Moonlight Elixir

The Halfling Second-Class Wizard Apprentice respectfully gave Locke a detailed introduction to the situation at Lilith's Cottage. "The Academy has prepared better living arrangements for Second-Class Wizard Apprentices—Knockturn Alley."

"Within the Academy, most Second-Class Wizard Apprentices either live in Knockturn Alley or have accommodations arranged by their own wizard mentors. Only a small number choose to live elsewhere on their own."

"After becoming a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice, Senior, you will have your own room in Knockturn Alley."

"This is the key to your house, Number 341, Knockturn Alley."

"In addition, you may now access public areas within Lilith's Cottage, such as the Potion Auction venue, the Blood Roar Colosseum, the Black Diamond Alchemy Workshop, and the Chimera Trading Market."

Locke nodded. It seemed that becoming a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice had unlocked many permissions within Lilith's Cottage, granting him far greater freedom.

Lilith's Cottage had a massive trading market called the Chimera Trading Market, but Third-Class Wizard Apprentices were not permitted to enter. In the past, he could only enter that market when accompanied by Sophia.

That market and the Potion Auction were Lilith's Cottage's most important assets.

A large number of wizards entered the market to conduct transactions.

That was why Third-Class Wizard Apprentices were forbidden from entering. First, it was dangerous. Second, Third-Class Wizard Apprentices had little purchasing power and nothing worthwhile to trade.

Locke asked, "What is the Blood Roar Colosseum? I haven't heard of it before."

The Halfling Second-Class Wizard Apprentice smiled. "Oh, it's perfectly normal that you haven't heard of it, Senior."

"It is a public building the Academy constructed within the last five years. Previously, there were not many Wizard Apprentices in Lilith's Cottage who practiced the various subfields of the Summoning School."

"But ten years ago, a Formal Wizard specializing in the beast-taming branch of the Summoning School joined Lilith Academy."

"Under his guidance, Beast Taming Magic in Lilith's Cottage has gradually risen to prominence in recent years, becoming a relatively powerful magical discipline."

"So Lilith's Cottage built the Blood Roar Colosseum specifically for Wizard Apprentices in the beast-taming field to battle and temper themselves within it."

The Halfling Second-Class Wizard Apprentice smiled. "Moreover, after becoming a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice, you will receive special benefits. Every month, the Academy will give you thirty Magic Stones."

"Every month, the Academy will also provide you with five tubes of [Mind-Calming Ointment], which increases the growth rate of Mental Power."

"Of course, these special benefits can only last for five years. If you do not become a First-Class Wizard Apprentice within five years, all these benefits will be halved. If you still have not become a First-Class Wizard Apprentice within ten years, all these benefits will be canceled."

A faint bitterness had already entered the Halfling Second-Class Wizard Apprentice's tone.

Though Locke had not asked how long he had remained a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice, it was likely not a short time.

The Halfling Second-Class Wizard Apprentice said, "Besides that, Senior, you also have obligations to the Academy."

"Therefore, you must take on one of the Academy's assigned posts and work for the Academy."

"These positions will be assigned by those above. Your mentor will send someone to notify you when the time comes."

"There is also a contract, though your mentor generally signs it for you automatically."

The Halfling Second-Class Wizard Apprentice said, "After all, few Wizard Apprentices would refuse to sign a contract."

"The contract for Second-Class Wizard Apprentices is not harsh. Apart from the benefits due to you, the Academy only requires you to take on certain duties, work for the Academy, and create value."

"And you must promise that after becoming a First-Class Wizard Apprentice in the future, you will remain at Lilith's Cottage for at least fifteen years before leaving."

Locke nodded to show that he understood.

For Second-Class Wizard Apprentices, studying had become a matter of working while learning.

After all, Second-Class Wizard Apprentices were already capable of doing quite a bit of work.

Likewise, First-Class Wizard Apprentices were already highly valuable wizards to the Academy.

First-Class Wizard Apprentices could even possess their own independent laboratories or small alchemy workshops.

Naturally, Lilith's Cottage could not simply allow apprentices it had trained for years to pat themselves off and leave the Academy.

Still, this was not much of a problem.

First, he had no intention of changing Academies anytime soon. It was neither realistic nor necessary.

Second, Sophia had once told him that the Wizarding World was one of equivalent exchange. As long as he paid sufficient value, he could forcibly breach the contract and leave Lilith Academy early.

No matter what, he should first accept the Academy's training and raise his wizard rank.

Only the strong possessed the right to choose.

The Halfling Second-Class Wizard Apprentice flipped through the handbook and seemed pleasantly surprised. "Right, Senior. The Academy has special additional rewards for Wizard Seedlings who become Second-Class Wizard Apprentices within a year."

"You may choose one reward item from the following list. The reward will be delivered to you through your mentor."

"This is the list."

Locke glanced over it and discovered that there were two lists in total.

One was a list of reward items for Wizard Seedlings who became Second-Class Wizard Apprentices within half a year, while the other was for those who did so within a year.

The items on the first list were undoubtedly of better quality.

The second list was slightly inferior.

But presumably, only Wizard Seedlings with Level 7 aptitude and some with Level 6 aptitude could become Second-Class Wizard Apprentices within half a year.

Wizard Seedlings with Level 7 aptitude had a nickname: [Child of the Element]. Their affinity with their primary attuned element was so high that ordinary Wizard Apprentices could scarcely imagine it.

Locke looked at the second list. There was no sign of meditation techniques, but there were several potions that increased the rate of Mental Power growth, and they appeared far more advanced than Mind-Calming Ointment.

There were even Magic Items similar to the silver sword in Lorne's possession, though they were certainly superior to Lorne's silver sword.

Besides those, there were simple Spell Models, magical materials, alchemy tools, and other offerings.

After thinking it over, Locke very much wanted a Magic Item.

For example, the list included a set of Magic Items called [Rune-Vine Soft Armor], armor made of animated vines that could absorb moonlight at night to repair itself automatically and provide a certain degree of protection.

There was also a Magic Item called [Malice Scimitar], enchanted with a cantrip from the Conjuration School that could inflict a mental curse upon enemies when striking them.

But Locke felt that everything else was secondary. Increasing his Mana was what mattered most, so he chose a bottle of advanced potion capable of increasing Mental Power: [Moonlight Elixir].

Upon seeing Locke's choice, the Halfling Second-Class Wizard Apprentice immediately registered it, then smiled. "Senior, you have made an excellent choice."

"Although Moonlight Elixir is not yet a magic potion, it is an advanced Mental Power growth potion that even First-Class Wizard Apprentices keep an eye on. The Mind-Calming Ointment distributed by the Academy cannot compare with Moonlight Elixir at all."

"I heard that after taking Moonlight Elixir once, one's Mental Power growth rate for the entire following year can increase by at least double."

"In the second year, the Mental Power growth rate increases by fifty percent."

"By the third year, only an additional 10 percent remains."

"It is difficult to obtain this kind of Moonlight Elixir through ordinary channels. Even with Magic Stones, you might not be able to buy it."

"This is one of the most cost-effective reward items on the prize list."

Clearly, although the Halfling Second-Class Wizard Apprentice could not possibly receive any of the rewards on the prize lists himself, he had spent no small amount of time studying both lists in private.

Locke nodded at him. "All right."

"Then I'll be leaving."

The Halfling respectfully said, "Take care, Senior."