Dark Wizard: Rise! My undead army!

Two top mentors in the soul system:

【Soul Weaver】Marfa: The mastermind behind the manipulation of the threads of fate, the most dangerous strategic wizard, skilled in soul weaving and memory manipulation, with a research focus on control and trickery.

Research Topic: "The Extraction, Weaving, and Manipulation of Soul Threads: On the Anchoring Role of Emotional Energy in the Soul Structure"

Research focus: the refined manipulation of the soul and the utilization of emotional energy, viewing the soul as the finest thread, and focusing on the techniques of stripping, weaving, and dyeing.

Specific areas of research include: memory weaving, emotional binding, and soul symbiosis...

...

【Soul Eater】Saron: The ultimate predator in the realm of souls, researching the devouring and transformation of souls with radical and highly dangerous methods.

Research Topic: Reverse Engineering of the Essence of the Soul: Analyzing the Fundamental Structure of the Soul through Devouring and Digestion

Research focus: the devouring and transformation of souls. The essence of the soul is fuel and food. His research revolves around how to "eat" souls more efficiently and safely to strengthen himself.

Specific research areas include: soul digestive enzymes, trait stripping and purification, and soul resistance research...

...

Curse-wielding mentor – Medusa, the living embodiment of causal weapons, specializing in bloodline curses and interference with fate, mysterious and dangerous.

Research Topic: Interference and Resonance of the Strings of Fate: Construction of a Long-Distance Curse Model Based on Blood Ties

Research focus: Fate intervention and conceptual curses. The research is not on simple disease or weakness curses, but on malevolent witchcraft that directly affects fate, causality, and conceptual levels.

Specific areas of research include: Bloodline Soul-Chasing Curse, Resource Curse, Talent-Stealing Curse...

...

Modification Mentor – [The Undying] Zack: An immortal pathfinder who abandoned flesh and blood, and the pioneer of the path to mechanical undead.

They advocate completely transforming themselves into undead or a hybrid of machine and flesh in order to achieve "immortality".

Research Topic: "A Study on the Independence of Consciousness and the Adaptability of the Carrier: On the Necessity and Feasibility of Abandoning the Original Physical Body"

Research focus: consciousness uploading and mechanical/undead ascension. He firmly believes in the fragility of flesh and blood and is committed to completely separating his consciousness from his fragile original body to achieve an alternative form of immortality.

Specific areas of research include: consciousness datafication, multi-carrier adaptability, and collective consciousness networks...

Flesh and blood are weak and feeble, while machinery soars to new heights!

...

In addition, there are some well-known mentors.

For example, the elemental mentor [The Withering Singer] Drake.

Prophecy mentor [Deathspeaker] Aubrey.

Protection and Barrier Side Mentor [Soul Barrier Master] Serafina.

Neomi, the potion and alchemy mentor [Plague Apostle].

Enchanting and Puppetry Mentor [Soul Binder] Royce.

Summoning side mentors such as Malcolm, the Abyss Soul Reaper.

...

After browsing through the information and research directions of the various professors, Lynn gained a deeper understanding of the Bone Spire Academy.

As expected of a training ground for dark wizards, none of their research topics are normal.

And the mentor recommended by Morris:

Research mentor [The Hand of All Things] - Gregor

Research Topic: "A Study on Breaking Through the Soul Threshold and Purifying Talents Based on Near-Death Experiences"

Research direction: Dedicated to creating a controllable "death-like" state, attempting to break the innate constraints on the soul and spirit, and achieve a leap in talent and spiritual power.

He firmly believes this is the key to breaking down promotion barriers and reaching higher levels.

Because his research required him to explore many fields to construct complex occult magic arrays, he has considerable expertise in the undead, souls, curses, transformations, and even elemental magic.

...

The introduction alone seems unremarkable, even a bit far-fetched; its only highlight seems to be its comprehensive coverage of various aspects.

But such an introduction held no appeal for the apprentices.

As the saying goes, "A jack of all trades, master of none," this kind of "all-rounder" is actually a "mediocre talent" who is not proficient in any particular area.

The other apprentices in Blackswamp City have also chosen their preferred mentors.

However, due to their lack of talent, they are very likely to be taken away by unknown mentors.

Alphonse seems to prefer [Soulweaver] Malfa.

This was unexpected for Lynn, who had thought he would choose Victor and become a "Lord of the Dead" or something similar.

On the other hand, Mary's performance was completely different.

She lingered among several seemingly less dangerous mentors before finally stopping in front of Medusa, the "Eye of Misfortune".

Her gaze was fixed on the description of the Medusa research project on the light screen—especially the [Talent Stealing Spell].

[Talent Stealing Curse]: Create a terrifying ritual that slowly steals the target's talents through a curse and transfers them to the caster.

"It's possible to steal talent through curses..."

Mary pondered the words over and over in her mind, her breathing quickening involuntarily.

Clearly, she was not satisfied with her own talent.

With already substandard mental strength, coupled with a low-level charm talent, it would be difficult for them to survive in the ruthless Bone Spire Academy.

She thought of Lynn's enviable extraordinary talent, her humiliation at Nightingale's Pavilion, and the humility and powerlessness she had felt along the way.

If... if that talent were mine...

Then we won't have to depend on anyone anymore!

And then no one... looked down on her anymore!

...

Shortly afterward, the mentor selection ceremony officially began.

After a deacon loudly read out the rules, the mentors began to select their preferred apprentices.

This is a two-way selection process: mentors choose students, and students also choose mentors they like.

However, mentors don't accept just anyone, and the academy can't allow powerful mentors to monopolize all the students.

Each mentor has a limited number of "apprentices" they can take on; once that limit is filled, there's no room for you.

Alphonse Hess, the Little Prince, immediately became the focus of attention of several mentors due to his superior death affinity.

He himself had a clear objective; when [Soulweaver] Malfa cast a scrutinizing glance at him, he bowed gracefully.

"Mentor Marfa," Alphonse said, his voice carrying the reserve and respect characteristic of royalty.

"My soul tells me that I can find the key to the temple of true power in you, and I long to learn from you the art of weaving destiny."

In the shadows beneath Marfa's hood, that pale smile seemed to deepen.

She could sense the resilient soul within this young man, and the hidden, domineering will within him.

"A wise choice, little one."

Her voice echoed with a hint of satisfaction.

"Your soul... is of very fine quality. I look forward to seeing what magnificent picture it will be woven into."

...

Mary then walked shakily to Medusa.

When Medici's cold gaze swept over her, Mary trembled violently, fell to her knees with a thud, and cried out:

"Lady Medusa! Please accept me! I... I can endure any hardship, I'm willing to pay any price! I just... I just want the power to change my destiny! Please give me a chance!"

She looked up, her face streaked with tears, but deep in her eyes burned an almost insane ambition and obsession.

Medici looked with great interest at the girl at her feet, who resembled a desperate little beast.

Mary's talents were mediocre, but her intense desires and the ruthlessness hidden beneath her humility served as a welcome contrast.

"An interesting soul..."

Medusa's voice was extremely sweet, yet it concealed a sinister intent.

"Although the quality is poor, the taste is strong enough. Get up, little guy, let me see how far you can pay the 'price'."

Clearly, Medusa hoped that the little girl could bring some fun to her dull life.

Upon hearing this, Mary's face instantly lit up with ecstatic joy.

First he kowtowed repeatedly, then he stood cautiously behind Medusa with his head bowed and eyes lowered.

But when he occasionally glanced at the other talented apprentices, a barely perceptible hint of jealousy and ruthlessness flashed deep in his eyes.

...