Wizards begin with Occlumency.

Chapter 16 Rewards

It's Monday again.

Link walked into the classroom full of energy, with Jasmine following closely behind.

"Have you heard, Link? Someone in our new batch of recruits has already been promoted to First-Class Wizard Apprentice. They say he was at the Upper Fourth-Class, just a hair's breadth away from the Lower Fifth-Class. He actually advanced faster than those dozen or so Fifth-Class recruits! That's amazing!"

As soon as Jasmine sat down, she didn't immediately start reading. Instead, she shared the news she had seen on her personal smart device on the way there, with a slightly complicated feeling.

Despite spending the first two weeks with Link, they didn't actually talk much, mostly during the mornings before class and the evenings after class.

As she spoke, she looked dejected again.

"When will I ever be able to advance to a first-class wizard apprentice?! My aptitude is only third-class upper, far inferior to that person's!"

Link was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. After hesitating for a moment, he said seriously, "Judging from your description of your meditation progress yesterday, it will probably take another two weeks before you can master the first level of meditation and advance to the rank of first-class wizard apprentice."

These days, seeing that Jasmine is indeed studying more diligently, Link shared some of his experience with her on meditation.

Unexpectedly, Jasmine was quite eager to "climb the pole" and, starting the day after Link began sharing his meditation experience with her, she began to describe in detail her meditation progress from the previous day.

When it comes to seizing opportunities, Jasmine hums and says, "I'm pretty good at it too."

How did you know?

Jasmine's first reaction was disbelief. "You haven't even been promoted to a first-class wizard apprentice, how could you know so much!"

Muttering to herself, Jasmine suddenly realized what was happening, turned around abruptly, her eyes shining brightly, but she lowered her voice and exclaimed in surprise, "You...you...you've also advanced to a first-class wizard apprentice?"

"Um."

Link gave a calm and affirmative answer, "I haven't been promoted for long."

Jasmine quickly pressed, "Did you report it to the academy?"

"no."

Link shook his head.

"oops."

Jasmine shrieked, grabbing Link's right arm with both hands and shaking it violently, her expression extremely agitated. "How could you not report this? Someone on the forum just said that the academy gives rewards to the top five who advance each year. The first place gets five magic stones and a level 0 spell, the second place gets four magic stones and a level 0 spell, and so on. After the top five, there's nothing."

"I haven't seen this message yet."

Link was truly stunned this time. Putting aside the magic stone, the level 0 sorcery was something he had been searching for but had not found recently.

Earlier, when he came out of the cafeteria, he did feel the vibration of his personal smart device, but he did not take it out to check the specific contents.

"Then hurry, report this to the academy immediately! Magic stones, witchcraft, rewards!"

Jasmine seemed very anxious, as if she wanted to hold Link's hand and operate his personal AI.

"Let go first."

Link pulled out his personal smart device with his left hand while raising his chin and tapping his right hand, which was being shaken by Jasmine.

"oh."

Jasmine got so excited that she forgot about this.

Link unlocks his personal smart device, clicks on the Academy's official program (marked with a badge), and enters the "Official Website".

In fact, Link already knew how to report it to the academy, but he just didn't do it out of a desire to keep a low profile.

Now that the most conspicuous leader has emerged, he can quietly follow suit, thus receiving the reward without standing out too much. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Hmm... I had only guessed before, and I wasn't sure if there would be a reward after reporting it, and that the reward would be quite good, Link comforted himself in this way.

Following the instructions, Link filled in his information.

The college's official website immediately began the verification process.

After Link repeatedly authorized the system, the personal AI emitted a blue light from the "front-facing camera" and began scanning Link's entire body.

The blue light lingered at the center of the forehead, as if it had paused.

Link's consciousness sank into his sea of ​​consciousness in time, reversing the relationship between the real and illusory aspects of the equilateral triangle of the rune and its reflection, and then canceling the protection of "Brain Occupation".

The blue light detected the existence of the equilateral triangle of the rune and then moved to another location.

A moment later, the blue light subsided.

Three notifications from the "official website" popped up on my portable smart device in succession:

"Link Grand, it has been verified that you have been promoted to First-Class Wizard Apprentice. As the third newcomer to be promoted, you are hereby granted three standard Level 1 magic stones and a free learning qualification for a 0-ring spell. We hope you will continue your efforts."

"Link Grand, it has been verified that you have been promoted to First-Class Wizard Apprentice, meeting the basic requirements for receiving the annual subsidy of three standard Level 1 Magic Stones. We hope you will continue your efforts."

"Link Grand, your reward and stipend have been placed in the mailbox outside your dormitory. Please collect it promptly."

Third place, not bad, not too bad.

Link nodded in satisfaction, exited the academy's "official website," revoked the authorizations he had just granted, and put away his personal smart brain.

"Aren't you going back to collect your reward?"

After watching Link's entire operation, Jasmine gradually calmed down and wasn't as excited as before. Seeing Link calmly reading his book after he finished reporting, she couldn't help but ask him a question out of curiosity.

If it were her, she would have rushed back to her dorm and pocketed the reward long ago.

Link replied, "Opening the mailbox requires identity verification. Unless someone uses brute force, they can't open it. Security is guaranteed. Even if you get the reward sooner, you can't use it immediately, so why the rush?"

"oh."

Jasmine pouted and said, "You're the only one with a good attitude who can't keep a calm mind."

Jasmine's eyes darted around, and a fawning smile appeared on her face. She grabbed Link's right arm tightly with both hands and said in a coquettish voice, "Link, you didn't even tell me you were promoted to First-Class Wizard Apprentice! I'm not happy! Unless you share your experience with me!"

Link was speechless.

Witch, you've come again?

"When you reach the point of promotion, I will of course share my experience with you."

Link said seriously, "Becoming a first-class wizard apprentice is not a big deal. One step ahead is not the same as being ahead every step of the way. There is no need to make a big fuss about it."

"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right."

Jasmine interrupted, mimicking Link's tone, "At this stage, everything is focused on learning, with the goal of becoming a formal wizard as quickly as possible. We've only crossed a small hurdle; it's not time to relax yet."

"I'm glad you understand."

Link nodded slightly, then decided not to chat anymore and focused on reading.

Jasmine stared at Link's face for a long time before turning away to do her own thing.

For some reason, the more serious Link was when he tried to act cute and charming, the more confident she felt in letting him act cute and charming.

She felt like she had been poisoned.

(End of this chapter)