Teaching

Fifth-Grade Meditation-Talent Wizard Apprentices could freely choose the school they wished to join.

Generally speaking, they would join the wizard school that had recruited them.

Even if they did not, they would choose a powerful or unusual school, such as a single-element school or a mutually reinforcing three-element school. At worst, they would choose a mutually reinforcing two-element school.

As for unrelated elemental schools like Earth-Fire, almost no outside apprentices with Fifth-Level Meditation Talent chose them.

That was why Kateya was extremely curious about Lohr's choice.

"I feel especially close to both earth and fire," Lohr said with a smile. "And the Earth-Fire School will let me understand them more deeply."

Kateya scratched her head. "But even across all twelve continents, our school has never produced a Fourth-Ring Wizard."

Fourth-Ring Wizards stood on the same level as godlike powerhouses.

For instance, the Wizard Tower Lohr was currently in was a miraculous structure built by a Fourth-Ring earth-element wizard.

From that alone, one could infer how powerful a Fourth-Ring Wizard was.

"There will be."

Lohr casually brushed her off and did not continue the topic. Instead, he asked, "Kateya, can you tell me where to buy spell models?"

Kateya blinked. "You do not need to buy basic apprentice-level spell models. You can borrow whichever ones you want from the Grand Library."

"Only optimized models require Contribution Points. You just arrived, so you probably do not have any, right? Do you want me to lend you some?"

"Contribution Points?" Lohr stopped walking.

Well, damn. This era had not even adopted a Magic Stone trading system?

That meant many of his previous plans had to be thrown out.

"That's right."

Kateya nodded and stopped as well, explaining, "You can earn Contribution Points by making contributions to the Supreme Wizard Council."

"As long as you have Contribution Points, you can exchange them for Magic Stones, optimized models, magical equipment, airships, and all sorts of other things."

"If you have enough Contribution Points, you can even post tasks and commission the wizard masters to do certain things."

At that point, she suddenly looked dejected. "Contribution Points are good for everything, but they are so hard to earn. I only get twenty Contribution Points a month for guarding beneath the Wizard Tower."

"What is the exchange rate between Contribution Points and Magic Stones?" Lohr quickly asked, "Also, can improving spell models earn Contribution Points?"

"The exchange rate is one to one. Of course improving spell models can earn Contribution Points, but it is very difficult."

Kateya continued, "If you can improve some particularly outstanding spell models, and the school has an available application slot, you can even apply for a private laboratory."

"But there are hardly any apprentices who can accomplish that."

"In our Fire-Earth School, only Randolph has a third-class laboratory."

"All right, thank you for explaining." The weight in Lohr's heart finally lifted. "I only want some basic spells, so I will not borrow your Contribution Points."

For him, the current situation was even better than Magic Stone trading.

Perhaps I should reassess those seven words, the Age of Wizarding Expansion, Lohr thought.

If the Wizard Council had already adopted a Magic Stone trading system, he would be unwilling to use Magic Stones to hire high-level wizards unless he had absolutely no other choice.

If a high-level wizard suddenly grew greedy and decided to target him, he would have no power to resist at all.

But posting tasks with Contribution Points was different. All Contribution Point records were held by the Council.

If anyone truly dared to act recklessly, the Supreme Wizard Council definitely had countermeasures. Otherwise, the entire Contribution Point system would collapse.

"Do not mention it." Kateya waved her hand and asked, "Do you want to visit the Grand Library first, or settle down in the Fire-Earth wizard apprentice residential area first?"

"Let's go to the apprentice residential area first," Lohr said.

He was still carrying a huge bag of gold coins. It was inconvenient to keep holding it.

"All right." Kateya nodded and continued leading Lohr onward.

Whenever they passed certain special areas, she introduced what they were used for.

There were apprentice-level spell testing areas, meditation acceleration training areas, public Earth-Fire spell classes, apprentice Potion-making areas, apprentice task collection areas, optimized spell model submission and verification areas, apprentice free-trading areas, and much more.

Lohr nodded from time to time, carefully committing each of those places to memory.

The two of them wound through the paths, talking as they walked. After a full hour, Kateya finally brought Lohr before a rather spacious-looking house.

"I really envy apprentices like you with Fifth-Level Meditation Talent. You get to live in a private house as soon as you arrive."

Kateya handed Lohr a key and said enviously, "Unlike us, who had to squeeze sixteen people into one room at the beginning."

"Your current place is no worse than this house, right?" Lohr took the key and replied with a smile.

"Mm. I was only assigned this kind of house after becoming a Third-Level Apprentice."

As Kateya spoke, a trace of sadness suddenly appeared in her eyes. "Many of the sisters who used to share a room with me died while constructing their Meditation Methods."

"Some others gave up on the wizard path and went to live outside the tower."

"Respecting other people's fates is a virtue." Lohr shook his head. "Whether they cultivated the Meditation Method or abandoned the wizard path, those were their own choices. There is no need to feel sad over them."

"Perhaps you are right." Kateya exhaled. "Go settle in first. Once you are done, I will take you to see the Grand Library."

"All right." Lohr turned, opened the door, and walked inside.

He does not seem interested in me at all? Kateya watched Lohr close the door behind him, then touched her cheek in disappointment and muttered softly, Was I not performing well enough? It is not like I am ugly!

Along the way, she had already switched between several personalities to present herself.

At first, she had been cheerful. Later, she had been attentive. Just now, she had shown nostalgia and sensitivity.

Yet Lohr had not even thought of inviting her inside to sit down.

This was ridiculous...

"You truly are not unattractive, but perhaps because of his confidence and pride in his own intelligence, his mind seems entirely focused on improving spells."

A blue-haired wizard named Fray suddenly appeared beside Kateya and spoke with a faint smile.

When he had heard Lohr tell Kateya, "There will be," he had already understood the little fellow's personality.

"Mentor..." Kateya jumped in fright. Once she saw that it was her mentor, she finally relaxed and asked,

"Did you come here because you want to take him as an apprentice?"

"No, I cannot take him as an apprentice."

Fray rubbed his brow. "Mara's asking price was too high, and he declared that if we would not meet it, he would take Lohr to other continents to find a mentor. Lohr is indeed worth that price, so several Second-Circle Wizards have begun speaking with Mara."

"We... ahem, I was watching from the side just now. Your performance was quite good, but unfortunately, you chose the wrong approach."

"Then what should I do?" Kateya asked curiously.

"You should say that you hope to become his laboratory assistant in the future."

Fray smiled. "Do not worry about whether he can successfully apply for a private laboratory during his apprentice stage. You only need to believe in him."

"Then tell him that improving spell models takes a great deal of time, and that you can help him handle the daily chores."

"During that process, you need to follow through with your words and personally help him take care of trivial matters, such as delivering meals and buying materials."

"Over time, everything you give will eventually be rewarded."

"I understand, Mentor. I will do it." Kateya nodded solemnly, committing every word Fray said to heart.