Wizard: My skills can be upgraded indefinitely.

"I'm back."

Ian took a deep breath, and the familiar concentration of magic in the air caused his mind to ripple slightly.

Gaga perched on his shoulder, its heterochromatic eyes curiously surveying its surroundings.

"A lot of people are watching us, Ian."

indeed.

Many wizards around him had their eyes, some openly and some covertly, fixed on him.

An unfamiliar first-level wizard, his robes worn but his aura solid.

With a strangely shaped raven familiar perched on its shoulder, this combination stood out among the returning team.

"Ignore it." Ian pulled his hood tighter and walked toward the registration desk.

Malena had already left to report to Alyvia.

Ian needs to complete the basic filing first.

The registration office is located on the east side of the reception platform and is an arc-shaped building constructed of moonstone.

There was a line of people, neither too long nor too short, in front of the gate, mostly wizards who had returned this time.

When it was Ian's turn, the person in charge of registration was a middle-aged witch.

Her dark blue robe was embroidered with three silver stars, indicating that she was a first-level late-stage cultivator.

She looked up at Ian, her gaze lingering for a moment on the jabs on his shoulder.

"Name, apprentice number before leaving the tower, promotion time and place."

"Ian Marcus, Apprentice number ***, left the Tower about two years ago and was promoted three months ago."

Ian spoke calmly as he handed over his old apprentice badge.

The witch took the badge, touched it lightly with her fingertip, and a glimmer of light entered it.

Ian's file information immediately appeared on the crystal panel in front of her.

"Ian Marcus, of average aptitude, with an affinity for light, was rated as an ordinary apprentice when he left the tower."

As she read from the file, undisguised shock flashed in her eyes.

"Two years, from intermediate apprentice to level one... that speed..."

Several wizards waiting to register nearby turned their gazes upon hearing this.

Going from apprentice to full-fledged wizard in just two years is an extremely remarkable feat in the entire history of Shadowmoon.

More importantly, he left the tower under the guise of "traveling" rather than being promoted under the tower's protection.

This means that the battles and life-or-death trials he experienced may have been far more extraordinary than usual.

"This promotion verification is just a formality, please don't mind it."

The witch's attitude changed drastically, and she took out a transparent crystal ball the size of a fist.

"Please place your hand here and release a wisp of your spiritual energy."

Ian did as he was told.

He placed the crystal ball on his palm and infused it with a wisp of misty spiritual energy.

hum!

Inside the crystal sphere, tiny starlight suddenly appeared, like a miniature starry sky, with a stable and solid light.

"Atomization quality... above average, very good."

The witch was taking notes when she looked up at Ian.

"Your mental abilities have some unique characteristics; would you like me to make a note of them?"

"No need, it's all due to my personal cultivation." Ian withdrew his hand.

The witch nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

She took a brand new badge from under the counter.

The background is deep blue, with a silver moon in the center surrounding a star, and fine authority runes flowing around the edges.

One star represents Ian's initial level one strength.

"Level 1 Wizard privileges have been activated. You can enter the public areas on floors 1 to 3, borrow knowledge bases of level 1 and below, receive a standard resource quota each month, and accept level 1 quests..."

She handed the badge to Ian. "The details will be provided later. A guide crystal will be sent to your temporary residence."

Additionally, you need to choose whether to join a department or become an independent wizard.

"I'll temporarily choose to be independently affiliated." Ian took the badge.

Joining a department means more resources, but also entails corresponding obligations and factional entanglements.

He just got back and needs to get a feel for the situation first.

"Alright." The witch finished recording and then took out a silver key.

This is your temporary residence in the outer tower area. You must complete the application for or confirmation of your formal residence within seven days.

"clear."

Ian put away the keys and turned to leave the registration desk.

I had only taken a few steps when I heard hushed whispers behind me:

"Independent affiliation... seems like someone who doesn't want to be constrained."

"He was promoted in two years and survived the Demon Hunter War. He must have some trump cards up his sleeve."

"I heard from the returning wizards that he ranked tenth on the Eastern Contribution Ranking, with an astonishing amount of merit points..."

Ian didn't turn around and walked straight toward the outer tower area.

The outer tower area and the apprentice area are adjacent, but the environments are completely different.

The apprenticeship area was a dense cluster of stone houses and training grounds, noisy and crowded.

The outer tower area consists of individual dark blue buildings nestled among the moonlit trees.

Each building has its own protective runes and meditation room.

Following the directions on the key, Ian arrived at his assigned temporary residence.

This is a two-story building with basic soundproofing and protective runes engraved on the exterior walls, and a small private courtyard in front of the door.

Upon entering, the first floor contains a living room, a study, and an alchemy workbench, while the second floor contains a bedroom and a meditation room.

The meditation room is equipped with a basic energy gathering array, which, while not as good as the training rooms in the inner tower area, is sufficient for a level one wizard.

The bird flew into the living room and circled around the spacious area.

"Ian, will we be living here from now on?"

"For now." Ian walked to the window and looked at the towering main tower in the distance.

"Once we've settled things with our family and put an end to old grudges, we might move to a better place."

He quickly arranged the room, set up his own warning runes, and then took out the guidance crystal.

Mental energy was injected, and a light screen unfolded, displaying the authority and obligations of a first-level wizard:

Free access to the outer tower area, as well as the first to third floors of the main tower (some areas require additional application), and access to knowledge bases below level one (level one and above knowledge requires a contract).

Monthly Rewards: 100 Standard Magic Stones, various basic materials, and 50 Contribution Points.

You can apply for an independent laboratory or alchemy workshop (requires contribution points to redeem).

You can accept Tier 1 missions, with rewards in the form of contribution points or resources.

Eligible applicants may apply for faculty mentorship (subject to assessment).

obligation:

Each year, at least one Tier 1 task must be completed, or equivalent contribution points must be submitted.

You must respond when the tower summons you (such as in the Demon Hunter War).

You must not divulge the core knowledge of the Tower, and you must not betray your faction.

"Contribution points..." Ian noticed the new term.

After inquiring with the guide crystal, it was learned that contribution points are exchange vouchers circulating within the tower.

It can be used to exchange for knowledge, materials, training room time, etc.

Acquisition methods include completing tasks, submitting rare resources, and research results.

"Looks like I need to earn contribution points as soon as possible," Ian thought to himself.

The meditation technique "Starry Sky Ritual" can be cultivated to a maximum of level three, so there's no need to worry about it for now.

High-level sorcery models, rare materials... all require a large number of contribution points.

Just as I was pondering this, there was a knock on the door.

Ian scanned with his mental energy and recognized Malena.

After opening the door, she held a dark blue letter in her hand and smiled: "My supervisor asked me to deliver this."

Ian took the letter and opened it.

It was a letter written by Alyvia herself, the handwriting clear, cold, and forceful:

Ian Marcus:

I have witnessed your talent and character.

According to the rules of the Tower, those who have returned from their travels and are promoted must be recommended by a mentor at the department level in order to be fully incorporated into the system.

I am willing to act as your introducer. Please bring this letter to the office of the Vice Dean of Potions in three days.

Also: The Potions Department has several research projects that are currently open. If you are interested, you may consider joining.

Resource quotas and contribution point rewards far surpass independent affiliation... Alivia Starwhisper

The letter was accompanied by a moon emblem, cool to the touch, which served as proof of introduction.

I'm currently reading Chapter 143 of the novel "Knowledge Upgrade" on Cola Novel, completely engrossed and unable to tear myself away.