Above the mage

Chapter 328 Guiding Mage

The row of red brick houses, bathed in sunlight, exude an extremely elegant and profound beauty, possessing a sense of historical significance.

That may indeed be the case.

After all, the history of the Sea Sentinel is long.

Melia dropped Gao De off at Building 6 and then said goodbye and left.

After watching Melia leave, Gao De climbed the steps of Building "6" to the second floor, took out the slightly antique key he had received at the White Tower of the Abyss, inserted it into the lock, and with a crisp "click," the door opened.

The first thing you see is a spacious and bright living room, with an arched floor-to-ceiling window directly opposite.

The curtains weren't drawn, so the sunlight poured in without restraint, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the floor.

Gao De put his things aside for the moment, walked to the window, and looked outside.

Outside the window, there is a river.

I've been in Dorne for half a month now, and I've learned a lot about the place, including the famous "Yardan River" of Dorne.

On the other side of the river lies the campus of the Vandroren Magic Academy, a vast area entirely dedicated to it.

Of course, from here, all you can see is the high walls of the Vandroren Magic Academy and a riverside walkway.

After watching for a while, Gaode began to examine the indoor situation.

This is a three-bedroom, one-living room apartment of about 90 square meters. In addition to the living room, it also includes a bedroom, a meditation room, and a bathroom.

There is no restaurant, no kitchen, and no laundry room.

The reason is simple—Gaode saw a set of accommodation information on the living room table. Hai Sentinel had hired a dedicated laundry worker who would come to collect the laundry at a set time every day.

He only needs to put his dirty clothes in the laundry basket next to the door, and the laundry girl will collect them, wash them, and return them after they are dried.

The reason there is no restaurant or kitchen is because there is a dedicated canteen right next to the dormitory area.

Most importantly, all of these services are free!

Who says this government job is poor? It's fantastic!

Even in his previous life, Gao De's organization didn't offer this kind of treatment.

In addition to the benefits information, the accommodation guidelines also include some precautions, such as prohibiting parties and drinking in the rooms and prohibiting hiring prostitutes, etc.

There are still quite a few restrictions and limitations.

It's somewhat like military management, but not as strict.

After looking around for a while and getting a general idea, Gao De decided to go back to his temporary hotel, Oakville Hotel, to move his luggage over – that place cost 4 silver a day, and it was far inferior to this place in terms of both environment and size.

However, before leaving, he took a look at the spell recipes he had received from the White Tower of the Abyss.

I've been curious for a long time, but since there are other people around, I had to pretend, so I've held back until now.

【Touch of the Ocean】(Change type, 1 ring):

You make the target's fingers and toes webbed, which gives the subject extremely fast swimming speed and swimming ability.

At the same time, the patient can use running motions while swimming in a straight line.

This change will also affect the target's boots and gloves to adapt to the new form (but will not affect the operation of magical items).

This spell will not grant the target any ability to breathe underwater.

No wonder it's said that [Touch of the Ocean] is a fundamental spell that every sea sentinel mage must master.

Without this spell, it would be unrealistic for a mage to chase after sea monsters in the water based solely on their swimming ability.

Without any hesitation, Gao De opened the bottle of the [Touch of the Ocean] spell potion and drank the blue liquid in one gulp.

After checking out of the Oakville Hotel and moving his luggage back to his dormitory, Gao De found another roll of mail that had just been delivered in the mailbox by the door.

It concerns matters related to the initial training that will begin tomorrow.

It includes a simple introduction to the process and the corresponding Dharma Master, as well as a blank sheet with one, two, and three points listed.

The Sea Sentinels' battle mage training program differs from that of traditional spellcasting academies.

The courses at the Spell Academy are similar to open lectures, while the initial training provided by the Sea Sentinels is a one-on-one instruction course.

The Sea Sentinel will send a dedicated instructor to be specifically responsible for the initial training of the new disciples.

All Gaode needs to do is fill in the corresponding name of the guiding master in the three boxes according to their own preferences, based on the instructions in the letter, and then put it back in the mailbox.

Then someone will come and collect the form, and then notify the three corresponding guiding masters in turn according to the names filled in by Gaode.

If the other person is also willing to be your mentor, then the pairing is considered successful.

If none of the three mentor mages selected by Gaode are willing to mentor him, then the higher-ups on the Sea Sentinel side will appoint a mage.

According to Gaode Maps, this is equivalent to "first choice, second choice, third choice" and "adjustment".

After carefully reviewing the introduction and pondering for a moment, Gaode picked up a pen and filled in the corresponding names on the form, in the following order:

Heller, Raven, Mason.

All three instructors were at the third ring level and were all experienced sea sentinel mages, but each had their own strengths.

According to the introduction, Master Heller is most skilled in the Evocation elemental spells. He has conducted in-depth research on elemental spells and is proficient in the control, enhancement, and synergy of elemental spells. He can create ingenious effects through the combination of different elemental spells.

Raven is skilled in defensive spells and has a unique understanding of them, making him extremely popular with his colleagues in team-based missions.

Mason the Mage is a master of battlefield control, adept at using various spells to alter the course of the battlefield, restrict enemy movements, amplify his own forces, and utilize the environment.

After making his choice, Gaode prepared to go to the cafeteria for lunch. He had been busy for most of the day and was now starving.

The sea sentinels' mess hall is located on the edge of the dormitory area. The interior space is extremely spacious with high ceilings and rows of long wooden tables and benches.

Due to prolonged use, the surfaces of these tables and chairs have become very smooth from friction.

The dining area is at the very back, with a large window behind which can be seen the busy figures of the canteen staff.

To the left of the dining area, there is a passageway for eating, and across the passageway is the dining area for the officers and mages.

As a newcomer, Gaode could only dine in the regular mage dining area.

Upon reaching the window, Gaode received a meal. It wasn't particularly lavish, but it was well-balanced and contained all the essentials:

It includes a main dish of boiled potatoes, grilled chicken, stewed cabbage, carrots and onions, bone broth made with root vegetables, and dried fruit, which can be served as both fruit and dessert.

In addition, there is an extra beverage to choose from, either malt liquor or black tea.

Although it was lunchtime, there weren't many people in the dining area, only about ten, and there were still many empty tables.

Gaode randomly selected a seat and began to eat.

Just then, the alchemy machine, which resembled a loudspeaker and hung in the corner of the cafeteria, suddenly started ringing, and a gentle, calm female voice came from inside:

"On the 5th of Frostgold this year, after receiving a request for help from the Tyrion Merchant Guild, Lieutenant Colonel Riley, a mid-fourth-ring level expert, arrived in time to wipe out the swarm of giant moray eels attacking the merchant ships. Among them was a mid-fourth-ring level giant moray eel king and nearly ten early-fourth-ring level giant moray eels. He was awarded a second-class merit."

"Sergeant Terry, in the early stages of the Second Ring, encountered a sea monster from the later stages of the Second Ring due to an incorrect report during a mission. Although he fought bravely and failed to eliminate the sea monster, he successfully repelled it and was awarded a second-class merit."

"The selection process for this quarter's Sea Sentinels has concluded, with only one person passing the second round of interviews."

After listening for a while, Gaode discovered that the videos playing were all recent news from Sea Sentinels.

The reports mainly focused on military achievements, and I even appeared on the radio once, though my name wasn't mentioned directly.

Gao De noticed that the other people in the cafeteria remained calm, as if they hadn't heard anything, and seemed to be used to it.

From the "broadcast," he discovered some more details:

The criteria for evaluating military merits are comprehensive, depending on both the strength of the sea monsters eliminated and the mage's own abilities.

For example, Mage Terry, who was in the early stage of the second ring, could earn a second-class merit simply by driving away a sea monster in the late stage of the second ring, while Lieutenant Colonel Riley could only earn a second-class merit for wiping out ten ley line creatures in the fourth ring in one battle.

Haiyuan White Pagoda.

A brief meeting is underway.

A dozen or so sea sentinel mages, who also served as instructors, were sitting around a table made from a single piece of black oak.

One of the thin monks was shaking his head, speaking frankly.

"I do not wish to be his guiding teacher."

His voice echoed in the silent conference room, causing a slight commotion.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the room became somewhat subtle.

The mage seated in the main seat showed little reaction, his expression remaining calm as he simply asked, "The reason?"

The other party threw the "volunteer" filled in by Gaode Maps and the Gaode Maps information provided by Hai Sentinel onto the table.

"The heritage of the Oak Shield Florian family embodies the wisdom and hard work of the family's ancestors, and the Florian family has a glorious tradition and a long history."

"He can betray his own country and join our Plantagenet dynasty, which is contrary to the glorious doctrines upheld by the Florian family. I am unwilling to serve as a mentor to a foreign mage with different beliefs, as this would tarnish the family's honor."

The other guiding monks secretly admired his directness.

The mage on the main seat said nothing, but instead turned his gaze to the other side. "Raven, what about you? Is that your reason too?"

"Captain Merrick, I've seen his retest battles. His fighting style is clearly different from mine. And since he's been a wandering mage for so long, his fighting system, if not fixed, must have its own style. It can only be fine-tuned, not drastically changed. I won't mislead anyone." Raven's reasoning was much more palatable.

"Mage Mason, what is your reasoning? His mental strength is extremely powerful, making him very suitable for control spells. He should be a good match for you."

"It's precisely because of his powerful mental strength and exceptional talent that I'm unwilling to become his mentor. My abilities are limited, and I lack the confidence to fully unleash his potential. I don't want to hinder such a promising talent because of my own incompetence." Master Mason's reason was even more high-sounding.

The other guiding monks, though having different thoughts, remained silent upon hearing this.

In reality, they know exactly what's going on; all those concepts, combat systems, and limits on performance are just pretexts.

The so-called "guiding mage" is not even called a mentor because it is really just simple guidance, and is only responsible for establishing basic combat system knowledge for newcomers.

As for what will become of the other party in the end, it depends on the other party themselves.

The reason for their unified attitude is actually quite simple: Gaode is not a native subject of the Golden Flower Dynasty.

Although the background check by the Sea Sentinel has confirmed that his identity and background are not in question, no one can guarantee anything in this kind of situation.

Perhaps he hid it well?

Moreover, even if Gao De's identity and background are truly without issue, he is not a member of the Golden Flower Dynasty after all, and there is no guarantee that he will not have any ulterior motives in the future. It is not impossible that he could be bought off by the Holy Empire with benefits.

This kind of thing has happened before. They witnessed the precedent of Master Jaden thirty years ago, and the incident still has some influence on the naval sentinels.

They didn't want to get involved in this kind of thing.

If Gao De really achieves great success in the future, what benefits will he/she gain?

Basically not.

However, if something happens to Gaode, it could have a negative impact on them and jeopardize their future.

In their eyes, Gaode is a hot potato.

These guiding monks were all incredibly shrewd and didn't want to take the risk at all.

"Fine, since none of you are willing."

Captain Merrick was silent for a moment, then looked at the old man in the far corner who had been expressionless. "Master Naxi, you should do it. You were Master Jaden's mentor before, so you have experience."

"Is it okay?"

"I understand," the old man known as the Naxi Master replied expressionlessly, his voice low and hoarse. He then slowly rose and left the room.

His back was somewhat hunched.

"Since Master Naxi has agreed, let's arrange it this way. Everyone, please disperse." Captain Merrick was not annoyed by the other party's "rudeness."

Seeing this, the assembled mages breathed a slight sigh of relief, stood up, bowed slightly to Captain Merrick, and then left in twos and threes.

They were whispering among themselves as they left.

"Master Naxi is really unlucky. Not only did he run into Master Jiadeng, but now Master Jiadeng is going to take over this newcomer's position."

"Don't say that. Master Naxi was already pitiful enough. He finally had a daughter late in life, only to have her killed by the student he trusted most."

Frost Gold Moon, 23rd.

Collingwood Museum.

Gao De got up very early and arrived at the art museum fifteen minutes ahead of schedule.

This was his habit; in his previous life, he was never late for class.

It is both a concept of time and a sign of respect for teachers and knowledge.

The staff at the entrance of the art gallery greeted Gao De the moment they saw him, "Master, please show your identification."

Gaode took out its identification tag.

The other party took it and took out a gold refining machine that looked like a box, with a slot on it that matched the identity tag.

He inserted the Gaode ID tag, and then the whole box lit up slightly, flashing green light.

The staff member took out the identification tag and returned it to Gao De, while pushing open the door of the art museum and saying respectfully, "Master Gao De, welcome."

(End of this chapter)