several times and wandering through unfamiliar streets, Zelier finally reached his destination. Compared to the Adventurer's Association... The Mage Guild was on an entirely different level. Rather than a single building, it was a sprawling complex enclosed behind stone walls, entered through a magnificent white-stone archway.

Even the guards stationed beneath the arch looked far more disciplined—and considerably better equipped—than the town gate watch. Taking a deep breath, Zelier approached.

"Please stop." One guard raised a hand.

"Your identification." As before, Zelier presented his Adventurer's Association badge. The guard examined it before looking back up with mild confusion.

"You don't possess a Mage Guild insignia?"

"This is my first visit," Zelier explained.

"I'm here to undergo a mage evaluation."

"One moment." The guard stepped into a nearby room and soon returned carrying a small crystal sphere. Following his instructions, Zelier placed his hand atop it. He circulated a thread of mana. Immediately, light bloomed inside the once-cloudy crystal. A mana detection device... Zelier guessed.

"Very well." The guard stepped aside.

"You're free to enter. The Administrative Office responsible for mage evaluations is in that direction."

"Thank you." The inside of the Mage Guild was surprisingly quiet. As Zelier walked, he saw only a handful of people passing through the grounds. Which made sense. Compared to warriors, rangers, and other professions... Mages were exceedingly rare. If Blackstone Town hadn't possessed both the obsidian mines and the Ashwood Forest, the Guild would've never established a branch here. Most Guild branches existed only in cities.

Crossing a well-kept lawn, Zelier reached the administrative building the guard had indicated. Inside was a spacious, brightly lit hall filled with the comforting scent of old books. An elderly mage with a long white beard manned the reception counter. Or rather... He was slumped over it, half asleep.

"Excuse me." Zelier gently called out.

"I'd like to take the mage evaluation." Without even opening his eyes, the old mage lazily pointed toward a row of benches.

"Wait over there." Following the gesture, Zelier noticed someone already seated there. A girl around his age. She wore a perfectly tailored light-purple mage robe. Long golden curls cascaded over her shoulders, and a beautifully crafted crimson wand rested at her waist. Sensing movement, she turned slightly. Their eyes met. Sapphire-blue eyes... They're beautiful. That was Zelier's first impression. He nodded politely before taking a seat several chairs away.

After a while, perhaps bored by the silence, the girl spoke first.

"Hey."

"You're here for the evaluation too?"

"Yeah." Zelier nodded.

"I'm Bev Alberti." She introduced herself with practiced confidence.

"And you?"

"Zelier."

"Zelier..." She rolled the name around thoughtfully before narrowing her eyes with curiosity.

"No family name?"

"So you're not the son of a noble?"

"No." Zelier chuckled softly.

"I'm just a commoner."

"I taught myself magic... and figured I'd come see how I measure up."