Chapter 87

In the afternoon, Luo En appeared on time in front of Classroom 7 on the east side of the third floor.

Pushing the door to enter, he found that there were already more than a dozen apprentices in the classroom, mostly wearing the gray robes of junior apprentices, and a few wearing the dark blue uniforms of intermediate apprentices.

He found a seat in the back and looked around, noticing that the apprentices had different expressions—some nervous, some expectant, and some looking numb.

Several people in the front row were whispering, discussing the difficulty of this course and the pass rate of previous terms.

"I heard that the assessment for this course is quite strict, and only 30% pass each term." An apprentice with long hair said in a low voice.

"That's already considered high."

The person next to him responded: "I didn't pass 'Mental Power Stability Techniques' last term, so I had to sign up again and spent another twenty-five magic stone fragments."

Just then, the front door of the classroom was pushed open, and all conversation stopped abruptly.

The person who walked in was not the official wizard Luo En expected, but a young man who looked to be only in his twenties, wearing the dark gray robe with purple trim unique to high-level apprentices.

The young man walked to the podium, his gaze sweeping across the audience:

"I am Eric, Mentor Victor's assistant, and also the instructor for this term's 'Magic Circuit Optimization' course."

Luo En frowned slightly; he didn't expect the paid course to be taught by a high-level apprentice.

But soon he noticed that there was no surprise on the faces of the surrounding students; it seemed this was a very normal thing.

Eric seemed to notice his doubt, and a cold sneer that was hard to detect appeared on the corner of his mouth:

"Perhaps some new students don't understand our course system. As a high-level apprentice, my level is more than enough to teach you people, most of whom aren't even intermediate apprentices."

His tone carried a sense of condescension, which made Luo En feel a bit uncomfortable.

But looking at the numb acceptance of the surrounding apprentices, this kind of arrogance seemed to have long been commonplace.

"Our course is divided into three terms, one month per term." Eric continued to explain:

"There will be an assessment at the end of each term, and only those who pass can enter the next term. Only students who complete all three terms of the course are eligible to participate in the advanced class taught personally by Mentor Victor. Of course, you can also pay magic stone fragments separately to request individual guidance from the mentor."

Luo En quietly noted down this information.

He had previously thought that the tuition he paid was for direct guidance from an official wizard; now it seems that it only gained an opportunity to approach an official wizard.

"It is worth mentioning that we will conduct tests every week, and those who perform well can jump directly into the next term of the course, saving a lot of time."

Eric's voice suddenly became slightly excited:

"In addition, the daily course will first teach basic content for thirty minutes, followed by advanced content for thirty minutes. Students who perform well can also obtain the privilege of asking questions after class."

His words made Luo En's heart stir.

It seems that the school's course system reflects the importance of talent everywhere—those who perform well can accelerate the learning process and obtain more guidance;

While those who are mediocre can only repeatedly pay tuition and linger in basic courses.

"Alright, no more idle talk, let's start today's course."

Eric raised his hands slightly, the light of the magic crystal lamps on the four walls of the classroom dimmed, leaving only the light source above the podium, projecting his figure onto the wall behind him, forming an enlarged shadow.

"Magic circuits are the foundation of wizard spellcasting, similar to blood vessels to the human body." He began to explain:

"Everyone is born with a set of magic circuits, but most are in a closed or semi-closed state. Basic meditation methods can open these circuits, but how to optimize their flow efficiency is the content we are going to learn today."

With the explanation, Eric outlined a three-dimensional human silhouette in the air, with blue energy lines flowing inside, forming a complex network.

"This is a standard magic circuit diagram. Pay attention to these nodes..."

His finger pointed to several intersections of energy lines: "These are the key hubs of magic flow and also the places where blockages are most likely to occur."

Luo En focused on taking notes, finding that although the content taught by Eric was basic, it was unusually clear and much more efficient than his own groping.

When the course was halfway through, Eric began to teach advanced content as promised.

He first demonstrated a special breathing technique, which was said to be able to effectively promote the circulation of magic power in the body, and also invited several students to come on stage to try.

"Now I need a volunteer." Eric's gaze swept across the classroom and finally stopped on Luo En:

"You, the gray-robed apprentice in the last row, come up and try."

Luo En was a bit surprised, but still got up and walked to the podium.

"Try according to the method I just taught."

Eric saw the stranger's face, frowned, but still instructed:

"Concentrate on perceiving the flow of magic power in your body. If you can't do it, get down quickly, and I'll change to someone else."

Luo En closed his eyes and adjusted his breathing according to the instructions.

Relying on his mental power that had reached the intermediate apprentice level and multiple professional bonuses, he quickly perceived the flow of magic power in his body—streams of fine currents surging in the meridians, gathering, branching, and gathering again.

He found that at certain nodes, the magic flow did indeed become slow; this should be the so-called "blockage point."

According to Eric's teaching, he tried to focus his attention on an obvious blockage, imagining the magic power breaking through the barrier like water flow.

A few dozen seconds later, he felt the blockage loosen, and the magic flow became smoother.

[Spell Construction (Introductory) Experience +1]

"Very good." Eric's voice interrupted his meditation, and Luo En opened his eyes to see a trace of surprise flash in the other party's eyes:

"For a first attempt, your reaction and mastery speed are quite outstanding."

After returning to his seat, Luo En noticed the change in the gazes cast by the surrounding apprentices—some surprised, some envious, and some with undisguised jealousy.

In the remaining course, Eric also introduced several simple magic circuit optimization techniques, all of which Luo En recorded in his notebook one by one.

When the course ended, he found that his spell construction skill had increased by a few points of experience, much more efficient than his own hard practice behind closed doors.

"Paid courses are indeed worth the money." Luo En summarized silently in his heart, "Must seize this opportunity to accelerate progress."

Just as he was about to head to the next course, Luo En found Eric standing by the door, signaling him to stay for a moment.

"Apprentice Ralph, is it?"

The high-level apprentice's tone was much kinder than during the lecture: "Your performance in class was very good, especially your ability to perceive magic flow, which far exceeds that of ordinary junior apprentices."

"Thank you for your guidance, Lord Eric." Luo En responded modestly: "I am just particularly interested in magic circuit optimization."

Eric nodded: "If you continue to maintain such performance, I will consider letting you participate in next week's special test. If you pass, you can skip the first term of the course and enter the second term."

Luo En nodded hurriedly; this was exactly what he hoped for: "I will work hard, my Lord."

"By the way." Eric seemed to remember something:

"I once taught an apprentice named Trish, also from the Faruk Kingdom. Her progress speed was quite amazing; she mastered all the content in just half a term and was directly recognized by the mentor."

"Trish..." Luo En thought for a moment: "Oh, I've heard of her; I heard she is now a disciple of Wizard Corinna."

"That's right." A trace of reminiscence flashed in Eric's eyes: "She was probably one of the most talented students I have ever taught, even better than Holt."

He paused and added: "Holt is also a genius; he completed all the tests designed by Mentor Victor less than two years after arriving here. But come to think of it, his grades were still not as good as Trish's."

After learning that Trish and Holt, two people he was somewhat familiar with, were once his "seniors" and showed amazing talent, a strange pressure surged in Luo En's heart.

Bidding farewell to Eric, Luo En rushed to Classroom 3 on the north side of the fifth floor.

When leaving the classroom, Luo En noticed several apprentices standing in the corridor chatting with tired expressions, with obvious wounds and magic burn marks on their bodies, clearly just returned from some dangerous mission.

"Did Karl take the commission in the edge forest again?" One of the female apprentices asked in a low voice, "This is the third time already; last time he almost lost his life."

"No choice," another voice responded, "The rent for the tower room is due in two weeks; if you don't take the mission, you can only sleep on the street."

The female apprentice watched Luo En's back silently, a complex look flashing in her eyes.

"Another rising star."

She whispered to herself, her voice mixed with envy and helplessness: "Just like Holt back then and Trish last year, smooth sailing... and I have already retaken this course for the third time."

Her companion sighed: "Focus on preparing for next week's mission; the poisonous snakes in that dead forest won't show mercy just because you are jealous of others."