Besides two apprentices, Ivan met Monde Watkin, who seemed increasingly frail and aged from his appearance and aura; it seemed he was not far from a decline in strength.
"Dean Ivan, you have made quite a name for yourself; I even heard about it at the Mongna Ant Land Cottage."
"Haha, indeed, some reputation, all thanks to the support of the guild."
"I too tried to join the Enchanters Guild, but unfortunately, I couldn't meet the requirements. Unlike you, Dean Ivan, who easily became one of its key elders, making an old man like me blush in shame."
After the meeting, Monde's compliments never stopped.
It was no wonder he behaved in such a manner; it had been less than ten years since Ivan left, and everything about him had transformed drastically.
Not to mention his reputation, status, and position that were all respectably imposing, but speaking of strength alone, he subtly felt it might surpass his own—a bewildering yet lively truth.