Chapter 17. First-Level Wizard Apprentice

The next morning, Arthur woke up with a firm resolve: today, he would take another step toward his goal. He knew that the Academy had a procedure for level certification and decided not to delay. After gathering himself, he headed toward the administrative wing of the Academy, where the registration board for various tests and certifications was located.

As he approached, he noticed that there were few students around—apparently, this wasn't the most popular place. A scroll was pinned to the board, listing the requirements for different apprentice levels.

"Wizard apprentices are divided into three levels," Arthur read, recalling what he had heard from his instructors.

1. First-Level Wizard Apprentice: Must engrave one spiritual rune and master one spell.

2. Second-Level Wizard Apprentice: Must engrave seven spiritual runes and master at least three spells.

3. Third-Level Wizard Apprentice: Must engrave at least 36 spiritual runes and master at least seven spells.

"Thirty-six runes and seven spells..." Arthur whistled softly. "The path to the third level seems endless."

The scroll also mentioned the final step: the transition from apprentice to a true wizard. This required creating one's own unique spiritual rune. However, Arthur was well aware of the risks. Most who failed at this step lost not only their future prospects but also their spiritual world—and sometimes even their lives.

"No wonder third-level apprentices often hesitate to take this step," he thought, feeling a mix of respect and apprehension.

He signed up for the certification test, choosing an available time. The procedure was set for the day after tomorrow, giving him time to prepare.

***

Training Ground

Arthur wasted no time and went to the training ground to refine his spell once more. He needed to be certain that his skills and control wouldn't fail him. Focusing, he activated Cortexium. The spell worked seamlessly: bark began to cover his body.

He timed its activation, then tried to maintain it as long as possible. He also repeated his experiments with partial coverage, aiming to improve his energy efficiency.

Each use filled him with growing confidence.

***

Evening in the Dormitory

Returning to his room, Arthur spent the evening meditating. He needed to ensure that his spiritual world was fully restored after the training. Carefully, he examined the magical circle, checking for any cracks or weak spots.

"Done. Now I'm definitely ready to confirm my level," he told himself, closing his eyes.

His thoughts were already focused on the upcoming trial.

***

The Certification Test

The morning of the test brought a wave of nervous anticipation. Arthur arrived at the designated Academy chamber for the evaluation. It was a spacious yet dimly lit room, with massive shelves along the walls stacked with old magical instruments. The air felt thick with time itself.

At the central table sat an elderly man whose presence evoked both respect and a hint of fear. His face was etched with deep wrinkles, his wild silver hair stood in disarray, and his eyes gleamed with sharpness despite his age. One of them, however, was artificial and, judging by its faint glow, likely magical. Everything about him suggested that arguing with him was unwise.

"You're one minute and thirty-two seconds late," the old man rasped without waiting for an explanation.

Arthur, caught off guard, quickly bowed.

"Apologies, Master. It won't happen again."

"Yeah, yeah, let's see what you can do," the old man waved dismissively, adjusting his robe. "And don't expect me to praise you. If you mess up, come back in a month."

Arthur swallowed hard and stepped into the center of the room, where the elder pointed.

"Well? Show me your spiritual energy. I'll check for the presence of runes. After that, demonstrate your spell. And don't dawdle—my time is too valuable for hesitation."

Arthur closed his eyes, concentrated, and channeled his spiritual energy.

The old man nodded, signaling him to proceed.

Diving into his spiritual world, Arthur activated his magic circle. In the real world, bark began to form over his body, spreading from his fingertips to his chest. He heard the old man grunt approvingly, though he wasn't quick to offer praise.

"Hmph. It works. But do you think that's enough? Maintain the spell for five minutes. If you can, then I'll consider it truly mastered."

Arthur focused, sustaining the spell. After a few minutes, the elder raised a hand.

"That's enough. I see you've got control. It's not particularly impressive, but it meets the first-level standard."

He gestured for Arthur to deactivate the spell.

"Congratulations. You are now officially a first-level wizard apprentice," he muttered, rising from his chair. "But we're not done yet."

The old man pulled a scroll from a drawer.

"This is a contract with the Council. Without it, you won't have access to key resources, and your status in the Academy will remain incomplete. Sign it with your spiritual energy."

Arthur took the scroll with a sense of reverence. Carefully, he read through the text, which explained that the Council had the right to assign tasks to apprentices and provide them with resources in exchange for certain obligations. Signing it with his spiritual energy would make his connection to the Council official.

The elder impatiently tapped his fingers on the table.

"Don't be afraid. It's a standard contract. Almost all apprentices sign it."

Gathering his spiritual energy, Arthur channeled it into the scroll and left his signature. The scroll emitted a soft glow before vanishing. At that moment, he felt a shift in his magic card.

"Done," the old man grumbled. "Your card now has additional functions. And in recognition of your achievement, the Council grants you fifty merit points. But don't get cocky—this isn't an excuse to slack off."

Arthur thanked him, despite the elder's gruff demeanor. A surge of pride and relief washed over him. He was now an official first-level wizard apprentice.

The old man waved him toward the door.

"That's all. Get out. I have more important matters. And remember: you're being watched now."

Arthur left the chamber with a light smile. Today was a significant day—his first true step toward greatness.

***

New Privileges and Opportunities

Back in his room, Arthur immediately activated his magic card to explore the changes that had occurred after his certification. To his surprise, the card's interface had become much more complex, with new sections and functions. It felt like a gateway to an entirely new world of possibilities.

The first thing that caught his attention was the library section. Previously, his access had been limited to basic texts—mostly theory on magic fundamentals, spiritual world dynamics, and elementary rituals. Now, he had access to more advanced materials, including rare treatises on various magical schools, complex rune structures, and even introductory research on magical alchemy.

Arthur couldn't contain his excitement. These books were the key to advancing his magical understanding. He eagerly planned a trip to the library to select new study materials.

Next, he explored the Wizard Council section. Opening it, he discovered that he could now interact with this influential organization. The section was filled with opportunities ranging from acquiring specialized knowledge to undertaking missions for the Council. However, he quickly realized that there were no easy paths.

The Council didn't accept Academy points or regular currency. To acquire knowledge from the Council, one had to provide something valuable—unique research, discoveries, or knowledge that the Council lacked. It was a daunting challenge, but Arthur understood that such knowledge was worth the effort.

Additionally, he now had the chance to become a recognized wizard, granting him access to special Council missions in exchange for "merit points." These were special credits that could be used to obtain exclusive information and rare resources.

"The path of a wizard is not an easy one," Arthur mused, a smile playing on his lips. But he didn't mind—he liked the idea that so many doors had opened before him.

Most intriguing was the newly available magical transformation course. It was considered one of the most challenging but crucial parts of the Academy's education. Without hesitation, Arthur used part of his 50 merit points to reserve a spot. The course would begin in a week, and he felt a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation.

With a deep breath, he made a firm decision—no matter the challenges, he would keep moving forward.

His journey had only just begun.