"An apprentice social gathering?" Edwyn took the invitation.
"Yes, it's just a get-together for us official apprentices to meet and get to know each other," Erik explained. Then he added, "Almost all the official apprentices will be attending this one."
"I see."
After a few more pleasantries, Erik, having completed his task, got up and left, after all, Edwyn was hardly the only apprentice he needed to invite.
Once he was gone, Edwyn asked, "Chayle, who exactly is this Erik? He feels incredibly strong."
"Strong? He should be strong. That guy is the apprentice of our Vice Dean, Lord Aelyx," Chayle replied. "By the way, Edwyn, do you have a date for tonight?" Chayle suddenly gave Edwyn a sly look. "If not, your senior can set you up with a couple."
"I guarantee you'll have a great time tonight."
"No need, senior," Edwyn replied with a laugh, shaking his head. "I already have a date."
"A date?" Chayle was taken aback, this quiet junior of his actually had a date?! But his expression quickly turned gossipy as he leaned in closer. "You? A date? I thought you were fully devoted to truth and knowledge! Tell me, which school is she from? Who's her master?"
"Dual discipline, Evocation and Curses. She's under Lady Susanna." Edwyn didn't hide anything. They were fellow apprentices, and they'd be around each other a long time. It wasn't worth trying to keep secrets.
"Whoa! Impressive, kiddo!" Chayle gave Edwyn a thumbs-up, eyes gleaming. "Lady Susanna hasn't taken on an apprentice in years, and this time she took only one, and you landed her!"
Edwyn just chuckled and said nothing.
"Well, since you've already got a date, I won't play matchmaker," Chayle said, then his expression turned serious. "But before you go, there's something I need to make clear."
"These social events are just for show. Don't take the flattery and bootlicking too seriously. Don't waste too much energy on so-called 'networking.' If you're strong enough, you won't have to chase connections, connections will chase you."
"Like today, just yesterday you stocked a batch of Focus Potions at the senior sister's store, and today Erik showed up in person to wait for you. If you hadn't achieved anything, he would've just left the invitation with me to pass along, instead of coming here himself."
There was weight in Chayle's tone, as if he'd been burned by this kind of thing before.
"Got it, Chayle," Edwyn replied solemnly.
"Good. Then go get ready." Chayle stood up and gave him a pat on the shoulder. "I expect you to shine tonight and leave everyone dazzled."
…
That evening, 72nd floor of the Central Black Tower.
Edwyn, with Elia on his arm and invitation in hand, walked up to the venue.
Tonight, Edwyn wore a crisp royal black robe, a badge pinned to his chest, and polished leather shoes. Elia wore a long black dress, with a sapphire necklace adorning her slender neck.
"This should be the place," Edwyn said as he looked at the two humanoid mechanical sentries at the door. He couldn't help but think, that Erik guy sure liked to show off. Even the sentries were humanoid constructs.
Humanoid constructs were far too expensive for the average Mage.
Edwyn pulled out the invitation and handed it to a sentry. The sentry swallowed it whole, gears whirring audibly inside.
"Identity confirmed. Apprentice Edwyn, officially under Lord Joron, welcome to the social gathering."
The sentry gave a slight bow.
Elia followed suit and handed over her own invitation.
"Identity confirmed. Apprentice Elia, officially under Lady Susanna, welcome to the social gathering."
Inside, the hall was a dazzling display of gold and grandeur, completely unlike the usual dark, gloomy atmosphere of the Black Tower.
Apprentices who arrived early gathered in small groups, chatting with drinks in hand. Most of the official apprentices were descendants of Mages. Except for rare talents like Edwyn and Elia, most apprentices had to survive their first Blood Trial before being taken in as formal disciples.
Edwyn scanned the hall. In the corners were several apprentices who gave off strong and dangerous auras at a glance.
"These must be the ones who were accepted after the Blood Trial," Edwyn thought to himself.
As someone who was taken in from the smallfolk, he didn't know any of the Mage-born apprentices. So, before the event officially began, he found a quiet corner with Elia and sat down.
With so many hidden elites around, he figured it was best to stay low-key for now.
As time passed, more and more apprentices arrived. Many of them already knew each other, some were friendly, others not so much. It wasn't long before friction began to flare up.
Suddenly, a large, gorilla-like apprentice shouted at another across from him. Judging by the magical aura he released, he had already reached the level of an Intermediate Apprentice.
"Kelman, you bastard, you're still alive?!"
As he roared, he swung his staff with thunderous force at the apprentice in front of him.
To call it a staff was generous, it looked more like a heavy spiked club. Most staffs had crystal orbs at the top, but this one had metal spikes instead, engraved with magical runes.
Right now, those runes were glowing with power.
"Heh heh heh… Rurik, you idiot, you're still as dumb as ever," the targeted apprentice cackled. He neither defended nor dodged, simply stood still as the blow came down.
BANG!
"Rurik, didn't I tell you not to lose your temper at the social tonight?" A figure suddenly appeared between them and caught Rurik's staff with one hand. No matter how hard Rurik struggled, the staff wouldn't budge.
"Did you forget?"
The figure radiated an overwhelming magical pressure that made Rurik involuntarily tremble.
His instincts were screaming: Resist, and you die!
"S-s-sorry, Lord Erik! I didn't mean to, I beg your forgiveness for my stupidity!"
Rurik immediately bowed deeply to Erik, his trembling voice a complete contrast to his earlier bravado.
Erik cast a cold glance at him and casually tossed the staff aside.
"You're lucky I'm in a good mood tonight."
Then, Erik picked up a wineglass and walked to the center of the hall. He tapped the glass with a silver spoon.
The hall immediately quieted down, and all eyes turned to the host of the evening.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm glad you all came to attend this apprentice social," Erik said, offering a small bow with a smile. "All of you here are official apprentices under the various Mages of the Black Tower, you are the future pillars of our civilization."
"The purpose of this gathering is to foster communication and friendship among you all. So I ask that you keep your emotions in check and not disgrace the names of the masters who stand behind you."
"Remember: calm and restraint are the first traits of a true Mage."
With that, Erik raised his glass and downed it in one go.
"Now then, the apprentice social gathering officially begins!"