Ten days later.
In the First Circle Wizard district of Lilith's Cottage, Locke entered the office of Senior Advisor Francis.
The academy's organizational structure appeared relatively flat, but within Lilith's Cottage, there were seven Senior Advisors. These seven advisors were respectively responsible for different Formal Wizards and their students, as well as various departments and public facilities within Lilith's Cottage.
The academy's dean and vice-dean of Lilith's Cottage oversaw these seven Senior Advisors.
In a sense, Senior Advisor Francis was one of the higher-ups of Lilith's Cottage.
Authorization for the Advanced Meditation Technique required the signed approval of all seven Senior Advisors of Lilith's Cottage, as well as confirmation from at least one dean.
Senior Advisor Francis looked up at Locke. In Locke's eyes, he was a white-bearded old man dressed in a white Wizard robe, wearing a black Wizard Hat, with a genial smile. However, his gaze was sharp—for a moment, it seemed as though he was sizing Locke up. But before Locke could confirm it, that sharp gaze had already softened into a warm smile.
Locke remained cautious in his heart but bowed respectfully to Francis and said, "Greetings, Senior Advisor Francis."
"I am Locke Augustine."
"Teacher Sophia sent me to collect the Advanced Meditation Technique."
Senior Advisor Francis turned his right palm upward and gestured toward a seat. "Sit."
Once Locke was seated, he smiled and said, "This is our first meeting, isn't it? Locke, have you been happy with your life here at Lilith's Cottage?"
Locke was momentarily taken aback—he hadn't expected this high-ranking academy figure to suddenly ask him such a question. He replied carefully, "Well, Lilith's Cottage possesses vast magical resources, which have allowed me to progress quickly."
Francis narrowed his eyes. "No need to be so guarded. You are an outstanding student of our academy, just like your teacher, Sophia the Witch, who was also an outstanding student from our academy."
"So, speaking with you truly brings me joy."
"Time is a wonderful thing. The mysteries of time are worth exploring carefully for each of us. When I first joined Lilith's Cottage, I was just an ordinary little wizard apprentice, much like you and Sophia the Witch. Gradually, I became a Wizard Mentor here, then later took on the roles of academic supervisor and Senior Advisor."
The corners of Francis' eyes crinkled slightly. "Sitting in this office, watching new students like you grow and flourish, like Magic Plants, batch after batch maturing—this feeling is truly fulfilling."
Francis placed a crystal ball in front of Locke. "Augustine, you can think of the academy as your home. The academy will always be one of your fallback options."
"Now then. This is the Advanced Meditation Technique. Its dissemination is restricted by the White Wizard Association's non-proliferation agreement, so it cannot be recorded in a Magic Book. Instead, it must be transmitted directly into your mind through a special First Circle Spell of Enchantment—[Bloodline Inheritance]—bypassing the need for language."
Locke understood clearly in his heart. As long as he transcended the form of language, it would be extremely difficult for him to translate it into words. The operational method of this meditation technique and its related knowledge would transform into something akin to instinct.
No wonder this Advanced Meditation Technique, obtained through a 50,000 Magic Stone Loan, was worth it. It directly used a first-circle spell from the Enchantment School to make him learn it.
Senior Consultant Francis said, "By the way, you'll also need to sign a non-proliferation agreement. Although I trust you and don't want to make this overly formal, it's a regulation of the White Wizard Association."
Locke skimmed through the agreement, his eyelids twitching slightly. The terms were harsh and exhaustive, all aimed at preventing First Class Wizard Apprentices from casually disseminating the Advanced Meditation Technique.
Violating this clause would apparently result in being hunted down by the entire White Wizard Association.
It was equivalent to social death.
Senior Consultant Francis smiled gently. "Actually, it's not a big deal. The first-circle Enchantment Spell [Bloodline Inheritance] has many built-in safeguards to prevent wizards from spreading the Advanced Meditation Technique externally."
"In theory, even if you actively wanted to spread it, you wouldn't be able to."
Senior Consultant Francis added thoughtfully, "For example, even if you spent a great deal of time converting the knowledge of the Advanced Meditation Technique in your mind into corresponding words, the moment you tried to speak or write it down, the connection between that knowledge and the words or language would automatically dissolve."
Playing along with Francis's attitude, Locke deliberately feigned astonishment in front of him. "This is truly incredible, Dean."
Francis smiled with satisfaction. "I like young people like you."
"Of course it's incredible. After all, it's a first-circle spell. Spells from the Enchantment School often alter the will of the target or their sensory perceptions."
Locke frowned in confusion. "If that's the case, then some spells from the Enchantment School and the Illusion School seem to overlap, Dean."
Francis patiently explained, "That's true, but their mechanisms and principles differ. The Illusion School interferes with the mind, soul, and spiritual energy on three levels, while the Enchantment School changes the state of the target through means like Enchantment Studies."
"Therefore, if we encounter enemies from these two schools, our countermeasures should also differ." Francis continued warmly, "Speaking of which, Lilith's Cottage is quite strong in Enchantment Studies, but their Illusion School is slightly weaker. That magic category only has one Wizard Mentor, and most wizard apprentices there are only around second-class in aptitude."
"The admission requirements are relatively low."
Locke nodded. "I see, Dean."
Locke signed the agreement, then placed his palm on the crystal ball. In an instant, a flood of knowledge surged into his mind—the knowledge of the Advanced Meditation Technique.
Five seconds later, the originally pale violet crystal ball turned completely blank.
Locke bowed respectfully to Senior Consultant Francis. "I've obtained the Advanced Meditation Technique. Dean, I'll take my leave now."
For some reason, even though Francis before him was extremely amiable—almost the most approachable Formal Wizard besides Sophia—Locke felt profoundly uncomfortable and awkward in his presence.
It was as if he were being watched by some kind of predator.
Locke looked up and met the smiling eyes of Advisor Francis. Francis nodded at him, then turned and left the office.
But the moment Locke closed the office door, the smile vanished from Francis' face. He immediately picked up Locke's file from the drawer and began reviewing it.
Francis' expression darkened. "A serious oversight in my work. I never expected such a mistake to happen under my watch."
"Judging by his rate of progress, Locke Augustine's true aptitude should only be slightly inferior to that of a Child of Elements. The question is whether his growth will continue at this rapid pace. Some special talents only allow for accelerated development during certain periods."
Francis scowled. "Assigning a student of this caliber to a Formal Wizard who hasn't signed a contract with the academy is a grave error."
"This will hinder the student from forming an emotional bond with Lilith's Cottage itself," Francis thought. "Students must develop some attachment to Lilith's Cottage—only then will they remain loyal to the academy."
"He's already a First Class Wizard Apprentice. Re-establishing that connection now will be troublesome." Francis pondered. "But not impossible. He needs more emotional interaction with other First Class Wizard Apprentices in the academy."
"Fortunately, he seems to have some connection with Wizard Urien Rich. This time, Urien Rich actually spoke up for him—a rare occurrence. Doesn't that man only care about his grandson?"
Francis muttered, "The only reason he joined Lilith's Cottage back then was because I told him it was one of the best Potionology organizations in the Southeast Corner Domain—the most suitable place for his grandson's recovery."
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