"Popular disciplines offer more to learn, but they also demand more from students during evaluations and face greater competition. Less popular disciplines offer less to learn, but the evaluation requirements are much lower, and the competition is relatively smaller."
"Choosing a discipline is very important."
"On a wizard's path to seeking truth, you will often need all kinds of cultivation resources. The discipline you choose is a 'gold mine' that can help you acquire those resources."
Leo fell into thought at those words.
Although wizards in this world were extraordinary professionals, they still had to work for a living and earn Magic Stones.
In that respect, they were not much different from ordinary people.
Chris asked in confusion, "Wizard Sally, even a genius like Leo, whose meditation speed is exceptionally fast, still needs to earn Magic Stones? Doesn't the Tower of Dawn provide support?"
Sally shook her head with a soft laugh. "Even a genius with Level 6 spiritual aptitude needs to earn Magic Stones."
"If spiritual aptitude alone could determine a wizard's upper limit, then the wizarding world would have no need for all sorts of research laboratories."
"The wizarding world is constantly evolving."
"Spiritual aptitude can only let you go farther in the early stages. The further you advance, the less important it becomes. By then, what matters more is your exploration of knowledge and pursuit of truth."
Sally's words were somewhat lofty. Leo did not fully believe them, but Chris beside him was flushed with excitement. His hands clenched into fists, his eyes gleaming as though he would become the kind of truth-seeking wizard Sally had described in the very next moment.
There was one thing Sally had not mentioned.
Most wizards never made it past those "early stages."
Talent was not everything, certainly, but those without talent did not even get an early stage. They were eliminated long before then.
Leo's gaze swept across the words on the white paper.
"Potionology, Magitech Studies..."
A considerable number of disciplines were listed on the sheet.
Each discipline had also been ranked according to popularity.
Potionology ranked first.
Chris's eyes shifted as he asked, "Wizard Sally, which discipline are the wizards of the Tower of Dawn best at?"
Sally pondered briefly. "Probably Prophecy Studies."
As she said that, Sally glanced at Leo for some reason.
"However, Prophecy Studies has a cultivation threshold, and it is very easy to hit a wall."
Hearing that, Chris looked at the top-ranked Potionology and said, "Then I'll choose Potionology."
"I... choose Potionology... no, no, Prophecy Studies instead." Molly said from beside him.
Leo was still looking through the disciplines listed above.
He was wondering which discipline had the most entries in its guidebook.
In the end, Leo fixed his gaze on Potionology at the very top.
Leo said, "Wizard Sally, I'll choose Potionology too."
"Huh?" Sally had shown no reaction when Chris and Molly made their choices, but when it was Leo's turn, she looked puzzled.
Sally said, "Danville, you could actually choose a discipline related to combat spells. As a Prossian, you possess innate combat instincts and a natural fighting physique. The spell laboratories of Combat Wizards should welcome you eagerly."
Leo was only half convinced.
Although Sally, as a teaching assistant, might know the Tower of Dawn better than he did, recalling Lane's attitude and his repeated setbacks when looking for a gathering, Leo still said, "Wizard Sally, I'm personally rather interested in Potionology."
The guidebook could guarantee Leo a minimum standard in Potionology, so he would not need to worry about being unable to learn it.
Choosing a popular discipline would also make it easier to find a laboratory in the future.
Sally said, "If you're interested, then I'll help you choose that discipline."
Sally did not try to dissuade him.
She was only responsible for offering advice. How Leo chose was up to him.
After Leo and the other two had chosen their disciplines, Sally gave each of them a book.
Molly received Basic Prophecy Studies.
Leo and Chris received Basic Potionology.
Leo remembered this book. He flipped through it and found it was the one he had borrowed from Nova's pile of books before.
Sally said, "As for disciplines, Potionology is what I specialize in. Danville and Chris, I'll continue teaching you from now on."
The moment Molly heard that, she anxiously raised her hand. "Teaching Assistant Sally, then I want to choose Potionology too."
Sally waved her hand. "Don't be impatient, Molly. Although Teaching Assistant Tesla and I are not skilled in Prophecy Studies, we won't leave you to study on your own."
"I'll arrange for an outstanding wizard from the Prophecy Studies school among the graduate students of the Esmond Gathering to guide you through the basics."
After hearing that, Molly clutched at her clothes, still looking worried.
Sally spoke gently. "Besides, the discipline you choose at the beginning does not mean you can only specialize in that discipline from then on."
"For disciplines, we use a fourteen-day teaching period."
"We will only teach you for fourteen days, enough for you to learn the basics of that discipline."
"After fourteen days, you may freely switch to another discipline."
"After you switch disciplines, we will likewise only teach you for fourteen days."
Hearing Sally say this, Molly finally relaxed a little.
Just then, Leo asked, "Wizard Sally, after fourteen days, how are we supposed to continue studying the discipline we choose in greater depth?"
Sally said, "Disciplines are connected to laboratories. For anything beyond the basics, you need to study in other wizards' laboratories."
Chris asked, "Wizard Sally, if we find that a discipline does not suit us, will switching disciplines affect our Comprehensive Assessment score?"
Sally said, "No. Strictly speaking, this is not switching disciplines, but studying additional disciplines. As long as you have enough Magic Stones to pay the annual tuition, you may continue studying more disciplines until you are satisfied."
"Not only you—even teaching assistants like us are required to study multiple disciplines before we can serve as teaching assistants."
"Any other questions?"
After confirming that no one else had questions, Sally continued, "Next is preparation for the classes."
"The classes will begin three days from now."
"Before that, however, you need to prepare some things."
"Danville and Chris, you need to buy Fish-Fragrant Herb."
"Molly, you need to buy Black-Tailed Crane Feather."
"There is a wizard market in the Tower of Dawn. Go buy them there. I'll recommend a shop I often visit."
Sally extended her hand, and three black Magic Stones appeared in her palm.
"These are three Magic Stones. Take one each. The cost will be deducted from your scholarships. Whenever you need materials for your disciplines afterward, you may come to me for Magic Stones, and the cost will likewise be deducted from your scholarships."
Leo and the others each took a Magic Stone and carefully put it away.
Molly, especially, being timid, wrapped hers in layer after layer, terrified that it might fall.
"All right, you may go back now."
Chris and Molly left one after another, but Leo did not move.
Sally looked up. "Danville, is there something else?"
"Yes, Wizard Sally." Leo said, "I have a question about Arcane Hand that I'd like to ask you."
Before you continue