Guild Mage: Apprentice [Volumes 1-4 Stubbed, Volume 5 Stubbing 4/10]

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

There are a lot of things wrong with Liv Brodbeck.

She’s too small, for one thing. When she works in the castle kitchens with her mother, she can’t carry a sack of flour or roll a keg of ale.

Baron Summerset’s chirurgeon says that she has brittle bones, so she isn’t allowed to wrestle or sword fight with the other children. Even sledding downhill in the winter brings the risk of breaking an arm or a leg if she falls.

Everyone says that she ruined her mother’s life when she was born. Not when they think Liv is in the room, of course, but she overhears all the same. In the kitchen of a less kind lord, a cook bearing a bastard child would have been more than cause enough for both of them to be out on the street.

No, a child like Liv doesn’t have much hope. But when she accidentally unleashes a surge of wild magic, she takes her first step on a journey which will lead her from the kitchens of Castle Whitehill, to the cold palaces of the Eld, and beyond, to the graves of gods...

What to Expect:

- MC starts off very weak, with a lot disadvantages - not just physically weak, but also vulnerable in a socio-economic sense. She has talents, but it is going to take time to develop them. I want to give this process room to breathe, so I hope you enjoy long-term progression.

- The MC begins the story as a child. As she grows up, she will have relationships that I intend to be appropriate for her stages of life, BUT THERE WILL BE NO SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS UNTIL SHE IS AN ADULT. Expect eventual teenage drama progressing into more adult relationships.

- MC is an adult equivalent to age 18 as the end of Chapter 69/beginning of Chapter 70.

- There is action, but it is not constant action, and it will again be appropriate for the MCs development. As a child, she will be challenged by child things, and as she grows into power the scale of threats will increase.

Update Schedule: Chapters will be published M-F. Other than the Amazon & Audible release, this work is only published here, and on my Patreon, where there are 20 advanced chapters. If you see it anywhere else, it's been stolen.

Volume Four has now been stubbed.All four volumes may now be found onAmazonandAudible.Volume 5 will be stubbing 4/10.

Both art and writing are entirely human-created; there is no use of AI in this work.

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2024
Author: David Niemitz (M0rph3u5)

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.7/ 5.0
Followers: 6,238
Views: 1,624,883

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

23nRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Need More Chapters!
Overall, this is the book I've enjoyed reading the most, thus far. And there's a reason for that! You just can't get enough of the Guild Mage.
The style feels professional. The author conveys everything perfectly, and it makes for an awesome read that really immerses the reader in the story.
The story itself is really well done, with amazing world building and plot. Everything builds on everything, and there doesn't seem to be any plot holes or dead spots in the story. There are a few slow paced chapters, though, but they're necessary for the story's progression.
Obviously, the grammar acts as the magic glue for everything. And, even though it holds everything together, there's nothing to say about it, really. There's no errors, and the way everything is written transports you into the medieval setting. It's a well written, grammatically sound fiction.
Lastly, the characters. They're unique, they have personality, and there's a variety of them. You don't really need anything else. Except maybe emotion, but that covered as well.
It's a really well done fiction that feels like is shouldn't be on Royal Road because it's so good (please keep it here). I would definitely recommend reading it!
Edit: This is the first book I've read with a conlang (minimal use), and it really elevates the whole experience.
Where'd you learn to write like this, Mr Niemitz? I would really appreciate a tip or two, if it's okay to ask for that here.
I'm now up to chapter 202, and I still love it.
Can't wait for the next chapter (248) to kick off book seven!
Brianna StormCloudRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
A very enjoyable story, starting when the MC is a young girl, eventually working as a scullery maid in the Local Lord’s castle. We follow her journey as she discovers magic and starts lessons with the castle mage. There are many supporting characters in a richly described world of many cultures. Over the course of the book, we slowly learn (as the MC does) the story behind all the cultures, and the current strifes within the known world, her world view expands. There is an occasional POV from a secondary character, to me this just enhances the story. The end chapter author notes are also interesting! On a side note the spelling and grammar are awesome, with very few changes needed.
Scout77Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I read a lot. I also read a lot of not so great books. I'd say I have a high tolerance for schlock. This is not that. This is a wonderfully well written story. I love the characters and how they are developing. I love the pacing, which is one of my bigger gripes with slice of life novels, they are so slow. Not this book. While some of the world building and magic elements aren't new, it certainly feels fresh in how it was written. Please keep pumping out the chapters, I'm loving this story.
XzernexRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I usually don’t write reviews, but this book is of exceptional quality. I was originally hesitant to jump into a self proclaimed epic fantasy as they can often times be filled with overly lengthy descriptions and a plot that meanders down impressively unimportant events. Especially with the recent trend of slice of life on Royal Road like the wandering inn and the bunny support book. (If you know, you know.)
This book is nothing like that and reminds me of the joy and simple purity I found in published fantasy books from my youth. The book, up to this point, gives me the same feelings I had reading the snow arc in Ranger’s Apprentice with a magic system that reminds me of a softer, more mysterious version of The Reckoners.
The plot clips along at the perfect pace, events feel impactful, powerful, and leave you wanting more without cheaply power-scaling to ridiculous proportions. The main character doesn’t seem impervious, their actions have consequences, and the author has clearly done their research on medieval vocabulary and their way of life. Things need cleaning, hair needs to be brushed, wounds don’t just disappear and affect the plot, warm clothes need to be put on before going outside, the main character is actually affected by the actions and opinions of others, and everyones intentions are not just blasted out with a loud speaker. The world feels real in the ways that it needs to, and yet the magic and fantasy elements, which are not exclusive only to the main character, make it exciting as you discover the world along with her. She isn’t an instant prodigy.
I have often remarked that many books don’t seem to demonstrate the small and sometimes unsavory moments in life that can be used for self reflection. In all of the lord of the rings, i cant seem to recall a main character gazing at the moon in deep reflection or a description of someone using the bathroom and bemoaning how annoying it is to wipe with a sharp, volcanic, Mordor rock. It is truly the mark
underdogRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The story is wonderfully and lovingly crafted. The main cast of characters are interesting and fun to read. The protagonist Liv is engaging and fleshed out. The prose and grammar are appropriate with few errors. It reads wonderfully, and pulls you in for more with every chapter! Would reccomend to fans of the Ranger's Apprentice, Alanna of Trebond and Eragon book series's.
KittyJinglesRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
It's so good, read it before it's stubbed! Or like read it on Kindle unlimited if it's after Aug 15th, 2025. I bet you could enjoy it even after it's stubbed, there's funny character notes at the end that explain who anyone who talks is and I'm really enjoying book two or whatever past Ch 40 is (action, banter and royal political maneuvers)
Update: Really liking the political intrigue and duels and drama. Very emotionally satisfying and there's tense action 🍿
The style is great, usually in Liv's point of view, but occasionally goes to another perspective when it's more interesting. The grammar is impeccable. I haven't found a single error. It's very readable and enjoyable.
The likable main character is a good girl that always tries her best to do the right thing. It's often cozy, often intriguing and very engaging and believable. It's not just castle life. There's rescue and action and criminals and monster battles and mana eruptions. The pace doesn't plod or jerk forward, the writing is solid
All the new characters are interesting. I find everyone believable so far. Yes people are selfish and ambitious. Young people act young even when they're in their best court behavior
InmiumRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
I would give the first book 5 stars and the second book 4 stars. It's a beautifully thought out world with interesting characters. Although I understand the "guild" nature of the magic school, it feels less memorable compared to book 1 or other novels.
There are also some character choices that feel more like plot devices such as;
the usage of Luc, breakup with Cade, taking people along to granddad
VicLRoyal Road
★★★★ 3.5
Think of Pachelbel's Canon. At first, it seems somewhat dull, but then it gets richer... and richer...
Grammar, as far as I can tell, is completely flawless. That's exceeding rare on RR.
MC is not my type... so far. Even so, she's well-imagined, feels real and makes sense for her age and circumstances. Overall, she's a nice girl who stands up for herself and isn't squeamish about blood or killing those who try to kill her. That's enough to give her five stars in my opinion. She just seems a bit... too... kind to some boy she just met (Not a fan of her first L.I. here).
Story is slow paced at times, fast at others, sometimes taking chapters to detail important occasions, and sometimes skipping years in a single chapter. That's a good thing.
It doesn't always explain everything either. That's also a good thing.
If I had a gripe, it's the sudden change of POV from time to time without explaining why first. You only find out why it's relevant later, sometimes much later. Meanwhile, a reader just has to grit and bear it.
As far as I've read, style is usually cozy with drama at specific events. Nothing extreme in either thrills or spills; it's steady. Just don't expect peak excitement. Then again, it's early yet, and things might get more intense later.
--- update, 24/07/2025 --
Since the last time I wrote and gave this story a five star, I ran into a jarring issue; the battles. A lot of them feels more like a girl playing with dolls than actual life-on-the-line fighting. There's no need for so much fancy and pretty effects; simply shooting ice at the right places and timing would suffice. I don't know if the author intends this to be due to youth and inexperience and whether Liv would ever improve on this, or if future 'battles' are also going to be fancy art-and-craft shows, but it throws me off in the meantime.
Gotta reduce scores as a result.
---edit 1
scores reduced as the richness and fun of the story dropped after a hundred chapters or so.
I especially disliked how
EdwardRoyal Road
★★★ 2.5
This story has great world building, and some really good character buildup.
The author manages to build an interesting magic system, a great take on culture, fantasy race, and the questions of life span and how that affects cultures of elves and humans, the interactions between them, and so much more.
The magic system is great, flexible yet there are limitations. It has its flaws, but overall, the start of it is depicted very well.
Alas, the author has decided to turn the second book, Journeyman, into a teen angst romance drama. It technically fits the character (teen boys and girls in a magical school), so not inherently bad writing. If you are interested in it and are the demographic for books like Twilight, you might still like the book, but it is a fairly big shift from book one.
Many other cracks start to show too. Like in the previously mentioned magic system. Magic comes in the form of words... but silent casting soon becomes a thing. It is like, if Harry Potter was all about wands... only to then introduce wandless magic and everyone learns it in the seventh year. Perhaps there are ways to go around it, but this is not a great execution of it.
The character development turns fairly annoying and somewhat shallow. A new side character, a Great Bat (pseudo vampire) gets introduced. Her reasons for being in the plot, are basically "the main character is interested, I'll a stick around her". Yes... basically that. Her personality wants and desires, past, all of that is ignored for the sake of having her in the plot.
Other characters get introduced, then dropped. It isn't to the point of having too many characters, but many barely get any coverage. In book one, a mysterious powerful mage teacher gets introduced, and a future path where said mage becomes the poor commoner girl's teacher and protecter... alas she is too young so that gets delayed to the second book.
In the second book, they barely interact. Her so-called teacher? Basically, just benefactor and teac
IllmaticRoyal Road
★★ 1.5
The story was enjoyable originally, but started getting weird when the MC starts having romantic thoughts about someone who's diapers she used to help change as a teenager. This is one of many stories that go outta it's way to come up with reasons someone 30+ should date a 15 year old. Just because you say she's a half elf doesn't make it less weird. If you can get past the creepy relationship dynamics, you'll probably enjoy this. I could not