Wizards: Starting with Synthetic Gems

Chapter 25 Rose-Red Gem
“This Ogan rune can be adjusted. This will make my manipulation of the Mandrake more flexible.” Inside the wizard ship’s cabin, Locke was fine-tuning the four-dimensional structure of the [Vine Hand] spell model composed of sixteen Ogan runes.

The standard spell model of Hand of Vines is a universal model suitable for everyone. However, each wizard's soul and mana are unique, so the rune structure must be slightly adjusted during use to make the spell model more compatible with oneself.

Of course, this requires a wizard apprentice to have a certain understanding and proficiency in the spell, as well as sufficient basic knowledge of magic.

After experiencing the sudden attack by the dark wizards, Locke gained some inspiration for his spells, which is why he spent a day in the cabin modifying his spell models.

After modifying the model composed of sixteen Ogan tree runes, Locke immediately went to his room and used his magic to conduct a round of tests.

After testing, Locke put away the small hourglass he had placed on the wooden barrel table and said, "The response speed of my improved Vine Hand has been reduced from 0.2 seconds to 0.1 seconds."

The blinking time is approximately 0.1 to 0.4 seconds, and the reaction time of an average person in the face of a sudden event should be at least 0.5 seconds.

The response time of the Vine Hand has been halved, which means faster attacks and higher micro-management precision.

Locke looked at the three dark blue jade and gold rings on his left hand. "But the price is that the mana cost of casting the Vine Hand spell has also increased."

Therefore, wizard apprentices need to modify the spell model to suit their own needs.

If increasing mana consumption is traded for faster spell response times, most wizarding apprentices would forgo this option.

But Locke, who possessed a large quantity of sapphire, had little to worry about.

For me, the most important thing is to increase the power of my spells.

“The magical power previously stored in the Azure Jade has been used up, and now it needs to be stored again,” Locke said.

It takes time.

Because it takes time for his magic power to recover, he cannot completely deplete it. Therefore, he can only infuse half of his magic power into the Azure Jade each time, and then wait for his magic power to recover before infusing it again.

Similarly, Locke retrieved the dark blue gem hidden in the mechanism of the gold ring and discovered that the once flawless gem now had cracks inside.

This indicates that the dark blue jade has a limited number of uses, approximately two to three times, after which it will completely shatter and become worthless.

Locke placed the three dark blue gems back into the mechanism of the three gold rings.

Then, he made a grasping motion in the air in front of him, and the Horadric Cube, as it spun, emitted a golden light, and a smooth, black and red gem appeared in Locke's hand.

"The recipe of two level-four rubies and one level-four black agate has been successfully completed."

Locke saw the entry for this jewel—

[The Rose-Red Gemstone is a rare gemstone said to only appear deep within gem veins. It is believed to activate spiritual energy, and wearing it regularly can double the rate at which spiritual energy increases.]

As Locke held the precious jade in his hand, he felt as if his spiritual power had been infused with more vitality.

Locke could even slowly sense that the mental energy, which had stopped growing, was growing very slowly, but certainly powerfully.

Locke held up the rose-red gem and discovered that inside the gem, which was suspended in mid-air, there was a strange gaseous substance. It was this substance that was slowly entering his body through his skin, infecting his spiritual power. Then, this rose-red, misty substance would enhance his spiritual power.

But it takes very careful observation to see even a little bit.

“Since becoming a third-class wizard apprentice, I haven’t had any further learning methods, so I’ve basically not increased my mental strength,” Locke pondered. “But with the Rose Gem, my mental strength has increased again.”

"If I had the subsequent learning methods, I estimate that my mental strength would grow much faster, exceeding the growth rate of a level three wizard."

Locke's eyes revealed a hint of excitement.

My biggest worry has always been my wizarding aptitude. It took me more than two years to become a third-class wizarding apprentice.

More qualified wizard apprentices can become third-class wizard apprentices in just three months.

But now, if I can synthesize a large number of Rose Red Gems, I can rapidly increase my spiritual power.

In the future, my cultivation speed may not be much slower than those with higher wizarding aptitude.

After all, accumulating resources is also a solution.

Locke looked at the rose-red gem and pondered, "But why is it that when my mental energy touches the special substance hidden in this gem, my mental energy grows so quickly?"

"What kind of special substance is this?"

"Never mind, I can't ask anyone right now. I'll find out naturally in the future."

He put away the rose-red jewel and hid it in a gold ring that had been made long ago, then wore it on the ring finger of his right hand.

Then, Locke replaced the malfunctioning deep blue gem in his left-hand gold ring with five brand new deep blue gems.

As a result, his inventory was also used up.

You must wait until you disembark from the wizard ship before you can find the market to replenish your gems and synthesize the prerequisite materials for Rose Gem, Navy Gem, and Deep Blue Gem.

There was a knock on the door in the cabin below deck, and Laun's voice came from outside.

"Locke, come out quickly." "The wizard mentors have come to our floor. It looks like they're finally going to assign us to different wizarding schools."

“I hope I can stay at Verdandia University. The wizards in the Wizarding Elders Council of the Schleswig Continent told me that Verdandia University is one of the best comprehensive wizarding colleges in the southeastern corner of the region.”

"Many great wizards have graduated from the University of Verdandia."

Locke opened the door and saw that Laun looked excited. At the same time, the corridor was quiet, as many wizard apprentices had already opened their doors and walked into the corridor.

Meanwhile, at the entrance to the wooden staircase leading to the upper deck, stood about twenty wizarding instructors dressed in different styles of wizarding robes.

Among them was none other than Jarvis, the mentor from the Four Seasons Garden.

Locke, however, had the leisure to ask Laun in a low voice, "Laun, which is better, Four Seasons Garden or Verdandia University?"

The wizards on the continent where Laun was located seemed to be stronger than those on the continent of Corfu, so Laun knew much more information than he did.

Laun really thought it over carefully, and then said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "They are about the same, but the Four Seasons Garden is an academy specializing in life magic, while Verdandia University is a comprehensive magic university."

"Therefore, there are also significant differences between the two."

"However, we can forget about the Four Seasons Garden. The Four Seasons Garden only targets wizarding talents with the highest affinity for wood elemental particles, or wizarding talents who have outstanding performance in herbalism and potion-making."

"Veldandia University may also accept some wizarding talents of average ability, because some of the magic majors at the university are very niche and have relatively few students."

"So they might consider taking in some less talented wizards to study less popular magic categories in order to maintain the tradition of Verdandia University in this area."

Laun whispered to Locke, "For example, the wizard elders recommended that I try to study the [Energization School - Light Magic Specialization] and [Life Magic - Plant Specialization] at the University of Verdandia."

"The Light Magic program at Vildandia University is relatively average, but they generally prioritize wizarding talents with 4th-level wizarding aptitude or above, so that's just my ideal option."

"Unless I'm extremely lucky, I generally wouldn't have a chance to get in."

"My main focus is on the plant science major at their university."

"The students majoring in herbalism at Verdandia University are in a worse position. If they are lucky, they might be able to get in if they are a wizarding prospect with the aptitude of level 3 wizards."

“Locke, didn’t you mention before that you worked with your teacher to concoct a potion before boarding the ship? That was a significant achievement.”

"So, maybe you'll also have a chance to be selected for the 'Plant Science' program at Verdandia University," said Raun with a hint of envy.

Laun whispered, "The wizards from the continents where we are both are wizards sent by the University of Verdandia, so we will naturally be given priority in being selected by the University of Verdandia."

“Virdandia University has the priority to choose us. Unless we are rejected by the university, no other wizarding organization within the White Wizarding Association can bypass the university and choose us.”

"This is our strength."

"After all, Verdandia University is one of the most famous colleges in the southeastern region."

Laun added, “Of course, this is just the requirement of us natives of the mortal world. I've heard that the natives of the wizarding world have different standards for entering the academy than we do. Their situation is much more complicated.”

“Some wizarding talents in areas under the jurisdiction of Verdandia University only need to be at level 2 or 3 aptitude to be directly taken over and trained by Verdandia University.”

“Those local wizarding talents were considered as one of their own by the University of Verdandia.”

In the corridor, Locke asked curiously, "Which magic specialization is the strongest at Vildandia University?"

Laun smiled and said in a low voice, "I happen to know that."

“I knew you’d be interested. It’s a pity we can only watch from the sidelines; those are the really popular magic categories that require at least a level 6 wizard qualification to enter.”

"Even their local wizarding prodigies are like this, without exception."

"The two strongest specializations at Verdandia University are the Lightning Magic specialization of the Evocation School and the Transmutation specialization of the Transmutation School."

"Besides these two trump card magic categories, there are several other relatively powerful magic categories, including the Potions major."

"Locke," Laun whispered, "the mentors are coming. We'd better keep quiet."

"Good luck, and I hope you get assigned to a satisfactory college."

From now on, before the book is published: Chapter 1 will be updated at 12:01 AM, and Chapter 2 will be updated at 5:00 PM.

I will update one chapter at noon today and another chapter at 5 pm today.

Once published, the update time will be fixed at 12:01 AM, with all updates completed by then.

This fixed time makes it more convenient for everyone to read.

Happy today, readers!

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(End of this chapter)