A massive, rough hand clamped onto Yorkris's shoulder.
His expression shifted instantly as an irresistible force hurled him backward into the wall.
"Brother!"Yorkliana screamed, rushing forward in her white gown to steady him.
Before them stood a towering two-meter giant, his presence exuding overwhelming intimidation. His distorted, somewhat slow-witted face muttered, "What? So weak…"
"Good grief…" Green's eyes bulged. "Are you here to study at a wizard academy or a knightly human monstrosity exhibition? Did you grow up eating giants?"
Even the staggering Yorkris was speechless, staring at this humanoid monster in shock.
"Ha! Andrew, do you think everyone's as strong as you?" the giant mocked, rubbing his swollen eye and glaring fiercely.
"Today's business isn't finished!"
From the crowd, a shorter man of about 1.6 meters squeezed forward, leering at Andrew with triangular eyes.
"Not finished? Haha, that sister of his is quite something. Bayi, if you're still unsatisfied…"
"Mind your mother!" Yorkris charged, recognizing the lewd man as Bayi's "Rat."
Boom! Andrew's fist sent Yorkris flying again, staggering him to the floor. Clearly, Yorkris was outmatched.
"Boring, the wizard forbids killing," Andrew muttered, then added, "Only the strong claim territory."
Bayi chimed in: "Today we three shall teach you the rule of the wizarding world: reason follows the fist, haha."
Yorkris seethed: "No, I won't let this pass. I've never taken such a loss. Today, I want his sister!"
Yoclyana trembled, and the onlookers looked on indifferently.
Green's group learned the harsh truth of the wizarding world on the very first day—cold, ruthless, and strength-dominated.
A voice of surprise and delight broke from behind Green:
"Ha! The big guy's room caught my eye. I'll take this lower-deck cabin!"
A bronze plaque landed atop Andrew's bald head with a thud. He and Rat froze, incredulous.
It was Raffie. Green's heart leapt—how could they have forgotten her? With her command of magic, subduing a brute like Andrew was trivial.
Indeed, Raffie murmured an incantation, and a massive vine coiled around Andrew, toppling him with a thump.
"Die, you wretch!" Yorkris seized the moment, striking Andrew's other eye and driving him to the floor.
"Mercy! I'm forced!" Rat pleaded, sweat beading his forehead.
Green snorted: "Forced? Die!" Using his street-fighting skills, he floored Rat in a single blow.
Silence fell. All eyes turned to Raffie, whose magical display left the apprentices awestruck. In their isolated world, they mistook her conjuration for innate supernatural power.
"Finally, the top-deck cabin! No more cramped quarters with the sailors. Thank you, big guy!" Raffie cheered, shutting her door with a thud.
The other apprentices followed suit, retreating into their cabins.
Green surveyed the defeated trio without concern, nodding at Yorkris andYorkliana. "Since it's settled, I'll return."
"Thank you… uh…" Yorkris, embarrassed by prior conduct, offered only a reluctant nod.Yorkliana, tearful, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Green and even to Wade, who had recovered from his earlier fright.
Binhanson, meanwhile, laughed heartily: "The people of Tambroson City never tolerate injustice against companions. Even a towering brute or an abyssal demon won't stop us!"
Green silently shook his head and departed. Binhanson's chatter continued, praising Green's earlier display.
Green entered his cabin, assaulted by the musty scent. Fortunately, no intruders had claimed his space. The modest room held little besides a bed, desk, chair, and a candle.
Sighing, he settled in, lighting the candle and opening Meditation Guide and The Reconstruction of the Hunting Nose and Atlas of Scents.
Though Green had partially harnessed his magical energy over the past fortnight, he recognized he had only reached a fledgling level—roughly 2–3 points of the book's scale. The normal wizard, by contrast, could fluctuate up to ten times their spirit power—Green's potential: 120 points.
Alas, lacking a crystal orb, he could not precisely monitor his magic.
The The Reconstruction of the Hunting Nose and Atlas of Scents was even more arcane, detailing wizardly procedures and cataloging 17,852 distinct scents with molecular analysis—an invaluable advantage Green intended to memorize entirely.
Time passed swiftly as they traversed countless islands. Hundreds more apprentices boarded, and the ship ventured into the uncharted, perilous depths of the ocean—a realm steeped in legend and mystery, even to the secluded residents of the Eastern Coral Isle.
One day, Green frowned at his meal. "Fish mushroom soup again?"
After ten days of monotony, even wizard apprentices grew weary. Green suspected the mushrooms were magically cultivated, while the fish were freshly caught by the sailors.
Complaints to Baron went unheeded: "Master said, eat if you like, or not."
Resigned, Green lifted the soup to his lips when suddenly a commotion erupted:
"Pirates! Pirates!"
The calls carried excitement, not fear—a vessel commanded by wizards had little to dread from ordinary pirates. Curious, Green hurried toward the deck to witness the unfolding scene.