How a wizard lives 8

Chapter 8- Independence Ceremony.

The Atelier District, having shed the unusually cold season of late, was now in full bloom, adorned with flowers as it welcomed the warm spring days.

The bell of the Atelier ‘Camiu,’ known for generations for producing high-quality paper, chimed softly.

The Mage sitting at the counter, sorting dried paper by quality, couldn’t help but smile as a guest entered the atelier.

The newcomer was a tall, well-built handsome young man.

The epitome of first love for young Mages and a famous figure in Arpenheim.

The disciple of the Grand Mage Hene, Yurik.

“It’s been a while. You must be busy these days.”

“Haha, well, I’ve been quite busy preparing for various things.”

He carefully felt the freshly made papers with his hands, selecting a few, and then walked confidently to the counter.

“Please pack about a hundred sheets for me.”

“A hundred? That many?”

“It’s hard to find paper of this quality outside.”

“That’s true.”

The mage of Camiu shrugged at Yurik’s words.

She took great pride in her paper-making skills, and her research on producing even higher-quality and more durable paper was ongoing.

Particularly, the Eldrover tree, which grew abundantly infused with mana, was famous for producing excellent paper.

“It’ll be quite expensive.”

“I’ll have to bear the cost.”

“Since you’re a regular, I’ll give you a discount.”

“Thank you.”

The mage called for her apprentice, and a young mage emerged from the back.

She shyly greeted Yurik and carefully selected and packaged the hundred sheets he had ordered.

Ding.

He paid and stepped outside.

The bright sunlight made him squint slightly.

The Atelier District was bustling, with long lines of fabric hanging from buildings, as if preparing for a parade.

This was in preparation for the upcoming Independence Ceremony for the young Mages who would soon graduate.

Yurik, too, was set to participate in this ceremony.

At seventeen, he had nearly halved the average fifteen years it took for a mage’s apprentice to become independent.

Yet, he was far from inexperienced.

In fact, he had studied far more fields than most young Mages.

And in every field he had studied, he had earned the recognition of his seniors.

They had taught him all they could, and the rest was up to him to learn on his own.

Yurik walked calmly through the Atelier District, basking in the sunlight.

Warm greetings came from all directions, and he responded with waves and kind words.

He visited the mansions of the Grand Mages Ingris, Yelni, and Ophelia, meeting each of them.

The Grand Mages offered him encouragement and advice as he prepared to leave Arpenheim after his independence.

As he left the mansions, he recalled the members of Rilke’s group, who had left after last year’s Independence Ceremony.

Rilke, the disciple of Grand Mage Ophelia.

Monica, the disciple of Grand Mage Ingris.

Olga, the disciple of Grand Mage Yelni.

They had left to explore the wide world in pursuit of greater knowledge.

And now, it was Yurik’s turn.

‘We’ll meet again someday.’

It wasn’t a permanent farewell.

They had only parted ways temporarily to become greater figures.

Yurik visited Adrian’s cabin.

She was tending to the garden in the yard and welcomed him warmly.

“Have you eaten?”

“I’m fine for a meal. Do you have any snacks?”

The two sat across from each other at the living room table and chatted about various things.

Adrian tried her best to remain calm and composed, but the affectionate look in her eyes as she gazed at Yurik was impossible to hide.

After losing a beloved disciple long ago, Yurik had become an irreplaceable presence in Adrian’s heart.

So, she wanted to hold onto him.

She wanted to ask him to stay by her side and not leave.

……But she couldn’t, so she carefully controlled her words and actions.

In a world already fraught with danger, she didn’t want to burden Yurik’s heart.

If she couldn’t stop him from leaving, she would let him go willingly. She wouldn’t leave any regrets.

“Yurik.”

“Yes, Senior.”

“Once you leave, don’t worry about this place. We’ll be fine. Just focus on experiencing the world and returning safely. Understood?”

“Understood.”

Adrian maintained a composed and bold demeanor.

She wouldn’t cry or grieve.

That could wait until after he left.

“Good…. I have something for you.”

She handed him a meticulously compiled book of herb lists, combination ratios, and their effects, which she had researched and organized over the years.

“You’ll need this. Use it as a reference.”

“Thank you so much.”

It was a treasure trove of alchemical knowledge, the result of a lifetime of research by a master alchemist.

Its value was immeasurable.

“Now, go. I still have work to do.”

“…Then I’ll see you at the Independence Ceremony, Senior.”

“Alright.”

Of course, Yurik fully understood Adrian’s feelings.

When he had left his hometown long ago, his brother had felt the same way.

After meeting his mentors and seniors, Yurik returned to the cabin, and evening had already fallen.

Night came quickly in the forest.

Master Hene shared dinner with Yurik, and the two sat in comfortable chairs, talking late into the night.

“I thought you were just a bold little kid.”

“I felt drawn to you. It must have been fate, Master.”

From their first meeting, to learning runes and magic, and up to now.

“After you leave, I plan to take a short trip myself.”

This was the first Yurik had heard of this plan.

He asked where she planned to go.

“I’m thinking of heading to the central region. My research is mostly complete, so I’ll visit some academic circles. I hear an old colleague is staying there.”

Grand Mage Hene was a renowned mage with significant achievements in barrier magic.

Her cabin was safe in the heart of Eldrover thanks to her barriers.

“Your magical life is just beginning, Yurik. It will undoubtedly be difficult. Life isn’t always smooth. But you must overcome it with wisdom and patience. You have the potential to do so.”

Hene smiled warmly and firmly grasped Yurik’s hand. The warmth of their hands connected them.

The conversation between master and disciple continued late into the night, until the sky outside grew dim.

* * *

The Independence Ceremony of Arpenheim.

This year’s graduating Mages proudly paraded through the Atelier District, each dressed in splendid attire.

This ceremony, which marked their recognition as full-fledged mages, was a moment of great pride for the Mages.

– Yurik, marry me! Everything’s ready! Just bring yourself!

– You’ve already sent five disciples off to independence, what are you talking about, auntie! And Yurik is going to marry me!

– Yurik! Don’t listen to them! You’ll be squeezed dry, really!

Amidst the cheers, applause, and encouragement from the onlookers, a handsome young man stood out among the dozen or so Mages.

Yurik sincerely thanked the Mages who had watched over him all this time.

At the end of the parade, the Matron awaited.

With a benevolent smile, she blessed each of the graduating Mages for their future.

“You now stand as full-fledged mages, representing Arpenheim. I am proud of you for walking this path so splendidly. I pray to the universe for endless glory in your futures.”

The Independence Ceremony concluded.

Those staying in Arpenheim blended back into the streets, while those leaving shouldered their prepared bags.

“Take care, everyone!”

– Take care, Yurik!

– Bring back some handsome men when you return!

Yurik bid farewell to the Mages and headed toward the entrance of Eldrover.

There, his mentors had gathered to see him off.

“Master, Seniors.”

From Hene to Ingris, Ophelia, Yelni, and Adrian.

These were the people who had sincerely cared for a boy from the countryside, and he was deeply grateful to them.

Yurik tried his best not to, but his chest grew warm, and his nose tingled.

“Thank you, truly, for everything!”

He bowed deeply before them.

“Thank you for raising me, for loving me. Please stay safe until I return!”

In the end, the usually stoic Ingris was the first to turn her head and shed tears.

Grand Mage Yelni laughed heartily, saying, ‘The kid’s all grown up now!’

Grand Mage Ophelia encouraged him to learn much as he traveled the continent, and Adrian, with moist eyes, nodded resolutely.

Master Hene handed Yurik a generous sum of travel money.

It was a tradition in Arpenheim to provide departing disciples with travel funds.

“Don’t overwork yourself. A mage who can pull their weight will be respected anywhere. So, find work as needed.”

“Understood.”

“May the universe’s mercy be with you.”

Mages know the universe has no emotions.

Yet, the desire for the universe’s mercy is something only mages can understand.

Yurik departed.

They stood at the entrance, watching him leave with longing.

He turned one last time, bowed deeply, and then walked forward without looking back.

Yurik boarded the carriage carrying the newly independent Mages.

The carriage’s destination was the nearby Count’s estate.

Under a cloudless sky, the sunlight streamed through the carriage’s ceiling as it rattled along.