Wizard:Starting from Synthesizing Gems

Five days later.

Wesley Durant glanced at the cyan magical flame in Locke's crucible.

Under the vaporization of that magical flame, the mixed liquid inside the crucible gradually evaporated, transforming into a pale green gel-like substance resembling glue.

It was a simple concoction made by distilling morning dew from oak leaf tips and fluorescent moss in a 3:7 ratio—the most elementary potion for beginners, barely qualifying as a proper potion.

Thus, it could only be called Growth Element Gel.

Fluorescent moss was a supernatural plant that could sprout and propagate rapidly in the wild due to a growth-accelerating substance within it. The gel was created by extracting this substance using magical flame.

Though simple, this gel was something breeders frequently purchased to speed up the growth of magical plants.

Locke couldn't hide his excitement. "Teacher, Master Durant, this is the first potion I've successfully brewed on my own."

Sophia's expression remained unchanged as she gave a slight nod. "This is too basic. Anyone who masters magical flame techniques can attempt it, so it doesn't truly count as a potion."

Wesley Durant, using his uninjured arm, lifted the glass bottle containing the Growth Element Gel for inspection. "The quality is passable. For a beginner's work, it's barely usable."

"Though there are still too many impurities, indicating your control over the magical flame is unstable."

"At least my personal guidance wasn't wasted."

"Once your flame technique stabilizes further, the quality of your gel should improve significantly."

Wesley had noticed Sophia's seriousness about Locke's training. After witnessing several failures, he couldn't resist stepping in to offer guidance himself.

Under Wesley's direction, Locke attempted to brew the simplest possible potion as a method to accelerate his mastery of magical flame techniques.

Of course, Locke couldn't claim full mastery yet—he'd only learned one application of magical flame, and even that was unrefined.

Since Wesley wasn't Locke's official wizard mentor nor a formal wizard of Lilith's Cottage, he lacked Sophia's professional reservations and spoke to Locke in a more casual tone.

"Augustine, while your learning pace isn't fast—even somewhat slow—your mana control is remarkably stable."

"You must possess some special talent in this area, otherwise you couldn't have achieved basic magical flame usage within five days."

"Your foundation is also quite solid."

Wizard Wesley added, "You're far more capable than the students I teach at Holly Tower."

"Sophia, this apprentice of yours shows promise. Why not transfer him to me?"

Locke was momentarily stunned but quickly maintained his silence.

He understood this was merely Wesley's way of joking with his teacher.

Locke wasn't foolish enough to believe Wizard Wesley Durant had any genuine interest in him.

If he couldn't even see this point clearly, then he truly had a death wish.

Wizard Wesley was merely on good terms with his teacher, the Witch Sophia.

That was all.

Besides, he knew exactly where his talent came from.

Without the twenty-five Deep Blue Gems and ten Cyan Jades that had been wasted over these five days, it would have been impossible for him to preliminarily master a Magical Flame in just five days.

Witch Sophia smiled dismissively and said, "Sure. But you'll have to speak to the dean of Lilith's Cottage yourself."

"My student here has quite a few contracts with Lilith's Cottage."

"As long as you, Wesley, can afford the Magic Stones to take him away, I have no objections."

Wesley Durant chuckled awkwardly and replied in a low voice, "Then never mind."

"It wouldn't be proper for me to poach someone right under their nose."

"I've heard of the reputation of the dean of Lilith's Cottage—after all, he's a Formal Wizard who has crystallized his spiritual power. I wonder how strong his Magic Pressure Field is."

Wesley Durant then turned serious. "Alright, back to the main topic, Sophia. I know you haven't just been letting your little apprentice practice these past few days."

"What do you think? Are you confident?"

Witch Sophia nodded. "Indeed, this is my first attempt at unraveling the Blood Curse Court's Thousand Holes Curse. But I'm confident. Over these five days, I've re-optimized the formula for my Emerald Potion."

"It should be able to resolve the curse on you."

"Locke, you may leave now."

Witch Sophia said indifferently, "Your Magical Flame technique is still unrefined."

"Brewing the Emerald Potion requires the use of over twenty different Magical Flames within an hour. With your current skill, it's simply impossible to meet the requirements."

"Therefore, I'll handle the Magical Flames for this potion brewing myself."

"Remember to attend the public class and purchase the All Things Class. Also, go to the Lilith's Cottage registration office to report your current magic level and claim your reward."

"The academy has different task requirements for Second-Class Wizard Apprentices as well."

Locke nodded. Before leaving, he said to Witch Sophia and Wesley Durant, "Thank you for your guidance, Teacher and Lord Durant."

Only then did he turn and exit the potion room.

After Locke left, Wesley Durant sneered. "Sophia, your student is quite amusing."

"It seems that in the little time you have left at Lilith's Cottage, you've found yourself a fine toy."

"I've heard that other wizard organizations have been trying to recruit you, and you still haven't signed a contract with Lilith's Cottage..."

Witch Sophia frowned slightly. "Don't misunderstand, Wesley. Locke is my student, not my toy."

Wesley Durant raised his left hand—the one that had rotted away—and said, "For a Formal Wizard, what's the difference between a student and a toy?"

With a wave of her hand, Witch Sophia summoned five cauldrons floating before her, each burning with a different-colored Magical Flame. A powerful Magic Pressure radiated from her, causing Wesley Durant's expression to turn grave.

"You talk too much, Wesley."

Outside the door, Locke had just closed it when he felt an immense pressure emanating from the wooden Magic Potion room, as if a massive mountain was bearing down on him.

His heart seemed to carry an enormous weight, pausing momentarily under the strain.

An intangible pressure, neither seen nor touched, pierced through his skin from all directions, assaulting him relentlessly.

Locke's pupils wavered slightly. "Magic Pressure... When a wizard's Mana accumulates to a certain extent, it radiates energy that affects living beings—essentially forming a Mana field."

"Much like gravity's effect on all things."

"Is that the power of a Formal Wizard? Merely standing near one could be fatal for someone at my current level."

Locke's gaze hardened with determination. "That's why I must become a first-circle wizard."

"First, I need to register my wizard rank and purchase the All Things Class as my mentor instructed."

"The All Things Class is a prerequisite for both Breeding and Magic Potion courses. Only by mastering this can I advance further."

Locke glanced at the vial of Growth Element Gel in his hand. "I can refine Growth Element Gel now and sell it for some Magic Stones."

A thought flashed through his mind—what would happen if he synthesized the Growth Element Gel he had refined?

(End of Chapter)