Wizard: My magic facility can be upgraded!

Chapter 13 Arrival in Riley City

Yes, he had power now. He was no longer the headman who could only show off his power by relying on Kavi's fists, nor was he the once inferior servant of the Carlson family.

As he watched the flames leaping in his palm, Matthew's eyes flashed with a fierce light.

Leon Carlson...you just wait...once I reach the Wizard's Tower...once I've gained even greater power...I will kill you first, and then I will kill everyone in the Carlson family...

Kavi took over Matthew's position and became the new "leader" of the lower-ranking reserve apprentices.

He became even more ruthless and domineering, seemingly wanting to vent the frustration he had suffered from Leon and Matthew, as well as the pressure of his inability to condense the Stars, on the others.

The atmosphere on the lower level became even more oppressive, and the pressure of gathering stardust weighed on everyone's hearts like a boulder.

The days slipped by quietly in meditation, studying potion-making, and practicing spells.

At the horizon, the monotonous blue was finally gone.

The outline of a vast city gradually became clear in the morning sea fog.

The city walls, built of huge white stones, meander for dozens of miles along the coastline, while the harbor is densely packed with countless ships. At the very center of the city stands a colossal black tower that reaches the heavens.

Leon, Matthew, and Helena, the three formal apprentices, along with all the reserve apprentices, were summoned to the deck.

The wizard Celeste stood at the bow of the ship, his black robes fluttering in the slightly salty sea breeze.

Behind him stood the wizard's attendant, holding a parchment used for recording.

The massive wizard ship slowly sailed into the busy harbor and came to a stop at its designated berth.

As the gangplank was lowered, Celeste turned around, his cold gaze sweeping over the diverse expressions on the deck.

"The journey is over."

His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly: "Now, let's make the final confirmation."

The wizard's follower stepped forward: "All those who have successfully condensed the first magical star, step forward."

A stir ran through the crowd as nine more reserve apprentices emerged from the group, in addition to Leon, Matthew, Helena, and Ludick, who had already gathered stars.

Their faces showed some fatigue, but even more so, the joy and excitement of success.

There were nearly twenty people left, their faces ashen, their eyes filled with resentment and despair.

Theronster's gaze swept over Li Ang and the dozen or so others, and he nodded slightly.

"You are qualified to enter the gates of the Wizard Tower in Riley City and continue your training as prospective apprentices."

Then, his gaze turned to the vast majority of those who had failed to condense star particles, his tone completely flat:

"Those who have failed to gather star particles, you have two choices."

The desperate crowd fell silent instantly, holding their breath and listening intently.

"First," Celeste's voice was like a pronouncement, "buy your own ticket, take the next ship back home, and go back to where you came from."

A suppressed sob and a painful groan rose from the crowd.

Go back? To return, branded as losers, to that small noble family that had spent its entire fortune to send them onto this ship?

What cold stares and ridicule await them? The family's hopes will be utterly shattered...

"Second," Celeste's voice remained icy, "stay, sign the contract, and become a follower of the Wizard Tower. You will be responsible for basic tasks such as menial duties, clerical work, and assisting with experiments within the tower."

A faint glimmer of hope appeared in the eyes of the crowd.

"As followers, you will be provided with basic living necessities and have the opportunity to access the fringes of the wizarding world."

Celeste continued, "Every year, the Wizard Tower organizes a review of follower qualifications. If a follower successfully condenses a star before the review, they can leave their follower status and become a full-fledged apprentice, starting from scratch."

He paused, his gray eyes sweeping over the crowd: "The choice is yours. You have fifteen minutes to consider."

A deathly silence fell over the deck, broken only by the sound of waves crashing against the hull and heavy breathing.

Should he return to inherit the family business and become a minor nobleman with a bleak future in a barren land?

Or should they stay and work as servants, enduring a life of inferiority, and pinning their hopes on a bleak future?

Time passed second by second.

In the end, five or six people, mostly from families with relatively strong influence and who believed they still had a way out after returning, chose to leave with ashamed expressions.

The remaining dozen or so people, including Kavi, wore expressions of humiliation and resentment, yet also harbored a faint, humble hope for the future, and silently chose to stay.

They signed the contract to become the wizard's follower.

Their identities underwent a dramatic change at this moment, from being highly anticipated "talented individuals" to becoming servants at the very bottom of the wizard tower.

His gaze finally settled on Leon, Matthew, and Helena.

"As for the three of you, you are now formal apprentices. Once you arrive inside the tower, you are free to choose which school you wish to join and receive the basic supplies for apprentices."

After saying this, the wizard Celeste stepped onto the sturdy wooden planks of the dock.

Li Ang, Matthew, and Helena followed closely behind, followed by nine prospective apprentices, including Ludick, who had successfully condensed star particles.

Finally, there were a dozen or so newly recruited servants, including Kavi, who looked ashen-faced and like prisoners being escorted, led by the wizard's attendants.

The hustle and bustle of Riley City's port district instantly enveloped them as they stepped onto the wooden planks of the harbor.

The air was no longer filled with the monotonous smell of the sea, but with a mixture of the aroma of food wafting from afar and the pungent smell of some kind of herb.

At this moment, dozens of stevedores were busy at the dock.

They are unloading cargo from freighters arriving from all over the world and handing it over to people dressed as wizards' attendants for inspection and acceptance.

Upon seeing Celeste, the wizard's attendants all stopped what they were doing, bowed their heads, and greeted him courteously.

"Ah, Lord Celeste, your holy radiance shines upon this humble place."

"My lord, you have worked hard in recruiting. Look at this batch of newly arrived white crystals. I dare not slack off and am strictly testing their purity according to the highest standards to ensure that every single one is worthy of the needs of your great magic array."

"Oh, Lord Celeste, you look radiant today. I'm sure the position of faction leader will be yours soon."

Ceronst ignored all of this and continued walking.

His wizard attendant glared at one of them, his face dark: "You dare to speak ill of Carter becoming the next faction leader? Aren't you afraid of losing your head?"

He then turned his gaze to the other two: "And don't think that Lord Celeste is unaware of your little schemes. Telling you won't change anything."

"Do your job well and try to catch the eye of another wizard and become their personal wizard follower."

Then, without looking at Carter, whose face was pale with fright, and the two embarrassed wizard followers, he turned to the dozen or so people behind him and spoke.

"And you too, work hard and try to be chosen by that wizard to become his personal attendants, just like me."

"That way, when the wizard is in a good mood, a casual word of guidance will be worth more than months of hard work you've put in on your own."