Wizards: Starting with Synthetic Gems

Chapter 74, Second in the Same Period
Inside Sophia the Witch's office.

Sophia the witch raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You mean, the witches' apprentices from the Blood Curse Court intercepted you on your way back to the school."

Locke nodded. "Yes, teacher."

Sophia frowned. "That makes things complicated. If they were able to intercept you beforehand, they must have known about the magical plant investigation mission you accepted, which would allow them to calculate the time it would take for you to return."

“But this was a task assigned directly to me by Advisor Francis.”

"That's not right either. This mission was issued by Advisor Francis through his assistant, so there's still a possibility of information leakage."

The witch Sophia said, "The Blood Curse Court likely has a well-hidden spy network over Lilith's Hut. I will report this to the higher-ups at the academy."

"Locke, don't leave the school's headquarters during this time."

“I will apply to the college administration for special protection for you. During this period of special protection, you will not have to perform your college duties.”

"You were recently assassinated, and now you're a first-class wizard apprentice. The academy will value you very highly, so you should be able to pass."

"You have only just become a first-class wizard apprentice. You need to spend time improving your spellcasting skills."

The witch Sophia tossed a document to Locke. "You can use your magic stones to buy private lessons during this time and learn the next three spells in the Vine Frenzy series."

"As for magic, feel free to learn whatever you like."

"Since you have the Rotten Soil Konjac and the Clivia Flower, I recommend that you spend magic stones to purchase private lessons and learn one magic trick, [Mayfly Firework], and one magic trick, [All Plants Are Soldiers]."

“I will have plenty of time on Wednesday a week from now to tell you how to walk the path after becoming a first-class wizard apprentice—the path to becoming a full-fledged wizard.”

The witch Sophia said, "Spells are no longer your focus at this stage."

"The college will sign a new contract with you in a few days."

She pointed to the document and said, "Since you're a first-class wizard apprentice, you can help me deal with this batch of Shadow Leeches."

"You can try making a batch of leech bloodline separation agent yourself, and then use the magic centrifugal extraction method to separate the bloodline of this insect."

"Remember to come to me the day after tomorrow. Those new wizarding talents will be here then. One of them, like you, is from overseas, while the rest are all from local commoner backgrounds."

Locke had been receiving nearly two years of instruction from the witch Sophia at the assistant level in potions, so he could try to do this kind of work.

However, shadow leeches are extremely dangerous magical insects. If one is not careful, the offspring eggs hatched by these insects can easily parasitize the body of the wizard apprentice who is dealing with them, and they are extremely difficult to treat.

The magical creature materials that Sophia Witch currently uses are all so dangerous.

Therefore, the witch Sophia had never allowed Locke to try to independently concoct a special bloodline separation potion for magical creatures.

It was simply a relatively simple task for Locke to use the mana centrifugal extraction method to create pure magical creature bloodline essence.

But clearly, Sophia the Witch now trusts Locke several levels more than before.

Locke took the information and glanced at it. This was something that a potion master's assistant had to know, so he was giving himself a chance to practice.

This batch of Shadow Leeches will cost several thousand magic stones.

“Shadow leeches are generally used in potions to cure curses related to shadows, and are one of the common ingredients in potion-level elixirs.” Locke recalled his knowledge and said, “Okay, teacher, I will try my best to make it within a week and send it to your laboratory.”

After leaving Sophia's office, Locke crossed the port city to the general education classroom. He decided to listen to Sophia's advice and enroll in the two private lessons on spell models.

Sophia the Witch's knowledge far surpasses my current level, so if she's asking me to learn, it must be very beneficial for me right now.

Locke entered the dark elf Sasari's private office, knocked lightly on the door, and went inside after Sasari gave him permission.

Locke said to Sassari, "Senior Sassari, I would like to sign up for the courses 'Ephemeral Fireworks' and 'All Plants Are Soldiers'."

The dark elf Sassari frowned, because these two private lessons were not group classes, meaning very few people could learn them, and they were extremely complex and dangerous.

When a class is held once, there are usually only a few students, and often only one student.

Most importantly, both courses are at the first-class wizard apprentice level.

It was only then that the dark elf Sasari noticed the magical pressure emanating from Locke.

Unlike the witch Sophia, who was only slightly stunned, Sassari's mouth dropped open in utter astonishment. "That's magical pressure! Locke, you've become a first-class wizard apprentice!"

"No, it hasn't been that long. You only became a second-class wizard apprentice last year, right?"

"Among your fellow wizarding prodigies, those with level 6 aptitude have not yet become first-class wizarding apprentices. Only one Elemental Child with level 7 aptitude became a first-class wizarding apprentice half a month ago and has received great attention from the higher-ups of Lilith Academy."

Sassari stood up from behind his desk. He was shocked to realize that Locke was a first-class wizard apprentice, and he dared not act arrogantly anymore, so he simply stood up.

Locke said to Sassari, "Senior, my teacher, the witch Sophia, said that the wizard aptitude test is not perfect, so the aptitude classification done upon enrollment cannot determine everything."

"My talent lies precisely in the areas outside of mainstream detection methods."

The dark elf Sassari recovered from his shock, a wry smile appearing on his face. "What difference does it make? All I know is that you possess talent equal to that of the Child of the Elements."

"Even the children of the elements are rarer than fish that slipped through the net like you."

"It's not worth mentioning."

Sassari spoke to Locke with a more contemplative tone. "Congratulations, Augustine."

"The academy will sign a contract with you in a few days. First-class wizard apprentices are the backbone of the academy and the reserves for formal wizards, so there will be a new contract and new benefits. You may also take on some teaching, research, and combat tasks."

"You can also register your level and claim rewards. The academy is very supportive of you high achievers."

The dark elf Sasari thought for a moment and said to Locke, "In the next few months, you should be the only one participating in the Ephemeral Fireworks event, so you can sign up directly. But beware, your classmate from the same year is also going to participate, but she won't be available for another week, so you'll have to wait a week."

"We will teach this course to both of you at the same time."

"These private lessons are basically one-on-one, so they are quite expensive."

"Excluding material costs and other miscellaneous expenses, the basic course fee is 550 magic stones per course. Is that alright, Locke?"

Locke nodded. "Of course, senior."

Sassari had already produced two application forms and signed his name on them. "These two courses, besides being expensive, also have a level restriction that only first-class wizard apprentices can enroll in them."

"Once you've learned it, you might be teaching advanced magic tricks like 'Mayfly Fireworks' and 'All Plants Are Soldiers' in the public classroom."

(End of this chapter)