Ancient Wizards: A Little Progress Every Day

Dago was completely bewildered. Had he ever offended so many great beings?

He lowered his eyes and answered "truthfully": "My first teacher who taught me the wizarding tradition died a long time ago. I spent most of my time wandering alone. I don't understand many rituals. Perhaps it was during that time that I attracted so many old pillars of the spirit world."

"Poor Dago, but thankfully the Pillar of the Old Ones didn't possess your soul and descend to the world, otherwise you would have been burned to ashes by the Judgment Wizard long ago. You're not in serious trouble. Just remember never to sacrifice your soul to the great beings of the spirit world."

When Avery heard Dago's reply, he spoke kindly, gently patting the back of Dago's hands with both of his.

Caught off guard, Dago was initially a little stiff, but he gradually relaxed.

Avery kept asking him all sorts of questions, and Dago answered them one by one. He could feel that Avery was becoming closer to him in the process, just like a real grandfather treating his grandson.

Time passed, and when Avery had fully accepted Dago's existence as a "bloodline member," she stopped asking questions and looked at him with loving eyes, "From now on, do you plan to stay with me at Icethorn Manor, or continue to stay at Silver Tower?"

"An ancient secret realm will open in a month, and I will participate in the exploration as a member of the Magic Ring. I don't want to miss this opportunity. After the trial in the secret realm is over, I will come to see my grandfather again."

Dago answered respectfully.

Avery was quite satisfied with his answer and nodded, saying, "It's actually a good thing for you that you didn't grow up under anyone's protection during your apprenticeship. You have the strong and decisive qualities of the true Huntington family bloodline. Only harsh cold and strong winds can create a truly brilliant flower. You should indeed go out and experience more trials on your own."

After saying that, he paused, then changed the subject, saying calmly, "As long as you're being toughened up, you can't let others bully you when you're out in the world."

Dago was taken aback when he heard this. It seems that this is the benefit of having a cheap grandfather.

Avery then took out a series of second-circle ice-attribute magical artifacts from his spatial ring, including rings, pendants, amulets, and even a complete set of magical equipment such as a breastplate, shoulder pads, belt, and wrist guards.

At first, Dago was pleasantly surprised, but gradually he began to feel a chill run down his spine.

"Too much, Grandpa Avery, I...I probably can't use all of this."

Avery's actions never stopped, one item after another, like a merchant wholesaling magical artifacts.

"Is it too much? Not at all. I even think it's too little. Dago, you never know what kind of opponent you might encounter. Every additional magical item you have increases your chances of victory."

Avery presented Dago with more than a dozen second-circle magical artifacts.

"You must remember the mission you have inherited from Mappel."

Avery looked directly into Dargo's eyes, their reflections mingling in each other's.

His tone suddenly turned resolute and cold as he spoke to Dago, word by word: "Your opponent, in the far north, on that perpetually frozen plateau, is called the 'Ice Prison Palace.' They are a group of born ice controllers, with the coldest and most powerful blood flowing through their veins."

"You are far from being able to fight them right now. You have the soul seal [Winter Star] on you. Even if you don't go looking for them, they will come after you sooner or later."

A glint flashed in Dago's eyes as he slowly nodded to Avery.

Avery smiled with satisfaction and patted him on the shoulder affectionately.

Dago sighed inwardly. He knew that the benefits were not so easy to obtain. Perhaps when he chose Winter Star as his first soul imprint, his fate was already firmly bound to the so-called bloodline of Mapel.

He silently accepted everything Avery had given him, after which the latter asked him, "When do you plan to leave?"

Dago replied, "I came to Icethorn Manor to find suitable magical beasts for bloodline modification, to make final preparations for the opening of the ancient secret realm in a month and a half. I did not know you were here beforehand."

"Bloodline modification is indeed a good way to temporarily boost your combat power at this stage. Which magical beast have you chosen as the transplant target?"

Before Dago could answer, Avery waved his hand dismissively and said generously, "Forget it, the previous choices don't matter anymore. Since it's about increasing combat power, we should naturally choose the best."

In the dim light, Dago saw Avery's eyes flashing rapidly and whispered, "It just so happens that the major wizarding families in Ice Fortress are preparing to hunt a three-ringed ice serpent that has awakened a trace of the ancient winter dragon's bloodline. I'll go and get you a portion of the three-ringed ice serpent's essence blood."

"Only the bloodline of the Great Ice Serpent, possessing the bloodline of the ancient Winter Dragon... is worthy of the genius of my Huntington family."

The Three-Ringed Ice Serpent... Ancient Winter Dragon Bloodline.

Dago opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but didn't know what to say.

I wonder when he started relying on his connections? He doesn't seem to have anything particularly outstanding about him, so how did he end up getting investments from one big shot after another?

"Let's go outside, it's too stuffy in here."

Avery stood up from the bar stool and casually beckoned to Dagger.

Tall and thin, Dago realized that he was only half a head shorter than him when he stood up, which made him look older than his actual age.

"I've almost forgotten how many years it's been since I last left this room, ever since Undine's brother..."

Avery looked around the studio, a hint of nostalgia and reminiscence in his eyes.

In the oil painting, young Undine smiles and leans on the frame, waving to him as if bidding him farewell.

"Let's go."

Avery turned around and stepped out of the studio first.

Dargo turned around and saw Undine in the oil painting in the studio still staring intently in the direction they had left, standing on a meadow full of violets, until she was gradually swallowed up by the darkness.

"Creak—"

The closing of the studio door seemed to signify that some of Avery's memories had been completely sealed away.

The two stood in the brightly lit, softly lit corridor, with a slight chill in the air.

Dago remembered something and couldn't help but ask Avery, "Lady Darren mentioned to me before that Icethorn Manor seems to have mastered a more advanced bloodline modification technology?!"

Avery shook his head slightly.

"Bloodline modification is not something that can be achieved so easily. The Huntington family spent hundreds of years and several generations, and they only managed to get a superficial understanding. After I took over the Huntington family, we barely made some progress, but it is still far from a true bloodline conversion."

Avery thought for a moment, then took out a small box about a foot square from his spatial ring and handed it to Dargo.

"If you're interested, you can look into it yourself first. Actually, I was planning to ask you what you wanted anyway. If we can successfully obtain the essence of the three-ringed ice serpent containing a trace of the ancient winter dragon's bloodline, it would be a real waste to use it only for 'bloodline modification'."

Dago took the box and bowed to Avery in thanks.

Just then, a figure quickly walked towards the two from the other end of the corridor; it was Mrs. Darren.

"grown ups."

Mrs. Darren walked up to the two men, bowed her head to Avery, and seemed quite afraid of him. Standing in front of him, she was completely different from her previous demeanor as the manor owner and wizard socialite, appearing rather reserved, even nervous.

"Um."

Avery was extremely cold towards Mrs. Darren, as if she were merely one of his servants.

"From now on, Dago will be half the master of Icethorn Manor."

As soon as Avery opened his mouth, his words startled Mrs. Darren, who abruptly looked up.

Avery seemed not to notice the expression on his face at all, nor did he seem to want to explain. He simply said calmly to himself, "While I am not in the manor, all of you must obey his will."

"I'm going to visit some friends, it will probably take a few days. If you need anything, just tell Darren, she'll take care of it."

Avery turned to Dago and spoke kindly.

"Yes, Grandpa Avery."

Dargo nodded. He couldn't see Mrs. Darren's expression, but he could clearly feel her body trembling slightly. She was obviously trying to withstand the shock and impact of this sudden and dramatic change.