Wizard:Starting from Synthesizing Gems

At the heart of the port city, within the cluster of wooden buildings that formed Lilith's Cottage's public lecture area, Formal Wizard Urien Rich stood at the podium delivering his lesson.

Clad in a wizard robe embroidered with silver threads, a Wizard Slate hovered behind him like a floating screen.

As a Formal Wizard specializing in frost magic from the Shaping School, Urien Rich was explaining the fundamental principles of runes.

"Runes and language form a major foundation of mysticism—not the entirety, but a crucial subject. You've all taken numerous ancient language courses before, which serve as the basis for fundamental rune studies. However, foundational runology is far more complex than what you've previously learned."

"The core objective of this course is to ensure you youngsters can at least master the basic runic terminology for the four elemental magics: Wind Magic, Water Magic, Fire Magic, and Earth Magic."

"Once you grasp these four foundational runic languages, understanding and learning the runic basics of other magics will become significantly easier."

"Thus, this can be considered the bedrock of wizardry."

"Some wizard apprentices are often in such a hurry to advance to Second-Class Wizard Apprentice that they recklessly focus solely on increasing their mental power, neglecting to solidify their foundations. The outcome for such individuals is never favorable."

Urien Rich spoke in a detached tone, seemingly unconcerned about how many students could keep up with his pace. His lecture felt more like a perfunctory fulfillment of the academy's requirements than a genuine teaching effort.

Most of the time, he merely droned through the textbook with mechanical precision. His words matched the text almost verbatim, with only occasional offhand remarks or brief explanations when his interest was piqued.

Had Lilith's Cottage not mandated that Formal Wizards take turns delivering live lectures, Urien Rich would likely have instructed students to simply self-study from the textbook.

As Urien Rich lectured from the podium, Locke diligently took notes on key points from his seat. Some details, though memorized, weren't immediately comprehensible, so he knew he'd need to review and reflect on them later.

For concepts that eluded him, he could always consult Teacher Sophia, who invariably pinpointed exactly where his understanding faltered or which knowledge gaps needed filling—often handing him a relevant book to study.

Locke glanced around the classroom. Because Urien Rich lectured rapidly and with little elaboration, most of Lilith's Cottage's Wizard Seedlings struggled to follow. Only a small fraction—those with Level 5 or 6 Wizard Talent—could fully comprehend the material. Their learning efficiency naturally far surpassed that of Locke, Raun, and others.

By the end of the lecture, Raun, seated beside Locke, was utterly bewildered, his head spinning. He wasn't alone—several nearby Wizard Seedlings had already zoned out, their eyes glazing over from the inability to keep up.

Someone in the classroom whispered under their breath, "It doesn't really matter if you don't understand. Becoming a Second-Class Wizard just requires learning more spells and reaching 50 mental power points."

"It's fine if you don't do well in basic rune class."

"I've heard many seniors failed this course. We're wizards now—what's there to fear about failing exams?"

Locke glanced at the speaker, remembering this Wizard Seedling had second-class wizard talent.

Indeed, basic rune class didn't directly affect becoming a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice, but it would influence one's path in learning and attempting to construct their own magic framework.

'So the polarization started as early as the first week of enrollment,' Locke realized. 'Those aiming to become Formal Wizards can't afford to neglect fundamentals.'

'Otherwise, when studying spell models later, would they just follow others and rely on pre-researched interpretations?'

On the podium, Mentor Urien Rich heard the mechanical bell signaling the end of class outside Lilith's Cottage. Without even a perfunctory remark, he immediately closed his textbook and strode out of the chapel—giving apprentices no chance to ask questions.

Public lectures at Lilith's Cottage were more like privileges; the mentors cared nothing about students' performance. Whether you listened or understood made no difference to them.

After class, many apprentices seized the opportunity to approach those with fifth or sixth-class talents, seeking their notes and explanations—usually at the cost of one or two Magic Stones.

"Truly enviable, those gifted students who earn Magic Stones just by sitting there," Raun remarked, watching a crowd eagerly surrounding an apprentice named Everett Levi.

Everett Levi possessed sixth-class talent and, like Locke, had Wood Element as his primary affinity. He was this batch's most comprehensively talented wizard, receiving special attention from Lilith's Cottage since enrollment. Unlike Locke and others, such talents were considered insiders by the academy even as third-class wizard apprentices.

"But Locke, you're quite fortunate too," Raun continued enviously. "Your mentor has only you as a student, so you can ask her questions whenever you want. Even Everett Levi doesn't have constant access to a Formal Wizard's guidance—I heard he's only met his mentor a few times."

"As for me," Raun sighed, "it's worse. I haven't even met Hammerke Uus since enrollment. Just a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice oversees me."

Locke shrugged. "Can't be helped—it's the academy's arrangement. Should I ask Mentor Sophia to take you in too?" He teased deliberately, knowing full well such presumptuous behavior was impossible between friends. Who was he to dictate terms to a Formal Wizard?

Raun waved his hands hastily. "No no no! If we actually did that, I'd offend Mentor Hammerke Uus. Though I've never seen him, I dare not slight him. At Lilith's Cottage, he has many students—almost every Light Magic practitioner has received some guidance from him."

Pierre sat at the table across from the two boys. He was Locke and Raun's neighbor in Dwarf Alley and a local of the Southeast Corner District.

However, his family circumstances were also quite ordinary—his parents were just common merchants—so he, too, lived in Dwarf Alley.

Pierre's Wizard Talent was Level 4.

Turning around, Pierre looked at Locke and Raun. "I've asked around, Locke. Your teacher, Lady Sophia, became a Formal Wizard within the last six months."

"In other words, just a few months ago, she was still a student at this academy."

"The academy assigning you as her student must have been pure coincidence. You're really lucky, Locke. After you go back and listen to Lady Sophia's private lessons, could you share your notes with me? There were some parts I didn't understand in class."

"Of course, as usual, I'll pay you one Magic Stone for it."

Locke nodded. "Sure, Pierre."

After all, it was just a matter of copying his notes one extra time.

As for Raun, Locke exchanged a glance with him.

The two of them had a closer relationship, and Raun had also come from the overseas mortal world—he didn't have any Magic Stones on him.

Life was tough for him, too.

So, Locke had always lent his notes to Raun for free overnight, letting him return them the next day.

It was an easy favor that cost him nothing, so Locke saw no reason not to do it.