In Sophia the Witch's office.
Sophia raised her eyebrows in surprise. "You're saying that wizard apprentices from the Blood Curse Court ambushed you on your way back to the faction?"
Locke nodded. "Yes, teacher."
Sophia frowned. "That complicates things. For them to intercept you in advance, they must have known about the Magical Plant Investigation mission you took—only then could they calculate your return timing."
"But this was a mission directly assigned by Advisor Francis through me."
"Wait, no—this mission was assigned by Advisor Francis through his assistant, so there's still a possibility of information leakage."
Sophia said, "The Blood Curse Court must have a deeply hidden spy network targeting Lilith's Cottage. I'll report this to the upper echelons of the academy."
"Locke, for now, don't leave the faction headquarters."
"I'll apply to the academy's upper levels for special protection for you. During this period, you won't need to fulfill your academy obligations."
"Given you were recently targeted and are now a First Class Wizard Apprentice, the academy will prioritize your safety, so the request should be approved."
"You've just become a First Class Wizard Apprentice and need time to expand your spell repertoire."
Sophia tossed a document to Locke. "During this period, you can spend Magic Stones to purchase private lessons and learn the remaining three spells in the Vine Frenzy series."
"As for spells, you can choose whatever you want to learn."
"Since you have Corpse Soil Konjac and Clivia on hand, I recommend spending Magic Stones on private lessons to learn the cantrip model [Ephemera Firework] and the cantrip model [Every Plant a Soldier]."
"Next Wednesday, I'll have enough time to explain the path beyond First Class Wizard Apprentice—how to progress toward becoming a Formal Wizard."
Sophia added, "At your current stage, spells are no longer your main focus."
"In a few days, the academy will sign a new contract with you."
She pointed at the document. "Now that you're a First Class Wizard Apprentice, you can help me process these [Shadow Leech Worms]."
"You can try making a batch of Shadow Leech Worm Bloodline Separation Potions, then use the Mana Centrifugal Extraction Method to isolate the bloodline of these bugs."
"Remember to come by the day after tomorrow. The new Wizard Seedlings will arrive then. One of them, like you, is from overseas, while the others are local commoners."
Locke had already received nearly two years of Potionology assistant-level training from Sophia, so he could attempt this level of work.
However, Shadow Leech Worms were extremely dangerous Magic Bugs. The slightest mistake could lead to their hatched eggs parasitizing the wizard apprentice handling them, and such infestations were notoriously difficult to treat.
Most of the Magical Creature materials Sophia currently used were similarly hazardous.
This was why Sophia had never before allowed Locke to attempt independently crafting specialized bloodline separation potions for Magical Creatures.
Locke was simply tasked with using the Mana Centrifugal Extraction Method to prepare purified essence from the Bloodline of a Magical Creature—a relatively straightforward job.
But clearly, the Witch Sophia now trusted Locke several levels more than before.
Taking the materials, Locke glanced through them. This was something a Potion Master's assistant had to know how to do, so it was essentially a practice opportunity for him.
This batch of Shadow Leech Worms alone was worth thousands of Magic Stones.
"Shadow Leech Worms are generally used in Unbinding Magic Potions for curses related to shadows, one of the common ingredients for potion-grade concoctions," Locke recalled from his studies. "Understood, Professor. I'll do my best to finish within a week and deliver it to your lab."
After leaving the Witch Sophia's office, Locke crossed the port city and headed to the public lecture hall.
He had decided to follow Sophia's advice and enroll in those two private courses on spell models.
The Witch Sophia's insight far surpassed his own at this stage. If she recommended he learn them, the benefits must be substantial.
Locke entered the private office of the dark elf Sassari, lightly knocking on the door before stepping inside once permitted.
"Sassari, senior," Locke said, "I'd like to enroll in the two courses—[Mayfly Fireworks] and [Every Plant a Soldier]."
The dark elf Sassari frowned. These weren't group classes—they were specialized, with very few students capable of learning them, and both were highly complex and dangerous.
Typically, only a handful of students, sometimes just one, attended each session.
Most importantly, both courses were designed for First-Class Wizard Apprentices.
It was only then that Sassari noticed the faint but unmistakable Magic Pressure emanating from Locke.
Unlike Sophia, who had only been momentarily surprised, Sassari's jaw dropped in shock. "This is Magic Pressure! Locke, you've become a First-Class Wizard Apprentice?!"
"No way—it hasn't even been that long! You only became a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice last year!"
"Among your batch of Wizard Seedlings, even those with 6th-grade aptitude haven't advanced yet. The only exception was a 7th-grade Child of Elements, who became a First-Class Wizard Apprentice half a month ago—earning significant attention from the higher-ups of the Lilith Academy."
Sassari stood up from behind his desk. Realizing Locke's new status, he was too stunned to maintain his usual seniority and simply rose to his feet.
Locke replied, "Senior, my teacher, the Witch Sophia, said that the aptitude tests for wizards aren't perfect. The initial grading upon enrollment doesn't determine everything."
"My talent probably just falls outside the scope of conventional detection methods."
The dark elf Sassari slowly recovered from his shock, a wry smile forming on his face. "What difference does that make? All I know is that you possess talent on par with a Child of Elements."
"Rare exceptions like you are even scarcer than them."
"Don't overthink it."
Sassari's tone shifted, now treating Locke more as an equal. "Congratulations… Augustine."
"In a few days, the academy will sign a contract with you. First Class Wizard Apprentices are the backbone of the academy, the reserve force for Formal Wizards, so there will be a new contract with new benefits. You may also take on some teaching, research, or even combat missions."
"You can also register your rank and claim your rewards. The academy invests heavily in supporting talents like you."
The dark elf Sassari thought for a moment before saying to Locke, "For the Floating Flower Fireworks Cantrip, you'll likely be the only one attending in the coming months, so you can sign up directly. However, for the Every Leaf a Soldier Cantrip, your fellow apprentice will also be joining, though she won't be available until next week. So you'll have to wait a week for that one."
"We'll arrange the course for both of you simultaneously."
"These private lessons are essentially one-on-one, so they're quite expensive."
"Excluding material costs and other miscellaneous fees, the base tuition is five hundred and fifty Magic Stones per course. Is that acceptable, Locke?"
Locke nodded. "Of course, Senior."
Sassari had already prepared two application forms and signed his name on them. "Aside from the cost, these two courses also have a rank requirement—only First Class Wizard Apprentices can enroll."
"Once you've mastered them, you might even end up teaching Floating Flower Fireworks and Every Leaf a Soldier—these advanced cantrip model courses—in the public classes yourself."
--Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LegendaryTL
Thanks!