Dark Wizard: Rise! My undead army!

"Next, we need to focus all our efforts on improving our mental strength and try to reach the threshold of a third-class apprentice before the 'Three Trials of Life and Death'."

The third-class apprenticeship is the final stage before becoming a formal wizard.

Countless wizarding apprentices are stuck at this stage their entire lives, never able to take that crucial step.

Lynn put away the undead, prepared to reduce the time spent on missions, paused the library's analysis, and focused on meditation to enhance his mental strength.

If he weren't so short of magic stones, he would have stopped the mission and focused on cultivation.

In the past month or so, not only Lynn has been working hard to improve herself, but everyone else has also changed a lot.

Eileen has completely disappeared since she last consulted Lynn and has not appeared in the mission hall again.

Given her hardworking nature, it's unacceptable that she hasn't come to do tasks and earn resources for so long; she's probably in grave danger.

It's a pity that someone who worked so hard ultimately couldn't make it through.

Alphonse was still as impressive as ever, and was still a first-class apprentice, but Lynn felt that he was much more dangerous than the other first-class apprentices.

He once invited Lynn to join him on a lucrative exploration mission in the mission hall.

Lynn declined the offer, citing the need to "focus on preparing for the three life-or-death challenges."

Although he has a good impression of Alphonse, it doesn't mean he would take the risk for him.

Why risk going out and fighting to the death when you can do such a simple and easy "question-solving" task yourself?

Lynn had made up his mind not to go out unless necessary, and to try to survive until he reached the formal wizard stage, so that he would have enough means to protect himself and avoid becoming someone's prey.

His Highness did not press the matter, but merely gave his dark silver nameplate a meaningful look.

Thomas remains engrossed in his "fusion of forging and the undead" project, currently researching "Iron Zombies".

It is said that he has successfully fused a small piece of metal with the zombie arm, his face is full of excitement all day long, and he has successfully condensed his spiritual core.

Carl was still trying his best to keep his crumbling "New Student Mutual Aid Association" afloat, preaching about unity everywhere.

He hoped to use this power to gain a foothold among the academy's apprentices and acquire some say in the matter.

However, the members of the organization became increasingly pragmatic. Without the bond of shared interests, and with the new students repeatedly bullied and powerless to fight back, they became completely disillusioned with the organization.

Karl's mind was filled with more and more worries, and his attempts to break through to the core of his spirit had repeatedly failed, resulting in increasingly severe bruises.

With the generous financial support of her third-rate apprentice boyfriend, the lovely Lillian purchased some potions to enhance her mental strength and finally succeeded in condensing her core.

Lillian possesses a moderate talent for fire magic. Despite the abundance of negative energy in the "Eternal Night Graveyard," she resolutely chose fire magic and successfully learned the "Small Fireball" spell.

Her boyfriend was worried that she wouldn't be able to overcome the three life-or-death trials, so he wanted to equip her with an undead guardian.

Lillian didn't seem to care much for skeletons, zombies, or stitched-together monsters; instead, she preferred the tall and mighty "bone beasts" and begged her boyfriend to buy her a giant bear-shaped bone beast.

...

Of the people in Blackswamp City, Mary has probably changed the most.

She actually managed to condense her spiritual core and learn bewitching magic. She was radiant and dressed in a flamboyant manner, her eyes full of charm.

Most importantly, she shed her former humility and timidity, and became confident and poised.

Behind her always followed a slightly overweight zombie shrouded in a black cloak, who appeared silent and submissive.

The zombie's physique was remarkably similar to that of the second-class apprentice stall owner who had embraced her at the market.

It's a mystery why the two, who were once so "loving," ended up like this.

During a chance encounter in the mission lobby, Mary took the initiative to walk up to Lynn and watch him answer questions for others.

The look in his eyes, filled with deep affection, made Lynn extremely uncomfortable, and her hand, which was sculpting the bone structure, paused slightly.

Indeed, one's deep affection can be faked.

Once the question was answered, Mary gave Lynn a bright but cold smile:

"Lord Lynn, how have you been? It seems we've both found our own paths."

Lynn frowned slightly, her eyes sweeping over the figure following behind her.

"You... have changed a lot; it seems you've grown a lot during this time."

Mary used to never dare to look herself in the eye, but now she can face herself with composure.

Mary smiled sweetly.

"I don't have Lord Lynn's good fortune, who was born with superior talent. People like us, no matter how hard we try, can only barely survive."

"I've long heard of 'Lynn the Problem Solver's' reputation, I never imagined it was you. If I ever encounter any difficulties in the future, I hope you will not hesitate to enlighten me."

Lynn smiled faintly.

"No problem, as long as there are enough contribution points, anything is negotiable."

Mary feigned sorrow.

"Sir, you really don't remember our past friendship. We were all 'comrades' from Black Swamp Castle."

"I've watched you grow from a terrified boy in a cage to where you are today, so I guess you could call me a 'close friend'?"

"Speaking of which, I should thank you, sir... If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would have suffered endless bullying in the 'Nightingale Pavilion'..."

"It's a pity that you always held a grudge against me, a weak woman, otherwise I would have definitely repaid you properly."

Lynn remained silent.

He didn't have a bad impression of Mary at first, but her series of "foolish" actions gradually made Lynn feel disgusted.

Especially since this stupid woman kept trying to bother him, it annoyed him to no end.

Seeing that Lynn didn't respond, Mary decided not to make things awkward for herself.

"The days ahead will probably not be peaceful. I hope you will have good fortune in your shamanistic practice, otherwise the road to advancement will be very lonely."

Mary's tone was meaningful, and after speaking, she gracefully left with her "zombie boyfriend".

Lynn couldn't tell whether her words were good or bad, so she didn't pay much attention to them.

Why add to your troubles?

Mary adapted to the dark wizarding academy quickly, knowing how to use her advantages to acquire all resources by any means necessary, climbing the ranks step by step.

This kind of person has truly grasped the "way of survival".

But Lynn firmly believed that these people were ultimately just small stones in his life, destined to only look up at his back.

...

As the dates for the "Signs of War" and "Three Tests of Life and Death" assessments drew ever closer, panic and anxiety spread among the new apprentices.

Lynn's "answering questions" business has reached its peak.

Every day, anxious freshmen would come to him with the magic stones or contribution points they had saved up for a long time, hoping to make a last-ditch effort.

Lynn resisted the urge to make a fortune and raised his prices for answering questions, but he only set aside half a day each day to answer people's questions, spending the rest of his time in meditation.

Accumulating resources is for better spiritual practice; we must not let other trivial matters interfere with our spiritual practice.

The new students frantically bought the cheapest undead, equipped themselves with undead gear, and learned tricks to suppress the undead. The entire apprentice class was striving to improve themselves.

...