Chapter 26: The Moment of Departure

The red-haired apprentice had likely appeared near Swan City for the same reason as Hutson—to wait for the ship.

Hearing Claude's explanation put Hutson at ease. The red-haired boy's master, if he was even still alive, wouldn't have long left in this world. The threat of future retaliation seemed slim.

"I'll notify you the moment there's news about the ship," Claude assured him. "Until then, focus on learning. I may not be a wizard, but every wizard I've encountered was exceptionally knowledgeable. Remember—knowledge is the sharpest weapon of all."

His eyes softened with nostalgia, as if recalling distant memories lost to time.

Then, with an almost apologetic tone, Claude admitted, "I may be your teacher, but in truth, I've gained more from this than you. My request is selfish—I only hope that one day, you might look after my descendants."

Hutson smiled. "Master, you don't need to say that. You've helped me, so naturally, I will help your family when I can. Everything comes with a price—nothing is free. I understand that well."

Claude burst into laughter. "Hah! You truly have the mind of a wizard!"

Three Months Later

Time had flown by.

Hutson had spent most of it immersed in the vast archives of Norsent Academy's library.

With AI chip at his side, he recorded every book, scanning them first before selecting the ones he deemed worth reading.

His Starry Sky Meditation Technique had also advanced—the second star had been successfully meditated upon, and he was now attempting the third.

Hutson Merlin:

Strength: 2.1 | Agility: 1.7 | Constitution: 2.9 | Mental Power: 4.6 | Mana: 100%

With each new star successfully meditated upon, his physical attributes saw slight but tangible increases.

Hutson noted an important realization—each new star granted more mental power than the last. The second star had boosted his mental power by 1.1, and later stars would likely grant even greater growth. However, the time required for each successive meditation was also increasing, the difficulty scaling higher with every step.

The Meteor Grass he had acquired was now completely exhausted. Claude had managed to pull some strings and obtain two more stalks, but after that, there was nothing left to be found.

There was no rushing such things—resources on the Colson Continent were simply too scarce.

Meanwhile, Emil had formed a mercenary band alongside Jimmy and their initial recruits. After completing a few successful missions, their reputation had grown, and the group had expanded to over sixty members.

Melissa had plans of her own. She spoke of establishing a merchant caravan in the future. With Emil and his men as armed escorts, trade would be both safe and highly profitable.

As time passed, they each became increasingly preoccupied with their own pursuits. Hutson found himself seeing less and less of them.

And yet…

Since the day he had demonstrated Fireball, something had changed.

Though Jimmy, Melissa, and the others still treated him as a friend, Hutson could sense an undercurrent of fear in their hearts.

They respected him.

But they also feared him.

Even if they acted normal on the surface, he could feel it—a subconscious reverence, as if some invisible barrier had been drawn between them.

The only one unchanged was Emil. He remained as straightforward and honest as ever. Yet, there was a newfound weariness in his expression, a ruggedness that hadn't been there before.

Hutson could tell—Emil had been pushing himself. His strength had improved greatly, and Hutson suspected he was close to breaking through to Great Knight status.

At one point, Hutson had believed Great Knights were the pinnacle of martial strength in this world.

Until…

"Baron Buck concealed his connection to Emil—he was his father, yet even Emil himself was unaware. He must have had a reason… but now, whatever his plans were, they have died with him."

Hutson sighed. Whatever schemes Buck had woven, they had been reduced to nothing but dust.

The Day of Departure

The peaceful days came to an abrupt end with the arrival of spring.

Claude delivered the news—the ship would arrive in Swan City's port within five days.

Swan City's port was massive, the largest in the entire Colson Continent, thanks to its prime geographical location. Merchant vessels came and went in droves, a thriving hub of commerce and travel.

Despite his age, Claude personally came to see Hutson off.

Melissa and Emil were at his side, supporting him.

"Master, you really didn't have to come all this way," Hutson said with a wry smile.

Claude gave a warm, knowing smile. "You're young. You don't understand yet. Once you leave today, we will likely never see each other again. A few extra steps don't bother me."

"Hutson will come visit! Master, you're still in great health!" Melissa chimed in.

She had changed—she was no longer the naïve young girl from before. She had blossomed into a strong, confident woman.

Only a month ago, she had confirmed her pregnancy. Though it wasn't visible yet, the knowledge of new life growing within her gave her a radiant presence.

Their wedding had been a simple affair—a modest meal with friends. A fallen noble had no means for extravagant celebrations.

Claude sighed deeply. "You don't understand, Melissa. The world of wizards is different. A single experiment can last longer than an ordinary man's lifetime. Voyages across the sea are no easy feat—Hutson won't be returning anytime soon."

Emil stepped forward, clasping Hutson's shoulder firmly.

"Don't forget us, you bastard." His voice was rough, but his eyes held undeniable warmth.

"I don't care if you become some high and mighty wizard. You'll always be that kid swinging a sword in the training yard to me."

Hutson nodded, gripping Emil's forearm in return.

The ship awaited.

And so, he turned toward the unknown, carrying with him the weight of the past and the promise of the future.

The Arrival of the Black Ship

Hutson exhaled softly, memories stirring within him—the grueling days of sword training and breath techniques, the relentless pursuit of mastery. A wave of nostalgia washed over him.

Melissa, gently resting a hand on her stomach, spoke with a quiet smile. "You are our child's future godfather. Once you become a noble wizard, don't forget to look out for him."

Hutson nodded solemnly. "It's a shame I won't be here to see his birth. But once I settle in, I'll write to you. We'll keep in touch."

Suddenly, Claude's gaze sharpened. He squinted toward the horizon and murmured, "The ship is here."

The group turned as one, eyes locking onto the distant line where the sea met the sky.

A dark silhouette emerged, cutting through the waves at remarkable speed. At first, it seemed unremarkable, just another vessel on the water. But as it drew closer, Hutson and the others realized—this was no ordinary ship.

It was massive, towering above the standard merchant vessels that frequented Swan City's harbor.

The ship had five decks, its hull wrapped in an unknown black metal, smooth and seamless, gleaming darkly under the sun. It looked more fortress than vessel, exuding an unnatural weight and presence, as though it had sailed through worlds beyond mortal comprehension.

On the deck, a dozen sailors moved with practiced efficiency, adjusting sails, tightening ropes—yet they were no ordinary crew.

Hutson's eyes narrowed.

At least five of them were knight-level warriors.

As the ship maneuvered into the port and came to a precise, effortless halt, the sailors immediately set about unloading cargo, their movements no different from a typical trade vessel.

Yet the air felt different.

Claude, hands behind his back, explained in a steady tone. "This ship belongs to a wizarding organization from the Karag Continent. 

Their primary operation? Commerce. They fund themselves through vast trade networks, using ships like these to traverse dangerous waters and conduct high-value transactions."

He glanced at the hull. "These vessels are built to withstand threats from both man and nature. Their crew is elite, and most importantly—there's always a full-fledged wizard onboard. That's what makes them untouchable."

Hutson absorbed the information. "So transporting apprentices like me… is just an afterthought."

Claude nodded. "Exactly. If they come across wizard apprentices along their route, they take them aboard. If not, it makes no difference to them."

Hutson's gaze drifted toward the bow of the ship, where a lone figure stood motionless.

A black-hooded man watched the scene unfold, his presence exuding a palpable aura of magic.

AI chip flashed an urgent warning.

"Alert! High-energy magical source detected!"

Hutson's eyes sharpened. "So… that's the wizard in charge."

As if sensing his gaze, the hooded figure turned toward Hutson.

Then, without hesitation, he descended the gangway, his steps slow yet deliberate, heading directly toward them.

The meeting was about to begin.