Joshua’s mind was in a mess.
It wasn’t like he hadn’t suspected anything before he knew these so-called saviors of his were suspicious, but he couldn’t do anything about it.
He couldn’t speak the language of this world, he didn’t understand what these people really wanted, and he didn’t have anyone he knew that he could trust before… but.
Looking at Ken, he spoke in English.
“Mr.
Ken, are these people responsible for me being here in this world?”
Ken tilted his head, then, in a derisive tone, replied in English, “Absolutely not.
Don’t put them on a pedestal, kid.
They’re not as strong as you think.”
Although Ken said that, he was thinking something else.
The future was always unpredictable, and the people who could see it were even more so.
No matter how much information he tried to gather, it would still fall short, since the gap in information was on a different level.
The fact that he could see through this plan meant it wasn’t actually the real plan, or it was just the shallow part that was always supposed to be seen by him so he could let his guard down.
It was like looking at the clear sea in daylight.
The fish you could see in the shallow water were nothing but an illusion.
The real monsters hid deep in the darkness, where the sunlight could never reach.
The only way to fight against them was to prepare for every possibility.
Alvin, on the other hand, was looking at both of them, as he couldn’t understand what they were saying.
“Okay, I have decided,” said Ken as he looked at them.
“I will take you as my disciple, but there are two requirements.”
Joshua and Alvin tensed as they focused on Ken’s words.
“One, you need to have the same unique mana type as me.”
Putting up a second finger, he continued, “Second, and the most important point…”
Joshua gulped.
“You need to be at least 80% as handsome as me.”
“Ehh… ehh… ehh… ehhh… ehhhh.”
Both Joshua and Alvin were baffled.
Joshua couldn’t help but say, “What does being handsome have to do with being your disciple?”
“It has everything to do with being my disciple.
You think the most handsome guy ever is going to have an ugly disciple?
Also, being handsome comes in handy a lot.
If you’re in a pinch and magic isn’t working, you can always use your charms to get out of a tough situation, provided you’re handsome enough.
But you don’t have to worry.
You made the cut… barely, though.”
Joshua didn’t know what to think at this point.
He was even beginning to question if becoming this man’s student was even a good idea, but unfortunately, he didn’t have a choice.
At least this guy said what was on his mind.
“So what now?” asked Joshua.
“Now, there’s a test?”
“There’s a test too?”
“Of course, there’s always a test.”
Looking at Joshua, Ken had a serious expression.
“So let’s say you learn magic from me and grow strong.
If someday you have to risk your life, possibly sacrifice yourself to save people you don’t even know, what would you do?
Sacrifice yourself or let them die?”
Joshua was stunned by the question.
“Don’t lie.
I will know if you lie.
Just tell me what you think you’d do.”
Well, Joshua hesitated.
He wasn’t sure why Ken was asking a question like this, nor did he know what the right answer was.
Was there a right answer, though?
Maybe it was a test about him telling the truth or something.
Alvin, beside him, fidgeted, not knowing what to say.
“Well, to be honest…” Looking resolute, Joshua said, “I don’t know what I would do.
I mean, I have never faced a situation like that, but if I had to choose… I… I mean… I don’t want others to die, but I don’t want to die either.”
Ken, listening, narrowed his eyes as Joshua continued.
“I would be sad if people died, but I would probably save myself.”
“You didn’t lie.”
With hope, Joshua asked,
“Did I pass?”
“Nope.”
Ken smiled as he got up and answered.
Taking a few steps towards the door leading deeper into the house, Ken said, “Come on, we need to discuss something.”
Joshua, who was hanging his head down, looked up.
“Huh?
Where and what?”
“Well, I need to teach you some things as your teacher.
You really need to learn about this world!”
“Wait, teacher?” Joshua caught the key word.
“Wait, didn’t I fail?”
“Yes, you did… but you don’t have to pass his test to become my disciple!”
“Huh?
But didn’t you say I needed to pass the test to become your student?”
“No, I never said that.
Is something wrong with your head?
Did you get hurt somehow?”
“But… but you implied that, right?”
He implied that, right?
Joshua asked Alvin.
Instead of answering, Alvin smiled.
“Congratulations on becoming Mr.
Ken’s disciple, Mr.
Joshua.
Hope your journey as a mage goes smoothly.”
“Oh yeah, you.”
Ken turned around, looking at Alvin.
“You, give me that compass!”
“Huh?” Alvin tilted his head, a question mark on his face.
“The thing.” Ken pointed, and the compass flew out from Alvin’s pouch.
“Wait, no, I need that to go back!”
Alvin, looking very desperate, hurriedly walked towards Ken.
“Shut up.”
Ken touched the screen of the compass, and it changed a little.
Ken tossed it back to Alvin, who promptly caught it.
It glowed once, twice, and then, in a flash, disappeared, taking Alvin with it.
“What just happened?” questioned Joshua with a bewildered face.
“That thing has a teleport function, but he never figured it out,” Ken chuckled softly.
“Wait, people can teleport here?” asked Joshua, looking shocked.
“Ohh, you can do a lot more with magic, but forget about that for now.
Now that the retriever is gone, let’s talk business.”
Joshua tensed as he looked at Ken.
In a serious tone, Ken asked, “Have you seen Endgame?”
“Huh?
What?”
“You know the movie Avengers: Endgame.
Have you seen it?”
“I mean, I have seen it, but”
“Excellent.
Come with me.”
Ken grabbed Joshua’s wrist and walked further inside the house.