Cycle of Destiny

Chapter 6 Cavill's Visit

Despite his heroic deeds, Cavill's notorious misdeeds are equally unforgettable. If justice truly exists, even if he escaped the hanging, he should have spent his remaining years in prison, despised by the world. Yet, the goddess of fate's favoritism towards this lecherous man is so great that even her most devout followers might question the very doctrine she preaches.

After founding the academy, the Holy Mage refused the proposal to erect a statue in his honor in the central square, declined an inscription in the Hall of Fame, and even declined the title of Honorary Dean, leaving quietly behind. This founder of the academy, the innovator of magic, and the strongest mage of his time, and indeed of history, relinquished even the fame that the world sought after, after reaching the pinnacle of his exploration of power. This indifference to empty titles adds another layer of sublimity to his greatness.

Ultimately, magic is the art of pursuing power. A playboy who achieves great success in the world of romance cannot gain respect in a magic academy that pursues the mysteries of magic simply by virtue of his charming demeanor and charisma.

But for some reason, that great and noble holy mage personally recommended Cavill to serve as the magic deacon.

Now, as a deacon who has served since the academy's founding, wealth, status, and prestige are pouring in upon Cavill. He treats life like a playground, navigating it with the grace of youth and the allure of a smile, and the rewards he reaps are undeniably substantial. If he were to remain in this position for another twenty years—which, given his current robust health, is certainly not impossible—he might become the longest-serving deacon in the academy's history. Good heavens, perhaps a statue could even be erected, forever enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Of course, the pedestal would undoubtedly bear the inscription: Success is inseparable from opportunity.

……

Just then, Harry noticed an unusual fluctuation coming from the magic house—a signal that a visitor was coming.

The academy assigns each mage a residence with built-in defensive magic, which the owner controls. If anyone nearby uses magic, the barrier ripples, alerting the owner of the magic house. The higher the mage's rank, the better the materials used in their assigned magic house, and correspondingly, the higher the level of defensive magic. Harry's magic house only has level one defensive magic, and it's built with just ordinary wood. Fortunately, the built-in barrier effect of the defensive magic prevents it from getting too hot in summer or too cold in winter.

Harry opened the wooden door, and a man in a red mage's robe smiled at him, his expression gentle and friendly. The silver magic badge on the man's chest was particularly striking—a shield-shaped pattern interwoven with scepters and ivy leaves, surrounded by a ring of olive branches. Harry understood that the scepter on the badge represented "management," and coupled with the striking red robe—there was no doubt that this was the academy's magic deacon.

The academy's emblems are all made of mithril. It is well known that most metals have a natural aversion to magic, but mithril is different. It not only has no resistance to magic, but is actually remarkably compatible with it. Adding a fingernail-sized amount of mithril to an ordinary longsword is enough to overcome any obstacles and achieve enchantment. As a symbol of magicians, it is only natural that mithril was chosen as the material for the magic emblems.

As a novice mage, Harry's robes were plain black, and his badge was a simple, round, silver plaque without any sharp edges, with a single ivy leaf engraved in the center and fine wavy edges on the leaf.

The robes of intermediate mages are blue, and their badges are shield-shaped with two overlapping ivy leaves in the center, surrounded by a ring woven from laurel branches.

As for the high-ranking mages, they wore grey robes. Their emblem consisted of two connected shields with three ivy leaves in the center, surrounded by a wreath of thorns and laurel.

The ivy leaves on the emblem symbolize "tenacious vitality" in ancient language, representing the natural deity who bestows magic upon magicians; while the shield-shaped outline represents "the responsibility of protecting knowledge and companions." The higher the rank, the more complex the combination of the number of leaves and the shield.

Magic deacons are the only magicians in the academy authorized to wear two badges: in addition to the deacon badge, which represents their position and is engraved with a "scepter," they should also wear a rank badge that matches their strength.

However, Cavill deliberately concealed the junior mage badge that should have accompanied him, leaving only the deacon badge that symbolized power. He was also the only magic deacon in the academy who wore only one badge, and this understated thoughtfulness perfectly demonstrated his experience and meticulousness in handling matters.

Besides the distinctiveness of his red outfit and badge, Harry recognized Cavill for another reason—Harry knew Cavill.

Although Cavill now held a high position and no longer worried about money, he still retained the habit of borrowing money from others—albeit in very small amounts. Harry had encountered him a few times on the street, and each time a few copper coins were borrowed from him. Of course, this money was never returned.

On the continent of Arcanos, one gold coin can be exchanged for one hundred silver coins, and one silver coin for one hundred copper coins. The amount Kavil borrowed was insignificant; it was more like a nostalgic reminiscence of yesterday's good times.

Harry had already heard about being accepted as an apprentice before Kavil even arrived. So when he saw the deacon, he wasn't surprised at all. He casually deactivated his defensive magic and politely invited the other man into the house.

"What brings you here, Deacon?" Harry pretended not to know anything.

"Just call me Cavill," the other person smiled. "Speaking of which, I'm a low-level mage, just like you."

Harry has always regarded Cavill's experience as a guiding light. Meeting him in person today, he can see that it truly lives up to its reputation.

"My magic house is very simple; I'm afraid I can't invite you to sit down while we talk."

Upon hearing this, Cavill glanced around the room—a bed, a wooden bookshelf with a lone copy of "Tales of Magic" on it. This book was quite obscure; most magicians wouldn't even bother reading it.

A wooden stool sat in the corner, hardly suitable for a high-ranking deacon to sit on, along with a bronze mirror. Besides that, there was only a table with a large piece of monster meat on it. Most puzzlingly, there was a small stove made of bricks and stones, clearly for cooking the monster meat. However, mages never cared much about food and drink, and the monster market provided ready-made bread, beef, mutton, and vegetables daily—cheap and convenient—so there was no need for them to cook.

Although rumors circulated that Harry had a magical pet, Cavill hadn't found a trace of it in the house, nor had he ever heard of any magical beast that had to be cooked.

These thoughts swirled in his mind, but he didn't show it on his face. A smile remained on his lips as he calmly replied, "Simplicity is a magician's virtue."

These words increased Harry's admiration for Cavill even more. Only then did he take a closer look at the other man's appearance.

Cavill's red robe was exquisitely crafted, accentuating his broad shoulders and robust physique. It's said he was exceptionally handsome in his youth, and now it's easy to believe. His fiery red hair was neatly combed, his blue eyes, weathered by time, remained bright, and his face was clean-cut; even past forty, his former handsomeness was still evident. Add to that the gentle smile on his lips, and he was simply pleasant to look at, not to mention his genuinely sincere demeanor.

"Actually, I sent my magic assistant this morning to invite you to my residence for a detailed discussion, but he didn't see you. After thinking about it, I decided to come myself," Cavill continued. "I'm here to congratulate you on becoming Lord Odel's personal disciple. With the Archmage's personal guidance, coupled with your own hard work, the academy will surely welcome its next legendary figure soon!"

Harry went to the Warcraft Market that morning, so they must have missed each other.

"I hope so too, Lord Cavill."

"Just call me Cavill. Also, Lord Odel has already left the academy."

"Okay, Cavill, he's already gone?" Harry paused, then asked, "Did he leave any messages? Or give me anything?"

"no."

"Did he mention what I should do now?"

"No, not at all."

"When...will he be back?"

"I don't know either. But Lord Odel specifically told me before he left to ask you if there's anything I can help you with."

These words not only failed to answer Harry's questions, but actually made them heavier. He knew perfectly well that he had used only the most basic first-level magic during his test, and its power was mediocre at best; he hadn't even tested the intensity of the senses. He could only guess that perhaps the holy mage possessed some kind of wondrous ability of insight… but if that were the case, the holy mage would never have chosen him!

What Harry couldn't understand was that since he had taken him as an apprentice, why didn't he give him any tasks, make any demands, or even see him again? Instead, he simply sent Cavill over to ask him what he needed.

What he needs most right now? Of course, it's to plug the hole in his body that keeps leaking magic. But after reading the Holy Mage's "Tales of Magic," he realized that this was just an unrealistic delusion.

Monster meat is cheap, and Harry can easily afford it. His mage robes still don't have any magic circles, and besides his ordinary walnut wand, he has no other magical equipment. Perhaps… he could ask Cavill for help?

But now there is an even more pressing problem waiting for him.

He asked casually, "I heard there will be a magic test in a week, is that right, Cavill?"

"Haha, not bad. This test is very comprehensive. In addition to measuring perception and magic power, there is also an assessment of magical combat. Of course, these are mainly for formal magicians, and the academy will have senior magicians as examiners."

"Shouldn't a low-level mage like me need to be personally assessed by a high-level mage?"

"If you were a low-level mage, of course you wouldn't need that, but as Lord Odel's disciple, it's quite necessary for a high-level mage to help you."

Kavill paused for a moment, then continued, "You don't need to worry. It's mainly because there have been rumors in the academy in recent years that some low-level mages have been using magic potions to cheat and pass the exams. So this is also a test for the formal mages."

Hearing this, Harry felt his palms sweating and his heart sinking as if a stone was pressing down on it.