Above the mage

Chapter 185 Third-Class Mage Apprentice

Gao De's life returned to normal.

Because a breakthrough was imminent, Gao De, who was the top student in the first year, did not take any courses in the second year.

This was noticed by many students.

However, given Gaode's impressive 36 credits in the first year, no one would be foolish enough to think that Gaode had run out of ideas. They would simply consider it the confidence of a top student who wasn't in a hurry to select courses.

Dormitory, training room, rune workshop.

This is the three-point line of Gaode Maps today.

He treats the IUD upgrade as a "major test," and the closer the test gets, the more he needs to relax and maintain his best condition.

So Gaode didn't put too much pressure on itself and took a rare break for a while.

During this time, he also took the opportunity to build the spell model for the [Mechanical Switch] spell.

At this point, the spell library has reached "42".

However, after that, Gaode could no longer find a way to increase the number of spells.

After all, he already had a complete grasp of the list of magic tricks available at the academy.

In the Duchy of Sien, where else can you find a reserve of spell recipes as abundant as those of the Academy of Siris?

There definitely isn't one.

He couldn't possibly openly seek to purchase rare spell recipes.

The authorities have always explicitly prohibited the private trading of spell recipes.

The same thing happens day after day.

Gao De's cultivation progress is also steadily improving step by step.

Foggy Frosty Moon 6th.

Gao De walked out of the first-level training room.

It has been exactly 33 days since the last breakthrough.

The final sub-level of the guided method has finally been broken through at this moment.

This means that his mage level has reached the third-class mage apprentice level.

In the year 9655 of the Nolan calendar, on the 2nd of the Awakening Month, Gaode came into this world.

At that time, his meditation technique only manifested five petals, and his total magical power was only enough for him to cast five spells in one go.

It took 604 days for Gao De to bring both the guided practice and meditation techniques to a perfect level.

Compared to the "time travelers" in those novels from my previous life, this cultivation speed is indeed not very respectable.

But in the Duchy of Xinen, this is already considered exceptional mage talent.

At least Gaode Maps is satisfied with this progress.

"Are you sure you want to apply for the Ascension Water now?"

The committee member, Rachel, looked at Gao De with surprise.

If I remember correctly, Gaode only barely reached the level of a second-class mage apprentice during the entrance test.

Only a year has passed, and the mage's level has already been raised to third-class mage apprentice?

"Yes, Commissioner Rachel, I feel I'm ready, it's time to try to advance to the first-circle mage level."

"When did you become a third-class mage apprentice?" Committee member Rachel couldn't help but ask.

"Just yesterday," Gao De said truthfully.

Upon hearing this, Committee Member Rachel couldn't help but frown.

How old are you this year?

"fourteen."

"14. You're still young. There's no need to rush. Advancing to the first ring mage before the age of twenty is the golden period."

"You've only just reached the third-level mage apprentice level. You should accumulate experience for one or two years before trying to advance to the first-level mage level."

"Specialties have a significant impact on a mage's future. If you accumulate experience for a year or two as a third-rank mage apprentice, you'll have a chance to awaken a more powerful specialty when you advance to a first-rank mage," Committee Member Rachel earnestly advised.

Many students at Seres Academy actually reach the level of a third-class mage apprentice within one or two years of entering the academy.

However, most people will stay in the third-level mage apprenticeship for another year or two before trying to advance.

"Look at Gerica, she stayed at the third-level mage apprentice level for more than three years before she was promoted to a first-level mage." As if afraid that Gao De would not listen to advice, Committee Member Rachel brought up Gerica again as an example.

"No, Committee Member Rachel, in my opinion, a monk's practice should be unwavering, and I don't want to waste too much time in the apprenticeship stage." Gao De insisted on going his own way.

Of course, the reason is that he had already accumulated enough foundational knowledge long before he reached the level of a third-class mage apprentice.

"Alright." Committee member Rachel did not interfere with the students' right to make decisions, and since Gao De insisted, she did not try to persuade him further.

"But before that, we need to test your mage level," she added.

The time it takes for a student to reach the level of a third-class mage apprentice has always been a significant factor in the application for the Ascension Water.

This is to prevent students from submitting their applications for the Ascension Water before their mage level has reached the third-level mage apprentice level, thus maliciously increasing their "weight".

Gao De nodded, offering no objection.

"Come with me," Committee Member Rachel said, standing up.

The world of mages is not like that of cultivators in novels, where one can know another's cultivation level with a mere thought.

Unless a mage is willing to cooperate with others, it is very difficult for anyone other than the mage himself to accurately know his or her mage level.

Even with cooperation, some external means are still needed for testing.

Led by Committee Member Rachel, Gao De arrived at a quiet room.

The quiet room was small and completely empty.

However, intricate rune marks are clearly visible on the ground.

Gao De could tell at a glance that this was a complex testing magic circle.

"Go inside and stand in the very center."

Committee member Rachel pointed directly to the center of the magic circle.

Gao De nodded slightly, calmed himself down, and stepped inside.

As Gao De stood still, a slight magical fluctuation immediately rippled through the air.

The seemingly dormant runes on the ground gradually lit up, their light weaving into a complex pattern that enveloped Gao De.

The test has begun.

Gao De could feel an unknown force rising slowly from his feet along his body, and then stopping when it reached the space between his eyebrows.

The next moment, the force seemed to transform into fine needles, piercing his brow and attempting to penetrate it.

Gaode's spiritual power has unconsciously formed a barrier, blocking this force.

"Hang in there," came the voice of Committee Member Rachel in his ear.

Upon hearing this, Gao De knew that this was the method of testing.

He closed his eyes tightly, focused his attention, and concentrated on resisting the "needle" piercing through him.

As time went by, the light from the magic circle grew brighter and brighter, then after reaching a peak, it dissipated completely.

Gao De slowly opened his eyes and looked at Committee Member Rachel beside him.

"If you can hold out for more than thirty seconds, it means your mental strength has reached the level of a third-grade mage apprentice."

"Next, come with me to test your magic power," said Committee Member Rachel.

The magic power test is even simpler; casting twenty spells in one go is enough to pass the test.

After completing the test, the two returned to the office.

"I will submit your application. Given your age and your grades and credits in your first year, this application for the Ascending Water program will definitely be approved."

Committee member Rachel took out a document, quickly filled in the information on Gaode Maps, and after Gaode Maps confirmed that everything was correct, she spoke to him.

"Approximately how many days will it take for me to obtain the Ascension Water?" Gao De couldn't help but ask.

"It will be available within a week, or even as quickly as three days," Committee Member Rachel conservatively stated.

"Thank you, Committee Member Rachel," Gao De said gratefully.

As Gao De left the committee, he slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

After thinking for a moment, he headed towards Gavin's Building.

He first needed to inform He west that he had submitted his application, and once the Ascension Water arrived, he would prepare to try to advance to the first-ring mage level in the next few days.

Also, I'd like to ask He west for advice on ring raising.

After all, for Gaode, promotion is still an uncertain thing.

Besides being a third-tier rune constructor, He west is also a third-circle mage, so his experience must be extensive.

(End of this chapter)