The exquisite goblet was filled with fragrant wine.

On the dining table in front of Nidhogg, there were nearly seventy to eighty types of sauces like foie gras and berry sauce, not to mention the various intricately crafted roasts he had never seen before.

It was unbelievable that Nidhogg, upon his first visit to the mayor’s mansion, had the honor of dining with the mayor himself.

Of course, this was all thanks to the great wizard sitting nearby.

"Nidhogg," the wizard suddenly called out.

Nidhogg quickly set down his knife and fork, standing to bow. "Yes, sir."

"Yes. What I want to say is, children whose mental strength naturally grows to 10 often sense their talents during the crystal ball test, which is crucial for your development as wizards in the future. Never forget what happened during the test. When you advance to become a wizard, you must leverage your talents for development," the wizard's voice was somewhat neutral and hoarse, as if his throat had issues or maybe like a parrot mimicking inside his robe.

"Yes, sir," Nidhogg respectfully replied.

His talent? Those bizarre, strange phenomena?

Nidhogg hardly thought those oddities could be allies or aids; given their peculiar nature, they seemed more likely to be adversaries.

The wizard then turned his attention to the mayor's daughter, Nina, and Wade, the son of the Moon Bay Tavern owner.

"Neither of you has mental strength reaching 10, which usually disqualifies you from becoming wizard apprentices. However, for wizards, external conditions are merely auxiliary; wisdom is the true source of power. To a wizard, knowledge is more important than any so-called talent."

"Yes, sir," they both answered in unison.

"Haha, Master, you’ve come a long way, so let me entertain you properly today. Come, Master, try these rare delicacies from the Southern Endless Sea," the mayor, dressed in grand noble attire, beamed as he beckoned. From afar, eight beautiful maids brought eight dishes, placing them before the mayor, the mysterious wizard, and the six wizard apprentices.

Nidhogg looked at the dish before him, containing what seemed like a simple shell, frowning.

This is a rare delicacy? How do you eat it?

"Beauty Shell! Haha, the last time I tasted this rare delicacy was on a mission at the Southern Endless Sea over a hundred and twenty years ago, and I hadn’t seen it since. I never expected to savor it again at the Eastern Coral Islands. Mayor, you’ve gone to great lengths," the wizard seemed particularly fond of this strange food called Beauty Shell, as could be heard from his excited tone.

"Haha, please."

Besides the mayor, Nina, and the mysterious wizard, the remaining five wizard apprentices stared blankly, not knowing how to taste the so-called Beauty Shell.

Nidhogg closely studied the mayor's every move; he watched the mayor's chubby hands, adorned with seven radiant rings, lightly lift the Beauty Shell from the plate and casually crack it open.

The following scene left Nidhogg wide-eyed in shock.

Inside the shell was indeed a lifelike miniature woman, though she appeared like a soft-bodied creature without any clothes or bones, curled up and sleeping inside the shell.

However, once the shell was opened, the sleeping "beauty" inside began to slowly awaken, looking around in confusion.

"Heh heh," the mayor smiled broadly, bringing the shell to his lips, and just as his thick lips puckered as if to suck the bewildered "beauty" into his mouth, the creature seemed to realize its plight. It desperately tried to crawl away, emitting shrill cries like a newborn mouse.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

However, with a forceful slurp, the mayor swallowed the cries into his mouth, and they echoed from his stomach.

"Ah... truly wonderful."

The mayor casually tossed the empty shell aside, closing his eyes in blissful enjoyment.

The wizard and Nina had also consumed their Beauty Shells, showing no signs of concern.

Seeing the five hesitant wizard apprentices, the wizard shook his head and said, "For wizards, deliciousness is secondary; the most important aspect of the Beauty Shell is its ability to purify fire elements. If any of you develop an interest in fire element research, the Beauty Shell could aid you significantly."

Pausing briefly, the wizard continued, "Of course, there's also a rumored curse of the sea associated with it. After consuming a Beauty Shell, your flesh might exude a scent particularly enticing to sea demons."

Nidhogg was the first to act!

Desiring to impress the wizard, Nidhogg closed his eyes, lifted his head, and, with great resolve, allowed the shell’s beauty to slide into his mouth, down his throat, and into his stomach.

He could even hear the desperate screams in his belly.

Suppressing the odd sensations and overwhelming nausea, Nidhogg nonchalantly began eating fresh beef with foie gras.

The other three boys, Yorkris, Wade, and Giron, looked grim but eventually swallowed their Beauty Shells, filling the hall with faint cries resonating from their stomachs.

Only Yorkris’ sister, Yorkliana, hesitated and ultimately pushed the Beauty Shell away.

A bright young girl indeed.

Overall, the banquet proceeded smoothly, and Nidhogg witnessed the true lavishness of nobility.

According to Nidhogg's estimate, the main course ingredients alone at this banquet would cost no less than two hundred gold coins. As for the Beauty Shells, such "rare delicacies" were beyond price.

The next day, Nidhogg hurried to the viscount’s estate to retrieve his old cart, drawing eye rolls from Nina and Wade behind the wizard. Was he really delaying everyone for that rickety cart?

How much could that cart be worth?

"Scoundrel, didn’t you hear yesterday? Come back again and I’ll break your legs!" the old butler yelled, seeing Nidhogg rushing over.

Despite his anger, the butler hoped Nidhogg would relent and pay the bribe today because he realized yesterday he hadn't found a suitable replacement.

If the evening's banquet at the viscount’s estate wasn’t prepared on time, it would be a serious problem.

"Uh..."

Nidhogg glanced at the estate’s courtyard, spotting his cart. It had been pulled inside by the estate staff.

"Sir Butler, I'll just grab my cart and be on my way," Nidhogg said.

Becoming a wizard apprentice was a monumental opportunity for him, so much so that he wouldn’t mind leaving behind the gold coins at home, yet he was reluctant to part with the old horse.

After all, it was Old Nero's legacy, and Nidhogg felt a connection, not wanting to abandon it.

"Uh..."

The old butler froze for a moment, not expecting Nidhogg to say that, followed by a burst of fury.

"Insolent scum! You peasant! Get out and take your cart with you. Skarda, throw him out!"

The old butler truly intended to keep the cart for himself.

Seeing the burly figure lumbering toward him, Nidhogg swallowed nervously. Just then, a cold voice called from afar, "A wizard's dignity must not be violated!"

A beam of black light shot toward the towering figure approaching Nidhogg. The knight, quick to react, dodged awkwardly, and the beam hit the gate of the viscount’s estate, turning into a swarm of terrifying black insects.

Each insect was as small as a fingernail, equipped with translucent wings and fearsome jaws, numbering in the thousands.

Seeing this, the knight's face turned pale as he shouted, "Mercy, Master Wizard!"

"Hmph!"

The wizard remained indifferent; for a true wizard, a knight was merely a larger, more easily dispatched insect.

Unless this knight advanced to become a legendary knight, he posed no real threat to a wizard.

Muttering an incantation, the wizard pointed a finger, and the pleading knight began to morph slowly into a pig!

Beside him, Nidhogg was so shocked his jaw almost dropped. Had the knight really turned into a pig?

The swarm of black insects surged forward, and with dreadful cries, the pig-knight was devoured completely.

Meanwhile, the old butler was utterly horrified. Used to bullying servants and farmers, he was now dumbfounded by the screeching pig.

Suddenly, a long tongue shot out with incredible speed, pulling the old butler from sight in an instant.

"Gurgle gurgle..."

A giant frog with red eyes gradually shrank to palm size, hopping into the wizard's hand.

Seeing this astonishing display of power left the onlookers in awe, staring at the mysterious wizard with fear. Nidhogg, too, was speechless, witnessing such bizarre acts of killing for the first time.

A profound silence enveloped the surroundings, so still that a pin drop would be audible.

Is this the power of a wizard? The dignity of a wizard must not be violated!?

Indeed, for ordinary people, a wizard wielding magic was terrifying.

Clenching his fists tightly, Nidhogg vowed that he, too, would become a wizard one day. When that day came, anyone who dared offend him would be erased without a trace!

A deep yearning burned within Nidhogg.

Regaining his composure, he swallowed and steadied himself, then led his old cart to the blacksmith’s shop to say his final goodbyes to the wide-eyed Sixth Brother.

"Hey, hey, Old Eight, is it true? Are you really going to become a wizard?" Sixth Brother asked for the seventh time, incredulous.

Nidhogg gave a wry smile, "Just a wizard apprentice..."

"Yeah, yeah, wizard apprentice... you're really going to become a wizard?" Sixth Brother asked for the eighth time, and Nidhogg could only smile in response.