Wizard:Starting from Synthesizing Gems

The halfling Second-Class Wizard Apprentice respectfully explained the conditions of Lilith's Cottage to Locke in detail. "The academy has prepared better accommodations for Second-Class Wizard Apprentices—the Tilted Alley."

"Within the academy, most Second-Class Wizard Apprentices either reside in Tilted Alley or have their accommodations arranged by their Wizard Mentors. Only a small minority choose to live outside."

"After becoming a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice, senior, you now have your own room in Tilted Alley."

"Here is the key to your residence—House No. 341 in Tilted Alley."

"In addition, you now have access to public areas within Lilith's Cottage such as the Magic Potion Auction venue, Bloodhowl Arena, Black Diamond Alchemy Workshop, as well as the Chimera Trading Market."

Locke nodded. It seemed that becoming a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice had unlocked many privileges within Lilith's Cottage, granting him greater freedom.

Lilith's Cottage housed a massive trading market called the Chimera Trading Market, which third-class wizard apprentices were barred from entering. In the past, he could only access that market when accompanied by the witch Sophia.

That market and the Magic Potion Auction were among Lilith's Cottage's most valuable assets.

Numerous wizards would enter that market to conduct trades.

This was why third-class wizard apprentices were prohibited—both due to the dangers involved and their lack of purchasing power or valuable items for trade.

Locke asked curiously, "What is the Bloodhowl Arena? I haven't heard of it before."

The halfling Second-Class Wizard Apprentice smiled. "Ah, it's quite normal that you haven't heard of it, senior."

"It's a public facility the academy constructed within the past five years. Previously, Lilith's Cottage had very few wizard apprentices specializing in the summoning school's sub-branches of magic."

"But ten years ago, a Formal Wizard specializing in the beast-taming sub-branch of summoning magic joined Lilith Academy."

"Under his guidance, the beast-taming magic within Lilith's Cottage has gradually grown stronger, becoming one of our more prominent magic categories."

"Thus, Lilith's Cottage built the Bloodhowl Arena specifically for wizard apprentices specializing in beast-taming to engage in combat and training."

The halfling Second-Class Wizard Apprentice continued with a smile, "Moreover, after becoming a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice, you'll receive special benefits. Each month, the academy will provide you with thirty Magic Stones."

"Additionally, the academy will distribute five vials of [Contemplation Balm] monthly to accelerate your mental growth."

"Of course, these special benefits only last for five years. If you don't advance to First Class Wizard Apprentice within five years, these benefits will be halved. If you don't advance within ten years, they'll be completely revoked."

A faint trace of bitterness had crept into the halfling's tone.

Though Locke didn't ask how long he'd been stuck at the Second-Class Wizard Apprentice stage, it was clearly not a short time.

The halfling Second-Class Wizard Apprentice added, "Beyond this, senior, you also have obligations to the academy."

"Therefore, you must take on a designated task position and work for the academy."

"These positions are assigned to you from above, and your mentor will notify you when the time comes."

"There's also the contract, but generally, your mentor will automatically sign it on your behalf with the academy."

The Second-Class Wizard Apprentice, a halfling, said, "After all, it's rare for a wizard apprentice to refuse to sign the contract."

"The contract for a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice isn't harsh. Apart from the benefits entitled to you, the academy only requires you to take on certain responsibilities, working for the academy and creating value."

"Additionally, there's a commitment that once you become a First-Class Wizard Apprentice, you must stay at Lilith's Cottage for at least fifteen years before leaving."

Locke nodded in understanding.

For a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice, learning had become a part-time endeavor alongside work.

Because Second-Class Wizard Apprentices were already capable of handling many tasks.

Similarly, for the academy, First-Class Wizard Apprentices were already valuable wizards.

A First-Class Wizard Apprentice could even have their own independent laboratory or a small alchemy workshop.

Lilith's Cottage, of course, wouldn't allow an apprentice they had trained for years to simply walk away from the academy without a second thought.

But this wasn't a big issue.

First, he had no intention of switching academies in the short term—it wasn't realistic, nor was it necessary.

Second, Mentor Sophia had once told him that the Wizard World operated on the principle of equivalent exchange. So, as long as he could provide sufficient value, he could forcibly break the contract and leave Lilith's Cottage early.

But regardless, the priority was to receive the academy's training and improve his wizard rank first.

Only the powerful had the privilege of choice.

The halfling Second-Class Wizard Apprentice flipped through the manual and said with apparent delight, "By the way, senior, the academy has special additional rewards for Wizard Seedlings who become Second-Class Wizard Apprentices within a year."

"You can choose one reward item from the following list, which will be delivered to you through your mentor."

"Here's the list."

Locke glanced over the list and noticed it had two sections.

One was the reward list for Wizard Seedlings who became Second-Class Wizard Apprentices within half a year, and the other was for those who achieved it within a year.

Undoubtedly, the items on the first list were of higher quality.

The second list was slightly inferior.

But he suspected that only Wizard Seedlings with Level 7 aptitude or some with Level 6 aptitude could possibly become Second-Class Wizard Apprentices within half a year.

Wizard Seedlings with Level 7 aptitude had a nickname—Child of Elements—because their affinity with their primary element was unimaginably high compared to ordinary wizard apprentices.

Locke looked at the second list. He skimmed through it and found no trace of Meditation Methods, but there were some potions that increased the speed of spiritual power growth, which seemed far superior to Contemplation Balm.

There were even Enchanted Items similar to the silver sword Raun wielded, though undoubtedly of higher quality than Raun's.

Additionally, there were simple spell models, magical materials, or alchemy tools available.

After some thought, Locke realized he really wanted an Enchanted Item.

For example, on the list was a set of Enchanted Item called [Rune Vine Armor], a protective suit made of animated vines that could absorb moonlight at night to self-repair, providing a certain degree of protection.

There was also an Enchanted Item named [Malice Scimitar], enchanted with a Cantrip from the School of Conjuration, capable of casting a mental curse upon enemies when attacking.

But Locke felt that everything else was secondary—what truly mattered was increasing his own Mana. Thus, he chose a high-grade potion that could enhance mental power: [Moonlight Elixir].

Upon seeing Locke's choice, the Second-Class Wizard Apprentice halfling promptly registered it and smiled. "Senior, you've made an excellent choice."

"Although Moonlight Elixir isn't yet a Magic Potion, it's a high-grade mental power growth tonic that even First-Class Wizard Apprentices keep an eye on. The Contemplation Balm issued by the academy can't compare to Moonlight Elixir at all."

"I've heard that just one dose of Moonlight Elixir can at least double the growth rate of mental power for an entire year."

"In the second year, the growth rate increases by fifty percent."

"By the third year, only an additional ten percent remains."

"It's very difficult to obtain Moonlight Elixir through ordinary channels—even with Magic Stones, you might not be able to buy it."

"This is practically the most cost-effective reward item on the prize list."

Clearly, though the Second-Class Wizard Apprentice halfling had no chance of obtaining any of the rewards on the list himself, he had spent plenty of time studying the two prize lists in private.

Locke nodded at him. "Alright."

"Then I'll be going."

The halfling bowed respectfully. "Senior, take care."

(End of Chapter)