Formal Wizard: Wesley Durant

In Mentor Sophia's office, Locke placed both hands on the Amethyst Matrix, and a number soon appeared on its surface: [53].

Locke's eyelid twitched. Sure enough, he had now reached the level of a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice.

In one year, I became a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice. Locke pondered. My learning speed is probably somewhere between a level-five and level-six aptitude.

But as long as I find more synthesis recipes and solve the problem of my Magic Stone supply, I believe my learning speed can improve further.

Over the past year, Locke had worked as Mentor Sophia's assistant every day, earning a total of one thousand Magic Stones. But after learning two spells and covering the various daily costs of experiments, he only had eight hundred Magic Stones left.

He had only managed to save those eight hundred Magic Stones by living frugally.

Locke had already made his plans. Of the remaining eight hundred Magic Stones, he could use five hundred to purchase a meditation method.

Becoming a First-Class Wizard Apprentice without a meditation method was almost unimaginable.

Between Third-Class and Second-Class Wizard Apprentices, one could still forcefully learn spells and increase Mental Power. But the gap between Second-Class and First-Class Wizard Apprentices was simply too great.

Without a meditation method, given his already below-average wizard aptitude, he would likely need an entire lifetime to become a First-Class Wizard Apprentice.

As for the remaining three hundred Magic Stones, he would see whether he could scrape together enough to purchase the Magical Plant Breeding class from Mentor Sophia.

Because he did not have many Magic Stones, Locke did not even dare take an additional course in the Public Classroom.

For example, local Wizard Apprentices would spend money in the Public Classroom on private advanced courses, such as the Magic Circuit Vulnerability Detection Course, where Formal Wizards and First-Class Wizard Apprentices would inspect the flaws in one's body's magic circuits to better construct magical channels.

Some wealthy local Wizard Apprentices even studied Magical Pet class, basic Potion class, and the like, hoping to acquire a useful specialty.

Locke had also considered synthesizing Magic Stones to solve his shortage, but when he placed a Magic Stone into the Horadric Cube, he received a notification that the synthesis level exceeded the limit.

Thus, Locke knew that with his current character level cap, he could not synthesize Magic Stones.

For some reason, the synthesis level required for Magic Stones seemed especially high.

Locke heard Mentor Sophia's footsteps. He immediately stepped outside and saw Sophia supporting an unfamiliar young wizard whose lower body had turned into black sludge.

Locke noticed the emblem of Holly High Tower on the young stranger's wizard robe.

He was probably a Formal Wizard from Holly High Tower.

Sophia supported him and sighed. "Honestly, Wesley Durant, you're already a First-Ring Wizard of Holly High Tower."

"You're a man of standing, yet you actually went and dueled a Black Wizard in private."

"You're completely insane. The curses used by those Blood Curse Court wizards come in all kinds. This time, you were lucky—you happened to be near Lilith's Cottage's territory. Had it been anywhere else, the Thousand Sores Curse would have killed you already."

Wesley Durant's face was pale. "So this is the Thousand Sores Curse."

"Fortunately, I have a friend like you at Lilith's Cottage. Thank you, Sophia. You've always been so kind-hearted."

"Back when we were in the wizard convoy heading to the Academy, you helped me a great deal too."

Sophia sighed helplessly. "That's because we were friends from the same cohort."

"Among the Wizard Apprentices from our cohort, only a few of us have become Formal Wizards by now. Still, if I'm treating your injuries, you'll have to pay the appropriate fee."

Wesley Durant said, "No problem."

Sophia noticed Locke Augustine standing nearby.

She cast a spell, turning the vine flower on her Wizard Hat from pink to white. A hint of majesty immediately appeared on her face as she whispered to Wesley Durant, "Quiet. My student is here."

Wesley Durant glanced at Locke. The expression vanished from his face at once, leaving him stone-faced and somewhat more imposing.

Sophia said to Locke impatiently, "Locke, why are you here at this time? There should still be three hours before class."

"I'm very busy right now."

"If there's nothing important, don't disturb me."

Locke hesitated before saying to Sophia, "Mentor, I came to tell you that my Mental Power has reached 53."

"I tested it using your Amethyst Matrix."

"I've also completed Poison Berry Shot and Green Purifying Grasp."

Upon hearing this, the slight impatience on Sophia's face disappeared. She looked Locke Augustine up and down in surprise.

Naturally, unlike a First-Class Wizard Apprentice, she did not need the Amethyst Matrix to measure a Wizard Apprentice's Mental Power.

After examining Locke, Sophia more or less believed his words.

Sophia was somewhat surprised. "Your growth rate has exceeded my expectations."

"Locke."

"My original plan was for you to become a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice within four years, but you only took one year. And you constructed Poison Berry Shot in only one-third of the time I expected."

Sophia looked at Locke with greater regard. "You must possess some special talent."

"Sometimes, such things happen. After all, wizard aptitude testing methods are constantly improving, but even the most thorough examination cannot fully understand a person's talents."

"So sometimes, someone slips through the cracks."

"In my view, your actual wizard aptitude should be far higher than the Academy's evaluation."

"The Academy was unlikely to assign me a student with overly high aptitude, so this situation was probably beyond its expectations. Locke, you've given me a pleasant surprise."

Sophia revealed a thoughtful expression. "In a few days, I'd like to perform a bloodline tracing examination on you for free. Would that be all right?"

Locke immediately nodded. "All right, Mentor."

Sophia said, "I've changed my mind. Locke, since you're now a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice, you can truly be of help to me."

"Come with me."

"First, collect 500 ml of blood from the Dryad, then bring it over and help me brew a curse-breaking potion. With your help, it should be easier for me."

"Locke, things have changed. Perhaps your future can take you farther than I originally thought."

Sophia said, "I recommend that you spend one hundred and fifty Magic Stones to purchase a set of Universal Studies courses from the Public Classroom. I don't have time to teach you such foundational courses, but they will be very beneficial to you."

"I can also teach you the Magical Plant Breeding class you've always wanted to study. You only need to pay me five hundred Magic Stones. Likewise, now that you've become a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice, you can learn the more advanced skills required of a potion assistant."

Locke quickly nodded in agreement.

Wesley Durant, who had remained silent the entire time, whispered to Sophia, "Congratulations on receiving such a fine student."

"I envy you. Holly High Tower gave me several Wizard Apprentices with level-two aptitude. It infuriates me. What use are Wizard Apprentices with aptitude like that? They aren't even qualified to serve as experimental subjects."

"I truly don't understand why those stubborn old fossils at Holly High Tower recruit Wizard Apprentices below level-three aptitude. Can't they raise the admission requirements a little?"

"But I didn't expect you to have a student of your own too, Sophia."

Sophia coughed and whispered, "Mr. Wesley, please mind your words. My student is still here."