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On the luxurious carriage heading to the Capital City of the Aromatic Wheat Dukedom, Ivan sat steadily with numerous beast hide scrolls spread out before him, all documenting various Breathing Methods.
The names varied: Flying Fish Leap, Caiman Breathing Method, Spider’s Kiss, Mountain Hound Breathing Method, Black Snake Breathing Method, and so forth, most originating from various Viscounts, Earls, and Marquises.
These nobles were not demanding, asking only for non-disclosure in exchange for magic stones, and to express a bit of goodwill.
Sorcerers at the academy generally valued promises highly. Once Ivan verbally offered assurance, these nobles trusted him, without the need to sign any contracts.
“Although Breathing Methods have depreciated in value, those cultivated up to Legendary Knight Class are still quite rare, perhaps many nobles fear being targeted once exposed.”
Previously, he truly did not know that Great Knights and Legendary Knights ran the risk of disappearing without cause, so he could understand why some would hesitate to seek an exchange; after all, there was no rush, as there was still plenty of time before leaving Tidal Island.
Moreover, this might be an opportunity.
Yesterday, Conley had come on behalf of the Aromatic Wheat Grand Duke, inviting him to make a trip to the capital and had sent a luxurious caravan to fetch him. Besides Conley, there was the First Prince, Vernon, and the Grand Duke’s most beloved daughter, Princess Sherry.
Today, after Ivan agreed, their group was heading towards the Capital City, Fragrant Stalks City.
They traveled leisurely, stopping in several cities, almost like they were sightseeing. Ivan didn’t mind spending a few extra days on the road to take in the varied landscapes of the dukedom.
After passing through a couple of cities, he found them quite similar, with little noteworthy scenery, and they tended to cause disturbances easily.
“Lord Ivan, would you like to stroll through the city? Sherry is quite familiar with Boulder City. The city has a lively night market that draws people from all over. There are a lot of interesting things, and I hear there are also…”
This evening, as the caravan arrived at another city, a fair-skinned young girl approached the side of the carriage. She glanced curiously at the winged snake emblem on the carriage and asked the person inside.
“Thank you for your kindness, Princess Sherry, but I’d rather not go.”
“Very well then. I hope, Sherry hasn’t disturbed you. We will reach Fragrant Stalks City tomorrow.” Seeing that no face appeared inside, Sherry could only say regretfully.
She turned and approached another carriage, agilely jumping aboard and into the compartment.
“Haha, you got turned down, didn’t you? I told you, you can’t attract Sorcerer Ivan looking like that, but you wouldn’t believe me,” Conley said, teasing his sister as she returned empty-handed.
“Hmph! I’m willing to be refused.” Sherry retorted spiritedly, and then asked thoughtfully, “Conley, is Lord Ivan really just a 3rd Class talent?”
“Why would I lie to you? We traveled by ship together to Mongna Ant Land Cottage,” Conley replied.
“Then why are you so much less capable?”
“I’d like to know that too. Who do I ask if you ask me? Anyway, every time I see Sorcerer Ivan, his strength has greatly increased, surpassing those from the major sorcerer families.”
Hearing this, Princess Sherry’s eyes twinkled cunningly, seemingly coming up with another idea.
Seeing her undeterred, Conley didn’t say much more. If his sister could gain favor with Sorcerer Ivan, not just he, but their father, the Aromatic Wheat Grand Duke, would be overjoyed to offer their support.
The next day, the caravan safely arrived at Fragrant Stalks City, which truly lived up to its role as the capital of the Aromatic Wheat Dukedom. The city was vast with high walls, and countless trading caravans passed continuously, unparalleled even by Flying Fish Port and certainly the liveliest city Ivan had seen so far.
Following sorcerer traditions, the Grand Duke arranged a quiet, independent small manor for his accommodation.
“Lord Ivan, my father would like to prepare a grand welcoming banquet for you. Would you have time to attend?” The next morning, the First Prince, Vernon, extended the invitation.
“A noble’s banquet?” Ivan slightly furrowed his brows; the brothers had not mentioned any banquet before.
“Yes, it will include various well-mannered nobles. Your brother, Knight Beaman, will also be there,” Vernon added.
“Please convey to the Grand Duke that I will attend,” Ivan considered briefly and did not refuse.
The banquet was scheduled for shortly after nightfall, and the palace was as brightly lit as daylight.
Many nobles attended the banquet, accompanied by gorgeously dressed young ladies—each modest, charming, or cute in her own way—which dazzled the young attendees.
“Look, look, since when did Fragrant Stalks City have so many beautiful women?”
“With such a distinguished guest arriving, everyone has put their best effort into dressing up; of course, they look prettier than usual. Look over there—that’s Miss Vivian, whom you like.”
“Where? She must have been forced by her family to come; Miss Vivian is not so superficial.”
As noble youths, where they went, they were usually the focus, but today, they dared not act frivolously. They knew that at this banquet, they were merely side characters—the real protagonist was a sorcerer about their age, who appeared even more dignified and authoritative.
Watching the gorgeous ladies, seemingly there for selection, the two could not help feeling regret on more than one occasion for not possessing the aptitude to become sorcerers.
It wasn’t long before the two saw the main character of the banquet, a young sorcerer who appeared younger than them but filled with an authoritative presence. He entered the hall along with the Grand Duke.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the Aromatic Wheat Dukedom, let’s all welcome the sorcerer from Mongna Ant Land Cottage— the esteemed Lord Ivan. Please give Lord Ivan your highest and warmest regards!”
With the words of the Aromatic Wheat Grand Duke, all attention was drawn to Lord Ivan, and the hall buzzed with greetings and vibrant activity.
“Lord Ivan, my dear daughter Sherry has something to say to you,” the Aromatic Wheat Grand Duke announced in a strong voice despite his aged appearance.
“Lord Ivan, could you dance with me?” Princess Sherry said crisply, she, too, was dressed beautifully today, adding a touch of elegance to the banquet.
“It would be my pleasure.” After glancing at the Aromatic Wheat Grand Duke, Ivan slightly nodded.
As the palace musicians started playing, the two of them moved to the center of the hall and began to dance to the soft music; at this moment, Princess Sherry became the center of attention.
The song ended, and so did the dance.
“Princess Sherry, I just thought of a solution to a problem and urgently need to go back to verify it. I’ll take my leave now, please thank the Grand Duke for me, today’s banquet was delightful and lively.”
Ivan glanced at the door and spoke to Princess Sherry, who was about to say something.
In this world, people developed early, and Princess Sherry was impeccable in appearance, figure, voice, and status. However, Ivan had encountered many beautiful women, and the charming lady before him was just another face to him; he would not treat her differently because of her beauty.
Ivan declined many who tried to engage him in conversation and left the banquet hall.
“So many beautiful girls eagerly watching you, and you didn’t even spare them a glance, they’re probably heartbroken tonight.”
“I thought you’d be inside the banquet hall. Come on, follow me to my estate for a while.”
The figure at the palace entrance was Beaman, Ivan’s brother. Ivan had intended to go and boost Beaman’s presence, but Beaman did not want to cause him trouble and did not enter the banquet hall.
Then, Ivan led him to leave the palace by carriage.
Only after a conversation did Ivan learn that Beaman had already joined the Grand Duke’s Glory Knights Order, now an Intermediate Knight and a team captain, doing quite well.
Of course, compared to Ivan, there was still a gap, but Beaman was very content.
The two talked for a long time, and Beaman stayed the night at the estate.
The night deepened.
A nimble figure leapt over the wall and landed on the estate’s grass, swiftly heading toward the main house. Suddenly, the figure spotted a giant python coiling around a tree ahead, looking particularly menacing in the dim moonlight.
“Ah—a snake!”
The figure, unaccustomed to such spectacles, screamed in fright and ran off, tumbling and scrambled her way back out of the estate in the direction she had come from.
Scented Butterfly arrived upon hearing the noise, just in time to see the Wind Moth, seemingly enjoying the moon, and the fleeing young princess.
“Why did you scare her?”
“It has nothing to do with me, I’m just a moth,” the Wind Moth smirked. “Besides, Sorcerer Ivan doesn’t like being disturbed by her.”
Seeing everyone had left, Scented Butterfly didn’t bother explaining anything to this fellow who disliked studying.
Actually, it observed that Sorcerer Ivan quite liked human reproductive activities; otherwise, why would he constantly be stuck together with a female human in his domain? The present female clearly intended to seek Ivan for reproduction and got scared away.
The following morning, Ivan once again took a carriage to the palace.
“Good morning, Lord Ivan,” Princess Sherry greeted with a gloomy face, evidently still upset about her failed plan.
“Good morning.” Ivan responded briefly and walked past her to meet the Aromatic Wheat Grand Duke.
This time the meeting with the Grand Duke was bound to be about serious matters, and indeed, as soon as they met in a small council hall, the Grand Duke went straight to the point.
“Lord Ivan, I’ve heard there’s a promotion issue from apprentice to sorcerer and ways to enhance this probability. I wonder if you could offer a convenience to Conley?”
“What would I get in return?”
Ivan guessed the Grand Duke’s condition wouldn’t involve magic stones, a condition quite unexpected, as it turned out to be about seeking sorcerous advancement for Conley.
“A complete Breathing Method that can cultivate a Flying Knight.”
“Not enough.”
Above a Grand Knight is a Legendary Knight, which actually includes two phases; the first is perceiving the Earth Breathing to become an Earth Knight, and the second is perceiving the Sky Breathing to become a Flying Knight.
Ivan understood that according to the current situation on Tidal Island, the Knight Breathing Method and sorcerer advancement couldn’t compare.
“I can help you contact other families to acquire more Legendary Class Knight Breathing Methods, include an Earl’s title with corresponding land, and your brother Beaman—
Finally, I’ll also give you a lead on a higher-level Breathing Method related to the Tidal Empire’s Royal Family, if you’re interested.”
“Deal, I’ll deliver the items to Conley after returning to the academy.”
After hearing the Aromatic Wheat Grand Duke’s series of conditions, Ivan thought for a moment before agreeing to the deal, though there were still some details he required.