Chapter 917

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By the time Kevin turned thirteen, he still hadn't formally apprenticed to a mentor. Every attempt ended in failure—either he fell ill, or his prospective mentor experienced misfortune. Ernest finally gave up.

"Just keep learning what you can," he said. "Whatever you manage to learn is enough."

Violet listened to Kevin's story with mixed emotions. Was he a magnet for bad luck? His life was a series of misfortunes, seemingly extending to his mentors. She wondered if this would affect her.

Based on his past, something always went wrong before he could apprentice. Now, having found a mentor and things going smoothly, perhaps his luck had changed. His successful apprenticeship might signal the end of his bad streak.

He had officially met his senior apprentices. Impressed by his sincerity and respect, none of them made things difficult. However, Carissa asked, "You're from the Nightsteel Guard. Aren't you worried that apprenticing directly to a mentor might hinder your advancement there?"

"It doesn't matter if I can't rise to the top immediately," Kevin replied respectfully. "As long as I have the ability, I'll eventually make a name for myself. But if I don't hone my martial arts skills, even royal favor won't help me perform. Being removed from my position later would be worse. I'm young; I can wait."

Carissa nodded, agreeing with his perspective. His persistence was rare; he hadn't let bad luck deter him. Rafael's faith in him seemed justified.

After they left, Travis entered, eyeing the gifts. Unlike before, he didn't rush to inspect them. Earlier that year, he'd returned to his guild, giving his mentor all his earnings—only to receive a beating. Why? He'd spent the money on jewelry, lip balm, and rouge. His mentor scolded him for wasting money. The next day, the senior apprentices protested by wearing lip balm and rouge.

Alana and Leah, having traveled extensively, told their mentor, "All girls today wear makeup. It's not a big deal for them to dress up occasionally. It's the New Year, after all."

Though stern, their mentor was also soft-hearted. Muttering about the ease of falling into luxury and the difficulty of returning to frugality, she forgave them.

The night before Travis left the mountain to return to the capital, his mentor spoke with him for two hours.

"We may be poor, but poverty has become a part of us. Poverty should be dignified. If someone offers a gift, thank them. If they don't, don't take it by force; you'll lose your manners, and more importantly, your dignity. This year, I hope you become a cultured person, someone who manages emotions and remains stable. Learn self-control and composure."

Chapter 917

Travis was deeply moved. However, he couldn't resist asking, "When I was a kid, did you purposely send me to fight Cari? And when I lost, did you ask them for reduced rent? Wasn't that undignified and embarrassing?"

That question nearly got him expelled. He promised to be good, to listen, and to become a cultured person—someone who controlled their emotions and behaved gracefully.

Violet noticed Travis staring at the gifts without approaching them.

"Don't you want to take a look?" she asked.

"Those are yours. I'm not rude," Travis said indignantly.

Carissa and Violet were surprised.

"You're not rude? Who then used to mess with my gifts?" Violet asked incredulously.

"That was the past. I've reformed. I'm a person of high moral standing… very high," he stammered, failing to articulate his reformed self. "But why is Carissa your apprentice's martial aunt? You're from different guilds," he added.

"Mind your own business," Violet replied, opening several embroidered boxes containing two Evergreen Roots, crystal figurines, and tonic herbs. "Put these in your private stash. They're for your mentor; she looks thin and could use supplements."

Since Violet was giving them to him, Travis politely thanked her and accepted them.