Warlock Apprentice

But with the help of Angor’s rune, the sailors didn’t even need their extra clothes.

“Wizards are awesome!” A sailor in a navy shirt talked to his patrolling partner. “They can make winter so warm or the other way round, they can quench big floods and create water out of nothing to deal with drought... Like, is there anything they can’t do?”

“So why didn’t Mister Roman help us with anything when he was on the ship?”

“Oh... well...”

Tulu, who had been fishing at the edge of the ship, joined their conversation. “Most wizards are only interested in their own business and profit. It’s already a blessing that they don’t occasionally come and attack us for fun. You want to ask for their help? In your dreams.”

The sailors exchanged a puzzled look.

“But Mister Padt is so different.”

Tulu grinned. “We’re so lucky that Mister Padt joined our ship. You don’t find kind people like him very often.”

They heard footsteps and saw Helen coming to them in her usual uniform.

“Wizards are human beings too,” she said. “But most of the time, they don’t regard us as equal humans. Mortals can come in different classes too, right? Guess Mister Padt is one of the ‘better’ ones among wizards.”

“I’ll be like him too if I ever become a wizard!” Tulu exclaimed.

“Stop dreaming, lamb.” A sailor laughed. “If you got the skills for that, Mister Roman would have brought you back to the association.”

“Maybe I AM talented but he just didn’t notice!” Tulu protested.

Everyone on the ship knew for a fact that anyone capable of becoming a wizard would be taken to Floating Mech City for training, while those left on the ship would be common workers forever.

But Helen had a different idea. The witch she met before told her that nothing in the wizarding world was absolute. There might be ways for mortals to earn supernatural power.

Ever since Helen met with Angor and heard about the story of Nausica, she found her childhood dreams coming back. She knew it was unlikely, but she had decided to go and find Swan when she had a chance and see whether she could find her way into the wizarding world for real.

“Whatever you think, I’ll become a good guy if I ever turn into someone powerful!” Tulu was still arguing with the sailors.

Helen chuckled. “We’re talking about good and bad in the views of mortals. It would be different in the wizarding world though. Just stick to your true heart and you’ll be fine.” She put a hand on Tulu’s head. “Now stop thinking about random stuff. Come with me. Mister Padt wants to see you.”

“Really?!” Tulu quickly hurled his fishing rod onto the deck, oblivious of the helpless creature already hooked on it. “Let’s go, quickly!”

...

Angor had been enjoying the fresh air on his balcony and observing the discussion below.

Tulu reminded him of his childhood, during which he was just as naive and short-sighted.

“Come in.” He heard the pair reaching his door and asked them to come inside.

While Tulu shivered a little and tried to figure out where to put his hands, Helen bowed and left the room.

“Helen, you stay with us too,” Angor called her back.

After Helen complied and took a spot behind Tulu, Angor prepared several items on his desk.

“You showed greater resistance against the energy released by the monster jellyfish, which means your spirit is better than normal. I’m going to give you a test and see whether you have what it takes to become a wizard.”

Tulu found his mind instantly filled by both joy and anxiety.

While arguing with the sailors, he knew that he probably didn’t have the talent since no one from the association paid him any attention before. But if Angor proved his inability right here... then he couldn’t even have his dreams from now on.

Even so, he wouldn’t deny this chance. Since he was asked to come, there must be a good reason for it.

While still trembling, he took a seat in front of the desk as Angor asked and looked at the objects Angor prepared—a glass of water, an oil lamp, an iron dagger, and a cactus pot found on the window.

The Abelles’ Eye could only tell if someone was talented. In order to generally tell the nature of the talent, Angor had to figure out what became of these items in Tulu’s view.

With everything done, Angor told the boy to put his hand on the Abelles’ Eye.

He received the item upon accepting the recruitment quest in Brute Cavern. There were also several books with some simple channeling methods along with it.

“Watch carefully and tell me if anything is changing.”

Tulu gulped and glanced behind him, where Helen gave him a reassuring smile.

He then took a deep breath to calm down before slowly pressing both his hands on the surface of the crystal ball-like object.

There was a bright flash of red light.

Helen widened her eyes in great shock, while Angor raised an eyebrow.

Angor expected this to happen since what Tulu displayed during the jellyfish assault was pretty much extraordinary.

He was right... Roman was just too blind to discover a fresh talent among the sailors. Angor shook his head.

“Sir, Tulu can become a wizard?” Helen asked with an envious look.

“He can. The Talent Sphere does not lie. As for what exactly he can do... it will need more tests later.”

Tulu shook his head to get out of the trance he was in. “Um, sir, I don’t think I saw anything special.”

“It doesn’t matter. You have the talent, and that’s what’s important right now.”

“Talent... I’m talented?! To become a real wizard?”

“Absolutely.” Angor nodded.

“Awesome!” Tulu bounced up from his seat and gave Helen a big hug.

Helen pushed him away. “Chill. Don’t lose yourself yet.”

“Oh, sorry, captain... I just can’t help it. I have a chance to become a good wizard now!”

“That’s not an easy thing to do,” Angor commented. “But you should remember your words nevertheless.”

Tulu took a moment to fully calm down. “Sir, can I study from you from now on?”

Angor didn’t answer since he didn’t know yet.

Tulu was an employee of the White Clam Association, which belonged to Floating Mech City. He couldn’t just poach their people like this when he just received an invitation to their research department.

“I... I can’t, sir?” Tulu found his excitement quickly cooling off.

Angor decided to tell them the truth for now.

“As I said, it’s not my decision whether you can follow me.”

“Wait, sir...” Helen suddenly spoke up, “Tulu is not with the association.”