Card Apprentice Daily Log

Date- 28 Mar 2321

Time- 10:38

Location- Southern Capitol region, SS-rank Gate dungeon Storm Horse Grassland

"Old man, as far as I know, the top 10 universities are the places where the best and brightest of the world gather because those universities are the hub of all the knowledge humanity has gathered to present. They are the holy land of card creation. Not to mention the various opportunities and options that will become available to me just by attending one of the top 10 universities.

The top 10 universities are not just about gaining knowledge and experiencing opportunities but expanding my horizon. My encounter with you people these past few days has taught me that the world is more extensive than what I can see from here in the sky blossom city.

It's okay if the competition in the university is formidable and the political waters are deep there because I do not plan on participating in any form of competition or political agenda. So what if I cannot get proper guidance? As long as the knowledge I require is readily available there, that arrangement works for me. I do not need a professor to spoon-feed it to me. I will learn whatever I want and get help whenever required. That is the way I like, and that is how I come this far." These words were not for Lorenzo but for me. Till today I was not resolute if I wanted to attend the university as it seemed like a lot of trouble just to get a few answers which I could get from Anna with a bit of steamy compromise.

"What? You will learn the hundred thousand years of card knowledge by yourself. Boy, don't kid yourself. Just because you learned and created some of the basic card recipes by yourself doesn't mean that you could learn Card theory without someone guiding you. Those card theory dates back to a hundred thousand years over the period many have tried to summarize them all, but none came close, and you think you can learn it without any guidance. I thought you had a wise head, but it seems I judged you hastily." Trying to reason with the boy Lorenzo started to treat him as an adult, but he realized no matter how smart or talented the boy may be, he was still a teenager.

"Old man, drop it. I am young and have a lot of life in front of me, so I can afford to learn by making one or two mistakes." Having someone as strong and knowledgeable as Lorenzo as my mentor would be good. I could learn and gain a lot from him. But our end goals were different. By acting as my mentor, Lorenzo wanted to train me into a Heatsend Royal family soldier, similar to him, which did not sit right with me. Being from the earth, taking orders was not my thing. I was more free-spirited and believed in individual freedom.

"*sigh* Since I have spoken so much already. I might as well go ahead and ask. Wyatt, are you willing to accept me as your mentor? Before you answer me, know this, I will spare no effort to teach you everything I know. And do everything in my power to see you succeed." My answer made it clear that I knew what Lorenzo was trying to propose, and it also made it clear that I was not interested in his proposal. Knowing all this, old Lorenzo still chose to ask whether I was willing to accept him as my mentor.

"..." By hinting to Lorenzo that I knew what he was trying to propose and that I was not interested in his proposal, I was not trying to save him from embarrassment. Instead, I was trying to keep myself from the current awkward dilemma.

I thought, knowing the truth, Lorenzo would choose to avoid getting embarrassed. And would not put forward his proposal to me. But Lorenzo did just the opposite. Putting me in a pickle.

Lorenzo is at the top of his field and is the best of the best at what he does. Having him as my mentor means I would gain his first-hand knowledge passed to me directly by him. This would do good for me on the side of the Heatsend Royal family too. As the disciple of their in-law, I would be considered family, and they would overlook the fact that I was mooching off them in the silver milk powder project. And would be keener on giving me protection. Choosing Lorenzo would do me a lot of good. But doing so would tie me to the Heatsend Royal family ship. Since I was already labeled as a member of the Heatsend royal family faction, In a way, it did not matter.

But nothing is free in this world. As the disciple of Lorenzo and part of the Heatsend royal family, I would have many obligations for which I would be held responsible for, which went against the chronic disease that makes the back of my brain itchy whenever I am being ordered around. There are too many pros and a single con from accepting Lorenzo as my mentor. Too bad that this one con was the deal-breaker for me.

"Thank you for your consideration, but no, I think the top 10 universities are the best place for me." I rejected Lorenzo without caring for how it would henceforth affect my relationship with the Heatsend Royal family. I believe that as long as they needed me and the soul contract between Anna and I existed, I did not have to worry about them acting out.

"Well, I tried warning you. The waters in the university are too deep for a kid from a humble background like you. Don't come running to me when you cannot handle the University. Later, even if you beg me. I will not be your mentor." I did not accept this kind of 8th grader response from Lorenzo, but well, it is not surprising since he did get rejected by a high schooler.