Andre recognized the special messenger bird at a glance, a tool specifically bred by the School for communication.
He immediately got up and walked to the window, retrieving the letter from the parrot’s beak.
The parrot let out a satisfied cry, then flapped its wings and vanished into the sky.
As he unfolded the paper, his golden slitted pupils swiftly skimmed over the contents, a hardly restrained delight appearing on his face.
The kind of joy was not a polite smile for social occasions but a genuine ecstatic happiness that even made his dragon eyes involuntarily contract and expand.
"Ron is about to arrive at the Royal Capital?"
August noticed the change in his grandson’s expression and inquired. His voice was calm, but his gaze was unusually wary, as if facing a potential threat.
Andre’s lips curled into a smile, his eyes sparkling with a victorious gleam, like a gambler seeing the perfect hand:
"Not only that, he has successfully promoted to Official Wizard."
"What?!" August stood up abruptly, the wrinkles on his face twisting with shock, his eyes wide like bronze bells:
"Promotion? Official Wizard? Nonsense! How could he complete the promotion in such a short time? The School wouldn’t easily grant the Key Potion, it’s simply absurd!"
The elder’s reaction was somewhat extreme, his voice trembling with excitement, even forgetting to maintain his usual calm and restraint.
His wrinkled hand subconsciously clenched, knuckles turning white from exertion, as if wanting to grab the letter to verify for himself.
As a seasoned Advanced Apprentice, he was more aware than most of the difficulties of promotion.
The gap between an Official Wizard and an Advanced Apprentice is a fundamental chasm, not merely an enhancement of ability but a transformation of life form.
No matter how powerful, an Advanced Apprentice is just mortal, while even the weakest Official Wizard has shed most biological weaknesses and limitations, with vastly different lifespans, potential, and magic power application.
"You must have been deceived."
August shook his head, his tone decisive, carrying a senior’s earnest lecture to the younger generation:
"That Ron might have fabricated this lie to exaggerate his prowess in front of you.
Although there are rumors of special ways to advance besides the Key Potion, their success rates are almost negligible. Even with exceptional spiritual talent, without special endowment, success is nearly impossible."
"No, Grandfather, Ron is not an ordinary person."
Andre stated firmly, flames of excitement kindling in his eyes.
The flames were so intense that even August felt a trace of unease.
"If it were anyone else making such claims, I would have doubts."
Andre continued, his voice filled with resolute confidence:
"But with Ron, I have no doubts. Since the first time I met him, he’s shown abilities and potential beyond the ordinary."
His golden slitted pupils gleamed with a peculiar light as if witnessing a great secret:
"He is different, Grandfather. From a sixth-class star candidate apprentice to an Advanced Apprentice, and now an Official Wizard, all these are heralding one truth—he is no ordinary man."
August was silent for a moment, brows furrowed in deep thought.
As an experienced Advanced Apprentice, he had a profound understanding of the challenges of wizard promotion.
To reach Official Wizard status from sixth-class star talent was almost an unheard-of miracle, but if it’s true...
"I hope so."
August finally sighed, his tone harboring doubt and a slight hint of vague expectation:
"The support of an Official Wizard could indeed improve our situation significantly."
Saying so, Andre picked up the bell on the table and gently shook it, the bell’s sound crisp and delightful, with strong penetration.
Soon, an attendant dressed in a red uniform entered the hall, bowed, and awaited orders.
"In three days, I am to hold a grand welcome ceremony."
Andre instructed, eyes sparkling with anticipation, his voice clear and firm:
"Open the city gates wide, let all the townsfolk come out to welcome an imminent esteemed guest.
Dispatch the Royal Guard to kneel ten miles outside the city to greet him, scatter flowers along the roads, receive him with the highest honors. Let it be known to everyone in the city that the Kingdom’s mightiest ally is about to arrive."
The attendant, though surprised, dutifully noted the orders, evidently accustomed to the prince’s recent daring initiatives:
"As you command, Your Highness. May I ask who this esteemed guest is..."
"Wizard Ron Ralph."
Andre’s voice brimmed with pride, as if declaring a great accomplishment:
"An Official Wizard, and the Kingdom’s most crucial ally for the future. I hope this welcome becomes one of the grandest reception ceremonies in the Royal Capital’s history, leaving everyone with a lasting memory of this day."
The attendant’s eyes flickered with astonishment, then he bowed and withdrew, hastily arranging this unprecedented welcome ceremony.
Footsteps echoed on the marble floor, gradually fading away, leaving a room in silence.
August watched all this from the side, his doubts not retreating but rather deepening with concern.
He did not believe in miracles, only in enduring power tested by time.
"You put too much trust in this so-called friend."
The old man slowly rose, his voice low and grave, carrying the authority unique to elders:
"Do not forget, Official Wizards have their own standing and principles, their perspectives already surpass the scale of Kings and Kingdoms.
Once promoted to Official Wizard, their view will be completely changed, and they usually have little interest in the affairs of the Kingdom and mundane world.
You cannot expect a newly promoted wizard to devote much energy to your royal contention, as they have a more vast world to explore."
Andre smiled faintly, a look of confidence in his eyes:
"Grandfather, Ron is different from other wizards.
Our bond is not merely an exchange of status and interests, but a genuine friendship.
Moreover, his coming here indicates he’s taken a liking to some things I currently possess..."
August shook his head, saying no more. He saw that Andre had already made up his mind, and any persuasion would hardly alter his thoughts.
This young man was overly confident, and overly trusting of a wizard named Ron, a combination that often leads to dangerous outcomes in power struggles.
The elder slowly left the hall, his heart filled with anxiety. He did not know what kind of agreement existed between Andre and the wizard named Ron.
But he was certain that the emergence of an Official Wizard would fundamentally alter the future course of the Faruk Kingdom, a change that may be far beyond Andre’s control.
Whether this change is good or bad, it will be profound and irreversible.
The will of a wizard is enough to change the fate of a kingdom.
Just like a stone cast into a calm lake.
Even the smallest ripple can evolve into an unpredictable, immense wave under the push of time.