[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-diary-of-a-dead-wizard":3,"chapter-diary-of-a-dead-wizard-diary-of-a-dead-wizard-chapter-9":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Diary of a Dead Wizard",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1380380,1828,"Chapter 9: The Dead Ones Are the Real Trash","diary-of-a-dead-wizard-chapter-9",9,"\u003Cp>The dorms for newly inducted First Rank apprentices were located on the sixth through ninth floors, but most people stayed on the sixth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saul had thought that once he returned to his room, a servant would soon deliver his textbooks and other materials. What he hadn’t expected was to see a familiar face waiting outside the door of Room 604.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sid, the Second Rank apprentice who had overseen the testing, was standing there with arms crossed, gazing at Saul, who was walking alongside Keli.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was full of ridicule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saul’s heart tightened. He quickly glanced toward the hardcover book on his left shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The book was floating there obediently, showing no signs of opening on its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let out a sigh of relief, then steeled himself and walked forward under Sid’s icy gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior, were you looking for me?” Saul lowered his head slightly, eyes fixed on Sid’s hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second Rank apprentices generally had no business here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had been deeply shaken by Sid’s method of killing the fat boy earlier. For kids who came from outside, even being bystanders to such things was a nightmarish experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Keli stood three meters away, watching the scene with a blank expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sid uncrossed his arms, and the sneer on his face only deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned forward, lowering his mouth right over Saul’s head, “I know how you cheated your way through the test.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saul’s eyes shot up, glancing at Sid from a sharp angle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I won’t revoke your apprentice qualification.” Sid straightened up again, arms folded, his tone seemingly relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you know? People who have mental aptitude but no magical aptitude… only die the worst deaths! Hahahaha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sid didn’t bother to lower his voice. Saul could already hear people behind him beginning to murmur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m really looking forward to the news of your death. If you die nicely enough, I wouldn’t mind turning your corpse into a wax figure and putting it on the fourth floor as a warning to those lowly servants.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t. Even. Think! About it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of numbness rushed from Saul’s scalp to his toes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sid looked very satisfied with the pale color that had drained from Saul’s face. He took half a step back, admiring Saul as if admiring a work of art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well then, looking forward to our next meeting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a final sneer, his expression turned completely cold as he turned and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every apprentice in the corridor stepped aside, pressing themselves against the walls, terrified of blocking the senior’s path in any way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only once Sid disappeared around the bend in the ramp did Saul finally let out a long breath. The stiffness in his limbs slowly began to fade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lowered his head, preparing to return to his room, not bothering to look at the expressions around him. They couldn’t be anything good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Becoming a wizard apprentice had been his choice. He knew his talent and aptitude weren’t great. So, even if he had to endure others’ doubts and ridicule, Saul would not give up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached out to open the door, but another hand slammed onto the door panel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saul looked up and saw Duke’s twisted face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shanqi… he died because of trash like you?” Duke’s chest was heaving. “People without talent have no right to learn wizardly! Go rot and mold in the servant’s quarters where you belong!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flame surged from Saul’s heart, so hot it felt like smoke was rising in his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saul suddenly thrust out his left hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white skeletal hand clamped down hard on Duke’s head, like grabbing a leather ball!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hair, skin, all sank slightly under the pressure of the bone, even his skull started making brittle cracking sounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duke’s mouthful of curses turned into a wail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah! Aaaah! AHHHH—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Saul’s enormous, irresistible strength, Duke was gradually crushed to his knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The ones who die… are the real trash!” Saul growled through gritted teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up at the crowd in the corridor, all with different expressions, and began to squeeze harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“AAAAAAHHHHH!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duke’s cries became even sharper, like a needle piercing everyone’s brain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People couldn’t help but back away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then, a hand suddenly landed on Saul’s left arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saul, eyes bloodshot, turned his head and saw that Keli had somehow appeared behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked at him nonchalantly, as if Saul wasn’t killing someone but merely eating a meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keli raised the Apprentice Rulebook in her hand and waved it in front of Saul’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rule Three: Apprentices may not kill one another. Violators will be flayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you really want to kill him, let’s do it somewhere more private next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t lower her voice, letting both Saul and the kneeling Duke hear her clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe it was Keli’s cool tone, maybe the light breeze from the fluttering book. Saul felt the fire inside him settle a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let go, watching Duke, face etched with deep finger marks, roll and crawl away into the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re right.” Saul stared at Duke’s fleeing back and said loudly, “Next time, somewhere quiet. I’ll finish the job!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He no longer looked at the gazes of those around him. He pushed open the door and stepped into his dorm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he turned to shut the door, Keli suddenly ducked low and slipped under his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saul’s movement paused for a beat, then he slowly closed the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You didn’t even bring your belongings?” Keli clasped her hands behind her back, taking a stroll through Saul’s room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saul said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keli circled back in front of him. They were both teenagers, but she seemed just a bit taller than Saul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So how did you cheat? Pretended to faint and skipped the magic test?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saul turned his head away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keli circled back to face him. “Your magic aptitude isn’t good, is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Toward the only person who had stood beside him, Saul didn’t lose his temper, just gave a nasal grunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Poor magic aptitude is a bit tricky. You might not even be able to cast a few spells before burning out,” Keli said flatly, “But your mental aptitude was still the strongest among everyone who tested that day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She suddenly extended her right hand toward Saul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Geniuses should walk alongside other geniuses. Hello, I’m Keli, first place in the magic aptitude test.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Saul.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, Saul placed his right hand in hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of nowhere, he’d gained a completely inexplicable friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Keli left, Saul sat at his desk, recalling that overly dramatic scene just now and couldn’t help twitching at the corner of his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he quickly calmed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Keli, who still wore the title of genius, his reputation for cheating would likely spread all over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Saul had no time to worry about others’ opinions. To become an apprentice, he was now entangled in a mystery even he couldn’t fully grasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That earlier rage, more than anything, had come from fear of Sid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that rationality had returned—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saul tore a page from his notebook and began writing down names.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kongsha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keli.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brown had been targeting him from the start. It all seemed like someone was pulling strings behind the scenes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next to Brown’s name, Saul wrote: Enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sid had a deep hostility toward Saul. Saul even suspected Sid might be the one behind Brown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hardcover book had warned Saul: Sid would try to kill him after the magic aptitude test. And today, Sid had blocked him at his door and spread word of his so-called “cheating”…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next to Sid’s name, Saul wrote: Sworn Enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sadly, this sworn enemy wasn’t someone Saul had any way to fight… not yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, now that he was a wizard apprentice, the other side likely couldn’t attack him openly either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Next up… Kongsha.” Saul softly read the name of the one who had changed his fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next to Kongsha’s name, he drew a question mark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kongsha’s terrifying appearance, her mysterious methods all made Saul deeply wary. He still had no idea what she wanted from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So weak… all he could do was take one step at a time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He skipped Keli’s name and went to the final one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after venting earlier, just seeing this name still ticked him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted the pen and quickly scribbled next to it: Dumbas—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock knock knock!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knock at the door cut him off. Saul crumpled the paper and stuffed it into his pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beautiful girl of seventeen or eighteen stood before him, dressed in an extremely revealing maid outfit. Back arched, chest out, she pushed a cart in a pose that would drive most boys wild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Piled on the cart were stacks of books, school supplies, and living essentials, half as tall as a person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lowered her head and smiled sweetly at Saul, her angle picture-perfect. “Good afternoon, Master Saul. These are the books and tools you’ll need for your studies. Would you like me to help you move them in?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saul took hold of the cart handle. “No need. Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maid gave a deep bow, her chest almost brushing Saul’s nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would the Master like me to provide… any other services?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1545,"2026-06-05T22:22:08.591Z",1,"novelbin.me","204a798fb8e8405f9f83786984f55bdfeddaaa1a0ef36d939c137642f7653753","diary-of-a-dead-wizard-chapter-10","diary-of-a-dead-wizard-chapter-8",1037,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdiary-of-a-dead-wizard-cover.jpg"]