Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1561 - 537: The Empire’s Rise to Fame (Part 3)

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Previously on Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys...
Rein effortlessly defeated Imperial Guardian Pantoscoke in the arena, holding back his full strength and prompting the guardian's surrender before departing for the Imperial Wizard School Union headquarters to handle his school's promotion assessment. In the stands, Jennifer seized the moment of victory to network excitedly with influential nobles, including Duke Davis, forging potential business alliances for her Warhammer and Rose Commerce amid envious onlookers. As Rein rode in a carriage with the composed Olena, who marveled at his pristine appearance after the swift battle, two young women at the Wizard Federation pleaded with the stern Lord Ronan for leniency on the promotion process, frustrated by the absence of Sect Leader Moria and the rigid regulations demanding their personal attendance.

Per the established rules, the school's leader is required to oversee the promotion directly, and he's followed every step of the protocol without any issues whatsoever.

"Exactly, you brought up a match earlier? What kind of match could possibly outweigh the significance of a prominent school's promotion?" Ronan suddenly recalled and questioned further.

"Well... it's a duel against the Imperial Guardian, Storm Cloud, Your Majesty."

With Rein having spent the last couple of days crafting the Mechanical Demon Dragon right in the Bixiu Mechanization School's hall, Audrey, as a fellow member, had naturally caught wind of Rein's upcoming duel.

The issue was that Ronan, being merely a Liquidized Wizard, hadn't caught any rumors about it. After all, only those at Imperial Earl rank or higher were permitted to attend; for now, the whispers were confined to the elite nobles within the Imperial City.

"A duel with the Imperial Guardian?" Ronan found himself momentarily stunned.

He'd caught earlier tales of a talented young wizard rising from the Bixiu Mechanization School, one said to have bested 'Carver' Harold. But in under two months, to challenge the mighty Imperial Guardian 'Storm Cloud' Your Majesty in arm-wrestling?

Wasn't that utterly absurd?

Shock and skepticism etched across Ronan's features as he scrutinized the young woman in front of him, pondering inwardly: This lovely girl doesn't strike me as delusional—could it actually be real?

Yet he swiftly latched onto a concern and voiced it:

"Even assuming your words hold true, might I inquire whether Lord Rein will have the stamina left to join the major Wizard School promotion evaluation after clashing with 'Storm Cloud' Your Majesty?"

"Uh..." Audrey and Alicia exchanged uneasy looks, momentarily at a loss for words.

"Audrey, why are you lingering here? Any trouble?" A youthful voice echoed from beyond the hall.

"Lord... Lord Rein!" Audrey and Alicia whipped around, their faces lighting up with delight!

Ronan then properly observed Rein, his demeanor turning grave; the depths of the other's spiritual power pulsed with mystery and strength, marking him as a true prodigy among the young, but convinced he'd adhered to protocol, he met Rein's eyes and declared:

"Lord Rein, by the rules, a school's promotion evaluation demands personal handling from its leader..."

He hadn't even completed his sentence when a furious shout erupted from the headquarters entrance: "Ronan, you fool! How dare you address Lord Rein in that manner!"

An older man clad in a green Wizard Robe strode in with haste.

"Men... Mentor?" Ronan's eyes bulged in disbelief.

He knew encounters with his mentor were rare—once or twice yearly at best, often thanks to his father's sway—and the man had always been warm and approachable; this marked the first time witnessing such raw anger from him!

"Lord Rein, I'm Perkins; your performance at the Royal Arena was nothing short of spectacular!" The very same Perkins who'd wagered against Reginald earlier.

Right after the duel wrapped up, he'd remembered it was the Bixiu Mechanization School's promotion day and, given Rein's stature, rushed over without delay.

As expected, had he dawdled even a little longer, things might have gone awry...

"Oh? So Lord Perkins was present at the Royal Arena too?" Rein offered a faint smile and remarked.

"Indeed, Lord Rein."

Following some brief exchanges, Rein stated: "Lord Perkins, time's slipping away—shall we proceed with the matter at hand?"

"The matter?" Perkins appeared confused at first, then it dawned on him, and he replied: "You refer to the school's promotion evaluation?"

"Precisely." Rein eyed him with mild irritation—what was the holdup?

"What nonsense; no evaluation is necessary for you? A simple signature suffices." Perkins snatched a document from the profusely sweating Ronan and passed it to Rein.

"Eh? Merely sign my name?" This caught Rein off guard—was the promotion process truly this straightforward?

"Absolutely!" Perkins affirmed with a vigorous nod.

Ronan, hunched nearby, parted his lips twice but stayed silent, inwardly crying out: Mentor! You've always drilled us on upholding every regulation, yet now this...

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