Wizard Family Sponsorship, Mental Power Rune Condensation Successful

Bright alchemical lamps illuminated the entire underground space.

Ian slowly walked in.

Before him lay an enormous space, with rows upon rows of bookshelves arranged in neat order.

"Wizardry section, potion studies section, other section."

Ian looked at the three major areas before him.

Of them, the wizardry section was the largest, taking up fully half of the floor, while the latter two were somewhat smaller.

Ian was in no hurry, so he entered the wizardry section first.

"Energy Missile, ordinary, 5 Magic Stones."

"Witch's Hand, ordinary, 5 Magic Stones."

"Acid Splash, excellent, 15 Magic Stones."

"Fire Elemental Hand, excellent, 15 Magic Stones."

Ian searched for wizardry according to the crystal ball, and when he saw the prices, he immediately sucked in a sharp breath.

This was far too expensive.

The starting price was practically five Magic Stones.

Excellent-grade ones cost three times as much, while there was simply no refined-tier wizardry at all.

It seemed that the ten Magic Stones he had received for the test, and five Magic Stones, did not sound like much.

But he had been first in his batch. Most apprentices only had a guaranteed allowance of one per month.

Even after joining a department, their benefits would improve.

But they would not rise to such an outrageous degree. After all, the school was not a charity.

At the same time, learning wizardry required other materials, potions, and so on.

That expense...

Ian suddenly felt that his future was bleak.

"So I have to join the Potions Department."

Ian became more resolute. The wealthiest people in the school were undoubtedly potion makers.

And it was also the safest option.

"This Acid Splash should be the wizardry that wizard used on the first day of enrollment, right?"

Ian remembered it vividly, so he wanted to open it for a closer look, only to find that the wizardry was grayed out and could not be selected.

"You need to join a department before you have the authority to purchase excellent-grade wizardry."

A woman's voice came from behind him.

Ian turned around. It was actually Lucy, the icy beauty.

"Thanks for the reminder. Is there something you need?"

Ian nodded and asked curiously, since the two of them were not familiar with each other.

"But even if you join one of the core departments, you will only receive around five Magic Stones a month, and your authority will only let you purchase three excellent-grade spells. Unless you go to the market, but the prices there are exorbitant.

Ian, you really like wizardry, don't you?" Lucy looked at Ian with certainty.

"Yes."

Ian had never denied his pursuit of wizardry.

"I come from the Silver Wolf Family. Have you heard of it?" Lucy asked.

"The Silver Wolf Family, one of the three major families affiliated with the school?"

Ian asked doubtfully.

As a school that controlled an entire region, Horton Wizard School naturally did not consist only of its own people. It also had many societies and families under its command.

Among them, the Silver Wolf, Giant Deer, and Iron Fir Families were the most outstanding, each controlling unique resources.

"Yes." Lucy nodded.

"Then why are you looking for me?"

Ian was still puzzled.

"Most families look for a few promising apprentices from each batch to sponsor, helping them grow better. First-class Apprentice Witches generally start with at least ten Magic Stones per month, along with other support," Lucy said bluntly.

There was such a good deal?

Ian raised an eyebrow. He was bound to need a large amount of wizardry, so having extra Magic Stones would definitely be a good thing.

"What grade is your talent?" Lucy asked again.

"Fourth grade."

Ian replied.

"Fourth-grade?" A flicker of confusion passed through Lucy's eyes.

That shouldn't be right. According to her information, Ian had condensed his first Mental Power Rune even faster than someone with a Third-grade Talent.

And he was only fourth-grade?

Could it be because his Meditation Method proficiency was too high?

"Yes."

"The minimum requirement for our family's sponsorship is third-grade, but I can apply to the family head."

Lucy said apologetically.

"It's fine."

Ian understood. Since it was sponsorship, naturally they would sponsor those with better talent.

Fourth-grade talent was simply far too common.

"I should receive word within three days. I'll contact you then."

After Lucy left, Ian wandered around for a while longer before heading to the potion-making section.

There were still plenty of paid resources, but there were also some free ones—the very resources Victor had told him to check out.

"But for such a huge bookshelf, it'll take at least dozens of Magic Stones to finish reading it all."

Ian looked at the enormous bookshelf before him and sighed.

Everything required Magic Stones.

"And there are quite a few people here."

Ian looked at the several people around the bookshelf, including apprentices from his own cohort.

"Are they really that rich? No, perhaps they've already received sponsorship."

Ian pursed his lips. Quite a few of them were Wizards who had condensed their second rune, and nearly all of them possessed Third-grade Talent.

These people were undoubtedly targets that the major families wanted to recruit.

Or perhaps they belonged to Wizard families themselves.

No wonder some people's progress was noticeably faster than that of apprentices at the same level.

Three days later.

In the Teaching Area, Lucy arranged to meet Ian.

"The family head has agreed. The sponsorship will be nine Magic Stones per month, but additional conditions are required," Lucy said.

"What conditions?"

Ian asked.

"After coming of age, you must have at least one descendant with Wizard talent with a woman from the Silver Wolf Family. At the same time, you must complete one task for the family every year," Lucy said.

"What if it's Third-grade Talent?"

"Ten Magic Stones, and one task every three years."

"Sorry, I can't accept that."

Ian shook his head and refused outright.

Completing tasks would have been one thing, but he also had to produce descendants.

Wasn't this the Wizard world version of marrying into a wife's family?

He had not fallen so low as to abase himself for resources.

"A Minor Energy Potion sells for three Magic Stones. It can ease mental fatigue and increase the number of times you meditate.

"Together with your Wizardry rewards, you can condense your Mental Power Runes more quickly. If you can achieve better results in Meditation and Wizardry, you may have a chance to enter the combat core division."

Lucy remained calm, as though she were merely stating facts.

As for potion-making, she did not mention it at all, because it consumed even more Magic Stones and was not something Ian could consider.

"Thank you."

Ian nodded, then turned and left.

It was indeed very realistic.

But he had a cheat.

With Talent Points and the panel, he felt that he might not be without a chance.

As for the Silver Wolf Family's sponsorship, it was better left to those Wizards with Third-grade Talent.

"You'll regret this!"

Watching Ian's retreating figure, Lucy's expression finally wavered, and her brows drew together.

It wasn't just the Silver Wolf Family sponsoring apprentices.

As the first round of results was announced.

News gradually spread that various Wizard families had sponsored certain individuals.

Naturally, there was no way no one would come looking for Ian.

But unfortunately, because of his talent, the conditions offered by the major families were all exceedingly harsh, while the smaller families couldn't afford to provide the resources.

As a result, Ian remained alone.

In the blink of an eye.

Two weeks passed.

Inside his room, Ian closed his eyes as the second Mental Power Rune slowly condensed within his Mental Power Space.

Half an hour later.

The condensation succeeded.