Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
It was difficult for ordinary families to afford such equipment. However, for Catherine, a good combat suit could increase her chances of survival by a large margin.
Hence, the 2,000 silver coins were worth spending.
“Dad, Mom, Brother, it’s time to go.”
Catherine wore a combat suit and tied her hair into a high ponytail, adding to her youthful beauty.
“Alright. My daughter has grown up.”
The couple’s eyes brimmed with tears as they nodded repeatedly.
The examiners would not wait for anyone.
The family set off early.
Austin was dressed in dry clothes and carried a traveling backpack.
Dearka even asked Austin why he had to carry a bag. He dealt with it with an excuse.
The four of them went to the military transport station in the northern district.
The current transportation station no longer operated with trains from before the apocalypse.
After the apocalypse, vicious beasts flooded the world.
The once well-developed land transportation network from the past no longer existed.
The city where the Magister Association was guarding was like an isolated island out in the sea.
Ordinary people could only stay in a city for the rest of their lives.
After the hard work of the Human Faction, they had managed to open up a few key transport routes as transportation lifelines.
All the major checkpoints in the transportation route became primarily guarded by the army to prevent the beasts from disrupting the transportation lifeline.
Therefore, it would cost a lot to leave the city and travel to other cities.
They arrived at the military transport station.
There was an endless stream of cars and a sea of people.
This year, the upper echelons of the Thunder Magister Guild were due to attend and observe the official magister exam. It was unknown who leaked the news.
As a result, the number of apprentice magisters participating in the exam increased exponentially, reaching an unprecedented number of over a thousand people.
The royal family sent soldiers to maintain order and did not allow those sending off the apprentice magisters to loiter around the train station.
After family and friends sent the apprentice magister in, they had to leave immediately.
Austin sat in the car and saw the train station in the distance. Elite soldiers stood on guard at their heavily guarded post.
Most of the apprentices were wearing combat uniforms. They were armed with knives and guns and could only enter the station through identification.
“We can only send you until here. No parking is allowed ahead,” the parents said reluctantly.
“Okay.” Catherine turned to look at her parents, her eyes filled with reluctance to part.
She then turned to Austin and grinned, revealing her canine teeth. “Brother, I heard that there are many beauties in this exam. I can help you look out for anyone suitable to be my sister-in-law.”
“Go away.” Hearing this, Austin poked Catherine’s nose and said snappishly, “Stop spouting nonsense.”
“Goodbye!”
Catherine opened the car door, waved to her family, and headed for the military transport station.
Dearka closed his eyes and clenched his fists as if he was holding back his reluctance. His wife rolled down the window and shouted, “Catherine, it’s alright if you really can’t pass the exam! Remember to be careful! Protect yourself!”
This time, Catherine did not turn back and signaled an ‘okay’ gesture.
She grasped the small fortune bag Austin had given her and took a deep breath.
“Brother, I know you’ll be my guardian!”
The parents were about to leave when Austin called for them to stop. He turned around and walked towards Catherine.
Dearka and his wife asked in surprise, “Son, where are you going?”
Austin carried his backpack and smiled. “I’m going to take the official magister exam, of course.”
“What?”
Dearka and his wife were stunned.
They wondered if they had heard it wrong or if there was something amiss with their son’s head.
“You’re… taking the exam?”
Dearka and his wife exclaimed in disbelief.
“Are you crazy?
“The official magister exam can only be taken by an apprentice magister. There is no way ordinary people like you can take it.
“Stop fooling around and get back in the car.”
Austin pulled out the registration manual from his backpack and handed it to his parents.
“I’m not messing around.”
He smiled with grace.
“I’ll be honest. I’ve already passed the apprentice magister’s test behind your backs. I just never told you.
“For one thing, I’m afraid you’ll be worried.
“Secondly, I don’t want to increase the financial burden on the family.”
His family could not afford another Vulcan II combat suit that cost 2,000 silver coins!
“Son, you…”
His mother stared at Austin. She was proud, worried, and bewildered at the same time.
Austin had no magister-level talent judging from a test in the past, so how did he pass the apprentice magister test then?
Besides, they only had two children.
If something happened to both of them during the exam, how were they supposed to cope with that?
After all, the mortality rate in the official magister exam was not low.
His mother was reluctant to let Austin attend.
Dearka’s hand trembled a little as he pulled out a crumpled cigarette from his pocket.
He wanted to smoke before realizing that he did not bring a flint.
“Dad.”
Austin pulled out a flint as if it was a magic trick and lit the cigarette for his father.
Dearka took a deep breath and glanced at Austin silently. He said in a deep voice, “Dear, we should let him go.”
“But…”
“Our children have all grown up. Just let him go.
“A good man does not fear battle.”
Her mother hesitated for a moment before she finally agreed.
An old woman who happened to be parked next to them overheard the conversation and said, “I’ll say, you two have two magisters in the family. You should be proud of them.”
Indeed, two magisters in the family!
Austin’s mother still couldn’t hold it in and burst into tears.
“Ha, no good man is afraid of a fight.”
Austin exhaled a long breath and walked toward the transport station.
He went into the station to check and verify his identity before entering the waiting hall.
The waiting hall became filled with the apprentice magisters who were taking this exam.
They were either standing or sitting, and those who knew each other spoke softly.
When Catherine came in, she felt lonely.
Everyone around her was all apprentice magisters. No one was weak here, and they could only be better than her.
“Brother…”
Catherine held the small fortune bag tightly in her hand.
Just then, a hand patted her shoulder.
Catherine was startled as she sensed a familiar aura.
She turned around and saw a familiar face.
“Brother!?”
Catherine was surprised and confused.
“Wait, why are you here?”