Wizards: Starting with Fairy Crests

021: Never be late

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, the end of the month has arrived, with only three days left before the smog blankets the land.

That evening, Lynch received a notification that he had become a Dyson apprentice.

Dyson Apprentice is a high-ranking apprentice who has meditated to create seven runes. He has been with Wizard Hossman for many years and is one of Hossman's assistants. He is one of the most respected apprentices and enjoys the deep trust of Wizard Hossman.

He knocked on Lynch's door and coldly announced, "Meet at Ash River Wharf at 2 PM tomorrow. We'll leave by boat. Remember to be on time. Don't be late. We won't wait for you if you're late."

Lin Qi wanted to confirm again: "Is it tomorrow afternoon at two o'clock?"

The Dyson apprentice repeated impatiently, "Yes, tomorrow afternoon, two o'clock. Any questions?"

Lin Qi had originally thought that since this was a future colleague, he wanted to chat a bit more to get to know him better and ask about the details of his trip. However, seeing the other person's attitude, Lin Qi could only swallow back the words he was about to say and nodded, saying, "Okay, Senior Dyson, I'll remember that."

"Don't be late, the ship won't wait."

After saying that, Dyson turned and left.

"He's just an assistant, what's with all the arrogance!" Lin Qi couldn't help but complain after Dyson walked away.

That's how the wizarding world is. There's a strict hierarchy, and absolute equality simply doesn't exist here. Those in positions of power are those in positions of power, and they don't need to consider the feelings of those in positions of power at all. Cold words and arrogance are not problems here.

The real issue is capability!

...

The next morning, Lynch packed his bags, had lunch, and headed to Ash River Wharf early.

Ash River is a river located in the southern part of Ash Tower. Its course meanders through the entire Ash Mist Forest, and it is the main and most convenient passage for apprentices to leave the Ash Mist Forest.

The agreed time was 2 o'clock, but Lin Qi arrived here just after 12 o'clock.

After all, it was a life-threatening journey, and Dyson had repeatedly reminded him not to be late, so Lynch certainly couldn't afford to make a mistake on such a detail.

However, to his surprise, an unexpected situation still occurred after he arrived.

And it was... a life-threatening emergency...

Afternoon, Ash River Wharf.

The river water was murky, a dark reddish-brown like rust, flowing slowly and silently southward. The wooden dock was dilapidated, and the air was filled with the distinctive fishy smell of the river and the musty odor of rotting wood.

Lin Qi stood on the empty dock with his backpack on his back.

The expected crowds and ships were nowhere to be seen; only the cold river wind swirled the mist.

The only moving object on the dock was a strange figure crouching on a decaying mooring bollard.

It was an unusually large crow, with a wingspan nearly the size of an adult's outstretched arms, yet its crouching posture resembled that of a weary old man, one claw gripping a tin wine jug that was disproportionately large for its size.

What's most chilling is its head, which isn't a bird's head, but an old, drunken human face covered in deep wrinkles!

This is Morrison, the dock supervisor, who is responsible for looking after the dock.

Why is there no one here?

Lynch felt a vague unease, but still quickly walked over and said, "Lord Morrison, excuse me. I am Lynch, an apprentice under Wizard Hossman. I was notified to gather here to board the ship. May I ask... where is the ship? Where are the other apprentices?"

Morrison slowly turned his head, a strange expression—a mixture of alcohol and mockery—on his old face: "The ship? Didn't the ship leave a long time ago?"

"Gone?"

Lin Qi's face stiffened, and he hurriedly asked, "How could this be? The notice said we would meet at 2 PM today, and it's only just past 12 o'clock now."

"Two o'clock in the afternoon? Pshaw—"

Morrison scoffed, exhaling a strong stench of alcohol: "Two o'clock in the afternoon? You stupid apprentice, are you out of your mind? The ship set sail at nine o'clock sharp this morning, I watched it leave with my own eyes. A few of Lord Hossman's apprentices, and a few promising youngsters under those two old guys, all boarded the ship and even greeted me."

Lynch's head exploded with a "buzz!"

For an instant.

I felt a chill run from the top of my head to the soles of my feet.

......

Meanwhile, in the middle section of the Ash River.

Thick gray fog clung to the dark red river surface, reducing visibility to almost nothing. A weathered, old-fashioned wooden boat silently broke through the fog and drifted downstream. Faint protective runes flickered on the hull, isolating the vessel from the danger emanating from the outside world.

Inside the cabin, the light was dim, and the air was thick with the somber smell of wood, river water, and old magical materials.

Jackman stood by the narrow porthole, watching the receding jungle silhouette swallowed by the fog, his face showing some fear, his fingers unconsciously picking at the rough splinters on the window frame.

He finally couldn't resist and turned to look at Dyson, who was sitting leisurely in a fixed wooden chair.

"Senior Dyson," Jackman's voice was low, tinged with barely perceptible tension, "We...we're just going to leave like this? Is Lynch really okay? What if Professor Hossman investigates..."

Upon hearing this, Dyson slowly raised his eyelids: "A follow-up question?"

He chuckled softly, his voice carrying clearly in the cramped cabin: "Jackman, you're too nervous. The mentor entrusted me with all the details of the evacuation and arrangements for the apprentices. When I said I notified everyone, I meant I notified everyone."

"As for an apprentice who was careless, misremembered the time, or... simply overslept and missed the ship, whose fault is that?"

He leaned forward slightly, speaking with absolute certainty: "In the Gray Mist Forest, apprentices disappear every day due to various 'accidents.' Who cares if one more or one less? What the mentors care about is sending off those who 'should leave' on time."

"Lin Qi? Ha, just a mediocre talent who got lucky through some crooked means. In the mentor's long life, there have been too many apprentices like him. Losing one of them won't cause any ripples."

Jackman's Adam's apple bobbed, and he felt a little more at ease. He whispered, "I understand, senior."

Seeing Jackman's submissive demeanor, Dyson's expression softened, even taking on a slightly peculiar meaning.

He stood up, walked over to Jackman, and casually placed a hand on Jackman's slightly thin shoulder, his fingers even gently stroking the other's shoulder blade under his robe.

This overly intimate gesture, which even carried a clear sense of ambiguity and control, caused Jackman's body to stiffen abruptly. A strong sense of disgust and humiliation flashed across his eyes, and his fingers clenched tightly in his sleeve.

But he quickly forced himself to relax his tense muscles and did not dodge.

Dyson seemed quite pleased with his "taming," raising his other hand to almost flirtatiously brush Jackman's blond hair past his ear, his voice low and with an unsettling stickiness: "Don't worry, Jackman."

"I'll only reserve the position of lab assistant for those I 'value'—the one where you truly have access to core knowledge and receive preferential treatment in the lab. You're talented, and... very sensible. Stay with me, and you'll have a good time in Gray Tower."

Jackman lowered his eyes, his thick eyelashes concealing the turbulent emotions within.

"Thank you... Senior Dyson."

He responded in a dry voice, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth, yet carrying a sense of resigned compromise.