Wizards: Starting with Synthetic Gems

Chapter 8, Level 4 Crafted Item: Deep Blue Gem
Locke returned to his dormitory in the evening.

At that time, the dormitory was even quieter than in the morning, because the surrounding dormitories were inhabited by people of Anjou origin.

Those people have been forced to leave the academy one after another in the past few days.

Therefore, the dormitory corridors near Locke will only become less and less lively each day.

The Frankish Empire conquered the Kingdom of Anjou, so the number of students entering Aurelian Academy each year will decrease by at least one-seventh.

In his dormitory, Locke opened the first book and began to read it carefully. That night, he was completely absorbed in reading and learned a great deal.

That was the beginning of the magical world.

At night, after eating some bread to fill his stomach, Locke took out the level 4 crafted item he had prepared inside the Horadric Cube.

Previously, he had already synthesized a level 3 ring using a gold ring, a ruby, and a sapphire.

After that, he used three rubies to synthesize a level 3 ruby ​​the size of a fist, and used sapphire fragments to synthesize some level 2 sapphires. Then he used the level 2 sapphires to synthesize three level 3 sapphires.

These Grade 3 gems are larger, about the size of an adult's fist, and have more perfect transparency and color.

It has reached the level of a rare treasure.

It's safe to say that he could easily cover the tuition fees for Aurelian Academy by simply selling a few of his own coins.

Now is the time for Locke to synthesize level 4 items.

Locke noticed that the Horadric Cube did not give him any prompts to continue synthesizing, such as a prompt to synthesize a level 5 item.

It seems that, as an ordinary person, I can only synthesize level 4 items at most.

Locke then looked at the sapphire in front of him. The level 4 sapphire had not only not grown bigger, but had actually shrunk, becoming only the size of a fingernail, though its shape had changed to resemble a pearl.

[Level 4 Sapphire (Deep Blue Jade), a unique gemstone found deep within a mineral vein, possesses the property of smoothing out fluctuations in mental energy (filtering property). Jewelry made from it, when worn at all times, can stabilize the wearer's mental energy.]

Locke paused for a moment, looking at the level 4 sapphire in his hand. "Sure enough, once it reaches level 4, the resulting item is no longer an ordinary item."

"A level 4 sapphire can subtly stabilize the wearer's mental energy. Although I don't know what it does yet, I can find a gem craftsman to make a ring for me."

"That's what makes the Horadric Cube so powerful."

Locke thought, "With the Synthesis Cube, I will no longer lack high-level materials. This will be a great help to me in the Wizarding World in the future."

"Now I've finally escaped gold coin poverty, although I have quite a bit of magic stone debt."

Locke looked at the nine thick books in front of him. "These are the fruits of my right gamble."

"If I hadn't discovered the existence of the outstanding graduate spot through logical reasoning back then, I would most likely be preparing to move out of the academy now and would have no contact with the wizarding world."

"After leaving the academy, I could only rely on Horadric to synthesize Rubik's Cubes and disguise myself as a famous gem craftsman in the ordinary society of Corfu, becoming an ordinary person, and turning into a pile of yellow earth and bones a hundred years later."

“But now everything is different,” Locke said, looking at the books in front of him.

"With the spot for outstanding graduates, I no longer need to worry about safety or survival at Aurelian Academy. All I have to do is study hard."

"However, rest is also part of learning."

There was a required history class the next day, so Locke quietly closed his book in the middle of the night, fell asleep, and drifted into a wonderful dream.

……

The next day, at Aurelian Academy, in a history class.

Professor Alder, his face dark, walked into the classroom and slammed his doctrine onto the podium. Immediately, many onlookers turned their attention to Locke and the other Anjou people.

Angel's face was extremely pale, as if it were a blank sheet of paper, but her eyes still flickered as she glanced at Locke with jealousy.

She felt that Professor Old's anger was directed at Locke because Locke had not gone to his office to help him with his work as the history professor had requested.

Similarly, many students who had heard some of the news were also waiting to see what would happen.

Cohen Julian, as the son of the Count of Franks, said to his two fat henchmen, "We're in for a good show today. Those Anjou people are definitely going to be kicked out of our academy. Especially that Locke."

On the podium, under the students' gazes, Professor Olde, his face grim, scanned the crowd before his eyes fell on Locke. Then, as if he hadn't seen Locke, he glared fiercely at another student. "The results of the last quiz are out. Some of you simply didn't study properly."

"Your grades are too bad." "This semester, I'm going to raise the passing score for history. Anyone whose average exam score is below the passing mark will not pass this semester's history course. Unless you go to my office after class and copy the history textbook for me."

"Accumulate performance points."

"Only then can I let you go."

Mr. Olde pushed up his monocle. “However, I must commend a student this time, Locke Augustine from the Kingdom of Anjou. His grades have improved greatly this time, and you should all learn from him.”

"Alright, class is in session."

Professor Old's words surprised many students, who began whispering among themselves, especially Angel and Cohen Julian.

From her seat, Angel looked at Professor Old with a puzzled expression. She was so surprised that she instinctively stood up, but when she realized that it was impolite and too conspicuous, she immediately sat back down.

After all, things are different now than before. She was able to stay in this college because she worked for Professor Old, and was therefore not required to pay her tuition fees.

But Angel looked at Locke with a puzzled expression, his lips trembling on his pale face.

Why is it different from what Professor Alder said in his office? Wasn't the professor going to expel Locke from the college today, to kick him out on the spot, so that the Anjou student could see the consequences of refusing the professor's good intentions?
Why is this different from what was said before?
Angel's face showed a hint of regret; she was too weak and even began to feel dizzy.

Even if she were naive at this point, considering Locke's previous attitude, she could vaguely sense that something was wrong.

'If I had listened to Locke back then and hadn't gone to work in Professor Olde's office, would I be in the same situation as him now?'

In another corner, a hint of doubt appeared in Cohen Julian's eyes. "What happened? How did that lowly Anjou man, Locke, manage to turn the tables?"

"Professor Old, why should we be concerned about the youngest son of an earl who has lost his lands?"

Cohen Julian wasn't a complete playboy. After realizing he couldn't see through Locke, he immediately fell silent, filled with doubt and suspicion, and dared not provoke Locke directly again.

In class, Locke listened to Professor Old's lecture.

After learning the truth about the academy, he found it quite interesting to listen to Alder recount the ancient history before the Seven Kingdoms.

Before the Seven Kingdoms period, a chaotic era with hundreds of small kingdoms, the presence of wizards was evident.

It's likely that behind every small country at that time, there was at least one sorcerer.

Locke thought, "It seems that Dean Tunguska told Ald that I had become a member of the Academy's secret society."

"But why would Older dare to attack other students directly in class? He seems to be getting more and more insane."

"It's like a drowning person grabbing at any straw. Why is he so frantic?"

Locke shook his head and continued listening to the lecture; after all, these things were no longer relevant to him.

The moment he became a wizarding prospect at Aurelian Academy, his status within the academy was no longer that of a bottom-ranking cannon fodder.

Therefore, Professor Old should not dare to harm him again; all of this is no longer his concern.

Locke continued to attend history classes for two reasons. Firstly, he needed to conceal his connection to wizardry in his behavior, so Dean Tunguska still required him to attend classes as usual.

At least the required courses must be taken.

The second reason is that the history that Alder tells can be considered a basic general education course in the magical world.

Therefore, Locke still needs to learn from him.

Locke looked up and saw Patty Aisa, who was sitting in front of him, turn around and say to him without making a sound, "Congratulations, nobleman."

I didn't expect you to pass.

From now on, we're members of the same club. We have club activities this afternoon.

Locke smiled back at the blonde beauty who was giving him a bright smile, as if she were a friend.

It seems I've been accepted.

That's true, this academy doesn't have many potential wizards.

(End of this chapter)