Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 75 Cynthia's Astrology Book
Just as he was about to ask the price, a commotion came from the direction of the market square.

The quarrel coming from the market interrupted their conversation. The merchant frowned and said apologetically:

"It seems something's going on in the central square. That's where the apprentices often duel with slaves. You might want to go take a look. These goods won't disappear, so you can always come back and continue your selection."

Ron thought for a moment and decided to go over and see what was going on. After all, behind any open conflict, there is often information worth paying attention to.

When he left Blake Exchange, his mind was still sorting out the information he had just obtained.

According to some conversations with the merchant just now, the other party said that almost all middle and high-level apprentices in the school will train combat slaves. This is both a symbol of strength and a practical means of protection.

"Perhaps when my position becomes more stable and my funds are more abundant, I should consider training a combat slave."

Ron pondered, "It would be best if it were a hybrid type that's suitable for both long-range and close combat, to match my fighting style."

………………

It was almost dusk, and many apprentices gathered in the central square of the market, forming a loose circle.

Ron squeezed through the crowd to find out what was going on.

Across the crowd, he keenly noticed a familiar figure. The long brown hair and tall figure were none other than Tracy.

He wanted to go up and say hello, but soon found that Tracy seemed to be confronting a woman in a purple dress.

"Who is that? Why are they confronting each other here?" Ron asked curiously to an apprentice who was watching the fun nearby.

The apprentice turned his head, with a hint of impatience on his face, but after seeing who was coming, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and his attitude immediately became friendly.

"Apprentice Ron, long time no see." He nodded slightly.

"I'm Norris. I met you last month when the law enforcement team was dealing with the Darende incident."

Ron had no impression of the name, but it was obvious that Mrs. Allen and Holt valued him, which made him quite famous among the apprentices.

He nodded politely: "Hello, Apprentice Norris, what exactly is going on over there?"

Norris's eyes swept towards the center of the crowd and explained softly:
"The ones arguing over there are Apprentices Tracy and Cynthia. Tracy is a student of Wizard Corinna, while Cynthia is Wizard Marsala's favorite student. These two instructors have always been at odds within the school, and open and covert fighting between their disciples is common."

"So what's the reason for their dispute?" Ron frowned slightly.

"I heard it's because of an ancient note about the transformation of astrological energy."

Norris shook his head. "This kind of scarce information has always been the source of disputes. Both of them claimed that the information should belong to their mentor's research."

Ron was a little puzzled. Although the resources within the Black Mist School weren't particularly abundant, the two instructors at the level of a full-fledged wizard shouldn't have openly quarreled over such a small matter. Or perhaps they were just taking advantage of the situation...

"But now it's not just a simple argument. I guess it's going to get serious soon." His thoughts were interrupted by Norris's words.

As the two talked, whispers rose and fell in the crowd, with some expressing anticipation, some expressing concern, and some expressing some gloating.

Tracy stood at one end of the open space, her expression calm and focused, and she exuded an aura of restrained confidence.

Opposite her was a woman in a purple silk dress, a silver crown inlaid with star stones on her head, and a half-smile on her face.

Judging from her appearance, she was much older than Tracy, and her eyes revealed an indifference and contempt that was almost arrogant.

"That's Cynthia?" Ron whispered to Norris to confirm. "Yes, that's her." Norris nodded, with a hint of barely perceptible fear in his tone.

"She's not someone you'd want to mess with. Rumor has it that the average lifespan of her male slaves doesn't exceed six months."

"Slave?" Ron frowned slightly. "She should be a senior apprentice. Does she have time to play with slaves besides practicing?"

"Of course, that's her biggest personal hobby." Norris lowered his voice: "Cynthia has just become a senior apprentice. She is also a member of the candidate wizard sequence."

"Could you please tell me more about this candidate wizard sequence?"

Ron asked in feigned confusion, even though he had already learned the relevant information from the booklet that novice apprentices must read.

But now that the other party has brought it up, it's a good opportunity to learn the specific operating rules from Norris, an insider.

Norris glanced around to make sure no one was eavesdropping, then explained in a low voice:
"That's a special list. Only apprentices who are considered to have the potential to be promoted to full-fledged wizards can enter. However, the information in the apprentice manual is not complete. In fact, after entering the sequence, the school will award points based on their performance. Apprentices with higher points will receive more resources and opportunities."

"Tracy should also be in this sequence, right?" Ron asked again.

"Yes, she has just been in there for a short time, maybe one or two months." Norris nodded.

"But because her mental aptitude is exceptionally good, her initial score is quite high. It's said that she even surpassed some of the senior members, including Cynthia."

"So this conflict actually has nothing to do with that information?"

Ron keenly sensed the key.

"Well... you're very smart, it really doesn't matter."

If an ordinary person had asked him this, Norris would have walked away long ago.

But thinking that the young man in front of him was a promising newcomer that his captain was very optimistic about, he still patiently told him what he knew:
"That information is actually not important to the two official wizards. This is purely an excuse made by Cynthia. Her real purpose is to use this to suppress Tracy's upward momentum and improve her own points in the sequence."

As the two were talking, the atmosphere in the center of the open space suddenly became tense. Cynthia walked to the center of the venue with elegant steps.

"My dear little Trish."

Cynthia spoke, her voice sweet and melodious, like honey, but every word carried a hidden edge:
"Do you really think that ancient book should belong to Lady Corinna?"

"Of course." Tracy responded calmly, not being overwhelmed by the other party's momentum.
"Ancient texts clearly record the theory of the resonance between star mapping and spiritual fluctuations. This is exactly the focus of Professor Corinna's recent research."

"Oh?" Cynthia raised her eyebrows.
"It seems you are very familiar with the mentors' research. It's really surprising that a newcomer who has just joined the sequence dares to comment on the work of two mentors in this way. Do you know what this behavior is regarded as in the candidate wizard sequence?"

"It's rude, but I'm not rude." Tracy replied calmly.

"I am only stating the public data recorded in the school's database. If Senior Sister Cynthia believes that this data is incorrect, you can apply for correction to the school."

The discussions around became more heated, and many apprentices looked surprised. Tracy's response was too calm, not at all like a newcomer who had just become a mid-level apprentice.

Cynthia's expression became increasingly gloomy. She obviously didn't expect that the verbal traps she had carefully designed would be broken by the other party one by one.

"Okay." She suddenly changed her strategy, a dangerous smile appearing on the corner of her mouth:

"Since words cannot resolve the dispute, I propose that the ownership of the ancient book be determined according to the traditional methods of the school."

(End of this chapter)