Half a month later, Green and his companions finally arrived at the renowned Zerrato Harbor.
By now, their group had gained an additional apprentice, one Binhansen, handpicked by Master Arovos from thousands of candidates in the preceding cities, chosen for his potential as a wizarding apprentice.
Yet, fate had dealt Green an unfortunate hand: Binhansen was an incessant chatterbox—and he had latched onto Green.
The origin of this misfortune was simple. During the aptitude test for wizard apprentices in Tambroson City, Binhansen had been publicly recognized by Master Arovos as possessing the rare qualities of a wizard apprentice. Overcome with ecstasy, he had erupted into a cacophony of exclamations, shattering the solemn, austere atmosphere. Even Master Arovos's command to keep quiet fell on deaf ears.
With no alternative, Green—being the closest—restrained his exuberance and positioned him beside himself. That single act, however, had made the past days near-mortal agony for Green, leaving him to secretly wonder whether his eardrums might shatter entirely.
"Shh, I'll tell you a secret, but promise you won't tell anyone. Sherry… she has a birthmark the size of a bowl, right on her—well, I saw it from the rooftop at her house once when she was bathing! Hahaha. I've only told John and Aaron… you're the twenty-seventh. Absolutely no one else!"
Binhansen's voice assaulted Green's ears relentlessly. Since joining the group seven days prior, Green had endured well over a hundred such "secrets." And Hanson's booming volume made it nearly impossible for the rest of the party not to hear. Green could scarcely fathom what in his life was still worth keeping confidential.
Furthermore, he had no acquaintance with any of the people Hanson spoke of, rendering the tales utterly uninteresting.
"Who is Sherry?" Green inquired casually.
Hanson's expression froze in mock astonishment. "You don't know Sherry? She's Badara's little sweetheart I mentioned the day before yesterday!"
Green could only sigh. He had another pressing question: who, pray tell, was this Badara? But wisely, he refrained from asking, pretending to understand as he nodded sagely. He knew if he pushed further, disaster would surely strike, and his head was already buzzing with a relentless "hum."
Zerrato Harbor, one of the four principal harbors of Eastern Coral Isle, was a bustling hub of activity. Ships of every size lined the docks, hundreds in total, some stretching over a hundred meters long, ferrying people and goods in endless streams.
"Wow, this is Zerrato Harbor? It's my first time here!" Raffie exclaimed, her delight momentarily erasing the grim anticipation of journeying to the Wizard Continent. Her eyes sparkled at the sight of the bustling vessels on the vast sea.
Raffie's figure was strikingly tall and graceful, standing at around 1.75 meters, almost equal to Green. She closed her eyes, spreading her arms towards the sea, a sash cinched at her waist accentuating her elegant curves. Several boys present were momentarily stunned, and Green even heard Wade swallowing audibly in awe. His own heart thumped unbidden.
At that moment, a sudden, piercing proclamation shattered the serene tableau. Green, Wade, and Kiranm all inwardly cursed.
"Ah… Raffie, I have finally found you, the goddess of my love, the guiding light of my life, the ultimate destiny of my soul! Your beauty captivates me entirely. I shall protect you for eternity, willing to lay down my life for you… oh, please save me from my suffering!"
Turning, they saw Binhansen, eyes brimming with infatuation as he gazed upon Raffie. The sight was mortifying. Green patted his forehead—had Hanson lost his mind? Did he truly dare provoke someone like Raffie?
Even the others observed with a mix of amusement and incredulity. Only Yorkliana, Raffie's shy companion, covered her mouth in astonishment at this legendary public declaration of affection.
Raffie's face darkened as she turned toward Hanson, her expression a mixture of surprise and chilling composure. Her lips murmured a few words, and a slender vine sprouted beneath Hanson's feet, wrapping him seven or eight times, binding him completely like a grotesque bundle.
"Sorcery!" several apprentices gasped, unable to believe that Raffie had unleashed true wizardry.
Hanson, muffled by the vines, could only emit choked sounds. Spectators at the harbor watched in astonishment, pointing and whispering as the miraculous spectacle unfolded.
Raffie's pride was quiet but palpable. She possessed two enchanted artifacts, both acquired through her father's immense expense. The magic she had wielded emanated from her own power, triggered through her magical earrings.
Green and the others, having never encountered magical artifacts or even basic wizarding lore, were genuinely startled. From the Meditation Guide, Green understood that one could only manifest sorcery with magical power, a force derived from the strength of one's mental faculties. Despite his persistent attempts at meditation, Green had yet to succeed, making Raffie's display all the more astonishing. Yet, considering her noble upbringing, it was unsurprising she had been exposed to some wizarding knowledge earlier.
Moments later, Raffie withdrew her magic, the vines vanishing into nothingness. The group resumed their journey with Master Arovos. Soon, thirteen knights charged forth, escorting them with grand ceremony.
"Welcome back, Master Arovos. The Duke has prepared a banquet in your honor," the lead knight announced with utmost deference.
Arovos nodded lightly and followed the knights with his seven apprentices, indifferent to the murmurs of the harbor crowds.
The banquet was lavish, but the apprentices had grown accustomed to feasts along their travels. Green had even acquired fine garments for the occasion. The Duke, evidently of higher rank than any previous host, dined casually, savoring slices of rare beef. Arovos, meanwhile, appeared disinterested in food, stirring a colorful assortment of mushrooms in his soup.
"Troubles, perhaps?" the Duke teased, noting his companion's distraction.
Arovos sighed, "There are more secrets and disappearances among the wizards than ever. Perhaps you were right—trouble there never reaches here."
The Duke chuckled, dismissing the remark, and resumed his meal. Arovos observed the seven apprentices, shaking his head. "In Eastern Coral Isle, nothing much occurs. By the way, which wizard will escort these youngsters?"
"Dira," the Duke replied casually.
"Ah… they'll have a relatively easy two months, then. Our Lilith's Cottage treats apprentices well; competition is mild." Arovos added, "I intend to visit the subterranean world; a new rift has reportedly been discovered…"
After the feast, Green and the apprentices were assigned to quiet estates to await the academy's ship for seven days. Opening his window, the briny sea breeze swept in from the nearby cliffs and crashing waves.
"Wizard Continent…" Green exhaled deeply, tension coiling tighter with every fragment of insight Raffie had shared. She had painted the land as a realm dominated by fearsome wizards, and he could scarcely blame her reluctance. Closing the window against the damp night air, Green lit the candles in his room and reopened the Meditation Guide, determined to further refine his understanding of converting mental energy into magical power during these quiet days.