The First Spell Model

Locke thought it over and decided not to tell Headmaster Tungus that he had two primary elemental affinities.

After all, it involved the secret of his transmigration.

Besides, his Dark Element talent was only Level 3, not Level 4. It would not make much difference to his overall aptitude.

Therefore, there was little difference in benefit whether he told him or not.

He still knew far too little about the Wizarding World. If he carelessly revealed something and brought disaster upon himself, that would be troublesome.

Headmaster Tungus said, "Providing Wizard Seedlings for the major wizard organizations also brings benefits to Wizard Apprentices like us stationed on Corfu Island."

"However, it is not we ourselves who receive those benefits. It is our families in the Wizarding World who receive them."

Locke opened his mouth but said nothing. He did not know how to judge such a matter.

Headmaster Tungus's eyes clearly revealed his unwillingness.

Yet for the sake of his family in the Wizarding World, he had still chosen to cross the Endless Mysterious Sea and come to a nearly magicless island like Corfu Island.

Headmaster Tungus said, "I now formally invite you to join our Academy's secret society. Within two years, you must become a Third-Class Wizard Apprentice."

"Your wizard aptitude is not particularly outstanding, so only by becoming a Third-Class Wizard Apprentice within these two years will you have a chance to choose an Academy suited to you. Otherwise, you can only be randomly assigned to some wizard organization."

"Out of my own selfish motives, I also hope you can enter a larger wizard organization. That way, my family can receive greater rewards."

Headmaster Tungus said gently, "On Corfu Island, the only way to become a Third-Class Wizard Apprentice is through the most primitive method: learning a Spell Model, increasing your Mental Power, and becoming a Third-Class Wizard Apprentice."

"This method is primitive, but it is highly effective. After all, this is Corfu Island, where magical resources are scarce. Even I lack cultivation resources."

"I have five Cantrip Models here for you to choose from."

"They are: Acid Splash, Greasy Glide, Searing Sparks, Frost Touch, and Vine Hand."

Headmaster Tungus said, "Judging from your talents, the Spell Model best suited to you is Vine Hand."

"Because it is a Botany cantrip."

"The other four Cantrip Models belong respectively to Negative Energy Magic, Transfiguration Magic, and the Fire Magic and Frost Magic branches of Evocation Magic."

Locke did not hesitate. Since Headmaster Tungus's interests aligned with his own for now, he naturally trusted the headmaster's judgment more. After all, he was still a complete novice who had only just entered the world of magic. "All right, Headmaster. I choose to learn Vine Hand."

Locke asked, "But Headmaster, how am I supposed to learn this spell? Will you teach me, or will you use some method to press it into my forehead so that I can learn it instantly...?"

Headmaster Tungus's expression turned dissatisfied. "What are you thinking, Locke?"

"Any skill requires arduous training and study. Aptitude is merely the starting point that allows you to begin. How far you can go depends on your own effort, luck, and perseverance."

Headmaster Tungus turned around and walked to the end of the reception room. From the wall where he had previously taken out the Elemental Emerald Potion, he retrieved a thick tome. "Therefore, you need to study diligently."

He reached his hand into the wall again and took out one thick book after another. Each one was as thick as a dictionary.

The information contained in each individual volume was enough to exceed all the textbooks from every course the original owner had taken at this Academy.

Locke blinked.

He had not expected that a mere cantrip-level Spell Model would require reading so many books.

Headmaster Tungus said, "The prerequisite courses for Vine Hand are Basic General Knowledge of Plant Magic, Magical Vine Cultivation, and Basic General Knowledge of Magic Manipulation."

"In the Wizarding World, each course costs at least thirty Magic Stones. The three courses together cost ninety Magic Stones before you can learn them."

"If you add the cost of private tutoring when you fail to learn them, the prerequisite costs for Vine Hand come to at least around one hundred Magic Stones. The tuition and material costs for learning Vine Hand itself require at least another fifty Magic Stones."

Headmaster Tungus paused, looked at Locke before him, and put on an expression that practically demanded gratitude. "But under Verdantia University's preferential policy for Wizard Seedlings like you, learning Vine Hand on Corfu Island costs only ten Magic Stones in total."

"This is Verdantia University's special preferential treatment for Wizard Seedlings from remote regions."

"Of course, this treatment is limited to learning one Cantrip Model at Aurelian Academy."

"Honestly, these benefits are already excellent. When I was young and learned my first Spell Model in the Wizarding World, it cost more than ten times this amount."

Headmaster Tungus said, "You Wizard Seedlings were born in good times."

"So, be grateful to Verdantia University."

Locke nodded. Verdantia University, this wizard organization, clearly intended to select Wizard Seedlings for the Wizarding World from remote regions. To make Wizard Seedlings like them grateful to Verdantia University, it had also offered certain preferential policies.

Still, Locke felt a headache coming on. This meant he owed Verdantia University another ten Magic Stones, in addition to the five Magic Stones he owed for the Elemental Emerald Potion.

That meant he already owed fifteen Magic Stones before even entering the Wizarding World.

Locke sighed softly to himself. When would he ever fulfill his dream of paying off all his debts?

Headmaster Tungus placed nine thick tomes before Locke. "These are what you must learn and memorize over the next two years."

"From now on, come to my residence every evening. I will begin teaching you the three prerequisite courses for Vine Hand."

"Any Spell Model, even the lowest-level one, contains an immensely vast system of knowledge and represents profound learning. So do not take it lightly."

Headmaster Tungus said, "In addition, according to the rules, all future tuition fees and mandatory course fees at Aurelian Academy will be waived."

"But if you enroll in elective courses, you will still have to pay for them. Of course, you can also choose not to enroll."

"All right, that is all. You may leave now, Locke."

Headmaster Tungus began tidying the things on the table. Then, as if suddenly recalling something, he said to Locke, "Oh, right, Locke."

"Wizards are unwilling to expose their existence, so you cannot tell anyone about the existence of wizards."