Before dawn the next morning, Ivan Thornheart and his father were already on their way toward Blackwater Harbor.
The sky was still dark, and a faint grey line had just appeared on the horizon.
Yet the port was already awake.
Torches burned along the docks, illuminating rows of ships and busy workers. Port laborers carried heavy crates onto cargo vessels, ropes creaked as sailors adjusted sails, and merchants loudly argued over prices even at this early hour.
The salty scent of the sea mixed with the smell of fish and wet wood.
Blackwater port was bustling with life.
After showing their identities, Ivan and Baron Joseph entered the inner Blackwater harbor.
Their carriage stopped near the edge of a long stone pier.
Ivan stepped down from the carriage and immediately noticed the group gathered nearby.
Nearly thirty children stood together at the pier, most of them around his age.
Beside them were several nobles and attendants.
Seeing this scene, Ivan could not help but feel slightly surprised.
Yesterday at the wizard aptitude test, there had been more than a thousand children gathered in the manor.
Yet after the entire day of testing, only around thirty had been confirmed to possess wizard aptitude.
In other words, out of thousands of candidates, only a tiny fraction had succeeded.
This clearly showed just how rare wizard aptitude truly was.
No wonder every noble family treated wizard aptitude as something extremely precious.
Even a single wizard seed was enough to change the fate of an entire family.
Ivan's gaze slowly swept across the youths standing on the pier.
Each of them was someone who had stood out from thousands.
More than half of the children were clearly nobles. Their clothing was neat and luxurious, embroidered with various family crests.
Their posture was confident and composed, clearly used to noble etiquette.
The remaining children stood slightly apart.
Their clothes were much simpler, some even patched in several places.
They were most likely the children of merchants or commoners who had been brought here after their talent was discovered.
Even among future wizards, the invisible line of status and hierarchy still quietly existed.
The noble children naturally gathered together, forming small groups as they talked quietly.
Meanwhile the merchant and commoner children stood on the other side, somewhat nervous and silent.
Ivan walked over but did not join any group.
Instead, he stood slightly apart, observing quietly.
At that moment, he noticed something interesting.
Many noble youths were gathered around a single boy.
Ivan did not recognize the boy himself.
But he recognized the crest on the boy's cloak.
A crown surrounded by storm clouds and lightning.
The symbol of the royal family.
House Stormvale.
From the conversations around him, Ivan quickly learned the boy's identity.
Theron Stormvale.
The Seventh Prince of the Blackwater Kingdom.
Like the others present, the prince had awakened wizard aptitude and was being sent to the Wizard Continent to begin his training.
The noble youths spoke enthusiastically around him, trying to form connections with the royal family.
Ivan merely glanced at them once before looking away.
He had no interest in flattering princes.
Instead, he quietly watched the sea in the distance.
Like a lone traveler waiting for his journey to begin.
At that moment, a figure slowly approached.
The white-robed wizard apprentice Kael walked toward the group.
The moment people noticed him, the noisy discussions stopped.
Everyone instinctively held their breath.
Kael stopped in front of them.
His distorted face was still blurred by a faint layer of magic.
"The wizard ship will arrive shortly," he said calmly.
"Prepare yourselves."
"It will not remain here for long."
"Once boarding is complete, the ship will immediately set sail."
After speaking, Kael turned his gaze toward the sea.
Naturally, everyone followed his line of sight.
Ivan also looked toward the distant horizon.
He was curious.
How would a ship from the mysterious Wizard Continent look?
Several minutes passed.
Then—
A dark outline appeared in the distance.
At first it looked like nothing more than a black shadow upon the water.
But as it approached, the shadow grew larger… and larger.
Soon, the true appearance of the vessel emerged.
A massive black ship, nearly three hundred meters long, slowly cut through the sea.
Its hull was built from a strange dark metallic wood that seemed to absorb the surrounding light.
Across the surface of the ship, countless glowing runes were carved, flickering faintly like living symbols.
Even the sea waves seemed to calm as the ship approached.
Ivan's eyes widened slightly.
"This size…" he thought.
"It's comparable to an aircraft carrier."
The enormous vessel slowly reached the harbor.
With a low metallic hum, a magical docking bridge extended from the ship toward the pier.
"Board," Kael said.
No one dared delay.
One by one, the wizard seeds stepped onto the bridge.
Before boarding, Ivan turned toward his father.
For a brief moment, neither spoke.
Then Ivan suddenly stepped forward and hugged him.
Baron Joseph was startled, but he quickly embraced his son.
"Have a safe journey," he said quietly.
Ivan nodded.
Then he turned and stepped onto the wizard ship.
The moment he entered—
Ivan noticed something strange.
The corridor inside the ship was incredibly spacious.
Far larger than the ship's exterior should allow.
At that moment, Nova's voice appeared in his mind.
Spatial distortion detected.
Interior space has been artificially expanded.
Ivan's eyes flickered.
"So wizards can even manipulate space with wizardry…"
Soon, all the wizard seeds gathered on the main deck.
Kael stood before them.
This time, the distortion around his face slowly faded.
His appearance became clear.
He looked like a man in his early thirties with sharp features and calm eyes.
At the same moment—
Nova suddenly issued a warning.
Warning.
Radiation source detected.
Recommendation: increase distance from target.
Ivan froze slightly.
Radiation?
Nova's analysis pointed directly at Kael.
Although Ivan had never actively scanned him, Nova's passive monitoring system had detected faint energy emissions.
Ivan quietly asked Nova if the radiation was dangerous.
After a brief calculation, Nova responded.
Radiation level minimal.
Master's mental energy greatly reduces harmful effects.
Ivan understood.
The distortion that normally covered Kael's face was probably some kind of protective spell, suppressing the magical radiation emitted from his body.
Once that protection faded, the energy leakage became noticeable.
At that moment, Kael began speaking.
"Young wizard seeds," he said calmly.
"Congratulations on taking your first step toward the wizard path."
"This vessel is a Hurricane-class Transport Ship."
"It will carry us to Academy Island."
"From there, you will choose your respective wizard academies."
He then explained the ship's rules.
"The upper decks are restricted. Wizard apprentices and a formal wizard reside there."
Hearing this, many children gasped quietly.
A formal wizard was actually aboard the ship.
"The middle level contains your cabins. Two people will share each cabin."
"The cafeteria is on the lower deck. Food will be provided freely."
"The lowest level is restricted. Do not enter it."
Finally, Kael added calmly:
"If you have questions about the wizard world, you may ask me."
"But remember."
"Wizards follow the law of equal exchange."
"If you want knowledge…"
"You must pay for it."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Soon sailors arrived and handed everyone numbered tags.
Ivan's number was 27.
He followed the corridor until he found Cabin 27.
Inside were two beds, two desks, and a wardrobe.
The room was simple but clean.
On the other bed, some luggage was already placed.
"My roommate arrived first," Ivan thought.
He placed his own luggage down and sat cross-legged on the bed.
After completing one cycle of breathing method cultivation, he slowly opened his eyes.
On his hand were three rings.
The Shadow Ring.
The Silver Guardian Ring.
And the Space Ring containing his most important belongings.
Various thoughts ran through his mind.
What was a shield formation?
What kind of wizard academies existed?
Which one should he choose?
Then he remembered Kael's words.
Equal exchange.
Ivan still had fifty magic stones.
He could use them to buy information.
Just as he was considering visiting Kael—
The cabin door suddenly opened.
Ivan instantly looked up.
A girl walked inside.
She looked about fourteen or fifteen years old.
Her face was delicate and naturally beautiful, though faint freckles dotted her cheeks.
Her figure was already slender and graceful, giving her a surprisingly mature presence for her age.
Her hair was unusual.
Golden strands mixed with a faint green tint, falling softly over her shoulders.
Her eyes were emerald green, clear and bright.
When she saw Ivan, she froze.
Clearly, she hadn't expected her roommate to already be inside.
Then she quickly lowered her head shyly and walked to the other bed.
Ivan blinked.
He had not expected his roommate to be a girl either.
Judging from her simple clothes, she was probably from a merchant or common family.
For a moment, the room became awkwardly silent.
Ivan decided to break the silence.
"Hello," he said calmly.
"I'm Ivan Thornheart, from the Valen Continent."
The girl looked up slightly.
"My name is Olivia," she replied softly.
"I'm from the Aelin Continent."
Ivan nodded.
So there were indeed other continents besides Valen.
After a short silence, Ivan stood up.
"I'll go get something to eat."
Meanwhile, on the upper deck.
Kael entered a private room.
Inside sat a calm middle-aged man wearing dark robes.
Kael bowed respectfully.
"Lord Lucien."
"I have recorded the wizard seeds from the Valen Continent."
"There are thirty-two in total."
"Two fourth-class aptitudes, seven third-class, ten second-class, and the rest first-class."
WizardLucien , listened calmly.
After a moment he said:
"Not bad."
"This year's harvest across the surrounding continents seems promising."
His eyes flickered slightly.
"Perhaps few of them will eventually become true wizards."
Kael smiled faintly.
"That would indeed be fortunate."
Lucien nodded.
"Your contribution will be recorded."
"You may rest."
Kael bowed again and quietly left the room.
Back in the lower deck cafeteria, Ivan sat alone at a table.
The food surprised him.
Fresh seafood, roasted meat, warm bread with butter, and even wine.
It was far more luxurious than he expected.
While eating quietly, Ivan observed the surroundings.
There were at least sixty wizard seeds in the cafeteria.
Clearly this ship had collected wizard seeds from multiple continents.
Finishing his meal, Ivan rose and made his way to his cabin. The hum of quiet conversation followed him, but his mind was elsewhere—on the horizon, on the vast, endless ocean before him.
Stepping onto the deck, the wind whipped against his face. The wizard ship glided steadily over the waves, each ripple reflecting the pale morning light like a million tiny sparks.
The water murmured in soft rhythm—wudu… wudu…—as if the ocean itself was alive, whispering secrets of distant lands and unseen dangers.
Ivan's heart quickened. The vast, uncharted world awaited him—strange continents, powerful wizards, ancient mysteries, and untold opportunities
Every gust of wind, every flicker of sunlight seemed to call him forward, daring him to step into the unknown.
This was only the beginning. His path to becoming a true wizard had finally begun.