The Dark Mage Of The Magus World-Chapter 60: War

"What?"

Hutson stared in surprise. He hadn’t expected Larry to have prepared a backup Dawn Elixir for him.

Larry chuckled, shaking his head.

"I originally intended for this to be a learning experience for you—to help you gain more alchemy practice." He took a sip of coffee, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Dawn Elixirs are far too advanced for someone at your level. I never thought you’d actually succeed."

He set his cup down and leaned forward.

"I’ve seen many wizards in my time, but your talent for alchemy is the best I’ve ever encountered. Among wizardry, your aptitude is about seventy-five points. But for alchemy? Easily ninety-five."

Hutson scratched the back of his head, slightly embarrassed by such high praise.

He knew the truth—Deep Blue had played a crucial role in his success. Without it, he wouldn’t have been able to calculate every microsecond of precision required for the potion’s refinement.

Still, he appreciated the recognition.

"Thank you, Master Larry. And here—this is the extra set of materials you lent me. I didn’t end up needing them."

Larry snapped his fingers, and the materials vanished into his spatial storage.

Then his expression turned serious.

"In a few days, you’ll be a second-tier wizard apprentice." He folded his arms. "The academy may assign you a mission soon."

Hutson frowned. "A mission?"

Larry nodded, his gaze darkening.

"You’ve heard about the situation with Green Lodge, haven’t you?"

Hutson’s fingers tightened slightly around his cup.

"It started as Malcolm’s personal vendetta... but skirmishes like this aren’t uncommon. What’s changed?"

Larry sighed.

"A week ago, first-tier wizards clashed."

The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning.

Hutson’s expression shifted.

This was no longer just a dispute between apprentices.

The moment full-fledged wizards became involved, the conflict had evolved into something far more dangerous.

It was no longer a petty grudge—it was becoming a war between two wizarding factions.

Larry picked up a vial of alchemical liquid, tilting it idly in his hands.

"I can see where this is going." His tone was casual, but his eyes were sharp. "Judging by the volume of potion orders I’ve received from Moonlight Woodland, they’re preparing for something big."

Hutson remained silent, processing the implications.

Larry set the vial down with a clink.

"Neither side wants to back down. At this rate, this won’t be a minor conflict—it’ll become an outright war between Moonlight Woodland and Green Lodge."

Hutson had read accounts of wizard wars before.

When full-fledged wizards fought, even they couldn’t always guarantee survival.

As for wizard apprentices?

They were nothing more than expendable resources.

There were spells and formations specifically designed to sacrifice hundreds of apprentices in exchange for catastrophic magical power.

Larry’s expression darkened as he remembered something from his past.

"The last war I personally witnessed... every day, people died in the most horrific ways imaginable. By the time the war ended, the Northern Forest had gone completely dark at night. There was no one left to light the lamps."

A cold shiver ran down Hutson’s spine.

He hesitated before asking, "Didn’t the apprentices try to escape?"

If war broke out, the smartest choice for weaker apprentices was to run.

Larry gave a bitter chuckle.

"Do you remember the contract you signed when you joined?"

Hutson’s eyes narrowed.

He had a sudden realization.

On the surface, Moonlight Woodland seemed to have very little control over its apprentices.

But in reality—they had methods of keeping everyone in check.

Larry sighed.

"That form you filled out wasn’t just paperwork. It was a contract—embedded with magic. Aside from identity registration and verification, it serves another purpose."

He met Hutson’s gaze.

"If Moonlight Woodland decides to come for you, you won’t be able to run."

Hutson felt a knot tighten in his chest.

It made sense.

Nothing in this world came free.

Moonlight Woodland had provided him with a place to grow stronger, with resources and knowledge—but the moment they needed him, he would be expected to fight.

Like a pawn on a chessboard, waiting to be played.

He swallowed his frustration.

"So when war comes, apprentices like us will have no choice but to follow orders?"

Larry raised a finger, shaking his head.

"Not necessarily. There are four ways out."

Hutson listened carefully.

Become a full-fledged wizard.The contract’s magical restrictions only apply to apprentices.If he advanced to a true wizard, he would be free to choose whether to stay or leave. Request to leave the faction.This was rarely approved.Only apprentices nearing the end of their lifespan were ever granted permission to leave. Live in permanent exile.If an apprentice stayed far enough away, Moonlight Woodland wouldn’t be able to track them.However, since the war had begun, the faction had implemented strict travel restrictions—leaving freely was no longer possible. Accept an external mission.The only legal way to leave the faction now was by undertaking an official mission.These assignments allowed apprentices to travel beyond the controlled borders.

Hutson thought carefully.

"Then my best option... would be to take an official mission and leave under the pretense of work?"

Larry shrugged.

"In theory, yes. But keep in mind, those missions are in high demand. Everyone wants an excuse to get out."

He took another sip of coffee before adding,

"And they don’t last forever. Some last a month, some two. But eventually... you’ll have to return."

Hutson sat back, his mind racing with possibilities.

War was inevitable.

The question was—

Would he allow himself to be a pawn in someone else’s game?

Or would he find his own way forward?

Hutson’s brows furrowed.

What he had once thought to be the safe haven of Moonlight Woodland was now nothing more than a ticking time bomb—one that could drag him into war at any moment.

Before he could dwell on it further, Larry’s voice broke through his thoughts.

"There is... another way."

A knowing smile played at the corners of the alchemist’s lips as he studied Hutson with a piercing gaze.

Hutson felt an uneasy chill creep up his spine.

That look meant something was coming.

"What way?" he asked cautiously.

Larry leaned forward, his smirk widening.

"Become my apprentice."

Hutson wasn’t entirely surprised.

Larry had always been unusually accommodating toward him—but Hutson knew it wasn’t out of kindness.

Larry wasn’t a good man.

He was a practical one.

Every action had a calculated purpose, and Hutson had no doubt that Larry’s interest in him was purely based on potential gain.

But...

If he accepted, he could skip countless detours on his path forward.

Larry chuckled.

"Well, Hutson? Are you willing to become my student?"

Hutson didn’t rush to answer.

Instead, he met Larry’s gaze and asked,

"What do I have to give in return?"

Larry’s smirk turned into a full grin.

"Smart. Good." He waved a hand dismissively. "Relax, I’m not going to ask for your soul."

He leaned back, arms crossed.

"Think of it as a long-term investment. A solid exchange of benefits."

His voice lowered slightly, almost conversational.

"Right now, I help you. In the future, when you have the ability, you help me. That’s all. Wizards don’t deal in sentiment—we deal in value."

Hutson remained silent.

Larry gestured lazily.

"Honestly, everything I’ve given you so far has cost me nothing. A few potions, a little knowledge—trivial."

Then his smirk faded, and his tone became serious.

"Originally, I was going to wait. I planned to observe you longer—until you advanced to third-tier apprentice. That’s when you would have been valuable enough to consider taking on."

He let the words hang between them.

Then he sighed.

"But your alchemical talent changed my mind."

His gaze sharpened.

"You’re already valuable. There’s no need to wait."

Then, for the second time, he extended his hand.

"So? Will you take the offer?"

Hutson chuckled.

Then, with a respectful bow, he answered.

"I greet you, Master Larry."

Larry laughed, clearly satisfied.

"Good. Good."

He clapped his hands together, shifting straight into business mode.

"Now, listen carefully. Before you advance, there are things you need to know. The process is dangerous, and if anything unexpected happens, you must know how to react."

His expression darkened slightly.

"Once you’ve successfully advanced, I will assign you a task. This mission will give you an excuse to leave Moonlight Woodland and avoid this war entirely."

Hutson nodded. That was exactly what he needed—a way out.

Then, he hesitated.

"And you, Master? Are you staying in Moonlight Woodland?"