Translator: AnubisTL
Hearing the name "Augusta," Jieming felt a flicker of familiarity.
It seemed to leave an impression buried deep in the dust of his memories.
After a moment's thought, a blurry memory from nearly a thousand years ago—his apprentice days—surfaced. Back then, one of his classmates had been a member of the Augusta Family, hailed as a "little genius."
Unfortunately, the young man had chosen the Combat Department.
Jieming recalled how he, Victor, and Amy used to joke about that Favored Son of Heaven together.
Such distant memories... Jieming sighed inwardly.
Without him even noticing, these events had already become ancient history from a millennium ago.
Regardless of their lifespan, a thousand years was a considerable amount of time for a low-rank wizard.
By this time, Wizard Augusta had already finished introducing Rex, who stood beside him, to Clark with a smile: "This is Rex, my only disciple. He has some innate talent in alchemy."
Rex immediately stepped forward, bowing respectfully to Clark. "Greetings, Excellency Clark."
Just as he rose, however, he shot a swift glance toward Jieming, his lips twitching almost imperceptibly as he offered a knowing look.
Jieming caught the hint and responded with a barely detectable raise of an eyebrow.
Though everyone present—save for Junior Brother Anker and his descendant—was over a thousand years old and could be considered "old monsters," they still unconsciously let slip a hint of the "childlike innocence" from their days as young apprentices whenever they were before their own mentor.
After the pleasantries were exchanged, Wizard Augusta instructed Rex, "Rex, take Clark's apprentices and help them settle into their prearranged accommodations."
"Yes, Mentor," Rex replied. He then turned and gestured for Jieming and the others to follow, his smile warm and courteous.
Jieming, Viola, and Anker and his son bowed one last time to the two mentors before following Rex away from the entrance.
Behind them, they heard Wizard Augusta's voice, now openly tinged with envy: "Clark, you lucky bastard. You actually found three promising apprentices. Not like me—after all this time, I've only found one I'm truly satisfied with..."
Clark smiled rarely, without any modesty, and simply praised in return: "That kid Rex has some pretty good talent. You've struck gold."
"Give me a break. At our level, who doesn't know that as long as your knowledge is deep enough, so-called innate talent isn't unchangeable..." Augusta's voice grew more distant. "You've come at the right time. A few of us old bones were just about to get together. Since you're here, join us..."
"Oh? Seems my luck is good."
"Ah, right, right, right. You Fate-wielders have always had good luck... Damn it! You're acting more and more like those Fate-system charlatans..."
"Am I?"
"See, there's that expression again!"
As the mentors' conversation faded behind them, Jieming turned his attention back to the path ahead.
Rex was currently dutifully playing the role of "tour guide," introducing the layout of Noren Academy No. 1 and some precautions to the group.
Jieming remembered that Rex himself did not originate from here. It seemed he had arrived a few days early and had deliberately done his homework.
Jieming and Viola remained unfazed. After all, they had witnessed countless otherworlds in their time.
Noren Academy No. 1 served as the headquarters for the Noren Workshop, and while its architecture was indeed grand, it wasn't enough to astonish them.
Anker and his son, Kors, however, were far more impressed. Their eyes wandered, taking in the futuristic and rune-etched scenery.
It was understandable. By the time they had graduated, the Elite Trial system was likely already well-established and standardized. They had probably never had the chance to visit the workshop's core headquarters in person.
As they walked, the caliber of the wizards within Noren Academy No. 1 rose markedly.
If the outer plaza was a place where "wizards were as common as mortals," then this was a "gathering of the mighty."
Fourth- and fifth-tier wizards were everywhere, and even sixth-tier beings were a common sight. It was truly a place where "fourth and fifth tiers were as numerous as dogs, and sixth tiers walked the earth."
Furthermore, the forms the wizards took had become far more diverse.
Beyond those who maintained a standard humanoid shape, many displayed the characteristics of elemental creatures—beings wreathed in flames, ice, or lightning, or translucent spirit bodies resembling ghosts.
Yet, without exception, they all wore wizard's robes that denoted their status, and their very gait and manner of speaking exuded an air of profound composure and unshakeable dignity.
Jieming, however, keenly noticed that many of the wizards they passed, upon spotting their group, would fix their gazes on Rex, who was leading the way. Their eyes were filled with a mixture of awe and curiosity.
Jieming and Rex were close enough for him to ask directly, "Rex, what have you been up to here? They're looking at you with a very peculiar expression."
At this, a trace of unconcealed pride crossed Rex's face, though his tone remained "humble." "It's nothing. I just arrived early with my mentor, and since I had some free time, I helped solve a few minor academic problems that had been troubling them for a while... So, I've gained a little bit of fame."
Judging by his expression, Jieming knew that these "few minor academic problems" were definitely no small matter—they were likely challenges that even the local high-rank wizards found intractable.
To this, Jieming could only deeply understand.
After all, only someone like him, who possessed a "cheat" like the [Great Dao Library Pavilion], could truly appreciate just how "outrageous" the intelligence of native geniuses from the wizard civilization, like Rex, really was.
Soon, Rex led them to a magnificent building. Its luxurious decor reminded Jieming of the super-five-star hotels from his past life.
Rex spoke a few words to the alchemy puppet serving as the receptionist at the front desk, then retrieved several room keys that glowed with a faint light.
"Each of these rooms is equipped with a small laboratory. If you need more, you can apply for a higher-level lab, but that will cost points..."
As he explained, Rex handed the room keys to Jieming, Viola, and Anker and his son, then prepared to take his leave.
Before leaving, he seemed to remember something and said to Jieming, "Oh, right, Jieming, I contacted David earlier to see if he could make it. Unfortunately, he seems to be participating in a planar war right now. The timing clashes, so he probably won't be able to attend the Grandmentor's advancement ceremony."
Jieming nodded, a flicker of regret crossing his mind.
David was one of the few people he actually knew. Though they rarely kept in touch, reuniting at such a grand celebration would have been a wonderful thing.
Unfortunately, timing was not on their side.
"I hope everything goes well for him," Jieming said.
(End of the Chapter)
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