"Second-class Talent?"
Ian drew in a sharp breath.
The highest talent in the class had originally only been Third-grade Talent. Yet as they entered a new stage, even second-class talents had appeared.
At first, Ian had thought Second-class Talent was merely twice as good as Third-grade Talent, and four times as good as Fourth-grade Talent.
But as his talent gradually improved, he came to understand just how wrong that idea was.
That was merely the difference in meditation frequency. It did not even take into account the quality of meditation or the rate at which one's mental power grew.
The gap was probably more than double.
"Do I have to compete with people like them?"
Ian's gaze turned solemn.
"What are you thinking, man? Those second-class talents don't even need to take tests to enter whatever department they want. Besides, can you even compete with them?"
At that moment, a chubby apprentice seated in front of him looked at Ian as though he were an idiot.
"What did you say?"
Hearing that, Coro widened his eyes and moved to rise.
"It's fine, it's fine."
Ian waved his hand.
The apprentice's words also helped him set his mindset straight.
He was merely a tiny Fourth-grade Talent. He absolutely could not grow arrogant, or sooner or later, he would take a nasty tumble.
"Learning tricks step by step will take at least three months to reach Third-grade Talent. I hope the later courses can bring me some surprises."
Ian pursed his lips and regained his calm.
At this point, the classroom had also quieted down.
A man with long curly hair, a hooked nose, and a silver badge pinned to his chest walked in.
The badge resembled a shield, with winding vines around its edges and an open wizard's book at its center.
"It's a Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice."
Emily stared at the badge.
"Indeed. A silver badge means a Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice. Black iron, bronze, silver, and gold represent the four tiers of the apprentice stage: first, second, third, and Peak Wizard Apprentice. The book represents the Secret Source Department."
William from the Mutual Aid Society beside them also sighed in admiration.
The Secret Source Department—it was even harder to enter than the Logistics Department.
Ian nodded.
They had badges as well, but their centers were blank. They would only be replaced after entering a department.
"Hello, everyone. I am Joran Fuller. I will be teaching this course from now on, and classes will be held every Monday."
The Wizard walked to the center of the podium and smiled at the crowd.
The course content was related to the Meditation Method and covered the subsequent material of the Basic Meditation Method.
"To advance from a First-class Apprentice Witch to a Second-class Apprentice Witch, you must condense at least twenty basic runes in total. The final evaluation will also be based on the number of runes, with the lowest grade being C- and the highest A+, nine grades in total. C- requires only one rune, while A+ requires nine. However, if you are still at C- after half a year, then I'm sorry—no department will want you. As for the result..."
Though Joran did not spell it out, everyone clearly understood what he meant.
"Besides that, there are additional rewards. The first ten people to condense each rune can receive extra rewards. Tenth place receives one Magic Stone, and each rank higher earns one additional Magic Stone. The top three can also receive extra potions."
As Joran spoke, he could not help glancing at the three apprentices with Second-class Talent.
For them, the top three were practically something already in their pockets.
"Extra Magic Stones..."
Ian took a deep breath, wondering whether he had a chance to make the top ten.
The first four months would probably be difficult. He would have to wait until he advanced to Third-grade Star Talent.
After finishing the preliminary material, Joran began the formal lesson.
"Proficiency is increasing?"
Ian stared at the panel in astonishment and found that his proficiency had increased by 1.
That made sense. Even exchanges within the Mutual Aid Society could increase proficiency, so lessons would naturally be faster.
The reason it had not happened before was probably just because what Victor had taught was too simple.
"I didn't expect there to be such a benefit. Perhaps the Meditation Method can also reach completion within three months, and my talent might improve even sooner."
A glimmer flashed through Ian's eyes.
And there were also Wizardry courses. Those were the real big prize.
The Wizardry instructor was named Charis, a square-faced man whose silver badge had a flame at its center.
"Zero Ring Wizardry differs from tricks. The greatest difference is that it requires the participation of Mental Power Runes.
The more Mental Power Runes involved, the greater its power.
For the first three months, I will teach you one Zero Ring trick each month. The final three months will be combat practice."
Charis walked through the training grounds, looking at the apprentices before him.
"Next, I will introduce Mental Power Impact. Watch carefully."
To demonstrate its effects, dozens of servants soon carried over a large tree trunk more than a meter in diameter from one side.
Charles took a deep breath.
"Qilaso!"
With the incantation, everyone felt the air before their eyes ripple.
Boom!
The large tree was instantly torn into two halves. The fractured section was streaked with strands, as though it had suffered an immense tearing force.
Hissss!
All the apprentices present widened their eyes.
That was a tree trunk more than a meter in diameter!
Ian's heart also burned hot.
"One month from now, there will be a test. The top ten will receive Magic Stone rewards, while the top three can receive additional Wizardry rewards."
Ian's heart burned even hotter.
Never mind the Magic Stone rewards—there were Wizardry rewards too.
The meditation course was difficult to compete in, but this course was something he could fight for.
"Can I raise this Wizardry to Master Level within a month?"
Ian's eyes flickered.
Before class ended.
A new skill appeared on Ian's panel.
[Mental Power Impact (Beginner 1/100)]
The third lesson, however, surprised Ian somewhat.
It was not the content that surprised him.
"Instructor Victor?"
Ian stared at the instructor on the podium in astonishment. It was actually Victor.
Victor had changed into a dark green Witch Robe, while the badge on his chest was bronze, its core a small cauldron within a ring.
"Hello, everyone. I am Victor from the Potions Department, a Zero-ring Intermediate Potion master. I will be conducting the following courses."
He smiled at the crowd as he introduced himself.
"This course will mainly provide introductory knowledge of potions, focusing on familiarizing you with the magic plants of Veridian Forest, along with basic first aid and potion-making.
The first three months will consist of potion identification tests, while the latter three months will be practical potion assessments. The final examination will be an unspecified potion preparation.
All right, let us begin today's lesson—getting to know Veridian Forest's Three-leaf Blood-stopping Grass..."
Victor took out a verdant green clover and began introducing it to everyone.
Ian listened attentively.
Soon, a new skill appeared in the skill bar.
[Magic Plant Identification (Zero Ring - Beginner 1/100)]
Seeing the skill appear on the panel, Ian immediately felt much more at ease.
This not only meant he had gained another skill, but also that it could gradually be improved.
Night.
"Qilaso!"
After a ripple of mental power, the chair on the ground in front of the house seemed to have been shoved and pulled, toppling over with difficulty.
On the panel.
[Mental Power Impact (Beginner 2/100)]
"Proficiency increased by 1. It seems each use increases it by 1, but Mental Power Impact consumes mental power. I can probably practice at most twenty times a day. In one month, I'll probably only reach Proficient Level."
Ian pondered.
Was Proficient Level enough?
Would that be a little too slow?
At the same time.
Inside a room.
Halman looked at the pale blue potion before him.
"This is a Minor Energy Potion. It can relieve mental fatigue, allowing you to practice Wizardry more times. With one month, you should be able to use it proficiently," Ross said to Halman.
"Is merely using it proficiently enough?" Halman asked.
Ross nodded. "According to past practice, using it proficiently should at least get you into the top ten. Wizardry isn't as simple as you think, and there's also meditation. I'll guide you in that too."
"Alright."
Halman nodded, thinking of Ian.
"Brother, could there be some geniuses who quickly become proficient, even reaching Expert Level?"
"What nonsense are you dreaming about? Unless you improve every single time, without encountering even the slightest setback—but how could that be possible?"
Ross replied irritably.
In his memory, the Academy had never produced anyone that impressive.
Only then did Halman feel relieved.
Losing to Ian, a mere serf, had always been a knot in his heart.
Even as he looked down on Ian, a fire had always been suppressed within his heart.
He would surpass Ian openly and honorably in the courses to come.
Before you continue