—Nothing more and nothing less than a mage studying how greed affects magic— Dorien explained, flipping through the pages of the record in search of a specific page—The attributes are a simple classification marked by the mage Hades. He divided the fields of magical research into several areas, including human sins.

—So, could I become a duck mage, then leave this room and privately study ducks, thus becoming a duck mage?— Apolo asked, realizing the futility of this classification system —I don't get it...

—Yes, of course, you could be a duck mage— Dorien replied seriously, continuing to search the record.

—Huh?— Apolo exclaimed, almost spitting blood, not expecting the Minister of Magic to confirm such a statement.

—It's your life, and you can research whatever you want, young man— Dorien replied with a grin beneath his beard. He seemed to be enjoying the conversation as he searched obsessively through the record—The empire pays for achievements and discoveries, so investigate whatever you want with your annual budget. As long as you contribute something that nobody discovered before, they'll pay you for that patent. Even discovering things about ducks. So you might end up becoming Apolo: the Archmage of Ducks.

—By my ancestors! Then why did I take this test?— Apolo shouted, realizing that he had supposedly just sacrificed his fertility to read a cursed book only to find out about his own interests.

—Because according to the emperor, it's mandatory...— Dorien murmured with an even more pronounced grin beneath his beard—Oh, look what I found!

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Apolo saw Dorien holding a record with four names written in its columns. The title of the record was "Reign of the Black Forest"

—Are those my ancestors?— Apolo asked, recognizing some of the names written in the record.

—Indeed, young lad!— Dorien replied as he read the record's page—Tea of the Black Forest: a great memory mage, Cosmo of the Black Forest: a fire mage, Damen of the Black Forest, Eudor of the Black Forest.

—Why are there two mages from my family without attributes?— Apolo asked as he watched Dorien add "Apolo of the Black Forest" to the list and proceeded to close the record.

—Because they didn't achieve anything or make any discoveries in their lives— Dorien explained as he got up to put the record away—So, if you want to become Apolo, the great mage of ducks, you better start studying ducks seriously.

Dorien put the record away and sat back down at his desk, saying:

—Other than that, you're already a mage and registered as an empire mage. You can go and research whatever your heart tells you, becoming the great mage of all ducks, or you can take the other two tests to see what your secondary attributes are and research based on what Hades believes is your destiny.

—For now, I'll research ducks— Apolo replied somewhat uncomfortable, not entirely sure if his ancestor's second piece of advice made any sense. He rejected the idea of wasting his life on a strange sentence written in a cursed book and a poorly drawn illustration.

—I look forward to great achievements, Apolo. I've always been curious about ducks...— Dorien commented with a wide grin beneath his long red beard —Besides, you can head to the first floor of this castle, room 5A, and collect the funds for your first year of research. Don't waste them and use them wisely: Remember, they're only given once a year!

Upon learning that he would finally receive the long-awaited money, Apolo shot out of the room without caring about his manners. It seemed the young man was genuinely interested in this aspect of the mage world. Dorien smiled at Apolo's impatience to receive his first funding, reminiscing his first time in this office with nostalgia. However, his smile, hidden beneath his beard, died suddenly when he saw that Apolo had already left his office.