I, the wizard, the foolish Buddha.

Chapter 19: The Wizard's First Lesson

Two freshmen appear to be discussing with Wallace the distribution of treasures within the Fern Grove. One of the most popular treasures they discuss is the "Crucible of Bitter Sleep." While the "Fern Chalice" is more famous in legend, its authenticity remains unknown.

Moreover, even if the 'Yellow Fern Holy Grail' really existed in this fern forest, a certain lord had already reserved it. After obtaining it, she would lend it to the baron for a few times, and then the holy grail would belong to her.

Therefore, the ownership of the Yellow Fern Holy Grail had already been allocated. So, instead of discussing the Yellow Fern Holy Grail, everyone started discussing the Crucible of Bitter Sleep.

No one knows what kind of treasure the Yellow Fern Holy Grail belongs to, but the Crucible of Bitter Sleep is a top-level rare item!
The blond freshman said excitedly, "It's said that the Crucible of Bitter Sleep can greatly increase the success rate of potion refining. It's a top-level alchemical artifact that even formal wizards dream of. I just didn't expect it to be in such a remote place!"

"Yes." Another red-haired freshman interjected, "Baron Hall's adventuring team is truly lucky to have found a clue to it."

These two freshmen were born in the wizarding world and know a lot about it.

This time, it was all thanks to Lord Wallace. Although he was a school worker, he concealed a lot of things about the Fern Forest from the academy, so the academy didn't know what treasures were there.

Otherwise, the Crucible of Bitter Sleep alone would attract a large number of official wizards. How could they be involved in treasure hunting?
The red-haired freshman looked at Instructor Reynard, who was talking with the Baron in the distance, and said, "If Instructor Reynard gets the Crucible of Bitter Sleep this time, we can borrow it and use it."

"Don't dream, freshman," interrupted Wallace, an elderly mid-level apprentice. "Even if Reynard is willing to lend it to others, it's not your turn. You're lucky to have obtained a rare item."

The blond freshman hurriedly smiled and said, "Instructor Wallace, you're right. We'll need your supervision again on this expedition."

While the blond freshman was speaking, the red-haired freshman quietly handed Wallace two small bags. "If we find any rare items, you and Instructor Leonard will naturally choose them first."

Wallace took the small bag, shook it slightly, and found that each of the two bags contained three magic stones and some gold and silver coins.

After receiving the money, his cold smile immediately became a little more friendly.

"Don't call me instructor or senior. I'm just a janitor. Just call me Wallace." Wallace stroked his beard, a smile wrinkling his old face. "It's too early to talk about treasures now. You should know that this time we are helping the Baron seal the evil spirit, right?"

The two freshmen's expressions grew serious upon hearing the word "evil spirit." They were both born into wizard families and had been educated in magic since childhood. Their elders had even captured evil spirits for them to practice with.

Therefore, evil spirits are not dangerous to wizard apprentices.

But before they arrived, they had heard many rumors about the Fern Forest and knew that the evil spirit was probably not simple. Instructor Leonard had previously entrusted Wallace to act as their bodyguard to prevent them from getting hurt.

Seeing the two freshmen seemed a little frightened, Wallace reassured them, "Actually, you don't have to worry too much. This area is very remote, and country folk tend to exaggerate even ordinary things."

Middle apprentice Wallace didn't think the Fern Forest was anything special. At least it looked no different from an ordinary forest. At most, it was just a haunted forest.

He said, "If there was anything truly remarkable here, Baron Hall would have perished on some expedition long ago. Besides, that lady is passing by, and she will help."

When the adult was mentioned, the two freshmen's expressions became much better.

"Master Wallace," the blond freshman asked, "I heard from Instructor Reynard that although that master is only an advanced apprentice, her strength has reached the level of a formal wizard. So is she our senior or a professor?"

Wallace used to be a servant in the Alexandra family, and that adult was a member of the new generation of the Alexandra family, so both freshmen felt that Wallace knew something about that adult.

When he heard the two people calling the adult "senior sister", a cold look appeared on his face.

However, before Wallace could lose his temper, a carriage had already arrived from the distant path. Wallace hurriedly said, "Remember, don't talk nonsense when you meet. You can call her instructor, you can call her adult, but don't call her senior. She hates that title the most! She will never sit with you in class!"

When the carriage arrived at the fern forest, Roland finally understood why his cheap butler father had gone crazy, and why he was so afraid of this place.

"Senior Sister Catherine." Roland no longer had any desire to live. Not only did he call her Senior Sister Catherine, he also nudged her with his leg.

"You're just a little apprentice, right? If we can get back alive, we'll sit together in class, right?"

Teacher Catherine narrowed her eyes and nodded deeply: "Yes, Roland, yes, I will give you some tutoring."

Roland looked out the window at the sky above the yellow-brown fern forest, shook his head, and said, "No more joking, Senior. I know you've seen it too. Let's go back. Go now. You'll have another chance to teach me later."

Catherine said slowly, "This is the first lesson."

Roland nodded and looked at the sky outside the window.

A huge crack had been torn into the gloomy sky of the yellow-brown fern forest.

A withered hand was hanging above the crack.

The people outside the carriage turned a blind eye to this.

The only ones who saw this scene were the master and disciple.

In people's eyes, the only unusual thing about this forest is that a yellow-brown drizzle has been falling in the deepest part of the forest.

But Roland knew that it was the blood of the gods.

Roland's face turned pale as he thought, "Is this the first lesson? The wizard apprentice's trial?! Does Senior Sister know what she's here for?!"

After Roland and Catherine got off the car, Baron Hall and Instructor Leonard came up to greet them.

Instructor Leonard was very respectful. After he introduced the two freshmen next to him to Catherine, Catherine nodded lightly and said, "Not bad."

After hearing this light compliment, Instructor Leonard was delighted.

Director Leonard actually didn't know Catherine's true identity. He just regarded Catherine as a member of the Alexandra family.

But this identity alone was enough to make Leonard so attentive. He was about to graduate and wanted to stay at the academy. The Alexandra family was a major shareholder in the academy, so a word from a family member was very useful.

Instructor Leonard was fawning over here, and the freshmen and the janitors all looked relaxed, apparently discussing the distribution of the spoils in the fern forest.

Roland's expression grew increasingly strange. He couldn't help but once again glance at the withered arm in the sky, thinking to himself, "My teammates, how could they still be in the mood to flatter and discuss spoils? Don't they know what they're up against?"

(End of this chapter)