Wizards: Starting with Synthetic Gems

Chapter 40 Moonlight Elixir
The halfling second-class wizard apprentice respectfully explained the condition of Lilith's Hut to Locke in detail. "The academy has prepared better accommodations for second-class wizard apprentices—Upside-down Alley."

"Within the academy, most second-class wizard apprentices either live in Upside Down Alley or have their own wizard mentors arrange their accommodations. Only a small number of them go out to live on their own."

"After becoming a second-class wizard apprentice, you will have your own room in Upside Down Alley."

"Here is the key to your house, 341 Upside Down Lane."

"In addition, you can now visit the potion auction venue, the Gorehowl Colosseum, the Black Diamond Alchemy Workshop, and other public areas in Lilith's Cottage, as well as the Chimera Trading Market."

Locke nodded. It seemed that becoming a second-class wizard apprentice had unlocked many privileges at Lilith's Hut, giving him greater freedom.

Inside Lilith's cottage is a huge trading market called the Chimera Trading Market, but third-class wizard apprentices are not authorized to enter. In the past, he could only enter the market when accompanied by the witch Sophia.

That market and potion auction were Lilith's Cottage's most important assets.

A large number of wizards would enter that market to trade.

Therefore, third-class wizard apprentices are prohibited from entering, firstly because of the danger, and secondly because third-class wizard apprentices have little spending power and cannot offer anything of value for trade.

Locke asked doubtfully, "Bloodhowl Arena, what is that? I've never heard of it before."

The halfling second-class wizard apprentice laughed and said, "Oh, it's normal that you haven't heard of it, senior."

"That's a public building that the academy built in the last five years. Before that, there weren't many wizard apprentices in Lilith's Hut, just a few wizard apprentices who were studying the sub-directions of the Summoning school."

"But ten years ago, a formal wizard specializing in beast taming magic from the Summoning School joined Lilith Academy."

"Under his tutelage, the beast taming magic in Lilith's Hut has recently become quite powerful, becoming a relatively strong type of magic against external forces."

"Therefore, Lilith's Hut built a Bloodhowl Colosseum, specifically for wizard apprentices specializing in beast taming to fight and hone their skills there."

The halfling second-class wizard apprentice laughed and said, "Moreover, after becoming a second-class wizard apprentice, you will also have special benefits. Every month, the academy will give you thirty magic stones."

“Every month, the academy will also give you five tubes of [Concentration Ointment] to increase the speed of your mental strength growth.”

"Of course, this special benefit can only last for five years. If you do not become a first-class wizard apprentice within five years, these benefits will be halved. If you do not become a first-class wizard apprentice within ten years, these benefits will be canceled."

The halfling second-class wizard apprentice's tone already carried a hint of bitterness.

Although Locke didn't ask him how long he had been at the second-tier wizard apprentice stage, he figured it must have been quite a while.

The halfling second-class wizard apprentice said, "Besides, senior, you also have obligations to the academy."

"Therefore, you must take on a specific task position within the college and work for the college."

"These positions have been assigned to you by your superiors, and your advisor will send someone to inform you when the time comes."

"There is also a contract, but your contract with the college is usually signed automatically by your supervisor."

The halfling second-class wizard apprentice said, "After all, it's rare for a wizard apprentice to refuse to sign a contract."

"The contract for a second-class wizard apprentice is not harsh. Apart from the benefits that belong to you, the academy only requires you to assume certain responsibilities, work for the academy, and create value."

"There is also a promise that after becoming a first-class wizard apprentice, you must stay in Lilith's Hut for at least fifteen years before you can leave Lilith's Hut."

Locke nodded in understanding.

For second-class wizard apprentices, studying has become a part-time job.

Because a second-class wizard apprentice is already capable of doing quite a lot of work.

Similarly, for the academy, a first-class wizard apprentice is already a very valuable wizard.

First-class wizard apprentices may even have their own independent laboratory or a small independent alchemy workshop.

Lilith's Hut, of course, couldn't just let its apprentice, whom it had trained for many years, pack up and leave the academy.

However, this isn't a big problem. First of all, I don't have any intention of changing colleges in the short term; it's unrealistic and unnecessary.

Secondly, Professor Sophia had told her that the wizarding world is a world of equivalent exchange, so as long as enough value is paid, one can forcibly breach the contract and leave Lilith Academy ahead of time.

But no matter what, I should first get training at the academy and improve my wizard level.

Only the strong have the power to choose.

The halfling second-class wizard apprentice flipped through the manual, seemingly delighted, and said, "By the way, senior, the academy offers special extra rewards to wizarding talents who become second-class wizard apprentices within a year."

"You can choose one reward item from the following list, and the reward item will be delivered to you through your mentor."

"This is the list."

Locke glanced at the list and found that there were two lists in total.

One list contains the reward items for aspiring wizards who become second-class wizard apprentices within six months, while the other list contains the reward items for a year.

Undoubtedly, the items on the first list will be of better quality.

The second list was slightly worse.

But it seems that only wizarding talents with level 7 aptitude and some level 6 aptitude have the potential to become second-class wizarding apprentices within six months.

Aspiring wizards with level 7 aptitude have a nickname: "Children of the Elements." This is because their affinity with their primary element is so high that it is unimaginable for ordinary wizard apprentices.

Locke looked at the second list. He glanced at it and saw no trace of meditation techniques, but there were some potions that could increase the speed of mental power enhancement, which looked much more advanced than the Meditation Ointment.

There are even enchanted items similar to the silver sword in Laun's hand, which are certainly of a higher grade than Laun's silver sword.

In addition, there are some simple spell models, magical materials, or alchemical tools provided.

Locke thought about it for a moment; he really wanted the enchanted item.

For example, there is a set of enchanted items on the list called "Talisman Vine Armor," which is armor made of activated vines that can absorb moonlight at night to automatically repair itself and provide a certain degree of protection.

There is also a demonized item called the "Malice Curved Blade," which is enchanted with the magic of the Conjuration School. It can release a mental curse on the enemy when attacking them.

But Locke felt that everything else was secondary; improving his magical power was the most important thing, so he chose a high-level potion that could enhance his mental power: the Moonlight Elixir.

The halfling second-class wizard apprentice immediately registered after seeing Locke's choice, and then smiled and said, "Senior, your choice is absolutely correct."

"Although Moonlight Elixir is not yet a magic potion, it is a high-level mental power enhancement potion that even first-class wizard apprentices would pay attention to. The Concentration Ointment issued by the academy is simply no match for Moonlight Elixir."

"I heard that once you take the Moonlight Elixir, your mental strength growth rate will at least double for the next year."

"The growth rate of mental strength in the second year will increase by fifty percent."

"The growth rate of mental strength in the third year will only retain an additional 10%."

"It's very difficult to obtain this Moonlight Elixir through ordinary channels; you might not even be able to buy it with magic stones."

"This is probably the most cost-effective reward on the list of prizes."

Clearly, the halfling second-class wizard apprentice, although he could not possibly obtain the prizes on the list, had studied the two lists of prizes quite a bit when he was alone.

Locke nodded to him. "Okay."

"I'm leaving."

The halfling said respectfully, "Senior, take care."

(End of this chapter)