Chapter 40: News Pouring In

A large group of people started reviewing their lessons in a noisy, bustling way.

Lin Ke, meanwhile, was happily studying the six newly bought zero-ring spells.

As a result, Mo Li also devoted more of her energy and time to magic, rather than being swept up by the trend to review already completed courses.

With the substantial dividend Lin Ke gave her, Mo Li not only bought the previously planned Secondary Mist Rain Technique and Growth Technique, but also purchased a spell model scroll for the Secondary Mud-Stone Technique, an earth-element zero-ring spell.

This spell is interesting—it can turn stone into mud and mud into stone.

However, there is a reason it bears the prefix 'Secondary'.

It cannot affect soil and stone created through magical power and spellcraft.

So Lin Ke prefers to call it the 'Artificial Supernatural Plowing Technique'; its effect for plowing fields is genuinely good.

Because of Lin Ke's untimely joke, Mo Li gave him several harsh eye rolls.

Even if you make sense, please don't speak like that.

Even her enthusiasm for the Secondary Mud-Stone Technique has dropped considerably.

If she didn't still need Lin Ke's experience sharing and guidance on the Secondary Mist Rain Technique and Growth Technique, Mo Li would very much like to give him the cold shoulder for a day or two.

Professor Flitwick, worthy of being a dean-level figure and a master of spellcraft, under the blessing of 'Philius Flitwick's Magical Aptitude,' Lin Ke quickly, through his own extra practice and teaching Mo Li, brought the Secondary Mist Rain Technique and Growth Technique to perfection.

The mark of mastering a spell to perfection is instant casting.

Of course, this instant casting actually means completing the spell within one second.

With Lin Ke's help, Mo Li also entered the door of two spells within a single day.

This is certainly due to Mo Li's thorough preparation, and also to Lin Ke's diligent, unreserved assistance.

As for the Secondary Mud-Stone Technique, since Lin Ke lacks affinity for the earth element and can offer little help, Mo Li must rely solely on her own efforts.

This is a good thing for Mo Li.

She ultimately needs to be independent and self-reliant; avoiding dependence from the start is far better than forming dependence later and then trying to break free.

Lin Ke himself, under the triple boost of his own aptitude, the supreme realm 'Brain Seal Technique,' and 'Philius Flitwick's Magical Aptitude,' swiftly entered the door of Purify Water Technique and Water Shield Technique.

This speed, this feeling, this change is like a J20 fighter jet swapping in a new-generation engine.

My impression in one word: awesome!

……

Thursday.

Only one day remains until the midterm exam.

Lin Ke also entered the remaining four zero-ring spells one by one, steadily advancing his mastery.

The atmosphere among first-year Newbloods grew increasingly grim, with some even deliberately studying all night in the teaching building and library.

A rumor of unknown origin suddenly began to spread again.

Each semester, the academy holds two exams: a midterm and a final.

Combining the midterm and final of the autumn semester and the midterm of the spring semester, the scores of these three exams,

the academy will select the top thirty from each cohort of Storm Sea Newbloods to represent the South Campus and compete against the North Campus's local apprentices in a comprehensive contest.

It must be emphasized that only the top thirty from the South Campus may participate, whereas the North Campus fields all its members.

This means that only the elite among the Storm Sea Newbloods are qualified to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the local apprentices!

This is an undisguised slight, even contempt!

Only then did many first-year Newbloods realize their identity—the partial true meaning of being Storm Sea Newbloods.

So-called Newbloods are the labor reserve and consumable backup of the main continent's wizard world, the whetstone for local wizard apprentices, and the carp that spurs competition.

They have never been the masters of the wizard world's main continent!

From the day they were born on the many islands of the Storm Sea, their starting point in life naturally lags far behind that of the mainland natives by a long stretch.

Being detected with wizard aptitude is merely a turning point in life.

Only by advancing to full wizard within four years can they change their fate!

The naked, bloody fact laid before them instantly cleared up the study atmosphere among first-year Newbloods.

Those Newbloods who once favored socializing and entertainment, especially the Five Grade Aptitude geniuses who later relapsed, no longer rely on their talent to look down on others, neglect their studies, and spend all day frolicking in the academy's various entertainment venues.

The library reading rooms and classrooms in the teaching building instantly became crowded with heads together, every seat filled.

Lin Ke also paid close attention to the suddenly spreading news about the South-North Campus competition.

According to the information he gathered, each of the top thirty Newbloods representing the South Campus in the competition receives free exchange eligibility for zero-ring spells.

The top ten get three free exchanges, the top twenty get two, and the top thirty get only one.

But what Lin Ke cares about is not the free spell exchange eligibility.

If he performs outstandingly in the competition and secures a top-five placement in his year, each will receive generous rewards.

What Lin Ke has his eye on is precisely the reward for first place: a one-year usage right to a large laboratory.

Having experienced the frustration of research results almost being snatched away, with the final rights reduced by thirty percent, Lin Ke has long yearned to own a dedicated laboratory.

A lab where he can focus on experiments without worrying about data leaks or his results being stolen!

Now the opportunity lies right before him.

All Lin Ke needs to do is perform excellently in all three exams to ensure he ranks among the top thirty of his year.

Although this conflicts with his principle of keeping a low profile, the payoff is huge—no need to hesitate, just get it done.

Mo Li has been by his side all along, sensing the change in Lin Ke's attitude toward the exams.

But she didn't ask about that; instead she shared the news she had just received: 'Enrik has finished his treatment.'

"Who?"

Lin Ke initially didn't react, but immediately recalled the person's identity and asked, 'Was it Mina Havercheck who told you?'

"Mm."

Mo Li nodded slightly, her expression a little worried, "Mi Na. Ha Fu Qie Ke said that En Li Ke has been shouting during his treatment that he wants revenge, as if it's aimed at her and us."

"That woman isn't necessarily a good person; what she says isn't necessarily false, but her motives are hard to fathom."

Lin Ke said seriously, "When soldiers come, we block them; when water comes, we cover it with earth. We just need to do our own part and stay vigilant. There's no need to do anything else extra."

The extra thing he was referring to is taking action in advance to nip danger in the bud.

This is too impulsive, too blind, and too easy to unintentionally become someone else's gunman.

"Hmm."

Mo Li nodded, reaching an agreement.

She also remembered that Lin Ke had asked her to follow up on that matter, informing her promptly of any changes, which is why she hasn't blocked Mi Na. Ha Fu Qie Ke.

Otherwise, she would have long since cut off all contact with that person.

For someone who tries to drag you down to death, the earlier you block and delete them, the better.

Keeping them just to disgust yourself?

Thanks for the reward from reader 20230504164852745, thank you!

PS: This reader, the backend can only see your numeric ID.

(End of chapter)