章 14: Alfonso's Test!
"Teacher, I've finished reading the book," Leonard said as he handed the notebook back to Alfonso, his tone confident yet respectful.
Alfonso, perhaps tired of his usual meditation, did something unexpected. Instead of returning to his trance-like state. Alfonso took a slow sip of milk before accepting the notebook from Leonard. Without a word, he slipped it back into his storage device with practiced ease. Then, with a calm motion, he raised his right hand. A faint purple light flickered at his fingertips, spreading outward like ripples in water. The light enveloped the entire carriage in an instant.
Leonard glanced around nervously but saw no visible change. Everything seemed normal; Kenny was still at the reins, the steady clatter of hooves continued unabated. But Leonard had learned enough about magic to know appearances could be deceiving.
"I gave you five days to read the book," Alfonso said, his voice even but edged with authority. "Yet here you are, claiming to have finished it already. If that's true, I'll test you. But let me be clear; I do not tolerate dishonesty or pretense."
Leonard straightened in his seat, sensing the gravity of the moment.
"As a wizard," Alfonso continued, "even an apprentice must remain grounded. Too many reckless students have thrown their lives away because of overconfidence or carelessness. If you are as foolish as they were, perhaps I should reconsider having you as my apprentice."
His sharp gaze locked onto Leonard. "I'll ask you one more time; are you absolutely certain you've retained everything in that notebook?"
"Yes, Teacher. I've memorized it all," Leonard replied sincerely. He wasn't exaggerating. Ever since the mysterious "door" had opened in his mind, his memory had transformed. Now, he could recall everything he read with perfect clarity after a single glance. It was as if his brain had become a living, breathing archive.
This newfound ability wasn't just an improvement; it was extraordinary. He could only compare it to being a human printer. Learning, once a struggle, had become effortless.
Alfonso studied Leonard for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. I'll ask you some questions."
He began his test with sharp precision, posing five questions that spanned the notebook's contents. Some were about obscure details, a single word buried in a paragraph: while others covered critical concepts. Alfonso's tone was neutral, but his eyes were watchful, gauging Leonard's every reaction.
Leonard, however, didn't falter. He answered each question with ease, his responses swift and accurate. To him, the notebook's contents were as clear as if they were written on the back of his hand.
After the fifth question, Alfonso leaned back slightly, closing the glowing purple book in his lap. "Impressive," he said, a hint of approval creeping into his voice. "It seems you are more suited to wizardry than I initially thought. A sharp memory is invaluable, and yours is exceptional."
He paused, then added, "Now, I'll give you one final question. If your answer pleases me, I'll reward you with something special."
Alfonso's ring flashed faintly, and in the blink of an eye, another book materialized in his hand. This one was smaller, with a black leather cover. The white letters etched on its surface seemed to glow faintly, though Leonard couldn't initially recognize the script.
As his eyes adjusted, something strange happened. Though the characters were foreign, their meaning blossomed in his mind instantly. The title read: 'Sleeping Curse.'
"This is your reward," Alfonso said, holding out the book. "Not just for your knowledge, but for your honesty."
"Thank you, Teacher." Leonard accepted the book reverently with both hands. It was surprisingly heavy, its thickness betraying how much knowledge it contained. He frowned slightly, wondering why a single spell required such an extensive volume. Could it really take so much to master?
Alfonso seemed to read his thoughts. "Magic is not simple, Leonard. It requires precision, practice, and patience. A spell is more than its incantation; it is an art, a science, and a philosophy combined. If you want to wield it effectively, you must understand every aspect."
Leonard nodded, determination hardening in his gaze. He clutched the 'Sleeping Curse' tome tightly, already feeling the weight of the journey ahead. The path of a wizard was not an easy one, but it was one he was determined to walk.
At that moment, Leonard had a sudden realization, almost like a revelation: being a wizard wasn't just about wielding power; it was about relentless hard work. The correlation seemed simple yet profound:
'A powerful wizard = a hardworking wizard.'
He had witnessed this firsthand. The sleeping spell Alfonso used earlier had been astonishingly effective. Lauren, who had been thrashing about in a rage, fell unconscious instantly, as if someone had flipped a switch. The contrast between her earlier fury and her current limp, snoring state was almost comical.
Alfonso's calm voice interrupted his thoughts. "Now that you've read the notebook, you should have a basic understanding of mutation science. Tell me, why do many wizards choose to extract mutations from monsters instead of guiding humans to mutate directly?"
Leonard considered this carefully. His brief time as Alfonso's apprentice had taught him a great deal about the nature of wizards. They were seekers of truth, perfectionists who valued reason above all else. Reckless experimentation that compromised their rationality was unacceptable.
"Because wizards value reason?" he ventured cautiously. "If humans are directly guided to mutate, it could lead to instability, maybe even madness, and that would undermine a wizard's ability to think rationally?"
Alfonso's lips curled into a faint smile; a mix of amusement and something darker. "You're not entirely wrong, but it's more complex than that. Mutation doesn't always lead to madness or chaos. It can produce beneficial changes as well as harmful ones."
Leonard furrowed his brow. "Then why is it forbidden to guide human mutation?"
"Because it is an 'iron rule' issued by the 'Order Wizard Council,'" Alfonso explained, his tone suddenly formal. "Directly inducing mutation in pure humans is prohibited. Wizards can experiment with transformation, transplant bloodlines, and perform various rituals, but mutation research on unaltered humans crosses a line."
The 'Order Wizard Council.' This was the first time Leonard had heard of such an institution, and the name intrigued him. But where there was order, surely there was opposition. He didn't press Alfonso for details, though, sensing that his teacher wasn't inclined to elaborate.
"But your answer still satisfies me," Alfonso continued, his tone softening. "You've grasped an essential truth about wizards: 'rationality is our foundation.' Without it, even the most gifted wizard is doomed to fail."
With that, Alfonso retrieved a book from his storage device; a thick tome with a deep purple cover that shimmered faintly. The glow wasn't subtle; it pulsed softly, like a heartbeat.
Leonard's curiosity got the better of him. He had discreetly glanced at the book multiple times to confirm the glow wasn't a trick of the light. 'It's definitely real,' he thought, marveling at the magical artifact.
"Take this. Study it carefully."
The notebook bore a striking resemblance to the first one. Leonard's suspicions were confirmed; his teacher's teachings came in a series, and the first notebook had only been the beginning. Much of the earlier material had felt incomplete, leaving gaps that begged to be filled. He suspected there was at least one more notebook waiting beyond this one.
Taking the notebook, Leonard couldn't help but glance at Kenny, who was driving the carriage up front. The coachwoman showed no reaction to their conversation. It was as if she couldn't hear a single word of what was being said. Leonard realized it must be the effect of the spell Alfonso had cast earlier, shielding their discussion from any prying ears.
---
As the carriage approached their destination, the smell of salt and seaweed grew stronger, mingling with the crisp ocean breeze. They had arrived at 'Bangor Harbor.'
The city sprawled along the coastline, a mix of old and new. The houses closest to the sea were weathered and low, their walls darkened by years of exposure to salt and moisture. These buildings, once bustling with life, had been largely abandoned as the city expanded inland.
The constant sea breeze and high humidity made these seaside homes cold and damp, especially at night. Their floors often remained slick with seawater, and the unrelenting chill seemed to seep into the bones of anyone who stayed too long. Even the healthiest people avoided them, knowing that prolonged exposure could lead to illness.
Further inland, newer houses and bustling markets painted a different picture. The harbor itself had grown significantly in recent years, attracting merchants, sailors, and wanderers from all corners of the kingdom. Ships with tall masts lined the docks, their sails furled, and the air buzzed with the cries of vendors hawking fresh fish, exotic goods, and trinkets from distant lands.
Leonard gazed out at the port with a mix of awe and unease. This was the place his family had planned to reunite, a city of opportunity, yes, but also of shadows. Here, wealth and progress coexisted with squalor and danger. For the wealthy, it was a gateway to the world; for the poor, it was a place to scrape out a living in whatever way they could.
Still, Leonard felt a flicker of hope. Somewhere in this vast, chaotic city, his family might be waiting for him. 'If they made it safely, we'll find each other.' The thought steadied him as the carriage rolled into the heart of Bangor Harbor, its wheels rattling over cobblestones slick with ocean spray.
Leonard clutched the notebook in his lap, determined to master its contents. In a city like this, knowledge might just be his greatest weapon.
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