First Lesson

Aside from Adam, who spent the night without a word, the other mage apprentices gathered in groups, excitedly discussing the new life that was beginning to take shape. The extraordinary profession of mage had finally come within their tangible reach.

After all, they were still underage Little Friends. The brief conflict had not cast such a heavy shadow over their hearts. Once they gathered together, Randy quickly put the recent unpleasantness behind him and began worrying about another issue—his soul talent, curse.

Clearly, curse did not fall into any ordinary category. Embarrassingly, that did not mean it was powerful; rather, it was because it was useless.

Quentin patted him reassuringly and said, "Mage Master once said that soul affinity is important, but it is not the main factor in determining whether someone can become a mage. You do not need to worry so much. Hmph, I think the one who should be worried is that guy."

Everyone knew he meant Adam. Krystal, whose heart remained pure and kind, said worriedly, "Is it really alright for us to isolate Adam like this? We came from the same place. Shouldn't we be helping one another? And didn't Mage Master say that it wasn't Adam's fault?" Krystal was referring to Adam's decision to shatter the Rune Array only at the very end.

Randy snorted coldly. "We never wanted to isolate him. I think he's the one looking down on us. Looking at that attitude of his, maybe he's laughing at us in his heart, thinking we're all fools. Hmph, he'll pay for his arrogance."

"But..."

"We're about to come into contact with deeper knowledge, and our strength will only grow greater. Does he still think this is the ship where he could throw his weight around?" Quentin said mockingly. "Those apprentices from the Mage Continent certainly aren't friendly toward us. At a time like this, instead of choosing to band together, he still insists on standing apart. I'm waiting for the day he comes begging us for help."

Ophelia found the conversation grating. She recalled what Adam had said a month ago: an alliance of the weak had no meaning. For some reason, those words kept surfacing in her heart, leaving her restless and upset. "Enough. I think we should rest. Being late on the first day would definitely leave a bad impression on Mage Master."

After saying that, Ophelia left directly. She shared a room with Krystal. Once the door closed, Krystal softly asked, "Miss Ophelia, we wronged Adam, didn't we?"

Ophelia's footsteps paused, but in the end she said nothing. Krystal did not press her further and returned to the room alone.

Early the next morning, Adam finished a night of tracing runes. Since coming into contact with the Mental Power Solidification Rune and optimizing it to this point, he had vaguely formed an idea. Just as a spell was composed of a Rune Array, could the Mental Power Solidification Rune also be traced in groups? Through different rune structures, could they be assembled into another, more complex pattern and reinforce Mental Power more efficiently?

Thinking of this, Adam could not help anticipating the lessons even more. Starting today, his mage training would receive systematic guidance. This was far more efficient than crossing the river by feeling for stones alone.

It was still the Senior Apprentice who had led them yesterday. He gathered the new batch of apprentices and distributed the basic supplies needed for life at Mordo Academy, including gray robes, identity tokens, and detailed maps. Naturally, all of these came at a price.

The academy's efficiency was high. In a single night, it had finished calculating the Barren Island apprentices' contributions aboard the ship. Seeing the obviously greater number of Energy Stones in Adam's hand, as well as the Lesser Aether Crystal he had received, everyone grew even more dissatisfied with him.

Adam first carefully read through the class schedule. The first year truly appeared to be the stage of Compulsory Education. Every class was staggered in time, ensuring that apprentices would not miss one course because of another. This morning's first lesson was Rune Knowledge.

The map marked the locations of the academy's major facilities. Adam was drawn to a building called the Mission Hall when the Senior Apprentice happened to say, "Other than in the first year, there is almost nothing free in the academy. Even if something is free for the moment, you will pay a greater price for it later. But the academy encourages apprentices to create value for themselves. If you feel your resources are insufficient, you can accept missions at the Mission Hall. The rewards will not disappoint you."

At this point, his expression became somewhat strange. "And some missions will bring you very exciting experiences. Still, your batch is fortunate. Since the Tower has just lost a war, the number of apprentices is far lower than in previous years. A great many missions have piled up with no one to complete them. You should be able to support yourselves easily enough—assuming you are not truly stupid."

"Take your identity tokens and enter your room information. From now on, your dormitories will be your private territory. You have the right to kill anyone who enters without permission, and you will bear no responsibility. The Energy Stones in your possession can also be deposited into your tokens. The cafeteria offers this service for a handling fee of only one percent."

After the Senior Apprentice finished speaking, he left. According to the schedule, the newcomers now had to hurry and enjoy breakfast before beginning their first lesson.

The academy cafeteria was enormous and divided into two sections. There was not a single mage in sight; clearly, mages did not dine with apprentices.

The food offered in the first section was not ordinary mortal fare. Most of it was Magic Beast meat containing special energy. A huge Light Screen clearly displayed the prices of every dish and explained their effects one by one.

For example: a whole Light Bird, priced at ten units of Energy Stone, had a slight effect in purifying Mental Power. A whole Terror Fish, priced at four units of Energy Stone, had a minor effect in dispelling mental fatigue. Aside from these foods with special effects, there was also the cheapest ordinary Magic Beast meat, with no effect whatsoever, worth 0.5 units of Energy Stone.

Adam walked to the counter and deposited the Energy Stones in his hand into his identity token. There were roughly eight hundred units. Clearly, this would not sustain him for long. He had to find a stable source of income, or he risked starving to death.

The other Barren Island apprentices looked extremely embarrassed. They had received even fewer Energy Stones. Even eating only the cheapest food every day would leave them stretched thin. Until they found a source of income, they could only choose to eat ordinary food in the second section.

This made the local apprentices nearby look down on them even more. As natives, even if their parents were not mages, they still worked for mages. The rewards they received in their daily lives were likewise Energy Stones, so naturally they were far better off than the Barren Island apprentices.

"Poor bastards." Someone snorted disdainfully.

The contemptuous words made their faces flush red. William and Ophelia sighed softly. No matter what, on this first day, neither of them could stand by and watch their companions in such straits.

"Alright, mates, everything will get better. Now, come with me." William patted Quentin and Randy, speaking softly.

Adam went alone to sit in the first section. Every table had a menu. Curious, Adam ordered the Light Bird listed at the top of the menu. A raised panel emerged from the table, and Adam swiped his identity token over it. The fee was deducted automatically, after which a mechanical puppet approached and served the food.

These mechanical puppets were all creations of Alchemist Mages. Although they were used only for service, Adam could still sense the formidable aura emanating from their Energy Cores. It could be said that a puppet like this was absolutely beyond Adam's ability to resist at present.

The food did not betray its expensive price. As always, Magic Beasts were enormous. This bird-like Magic Beast was even more substantial than a turkey from Earth. Adam cut off a piece of meat and placed it in his mouth. An intense deliciousness exploded across his taste buds, bringing him immense pleasure.

"No wonder mages rarely ate at banquets in the past. The food of the Mage Continent is actually this delicious."

Even Adam, who had never cared much for lowly pleasures, became somewhat captivated by the food's flavor. As he ate, the special energy within the food merged into his body. Purifying Mental Power, as the name implied, made Mental Power more condensed. However, it was not especially useful to Adam; it could only be called better than nothing.

For whatever reason, on the first day and at the first meal, all the apprentices came to the first section. After eating, they revealed heartfelt admiration, but the Barren Island apprentices felt somewhat worried after enjoying the meal.

After finishing his food, Adam left the cafeteria alone and followed the map's directions to the Rune Knowledge classroom.

Since this was a low-level free course, there were no Senior Apprentices present. Half an hour remained before the scheduled time, and the instructor had not arrived either. Adam casually chose a seat and waited quietly.

Before long, the other apprentices arrived as well. One second before class began, the instructor entered the classroom punctually. Without any unnecessary words, he said directly, "James. That is my name. High Level mage apprentice. You do not need to call me instructor. I will explain all knowledge only once. If there is anything you do not understand, you may find me after class. However, remedial lessons cost money."

Adam temporarily halted the tasks running on his other threads and stared intently at James.

"Today's topic is the nature of runes and the Meditation Method."

Adam realized that he had ultimately wasted an opportunity back then. He had not expected the very first apprentice lesson to teach the nature of runes.

Sure enough, what James said was no different from what Black Mage had told him before. The other apprentices showed no surprise either. Clearly, this was merely the most basic of basics.

"Next is the Meditation Method."

"The name Meditation Method is an ancient term from the Mage Plane. It now has another name: the Mental Power Solidification Rune Array. But because that is too much of a mouthful, most mages still call it the old way."

Adam sharply caught James's words. Rune Array. Sure enough, the Mental Power Solidification Rune did not exist alone.