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    Chapter 915


    Kevin immediately knelt and hurriedly said, "Dad, don''t worry. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I''ll make sure to learn well from my mentor. I won''t ck off or bezy. As for anything I shouldn''t do, I promise I won''t do it."


    He had attended Violet''srge lectures twice before, but had missed the others due to his duty shifts. Violet didn''t teach him one-on-one whenever he was free, which left him feeling quite despondent.


    When he returned home, he had told his parents several times that if he could be personally taught by Violet, it would be a dreame true.


    To his surprise, after all the bad luck he had suffered during the Victory Pass campaign, he now had such good fortune. He knew his actions weren''t exactly noble, but he also understood that if he let this opportunity slip through his fingers, he would never get another.


    The Crown Guard, soon to be the Nightsteel Guard, would soon separate from the Mystic Army, and Violet was only teaching the Mystic Army troops in consideration for Carissa. After the Nightsteel Guard became independent, things might remain the same way. Even if the king allowed Violet to continue training them, Kevin would probably still miss the sses like he had before.


    Kevin''s wife, Odette, who had been kneeling alongside him, also stood as part of the ceremony. If her husband was to be epted as an apprentice, it was only right that she also kneel and show her respect.


    After Violet drank the wine as part of the apprenticeship ritual, she gave Odette a bracelet as a gift. Odette recognized the value of the bracelet and immediately tried to refuse, saying it was far too precious to ept.


    Violet smiled. "Take it. I don''t give cheap gifts."


    Odette hesitated for a moment, then nced at her mother-inw, Pauline, for guidance.


    Pauline said gently, "Since it''s a gift from Sage Violet, you should ept it. When you have the time, make sure to serve her well and fulfill your duties as an apprentice''s wife."


    "I understand," Odette said, taking the bracelet with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Sage Violet."


    After the apprenticeship ceremony, Kevin urged them to leave first.


    Kevin''s father, Ernest, knew his son wanted to stay behind. He excused himself, bowing respectfully to both Rafael and Carissa before bidding Violet farewell.


    Jacob personally saw them out.


    Once they were gone, Kevin immediately knelt again. "I was wrong, Sage Violet. Please punish me."


    Though Violet was still new to being a master herself, she did feel a re of anger at Kevin''s actions. She recalled how Everett would always punish Carissa every time she made a mistake.


    When that happened, Everett would always ask one cold, sharp question: "What did you do wrong?"


    Inspired by that memory, Violet looked at Kevin with a cold expression and asked the same question.


    "You know you''re wrong? What did you do wrong?"


    The words were simple, yet they held a quiet but undeniable authority.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Kevin lowered his head. "I shouldn''t have used General Dn''s words to threaten you and force you to take me as an apprentice.''


    ''It''s good that you''re aware. Go and kneel outside for two hours!" Violet replied coldly.


    She picked up her cup and set it back down with a sharp thud-an action that felt eerily reminiscent of Everett. "Yes, Sage Violet!" Kevin responded.


    He stood up and headed straight to the outer courtyard, where he dropped to his knees.


    Carissa watched Violet''s stern expression and the way she moved-sharp, purposeful-and felt a sudden wave of unease. The sensation was all too familiar. Instinctively, she nced at Rafael. He, too, wore the same expression.


    Right now, Violet reminded them of Everett.


    Rafael was unfazed, his expression neutral. Everett had once told him that he needed to be stricter with Adrian''s apprentices because they didn''t have a good teacher to guide them. With Rafael, Everett didn''t need to be as harsh. After all, Rafael had a great mentor.


    Carissa was only momentarily afraid. After all, having Kevin kneel for two hours didn''t seem all that intimidating.


    When Everett punished them, it wasn''t so tame. If the punishment involved kneeling, there was always something else to make it unbearable-like having a jar on your head, or having to hold heavy iron ingots out at arm''s length, or kneeling on a bed of iron spikes. If it wasn''t like that, it didn''t count as a punishment, and would be considered leniency.


    Violet''s four apprentices were truly fortunate to have such a good mentor. However, it was clear that her punishments weren''t going to be so simple.


    Two hourster, her three other apprentices arrived. Violet had summoned them, and they were curious about the new apprentice. They wanted to see who had caused their mentor to break her vow of only taking three apprentices.


    To their surprise, they saw that it was Kevin, who was part of the Nightsteel Guard.


    Violet waved her hand dismissively. "You three,e and test his foundation. Don''t go easy on him, but don''t overdo it either. He still has duty tomorrow."