Locke placed his palm on the Amethyst Matrix borrowed from Sophia the Witch, which displayed a mental power reading of 224.
He nodded with evident satisfaction. "When I first broke through to First-Class Wizard Apprentice, my mental power was at 220. After two months of using the ordinary Meditation Method and consuming vast magical resources, I only managed to increase my Mana by 1 point."
"But tonight, after practicing the Advanced Meditation Technique for three hours, I gained 3 points of Mana."
Locke remarked, "Everyone experiences a beginner's grace period when they first start using the Advanced Meditation Technique. During this first month, one can even meditate continuously without needing to reserve ten days for sleep and rest. However, after this month, the rate of improvement slows down significantly."
"Regardless, I must focus all my resources on this month to fully exploit the beginner's grace period. I need to maximize the benefits of the Advanced Meditation Technique to accelerate my Mana growth."
Locke was currently 18 years old, with 22 years left until he turned 40.
To become a Formal Wizard, he needed to maintain an annual Mana increase of at least thirty points to stand a chance.
Forty was a critical threshold.
Though Locke didn't know the exact reason, the academy's higher-ups seemed to believe that after the age of 40, the likelihood of a First-Class Wizard Apprentice advancing to Formal Wizard dropped drastically. Consequently, the benefits and resources allocated to them would also be significantly reduced.
With a focused thought, Locke channeled his slightly recovered energy back into meditation. Once again, he sensed the distant Nature Plane in the void, converting its radiant energy into Mana to replenish his reserves.
"First-Class Wizard Apprentices who master the Advanced Meditation Technique don't just regain the potential for rapid progress," Locke noted. "In combat, they can even meditate intermittently to accelerate Mana recovery."
"Moreover, the Mana refined through the Advanced Meditation Technique is superior in quality, purity, stability, and other aspects compared to my previous Mana."
"No wonder the White Wizard Association refuses to disclose the Advanced Meditation Technique," Locke mused. "By monopolizing this knowledge, they effectively control a significant portion of the pathways to becoming a Formal Wizard in the Southeast Corner Domain."
"And they force First-Class Wizard Apprentices to sign Magic Stone Loan agreements with major wizard organizations, often amounting to as much as fifty thousand stones."
"Time to rest. Tomorrow, I'll head to the Chimera Market to sell the third batch of Magic Plants. Hopefully, I can make a decent profit." Locke changed into fresh clothes and slept through the night.
The next morning, at dawn,
Locke instructed three Gray Dwarves and two catgirl attendants to push two carts covered with gray cloth toward the Chimera Market.
At the market's entrance, two Second-Class Wizard Apprentices on guard duty bowed respectfully to Locke, their eyes lingering on the badges pinned to his chest.
"Good morning, Senior."
"Greetings, Senior Augustine."
Locke gave them a slight nod before stepping inside, his catgirl and Gray Dwarf attendants quickly following their master.
They were pushing carts, so their pace was naturally slower.
Locke entered Lijin Secret Language Plant Shop, where Yuli Burns had just finished serving a First Class Wizard Apprentice customer. Her eyes brightened when she saw him. "Dear Locke, my dear friend, your Super Mandrake Vine and Wire Tendon Grass have been selling exceptionally well this month."
"Many people have been asking me which outstanding breeder developed these new Magic Plants. I told them your name, Locke. I hope you don't mind?"
Locke shook his head slightly. "It's fine."
Such things were unavoidable anyway—his reputation would gradually spread regardless. Moreover, as a First Class Wizard Apprentice, having some recognition would actually be beneficial.
The First Class Wizard Apprentice who had just stepped out of the shop turned around upon hearing this, nodded at Locke in greeting, and then left.
Yuli looked at Locke's carts and asked, "Is this the month's supply of Wire Tendon Grass and Super Mandrake Vine? Why are there two carts?"
Locke nodded. "Yes. One cart contains the two older Magic Plants for sale to Lijin Secret Language this month. Since our previous collaborations have gone smoothly, I'd like to propose a partnership for a third Magic Plant."
"Here's the certification from my teacher, the Senior Breeder, Witch Sophia. Take a look."
Locke handed the Crystal Palmfire Lotus certification to Yuli Burns.
Yuli Burns paused for a moment, then looked astonished. "So soon? It's only been a little over two months since your last new Magic Plant release, and you've already developed another new variety?"
Locke nodded calmly. "Yes. I recently learned the Magic Frequency Breeding Method, which gave me some new insights. This technique allows for targeted mutations, so developing new varieties is faster than before. I plan to enter this creation in the White Wizard Association's Breeder Competition. At the very least, it's more than qualified for the preliminary rounds."
After reviewing the test certification, Yuli's expression grew somewhat complicated. "Another excellent product, and unlike the previous two, the Palm Fire Lotus has a very unique niche."
"Your Crystal Palmfire Lotus can completely replace it. Wizard apprentices who have mastered the cantrip models [Scorched Earth Bomb], [Fingertip Fire], or [Minor Plant Fire Tongue Spell] will likely buy your Crystal Palmfire Lotus directly."
Yuli sighed. "It seems your talent in breeding, Augustine, is truly exceptional. Sometimes, geniuses like you produce several groundbreaking Magic Plant products in succession."
"The Palm Fire Lotus fills a very specific niche. Many wizard organizations specializing in botany purchase this Magic Plant for war stockpiles," Yuli said, looking at Locke. "Especially since Lilith's Cottage is currently engaged in a wizard war."
After a moment of thought, Yuli added, "Our shop sells Palm Fire Lotus for 5 Magic Stones, and I can purchase yours at the same price."
"But I'd recommend you consider the Academy Centralized Procurement route, Locke. If you agree, I can try recommending this Magic Plant to Lilith's Cottage Academy's procurement department."
Locke asked in confusion, "Academy Centralized Procurement?"
"What's that?"
Yuli was momentarily stunned, then coughed and smiled at Locke. "It's normal you wouldn't know. Most Breeders don't deal directly with the Academy's procurement department."
"Academy Centralized Procurement means the Academy will purchase your batch of Magic Plants in bulk during a specific period. They'll pay a large sum of Magic Stones upfront through a contract, and you just need to deliver the goods by the agreed time."
"Palm Fire Lotus is wartime material. I think the Academy might buy your Magic Plants in one large batch. You could rapidly expand your Palm Fire Lotus seed production and scale up your plantation in a very short time."
"This afternoon, First Class Wizard Apprentices sent by the Academy will visit Lijin Secret Language for centralized procurement."
Yuli smiled at Locke and said, "I'll try to help you then. If it works out, you shouldn't have to worry about Magic Stones for a while."
Yuli looked at Locke with a hint of envy
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