Edwin gazed at Adam for a long time, causing the latter to break out in cold sweat. However, no matter what, he had to remain firm.

Besides, the youth knew that there was no way the old man in front of him was going to force him to join the Tower of Daybreak.

In the end, it was as Adam had thought.

"Tsk!" Edwin clicked his tongue helplessly, shaking his head. "You're really missing out on this golden opportunity, Adam. Are you sure?"

Adam wiped the sweat off of his forehead. "Yes, my lord, I am certain. Please forgive me."

"Haa" Edwin sighed. He glanced at the youth and asked, "But I'm curious, what has Berger promised you? I'm certain that whatever organization it is, it cannot be better than the Tower."

"I do not know the full details, my lord," replied Adam sheepishly. "But I'm certain that whatever he has chosen will be beneficial for me. I trust him."

Edwin deeply glanced at the youth and nodded in gratification. "Berger is truly grateful to have an apprentice such as you."

He then looked at Biden and growled, "You might as well learn something from him. Hmph!"

Biden wanted to find a corner and just cry.

In front of other Mana Vortex Magi and their apprentices, Edwin would be full of praise for him. But in front of Adam, it was just the opposite.

Damn you! What have I done to deserve this? Stop embarrassing me already! Biden screamed in his heart.

Edwin then took out a small, leather box and handed it to Adam. "Here, this is for you."

"Oh? What's this?" Adam reached out for the item.

"See for yourself."

Adam flipped open the box and saw that there was an unassuming ring placed inside it. But the youth knew it was anything but ordinary.

"A space-type storage ring?" His eyes lit up.

Although he still had the storage-earring that he had gotten many years back in Hannes CIty, he believed one could never have too much of this storage-type artifact.

The next moment when he placed his consciousness inside the ring, he was thunderstruck!

"Wh-What the hell?!" He shot up from his chair and glanced at Edwin with wide eyes.

Edwin chuckled, clearly satisfied with Adam's response. "You're new to the Empire. This will help you establish yourself. So use it wisely."

Within the ring, there were no gold coins.

Neither were there arcane textbooks or magical artifacts.

Instead, it was filled to the brim with countless magical herbs and ingredients. Many of which were extremely rare and expensive.

Adam estimated that the approximate value of all the herbs and ingredients stored inside the ring would be in thousands of gold coins.

Acadian gold coins!

He believed that if he was able to properly store these ingredients, he would be able to use them for months. Moreover, this was taking into account all the experimental failures he would have.

The youth loudly gulped, his gaze switching between the ring and the old man sitting in front of him and smirking.

"My Lord, this this is a lot!" Adam muttered as he held on to the ring with trembling hands.

Edwin's gaze softened and he replied with a gentle smile, "Compared to what you've done for my daughter, this is nothing."

He would have gifted the youth with Acadian gold coins, but he believed that that would make him complacent.

Besides, from what he had heard from Viktor and Elia, he knew that Adam would never accept money in return for what he did.

So Edwin decided to give him resources with which he could make a living instead. The man was confident that given Adam's skills, he would put these ingredients to good use.

"Elia thinks of you as her own son, so I guess that would make me akin to your grandfather," Edwin said warmly. "Besides, if my daughter found out that you left empty-handed after meeting me, she would be very mad."

Adam's eyes turned a little teary as he tightly clasped the ring in his hands. His lips parted and he softly muttered, "Thank you"

This feeling of familial bond, Adam cherished it greatly.

"Anyway," Edwin got up from his seat and walked toward the youth. "I will be departing for Caleport tomorrow morning with the kids."

He clasped Adam's shoulder and smiled, "Go enjoy the rest of the day with your friends. Who knows? It might be years before you meet them again."

"Yes!" Adam replied with a toothy grin.

Edwin glanced at his apprentice and nodded, "Biden, you go with them too. I would hate for you to bury yourself in research again."

"Yes, Teacher." Biden nodded.

Then, together with Adam, they left the courtyard.

The following day, Adam, Edward, and Lisa stood by one of the docking areas at the skyport on the outskirts of Acryon.

Adam glanced at the majestical skyship before him in awe. "Whoa! Does this whole skyship belong to Lord Edwin? Amazing!"

The enormous hull of the ship was made of a type of ancient, magical wood covered in magical runes. The ship's bow was adorned with the figurehead of a griffin, making it appear extremely majestic.

Tall and slender masts rose from the deck, their sails made of a type of unique fabric that could weather the strong winds.

On the deck, Magi from the Tower of Daybreak could be seen going about their work, their white cloaks gently fluttering in the wind.

Adam then glanced at his friends who were standing beside him.

A complex wave of emotions washed over him as he realized that this was where they would separate and go their own ways.

Nostalgia, sadness, hope, and even gratitude. All these emotions overwhelmed Adam and his eyes reddened a little.

Memories of the time he had spent with them in the academy flooded his mind.

The countless hours studying in the library, the thrilling yet dangerous missions they embarked on every year, the late- night drinks and conversations under the starry sky and the twin moons.

All these moments felt bittersweet.

His gaze met Edward's and they both grinned.

There was no need for words between them.

"The next time we meet, I will have become stronger than you, you drunk bastard. So you better not neglect your studies," Edward spoke confidently.

"Heh," Adam sneered. "You sure speak fluently for a fat pig."

The two glanced at each other for a moment, before bursting into laughter.

Adam tightly clasped Edward's hand and grinned, "Take care, brother."

"You too!"

Then, Adam walked up to Lisa who was already in tears. She buried herself in the youth's arms and wailed, "I'll miss you, Adam."

Adam patted her head and gently said, "There, there, it's not like we're never going to meet again."

"Mm." Lisa sniffled and wiped away her tears. "Don't forget to write to me from time to time, and please take care of yourself."

"Of course!" Adam replied with a toothy grin.

Then, he went on to bid his farewell to Biden, Elaine, and her friends.

Finally, he stood before Edwin and bowed with his right hand over his chest. "Safe travels, my lord."

Edwin patted Adam's shoulder and smiled warmly, "If you ever need anything, you know how to get in touch with me."

Adam nodded with a grateful smile. "Yes, I understand."

Then, he watched everyone board the ship. He raised his hands and waved his friends goodbye one final time.

No matter the distance, no matter the time, he knew that their bond would endure.

The runes on the hull of the skyship lit up with a resplendent light. Following that, the ship started to ascend. Before Adam knew it, the ship had already risen to a considerable height.

As the youth watched the skyship slowly disappear into the clouds, his heart was overcome by a faint sense of loneliness.

The thought of not seeing his friends' faces, not hearing their voices, or not having those deep conversations with them, made his heartache.

But the next moment, a gray light flashed and Valerian appeared, sitting on his shoulder.

Adam's lips curled up into a warm smile. "That's right. I have you."

'Always!' Valerian sent a mental transmission to him.

Adam turned around and slowly made his way out of the skyport and toward the Outer City of Acryon.

A brilliant flash of excitement and anticipation flickered in the depths of his abyss-like eyes as he thought of the new chapter of life he was about to embark on.

It's about time I met the agent from the Brotherhood!