Wizard: I brought the wrong system.

Chapter 209 Wizard Apprentice
Claire lost.

The defeat was inevitable, utter, and left no room for retaliation.

Even—the defeat was somewhat inexplicable.

What he didn't know was that the system in Yaro's mind had generated data that could only be described as humiliating.

……

[Ding! Defeat the enemy, Solar Fist gains 5 skill experience points]

[Ding! Defeat the enemy, and the Fiery Sword Technique has gained 4 skill experience points]

[Converted into personal experience, personal experience points increased by 4]

[Remaining skill points: 1]

[Personal Level LV21: 552/30000]

……

The two experience points combined are less than ten points, not even one-twentieth of the experience given by the leopard.

This experience value doesn't mean Claire is too weak, but rather it reflects the different outcomes of the battles.

When Yaro was young, he sparred with dozens of peers every day, but even in the last period, when those children had all grown up, he never gained more than twenty experience points each time.

Claire sprang to her feet, ignoring the dust clinging to her armor, and stared intently at Yaro, demanding, "Who... are you?!"

The entire manor was silent.

There were no surprises upon seeing the Baron; everyone silently looked at the dark-faced boy dressed in a comical bearskin.

Yarrow plunged his cross-shaped sword into the ground, lightly touched his shoulder with his fingertips, bowed slightly, and gracefully performed an apprentice's salute, a smile on his face:

"Honorable knight, please allow me to reintroduce myself once again."

By pointing out Claire's profession, Yarrow was reminding him that he was just like Claire, only that he had studied something different.

"I am a lost traveler and also a wizard. I am very grateful for your shelter and for your generous gifts."

Yarrow deliberately emphasized the word 'gift' just to remind Claire—you've already lost, don't forget the ten gold coins!
Claire ignored what Yaro said next, instead focusing on the word 'wizard,' murmuring it to herself as if she were pondering something.

The surrounding guards were in an uproar and began to whisper among themselves.

Aren't all wizards frauds?

"Don't talk nonsense. When I was a child, I broke my arm once. My father took me to see a wizard. The wizard just pulled my arm and I was fine."

"Yes, I've experienced that too! When I was a child, I was sick, and a wizard burned a piece of paper for me to drink, and I immediately recovered!"

“I heard that a shaman came to the village where I was born; it was very mysterious.”

"The wizard told my fortune. He had me draw a few cards and said that my luck would change when I turned forty, and that I would be rich and powerful in the future. I just have to wait another year, and I will be forty!"

"I've calculated it too, it's all fake, it's useless."

……

When information relies on word of mouth, true and false information are mixed together, and even the wisest cannot discern the truth of the world, let alone most people who cannot be called wise.

Even in Aro's previous life, before information was developed, there were still many strange and wonderful tales.

But when that information is put under the spotlight, how many of them can withstand scrutiny?

The reverse is also true.

When the extraordinary truly exists, who among those who have not come into contact with those powers can truly discern them?
Amidst the hushed whispers around her, Claire stopped muttering and looked at Yarrow with a puzzled expression, as if to say, "Is this the wizard you were talking about?"

Yaro smiled slightly and spread his hands.

Hula——!
The air surged, dust billowed, and a whirlwind swirled around Yarrow.

boom--!
A wave of heat swept through, flames soared into the sky, and a blazing fireball ignited in mid-air above Yaro's left hand.

Crash-!
As the mist condensed, a stream of water gradually emerged from the void and gathered on the right hand.

dong dong dong——!
The ground gradually surged, forming steps of earth beneath Yaro's feet, propelling his body higher and higher.

The boy in the light calmly said, "I am—a wizard!"

Everyone stared wide-eyed, dumbfounded at the magnificent, godlike figure in the light.

thump!
The horse-faced guard knelt down, prostrating himself on the ground, and pleaded in a trembling voice, "My lord—please forgive my offense!"

After seeing the horse-faced guard kneel down, the other guards who had been jeering earlier quickly followed suit and knelt down as well.

It seems that this triggered a "leader effect," with some guards following suit—if everyone else is kneeling, wouldn't it seem strange if you didn't?

In just a moment, a whole group of people around them knelt down.

Only a few of Claire's personal guards remained, frozen in place, looking around hesitantly, as if they too were struggling with whether or not to kneel down.

Yaro glanced at it but ignored it.

Since it was their own deliberate provocation, Yaro naturally wouldn't blame them.

Asking them to get up would be taking the initiative, so ignoring them and giving them the cold shoulder is the best approach.

As he withdrew his magic and the strange phenomena on his body gradually disappeared, Yaro turned to look at Claire.

At this moment, Baron Claire's face only showed a hint of realization, and he did not show the fear and apprehension that others did.

This confidence comes from one's own strength.

Furthermore, due to his social status, he had vaguely heard about some stories related to wizards during conversations with other nobles.

But the news she heard from others was often exaggerated, and Claire just treated it as a joke and quickly forgot about it.

It was only then that Claire found out.

It turns out—it was all true!
Bang!

The iron fist struck the hard, luminous armor, shaking off much of the dust. Claire bowed solemnly and said, "Claire, a formal knight, greets Your Excellency the Wizard!"

Claire was responding to Yaro's earlier self-introduction.

When Yaro introduced himself as a wizard, Claire responded by identifying herself as a formal knight.

This response implies an underlying message: I understand you are human, and I acknowledge your strength.

As for whether Yaro will get into trouble for saying he is a wizard?

So many fake wizards haven't had any problems, so it's even less of a problem for a wizard apprentice to say such things.

Formal wizards couldn't expect their apprentices to constantly talk about their level of power, nor did they have time to give their apprentices a different name, so it became a tacit custom.

Anyone who practices the path of wizardry can call themselves a wizard.

Perhaps that's why there are so many fake wizards.

……

Claire straightened her back and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Mr. Yarrow, please come in."

He watched Claire guide him to the inner courtyard, and the guards around him diligently picking up the leopard skin and sword sheath from the ground.

Everything became so harmonious.

Yaro thought of a passage.

Tea, serve tea, serve the best tea!

However, that's not entirely true. At least, Claire still maintained a certain arrogance.

The reason they invited me in now is probably just to make sure I'm not some evil being, and to truly allow me to approach the manor's residence.

Thank you for your invitation!

Yaro smiled and nodded, then strode forward.

……

A dreamless night.

Although the mattress was rather simple, Yaro felt that this was the best night's sleep he had had all year.

When the sun was high in the sky and the blinding sunlight streamed in through the window, Yaro finally got up lazily.

Morning glow means stay home; evening glow means travel far.

Last night at dusk, Yaro saw a sunset glow, so it's no wonder the sun is so bright today.

Wearing linen underwear, Yaro got up and walked to the window, staring blankly out the window, enjoying the sunlight, but not knowing what he was thinking.

Outside the window, the sky was clear and the dazzling sunlight bathed the bustling manor in a soft white glow.

In the open space of the manor, children of varying ages were playing and frolicking while training as knights.

They were giggling and laughing, like a flock of noisy little sparrows.

The vibrant noise revived Yaro's spirits.

After leaving the oppressive academy, there was finally a moment of respite.

At this moment, Yaro felt that his breathing was much smoother.

Boom boom boom!
With a few soft knocks on the door, the maid outside called out in a low voice, "Master Wizard?"

That was a test to see if Yaro had woken up, and the reason they came to call him at this time must be because they had something to say.

Yaro snapped out of his daze, turned around and said gently, "The door isn't locked, please come in."

Squeak!

A maid entered carrying a set of clothes, glancing at Yaro discreetly as she respectfully said, "These are clothes that the Baron asked me to tailor. Please try them on and see if they fit, and see if any alterations are needed."

"Thank you, Baron, and thank you too." Yaro was in a very good mood, so his smile was particularly sincere.

The maid was flattered and flustered, saying, "This was all at the Baron's request. You don't need to thank me. Um... I'll take my leave now and won't disturb you while you try on the clothes."

After the maid left, Yaro took a look at the clothes.

Just like the loose linen undergarment that Yaro wore, the material of this outer garment was also very simple. It was just a thick cashmere long coat that had been dyed black, giving it a bit of the feel of a tailcoat, but it was more like a loose trench coat.

Yaro tried it on, and it fit perfectly.

Although trench coats are less demanding in terms of body shape, the main reason is still Claire.

As a formal knight, and having fought Yaro in close combat, Claire would naturally have observed Yaro's physique during their fight.

After tying the belt around his waist and tidying his clothes slightly, Yaro looked at the tall, dark-faced boy in the mirror, scratched his hair, and grinned, "What a handsome young man!"

That's right!

Even though his skin had darkened and his hair had turned yellow, Yaro still thought the young man in front of him was very handsome!

Yes, I guarantee it with the perspective of two lifetimes!
After tucking the longsword into his waistband, Yaro glanced hesitantly at the stinking bearskin coat, thought for a moment, and then decided to leave it where it was.

Like a fish market, you eventually stop smelling the stench.

Yaro hadn't felt anything while wearing it before, but after taking a nice bath yesterday, he simply didn't have the courage to wear the bearskin coat anymore.

Of course, it's impossible for it to be lost.

Let's keep it for now; maybe we can sell it for a good price along with the leopard skin.

Pushing open the door and stepping out of the room, he saw the maid still waiting. Yaro smiled and nodded, praising, "The tailoring is excellent, and it's very comfortable to wear!"

Comfort is relative. Although the material of this garment is not as good as what Yaro has worn before, it is at least many times better than the occasional itching sensation when wearing a bearskin coat.

Compared to the bearskin coat, Yaro could only sigh with relief—finally, he could wear normal clothes again!

“Thank you for your compliment,” the maid said with a slight bow, then added, “The Baron has prepared food for you in the dining room. Would you mind going there now?”

It seems they're getting impatient because of my refusal last night.

That's true. If we wait any longer, it might get dark again.

Yaro smiled and nodded in agreement, "That's perfect, I'm hungry too."

……

Although it's called a restaurant, it's actually just a simple room with a long table set up according to aristocratic etiquette.

Not to mention comparing it to Yaro's grandfather's castle, even the small castle where Yaro lived in his childhood was many times more luxurious than this.

Yaro had no prejudice against this.

He doesn't have any of the spoiled airs of nobles. Even if there's nothing at all, he can still eat while sitting on the ground, let alone a chair for him.

Having memories of his past life and having spent his childhood among a group of rough men, Yaro basically didn't pay attention to these things.

But when he saw the food on the table, Yaro felt a little disappointed.

Mashed potatoes, a few eggs, and a glass of milk—a breakfast perfectly suited to a knight, but not the grand meal Yaro desired.

Claire then removed her heavy knight's armor and changed into an elaborate and luxurious outfit. Judging from the medal patterns embroidered on the outfit, this should be the formal attire of a baron in this land.

Claire was enjoying her meal when she saw Yarrow and asked, "Wizard Yarrow, how did you sleep last night?"

This was not in accordance with aristocratic etiquette, but Yaro did not care. Seeing the tableware set on the long table, he sat down directly opposite Claire and said with a smile, "You can tell from how late I got up. I didn't want to get out of bed when I was sleeping. It was so comfortable."

"I haven't slept in a normal bed in so long, thank you so much for taking me in."

As Yaro spoke, he prepared to pick up his knife and fork, but was quickly stopped by the maid waiting nearby: "Sir, those are what Master Bevin left over. I will bring you new ones right away."

As she spoke, the maid quickly removed the plate in front of Yaro.

Claire then realized what had happened and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, this is my fault. I apologize to you on behalf of Bevan. He just threw a tantrum at me and ran off without even having breakfast."

Bevin?

Claire's son?
Claire doesn't look very old, but many nobles marry and have children very early, so it's normal for them to have sons.

But since Claire already has a son, why didn't his wife come?

The wife of a nobleman is considered the mistress of the house and is required to accompany the guests along with the nobleman.

Yaro laughed nonchalantly, "I saw this untouched breakfast and mistakenly thought it was prepared for me. I was being presumptuous."

As if trying to make amends for her mistake, the maid quickly served a brand new breakfast.

—It looks exactly the same as before.

According to aristocratic etiquette, one should not discuss serious topics while eating. Yaro was too lazy to find topics to talk about, so he casually responded to Claire's boring words and enjoyed his breakfast.

Although the food was simple, it was a delicious meal for Yaro, who had been away from the academy for half a month.

"Thank you."

After Yarrow rinsed his mouth with the water glass from the maid, Claire, who had already finished eating, finally couldn't help but ask, "Those..."

(End of this chapter)