"Why wouldn’t it be feasible? In the Beast Mountains, third-level magicians are core players. Many intermediate warriors would eagerly team up with a third-level magician," Annie said. Dick had heard from Uncle Taita about collaborating with a third-level magician to hunt third-level magical beasts.

"Rest assured, our target is second-level magical beasts, not third-level ones." With Annie’s assurance, Dick felt more at ease. Uncle Taita’s team, aiming to hunt third-level magical beasts, required a combination of one third-level magician and four intermediate warriors.

"Alright! You’re the senior sister, so I’ll follow your lead."

"Hehe!" Anna chuckled again. Dick did not strike her as the most obedient of individuals.

Anna truly went into seclusion, and two days later, Annie and Dick set off.

Even in the capital, a viscount’s rank was quite esteemed, and the viscount’s residence was even more grand and imposing.

An elderly steward of the viscount's estate received Annie and Dick. After inquiring about Dick’s background, and finding him to be a student of the capital’s magic academy, the steward had no further remarks. Dick was relieved; avoiding unnecessary disputes was preferable, especially in a noble family where matters were often complicated.

The training opponents were not magicians but warriors. After all, a warrior might also face a magician as an adversary. Gaining more combat experience against magicians would be beneficial for noble youths training in aura, as magicians with innate talent were rare.

"Ah…" The noble young master was sent flying by a kick from Dick. "But aren’t you a magician?"

"So what if I am? Once you’re in the Beast Mountains, magical beasts can cast spells or excel in close combat. At that point, who will distinguish between magic and aura?" Dick spoke with apparent logic, leaving the Zhao family young master speechless.

"Seventh Young Master, this magician is right. What you need is practice. In the future, you’ll face various types of opponents and combat styles. You’ll need to handle both magic and aura," the supervising elder remarked.

"Fine, Grandpa Taylor, this time I wasn’t prepared. Next time, I’ll definitely win!" Zhao Dayong, the young noble, was decent enough not to make a fuss. "Let’s go again!"

"Ah…"

The continuous cries of distress filled the air as Zhao Dayong was subjected to a relentless exchange of magical and aura attacks from Dick. Zhao Dayong’s responses faltered; as a second-level warrior, Dick had numerous ways to defeat him. Fortunately, Dick was considerate in his strikes, ensuring Zhao Dayong’s injuries were not severe each time.

"Really? Seventh Brother, you’re looking so battered? Aren’t you supposed to be facing a newly advanced second-level magician?" At that moment, two young girls entered the training grounds, one of whom was Annie.

Although Dick was measured in his attacks, Zhao Dayong was still bruised and wounded, his injuries making him appear rather pitiful despite prompt healing. This level of pain was theoretically insignificant for a warrior, and the supervising elder had not intervened, showing no concern.

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"Ninth Sister, you don’t understand. The situation is unique," Zhao Dayong was at a loss for words, struggling to adapt to Dick’s constant shifts between magic and aura, which were completely foreign to him.

As for Dick, his inherent advantage with the ‘Fire Cloud Step’ made it impossible for Zhao Dayong to even touch him. For Dick, the battle was effortless and enjoyable.

"Enough! Seventh Brother, it’s your own fault for being so clumsy. Let me give it a try!"

"Ninth Sister, be careful. Dick is quite rough and won’t spare any mercy," Zhao Dayong retreated, looking somewhat gleeful.

"Esteemed senior, my practice partner should be a worthy opponent. Also, the training session is almost over," Dick bowed respectfully to the supervising elder. Being in the viscount's residence, Dick felt it was inappropriate to injure a young lady from a noble family.

"Think you’re strong? You’re just a newly advanced second-level magician, and yet you look down on me?" Surprisingly, the young lady detected the underlying message in Dick’s words. "Defeat me, and your training fee will be increased by three thousand gold coins."

Dick regarded the young lady with a sense of helplessness—such fearless ignorance from someone raised in comfort.

"How interesting! Hehe!" Elder Taylor laughed, "Dick, you’re a worthy opponent. I have no objection to doubling your training fee."

"Grandpa Taylor, what do you mean? We haven’t even fought yet, and I’m already losing?" The young lady was quite indignant.

"Wanying, you could not possibly be Dick’s match. Though he is a newly advanced second-level magician, his aura suggests experience from battles in the Beast Mountains," Elder Taylor explained. "Dick, your training fee can be doubled, but the session will remain at half an hour. As for the opponent, how about adding her to the mix?"

"Thank you, esteemed senior. I have no objections." Dick was quite pleased with the doubled fee.

"Senior Taylor, what about me?" Annie realized that she might end up without a job under these new arrangements.

"Your practice partner will be changed. The Zhao family has plenty of direct descendants to train."

Well, as long as she wasn’t losing her job. As for receiving a salary increase like Dick, Annie’s pride wasn’t that lofty. There were many second-level magician practice partners in the capital, with salaries roughly the same.

As for why Dick was special? His proficiency in both magic and combat made his training highly valuable to noble youths.

"Senior Sister, I got a raise! Let’s go; I’ll treat you to a magical feast!" Dick was in high spirits, considering the significant earnings—six thousand gold coins per session, twice a week. Good heavens, that was a lot of money.

"Hmph! At least you know how to appreciate it!" Although Annie felt somewhat embarrassed, the prospect of a magical feast improved her mood considerably.

The restaurant for second-level magician’s magical meals was located in the cavern district.

"Really? It’s so expensive?" A first-level magical meal cost only two hundred gold coins, but a second-level meal had suddenly surged to a thousand gold coins per serving? The difference was staggering.

"What did you expect? That’s the vast gap between first and second level. It’s delicious! Hehe!" Seeing Dick’s pained expression, Annie felt a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyed her meal even more.

"Annie, how much does a magic cultivation array for second-level magicians cost?"

"Paying in gold is also an option—five thousand gold coins per session. The second-level trial ground costs two thousand gold coins per session."

Well, for a second-level magician, the expenditure was clearly different, requiring an adjustment to a new cultivation value system. No wonder it was said that a magician’s training was extremely costly. This was just second level—what about third or fourth level magicians? It seemed that becoming a magician was indeed a pursuit built on a foundation of wealth.

Of course, with the high cost of training resources, the fees for practice partners were also steep. Three thousand gold coins per session, and Dick’s fee was six thousand. Considering this, Dick accepted it without much complaint.

Moreover, with the jade pendant’s spatial benefits, many of the training expenses were reduced.

Since Dick advanced to second-level magician, he began to notice changes in the jade pendant’s space. Initially shrouded in darkness, it was gradually revealing areas of light.

Currently, the illuminated area was roughly one hundred cubic meters.