Ivan had not yet left the grounds of the Hobson family estate when he received the certificate of nobility—a baronial iron token. Its appearance was that of a plain iron token, engraved on the front with the oath of allegiance of the nobility, while the other side was left blank, for the future engraving of a family crest and motto.
He was currently only a baron-in-training, as he had not yet received the recognition of the Aromatic Wheat Grand Duke. This would likely require a year or two of inspection, during which the Grand Duke would assess his ability to govern his domain.
In fact, as long as there were not a significant number of serfs revolting, as long as he, as a baron, did not commit acts that enraged both heaven and man, and as long as he did not die suddenly, there was a ninety-nine percent chance that he would receive the Nobility Scroll issued by the Grand Duke, becoming a hereditary baron and turning Mulberry Valley into a permanent domain of the Marichadon family.
Ivan guessed that the Earl had another layer of meaning in bringing the limelight onto him, meaning that if Toyennes or other sorcerers pursued accountability, he would definitely bear the brunt.
“Congratulations, Baron Marichadon, sir.”
“Thank you for your congratulations, I am very pleased.”
In the carriage leaving the estate, Pearney, who had changed into a new outfit, began to tease him.
Ivan maintained a composed face; he guessed it had much to do with Pearney’s encouragement, and only Pearney’s words could have made Earl Hobson take notice of him and choose to invest early, placing a heavy bet.
Justine was also on the carriage, her beautiful eyes occasionally fixing on Ivan.
Curious, Ivan asked, “What place is Mulberry Valley?”
Pearney replied, “You’ll know once you get there; it’s a place where you can showcase your talents.”
Ivan understood, it seemed to be a territory in poor condition, not beyond his expectations. Typically, each outer domain was like this, needing the nobility to gradually manage and develop it into prospering.
At that moment, they were on their way to visit those two unfamiliar sorcerers, with no apparent unease on their faces, yet harboring many insecurities within.
Soon, the carriage arrived in front of a mansion, the residence of Sorcerer Ungar.
As their attendant went in to announce them, the three waited apprehensively.
“The three lords, Master Ungar invites you in.”
Following the attendant, they proceeded to the small garden in the mansion’s backyard, where a tall figure in a sorcerer robe was standing.
He turned around, appearing to be under thirty years old.
“Are you apprentices of Toyennes?”
“Yes.”
Before the three could offer greetings, the sorcerer began to question them directly. They dared not delay and could only nod in affirmation.
Ungar then asked, “Briefly describe your qualifications.”
“3rd Class, affinity with wood, fire, water.”
“4th Class, affinity with earth, water, wind.”
“2nd Class, affinity with water, thunder, earth.”
Hearing their responses, Sorcerer Ungar gave Pearney, with a 4th Class talent, a critical look.
He then asked about matters of the island, having them narrate their individual experiences one by one from beginning to end, without offering any opinion.
It seemed like a routine inquiry for Ungar, who after questioning, dismissed them from his estate.
The three came to another mansion nearby; inside was Sorcerer Bernardson, who originated from the same academy as Toyennes. This sorcerer demanded even more cautious handling from them.
Inside the hall, likewise, a young sorcerer received the three.
Bernardson said, “You are apprentices of Toyennes, aren’t you? Fundamentally, you also belong to ‘Mongna Ant Land Cottage’; from the same academy, no need to be nervous.”
Compared to Sorcerer Ungar, his demeanor was more approachable.
The three dared not relax, “Yes, Master Bernardson.”
Bernardson continued, “We visited that island, and apart from the element creatures causing chaos and disordered element particles, no others survived. Sorcerer Toyennes must be dead.”
This meant that the other apprentices and attendants were also dead.
Hearing this, the three exchanged glances, relieved they had left early, otherwise they would surely have been among them.
Toyennes was dead, and the burden on their hearts eased a lot.
If Toyennes hadn’t died, he would have been an insurmountable hurdle for them, always worrying about him showing up at their doorstep or suddenly transferring the curse’s power onto them. His death was indeed the best outcome.
Billerie had actually managed to accomplish this.
A hint of melancholy and shame flickered deep in Pearney’s eyes, finally manifesting as a heavy, silent sigh.
Bernardson said, “Toyennes has left the academy with a difficult problem, causing the death of many apprentices, including all his previous students. As his current students, I need you to explain this issue clearly.”
“I’ll explain, as I know the details better.”
This was the core issue. Ivan had no hopes of deceiving anyone, and he proactively explained everything from the start of the Meditation Method, to the branding of the curse mark, to the runes sacrificial array, only omitting his involvement in comprehending the sacrificial array.
After he finished, the three revealed the patterns of their curse marks.
Bernardson glanced at them, waved his hand in annoyance to signal them to put them away, and completely ignored the eager anticipation in their eyes.
Bernardson thought regretfully that it was a pity about an apprentice with 5th Class talent. A 5th Class talent had an eighty to ninety percent chance of becoming an official sorcerer, a fact universally acknowledged in the sorcerer world; otherwise, he could have brought back a major asset for the Policing Team.
“We will stay at Flying Fish Port for a month, and then you will return to the academy with me. Remember to bring tuition of 10 low-grade magic stones.”
Sorcerers valued the principle of equivalent exchange, so Pearney was not surprised about the tuition fee, but Ivan felt uneasy. He thought about whether he could substitute it with potions.
Justine cautiously asked a question, “Sir, may I not go?”
The other two looked at her in surprise, not understanding her intentions.
Seeing the sorcerer’s displeasure, she quickly added, “I do not wish to go to the Sorcerers Academy. I just want to stay in the Aromatic Wheat Dukedom. I really need to take care of my mother, and with only 2nd Class talent, I am destined not to become an official sorcerer.”
This was the first time Bernardson had seen an apprentice unwilling to attend the Sorcerers Academy. Hearing her mention her talent was only 2nd Class and seeing her cowardly expression, he immediately took out a crystal rod to test Justine’s sorcerer qualifications.
“Remember, you are not allowed to join any other academy.”
“I will remember. I won’t go anywhere.”
Her 2nd Class talent ironically became an advantage, especially since she was a cursed apprentice with 2nd Class talent who had not even practiced the academy’s Meditation Method. Considering she would be a waste of resources at the academy, Bernardson thought for a moment and agreed.
Upon leaving the manor, the two naturally looked at Justine.
“I have never been good at fighting; sorcerer training is too dangerous, I feel it’s not suitable for me,” Justine said frankly. She had been terrified by the various situations that had arisen on the island, barely surviving a life-threatening situation only to escape back. She was unwilling to face the same dangers again.
So, how would the curse on her be resolved?
“It is a choice, and it’s good if it suits you.”
“Justine, good luck.”
The two knew she carried a significant risk, but this was Justine’s private matter. She had already made her decision, having certainly thought it through.
Seeing the two in front of her, Justine suddenly felt out of place and regretted and felt uncomfortable internally.
She hurriedly left, leaving the two in silence.
“Where are you planning to go?”
“The governance office.”
“Right, you need to understand your own domain, and don’t hesitate to ask if you need help.”
“I will remember your words.”
Pearney accompanied him to the front of the governance office.
Ivan needed to go through the proper procedures here, registering as a noble, receiving the maps of his domain’s borders, and confirming the specifics of its territory.
In the governance office, he learned some information about ‘Mulberry Valley,’ a remote domain bordering Black Fog Forest. The domain contained a large expanse of mulberry forests, which supported a chief industry of sericulture and silk production.
However, in recent years, the mulberry forests had been dying off in large patches, and the silkworms were not doing well either. The domain urgently needed a lord to take charge of the situation.
Ivan didn’t fully believe this. He didn’t find it hard to guess that Mulberry Valley was facing major issues that urgently needed resolution.