Wizard:Starting from Synthesizing Gems

After instructing the dwarf attendant to clean his room, Locke stepped out. Over the past year, he still hadn't escaped his Magic Stone poverty.

There was no helping it—his main focus had been on improving his Mana and completing two Spells, with the remaining time devoted to the three core curriculum subjects and Professor Sophia's classes. He simply hadn't had energy to spare elsewhere.

Moreover, for a third-class wizard apprentice like himself, selling special hybrid plants, hybrid seeds, or synthetic gemstones would be suicidal. Such activities would draw far too much attention.

This was precisely why Locke was so eager to advance to Second-Class Wizard Apprentice status and study Magical Plant Breeding under Professor Sophia.

After a year at Lilith's Cottage, Locke had gradually come to understand certain truths. A third-class wizard apprentice was only marginally stronger than ordinary people, incapable of significant contributions and thus of little value to the academy.

But Second-Class Wizard Apprentices were different.

They could perform actual work for the institution—maintaining magical resources, conducting preservation tasks, assisting their mentors as Potionology aides or Breeder assistants, and more.

As for First Class Wizard Apprentices at Lilith's Cottage? Some even had their own independent laboratories. They could take charge in various fields, engaging in profitable creative work. From this rank onward, one became an internal member of Lilith's Cottage.

Second-Class Wizard Apprentices formed the solid foundation of the establishment.

At noon, Locke hurried toward his mentor's cottage.

Along the way, he noticed many unfamiliar wizard apprentices appearing in the dwarf quarter. After brief consideration, he realized their purpose—these were likely individuals peddling loan contracts to Wizard Seedlings desperate to become Second-Class Wizard Apprentices.

Through this year's experiences, Locke had learned that if the Black Wizard World resembled slavery and primitive society, then White Wizard society operated like capitalism.

Within Lilith's Cottage cities, Enforcement Squads patrolled to prevent wizard apprentices from killing each other or using Spells to persecute ordinary humans. Yet... all forms of transactions went entirely unchecked.

This meant wizard apprentices could easily exploit their status and economic advantage to pressure ordinary people into voluntarily signing contracts to become test subjects. Similarly, higher-ranking apprentices could use information and financial leverage to force Wizard Seedlings into unfair agreements.

At the street entrance, a tall Second-Class Wizard Apprentice blocked his path—a lanky figure who spoke first: "Greetings, junior. I noticed you might have need for external Magic Stones."

"I have a position here that would suit you perfectly—two Magic Stones daily, extremely generous compensation!"

Locke frowned. "And what would I need to do?"

The Second-Class Wizard Apprentice smiled and said, "There's not much to do, and it might even benefit you. This is a Mental Strength Enhancement Potion called the Angron Potion, formulated by my senior, the First-Class Wizard Apprentice Angron. It has already passed animal testing and is now seeking wizard apprentice volunteers."

"All you need to do is take this potion once a day as instructed for seven days, and we'll pay you a total of fourteen Magic Stones. Plus, your mental strength will definitely improve during this process."

Locke asked, "How much can it increase by?"

Thinking Locke was interested, the Second-Class Wizard Apprentice perked up and said, "This is a new type of mental strength enhancement potion. The exact effects aren't yet known, but it will definitely speed up your progress to becoming a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice."

"Augustine, your aptitude is only third-tier. At this rate, you might not become a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice within five years to meet the academy's requirements. I think this is an opportunity..."

Locke nodded. "Oh, that sounds great, but I don't need it."

With that, Locke simply walked away.

The Second-Class Wizard Apprentice had thought Locke was about to sign the contract and was already preparing to take it out. He hadn't expected Locke to leave so abruptly.

A flash of anger crossed his eyes, but he merely glanced at Locke. "Damn newbie."

"Whatever, no point arguing with him."

"Senior Angron allocated ten Magic Stones per day for each test subject. If I find just one, I can pocket eight extra Magic Stones daily."

"Then I'll have enough funds to buy the resources I need soon."

He turned his attention back to the street, his eyes darting around. "A year has passed already. Some sixth-tier and a few fifth-tier Wizard Seedlings have already become Second-Class Wizard Apprentices. Those people are born prodigies, after all."

"There must be apprentices getting anxious by now."

"Finding Wizard Seedlings willing to be test subjects shouldn't be hard."

Meanwhile, after leaving Dwarf Alley, Locke's expression turned cold. He knew the Second-Class Wizard Apprentice had lied to him.

That apprentice assumed he was ignorant about such matters.

But having served as Sophia's assistant for a year, Locke knew that any new potion must undergo extensive animal testing to confirm its effects before being administered to wizard apprentices.

After that, it must be tested on ordinary humans before finally moving on to wizard apprentices.

The difference between ordinary humans and wizard apprentices is minimal.

If a potion passes human trials, any side effects are usually minor and well-documented.

Thus, apprentices often have to pay to take such potions.

Locke guessed that Angron, the First-Class Wizard Apprentice, had skipped human trials to save time, moving straight from animal testing to wizard apprentices—hence the need to pay volunteers in Magic Stones.

But the side effects of such a potion would undoubtedly be severe, and its mental strength enhancement effects couldn't even be guaranteed.

So, there was no way Locke would sign that contract.

It was a trap.

If a wizard apprentice were to sign such a contract, their entire life would likely be ruined.

Locke made up his mind that when he returned tonight, he would specifically warn Raun and Pierre never to agree to such contracts.

At present, Locke quickened his pace. If his prediction wasn't wrong, his mental power had probably reached the standard of a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice.

He needed to quickly find Sophia to have it recorded in the archives and receive the academy's reward.

Moreover, the benefits, treatment, and requirements that Lilith's Cottage provided for Second-Class Wizard Apprentices were completely different from those for third-class wizard apprentices.