I was an apprentice in Ferren

Chapter 102 Promotion
The next few days passed peacefully for DuPont, who focused on learning magic at the academy.

The phoenix headdress did not increase DuPont's learning experience, but it did significantly speed up the process of building spell models. Looking at the new spell Flame Arrow that he had learned during his three lunch breaks, DuPont had a vague new understanding of the mage profession.

If he only relies on the system to acquire spells, even if he becomes a legendary mage, he will only know 5 tricks. After all, there are only 2 new spells given as a bonus at each level, and he is unlikely to go back and learn a trick that has no tactical value.

But if he could learn on his own, he could easily master all these tricks, it would just take some time.

The same applies to first-circle spells. If he is willing, he can learn a new first-circle spell by focusing on it for 3 to 5 days. However, this is of no use to his understanding of the magic network or his advancement, unless he has to learn a certain spell in a specific situation, in which case it is not worth wasting his time.

On Thursday evening, Charles finally became a private apprentice as he had wished. Before leaving, he spent 20 gold to treat his classmates to a lavish dinner and even drank half a glass of wine, which was an exception for him.

"Brothers, I've finally made it! I don't have to worry about dealing with a bunch of peasants on construction sites anymore." Perhaps it was because he was drunk that he spoke the truth, but Charles was a bit too talkative today: "Don't worry, when I really make it big, I'll open my own chamber of commerce, and everyone can take a job there after graduation. Then we won't have to worry about being exploited by this shitty place anymore, and we'll split all the profits equally."

However, no one was excited by these words; instead, they were all somewhat frightened. Even DuPont, who was sitting next to him, patted his arm and said, "You've had too much to drink. Why are you talking nonsense?"

Hearing this, Charles became unhappy: "Damn it, what nonsense am I talking about? The mage who discovered my magical talent said that if I had the right conditions, becoming a full-fledged mage at 15 wouldn't be a problem. But I'm only at the second ring this year, and this damn academy still makes us hand in scrolls every week."

Before Charles could finish speaking, the apprentice beside him quickly cast a spell to put him into a deep sleep. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and sent Charles back to his dormitory.

The farewell party ended badly. DuPont put the remaining half-bottle of expensive wine into his bag and watched the kitchen helpers cleaning up the leftover food in silence.

It seems that even if the apprentices don't fully understand the nature of this academy, they still know why their advancement is so slow.

But do they have a choice?
No, the tuition fee to study here is a huge sum of several thousand gold coins, and the number of places is limited. It's take it or leave it.

Choosing means being exploited, while not choosing means not even having the chance to be exploited. They are overjoyed if they can earn a few silver coins a day, and they even have to ask the halflings for permission to pack up the leftovers and take them home.

This is really
funny.

Thinking of this, DuPont looked at the communication rune stone at his waist that had never lit up, then got up and went back to his dormitory.

Fortunately, he had other options, and more than one.

On Friday, when DuPont successfully advanced to the 4th level of mage by mastering the Mechanized Mind, the news caused a sensation among all the mage apprentices in the entire academy.

An apprentice with mediocre talent, nicknamed "Civil Engineering Major," unexpectedly skipped levels from Level 2 to Level 4 within a month.
Putting everything else aside, just learning four second-level spells in a month is an almost impossible task. Even many legitimate mages cannot achieve this learning speed. What makes DuPont so capable?

And from who knows where the news came from, the news that DuPont had been opened and that his intelligence upon entering the school was only 14 spread like wildfire. Countless people believed that DuPont had gone mad and started spreading rumors about his classmate becoming an apprentice.

Charles became a Level 3 mage and was taken in as an apprentice in two and a half years. If DuPont became a Level 4 mage in two and a half years but no one took him in, wouldn't that prove that the academy's instructors were all blind?

The rumors spread like wildfire, even alarming Benjamin, the civil engineering department's class advisor. During lunch in the cafeteria, he made a special trip to invite DuPont to demonstrate his second-circle magic.

“DuPont, it’s not that I don’t trust you, but these rumors can really affect everyone’s mood if they can’t be verified.” Benjamin lowered his head, looking like he was doing this for your own good. “The method of proof is very simple. A level four mage has three second-circle spell slots. You just need to cast three second-circle spells to prove your innocence.”

To Benjamin's surprise, DuPont actually agreed, and without even getting out of his chair, he immediately gave Benjamin a "Fox's Wisdom" treatment in front of everyone. "One," DuPont chuckled.

When Benjamin saw a fox's image flash above his head, his face instantly turned red, while DuPont released another mechanical mind at him.

Second-circle spell of the Bewitching tree, Mechanize Mind: The caster will focus on reason and order, gain +4 to Will saves, immunity to spells that affect the mind, +2 on all Intelligence-related checks, -2 on Charisma-related checks, duration per mage level/minute.

This is a powerful buff spell. It can grant immunity to some monsters' mind magic during adventures and prevent accidents caused by distraction when working on construction sites or drawing blueprints.

More importantly, this is an old-system spell that doesn't require focused concentration.

Old-system spells are notoriously difficult to learn, but their effects are also remarkable. The fact that they don't require maintaining focus is a major advantage. However, there aren't many other schools of thought that can use the Mechanization spell, and even the Bewitching School might not necessarily learn this relatively countermeasure-dependent spell.

In the early game, mages have fewer spell slots and often rely on tricks to fill them. Unless the opponent has a spellcaster in their hand, it's better to try using a human immobilize spell or suggest spell to gamble. If it hits, you can gain an immediate advantage in a small battle, which is much more profitable.

After casting the spell, Benjamin knew something was wrong.

Besides being able to prove one's rank 2 status by casting three second-circle spells, being able to learn four second-circle spells is also a way to prove oneself.

Two weeks ago, DuPont had already demonstrated the second-circle spells Dagger Cloud and Invisibility.
After DuPont cast two new spells, the once bustling cafeteria fell silent. DuPont sat on a bench and looked at the figure beside him: "Do I need to demonstrate my invisibility spell?"

"No need. It seems our Civil Engineering department has indeed produced a rare genius." Perhaps due to his mechanized mindset, Benjamin didn't hold back his praise for DuPont, but his face showed no joy whatsoever; instead, it was as pale as an eggplant.

"The current student council president will only master third-circle magic in four years, and she will be going out for an internship next year. I think you are capable of taking over as student council president, and I will report your excellent performance to the dean."

Benjamin finished speaking and left, but DuPont suddenly thought of a problem.

Is becoming the student council president something that can be done simply by being capable?

Although it is said that obtaining this position will grant him guidance from Lavoisier, he had personally witnessed the Dean leading a number of archmages in a war in another world. The academy was only a top-notch simulacrum. While simulacrum can cast spells and possesses some of the original owner's strength and mind, he was a construct. Under such circumstances, could he really teach anything real?

He remembered that this emulation technique had never done anything useful. The last time he encountered it, he was in some unknown world watching a group of scantily clad beauties from various ethnic groups playing beach volleyball. Although it was indeed pleasing to the eye, it did not help his strength.

More importantly, since he had already agreed with that mysterious woman to become an apprentice elsewhere, it was impossible for him to serve as the student council president here. In that case, he would probably have to choose someone from within the academy to be his mentor.

Holy crap, that fatso has set a trap for me again!

There was no way he would stay; he would never mine stones in the Northwest in his life. Looking at his total level, which had already reached level 9, DuPont suddenly felt a little itchy to play.

Benjamin won the silver medal. Although he is only a level 4 mage, he has no problem winning a silver medal based on his strength.

Since we're already leaving, how about we go all out?

(End of this chapter)