Witch Training Manual: My Water Magic Is Wrong

The carriage was quiet for a moment.

Ella's voice broke the silence.

"By the way, Master, does Aya want to study?"

The little girl was eating a piece of biscuit that Vera had given her, taking small bites. When she heard her name mentioned, she looked up and blinked her eyes in a daze.

Wayne looked at her and smiled: "Go, of course she'll go, but she won't follow the usual magic academy route."

"So, which route should we take?" Emma asked eagerly.

"We'll find her a great kendo teacher, someone who specializes in swordsmanship. There are several good academies in the capital; we'll choose the one that best suits her and allows her to fully develop her kendo talent."

Aya understood that Wayne was talking about her future plans. She put down the biscuit in her hand, sat up straight, and nodded seriously: "Thank you, sir. I will work hard and will definitely not let you down."

Wayne nodded with satisfaction.

Then Emma seemed to remember something: "Oh right, Master! What about Vera? Is she going to school too?"

Vera paused for a moment when she heard her name called, then quickly waved her hand, her voice tinged with panic, "I... I think I'll pass. I have no magical talent, nor any combat talent. I'm just an ordinary person. I'm already content to be your maid, taking care of your daily life."

For Vera, being able to stay by Wayne's side, take care of his daily life peacefully, and be his maid was already the best life she could imagine.

Wayne glanced at Vera and smiled.

"Alright. Once you've arrived in the capital, settle in first. If you want to learn anything later, feel free to tell me."

"Um... thank you, sir."

Just then, the carriage suddenly stopped.

The inertia caused the people in the carriage to lean forward slightly.

Emma's head hit the car window frame. She rubbed her forehead and cried out, then leaned out and called out, "Why did you stop?"

The driver's voice came back from ahead, tinged with nervousness: "Sir... someone is blocking the carriage ahead."

Wayne lifted the car curtain and peered out.

About twenty paces ahead on the official road, several unmarked black carriages were parked. A figure stood beside each carriage; the man was dressed in dark gray casual clothes, was burly, and had gray hair.

Wayne recognized the face.

Yes, Dirk, his father's old butler.

He didn't leave.

Wayne lowered the carriage curtain and said to the driver, "It's alright, we're all on the same side. I'll go down and check."

He jumped off the carriage and walked forward.

When Dirk saw Wayne approaching, he immediately took a few steps forward and bowed respectfully, saying, "Young Master, we meet again."

Wayne looked him up and down: "Dirk, shouldn't you have left for the capital a long time ago? Why are you still here?"

Dirk took half a step forward, his tone earnest: "Young Master, my purpose in coming here is to safely escort you back to the capital. How could I dare to leave before the mission is completed?"

The panel popped up at this point.

[Dirk's Actual Itinerary Supplement]

[Identity Supplement: Steward of Marquis Lynch's Mansion, Mid-Tier 4 Warrior.]

[Background Information: After leaving the inn the day before yesterday, he did not return directly to the capital. Based on clues provided by Bishop Cecil, he spent the last three days clearing out potential ambush points and sentries along the main road north of Bellino.]

[Note: Cecil's source was a spy planted within the old faction. The information indicated that at least four groups were preparing to ambush you along the main road after you left Bellinor. Dirk, with a mixed force of the Marquis's private army and members of the Dragonblood Knights, had already eliminated all four groups' strongholds before your departure.]

[Note 2: Those who set up the ambush never knew how they were exposed. They didn't even wait for their targets to appear before a group of plainclothes men swiftly and cleanly slit their throats from behind.]

[Note 3: All members of the Dragonblood Knights involved in this operation were dressed in civilian clothes and carried no identifying equipment. Even if someone recognized them, they could not publicly accuse the Heinrich family of any involvement.]

After looking at the panel, Wayne remained silent for a moment.

Then he looked up at Dirk, his tone flat: "Did you do these things yourself, or did that old man order you to?"

Dirk bowed slightly: "The Marquis's exact words were, 'Bring the young master back safe and sound, no matter what.' As for the specifics of how to do it, he didn't restrict me. Therefore, I took the liberty of clearing some obstacles for the young master. If there has been any overstepping of my bounds, please forgive me, young master."

Wayne looked at Dirk and nodded.

"Well done. Thank you for your hard work."

Dirk quickly shook his head: "It's no trouble at all. It's my duty to share the young master's burdens."

After he finished speaking, he turned to the side and slightly raised his hand towards the black carriages behind him: "Young Master, there is one more person I think you should see."

Wayne followed his gaze.

The door of the middle carriage opened from the inside, and a middle-aged man dressed in dark casual clothes jumped out. He was lean and capable, with a steady gait and sharp eyes.

The middle-aged man walked up to Wayne and extended his right hand: "Bishop Wayne, I've heard so much about you. I am Lucian, the vice-commander of the Dragonblood Knights."

Wayne grasped that hand.

The panel popped up at this point.

[Luxon - Profile]

[Identity: Vice Commander of the Dragonblood Knights, early-stage fifth-tier knight, and one of the core combatants of the Heinrich family.]

[Background: Born a commoner, he joined the army at fourteen, rising from the lowest rank of private to the position of vice-commander. His men only value strength, not background. None of those who can gain a foothold in the Dragonblood Knights are easy to deal with.]

[Note: He was the leader in charge of clearing out the two ambush sites on the western side of the route. Three waves of ambushes, a total of forty-three people, were all dealt with cleanly. He doesn't have any ill will towards you; his visit was largely driven by curiosity. He wants to know why you are worthy of the attention of both Cecil and the royal family.]

Wayne released his grip: "Commander Luxen, I've long admired your name. Thank you for your help in clearing out the ambush this time."

Lucien withdrew his hand, his tone indifferent: "Just following orders. Bishop Cecil's message arrived just in time; we merely made an errand."

After he finished speaking, his gaze lingered on Wayne for a moment, and he added, "However, Bishop Wayne has surprised me somewhat."

Wayne looked at him: "An accident?"

"Hmm." Lucien nodded. "I originally thought that someone who could get Bishop Cecil to personally write a letter to Lord Jain and have Her Majesty the Queen approve the mobilization of the Dragonblood Knights must be a typical clergyman radiating holy light." He looked Wayne up and down. "But you have a very strong battle aura and bloodlust. This pure physique doesn't seem like something someone who spends all day praying in church could cultivate. It's unheard of for a bishop of the Papacy to have such a pure physique."

Wayne smiled and said, "Commander Luxen, you flatter me. It's just that I walked a few more steps and sweated a little more, nothing to mention."

Lucien didn't press further, but gave him a meaningful look: "Humility is a good thing. However, once we get to the capital, humility might very well cause you trouble."

"You're right..."

After exchanging a few words, the two...

Luxem turned and returned to his carriage.

Dirk, standing to the side, watched as Lucien walked away and then turned to Wayne respectfully, saying, "Young Master, please get into my carriage. There are some things I'd like to discuss with you about the recent situation in the capital."