Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
In the dormitory of Aurelian Academy, Locke tidied up everything in his room, moved out, and stored his extra belongings in the family manor where the Augustines currently resided.
During these three months, with the help of Professor Olde, Locke mastered the [Skull Explosion] spell on the very last day.
Practicing [Skull Explosion] didn't require killing a person—just some livestock, using the resulting death energy.
Though the accelerated learning left his foundation a bit shaky, he could always refine it later through self-practice once aboard the Wizard Ship.
So, it didn't matter much.
After completing his second spell, Locke felt his mental energy strengthen by at least another thirty percent. However, since there were no specialized magical resources on the Corfu Continent to test mental power precisely, he never knew his exact current level.
In the villa where the Augustine family was temporarily staying, Earl Augustine and Gloria held a farewell banquet for Locke, even inviting many noble families from the vicinity under the pretense that Locke was embarking on a long journey.
Of course, these guests only knew that Locke was traveling far—they assumed he was merely journeying from one kingdom to another, never imagining that this "long journey" meant leaving the Corfu Continent for a much wider world.
Sienna Brown and her daughter did their utmost to ingratiate themselves with Locke during the banquet, knowing full well that his status in the family was now the highest.
She wanted to foster closeness between Locke and her daughter, but Locke remained consistently indifferent.
Gloria gave Locke a firm hug, then whispered in his ear, "Little brother, if you ever see Mother, please say hello for me."
"No matter what lies ahead, our family will always be your warmest harbor."
"Remember to come home—don't be like Mother and our sister… our real sister, who never returned."
Locke gave a slight nod. These months of interaction had deepened his bond with the family.
Earl Augustine approached and patted Locke's shoulder. "You've grown up, so I'm at ease letting you go."
"Don't worry about family matters."
"Thanks to you, the Frank Emperor has restored the Augustine Earldom to us, reinstated our title, and even promised to betroth a princess to your elder brother, Gloria."
The Earl curled his lips into a mocking smile, glancing at the noble guests at the banquet. "These people's ears are always the sharpest, so they're all rushing to flatter us now."
Locke asked further, "Betrothing a princess? The Frank Emperor is quite generous. Father, did you agree?"
Earl Augustine and Gloria exchanged a smile. The Earl replied, "Why wouldn't we? Your brother has met the delicate princess—he's quite satisfied."
"Considering the family's interests, if the future Earl Augustine could marry a princess of the Frank Empire, it would greatly benefit our family."
"Of course," Earl Augustine murmured. "All this is because of you. So if you prosper, we all prosper."
"The Frank Emperor is truly trying to curry favor with you."
"But I only wish for your safety, Locke."
Locke nodded, feeling a warmth in his heart. At least in this unfamiliar world, he still had family who cared for him.
At that moment, his sense of belonging to the Augustine family grew stronger.
Locke said, "I'll take good care of myself."
"In the future, if there's an opportunity, I'll return from the Wizard World and come back to Corfu Island."
"If a family produces one wizard, the likelihood of their descendants having wizard potential increases significantly. Perhaps in the future, your children might also enter the Wizard World."
"Of course, that's just a possibility."
Gloria's eyes lit up. Recently, he had indeed felt envious of his younger brother.
Envious that he could become a wizard.
It was a pity he lacked wizard potential himself, but if his descendants could have it, that would be good too.
Now he understood—wizards were figures even the Frank Emperor, who was on the verge of unifying the Corfu Continent, sought to please.
Locke said briefly, "Alright, it's time. I must go."
After bidding farewell to his family, Locke boarded the carriage arranged by Aurelian Academy downstairs and headed for the docks outside the city.
Dean Tungus and the others were already waiting there.
Today was the day the Wizard Ship would arrive—the day he would officially enter the Wizard World.
At the docks, Aurelian Academy had already stationed soldiers to seal off the area, so there were only a few people present.
Just Dean Tungus, Professor Olde, Patty and Code, along with their respective families.
Since they would be sailing away from Corfu Island—and without the resources of a full-fledged wizard, crossing the endless mystic sea to return would be impossible—the academy had arranged for their families to come and say their goodbyes here.
Code's family were originally serfs under a lord, but it was said the Frank Emperor had granted them commoner status, along with substantial wealth, turning them into minor landowners.
Similarly, Patty's family, originally merchants, had also been elevated to minor nobility.
When Locke arrived, he nodded to Code and Patty before approaching Dean Tungus and Professor Olde.
Professor Olde's eyes flickered briefly, but he said nothing, standing silently as he calmly watched Locke.
He knew in his heart that while others might have a chance to see Locke again in this lifetime, for him, this was farewell forever.
Suddenly, a strong wind swept across the docks, kicking up dust and debris. In the distance, over the gray expanse of the sea, a massive shadow emerged—breaking through the boundary between sea and sky as it advanced toward Corfu Island's docks.
It was overwhelming.
Like a small mountain bearing down on the docks.
The ordinary ships moored there seemed like primitive canoes next to an aircraft carrier in comparison.
Locke felt an inexplicable weight pressing down on his heart, but it didn't seem to be purely psychological. He soon realized his body was reacting as well—his knees ached, and his eyes burned with heat.
He noticed that Patty and Code were faring even worse. Beads of sweat had formed on their foreheads, and the pressure was visibly overwhelming them.
Their families, meanwhile, were struggling to stay on their feet.
Dean Tungus looked at the three of them and said, "Don't worry. This is probably your first time experiencing Magic Pressure. You'll be fine after some rest."
"If ordinary people stayed in such high Magic Pressure for too long, they might suffer permanent damage. But all of you are either third-class wizard apprentices or close to that level, so a good night's sleep should be enough for you to adapt."
"After all, such intense Magic Pressure rarely occurs in natural environments."
Locke spoke up, "Teacher Tungus, what exactly is Magic Pressure? The books you gave me didn't mention it."
Dean Tungus was momentarily taken aback that Locke could still speak, then replied, "Locke, once you board that ship, you'll soon learn what Magic Pressure is."
"I… have nothing left to teach you."
"The path ahead is yours to walk."
"Once you're on the Wizard Ship, listen to the wizards on board. Never break the rules or provoke anyone."
"The Wizard World is different from the small world of Corfu Island. It's more ruthless, but it's also full of endless possibilities."
"The three of you are my students and friends to each other. When you board the Wizard Ship, you must look out for one another."
Dean Tungus gave them a slight bow. "I hope that the next time we meet, at least one of you will have become a full-fledged wizard."
"Only as a full-fledged wizard will you have the resources to return home. Otherwise, it will be difficult for you to come back."
He continued, "We'll do our best to take care of your families. Rest assured, with your connections, their lives on Corfu Island will be secure."
"The Tungus family in the Wizard World will know you are my students. They may offer you some assistance."
"Go now, my students."
A massive ship had docked at the harbor. Though it was still a wooden vessel, its size rivaled that of a giant cruise liner.
Its overall shape resembled a three-masted ship, but Locke was certain its propulsion wasn't wind-based.
A ship this enormous couldn't possibly rely on wind power.
From the wooden ship, planks floated down, assembling midair into hollow, layered stairs—one step after another—extending from the towering deck of the Wizard Ship.
Dean Tungus quickly raised the files containing the records of Locke and the other two. The three files flew toward the Wizard Ship on their own.
Ten seconds later, an indifferent voice echoed from the ship. "Three wizard candidates from Island No. 31. Two third-class wizard apprentices, one ordinary person."
"Locke Augustine, Patty Eisa, and Code Newman—board the Wizard Ship within one minute."
"Second-Class Wizard Apprentices Zach Tungus and Anlu Olde shall each be awarded 15 contribution points."
Dean Tungus and Professor Olde showed faint smiles on their faces.
These faction contribution points were even more valuable than Magic Stones and were the primary reason they had traveled all the way to this desolate land.
These points would ultimately be utilized by their respective families, becoming the foundation of their clans.
Yet, a trace of sorrow lingered in their hearts, for the apprentices they had nurtured for years were about to leave Cofu Island entirely. For a long time to come, Aurelian Academy would be left with only the two of them.
It might take years—even a decade or more—before another promising wizard candidate entered the academy.
As Locke stepped onto the floating wooden staircase, Dean Tungus suddenly called out, "Honorable wizards, I have been away from my family for many years. I miss my loved ones dearly. I wish to send a letter to my family—could you deliver it for me...?"
"This is merely a request... the plea of an old man who has been far from his homeland for so long..."
A cold voice echoed from the Wizard Ship. "Second-Class Wizard Apprentice Zach Tungus, focus on your own duties. Coming to this wasteland to scout for wizard candidates was a contract you signed willingly."
"We owe you nothing."
Dean Tungus sighed. Though he had expected this, the heartless rejection still stung.
He took a deep breath. He should have known it would come to this.
Having been respected on Cofu Island for so many years, he had almost forgotten the ruthlessness and indifference of the Wizard World.
Locke glanced back at Dean Tungus, his understanding of the Wizard World deepening.
A wizard apprentice who had spent decades away from home, stationed on a low-magic wasteland for the sake of his faction, couldn't even have a simple request—to send a letter—granted.
Locke recalled a phrase Dean Tungus often repeated—equivalent exchange.
The wizards of the Wizard World adhered to the principle of equivalent exchange. Rationality and ruthlessness were the norms there.
Dean Tungus had nothing to offer in return for the Wizard Ship's crew to deliver his letter, so of course, his request was swiftly denied.
Locke was the last apprentice to board the Wizard Ship. As he stepped onto the deck, the floating wooden staircase behind him disassembled piece by piece, returning to the ship.
Turning to look at Cofu Island, Locke saw it rapidly shrinking into the distance as the Wizard Ship set sail, growing smaller and fainter.
He also noticed the ever-silent Professor Olde giving him a slight nod before turning and walking briskly away.
Standing on the deck, Locke bowed slightly toward the now-distant Cofu Island, paying his respects to his... mentors.
Patty and Code gasped in amazement, with Patty exclaiming, "I never imagined the Wizard Ship would be like this—not gloomy at all!"
"What's with that sun...?"
Locke turned around and found himself gazing not at the gray skies and seas of Cofu Island's coast, but at a brilliant blue sky, pristine white clouds, a rainbow arching across the heavens, and a radiant sun.
He looked up and down, realizing that only when standing on the Wizard Ship and looking upwards would the sky appear this way. If one stood at the edge of the ship's deck and gazed towards the distant ocean, they could still see the gloomy, sunless sky of the endless mystic sea.
In other words, there was an artificial sky above the Wizard Ship, complete with an artificial sun.
The ship's deck wasn't just bare wooden planks either. Spread across them were flower fields with lush green grass, numerous food crops, and many beautiful blossoms.
The environment on deck more closely resembled a magnificent, well-stocked garden.
Locke and his two companions were utterly astonished.
"Heh, hello there. Quite surprised, aren't you? I was just as shocked when I boarded this morning," a youthful voice came from behind Locke and the others.
Locke turned to see a young man dressed in white swordsman's attire, carrying a silver cross-shaped sword on his back.
The youth was handsome in appearance, with golden hair and an enthusiastic smile.
"My name is Raun Guerrero, from the Schleswig continent."
"Before you boarded, about three groups of students had already come aboard today."
"The wizard instructors here are different from those on our continent—they're not very approachable. So I thought you might not know anything after just boarding, and I'd like to explain the current situation."
"This ship has an artificial weather system. The wizards can freely control the weather onboard and grow various crops, making it self-sufficient."
Locke hadn't expected someone to greet him so soon after boarding. He nodded at Raun Guerrero and said, "Hello Raun, I'm Locke Augustine."
Following Locke's lead, Patty and Code reluctantly greeted him as well.
However, the two seemed wary and didn't want to engage much with Raun Guerrero.
After exchanging a few words with Locke, Raun said, "The wizard instructors are coming. They'll arrange your accommodations."
"If you need anything, feel free to ask me for help. I'll take my leave now."
Locke turned his head to see three black-robed wizards approaching from a distance. The Mana radiating from these wizards was noticeably more powerful than that of Dean Tungus and Professor Olde.
Faced with these unfamiliar wizards, Patty and Code grew even more tense.
(End of Chapter)