Chapter 29 The First Student

Locke bowed to Mentor Sophia and said, "I will follow your guidance completely. You are my teacher now."

A hint of relief seemed to appear on Mentor Sophia's face. "Hmm, you're actually my first real student."

"Though I originally thought the academy wouldn't assign me any students within ten years, so there aren't any spare dormitories prepared for you here."

Locke replied, "Mentor Sophia, I can find accommodation in the port city."

Mentor Sophia nodded. "You don't need to be so formal."

"The academy has a rule that students must become Second-Class Wizard Apprentices within five years, or they'll be expelled. For apprentices with level 5 aptitude or above, this isn't even a concern—they almost always advance to Second-Class within two or three years of enrollment."

"But don't worry. As long as you study diligently, becoming a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice within five years shouldn't be difficult for you."

Mentor Sophia continued, "I've reviewed your schedule. Starting tomorrow, you'll attend public courses: Basic Spell Principles, Fundamental Magical Mechanics, and Elementary Runic Studies."

"I'll prepare your specialized course schedule by today."

"If you have five hundred Magic Stones, I recommend purchasing a Meditation Method from me. That would accelerate your progress significantly."

Locke didn't understand what a Meditation Method was, but he knew his current Magic Stone balance was negative twenty. He answered honestly, "Teacher, I came from the mortal world across the sea. I don't have any Magic Stones."

The witch Sophia didn't show any particular expression, merely beginning to think carefully. "Ah, I see."

"That complicates matters slightly. The Meditation Methods I have are all contract-bound and can't be given freely. Unless you purchase them from me directly."

"But it's fine. During this period, most Wizard Seedlings don't have Magic Stones to buy Meditation Methods anyway. They typically advance to Second-Class by learning spells and accumulating mental power through sheer effort."

Witch Sophia explained, "The difference between Second-Class and third-class wizard apprentices lies in the fact that Second-Class apprentices must possess at least 50 points of mental power."

"Otherwise, the differences aren't particularly significant."

"Your first spell is vine hand, hmm? Your secondary affinity is Gold Element?"

Locke asked, "Teacher, is that unusual?"

Mentor Sophia replied, "Not particularly."

"However, Gold Element affinity is generally quite rare."

Mentor Sophia studied Locke with interest—this being her first official student. "I suspect you might have some special Bloodline, because Gold Element compatibility is extremely uncommon."

"You could learn the very rare Golden Magic, though Lilith's Cottage doesn't offer this Magic category."

"I do happen to have some related collections in my possession. Though they all require certain fees."

Mentor Sophia proposed, "How about this—would you be willing to spend 120 Magic Stones to undergo a Bloodline Tracing Examination with me? You might discover something unexpected, and I could better tailor your study plan accordingly."

Locke was also feeling tempted, but the problem was he truly had no money at the moment.

He desperately wanted to find a way to earn Magic Stones quickly.

Locke shook his head helplessly. "Professor, I don't have any money."

Sophia sighed. "Students who come from across the sea do tend to struggle at the beginning."

As for the special Bloodline Sophia had mentioned, Locke fell into thought, recalling what Earl Augustine had said about the original owner's witch mother.

Encouraged by Sophia's approachability, Locke gathered his courage and asked, "Professor, do you know how I can earn Magic Stones?"

"I really want to earn more so I can buy resources."

Sophia followed Locke's train of thought and glanced at his file. "Let me see what you can do."

"There are many traps in Lilith's Cottage. For example, outside wizards—or even those within Lilith's Cottage—might offer you a Magic Stone Loan in exchange for becoming their test subject. Remember to reject any such requests, understand?"

"No matter how sweet their words sound."

Professor Sophia frowned. "They specifically target Wizard Seedlings like you to deceive."

She continued, "Taking on academy missions can earn you contribution points and Magic Stones, but most of those tasks are too dangerous for you."

"Including patrolling the city, hunting Magical Creatures, gathering Magical Materials, and so on—those are suited for Second-Class Wizard Apprentices."

"The safer academy missions require specialized skills and a certain wizard rank."

Professor Sophia pondered. "Alternatively, you could take on menial labor—helping a Second-Class or First-Class Wizard Apprentice with simple but repetitive tasks involving Magical Materials..."

"Hmm? Before boarding the Wizard Ship, you assisted a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice in completing a Stone Crab Potion?"

Locke nodded. "Yes, Professor."

"But I only helped with the basic work using the Mana Centrifugal Extraction Method."

Professor Sophia chuckled. "How complicated could a potion made by a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice be? The hardest part is probably the Mana Centrifugal Extraction Method."

"This file is amusing—it wasn't you helping that apprentice complete the Stone Crab Potion, but rather him helping you."

"But the Stone Crab Bloodline Modification Potion... I've heard of that notorious potion. It has many side effects—I didn't expect anyone would actually drink it. Whoever did probably won't live much longer."

Locke nodded, as Professor Olde indeed didn't have much time left.

Professor Sophia pointed to a small stool nearby. "Then pull up a stool and sit for a while. Later, I'll test your Mana Centrifugal Extraction Method."

"Right now, I'm designing a very complex First Circle-level potion refinement process, so don't disturb me."

"I'm a First Circle Magic Potion Alchemist. If you've truly mastered the Mana Centrifugal Extraction Method, I might have some work to delegate to you."

"In return, I'll pay you a certain amount of Magic Stones."

Locke hadn't expected that a skill he learned on the Corfu Continent would help him earn his first Magic Stones after entering the Wizard World.

Moreover, Locke realized one thing—the process of brewing Magic Potions required the most consumption of specific high-level resources.

And this was precisely where the Horadric Synthetic Cube could help him the most.

(End of Chapter)