An hour later, Arthur finished meditating. He tidied up a few things he had left in the garden, then headed off.
At the academy, Arthur felt as though he had returned to the days when he had worked so hard at his studies.
Every day, the academy arranged for several Third-class Apprentices to give free lessons. Every few days, a Mentor at the Official Wizard level would also give a lecture. The lectures were paid, but they were still a rare opportunity for apprentices like them.
Whenever he had the time, Arthur attended the free lessons. Even when he couldn't understand something yet, he had the Chip record it so he could review it in his spare time. He never let a moment go to waste.
Arthur spent his evenings practicing his Meditation Method.
Meditation itself trained the mind and helped it recover more quickly. As long as one could get used to the tedium of sitting for several hours at a time, it could even replace sleep.
Several months later.
Morning sunlight gradually spread across the land.
In Mentor Edith's laboratory, Arthur stood beside her, helping her carry out a few minor experiments.
His movements were precise, and his technique so practiced and exact that in some respects, he could almost match Edith.
Before long, the experiment was over. Arthur deftly gathered and organized the leftover materials, his expression calm throughout.
Watching him work and thinking about his performance over the past six months or so, Edith felt a little moved.
Arthur had an excellent talent for both learning and practical work, and he made very few mistakes. He was nothing like a fourteen-year-old boy.
She had also seen how hard he had worked all this time, and couldn't help admiring him as an apprentice.
There were many