"Master, you are a noble now," Tia said with a beaming smile as she draped the noble robe of the Christophon family over Kenley and fastened the buttons for him. This robe was made of exquisitely fine fabric, evidently a material exclusive to the nobility. It also featured a special heraldic emblem seared onto it, signifying Kenley's status as a baron and highlighting his noble identity.

  Ever since Kenley had successfully passed Daina's trial half a month ago, he had smoothly gone through the investiture ceremony and officially sworn his allegiance to Duke Christophon, thereby becoming the lord of Deshalin Town.

  Today, he had just received the noble investiture documents and attire sent by Guinevere's messenger. According to Tia, the investiture ceremony was a rather cumbersome and intricate affair. The entire process could be either swift or protracted, yet it was evident that Princess Guinevere had handled it with remarkable efficiency.

  Kenley shook his head."To be frank, there are times when being a noble offers less freedom than being a commoner."

  "Why?" Tia asked, showing curiosity.

  "For example, I have to respond to His Grace the Duke's summons and attend meetings from time to time. I also have to personally attend any parties or balls that are held occasionally. And then there's also..." Kenley expounded on his views at great length.

  Tia couldn't help but giggle."Master, what you've mentioned are actually of great benefit to you. Being summoned by the Duke and frequently attending the feasts hosted by him is a sign of a vassal's favor. Master, surely you don't find these matters overly troublesome, do you?"

  Kenley shrugged his shoulders."Of course not. I'm just voicing some casual complaints." After all, the mindset of a modern person differed significantly from that of someone in the Middle Ages, so Kenley was merely rambling and didn't truly mean that he would shirk his duties.

  He glanced at the time."Well, it's time to pay a visit to the Magician Association today." Kenley had amassed a substantial amount of experience and intended to raise his magician rank to above the third rank and master the third-rank life magic before officially assuming his position.

  When Kenley led Tia to the Magician Association, he unexpectedly encountered someone.

  "Teacher Green?" Kenley exclaimed in surprise.

  "Ah, my excellent student. Are you here to study magic?" Green crossed her arms over her chest, pulled down the brim of her hat, and slowly stepped down from the carriage.

  "It's been less than two months, and you've already been invested as a noble? Moreover, you're a vassal of Duke Christophon? Intriguing," Green said, eyeing Kenley's attire with keen interest.

  Kenley scratched his head."I've merely been fortunate enough to ride on the coattails of Lady Luck. Are you also here at the Magician Association on business, Teacher Green?"

  Green nodded."Indeed, I'm here to consult some books. Since we've chanced upon each other, shall we proceed together?"

  "Certainly, it is my great honor," Kenley said, bowing slightly.

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  However, when Green turned her head and caught sight of Tia, she mused aloud,"Kenley, don't forget about that letter."

  Kenley nodded and fell silent. Naturally, he knew exactly what Green was referring to.

  Over the past two months, that Earl Megan had seemingly vanished without a trace. Ever since the failure of the bandit assassination attempt, he had made no new moves. But to assume that he had given up would be a grave error. The more elusive such an enemy was, the more cautious one needed to be.

  Tia also curtsied to Green. Having heard Kenley talk about Earl Megan, she was well aware that Green had assisted her master, and thus she harbored a considerable amount of goodwill towards Green.

  When the three of them stepped into the Magician Association together, Kenley beheld the following scene: In the tranquil hall of the Magician Association, there was but a single reception desk. Flanking it on both sides were tall bookshelves crafted from evergreen wood, arranged in rows that spread out in a circular pattern to the left and right, resembling a honeycomb and filling the entire hall.

  The reception desk was piled high with thick stacks of books. An elderly man with white hair and glasses was seated on a long rattan chair, poring over an ancient tome. A quill pen, floating in mid-air, was scribbling something, leaving a trail of ink on a pristine white sheet of paper.

  All around were robed magicians wearing pointed hats. Some were using magic to draw books into their hands for perusal, while others were seated on the floor, completely engrossed in the vast ocean of knowledge.

  Although it was the Magician Association, it resembled nothing so much as a magician's library. However, this was merely the first floor. The main edifice of the Magician Association was situated on the third floor, with the first two floors being entirely filled with books.

  "Puffman, it's been a long time," Green said, striding forward with a confident air.

  The elderly man known as Puffman raised his glasses slightly and said, his voice tinged with dissatisfaction,"Green, how many times have I told you? You should address me as President."

  Puffman, at level 70, was a Silver-level Archmage and a true scion of the Silver lineage. He was no ordinary character. Having mastered seventh-rank magic, he was one of the rare Silver-level masters in Marlen Imperial City.

  It was said that he had come perilously close to becoming a Saint Magician, but something had seemingly gone awry during the process, causing him to fail. He had been stuck at the seventh rank for what appeared to be decades.

  Green chuckled softly."Don't I know you? If you were so concerned about worldly titles, would you still be serving as President here?"

  Puffman ignored her and turned his gaze towards Kenley instead.

  "Young man, it's only been half a month, and you're already a third-rank magician. Your magical aptitude is truly astonishing," Puffman said, nodding in satisfaction at Kenley.

  "Wait a moment. Are you saying that this young fellow has been a magician for half a month already?" A flicker of surprise flashed across Green's eyes.

  "You didn't even notice that? Green, you've slipped," Puffman said irritably.

  Green immediately activated the Eyes of the Magic Spring to scrutinize the elemental power within Kenley's body. She exclaimed in astonishment,"It seems I underestimated you, my student."

  "He's your student?" Puffman captured this sentence keenly.

  "My student in magic potions," Green corrected.

  "With such exceptional talent, instead of teaching him magic properly, you're instructing him in magic potions? Green, you ought to reflect on yourself," Puffman said, flipping through the book in his hand before setting it down.

  Green turned to Kenley and asked,"Kenley, would you be willing to study magic with me? With your outstanding magical talent, you could have come directly to me."

  Kenley glanced at Tia and then explained,"Teacher, I'm here today to learn life magic. I wonder if you're proficient in it as well?"

  "Life magic?" She also glanced at Tia. She was certain that Tia was a magician. Could it be that Tia had been teaching Kenley magic?

  "What do you wish to learn?" Green asked, getting straight to the point.

  "Water-based life magic [Rain Summoning], Water-based life magic [Water Concentration], Earth-based life magic [Construction Technique], Earth-based life magic [Soil Cultivation]."

  "Do you intend to become a magical farmer?" Green seemed to have discerned his intention.