Ch.3232. Druid Gathering (4)

Morning comes quickly at the Druid Gathering.

Especially for the apprentice druids.

In the headquarters of their respective druid sub-gatherings.

The apprentice druids living in the dormitories located on the lower floors of the tower briefly furrowed their brows at the sunlight pouring over their faces, then soon awoke and began their daily routines as they always had.

After tidying their bedding and briefly grooming themselves, they changed into their outdoor clothes, grabbed their staffs—which were practically essential items—and left the dormitory.

“Hello, good morning.”

“……..Good morning.”

“Yaaawn……”

Waking up at 5 AM every day is never easy, so everyone appears somewhat drowsy, but regardless, the living patterns ingrained in their bodies and minds remain unchanged.

And after these slightly sleepy apprentices head to the dining hall for breakfast.

The apprentice druids eat their morning meal consisting of menu items made with ingredients created through druid magic.

Breakfast consists of mass-baked wheat bread, citrus fruits similar to oranges, onion soup, and thinly sliced smoked salted meat.

After finishing this luxurious breakfast that would not seem out of place on the table of any wealthy family, the apprentice druids now move to different locations according to their individual schedules.

Some head to the pastures to commune with their animal companions or to find someone with whom to form an animal companion contract.

Some go to training rooms set up for magical practice. Others enter into meditation to explore the mysteries.

As these apprentices—who know better than anyone that there is no special path to reaching the intermediate level as a druid—train diligently,

time flies by in an instant for these focused apprentice druids.

And so, when lunchtime arrives, the apprentice druids belonging to the Wild Gathering gather in groups of two or three at the dining hall, where meals prepared by former apprentice druids who gave up training to take jobs are served.

The stew, simmered with incredibly rare spices, meat, and various vegetables by this era’s standards, boasted an exceptionally delicious taste thanks to the ability to create ingredients with magic, allowing for liberal use of all kinds of premium ingredients.

The main source of income for druids without jurisdiction over territories or apprentice druids who venture outside is spice production, and the value of spices that druids cannot produce rivals that of precious metals.

Diverse flavors are practically a privilege of the wealthy… but druids were the exception.

And after finishing lunch, these apprentice druids would normally return to their individual training, but… today is different.

The footsteps of the apprentice druids, naturally languid from their full stomachs, head to none other than the large lecture hall.

The meaning behind the opening of this lecture hall, which remains closed unless a special lecturer is invited, is extremely simple.

That is, a “special lecturer” has been invited to this Wild Gathering.

They are well aware that theory plays an extremely minor role in advancing as a druid…

Nevertheless, the apprentice druids’ desperation led them to cling to anyone skilled enough to be invited as a special lecturer.

As everyone gathered closely in the lecture hall with its somewhat modern design, the special lecturer, who was said to have been personally invited by the Gathering Leader, finally entered the hall and…

””””…………….?!!!””””

A beast, he was a beast. From the perspective of these apprentices who had at least dipped their toes into druid magic, the appearance of this “special lecturer” who opened the door and entered the lecture hall felt human yet not human.

Wild energy intensely wrapped around and flowed through his body. His large frame, easily exceeding 180cm, further emphasized his feral atmosphere.

If anything, his youthful appearance, which contrasted with his muscular build, felt out of place.

And the second thought that came to mind was that this druid before their eyes appeared remarkably young.

While the formal druids they usually meet typically appear to be at least 50 years old, this man called a special lecturer looked at most 30… or perhaps not even 20?

Regardless of his exact current age, if he had obtained the position of a formal druid at such a young-looking age, he must certainly be no ordinary druid.

So as the apprentice druids stared intently at the man,

he approached the center of the lecture hall without hesitation, looked at the apprentice druids, smiled gently, and began to speak.

“Pleased to meet you, apprentice druids training in the Wild Gathering. I am Gregory All… Gregory, who has come here at the request of the Gathering Leader to deliver today’s special lecture.”

After trailing off at the end of his sentence and introducing himself simply as Gregory, the lecturer possessed a strange confidence within him.

An infinite certainty about himself and a confidence based on this certainty. He subtly exuded these two qualities, giving him something that made others trust him.

Therefore, as the apprentice druids subtly harbored expectations and waited with anticipation for his lecture…

“Everyone, I apologize for your expectations, but… as everyone here knows well, education provides no help in training druid magic.”

Gregory voiced the reality that, though cold, had to be said as a special lecturer.

“As you’ve learned in your theory classes, druid magic depends on each individual’s achievement. Even my advancement to the intermediate level at the young age of 14 was, in the end, simply my own self-achievement.”

“(……..What?)”

“(F-fourteen?!)”

“(Such a person actually exists…?!!)”

The lecturer Gregory’s words caused all the apprentice druids present to be astonished in a different sense.

Even dedicating one’s extended lifespan gained through druid magic training and pouring all one’s strength into practice, many fail to reach the intermediate level. But, but… intermediate at just 14 years old?!

Everyone is shocked while simultaneously focusing on his words.

No matter how much talent plays a role, 14 is far too young an age. Despite what he says, they calculate that since he was invited as a special lecturer, he must have at least some advice or tips to offer.

And… to state the result first, their calculation was correct.

“However… I can at least tell you how to achieve success as a druid.”

The moment Gregory finished speaking, a strange pressure-like air surrounded them.

The wild mystery emanating from the mysteries of nature, which they could feel as apprentice druids, exuded a beast-like energy.

“As a druid, as one who handles mysteries, the most important thing for great success is a firm sense of self and belief.”

“”””””””””…………………””””””””””

“It seems difficult to understand, so let me use myself as an example. I believe that the most important thing in this world is myself and my mindset. Nothing else has any meaning.”

Special lecturer Gregory’s words sounded excessively arrogant and selfish to them. But at the same time, his words contained a subtle persuasiveness.

“What’s important is yourself, your own sense of self. If I don’t exist, then for me, this world might as well not exist either. Then, then isn’t my own life and existence the world itself, and the means to resonate with the mysteries of nature?”

“”””””””””…………………””””””””””

“No one in this world will take responsibility for your life or live it for you. The most important thing in the world is, after all, your own values and sense of self! Things like the principles or laws of the world have no meaning in magic training.”

“”””””””””………………!!!””””””””””

“Ah, of course, this applies only to druid magic training. If you want to become a druid, you should have a firm mindset, but your actions must be in the right form. After all, druids are guardians who protect the mysteries of nature.”

The atmosphere became a bit unsettled with his final remark, but until then, these apprentice druids were so affected by the atmosphere Gregory subtly exuded that they could hardly speak.

They could sense it. Why the man before them had been able to break through the intermediate barrier at the mere age of 14.

It must have been because he could build such a mindset, a firm sense of self and values, that he was able to advance to the intermediate level. The vast majority of apprentice druids gathered here thought so.

“This is all I can tell you. Whatever you become, when dealing with druid magic, you need a firm sense of self and intuition.”

The man says that, at least in terms of magic, the subject that defines this world must necessarily be oneself.

That a firm belief and sense of self is one of the major factors determining magical achievement.

Everyone’s way of receiving his advice differed.

Some had their spirits broken, some put new logs into the dying fire of passion in their hearts. And some may have found some realization or clue.

That would do. Breaking the spirits of those without aptitude, rekindling passion in those who had lost it.

And providing a catalyst for some… that was precisely what the Wild Gathering Leader, who had lived for hundreds of years, truly wanted.