Not far from the Hossens Order's Emeraldwood City headquarters was one of its outposts.
In a corner room on the first floor, a second-rank apprentice set down his recording pen and said to Lynn,
"That's it, the debt contract on you has been cancelled, Lynn."
The Order's process for handling the promotion of expelled apprentices turned out to be even simpler than Lynn had imagined, with only two steps in total.
The first step, which he had just completed, was the removal of his debt contract.
"Thank you, sir." Lynn nodded, feeling a slight weight lift from his chest.
While the debt contract had not been an insurmountable issue for him at this point, the feeling of being debt-free was still refreshing.
"No need for thanks," the second-rank apprentice replied, then continued, "Next is the meditation method…"
He turned around and retrieved three knowledge crystals.
The second step was to provide the newly promoted expelled apprentice with the opportunity to purchase the follow-up portions of Hossen's apprentice meditation method.
Lynn's eyes lit up at the sight of the crystals, though he also felt a twinge of anxiety; he had no idea how much they might cost.
The apprentice, unaware of Lynn's unease and not one for suspense, calmly explained as per procedure:
"These knowledge crystals, from left to right, correspond to the three stages of Hossen's apprentice meditation method, from third-rank up to first-rank.
"The prices, from low to high, are 10 magic stones, 50 magic stones, and 200 magic stones, respectively."
Cheaper than expected… Lynn exhaled in relief.
While expensive, the prices were still within his means, though buying them would leave him with little to spare.
The old debt contract may have been lifted, but now a new kind of "debt" loomed over him.
It had to be said, the Hossens Order's elimination system was simple, yet highly effective.
"If I only buy part of it this time, can I come back for the rest later?" Lynn asked cautiously.
"Of course," the apprentice nodded. Then, as if recalling something, he added,
"After all, you were once part of the Order. If you can advance to first-rank apprentice in the future, there's a chance you could return. You're not like those wild wizards out there.
"They can't even qualify to buy the Hossens apprentice meditation method, and even if they did, the price would be at least ten times higher."
Lynn nodded, realizing this was the Order's final "sieve" for expelled apprentices.
Between the debt contracts and the exclusive right to purchase the meditation method, the Order could maximize returns from them while keeping the door cracked open for the most capable to return.
It was a design that was both simple and cleverly thorough.
Most importantly, this final sieve worked both ways after struggling through countless hardships; an expelled apprentice who returned to the Order might even be grateful for the opportunity.
Lynn felt a touch of emotion, but also understood that this "sieve" was something countless wild wizards dreamed of having.
After thanking the apprentice again, Lynn opted to first purchase the portion of the meditation method for third-rank apprentices.
From the perspective of meditation methods, the apprentice stage of wizard training generally had three phases.
The first was constructing the "primary meditation rune" and using it to strengthen the mind.
Once the mind was sufficiently strengthened, the wizard would build a more complex structure atop the original rune, forming the "intermediate meditation rune."
This was the second phase, corresponding to the second-rank apprentice stage.
The third phase followed the same principle, and each renewal of the meditation rune marked an advancement in rank.
For preparatory apprentices who had yet to be promoted, Hossen's meditation method, which they were taught, only included the construction of the primary rune.
The latter parts, using the rune to channel magical energy to enhance the mind, and the construction of more complex runes, were deliberately withheld.
After signing the contract, Lynn handed over ten primary-grade magic stones and received the knowledge crystal containing the full third-rank apprentice stage. The corners of his mouth lifted involuntarily.
These past days, he had tried to meditate, but without the latter parts, it was mere stillness, bringing no real improvement to his mind.
Right then and there, Lynn used the crystal, committing the meditation method to memory.
Just as he was about to leave, the second-rank apprentice seemed to remember something, slapped his forehead, and said,
"Oh, right, you have one more thing to claim."
The second-class apprentice turned around and rummaged through the bookshelf in the corner of the office for a while before finally pulling out a dozen or so long-stored crystals.
"These are a few lower-tier Zero-Ring spells and some lesser Zero-Ring cantrips. According to regulations, you may choose one.
"This is the Order's way of congratulating you, expelled apprentices, on your promotion."
Lynn was taken aback; he hadn't expected such a bonus.
"Light Spell, Breeze Spell, Heating Spell, Soundproof Spell…"
He carefully examined the labels on each crystal. As the second-class apprentice had said, most of them were just cantrips.
After weighing his options for a long time, Lynn chose a lower-tier Zero-Ring spell, Small Wind Shield.
It was the only defensive spell among them, and by far the most valuable.
"A good choice," the second-class apprentice said politely. Once Lynn had signed the contract, the crystal was handed over. "All the procedures are now complete. If there's nothing else, you're free to leave."
"There is one more thing," Lynn said with a smile. "I'd like to ask if it's possible for an expelled apprentice's debt to the Order to be paid off in one lump sum?"
The second-class apprentice was startled. He glanced at the boy standing behind Lynn and asked,
"That one behind you, he's also an expelled apprentice?"
"Yes."
The apprentice thought for a moment, flipped through some records, then shook his head.
"A lump-sum repayment… it seems there's no regulation for that.
"I'll help you submit it for review, but don't expect much to come of it."
"Thank you, sir." Lynn nodded, feeling a little disappointed.
"However," the apprentice added, "a notice just came in today starting from now, expelled apprentices' debts will be reduced to three gold dragons per month, and the term shortened to sixty years."
Lynn froze for a moment, and the young man behind him, Giggs, looked even more stunned, his expression complex.
"Did the Order mention a reason for the sudden reduction?"
"No," the apprentice shook his head.
Lynn shook his head, feeling a wave of emotion.
These debts had always been an insurmountable mountain weighing down on expelled apprentices.
They had only ever thought about slowly saving up to repay it bit by bit…
Who would have thought that one day, that mountain would suddenly collapse by more than half on its own?
...
Evening.
On Bauhinia Thorn Street.
Lynn stepped off the public carriage and looked up at the vine-covered restaurant before striding toward it.
He had already made his decision.
As Garan had once said in this world, many things have thresholds, and many have circles.
Only by stepping across, by joining in, can you get the things you truly want.
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