Ace accepted the instructional framework and examined it thoroughly. The old man genuinely hadn't neglected his duties—that constituted the complete necromancer apprentice curriculum.
For a profession approaching elimination, having any instruction available qualified as reasonably favorable.
Following the necromantic catastrophe, necromancers had endured persecution for a millennium and most accumulated knowledge had been eradicated.
"You certainly perceived it during your recent casting—even purified cadavers experience interference from luminous energy in locations where it manifests."
"Pursuing necromancy represents a futile endeavor. You remain youthful enough to transition toward the knight's discipline."
Perhaps because he'd unexpectedly acquired some compensation, the old man exhibited improved temperament and offered Ace considerate counsel.
Even he himself, an aged mage instructing necromantic techniques, intended to resign and pursue alternative occupation. That illustrated how diminished the necromancer profession had become.
Following his considerate counsel, the old man escorted Ace to process graduation documentation and submitted his personal resignation simultaneously.
Given such circumstances, what response could Ace provide? He gathered his possessions and departed expeditiously.
"Well, well, if it isn't our prodigious mage! Attention, everyone! Ace has actually become a necromancer!"
The moment Ace entered the Duwadon estate, numerous adolescents obstructed his path and initiated mockery.
They'd anticipated Ace orchestrating a triumphant return, yet instead—he'd become a necromancer apprentice, a complete failure. This proved absolutely amusing!
Ace observed those relatives coldly. He possessed zero emotional connection to the Duwadon family. Following his parents' deaths, he'd desired nothing except departure from the family at the earliest opportunity.
"Young Master Ace, Lord Wester requests your presence!"
Before those adolescents could articulate additional insults, a guard approached and delivered the message.
Wester had previously been an adversary his father had suppressed. After his father perished in combat, Wester had reemerged as a formidable candidate for the title of Count Duwadon once more.
"Ace, you've become an esteemed mage now. You deserve your personal surname."
"Through our endeavors, the Piltover noble council has granted approval. You're presently the distinguished pioneer of Drybone!"
Wester possessed notorious duplicitous tendencies. He transformed expelling Ace from the family and exiling him toward the Drybone territory into something sounding extraordinarily honorable.
"You may proceed with preparations. The appointment documentation will arrive shortly."
Wester maintained his smile. This persistent obstacle would soon be eliminated.
Ace offered no response. Any verbal reaction would merely transform him into an object of ridicule and intensify his adversaries' satisfaction.
He harbored zero positive sentiment toward the Duwadon family. Departing the family presently suited his circumstances perfectly.
The Drybone territory possessed extreme danger, yet Ace possessed contingency resources. He maintained confidence in successfully navigating this crisis.
[System Alert: New Region Detected]
[Quest Available: "Journey to Drybone"]
[Objective: Reach Drybone territory and establish base of operations]
[Reward: 50 Experience, Skill: Enhanced Bone Perception]
[Accept Quest?]
Ace mentally accepted as he watched Wester's retreating form.
Observing Ace departing silently, Wester's eyes darkened considerably, evidently formulating additional schemes.
"Ace, I'm aware you're inside! Open this gate!"
Ace occupied the courtyard verifying what additional items required loading onto the carriage when someone commenced pounding aggressively on the gate.
From the cacophonous voices beyond the courtyard, he could determine considerable numbers gathered outside.
He unsealed the door with cold expression. One glance at the Morcasson family members and those ridiculing countenances revealed the situation's nature.
Shortly after Ace's birth, his father had established an engagement arrangement with the Morcasson family, who maintained proximity to the Duwadon family.
After his father's battlefield death, the Morcasson family hadn't dissolved the engagement.
Ace possessed magical capability. Provided his abilities weren't catastrophically deficient, the engagement would proceed.
Now that Ace had become a necromancer apprentice, everything was resolved. He retained no value whatsoever.
With the Duwadon family essentially exiling him, the Morcasson family had arrived to terminate the engagement.
"I acknowledge this."
Before the Morcasson family could articulate anything, Ace seized the engagement contract and destroyed it directly before their observation.
He possessed no concern for this engagement whatsoever. He'd desired to terminate this arranged marriage that he'd never consented to regardless.
"This individual possesses considerable resilience!"
Ace's prompt engagement termination surprised all those individuals who'd arrived to observe his humiliation.
"He's merely performing defiant behavior!"
Surprised or not, they still required delivering mockery.
Witnessing a youth who'd matured with exceptional privilege descending this dramatically represented the variety of spectacle people delighted in observing.
"Ace, the route ahead presents considerable hazards. Aren't you arranging protective escort or similar?"
During the disturbance, Wester appeared at Ace's courtyard accompanied by a secretary from the Piltover noble council to deliver his appointment documentation.
As Ace received the appointment documentation, Wester lifted the carriage curtain and examined the interior.
Observing that Ace had exclusively packed fundamental living provisions, Wester displayed a caring smile, resembling a benevolent uncle concerned about his nephew's expedition.
"Unnecessary."
Ace disregarded Wester's artificial smile and provided him a cold response.
Any guard Wester organized? Absolutely not accepting that.
He possessed no interest in participating with that manipulative strategist. Once he obtained the appointment documentation and confirmed he'd gathered everything required, he struck the whip and departed the Duwadon estate.
[System Alert: Quest "Journey to Drybone" - Progress Updated]
[Status: Departure Confirmed]
[Estimated Distance to Destination: 847 kilometers]
…
"That youth, he's so eager to proceed independently? I hope this ordeal assists him in recovering his strength..."
"And that young woman, she actually accompanied him..."
As the carriage departed the Duwadon estate, an armored figure in a tower somewhere was murmuring privately.
…
The Drybone territory existed beyond the Givot Federation's boundaries. It constituted an extensive journey.
However, as a pioneer, he wasn't required to traverse there on foot—he could utilize a spatial gateway to reach Zaun, the federation's border settlement.
Following routine inspection, Ace guided his carriage with the primary group through the spatial portal.
"Quickly, advance, expedite your departure!"
Following a disorienting sensation, loud commands resonated.
The soldiers maintaining the spatial gateway were urging individuals on the transportation platform to evacuate and not obstruct circulation.
Accompanying the crowd off the platform, Ace didn't remain in Zaun City. After acquiring his travel documentation, he exited the settlement.
Traveling westward from the settlement, approximately five days by carriage would transport him to Frostguard Fortress, the final fortress in the border territory.
Beyond Frostguard Fortress, continued travel would reach the Drybone territory.
That location had previously been federation territory. Three centuries previously, a devastating conflict transformed it into devastated wasteland, and the Givot Federation abandoned the Drybone territory.
After driving the carriage intensively for approximately thirty-six hours, Ace halted beside vegetation at the roadside to rest the horses and consume provisions—standard protocol.
"Coo coo coo!"
As he occupied the driver's position consuming dry provisions, he suddenly detected peculiar cooing sounds. The noise originated from inside the carriage.
Ace's eyes turned cold. He gripped his short blade in his right hand and quietly approached the sound.
"Miss Audrey, what circumstances bring you into my carriage?"
Lifting the storage container, Ace discovered the sound originated from someone entirely unexpected.
Audrey—the Morcasson family young woman he'd been engaged to.
"Listen, youngster, acceptable carriage you possess here. If you comprehend what's beneficial for you, depart immediately. I'm not inclined toward violence today!"
Before Audrey could respond, numerous bandits emerged from the forest, intending to commit robbery.
"Contemptible thieves, you dare confront me!"
Audrey shouted and charged from the carriage.
These bandits materialized at precisely the appropriate moment. She was experiencing awkwardness about how to respond anyway.
Audrey had reasonably competent combat capabilities. She repelled those bandits rapidly and returned appearing satisfied with herself.
"So what precise reason brings you here?"
Observing Audrey as she consumed dry provisions ravenously, Ace continued pressing her for why she'd manifested here.
Some roadside bandits attempting robbery wasn't going to permit her avoiding this inquiry.
"Cough cough cough!"
Audrey didn't know if it was the awkwardness or if the dry provisions had been ingested incorrectly, but she commenced coughing.
[System Alert: New Character Detected]
[Analyzing...]
[Name: Audrey Morcasson]
[Class: Warrior Apprentice]
[Relationship Status: Former Fiancée]
[Current Disposition: Uncertain]
[Recommendation: Establish communication to determine intentions]
Ace dismissed the system notification with a mental command, his cold gaze fixed on Audrey as he waited for her explanation.