Level 4 Synthesized Item: Deep Blue Jade

When Locke returned to the dormitory, it was already evening.

At that moment, the dormitory was even quieter than it had been in the morning, because the occupants of the surrounding rooms were all of Anjou descent.

Over the past few days, those people had been forced to leave the Academy one after another.

Thus, the dormitory corridor near Locke would only grow more deserted by the day.

The Frank Empire had occupied the Anjou Kingdom, so the number of students admitted to Aurelian Academy each year would decrease by at least one-seventh.

Alone in his dormitory, Locke opened the first book and began reading it carefully. That night, he became utterly absorbed, broadening his horizons tremendously.

It was the beginning of the magical world.

After simply filling his stomach with bread that night, Locke took out the level 4 synthesized item from the Horadric Cube.

Previously, he had used a gold ring, a ruby, and a sapphire to synthesize a level 3 ring.

Afterward, he used three rubies to synthesize a level 3 ruby the size of a fist. He also used sapphire fragments to synthesize several level 2 sapphires, then used those level 2 sapphires to synthesize three level 3 sapphires.

These level 3 gemstones were larger, roughly the size of an adult's fist, with even more perfect transparency and color.

They had already reached the level of priceless treasures.

It could be said that if he casually took out a few to sell, he could easily cover Aurelian Academy's tuition fees.

And now, it was time for Locke to synthesize a level 4 item.

Locke noticed that the Horadric Cube had not given him any prompt about continuing synthesis to create a level 5 item.

It seemed that, as an ordinary person for now, he could at most synthesize level 4 items.

Locke then looked at the sapphire before him. Rather than growing larger, the level 4 sapphire had become smaller, only about the size of a fingernail, though its shape now resembled a pearl.

[Level 4 Sapphire (Deep Blue Jade): A peculiar gemstone found deep within mineral veins. It possesses the ability to smooth Mental Power fluctuations (filtering property). Accessories made from it can be worn at all times to stabilize the wearer's Mental Power.]

Locke froze for a moment and looked at the level 4 sapphire in his hand. "Sure enough, once synthesis reaches level four, the resulting item is no longer ordinary."

"A level 4 sapphire can gradually stabilize the wearer's Mental Power. Although I still don't know what it is useful for, I can find a gem craftsman to make it into a ring for me."

"This is the power of the Horadric Cube."

Locke thought, As long as I have the Synthesis Cube, I'll never lack high-level materials. This will be a tremendous asset for me in the Wizarding World.

Now, I've finally escaped poverty in gold coins, though I do have quite a few Magic Stone debts.

Locke looked at the nine thick books before him. This is what I gained by making the right choice before.

If I hadn't discovered the existence of the Outstanding Graduate quota through logical reasoning back then, I would most likely be preparing to move out of the Academy now, with no chance of coming into contact with the Wizarding World.

After leaving the Academy, I could only rely on the Horadric Cube to disguise myself as a renowned gem craftsman in Corfu Island's mortal society, live as a mortal, and turn into a pile of dry bones a century later.

But now, everything has changed. Locke looked at the books before him as he pondered.

With the Outstanding Graduate quota, I no longer need to worry about safety or survival at Aurelian Academy. All I need to do is study hard.

Still, rest is also part of learning.

There was a compulsory history class tomorrow, so in the latter half of the night, Locke gently closed his book, lay down, and drifted into a wonderful dream.

The next day, in Aurelian Academy's history classroom.

Professor Alder entered the classroom with a dark expression. When he slammed the textbook onto the lectern, many spectators immediately turned their gazes toward Locke and the other Anjou students.

Angel's face was already extremely pale, like a sheet of paper, yet her eyes still flickered as she shot Locke a resentful look.

She believed Professor Alder's anger was directed at Locke because he had not gone to the history professor's office to help him with his work as instructed.

Likewise, quite a few students who had heard some rumors were waiting to watch the show.

As the son of a Frank count, Cohen Julian even told his two chubby lackeys, "There'll be a good show today. Those Anjou people will definitely be driven out of our Academy. Especially that Locke."

At the lectern, under the students' gazes, Professor Alder swept his eyes over the room with a gloomy expression. His gaze landed on Locke, but then, as though he had not seen him at all, he viciously fixed his eyes on another student. "The results of the last pop quiz are out. Some people simply have not been studying properly."

"Your grades are terrible."

"This semester, I will raise the requirements for passing history. Anyone whose average exam score falls below the passing line will not pass this semester's history course. Unless, after class, you use your free time to help copy history textbooks in my office."

"Accumulate performance points."

"Only then can I let you off the hook."

Mr. Alder adjusted his monocle. "However, I must commend one student this time: Locke Augustine from the Anjou Kingdom. His grades have improved tremendously this time. You should all learn from him."

"All right, class begins."

Professor Alder's words stunned many students, and they began whispering among themselves, especially Angel and Cohen Julian.

From her seat, Angel looked at Professor Alder in confusion. She was so shocked that she unconsciously stood up, but when she realized how impolite and conspicuous that was, she immediately sat back down.

After all, things were no longer as they had been. She could remain at this Academy only because she worked for Professor Alder, who had tacitly allowed her to stay without demanding that she settle her tuition.

But Angel looked at Locke in confusion, her lips trembling on her pale face.

Why was this different from what Professor Alder had said in the office? Wasn't the professor supposed to drive Locke out of the Academy today, throw him out on the spot, and show the students of Anjou descent the consequences of rejecting the professor's goodwill?

Why was it different from what he had said before?

A trace of regret appeared on Angel's face. She was so weak that she had even begun to feel dizzy.

Even if she were foolish, when she considered Locke's earlier attitude, she could faintly sense that something was wrong.

If I had listened to Locke back then and not gone to work in Professor Alder's office, could I be like him now?

In another corner, confusion appeared in Cohen Julian's eyes. What is going on? How did Locke, that lowly Anjou man, turn things around?

Why would Professor Alder be wary of the youngest son of a count who has lost his territory?

Cohen Julian was not entirely a wastrel. Once he realized he could not see through Locke, he immediately fell silent, uneasy and uncertain, no longer daring to provoke Locke directly.

In class, Locke listened to Professor Alder's lecture.

After learning the truth about the Academy, listening to Alder recount the ancient history before the Seven Nations gave him a rather different kind of amusement.

The chaotic era before the Seven Nations, when hundreds of small states stood side by side, clearly bore the traces of wizards.

Perhaps every small state back then had at least one wizard behind it.

Locke thought, It seems Headmaster Tungus told Alder that I joined the Academy's secret society.

But why does Alder dare to directly go after other students in class? He seems to be getting more and more frantic.

It is as though he were a drowning man trying to seize every straw within reach. Why exactly is he so frantic?

Locke shook his head and continued listening. In any case, none of this concerned him anymore.

The moment he became a Wizard Seedling of Aurelian Academy, his status within this Academy was no longer that of bottom-tier cannon fodder.

Therefore, Professor Alder should not dare make a move against him again. None of this had anything to do with him anymore.

One reason Locke still attended history class was that, outwardly, he needed to conceal everything related to wizards, so Headmaster Tungus had required him to attend classes as usual.

At the very least, he had to attend the compulsory courses.

The second reason was that the history Alder taught could also be considered a foundational general-knowledge course in the magical world.

Therefore, Locke still needed to learn it.

When Locke looked up, he saw Patti Isa, who was seated in front of him, turn around and silently mouth the words, "Congratulations, noble."

"I didn't expect you to pass."

"From now on, we're members of the same society. There's a society event this afternoon."

Locke smiled at the blonde beauty before him, whose radiant smile made her seem like a friend.

It seemed he had been accepted.

That made sense. There were only a few Wizard Seedlings in the entire Academy.