Chapter Fifteen: Setting Sail

“Whew!” As Hughes stepped out of the room, he finally felt a sense of relief. Sharing a room with several wizards was something most people simply could not endure.

“Luckily, I passed the test, and not only that, my talent is quite remarkable. Entering the Wizard Academy might actually work in my favor,” Hughes thought to himself as he walked off the ship, only to hear Bols calling out to him.

Bols rushed over and immediately grabbed Hughes, bombarding him with questions. “How was it, Hughes? Did you pass? Was the test hard? Why were you in there for so long?”

Hughes frowned. He had never noticed this side of Bols before.

With a helpless look at Bols, he replied, “I passed, alright? Isn’t it your turn now? Why don’t you hurry up and go?”

“Oh, right, right! My turn, my turn!” At Hughes’s words, Bols finally remembered and dashed toward the ship in a flurry.

Watching Bols’s retreating figure, Hughes shook his head. He certainly hadn’t been like this when they first met.

“Hughes! Congratulations on passing the test!” Leah, standing nearby, beamed at him.

“Ha ha, don’t worry, Leah. I’m sure you’ll pass too. It’ll be fine,” Hughes said, noticing how Leah kept clutching the hem of her dress, clearly nervous.

Hughes’s words seemed to ease her nerves a bit. “Alright, Hughes, when the time comes, let’s go to the Wizard Academy together.”

“Of course! We’ll make it,” Hughes smiled gently and waited with Leah for Bols to finish.

Bols’s test didn’t take long, and Hughes could tell the result just by looking at his face.

“Congratulations, Bols, you passed the test too.”

Bols looked at Hughes in surprise. “Hey, how did you know I passed? Am I impressive or what?”

“Heh, with the smug look on your face, even a fool could tell,” Hughes replied, at a loss for words at Bols’s demeanor.

“Leah, your turn. Go take the test, we’ll wait here for you.”

“Yeah, go on, Leah. If I can do it, so can you,” Bols chimed in.

“Alright, I’ll go now,” Leah said, carefully boarding the ship.

Once Leah had gone, Hughes and Bols found a shady spot and waited quietly for her to finish.

No sooner had they sat down than Bols leaned over to Hughes. “Hughes, what color was yours? Mine was pale white. They said if I work hard, I have a good chance of becoming a wizard.”

Hughes hesitated, debating whether to tell Bols the truth. After a moment’s thought, he decided honesty was best. “My talent is deep purple. Keep it a secret, don’t tell anyone,” Hughes lowered his voice deliberately.

“What?!” Bols glanced around, understanding Hughes’s concern. He lowered his own voice, “Is it really deep purple? I heard the wizards say purple is a very high rank. You’ll definitely become a wizard!”

“It’s not that easy. Who knows what the future will hold?” Hughes said, though inwardly he resolved that no matter how hard it got, he would become a wizard. He would never let his life be controlled by others. Maybe he could even find a way home.

Bols was thoughtful at Hughes’s words. “You’re right. But if you really do become a wizard, don’t forget to look after me, ha ha!”

As they spoke, Leah emerged from the ship. They hurried over to her. “How did it go, Leah? You passed, didn’t you?”

“Yes! I passed!” Leah’s face broke into a radiant smile.

“I knew you could do it, Leah! Let’s go home and tell Father the good news. All three of us passed, ha ha!” Bols shouted exuberantly.

Hughes, watching the siblings, couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy. In this era of power struggles and greed, such pure sibling affection was truly rare.

Others nearby, hearing Bols’s announcement, looked on with envy. For three people to pass was unusual—if only it had been them.

The three of them rode a carriage back to the castle, leaving the rest of the tests behind.

“Why haven’t they come back yet? Clay, do you think the three youngsters will pass? I’m worried sick, and you’re still in the mood for tea?” Count Ulot was growing increasingly anxious as the hours passed, and seeing Count Clay calmly sipping his tea only made him angrier.

Count Clay didn’t even look up from his book. “What’s the use of worrying? Can you take the test for them? Even if they don’t pass, your anxiety won’t change anything.”

“You… You’re as infuriating as ever,” Count Ulot fumed, at a loss for words.

At that moment, a servant burst in, “My lord, the young masters have returned! They’re just outside the castle.”

“They’re back! Good, good. Let them in at once!” At the servant’s words, Count Ulot finally relaxed.

“Father! Father!” Bols shouted as they entered.

“Must you shout like that? Where is your sense of nobility?” Count Ulot immediately put on a stern face.

Count Clay glanced at him and remarked, “You’re quite the actor.”

“Ahem, how did your tests go, hmm?” Count Ulot asked awkwardly, seated, watching the three of them.

Bols quickly answered, “Father, all three of us passed the test. You can rest easy!”

“All three of you?!” Count Ulot stared at them in excitement. He knew just how rare it was to have wizard talent—he had never expected all three to succeed.

“Good, good! Tonight, we’ll hold a banquet to celebrate!” With a grand gesture, Count Ulot gave orders. He hadn’t felt this happy in a long time.

Night fell. The bright moon hung high in the sky, draping Count Ulot’s castle in a silvery veil.

The entire castle was ablaze with light and filled with a festive atmosphere. Music drifted far from the castle.

As Count Ulot mingled with his guests, the butler hurried over and whispered a few words in his ear. Count Ulot immediately followed him outside, and Hughes, noticing this, quietly slipped after them.

From a distance, Hughes saw a figure hand Count Ulot a box, say a few words, bow, and leave.

“Wasn’t that the mayor’s steward? What’s he doing here at this hour?” Hughes was puzzled.

Seeing there was little time, he returned to the banquet. Before long, Count Ulot returned, carrying a box, his face dark and stormy.

Hughes saw immediately that something must have happened. He hurried over. “Uncle Ulot, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“Oh, Hughes, call Bols and Leah and come to my study. I have something to say,” Count Ulot replied, his expression grim as he walked toward the study.

“Hughes, what do you think Father wants? He was fine just now,” whispered Leah as the three of them walked quietly through the castle.

“How should I know? If I did, we wouldn’t need to go,” Hughes replied, and the three of them bickered quietly as they made their way to the study.

Upon entering, they saw Counts Ulot and Clay sitting in silence, their expressions unreadable, each seemingly lost in thought.

The three youngsters dared not speak, instead waiting quietly to the side.

Time seemed to stand still, as if the five of them had agreed not to break the silence.

At last, Bols, unable to contain his curiosity, gestured at the box on the desk. “Father, what’s this box…”

“That box was sent over by the mayor’s people. That old fox—he and I have no dealings, and now, just because you three passed the test, he sends a gift, thinking he’s clever! He’s simply wary and wanted to show goodwill. If I refused the gift, he’d probably look for an excuse to cause you trouble.” It was clear to everyone the anger in Count Ulot’s voice.

Hughes sensed there was more to this than a simple gift. Otherwise, Count Ulot wouldn’t be so upset.

“Uncle Ulot, it’s just a gift. We never planned to cooperate with the mayor. We’ll just be careful,” Hughes said.

“Yes, Father. Besides, we have the wizards on our side. I doubt the mayor would dare try anything,” Bols chimed in.

“Alas, there’s something else. The mayor’s steward also brought a message. The four wizards have given orders that you are to board ship and leave with them for the Wizard Academy at dawn tomorrow.”

“What?!” The three of them were stunned. They never imagined that after being tested today, they would have to leave so soon.

“But Father, why? Why do we have to leave so urgently?” Bols exclaimed, panic rising.

“I’m not sure myself. The wizards insisted on leaving quickly—there’s nothing to be done.” Count Ulot slumped dejectedly into his chair.

The study fell silent again.

Count Clay stood up, patted Hughes on the shoulder, and said, “It was bound to happen sooner or later. The timing hardly matters. The three of you should go pack your things, and make sure you have everything you need. Ulot and I will prepare a few things for you as well. Off you go.”