Chapter 26: Exchange and Quarrel

Beneath the deck of the ship, in the corridor, a young wizard clad in a gray wizard robe embroidered with golden threads gazed indifferently at Locke and Raun.

Behind him trailed over a dozen Wizard Seedlings with third-tier aptitudes.

"I am the admissions instructor for Verdantia University this time."

"Are you two Locke from the Corfu Continent and Raun from the Schleswig Continent?"

Raun immediately responded, "Yes, I am Raun, and this is Locke Augustine."

The admissions instructor of Verdantia University, Gregor Jackson, gave a perfunctory nod. "I've reviewed both of your records. Among third-tier aptitude apprentices, your files are relatively decent. Follow me."

Raun asked in confusion, "Respected instructor, which Magic category will we be studying at Verdantia University?"

Previously, he had seen Verdantia University's admissions instructors informing students accepted into their wizard organization about the Magic category they would pursue upon enrollment.

But this time was different. The Verdantia University admissions instructor had merely asked them a few casual questions before instructing them to follow, offering no further explanation.

Locke frowned slightly at the instructor's strange demeanor.

Especially when he noticed the blue-haired girl standing beside the Verdantia University admissions instructor casting a disdainful glance their way, as if she had something to say but held back.

Gregor, the admissions instructor of Verdantia University, offered no explanation and ignored Raun, walking off without another word.

Locke glanced at Raun, pulling him along as he whispered, "Let's follow first and see what happens."

Raun murmured back, "Locke, something feels off."

Locke replied, "I think we might have been caught up in some kind of exchange. Look at that girl beside the instructor—she's also a Wizard Seedling this time, yet she's wearing the emblem of another wizard organization but following Verdantia University's admissions instructor."

"That might be why we're encountering this strange situation."

"Let's observe for now. In the end, we'll definitely have a place to go."

Raun clenched his fists but said nothing. He hadn't expected his carefully laid plans to be suddenly disrupted by an unfamiliar Wizard Seedling he'd never met before.

In his heart, he kept praying that they were mistaken.

Gregor, the admissions instructor of Verdantia University, led them through the corridor until they reached an elderly-looking witch clad in a green wizard robe that resembled a heap of tattered cloth.

This elderly witch was clearly the admissions instructor for another wizard organization.

Yuli Burns, the admissions instructor for Lilith's Cottage who had come aboard the Wizard Ship, narrowed her eyes at the blue-haired girl beside Gregor and snapped furiously, "Ruixing, you've already signed a freshman contract with Lilith's Cottage. You are our student. Why are you with Verdantia University's people?"

The blue-haired girl appeared somewhat fearful and guilty, her eyes avoiding Yuli Burns' gaze.

Gregor spoke up, "To be precise, the freshman contract hasn't been officially signed yet. Therefore, Ruixing isn't technically a student of your Lilith Cottage."

"Witch Burns, I'd like to discuss with you. I wish to invite Ruixing to study at our Verdantia University in our Potionology Sub-Direction."

"With Ruixing's 6th-level Wizard Talent, she's more than qualified for our Potionology program. I've also offered her a generous Magic Stone scholarship contract, along with three priority entries into Wizard secret realms in the future."

"I believe your action yesterday—signing Ruixing when she wasn't aware of the differences between Lilith Cottage and Verdantia University—was unreasonable."

Yuli Burns' eyes turned sinister, her large nose appearing even more terrifying in her anger. "So what? Ruixing is a Wizard Seedling cultivated by our Lilith Cottage in the mortal world."

"According to the White Wizard Association, our Lilith Cottage has priority selection rights over her. This right has nothing to do with her personal will. Moreover, our Potionology program is also a strong suit—in fact, it's our ace program."

"In comprehensive comparison, we might not be inferior to your Verdantia University at all!"

"Gregor, are you trying to break the rules?"

Yuli Burns' gaze turned dangerous as she pulled out a black, unidentified potion from beneath her Wizard robe, her expression horrifying.

Wizard Gregor glanced at the black potion in her hand, showing a trace of wariness. After all, Lilith Cottage was most renowned for its Potionology.

Who knew what kind of malicious Curse Potion this old witch was holding?

Maintaining his composure, Wizard Gregor continued, "This isn't just the opinion of a minor figure like me. It's also the intention of our Dean, Hall Dean."

Yuli Burns' hand paused mid-motion.

Wizard Gregor pressed on, "The Dean asked me to convey this message: Your Lilith Cottage is already locked in a deadly battle with the Dark Wizard organization [Blood Curse Court], suffering heavy losses. If you agree to transfer Ruixing to us, we will expedite the White Wizard Association's support proposal for you."

Yuli Burns stared at Gregor with terrifying intensity. "Damn you all, you opportunistic beasts."

Wizard Gregor shrugged. "It's just a reasonable transaction."

"Additionally, we're offering compensation in other areas. We're willing to make maximum concessions regarding 3rd-level Wizard Talent Seedlings. For instance, we'll freely transfer seven 3rd-level Wizard Talent Seedlings who would normally belong to Verdantia University to your Lilith Cottage."

"Of course, they all meet your Lilith Cottage's standards for Wizard Seedlings."

"Here's the list..."

Locke and Raun looked and saw their names prominently featured at the top.

Clearly, they must have been the most impressive among this batch of 3rd-level Talent Wizard Seedlings.

They had become bargaining chips—tools for Verdantia University to exchange for Ruixing with Lilith Cottage.

Raun was extremely angry and whispered in Locke's ear, "How could they do this! Verdantia University is the best wizard organization. Compared to Verdantia, Lilith's Cottage is at least two tiers lower!"

Locke shrugged his shoulders and said nothing.

The best isn't necessarily the most suitable.

Verdantia University was a massive organization with excellent magic categories as well as mediocre ones. So entering Verdantia wasn't necessarily a good thing.

The magic specialties Verdantia excelled in had nothing to do with the two of them.

On the contrary, people like them—especially himself and Raun—seemed to meet Lilith's Cottage's standards for Wizard Seedlings, according to Verdantia's admissions teachers. So entering Lilith's Cottage might not be a bad thing for them.

Still, Locke glanced at Verdantia's admissions teacher and Ruixing standing beside him, feeling slightly displeased.

He wasn't some tool to be used to balance things out for others.

But without becoming a Formal Wizard, he had no say in the matter.

For now, he could only remain silent. Only after becoming a Formal Wizard would he have the right to revisit and criticize this decision.

(End of chapter)