Chapter 46: Level 6 Growth Element Gel

Locke examined the description of the Growth Element Gel in his hand—Level 6 Growth Element Gel.

[Enhanced Growth Element Gel, with effects approaching those of the Advanced Growth Serum Gel typically brewed by Potionology assistants.]

Locke pondered, "No special synthesis formula appeared, but that's fine. After being synthesized to Level 6, the sheer enhancement in effect is still remarkable."

Ordinary Growth Element Gel was something he could already brew, though the quality was currently poor. However, Advanced Growth Serum Gel was typically brewed by wizards who had obtained their Potionology assistant certification—usually First-Class Wizard Apprentices.

Take Sophia the Witch, for example—she generally used Advanced Growth Serum Gel and wouldn't settle for ordinary Growth Element Gel.

Advanced Growth Serum Gel could make ordinary-level Magical Plants grow within minutes, whereas ordinary Growth Element Gel required several days.

That was the difference.

Originally, given his financial situation, he wouldn't have been able to afford Advanced Growth Serum Gel for a long time. But now, it seemed he had achieved freedom in using Growth Element Gel—at least for the time being.

This was quite good.

With ample Advanced Growth Serum Gel, the speed of his future grafting and breeding experiments could be increased dozens of times over.

The Wizard World had always been this way—wizards with resources could often accelerate their learning by investing heavily in materials.

Locke thought to himself, "But unless I obtain my Potionology assistant certification, I can't openly sell Advanced Growth Serum Gel. It's fine if I just use it myself."

"Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to explain its origin."

"Of course, if my relationship with Sophia the Witch grew closer, and she backed me up, none of this would matter."

Locke shook his head, suddenly snapping out of it. "Damn it, how could I entertain such a thought?"

"Sophia the Witch is merely my academy instructor. I can't afford to rely on her."

"She's a Formal Wizard, and I'm just her student. If she discovered my anomalies, there's no telling what she might do."

Wizards were inherently selfish.

Especially when it came to advancing their own wizard ranks.

Locke stored the Level 6 Growth Element Gel in a drawer, then placed his Contemplation Balm inside as well and locked it.

Now that he was a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice, he could synthesize Level 6 items. He had also been exploring new synthesis formulas during this time.

If he could obtain better gemstones, the speed of his spiritual power growth could be further enhanced.

Approaching the level of a 7th-level Wizard Seedling—a Child of Elements—wasn't impossible!

Locke stepped out of his bedroom and waved at the Gray Dwarfs in the living room. Immediately, they all turned respectfully and bowed, awaiting his orders.

Locke said, "I'm heading out. Remember to clean up, and don't let strangers into my room."

The Gray Dwarfs hurriedly replied, "Respected Wizard Master, your command is our divine decree."

"Great Wizard Master, serving you is our honor. We are eternally grateful that you permit us to serve you..."

The small villa allocated by the academy had a front door that was an alchemical product with basic enchantments, equipped with a magical lock—a Magic Door—so it still provided fundamental security.

Moreover, each of these Gray Dwarves possessed the physical prowess equivalent to what Raun had described as a knight's squire, meaning they had some combat capability.

After all, those knights themselves were the results of the wizards' Bloodline modification experiments.

Once branded with his Spiritual Mark, the Gray Dwarves would be completely loyal to him. And because their souls carried his mental imprint, they would no longer fear other wizards.

Thus, these Gray Dwarves were quite attractive in the slave markets of the southeastern territories.

The academy had given him three Gray Dwarves as a benefit, but if they died, he would have to go to the slave market in the Chimera Market to buy a new batch—which would cost a fair amount of money.

Locke walked through Inverted Alley, where the paths were paved with square bricks.

The street was somewhat narrow, with sparse foot traffic. The Second-Class Wizard Apprentices always hurried along, preoccupied with their own affairs.

But unlike Dwarf Street, there were no opportunists here trying to deceive Wizard Seedlings.

On one hand, this was the core territory of Lilith's Cottage; on the other, no Second-Class Wizard Apprentice would be foolish enough to fall for such obvious scams.

Leaving Inverted Alley, Locke hailed a lizardman-pulled rickshaw and headed for the patrol team's reporting station under Lilith's Cottage.

About half an hour later, the lizardman pulled the cart across half the city, bringing Locke to a cluster of wooden huts located in the wilderness southwest of the city.

After getting off, Locke stepped over the Rune Stone Circle surrounding the huts. The academy badge pinned to his white Wizard robe flashed briefly before he passed through the barrier.

Scanning the area, Locke noticed many Second-Class Wizard Apprentices standing around the huts.

The academy's patrol team was mostly composed of Second-Class Wizard Apprentices, as First-Class Wizard Apprentices were unlikely to serve as guards, patrolling the academy grounds all day.

After all, the patrol team only monitored the academy's internal territories. The protection of the academy's entry barriers and key passageways—areas of greater importance—was the responsibility of the Formal Wizards and First-Class Wizard Apprentices.

Holding up his assignment letter, Locke announced, "Captain Bruno Suarez, I am Second-Class Wizard Apprentice Locke Augustine. Under the orders of my mentor, the Witch Sophia, and the academy, I am here to report."

As soon as he spoke, many Second-Class Wizard Apprentices turned to look at him.

Unlike those from other regions, these wizard apprentices carried the scent of blood—evidence of having experienced real battles.

Soon, they all turned away indifferently, moving swiftly with tense expressions as they mounted the backs of snail-like creatures the size of carriages.

Iron seats were strapped to the snails' shells.

Locke frowned—no one in the crowd stepped forward to acknowledge him.

Suddenly, a wizard apprentice rushed out from the Enforcement Squad. A young man, he shouted at Locke, "Newcomer, huh? You're the fifth one this month."

"Hurry up, jump onto the back of my Engel Swift-Spin Snail."

"Those Black Wizards have released chaotic monsters into our academy's territory again. Someone has died—we're heading there now!"

"We don't have many rules here. Our only duty is to ensure safety within the academy!"

(End of Chapter)