Li De was not like the original Vampire Progenitor, who was oblivious to social graces.

In this world, the relationship between teacher and disciple held special significance. In a sense, a teacher could be equated with a father.

It was akin to going more than two years without contacting one’s family—how could the other party not be angry?

Because of this unique relationship, it was also why Li De had taken Isha as his disciple.

"Teacher."

With a smile on his face, Li De approached Spark and gave a respectful bow, hand on his chest. "For these past two years, I have been so engrossed in the wonders of magic that I lost track of time. I hope you won’t hold it against me, Teacher."

Seeing Spark's disgruntled expression, Li De didn’t give him a chance to speak and continued, "I remember you teaching me at the inauguration of the Crimson Mage Tower.

Magic is sacred and requires us to explore it with the most devout hearts.

These past few years, I’ve poured all my efforts into studying magic, abandoning interactions with nobles and all forms of entertainment, solely to explore magic with the utmost devotion."

His tone was filled with emotion. "But magic is too grand. Despite spending countless hours, I’ve only made slight progress.

Teacher, perhaps you were right—I should work even harder."

Upon hearing this, Spark’s anger dissipated instantly. He saw a reflection of his younger self in Li De.

Back then, he had been just as stubborn about magic, and it was precisely this stubbornness that allowed him to become a grand mage.

Faced with such a diligent and motivated disciple, there seemed to be little to criticize.

He couldn’t very well tell the boy to stop working so hard and spend more time socializing—it wouldn’t be appropriate.

Spark’s rigid expression softened slightly.

"Mm, not bad. It’s a valid excuse. But studying magic shouldn’t always be a solitary endeavor.

You still have your teacher and your peers. Locking yourself away in a mage tower isn’t the only way."

Unaware that he had fallen for the ruse, Spark felt a wave of nostalgia, recalling his own youthful days when he had gone through a similar period.

Li De inwardly smiled. When it came to manipulation, he wasn’t afraid of anyone.

He casually took out the two exquisitely packaged bottles of elven fine wine and handed them to Spark.

"Teacher, this is a fine wine collected by my merchant guild. Perhaps tonight we can share a drink.

I have many questions about magic that I’d like to ask you, the greatest mage of Green City as praised by the common folk.

With your guidance, perhaps all my doubts over the years can finally be resolved."

Hearing Li De’s unreserved flattery, Spark burst into laughter, satisfaction rising in his eyes as he looked at Li De. This diligent and motivated disciple wasn’t half bad.

"You brat, don’t think two bottles of elven fine wine will make up for your mistakes. Come, let’s go upstairs."

On the twelfth floor of the fifty-seven-blade-tall White Tower.

Li De stood before the transparent glass window, his eyes filled with admiration.

This was the first time he had gazed upon the largest city in southern Nolan Empire from such a height.

Standing atop the twenty-plus blade-tall Crimson Mage Tower felt entirely different from standing atop the fifty-plus blade-tall White Tower.

The Crimson Mage Tower only offered a view of the Southern District, while the White Tower allowed one to overlook half of Green City.

The endless expanse of buildings stretched to the horizon, seemingly without end.

At this moment, dusk had just fallen, and the setting sun bathed Green City in its golden glow, making rooftops look as if they were paved with gold pucks.

In the distance, the large clock at the crossroads ticked steadily, its metallic frame reflecting sunlight that appeared somewhat blinding.

The pointed rooftops of houses along the streets resembled sharp daggers piercing the sky.

The streets were like rusted chains, twisting and winding across the city’s skin, leaving behind marks of age.

Further away, the semicircular stained-glass windows of an unknown church depicted various deities.

A heavy medieval ambiance wafted through the air.

"When the White Tower was first built, it wasn’t even as tall as your Crimson Mage Tower. But over the decades, the White Tower has become the tallest mage tower in Green City—no contest!"

Seeing Li De’s admiring expression, Spark proudly raised his head. If not for his disheveled appearance ruining the effect, he would have appeared quite imposing.

Li De shook his head and withdrew his gaze.

Turning around, he sat down at the round table inside the room made of white maple wood.

As for this all-white mage tower, beyond its height, he couldn’t bring himself to appreciate it.

"I believe that under my guidance, your Crimson Mage Tower will, in thirty years—or even twenty—become a fifty-blade-tall mage tower!"

Spark sat opposite Li De with a hint of pride, his tone brimming with confidence.

"Of course, by that time, perhaps the White Tower will become a hundred-blade-tall transcendent mage tower, overlooking this city in the most magnificent way."

Li De found Spark’s strong smell of alcohol amusing. "Should I address you as Your Majesty Spark now?"

Above the transcendent level, one could be respectfully addressed as "Your Majesty."

This title wasn’t the same as the one Li De received as the Vampire Progenitor; it was earned through immense strength that commanded respect.

Spark’s expression stiffened, and his earlier pride vanished. Though he was confident he could reach the transcendent level, it wasn’t happening now.

For over a century, Green City had only produced one transcendent figure. Aside from that individual, no one else in the city—not even the lord of Green City—had the qualifications to be called "Your Majesty."

"Hmph, let me see what this young pup of the Kachar family has discovered over the years. Cast your magic!"

Somewhat embarrassed, Spark decided to discipline his disciple!

Li De quietly developed a bit of affection for this old man who wore his emotions on his sleeve. Dealing with someone like him was far easier than dealing with polished nobles like Winnie.

"Hahaha, are you ready, Teacher? Let’s start with Mage Hand!"

Seeing Li De’s fearless demeanor, Spark smirked coldly. "You brat, if I don’t teach you a lesson today, even the Goddess herself wouldn’t forgive me."

With a snap of his fingers.

A massive pure-white hand, three blades long, appeared in the room.

Li De laughed heartily. Snap.

A pale blue hand appeared, but it was noticeably smaller than Spark’s.

Mage Hand was the simplest spell—even the clumsiest mages knew it. To test a mage’s abilities, the easiest method was to examine their control over magic.

And because Mage Hand was simple, it was easier to discern the caster’s control over mental force and mana.

It was a common method used by mages to test apprentices.

When the two Mage Hands collided, a gust of wind rippled through the room.

But to Spark’s surprise, at the moment of collision, his Mage Hand was crushed by the other.

The immense force nearly caused his Mage Hand to collapse. If not for his powerful mental force instantly stabilizing the magic model, he would have been thoroughly embarrassed.

A flicker of shame crossed his eyes. Another snap.

A second Mage Hand appeared.

The hallmark of a grand mage.

Dual casting.

This was why Level 15 mages were called grand mages, while Level 14 were merely advanced mages.

Level 15 mages could master one of the most powerful casting techniques—dual casting.

Not only did casting time decrease significantly, but they could also cast two spells simultaneously.

Li De found this amusing. This old man truly cared nothing for appearances, blatantly bullying his disciple.

But he wasn’t worried. His improved Mage Hand had undergone a qualitative transformation—quantity couldn’t compensate for quality.

To Spark’s astonishment, Li De’s Mage Hand transformed into a long blade.

Ka-chak, ka-chak~

Just like that, Spark’s Mage Hand was severed.

And it didn’t stop there. Li De’s Mage Hand kept changing every second.

Shield~

Mace~

Hammer~

Finally, it even morphed into a 70% accurate lookalike of Spark himself.

If Spark hadn’t prided himself on being noble and well educated, he might have exploded in shock.

What the hell was this thing? Since when could Mage Hand transform?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com