Dark Wizard: Rise! My undead army!

When Lynn's name was read out and his "superior soul talent, medium earth talent, mental strength 17" was mentioned, the entire hall fell silent.

What kind of monster is this?

The next moment, two powerful intents locked onto Lynn almost simultaneously.

"This child's soul is pure; he is fit to join my soul system."

[Soul Weaver] Marfa's ethereal and alluring voice rang out.

"Hmph, such talent is a pity to be buried in the minor path of the soul. His soul and earth-type talents are perfect for my 'Titan Bone Project'."

[Skeleton Emperor] Victor's voice was like two giant rocks rubbing together, full of unquestionable domineering power.

The two chief apprentices actually fought over a single apprentice in public!

All the apprentices cast envious and jealous glances at Lynn. To have won the favor of the chief, this boy has a bright future ahead of him!

However, just when everyone thought Lynn would choose one of the two, he did something that left everyone speechless.

He first bowed deeply in the direction of Victor and Malfa, his tone respectful yet firm:

"Thank you both for your kindness, I am deeply flattered."

Then, to everyone's disbelief, he turned and walked straight to that deserted corner, stopping in front of Gregor, who was still engrossed in his calculations.

He bowed again, his voice echoing clearly in the silent hall:

"Professor Gregor, I am deeply interested in your concept of 'all things' and your theory of 'death and transformation,' believing that a broad foundation is the necessary path to truth."

"Student Lynn hopes to follow in your footsteps and learn from you, and is willing to contribute her modest efforts to your research."

"Whoosh—!"

The entire Hall of Bones erupted in chaos!

"Is he insane?!"

"They actually rejected two chief scholars and chose... an old man who's practically crippled?"

"The Hand of All Things? That madman who does suicide research?"

"Foolish! You're ruining your future!"

"Talented, but not very bright."

Even Gregor himself finally lifted his head from the bone plate.

His eyes were cloudy, filled with displeasure at being disturbed and deep weariness. He looked Lynn up and down, his brows furrowed.

"Kid, don't think that just because you're talented you can solve my problems. That stuff will only waste your precious time."

"Besides, you're not a troublesome guy. You'll cause me a lot of unnecessary trouble. Go find Victor or Malfa. They're more suitable for you."

His refusal was expected.

Lynn did not flinch. He met Gregor's gaze, his tone carrying a composure and confidence beyond his years:

"Knowledge knows no boundaries. Students believe that specializing too early may bring quick power, but a broad perspective is needed to touch the reality of the world. As for your research..."

He paused slightly, lowering his voice so that only Gregor could hear him:

"Students may be able to offer some unique perspectives that can help you validate the feasibility of certain ideas."

He didn't explicitly state that he was different, but his mystery and confidence impressed Gregor.

A glimmer of light flashed in Gregor's cloudy eyes.

He stared intently at Lynn, as if trying to see through his disguise, but Lynn remained calm and retorted.

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; everyone held their breath as they watched this bizarre scene unfold.

After a long while, Gregor waved his hand as if he had exhausted all his strength.

He lowered his head again, his gaze returning to the bone plate, and muttered in a voice almost only he could hear:

"Whatever... just don't cause me any trouble."

Does that mean... he/she agreed?

Amidst a chorus of comments and stares calling him "stupid," "incomprehensible," and saying "this guy must have something wrong with his head," Lynn calmly stood behind Gregor.

Whether this path is right or wrong, once you've chosen it, you won't regret it.

Just keep going.

...

After all the apprentices had made their selections, they all received their "new student" enrollment supplies.

A grey-black wizard's robe symbolizing an apprentice of the Bone Spire, an identity plaque symbolizing status, a universal copy of the "Basic Meditation Method," and ten contribution points enough to sustain basic expenses for only one month.

The supplies were extremely meager and not enough for cultivation at all; it just goes to show that the academy didn't treat them like human beings.

This also forces apprentices to rely on their mentors and pay a "price" in exchange for resources.

The college doesn't completely leave things to its own devices; it regularly teaches free general courses, covering basic and general knowledge.

However, there are also regular assessments.

Like other new apprentices, Lynn received a notice of the "three trials of life and death".

(First Trial: The Trial of the Skeleton Square - "Siege of the Living Dead")

(Second Stage: Echoes from the Eternal Tomb - "Whispers of the Dead")

(Third level: The Game of the Ghost Market - "Proof of the Blood Pact")

The first stage eliminates pure waste (those who cannot fight).

The second step is to screen out those who are mentally weak (those who cannot withstand pressure).

The third stage filters out the fools who don't understand the ways of survival (those who can't acquire resources).

Only those apprentices who pass these three tests have initially proven that they are qualified to struggle for survival in the dark jungle of the Bone Spire and potentially go further.

After all, the college doesn't want to waste resources on useless people, so it's better to eliminate them as soon as possible and turn them into "materials" to benefit others.

These can only be considered the most basic entrance examinations.

Three months later, in the Bone Plaza, he faced a "living corpse" from the Forest of Ten Thousand Bones.

Killing or subduing is the only option.

Failure becomes part of it.

Normally speaking, this assessment is not difficult.

In a demiplane so rich in negative energy, three months is more than enough time to successfully meditate and condense a "spiritual core," thus entering the realm of a first-class wizard apprentice.

However... they are not regular apprentices who are enrolled every five years, but rather defective products who "luckily" pass the tests by lowering the testing standards.

This causes the difficulty level to skyrocket.

Not only must you successfully meditate and concentrate your spiritual core, but you must also learn at least one spell to deal with the "zombies"!

Without the help of mentors and the support of resources, they are basically doomed.

But... mentors can't be that generous; there's always a corresponding "price" to pay.

The scariest thing is that you have no idea whether the price you pay is a trap or whether it will cost you your life.

Time was of the essence, and their health did not allow for hesitation.

If they fail to meditate within three months, even if the undead don't intervene, they will be completely corrupted by the dense negative energy in the demiplane.

Lynn, however, showed no sense of urgency whatsoever.

Three months? Who do you think you are?

Give me ten zombies right now, and I'll show you what a "chosen one" and a "powerful mage" really are!

After officially joining the college, his advisor only told him the location of the laboratory and then left him there.

He wouldn't have bothered with Lynn at all if he hadn't been hoping Lynn could provide new ideas for his "Death Blossom" project.

Lynn did not go to the laboratory or his assigned dormitory immediately, but went directly to the core of the academy—the ossuary.

This is the library of the Bone Spire Academy, and he has a bold idea that needs to be tested.

The enormous library was constructed from the skulls of countless colossal beasts, with eerie green soul flames flickering in their eye sockets, providing a dim light source.

Just as Lynn had predicted, the outer area on the first floor of the library was completely open to the public.

It contains knowledge such as common language runes, the characteristics of basic negative energy particles, illustrations of common magical materials, and even a brief history of the continent, and has no restrictions.

These are all basic and common sense, and have little value.