“It's not for nothing. If I venture into the Monster Forest for training in the future, you'll need to protect me.”

“Not a problem!” Future matters can be addressed later. It’s better to secure benefits now.

“Smooth talker, agreeing so readily?” The child of nobility is no fool.

“Are we friends now? How can you still be so meticulous? Alina, isn’t that unbecoming of a noble?”

“Haha!” Larson, sitting at the back of the carriage, chuckled. “You, my boy, have no respect for nobility whatsoever.”

“Indeed, Dick, I am the child of an earl. How could you, a country bumpkin, become a friend of mine?”

“Heroes do not ask about background, Alina. This is a world where strength reigns supreme. For example, that esteemed Ural warrior in the capital is someone even the king would revere. Alina, understand? In this world, everything is illusory; only strength is real.” Dick spoke with the air of an elder brother instructing his younger sister.

“Hmph! What do you, a bumpkin, know about it?” Alina retorted, her face full of defiance. Isn’t she still just a child?

“Alina, Dick's words hold some truth,” Larson agreed. “A superpower like Lord Ural cannot be restrained by any kingdom. Allegiance to the royal family is almost negligible. Alina, if you reach the level of a seventh-tier mage, neither your family nor the kingdom will pose an obstacle. The world will be your oyster!”

Larson looked on with admiration.

“Alina, did you hear? This is the wisdom of the elders. True, you are of noble birth, but without sufficient strength, your future will merely be a pawn in family alliances. Even reaching the level of a mid-tier mage would command respect from your family’s patriarch.”

Alina held herself in high regard, and Dick’s additional words were meant for her benefit. Both her mental and elemental affinities were average, but she was still a talent. Talents who do not strive...

“I won’t be part of any marriage alliances,” Alina declared. Having witnessed numerous family members marry for political advantage, she was disillusioned with the lack of freedom in such unions. Even a nearly ten-year-old girl yearned for freedom.

“Alina, do you have any other good things? Quickly show me some respect. In the future, if I advance to a seventh-tier warrior, I’ll definitely watch over you. Hehe!”

“Go away! I’ll definitely reach the level of a seventh-tier mage before you.”

“Haha!” Larson and Taita outside the carriage laughed. Children of similar ages getting along well was a good thing. No one is an island; in this world, having friends is essential. Alina’s magical aptitude was exceptional, and Dick’s advanced martial arts training indicated promising future strength.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

This world is harshly realistic: without talent, potential, or strength, who would care about you? Who would befriend a fourth-tier mage when one is merely a novice warrior?

If Larson, who sensed Dick's advanced martial arts training, cared about Dick, it was because of his potential.

Here, only Alina, being young and somewhat naive, was not yet entangled in such complexities. Whether it was Dick, with his past life’s experience, or the seasoned Larson and Taita, they were all astute individuals.

The caravan finally reached the city gates of the capital. Despite the grandeur of the city, Dick felt no sense of awe. In his past life, he had seen far grander scenes.

The noble caravan of Alina’s family made things much easier, and Dick benefited from it, smoothly entering the capital.

The family’s caravan had its own business in the capital, so it split into two groups. Alina’s carriage, besides Larson, had only a young steward and two warriors accompanying.

Continuing with them was fine. They had become familiar on the journey, and accompanying Alina for meals and drinks was quite pleasant. With Alina’s noble background, the food was excellent. Dick had no qualms about taking advantage.

“Shall we go straight to the Magic Academy to register?” Dick asked.

“Of course, the registration period lasts two months and is open at any time. The inn is noisy and unsuitable for mage training. It’s better to enter the academy early, as its environment is more conducive to training.” Alina, lively in nature, was evidently diligent in her studies. Magic training was even more arduous than martial arts.

“Then let’s go. Perhaps I do have a talent for magic, hehe!”

The carriage had not traveled far when they arrived at the Magic Academy.

“Didn’t they say the registration period lasts two months? Why are there so many people?” Dick observed the long queue outside the Great Yan Magic Academy.

“It’s not surprising. At this time every year, there’s a free magical aptitude test. At least, all the children of the capital come to try their luck. If they do have magical talent, it’s a huge opportunity. Commoners usually queue up, while nobles don’t have to.” Alina was well-informed.

“Then I’ll stay with you,” Dick shamelessly said. “Let’s just say I’m your distant cousin.”

“Shameless, you’re only a month younger than me.”

“I’m taller than you, hehe!”

The young steward presented the noble credentials, and Dick indeed followed Alina inside.

As for Dick’s insignificant status as a baronet’s servant, it was not worth mentioning in the capital. Dick kept it hidden.

True nobles had surnames, like Alina’s surname, ‘Brook’. Since Dick’s family had no surname, he brazenly added ‘Brook’ to his name during registration, fitting the role of a distant relative.

As long as Alina did not deny it, the academy would not investigate further. The Brook family had a long lineage, and distant relatives were numerous.

Inside the courtyard, besides Alina and Dick, there were about fifty other children waiting. Magical aptitude tests were not conducted one by one; magic instructors did not have the time to attend to each individually.

“Alina, you’re here,” a handsome young man approached. It seemed Alina had encountered someone familiar, likely of significant standing, given his approach to the earl’s granddaughter.

“Yes, Borg. Where’s Angel? Didn’t you come with your sister?” Alina’s tone was less than warm.

“My sister’s temperament… she arrived half a month ago and has already been admitted. She’s through the test,” Borg replied, apparently accustomed to Alina’s cool demeanor. “And this is…” Borg scrutinized Dick, who was poorly dressed. Even Alina referred to him as a bumpkin.

“A distant relative,” Alina said offhandedly.

A distant relative? Since Alina said so, Borg refrained from probing further. What kind of relative would have the right to sit with Alina? Perhaps this bumpkin had some exceptional magical talent. That was the only plausible explanation.

In a prominent family, a poor relative with high magical talent was still worth wooing. A powerful mid-tier mage would benefit the family.

As for Dick, he preferred to keep quiet in the presence of strangers. What if he gave himself away? He decided to get through the magical aptitude test first.