Chapter 25: Apprentice Assessment (Bonus Chapter for the Helmsman!)

Chapter 25 Apprentice Trial (Extra Chapter for the Captain!)

March first, the Mage Tower was bustling with life.

Every year on the first day of spring came the apprentice trial.

For those who had spent three years as novice apprentices in the Mage Tower, today marked their final deadline.

Failure to become a true apprentice meant leaving the tower forever.

Li Wei was still a novice apprentice—he too must face this final trial.

Only by passing would he be recognized as a full apprentice.

But Li Wei intended to skip the apprentice stage entirely and become a probationary mage outright.

No such precedent had ever existed in the history of the Mage Tower.

Before making his move, he had consulted Guze about the matter.

Only after receiving confirmation did he decide to proceed.

There was a significant difference between a probationary mage and an apprentice.

Most importantly, probationary mages could purchase potions and spend contributions to learn first-tier spells.

Dressed in his novice apprentice robes, Li Wei walked toward the examination hall.

Along the way, he saw numerous carriages parked in the Mage Tower’s square.

Though the tower had never formally invited outside powers to observe the trials, many still came out of interest.

The Mage Tower made no effort to stop them.

Partly to uphold fairness and transparency, partly to promote its own prestige.

Each year, people closely watched how many novices became full apprentices, how many apprentices ascended to probationary mages—these were vital measures of success.

If a local tower had too low a graduation rate, nobles would send their heirs to more distant towers with better records.

Young John had just stepped off his carriage when he spotted Li Wei. He called out excitedly, “Li Wei!”

Li Wei turned and saw Young John and Old John descending from the carriage.

He waved briefly. “Almost time for the exam. I’ll go in first. See you later.”

Encouraged, Young John shouted after him, “Good luck!”

Old John stepped down, watching Li Wei’s retreating figure, then chuckled, “That’s the friend of Leina?”

Young John nodded quickly. “Yes. It’s a pity my sister didn’t come. Li Wei would’ve been so happy to see her.”

Old John smiled, saying nothing.

Together, they walked into the tower.

Li Wei arrived at the classroom where he usually studied. A test paper lay on each desk.

He found his seat and sat down.

For mages, theory and practice held equal weight.

Soon, the room filled with students. Guze entered and tapped the blackboard with his ruler.

“The exam begins now. Complete all questions within one hour.”

An hour passed. The exam ended.

Li Wei stepped out of the classroom, feeling it had gone reasonably well.

Passing should not be an issue.

As long as he passed the theory, the rest depended on practical skills—something he had no concerns about.

Apprenticeship required cultivating magical energy.

If theoretical scores were poor, one could still advance if their magical power was strong enough.

With excellent theory, merely cultivating magical energy was sufficient to become an apprentice.

Without cultivating magical energy, even perfect theory meant failure.

When Li Wei followed the line into the trial grounds, testing had already begun.

Apprentices took turns measuring the strength of their magic, then cast a spell while stationary to test casting speed.

Ranks were determined accordingly.

Yet this was not the final ranking.

What truly drew crowds every year was the final rank challenge battle.

In the challenge phase, anyone who had earned a rank could challenge any apprentice ranked within ten places above or below them.

Each apprentice could issue up to three challenges and receive up to three.

This meant that even those wishing to conceal their strength dared not hide too much.

Too low a rank, and even with three attempts, one might never climb high enough.

Li Wei stood in line, waiting his turn.

He glanced toward the end of the hall, where a black magical stele stood upon a stone platform.

Whoever channeled their magic into it would have their power strength revealed.

Currently, Doug led the rankings with a power level of 79.

The higher the magical strength, the easier spellcasting became.

Li Wei wondered how strong his own power would measure.

Soon, the apprentices finished testing. Now it was the novices’ turn.

Several consecutive results were single digits. The apprentice overseeing the tests shook his head in disappointment.

Dellis stepped forward and achieved an impressive 12.

Neil and Land scored 11 and 10 respectively—also commendable.

Li Wei looked around and noticed that noble-born apprentices generally had higher power levels.

It wasn’t that nobles were inherently gifted—purely because they were wealthy.

Burning calming incense daily, even a pig could cultivate magical energy.

Boom!

The great doors of the testing hall suddenly burst open.

Several figures clad in mage robes appeared at the entrance.

The apprentice guards at the door exchanged puzzled glances—

they didn’t recognize these mages.

They weren’t from the Mage Tower.

Spectators seated nearby also turned, curiosity lighting their eyes.

In the crowd, Mage El rose to his feet, his gaze fixed upon the figure at the doorway, his expression grave.

"Alan!" Mage El called out.

At the sound of his name, those present exchanged startled glances—none had expected El to know the newcomer.

Standing in the doorway, Alan broke into a smile, spreading his arms wide as he stepped forward. "Brother," he said, "I'm back!"

"What brings you here?" El stared at him coldly, without an ounce of warmth.

Alan chuckled. "Why, just came back to see how you've been."

"Ten years gone," he added with a mocking grin. "Still only a second-rank mage, I suppose?"

El’s face darkened. "You’re not welcome here. Leave."

Alan smiled faintly. "Brother, that truly wounds me."

"In that case, neither shall I be courteous."

"I, on behalf of the Midnight Tower of mages, issue a challenge to the Maple Tower!"

A stunned silence fell, then erupted into murmurs. No one had expected such a turn—today promised spectacle indeed.

El stared at him, emotionless. "Are you seeking war between our towers?"

"Not at all," Alan laughed. "This is merely a friendly exchange of skill. Or does the Maple Tower fear even the most amicable contest from another tower?"

"By the Mage Council's decree," he continued, "should you refuse the challenge, I gain the right to take any single artifact from your tower as I please."

Seeing no choice, El sighed. "The Maple Tower accepts the challenge of the Midnight Tower."

His eyes swept across the hall, lingering for a moment on his disciple, Doug.

"The terms," he declared, "shall be apprentice versus apprentice! No limit on number—victory goes to the last one standing!"

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Such rules clearly favored the Maple Tower—hardly fair. How many apprentices did the Maple Tower hold? And how many stood beside Alan?

Yet Alan showed no surprise. He knew his brother better than anyone. El always placed the tower’s interests above all.

It was precisely this principle that had torn them apart long ago.

Smiling, Alan said, "Very well. Then, Lear—my disciple—you're up."

(End of Chapter)