Chinese professors at the Wizarding Academy

"In accordance with the Resource Recycling Regulations, target number D-771, Jim, immediately put him into the 'Soul Furnace' to extract primal magic power and replenish the fertilizer of the academy's potion field."

A chilling declaration echoed through the shadowy corridor as two skinned puppets dragged a boy who looked like a dead dog forward.

They were going to drag Jim to the end of the corridor—where a slowly rotating vortex floated in mid-air.

Its center is absolute darkness, radiating a suction force that devours everything; it is the entrance to the "Soul Furnace".

Two wizards stood on the stone platform beside the whirlpool.

"Poor little thing, can't even understand the first page of the meditation method, right? Well, it's good that it's in the furnace sooner, so as not to waste the magic contained in the air."

"At Gray Tower Academy, if a freshman fails to pass the assessment within a year and cannot become a junior apprentice, he or she will only become the academy's experimental material."

The witch watching from beside the Soul Forge parted her lips slightly, her voice languid and alluring, carrying an undisguised mockery.

The witch sat languidly and elegantly on the back of a faceless humanoid puppet kneeling on the ground. Her tight, dark purple wizard robe formed a perfectly rounded, perky, and incredibly elastic curve with each movement, appearing and disappearing beneath the robe.

She crossed her legs, raising her long, slender, snow-white legs, and pointed the tips of her bone-high heels at a figure in a tattered black robe who remained silent.

"The same applies to new students and low-level wizards; if they fail the annual assessment, the outcome is the same."

"Isn't that right, Gu Chen?"

The wizard known as Gu Chen didn't even turn his head; he simply crossed his arms and watched quietly as Jim was dragged toward the Soul Furnace.

He unconsciously and rapidly tapped his elbow joint with his knuckles.

"A blood wizard's body is excellent material for spellcasting and advancement. I will take you away when the time comes."

"Then you won't be watching from here, but lying on my dissection table."

"Of course, you can be my mount too."

"I'm really drooling over your body, and I come here every night to wait for you~"

The witch beside him curled her red lips into a cruel smile. When that soft laughter reached his ears, Gu Chen felt as if he were hearing the Grim Reaper tolling his death knell...

His body tensed almost imperceptibly, and he subconsciously touched the red teardrop badge on his collar, but he still didn't turn his head, his gaze seemingly fixed on the poor wretch Jim who was about to disappear.

The witch's threat pierced my eardrums like a poisoned needle, reminding me of the same tragic fate I would face a month later.

"He shares the same name as me, and in order to pass the wizard advancement exam, he chose the path of a blood wizard, sacrificing his talent and lifespan to forcibly break through to become a first-ring wizard."

"The good news is that I've successfully become a wizard; the bad news is that there's another test in a year, and without my talent, I still won't pass it. It's just that my death has been postponed by a year..."

"Now there's only one month left, and the assessment is a death sentence. I'll definitely be bought off like a commodity by this woman next to me, and then used as material..."

The original owner's memories flashed through Gu Chen's mind, reminding him of the perilous situation before him.

"There's definitely no way I can pass the exam by just studying on my own, but..."

"I still have a chance!"

Gu Chen stared at Jim being dragged toward the Soul Furnace. Mysterious blue runes began to appear in his vision. These runes danced like little sprites in his vision, eventually converging into a line of text that only Gu Chen could see.

Name: Gu Chen

[Level: Low-level Ring 1]

[Mental Strength Aptitude: Six-Star (after drop)]

[Core spell model already built: Blood Drain]

[Spell Mastered: Blood Drain (Beginner)]

[Special Talent: "Mentor"]

[Skill: "Eye of a Talent Scout": You can instantly discern the mental aptitude and basic talent of the person in front of you, and further examine their talents after binding them as a student.]

[“Teaching and Learning Go Hand in Hand”: When the students you are paired with make progress, you will receive “analysis” points based on their learning progress. When you have enough analysis points, you can analyze any knowledge to gain a deep understanding and perfect mastery.]

[Currently, there is 1 student registration slot available]

Gu Chen was not from this wizarding world. He was just an ordinary outstanding young teacher in his hometown, who had taught a few students who got into Tsinghua and Peking Universities. He was working late into the night writing lesson plans when suddenly everything went black and he found himself in this world.

As soon as Gu Chen opened his eyes, he received news that there would be a promotion assessment in two months.

At Gray Tower Academy, freshmen, apprentices, and low-level wizards who fail the assessment are destined to become materials for future use...

Gu Chen knew he couldn't pass the test on his own, so the only way was to quickly take on a student, learn new spells through "teaching and learning from each other," and try to advance.

As a result, no one wanted to be his student.

First, new students who have not become wizard apprentices are not allowed to take on a master. The first year's assessment can only be passed through their own talent and learning. If they fail, they become materials.

Secondly... because Gu Chen is a blood wizard, and blood wizards have always been infamous. Many apprentices who become disciples of a blood wizard one second are drained of their blood and left in some corner the next.

Who would dare let you be a teacher, especially since you're someone who can only advance by sacrificing your lifespan!

Helpless, Gu Chen could only go to the Soul Forge to see if there were any useless people who couldn't pass the test and no longer wanted by others, so he could take one back with him.

Gu Chen sighed inwardly. Although most of those who were going to enter the Soul Furnace were pure trash, he might find a treasure. What if it was some hidden super bloodline?

After waiting for a month, I finally got one.

Gu Chen's gaze locked onto Jim, and his Eye of Talent was activated. The boy's talent transformed into lines of new, dark blue characters that appeared in Gu Chen's eyes.

[Target student: Jim]

[Mental Strength Aptitude: Sixth Rank (Very Poor)]

[Basic Talents: None]

Deep scan will be unlocked after you bind your account.

"...Terrible, sigh."

"But I only have one month left, so I don't have a chance to snag a new one."

"I need a student!"

Upon seeing this sixth-rank talent, his heart sank immediately, but he dared not wait any longer. Jim had been waiting for a month to finally become the only "student" he could reach!

The only option is to gamble, gamble that this young man can create a miracle, gamble that he really is the thoroughbred horse that I, as his talent scout, have been looking for!

Finally, Gu Chen sighed and made up his mind.

"stop!"

"I'll protect this person!"

As Gu Chen spoke, the skinning puppet's movements paused.

They all turned around, their eyes blazing with spiritual fire: "Lecturer Gu Chen? Are you going to order this good-for-nothing?"

The puppet's iron hand ground against Jim's neck, then gripped it tightly and lifted him up like a rag doll.

"According to the Teacher Priority Use Act, he belongs to me."

The skinned puppet's stiff head twisted 180 degrees, its jaw opening and closing as it asked:

"According to the rules, low-level wizards have one opportunity to obtain [materials] for free each year. You have one more opportunity. Do you wish to use it?"

"Yes."

After hearing the affirmative answer, with a few heavy footsteps, the Skinning Skeleton roughly threw the lifeless Jim at Gu Chen's feet.