NOVPUB
Chapter 52: 019: On what grounds?
"Scoochi? Could it really be that Scoochi? The Snow Mountain Wizard Family!"
"How could it be? That country... how could Lynch know such an important figure? Isn’t he... wasn’t he just born ordinary?"
To the ordinary apprentices present, purebloods absolutely counted as genuine big shots. Amid their shock, they began whispering among themselves, and all the previous rudeness vanished without a trace.
Graham ignored them, sweeping his gaze across the crowd and quickly pausing on the strikingly beautiful female apprentice who had arrived with Al.
"Huh? Miss Karina?"
He let out a soft murmur of surprise, then swiftly bent forward, staggering his legs, lowering his right hand in a gesture of noble etiquette. "It’s an honor to meet you. I didn’t expect to see you here."
The young lady smiled faintly, her voice as beautiful as a songbird’s. "My mentor arranged for me to welcome the new apprentices."
Graham said, "I must’ve made a fool of myself before you."
The young lady chuckled lightly.
On the other side, Lynch furrowed his brows slightly. He hadn’t anticipated Graham showing up at this moment. Though he recognized his good intentions, this was far from the timing Lynch had hoped for.
He quickly raised his head to look in Al’s direction.
Hmm?
Just as he imagined Al would become vigilant again because of Graham’s appearance, Lynch was surprised to find Al had little reaction to Graham’s arrival, as though seeing this pureblood stand beside him wasn’t anything significant.
Indeed, Lynch’s guess was correct. Graham’s presence had intimidated the ordinary apprentices, but for Al, it wasn’t a big deal.
Having spent years mingling in Netta, Al was already well-acquainted with the family powers of the Shadow Tower and the entire region of Ancient Ruins. He knew which ones were truly formidable and which merely maintained a façade of strength.
The Scoochi Family’s influence was average, and Graham was far from impressive. Even if Graham stood by Lynch’s side, he posed no substantial threat to Al.
Al greeted politely, "Apprentice Scoochi, good evening."
Graham clearly did not like Al very much, responding fiercely, "Alfred, don’t go thinking you’re special just because you’re Apprentice Murphy’s disciple. Let me make it perfectly clear: Lynch is my brother, so don’t give me any trouble!"
"Otherwise, I promise you’ll regret it!"
Al maintained his composure and replied, "Apprentice Scoochi, I believe you’ve misunderstood. Apprentice Lynch and I were friends in the past, and we’re merely catching up now."
"Save your excuses!"
Graham rolled his eyes and snapped back, "Spare me the formalities. Remember my words—they’re for your own good!"
Al wasn’t offended. "Alright then."
Graham turned back and grabbed Lynch, saying, "Let’s go, Lynch. This lousy banquet is pointless. We’d be better off throwing our own gathering and calling your close friends to join. Beats hanging around with this flock of squawking birds, doesn’t it?"
Without waiting for a reply, Graham pulled Lynch out the door. Lynch, who had been contemplating excuses to leave, didn’t resist.
Just as they were about to step outside, Al’s voice came from behind.
"Lynch!"
Al gazed at him and said, "My friend, after all these years apart, don’t you have something you want to say to me?"
What could he say to dispel Al’s misgivings completely?
Lynch thought for a moment, then replied, "Thirty years ago the river was here; thirty years later it’s over there. Don’t you think you’re too impressive. Our gap is merely temporary—one day, I’ll surpass you!"
Al narrowed his eyes. "What makes you think so?"
Lynch declared confidently, "My efforts!"
Al smiled.
The surrounding apprentices laughed as well.
Al nodded and said, "Alright, I’ll be waiting."
His heart finally let go of its wariness.
...
Lynch’s welcome banquet ultimately migrated to the Fairy Tavern.
There were no aristocratic young ladies like Susan present. Instead, there were Carl, Subaru, and the new friend Graham.
Yet somehow, it felt much more comfortable.
Everyone gathered at the Fairy Tavern to celebrate Lynch becoming an Inner Ring Apprentice, drinking till they were all thoroughly drunk—
It was here that Lynch noticed something astonishing: when it came time to settle the bill, Graham would suddenly disappear without anyone noticing. Yet as soon as it was paid, he’d mysteriously reappear, seamlessly blending back into the group without anyone realizing he’d been gone.
Could it be that this miser had secretly mastered some sort of space magic?
In the end, Lynch decided to accept Graham’s continued presence in his life. Although he knew Graham wasn’t a very reliable person, and deepening their relationship might spell trouble for his future, Graham’s act of standing up for Lynch in the given situation was undeniably touching.
Let’s just take things as they come.
...
That night, back at Lynch’s stone house.
Returning to his solitary quarters, Lynch poured himself a cup of Nai Ye tea, a low-level ingredient used to restore spiritual power, with some added benefits for sobering up.
The long night was the perfect time for cultivation. He couldn’t afford to waste it.
Moreover, there was an adversary he had to face—a reason to practice diligently.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Lynch furrowed his brows.
To be honest, he hadn’t expected to face Al so soon. After all, so many years had passed, and Al was now a lofty Tower Inner Apprentice who resided within the Tower, while Lynch had only just moved from the Outer Ring to the Inner Ring. The two shouldn’t theoretically have much overlap.
But to his surprise, Al was so vigilant that he came personally after sensing even the slightest stirrings.
Perhaps that was just guilt eating away at him!
"High-level Apprentice..."
Al’s strength was far beyond Lynch’s expectations. A high-level apprentice has already meditated at least seven Will Runes!
It was worth noting that they’d only entered the Tower three years ago. Among their peers, few had completed the refinement of five senses to open their Sea of Consciousness and begun formal meditation. Lynch was considered one of the faster ones and had barely meditated upon one single rune.
"Could resources truly be so powerful?"
For a moment, Lynch was overcome by a sense of powerlessness and frustration. It seemed as if the apprentices’ common belief might truly be correct—that in this world, what mattered were background, resources, and talent. Quiet persistence, like his own, felt like a foolish endeavor.
A lifetime of tireless cultivation couldn’t even compare to a great figure’s fleeting act of patronage. Years of hard work amounted only to what others could achieve with a single vial of Magic Potion or a piece of high-level material.
"Maybe... I need to change my approach as well?"
Unconsciously, a strange flower appeared in Lynch’s hand, its center adorned with an elegant Blue Crystal. Beneath its smooth, pristine surface, wisps of peculiar energy swirled like mist and clouds, radiating a faint blue glow.
Lynch stared at the Blue Crystal in his hand, lost in thought.
