Farmer Mage

Chapter 65: Changes

They left the pit as soon as the Overseer commanded the golems to restart their mining. And that had been minutes ago.

Cal found it hard not to notice how nervous the Overseer was. The man’s personality had changed drastically from the time he was overlooking the Trainees only a few weeks ago, but that could easily be excused as a result of the change in position.

But even with that drastic personality change, the Overseer had never looked nervous. If anything, overconfidence was a far better description.

Are my memories so tainted that I mistakenly labeled the guildmaster a fool? It wouldn’t be shocking for the destruction of the guild to completely tank my perception of him… but I doubt it.

“Should I be here for this?” Cal asked when the Overseer looked increasingly nervous.

“The guildmaster already knows of your presence. There’s no point in running.”

Then why do you look like you’re about to flee?

Cal didn’t speak further and waited patiently, trying his best to not let the Overseer’s nerves spread to him. It wasn’t even a minute later when a man seemingly dropped out of the sky with the softest landing he had ever seen. Even a mortal simply jumping up and down would have made more noise.

But that was the last thing on Cal’s mind. He couldn’t take his eyes off the man the Overseer claimed was the guildmaster.

The ‘guildmaster’ appeared a decade older than Cal, with weathered, suntanned skin and jet-black hair. His piercing blue eyes held a commanding gaze as he looked down at them, his towering frame standing well over six feet tall. In no world would Cal dare to call this man a dumbass.

This really is the guildmaster… but he looks thirty years younger from my memories. I first saw him a year after I joined the core guild in my past life. Something must have changed him in that time.

Cal resisted the urge to reach for the rock in his inner pocket. It was the first thing he suspected, and the first thing he would do after getting back to the field was keep it away from him.

“You ignored my order, Marek. I didn’t expect that from you, of all people.”

The guildmaster’s strong voice was another thing that Cal was surprised by. It certainly fits his image, but in his memories, the man had a wheezing, manic tone whenever he made a speech.

“It was for the correct reasons, guildmaster,” the Overseer—Marek— was on one knee with his head bent slightly.

Cal stared at the subservience with wide eyes. All his suspicions about the Overseer were thrown into disarray once again.

The guild never demanded such formalities. When the guildmaster looked at him, he almost buckled his knees to join the Overseer. Almost. At least I know the Overseer’s name now. Marek.

“Yes, the Farmer. You have gone to great lengths to support him. I allowed it, but that was on the condition you didn’t overreach and disturb other functions of the guild.”

Cal felt like an unnecessary bystander in this situation, and he wished to keep it that way. Whatever happened to the guildmaster in the future was irrelevant. The man didn’t seem to be one that was to be trifled with.

“Apprentice Cal was eligible to get a second Class—”

“Marek,” the guildmaster interrupted with a growl, “one guild member isn’t enough—” he took a deep breath and seemed to release his anger. With a steady tone, he continued, “You halted the mining operation for this little jaunt. It’ll cost the guild dearly until the golems recover their efficiency. Return and face your consequences with the council.”

“Yes, guildmaster. I’ll return Apprentice Cal to his—”

“I’ll take care of that.” The guildmaster seemed to be in a mood to cut off Overseer Marek.

With a reassuring look at Cal, Marek took his leave.

I have never seen anyone in the hierarchy berate someone like this. It diminishes the position far too much. So why would the guildmaster do this in front of me?

“None of that was meant as a slight to you, Apprentice Cal.”

Cal shifted as he nodded slightly. He wasn’t sure what his plan of action should be. For some reason, he felt that this whole trip was designed for him to see the guildmaster. But that was only his gut feeling and had nothing to do with logic.

“Overseer Marek tells me that you wish to stay out of the core guild at this time,” the guildmaster sharp gaze seemed to be trying to dig out his thoughts.

Cal cleared his throat. “I have been making good progress at my current station. I didn’t want to change that for an unfamiliar environment.”

The guildmaster studied him for a few seconds before shaking his head. “A reasonable point of view, but we both know that isn’t the case. You are trying to distance yourself from the Celestial Order.”

There was nothing ambiguous about what the guildmaster was saying. Cal was being told that this wasn’t acceptable. He would still try and deny it.

“That isn’t my intention, guildmaster. I might be distancing myself from the core guild but not the guild itself. I find myself thriving away from regular contact with other guild members. I’m not sure why, but I figured it’s best not to question such a good thing.”

The guildmaster didn’t buy it. “Overseer Marek sees something in you, Apprentice Cal. Be mindful to not disappoint him. There are limits to what he can offer you since you still haven’t shown loyalty to the guild.” Cal was about to refute that but didn’t get the chance. “If you don’t want to join the core guild, that’s understandable. However, you must reveal yourself to the Elder Council by the end of next month. I sincerely hope you’ll tell me you’re ready… and soon.”

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Cal felt a chill take over his body when it felt like an invisible weight was pushing him down. It suddenly made sense why Overseer Marek was on one knee.

Thankfully, the weight disappeared when the guildmaster looked away at something behind him.

“The Celestial Order can be your greatest ally, Apprentice Cal. Overseer Marek wants that to be the case, and so do I. We will revisit this next month.”

The guildmaster waved his hand, and Cal flinched when the surroundings changed. The guildmaster was gone, and so was the mine behind him. He was back on the path that led into the Northern Wastes.

Cal watched the runic circle disappear and thought about what had just happened. Unfortunately for the guildmaster, his little show didn’t work in the direction he probably hoped.

I have to be ready to leave the guild within a month. The guildmaster’s ultimatum gives me no other option.

***

Cal cast [Rainfall] over the dangerously dry crops—which he had forgotten to water before leaving with the Overseer. He watched Miren’s workers busy themselves in the house. They were waiting for him when he returned.

The Starlit Marble was removed piece by piece before being replaced with ordinary stone. This time, Miren had come in person to oversee the process.

This is a good time to ask about the test results, though their importance has diminished. It’s not likely I’ll stay here in the long term for it to matter.

Cal turned his attention to the crops and sighed in resignation. The encounter with the guildmaster completely soured him on his desire to make this place his home.

He had been happy to stay while keeping the guild at arms length, especially since there was a chance that the guild might not face a disastrous attack. Still, being part of the guild in a capacity the guildmaster was mandating would pull him back into a situation he despised.

Cal didn’t intended to spend his second chance under the heel of others. H narrowed his eyes in anger before he slowly exhaled to calm himself.

The rain came to a stop as the crops were well-hydrated.

Your [Secondary Tier] has increased by 2 levels.

Secondary Class: Mage

Secondary Tier: Initiate 3

Cal glanced at the interface as he felt his mana becoming more… dense. His mana capacity hadn’t changed, but every spell would require less mana to cast.

I had forgotten how much denser my mana was as a [Mage].

He was satisfied with the unexpected surprise. Any advantage would be of help since he would need to supercharge his advancement in the next month.

“Initiate Cal! Madam Miren wants to ask you a question!” Torin called out from the carriage Miren occupied.

Cal walked over after giving his crops a look. The first set would be ready for harvest soon.

“What is it?” Cal saw Miren poking at his golem curiously.

“Madam Miren would like to buy your golem,” Torin said with a respectful tone. “Please name your price.”

Cal’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. The golem wasn’t anything special. In fact, it could be considered subpar for someone with the wealth he assumed Miren possessed.

“I’m not shameless enough to sell you this golem, Miren.”

Miren whispered into Torin’s ear to relay her reply, which the man gave. “Madam Miren likes the small size of your golem. She will be happy to offer you a pick of a golem you find in the markets.”

Cal scratched his nonexistent beard as he thought about the offer. He couldn’t sell the golem since he needed it for farming. Other golems wouldn’t help contribute to his [Tier] growth since it wasn’t formed by his mana, so that wasn’t an option.

“I won’t sell it, but how about I lend it to you for a day or two?” Cal didn’t think he could get much for such a short ‘rent,’ but it was better than nothing. It would take Orrin a few days to be able to make the tools for the golem anyway.

Miren looked visibly disappointed but still nodded in acceptance before whispering in Torin’s ear again. “Madam Miren would like to design replica models of your golem to sell. With your permission, of course.”

Cal blinked in confusion before narrowing his eyes at the tiny golem. He couldn’t see why it was worth trying to replicate. It looked like a bog-standard golem to him.

He shrugged after a few seconds. “Do as you will. But I do have a request in return.” Miren nodded, having expected one. “I’d like help in making stone paths on the field.”

The request made both Miren and Torin frown. Cal assumed this was too much to ask, as he had thought. He was ready to pay for the service if needed. Anything to maintain the view that he wouldn’t leave the Northern Wastes.

Torin nodded as Miren whispered in his ear. “Madam Miren wants to warn that there is a large chance that the odd nature of the Northern Wastes will destroy any stone paths. You must ensure the built paths are doused with your mana regularly to prevent it.”

Cal hadn’t thought of that issue, but it wasn’t something that he was too concerned about. He naturally kept his field supplied with mana as he worked on it. As for what would happen if he had to leave, that wasn’t his concern.

“Understood,” Cal nodded. “I won’t hold you responsible for any mishaps after the construction.”

“Excellent!” Torin smiled. “We have a deal, Initiate Cal.”

Miren immediately tried to lift the golem into the carriage and failed miserably. It was far too heavy.

“Follow Miren’s commands,” Cal ordered when the girl looked at him for help. After a moment, he added, “And Torin’s commands.” He wasn’t sure if Miren would be able to talk to the golem without her spokesman.

“Enter the carriage,” Torin ordered the golem before turning to Cal. “We will return the golem in two days. If you need it earlier, please come to our office in Lumina.”

“Hm,” Cal nodded as he watched Miren enter the carriage after the golem. “Did you get the chance to test the surface layer yet?”

“It’s still in progress, but I have to mention that initial results suggest that it’s too volatile for use in construction.”

Cal didn’t expect that the testing still wasn’t finished, but he could only accept Torin’s reply with a disappointed frown. “Let me know when it’s done.”

“Of course, Initiate Cal,” Torin agreed readily.

The field was empty an hour later when Miren’s crew had left after the removal of the starlit marble.

Cal sat on the pile of rocks he had designated for mediation and read through the booklet for [Earth Barrier]. He would need to be a formidable [Mage] if he truly had to escape the guild.

I’ll hope for the best but expect the worst. I already had that mindset, but I can’t deny that I was becoming more comfortable here. That needs to change.

Cal didn’t choose to try and cast [Earth Barrier] in the remaining daylight, only study it carefully and memorize the fundamentals of the earth element.

There was more to be gained from the fundamentals than the actual spell. His [Primary Class] gave him the gift of having a high affinity for the water and earth elements. Modifying spells and creating his own would benefit his [Secondary Class] growth more than simply learning what others have already created.

He stored the booklet and thought of how to use what he learned well into the night. It was only when he saw that the crops needed to be watered that he decided to stop.

Cal cast [Rainfall] for the second time that day. The interface appeared after the rain stopped.

Your [Secondary Tier] has increased by 1 level.

He hopped off his meditation pile of rocks and made his way to the house.

This is the second day Seris hasn’t visited. I’ll check in with her tomorrow if she still doesn’t show.

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