Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys

After listening to Vinica's narrative, Mary nodded and then turned to Reine, "Lord Reine, I'm really sorry, but it seems we need to set off as soon as possible."

"No problem, Major Mary. However, it's already half past ten, how about we depart after lunch?" Reine said with a smile.

Mary and Vinica exchanged glances, then said with a smile, "Of course, that would be a disturbance to you, Baron Reine."

"You are too polite; it is the hospitality I ought to offer," Reine said, bowing slightly with a smile.

Without needing any further instructions from Reine, the beautiful woman beside them gradually stood up, saying with a smile:

"Baron, I will go and ensure the kitchen prepares something special, so Major Mary and Miss Vinica can enjoy the culinary delights of Meister County."

"Thank you, Jennifer," Reine said with a nod and a smile.

After Jennifer left, Major Mary's beautiful eyes lingered on the woman's retreating figure for a moment before she turned to Reine and said, "Baron Reine, your housekeeper is quite a looker."

"Even in Rosby City, she is extremely rare. From her demeanor, she doesn't seem like a housekeeper but rather like a graceful noblewoman."

Actually, Mary was quite surprised the first time she saw Jennifer.

After some polite conversation, she understood why General Xilva had asked her to try inviting Reine and why he had so easily refused, as if she lacked charm.

Aside from the invitation from the Empire's Sword Bearers, the beautiful woman probably played a significant role.

Understanding this, Mary's mood became even better.

It turned out it wasn't that her own charm was insufficient, but that there was such a 'formidable' beautiful woman present.

Reine smiled and explained, "Major Mary is keen; Jennifer is actually a Baroness. Now, she is the head of the Crowley family, and I was once invited to become the Crowley family's Guardian Knight.

"Later, when I was knighted as a Baron, I didn't have a suitable housekeeper candidate, so the Lady Crowley voluntarily took on the role of steward of the new manor."

After hearing Reine's 'explanation', Mary and Vinica exchanged smiles, as if to say Reine was being somewhat self-deceiving.

Clearly, with such a beautiful woman around, they didn't believe Reine could be so 'gentlemanly.'

However, they were tactful, and the topic did not go any further.

...

Since it was rare to meet a third-level Wizard Apprentice, Reine timely asked Vinica couple of his questions.

"Miss Vinica, may I ask if that white seagull of yours underwent some special transformation? I am eager to know if this is the result of witchcraft or some kind of potion?"

"Of course, Lord Reine, it's a witchcraft refined by my mentor, Wizard Aeneas, known in the navy as 'Aeneas' bird transformation technique.'"

"I see," Reine said thoughtfully.

The fact that the Empire's navy used witchcraft for communication clarified many things.

Previously, he had thought the Empire's elites didn't see wizards as a plague, but rather as an asset; but now it seemed his view was still conservative.

The use of witchcraft within the military communication system indicated a bond between the Empire and the wizards much deeper than he had imagined.

Reflecting on this, Reine felt his previous decision was correct.

As long as he was backed by the Empire and continued to climb up the hierarchies, he should gradually gain access to systematic knowledge of witchcraft.

"Miss Vinica, if I may inquire, I am very interested in your mentor's 'Aeneas' bird transformation technique.' Is it possible for you to sell it to me?"

Reine tried his luck, although he had a premonition.

After all, if he could indeed acquire it, he might be able to increase his Beast Tamer's Profession Level once again in a short period of time.

Furthermore, since her 'Aeneas' bird transformation technique' was some form of witchcraft, he might also simultaneously advance the level of his Wizard Apprentice profession during the learning process.

Two birds with one stone.

"Hmm? Lord Reine, that is witchcraft, it's only for..." Suddenly, Vinica's eyes widened as she stared at Reine, her sentence trailing off abruptly.

Then she pointed at Reine, surprised, and said, "Lord Reine, you...you're actually a Wizard Apprentice!"
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"And, your spiritual power seems to be no less than mine. Are you also a third-level Wizard Apprentice?"

Hearing Vinica's words, Mary next to her suddenly covered her mouth, looking at Reine with surprise.

She really hadn't expected Reine, who had always presented himself with the talent of an outstanding knight, to also be a Wizard Apprentice.

Reine was also quite astonished.

When he asked the question, he had considered that his Wizard Apprentice identity might be revealed.

But unlike before, he was now an Imperial noble, and on the other hand, he had a basic understanding of the Empire's high-level attitude towards wizards.

Therefore, even if it became known to others that he was a Wizard Apprentice, it wouldn't be much of an issue.

What surprised him was that Vinica was able to accurately judge that he was a third-level Wizard Apprentice.

It seemed she must have some type of scouting witchcraft or detection tools at her disposal.