Sorcerer: I want to be an Academic Prodigy

Chapter 457: Chapter 456: Inquiring Intentions

“Today, we rarely gather together, so why not drink to our heart’s content?”

“Sure, Master Hotis is wise.”

“Good, I too want to drink a few cups with Sorcerer Ivan.”

Master Hotis was a carefree man, and now that the matter of the Five-Colored Magic Robe was settled, he immediately accepted it with peace of mind and suggested they celebrate properly.

His proposal immediately received Morris’s approval.

Master Hotis couldn’t help but look at Tanya, who smiled at Iven Yanran, who had been silent for a long time, causing Ivan’s heart to flutter slightly.

…

This woman must be up to something!

Ivan kept his face calm, but inwardly he became more vigilant, knowing well that he did not have the ability to win her over and make her admire him.

And then there was the woman next to her, whose veiled hostility had now become glaringly obvious.

There must be some trickery afoot.

“Ha ha ha, then you both should have a good drink, I happen to have fine wine and food here.”

Master Hotis’s eyes lit up, and he chuckled at the two, his expression laden with innuendo.

Morris looked around in surprise and disbelief, then he caught on and started to chime in.

“Sorcerer Ivan, did you hear that? Did you bring the snow dew wine? Hurry up and bring it out, let Miss Tanya try it. Gloria was raving about it earlier, she went from a teetotaler to a wine lover.”

“How could I come here without bringing wine, but it’s not as sensational as you say.”

Ivan casually flicked his hand forward, and several elegant wine bottles landed softly, filling an entire table. Good wine, of course, needed good packaging, which he crafted himself, making the snow dew appear even more intoxicating.

However, the few present being either rich or noble, did not find it extraordinary.

“Never mind the exaggeration, Gloria changed because of it, and that can’t be faked,” Morris said.

Hearing this, Ivan glanced at him and opted not to say much.

As to why Gloria changed, Ivan knew only too well, while someone else only pretended to be foolish, seeking to muddle through, which was utterly despicable.

“Let me taste it for you.” As a lover of wine, the moment Master Hotis heard there was good wine, he couldn’t restrain himself and drank a bottle immediately. “Not bad, not bad, it has a unique flavor; Tanya, you might like it, try it.”

“Sure.” Tanya was obliging, and after a small sip of the snow dew, her eyes curved into a beautiful smile, and she said lightly to Ivan, “Sorcerer Ivan, it really is good wine.”

“If it’s good, drink more of it, I thank you on behalf of Dan Lin for your praise,” Ivan returned with a light smile.

“Dan Lin?” Tanya inquired.

“One of my four wives, born of the Qingqi tribe, who learned a fine skill in brewing,” Ivan continued.

As his words fell, the drawing room fell silent for several seconds, in stark contrast to the previous liveliness.

“Speaking of fine wine, I have plenty more here from the royal family of the dark elves, a millennium vintage indeed—a gift from Ivan last time. Haha, you guys are in for a treat, I usually can’t bear to share these with just anyone.”

At this, Master Hotis spoke up, breaking the silence.

“Royal family of the dark elves? From the underground world—?” Morris’s mouth was practically watering.

“That’s right, Ivan brought it specially from the underground world; he even caught the attention of a certain lava lord because of it, which was really unfortunate, haha.”

“Quick, let me try some.”

With Master Hotis and Morris’s playful banter, the atmosphere in the drawing room heated up once again, as if the prior silence had never happened.

“Ivan, you never mentioned this before, you’re not being a good friend,” Morris said, his eyes holding a trace of reproach, after tasting the millennium vintage.

“Me, being unlucky?”

“No, I mean the millennium vintage of the dark elf royal family,” Morris exclaimed impatiently.

“You never asked; how was I supposed to tell you?”

“You didn’t bring it yourself; that’s really not cool.”

“Ha ha ha.”

Inside the sorcerer tower’s drawing room, the enticing aroma of wine pervaded the air, filled intermittently with Morris’s clamoring, the clinking of glasses as they drank, and Tanya’s melodious, warbler-like laughter.

After a session of toasting and merry-making, the host and guests were all satisfied.

This day’s meeting, apart from a few slightly less harmonious interludes, overall showcased the warm welcome for Master Hotis very well and successfully completed a gathering of the Five-Colored Magic Robe members.

…

The next day, Morris appeared again on the second floor of the Round Tower.

“Sorcerer Ivan, what brings you to seek me out? Have you run out of energy-gathering materials?”

“What do you think? Don’t play dumb in front of me.”

Ivan had initially contacted him saying that he would come to visit, but he insisted on coming to the second floor of the Round Tower himself, leaving Ivan no choice but to let him.

“When have I ever played dumb?” Morris replied innocently.

“Let me ask you, what’s really going on with Tanaya? Don’t tell me it’s just a kindred spirit thing, do you even believe that yourself? I remember you once said she wasn’t like this before, and she didn’t use to smile so much,” Ivan said seriously.

“Miss Tanaya has been through hardships, she can’t possibly act as spoiled and willful as she used to,” Morris said.

“Morris, help me find out if this lady has had any important recent developments, especially regarding engagements,” Ivan shook his head slightly and laid the matter out directly:

“Also, keep an eye on Mara Gardner who is always by her side.”

“Alright, alright, this matter does seem peculiar. I’ll ask around through some contacts since we are friends. But as a friend, that fine wine you’ve collected—is there—well, is there—”

Morris had not come here with no requests of his own.

“It’s ready.” How could Ivan not know, and promptly took out two large bottles of elf wine.

“Just two bottles?”

“That’s all, I gave most to Master Hotis; the rest I’ve gifted away. Next time, I will have someone bring some more back from the surface and gift a batch then.”

“Agreed.”

With the rest of the wine at Hotis’, Morris had no choice but to leave with just the two remaining bottles. However, he was already thinking about which contacts he could use to gather information.

Concerned about friends and fine wine, he naturally took it seriously.

Although there are no secrets that time doesn’t reveal, when it comes to families like the Fitzgeralds, who are at the pinnacle, they can truly keep things under wraps if they choose to.

Ordinary people also wouldn’t dare to casually inquire about the Fitzgerald family’s affairs.

Morris was clearly not an ordinary person, and it had to be admitted that with his extensive connections and bold actions, it wasn’t long before he uncovered some secret information and came to inform Ivan.

“Ivan, you really guessed right.”

“A marriage engagement?”

“Yes, the Fitzgeralds and the Gardner family have formed an alliance through marriage, the one engaged to Tanaya is Beiluo Gardner, and Mara is his sister, likely sent to keep an eye on Tanaya.”

Ivan realized, no wonder that woman was hostile toward him; after all, Tanaya was her future sister-in-law.

With this realization, things became clear—Tanaya’s aim was simply to set up a shield.

Being a famously talented young sorcerer in the sorcerer world and not backed by any family meant he was easy to manipulate, a very suitable candidate indeed.

Thinking this, Ivan felt a wave of depression and irritation—neither of these families was one he could afford to offend.

“Let me tell you, your rival is no small matter,” Morris continued.

“What rival? Stop spouting nonsense,” Ivan interrupted irritably, continuing on his own, “I know the Gardner family has one of the five Great Sages of the sorcerer world, right?”

“Only three Level 4 Sorcerers, including your Chairman Hadi, are titled ‘Great Sage,’ and that includes the one from the Gardner family,” Morris nodded.

Like Chairman Hadi, becoming a Great Sage as a Level 4 Sorcerer often also meant a strong likelihood of advancing to a Level 5 Sorcerer. Just this alone spoke volumes of the Gardner family’s extraordinary status.

The Fitzgerald family’s willingness to form an alliance through marriage represented a powerful union. Tanaya and Beiluo complemented each other well.

“Ivan, does hearing this make you feel pressured?”

“It seems I need to ask Chairman Hadi if I can return to the Chanay Continent sooner,” Ivan said somberly.

“No way! You’re a core member of our Five-Colored Magic Robe, you can’t show that you lack backbone, Sorcerer Ivan,” Morris looked at him in complete shock.

“I see, then you go and tell Tanaya that you’re willing to stand up for her,” Ivan said expressionlessly.

“Hehe, well, the lady has to see me as worthy first,” Morris laughed proudly and analyzed, “Both of you are renowned prodigies; together you’re a perfect match, no one can replace that. You don’t need to back down, you have Chairman Hadi behind you.

And Master Hotis, once you demonstrate your unmatched talents again, I’m sure Doradoli Chairman will also fully support you, what do you have to fear from Beiluo Gardner?”

“How can that be the same, and besides, you’ve seen Master Hotis’ attitude,” Ivan still shook his head.

“True, considering his attitude the other day, he might favor Tanaya, do you think—?” Morris spoke suggestively, raising his eyebrows, at this moment, silence was more eloquent.

“Just think like that, with his status and position, he can easily handle this matter,” Ivan sighed.

Returning to the Chanay Continent sooner was merely his rhetorical statement; not to mention the Star Realm Gate was about to activate, with the grand event in Sky Flow Valley approaching. Just based on the other party’s yet unexpressed stance, he certainly wouldn’t give up easily because of a mere guess.

Moreover, if the other party was intent, whether or not he returned to the Chanay Continent wouldn’t make much of a difference.

Regardless, with the information Morris had gathered, he at least wouldn’t be blindly worrying. As for what came next, he would just have to take it one step at a time and respond accordingly.