Wizard: Start consuming attributes from the equipment slot.

Morningstar Academy occupies a very large area.

Some even say that it's more accurate to say that Morningstar City is inside the academy than that the academy is inside Morningstar City.

Viktor wholeheartedly agreed with this, because it only took him about ten minutes to walk from his home to the entrance of the academy, but it took him more than fifteen minutes to walk from the academy gate to his mentor Manuges's laboratory building.

The fact that wizard apprentices are not allowed to use means of transportation within the academy is still a bit of a headache for his currently weakened body.

Fortunately, the goal wasn't too far off, and with a little effort, I made it to my advisor Manuges's lab building.

At the entrance of the laboratory building stands a two-meter-tall alchemical golem covered in armor.

As Viktor approached, the alchemical golem's eyes flashed blue, and it stepped forward to block the doorway.

"No unauthorized entry or exit is permitted here!"

Feeling the aura of the alchemical golem before him, Victor briefly held his breath, but remained composed and spoke:

"I am Viktor, and I was sent here by Mentor Manugges."

The alchemical golem lowered its head slightly, and the light in its eyes shone even brighter.

About three or four seconds later, the alchemical golem seemed to have received confirmation and moved aside from the entrance of the laboratory building.

"Authorization confirmed, Apprentice Victor!"

You are free to move around within this floor, but please do not go to other floors without permission!

After speaking, the alchemical golem walked to the side again and stood still, resuming its statue-like posture.

The door, which had been closed, was now open. Viktor composed himself and stepped inside.

The last time Viktor came to the academy was for the entrance exam, and he only had a brief exchange with his advisor, Manuges, so he had never been to his lab. This time, Viktor's first impression was that this place was more like an assembly line factory than a lab!

The laboratory building is very large, but it is quite empty.

Only two very conspicuous production lines are manufacturing in a slow but orderly manner.

Alchemy golems were also working on both sides of the production line. However, these alchemy golems were not as huge as the one at the entrance, nor were they wearing armor and holding weapons. Instead, they had petite female figures and four different types of arms that worked in different ways, constantly working on the items on the production line.

At first glance... it seems that these two production lines are producing another type of alchemical golem?

"You must be Viktor?"

While Viktor was still observing in a somewhat bewildered state, a voice interrupted him.

Victor turned his head toward the sound and saw a tall witch apprentice wearing a gray apprentice robe walking over from the corner of the laboratory building.

"Yes, may I ask who you are?"

"I am Nina."

The female apprentice's personality seems quite good.

Hearing Viktor's question, she smiled slightly and introduced herself:

"Like you, I am also a mentor's apprentice, but I enrolled much earlier than you."

Viktor was startled:

"Then you've already...?"

Nina understood what he meant and nodded:

"That's right, I am already a high-level wizard apprentice."

"So, barring any unforeseen circumstances, I'll need to prepare for my advancement to a full-fledged wizard for the next period of time. That's why my mentor took you on as his new apprentice... What? Didn't my mentor tell you?"

"By the way, you don't need to address me with formalities. We are both the mentor's apprentices. Just call me by my name or 'senior sister'."

Viktor shook his head, somewhat bewildered:

"I'm sorry... senior."

"I only met my tutor when I enrolled and agreed to become his apprentice. He didn't say anything to me."

Nina wasn't surprised:

"Oh, I see."

"It's okay, my mentor has a great personality. Apart from being a bit serious, he's not difficult to get along with."

Viktor nodded, then tentatively asked:

"So... senior, what you just said... your mentor took me in because you're preparing to become a full-fledged wizard..."

"It seems you really don't know anything."

Nina smiled upon hearing this, then pointed to the two production lines that were in operation: "You see those production lines over there, right?"

"Of course I saw it."

"That's actually the mentor's business, a collaboration with the academy, specializing in producing custom-made alchemical golems, which are then sold to the human kingdoms below or to some merchant guilds. It's an important source of funding for the mentor."

"But as a formal wizard, in addition to his own research and study, the mentor also has to occasionally complete tasks assigned by the academy. Unfortunately, these two alchemical golems often have some minor problems that interfere with the mentor's own affairs."

"So..." Nina pointed to herself, then to Victor, "that's how you and I came to be, these attendants and apprentices."

"I see......."

Viktor suddenly realized.

He said that although he had good talent, the apprentices who could enter Morning Star Academy were all selected, and he was not that unique, so how could he be noticed by a formal wizard?

Looking back now... his talent level was actually irrelevant.

Because this mentor, Manuggas, simply wanted to hire a "laborer"... He just happened to be there and liked the look of him.

"So you understand now, the role of us apprentices is to help our mentor manage this alchemical golem production line."

Seeing that Viktor understood and wasn't resistant, Nina relaxed a bit. After drawing Viktor's attention, she continued:

"Of course, if you encounter problems you can't handle, just contact your mentor... But if possible, try not to bother your mentor, since his original purpose was to free up some of his energy. If having an apprentice still causes a lot of trouble..."

Nina smiled but didn't continue. Victor understood the unspoken meaning in her words and nodded slightly.

"That's only natural..."

What boss likes an employee who causes trouble every day? He wasn't a novice; before his rebirth, he had been a worker for over a decade, so he naturally accepted these trivial matters easily, without any of the instinctive arrogance and resistance he had as a prince of a duchy in this life.

"You're smart and more mature than some idiots. It seems your mentor made the right choice."

Nina was also observing Viktor's every move. Although he was chosen by his mentor Manuges, he was, after all, the one to succeed her. If he was not competent, she had the right to veto him.

But things seem pretty good now, so after explaining the troubles this apprentice would have to go through, she didn't mind dangling some more promises in return:

"And then there's the matter of our 'salary'."

Viktor looked up at her, somewhat surprised. He had thought she would be treated like a graduate student, working like a slave to her supervisor, but he hadn't expected to receive a salary... Are all wizards this kind of conscientious?

Nina noticed his surprise but didn't stop, continuing:

"The basic salary is one magic stone per day. If the production line problem is solved, you can get a reward of five to ten magic stones."

"In addition, you can learn witchcraft from your mentor and exchange it for resources for only half the cost of magic stones."

"And the mentors will award us some academy points as a reward based on our progress..."

"In short, the mentors treat us well, although the price is that we often have to stay here. However, it's much easier for us to acquire resources compared to ordinary apprentices..." Nina paused for a second, then looked into Victor's eyes:

"And this is also an important reason why I was able to become a high-level wizard apprentice in less than ten years."