Chapter 36 A New Beginning

"Once you've finished, sign here," Larry pointed to a blank space at the bottom of the form.

Hutson gave the parchment one last careful review, ensuring every necessary detail had been filled in. Then, with a firm stroke, he signed his name:

Hutson Merlin.

The moment his quill left the paper, blue flames ignited across the document. Instinctively, Hutson flinched, but there was no heat—only the ethereal flickering of arcane fire.

The flames consumed the form swiftly, reducing it to nothingness, leaving not even a trace of ash.

"Welcome to Moonlit Woodland," Larry said, his voice steady, almost indifferent.

Jennifer, without looking up, tore off a small slip of paper and stamped it with such force that the desk shuddered under the impact. Hutson couldn't help but wonder how the fragile paper hadn't crumpled under such weight.

"Take this to the Supplies Office," she instructed, passing the slip through the window.

Hutson examined the note. It listed his basic information and an inventory of items he was to receive:

One apprentice's robeOne Arcane Network Rune StoneThree Course Selection VouchersA dormitory in the Northern WoodlandsFirst-tier Library Access CardOne Mana Stone(And more… the list was extensive.)

The Supplies Office was crowded, the queue snaking through the hall.

As they approached, murmurs rippled through the apprentices waiting in line.

"Master Larry!"

"Good evening, Master Larry!"

"Oh? A new apprentice? And a rather handsome one at that!"

"Master Larry, when will your herbalism classes resume? Or can we pay for private lessons?"

The greetings piled up as more apprentices turned their heads, eager to catch a glimpse of the usually elusive instructor.

Larry's expression remained cold. "I've been busy with experiments. No time for classes, nor private lessons."

Hutson turned to him. "You're an herbalism instructor, Master Larry?"

"I usually teach Herbalism and Alchemy," Larry confirmed. "But I've had no time to hold classes recently."

After some waiting, Hutson finally reached the front of the line. He signed another form and received his apprentice gear.

The apprentice's robe was a muted gray-brown, incredibly soft to the touch. A faint magical aura pulsed within the fabric—imbued with basic spell resistance, providing a layer of protection against magical attacks.

The Arcane Network Rune Stone was a rectangular, translucent crystal. As Hutson channeled a small pulse of magic into it, a glowing interface projected before his eyes, displaying menus labeled: Contacts, Course Schedule, Missions, Tavern Gossip…

Larry retrieved his own rune stone, showing an identical display.

"The Arcane Network was developed jointly by our wizarding organizations across Karag," Larry explained. "It has existed for over two thousand years, primarily as a means of information exchange."

"This rune stone is extremely important—you need to learn how to use it. Through it, you can communicate with other wizards, check class schedules, register for courses, and even browse missions posted by others. Your unique ID number is in the top-right corner. Others can add you as a contact using this number."

"So… it's basically a magical communicator?" Hutson said, quickly grasping the interface. Within moments, he had already added Larry as a contact.

Next were the three green Course Selection Vouchers, each stamped with the emblem of Moonlit Woodland—a silver moon casting light over a dense forest.

Larry explained, "Many full-fledged wizards offer specialized courses. You must register at least a week in advance. The course schedule will list all available subjects, along with locations and instructors."

"Most classes require payment in gold or mana stones. Some instructors also have additional requirements—like bringing rare materials in exchange for entry. However, these three vouchers allow you to enroll in any standard course for free."

Larry's tone turned serious. "Choose wisely—these are valuable. Don't waste them on advanced courses you won't understand yet."

Hutson nodded. "Any recommendations, Master Larry?"

Larry thought for a moment. "You should take 'Fundamentals of Spell Model Construction' by Master Oleg Zotyev and 'Principles of Meditation' by Lady Lori Evane. These two will serve as a solid foundation. As for the third choice, that depends on your own interests."

"Understood. Thanks, Master Larry." Hutson grinned. "And when your herbalism or alchemy classes open, I'll definitely enroll."

Larry smirked slightly. "Herbalism and alchemy require money—experiments are expensive. If you don't have the funds, you won't get far."

Hutson pulled out the black mana stone from his belongings. "How much is this worth?"

Larry glanced at it. "Market value is 100 gold coins. But no sane wizard would sell a mana stone for gold. If you did, people would think you were a fool. Wizards prefer trading mana stones directly—they're used as currency for high-level transactions."

With that, they left the Administration Hall and set out toward the Northern Woodlands Dormitories.

Hutson retrieved a copper key, attached to a wooden tag engraved with his room number:

Northern Woodlands, Room 443.

Despite how vast Moonlit Woodland had appeared from the outside, it was even larger within.

The two walked through winding streets and alleys for nearly half an hour before finally reaching the Northern Woodlands.

This district was a sprawling forest, thick with ancient trees. Hidden among the dense foliage were rows of three-story wooden cottages.

Each of these belonged to an apprentice.

Here, in the heart of the enchanted forest, his new life as a wizarding apprentice truly began.

As Hutson made his way toward Room 443, he couldn't help but notice the diversity of the houses around him. No two were alike. Some were painted in vibrant, unconventional colors, while others blended seamlessly into the natural surroundings. A few had small gardens, meticulously tended, with rows of herbs and vegetables flourishing under the moonlight.

Larry, walking beside him, explained, "Once a house is assigned to you, it's yours. You're free to modify it however you like."

Hutson's curiosity stirred. "Where do you live, Master Larry?"

"I live in the town," Larry replied.

"The town?"

Larry stopped in his tracks, glancing back toward the cluster of grand buildings they had passed earlier. "That area we walked through earlier is what we call the town—only full-fledged wizards are allowed to reside there. The Northern Woodlands is typically reserved for apprentices. That said, some wizards choose to stay here even after advancing—it all depends on personal preference."

He added, "The houses in town are enchanted with spatial magic—they may look modest from the outside, but inside… they're much larger than they seem."

"I see," Hutson mused. He found himself drawn more to the solitude of the forest cottages than the bustling town. The idea of a quiet, secluded home surrounded by nature felt more appealing—perfect for both meditation and magical research.

At last, they reached Room 443.

Larry gave a small nod. "This is your place. My job here is done. If you have any more questions, you can visit the Administration Hall—someone there will assist you."

And with that, Larry vanished in a swirl of smoke, disappearing into the night before Hutson could even utter a word of thanks.

"…That was fast." Hutson muttered, half-impressed, half-amused.

He turned back to face his new home.

A three-story wooden house, nestled deep within the dense woodland. Towering trees surrounded it, their canopies weaving a natural barrier against the outside world. A stream ran not far from the house, its waters flowing with a soothing, rhythmic murmur.

The air smelled of damp earth and fresh pine.

The house stood in perfect harmony with the landscape. It lacked the warmth of human presence, yet it exuded an undeniable aura of mystery and magic—a place where a wizard could study, experiment, and grow in power without distraction.

Yes… this would do.

Hutson stepped forward, gripping the key in his hand.

His journey as an apprentice of Moonlit Woodland was just beginning.