Exchange and Argument

Below deck, in the corridor, a young wizard in a gray robe embroidered with golden thread looked coldly at Locke and Lorne.

More than a dozen Wizard Seedlings with level-three aptitude followed behind him.

"I am the admissions instructor for Verdantia University this time."

"Are you Locke from the Corfu Continent and Lorne from the Schleswig Continent?"

Lorne immediately replied, "Yes, I'm Lorne, and this is Locke Augustine."

Verdantia University's admissions instructor, Gregor Jackson, nodded indifferently. "I've reviewed both of your files. Among apprentices with level-three aptitude, your records are both fairly good. Follow me."

Lorne asked in confusion, "Respected instructor, may I ask which magical discipline we'll be studying at Verdantia University?"

Earlier, he had seen Verdantia University's admissions instructors tell the students recruited by their wizard organizations which magical discipline they would study after entering the university.

But this time was different. Verdantia University's admissions instructor had merely asked them a few questions before telling them to follow, with no intention of explaining further.

Locke frowned slightly at the instructor's strange attitude.

Especially when he noticed a blue-haired girl beside the Verdantia University instructor glance at them with disdain, as though she wanted to say something but held back.

Gregor, Verdantia University's admissions instructor, offered no explanation and ignored Lorne as he walked away.

Locke glanced at Lorne, pulled him along, and whispered, "Let's follow him first and see what happens."

Lorne whispered back, "Locke, something feels wrong."

Locke said, "I think we may have been caught up in some kind of deal. Look at the girl beside that instructor. She's also one of this batch's Wizard Seedlings. She's wearing the insignia of another wizard organization, yet she's following Verdantia University's admissions instructor."

"That may be why things have become so strange."

"Let's wait and see. Either way, we'll definitely end up somewhere."

Lorne clenched his fists but said nothing. He had never expected his carefully laid plans to be disrupted so suddenly by a Wizard Seedling he had never met and did not know.

He kept praying that they had guessed wrong.

Gregor led them through the corridor and stopped before an elderly-looking witch in a green wizard robe that looked like she was draped in a heap of rags.

This elderly-looking witch was clearly an admissions instructor from another wizard organization.

Yuli Burns, Lilith's Cottage's admissions instructor aboard the Wizard Ship this time, narrowed her eyes at the blue-haired girl beside Gregor and snapped, "Ruixing, you already signed the freshman contract with Lilith's Cottage. You're a student of Lilith's Cottage. Why are you walking with Verdantia University?"

The blue-haired girl looked somewhat fearful and guilty, unable to meet Yuli Burns's gaze.

Gregor said, "More accurately, the freshman contract has not officially been signed yet. Therefore, Ruixing is not yet a student of Lilith's Cottage."

"Witch Burns, I would like to discuss something with you. I wish to invite Ruixing to attend Verdantia University and study in our Potioncraft Specialization."

"Ruixing has level-six wizard aptitude, more than enough for studying Potions at our university. I have also offered her a contract with a generous Magic Stone scholarship, along with three priority opportunities in the future to enter a Wizard Secret Realm."

"I believe it was unreasonable for you to rush into signing her yesterday when Ruixing did not understand the gap between Lilith's Cottage and Verdantia University."

Yuli Burns's eyes turned vicious, and her large nose seemed even more frightening with rage. "So what? Ruixing is a Wizard Seedling cultivated by Lilith's Cottage in the mortal world."

"According to the White Wizard Association, Lilith's Cottage has priority selection rights over her. That right has nothing to do with her personal wishes. Besides, Lilith's Cottage is also strong in Potions—we're one of the best."

"Taken as a whole, we may not be inferior to Verdantia University!"

"Gregor, are you trying to break the rules?"

Yuli Burns gave him a dangerous look and drew a bottle of unknown black potion from beneath her robe, her gaze chilling.

Gregor looked at the black potion in her hand with a trace of wariness. After all, Potions were Lilith's Cottage's greatest strength.

Who knew what vicious curse potion the old witch held in her hand?

Gregor remained calm and continued, "This is not merely the intention of a minor figure like myself. It is also the intention of our Dean Hal Dean."

Yuli Burns's hand froze.

Gregor continued, "The dean asked me to convey the following: Lilith's Cottage is already locked in a deadly battle with the Black Wizard organization, the Blood Curse Court, and has suffered considerable losses. If you agree to give Ruixing to us, we will promptly push the White Wizard Association to support your proposal."

Yuli Burns stared at Gregor with a terrifying expression. "Damn you vultures, taking advantage of a crisis."

Gregor spread his hands. "It's only a fair trade."

"Beyond that, we have other compensation. We are willing to make the greatest possible concession regarding Wizard Seedlings with level-three wizard aptitude. For instance, we will give the seven level-three Wizard Seedlings who should have belonged to Verdantia University to Lilith's Cottage for free."

"Of course, they all meet Lilith's Cottage's standards for Wizard Seedlings."

"Here is the list..."

When Locke and Lorne looked over, they saw their own names prominently listed, right at the very top.

Clearly, among this batch of Wizard Seedlings with level-three aptitude, their files were the most impressive.

They had become bargaining chips Verdantia University intended to use to exchange for Ruixing from Lilith's Cottage.

Lorne was furious. He whispered into Locke's ear, "How can they do this? Verdantia University is the best wizard organization. Lilith's Cottage is at least two tiers below Verdantia University!"

Locke merely shrugged and said nothing.

The best was not necessarily the most suitable.

Verdantia University was a vast organization. It had excellent magical disciplines, but it also had disciplines that merely padded the numbers. Entering Verdantia University was not necessarily a good thing.

Verdantia University's strongest magical disciplines had nothing to do with the two of them.

On the contrary, Verdantia University's admissions instructor seemed to believe that they—especially Locke and Lorne—best fit Lilith's Cottage's standards for Wizard Seedlings. So entering Lilith's Cottage might not necessarily be a bad thing for them.

Still, when Locke swept a glance over Verdantia University's admissions instructor and Ruixing beside him, he felt somewhat displeased.

He was not some tool to be used to balance things out for others.

But without becoming a Formal Wizard, he had no say in the matter.

So he could only remain silent for now. Once he became a Formal Wizard in the future, he would have the qualifications to reopen his criticism of this matter.