[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-wizard-starting-with-synthesized-gems":3,"chapter-wizard-starting-with-synthesized-gems-wizard-starting-with-synthesized-gems-chapter-36":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Wizard: Starting With Synthesized Gems",{"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},1265106,1693,"Chapter 36: Formal Wizard Wesley Durant","wizard-starting-with-synthesized-gems-chapter-36",36,"\u003Cp>In Witch Sophia's office, Locke placed his hands on the amethyst matrix, and soon a number appeared, [53].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Locke's eyelids twitched. Indeed, he had now reached the level of a second-class wizard apprentice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It took me a year to become a second-class wizard apprentice,\" Locke thought. \"My learning speed falls between that of a Level 5 and Level 6 aptitude prospect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But if I can find more synthesis formulas and solve the issue of magic stone scarcity, I believe I can further accelerate my progress.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the past year, Locke had worked as Witch Sophia's assistant daily, earning a total of one thousand magic stones. However, after learning two spells and covering various experimental expenses, only eight hundred magic stones remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These eight hundred stones were the result of extreme frugality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Locke had already planned how to use them, five hundred would go toward purchasing a meditation technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Advancing to first-class wizard apprentice without a meditation technique was nearly unthinkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While it was possible to brute-force one's way from third-class to second-class wizard apprentice by learning spells and forcibly increasing mental strength, the gap between second-class and first-class was far too vast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining three hundred magic stones would be saved to see if he could pool enough resources to purchase Witch Sophia's Magical Plant Breeding course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With so few magic stones to spare, Locke didn't dare enroll in any additional courses in the public classrooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, local wizard apprentices often spent money on private advanced courses like the Mana Circuit Defect Detection course, where formal wizards or first-class apprentices would inspect their mana channels for flaws to optimize spellcasting efficiency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some wealthier local apprentices even studied subjects like Basic Potion-Making or Pet Taming to acquire specialized skills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Locke had also considered solving his magic stone shortage by synthesizing them. But when he placed magic stones into the Horadric Synthesis Cube, he received a prompt, \"Synthesis level exceeds current limit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, he knew that at his current character level, synthesizing magic stones was impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, magic stones seemed to have an exceptionally high synthesis threshold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of Witch Sophia's footsteps snapped him out of his thoughts. Stepping outside, he saw her supporting a young, unfamiliar wizard whose lower half had turned into black sludge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stranger's robes bore the emblem of Holly Tower, he was undoubtedly a formal wizard from that academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Witch Sophia sighed as she helped him. \"Honestly, Wesley Durant, you're a First Circle wizard of Holly Tower.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're a man of status. How could you engage in a private duel with a black wizard?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're insane. The Blood Curse Court's curses are bizarre and unpredictable. You're lucky this happened near Lilith's Cottage territory, anywhere else, the Thousand Sores curse would have killed you by now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wesley Durant's face was pale. \"So it's the Thousand Sores curse...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank the stars I have you as a friend in Lilith's Cottage. I owe you, Sophia. You've always been kind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You helped me back on the wizard caravan to the academy too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Witch Sophia sighed again. \"What can I say? We're peers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Among our batch of wizard apprentices, only a handful of us became formal wizards. But don't think this treatment is free, you're paying for it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wesley Durant nodded weakly. \"Of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing Locke standing nearby, Witch Sophia cast a spell, changing the vine flower on her hat from pink to white. Her demeanor instantly grew more authoritative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Quiet now,\" she murmured to Wesley. \"My student is here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wesley Durant glanced at Locke, his expression flattening into an unreadable mask of formality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Witch Sophia turned to Locke, her tone impatient. \"Locke, why are you here now? Class isn't for another three hours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm busy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unless it's urgent, don't disturb me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Locke hesitated, then said, \"Teacher, I came to report that my mental strength has reached 53.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I tested it using your amethyst matrix.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've also mastered [Poison Berry Shot] and [Green Grasp].\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impatience on Witch Sophia's face vanished, replaced by surprise as she scrutinized Locke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike first-class wizard apprentices, she didn't need tools like the amethyst matrix to gauge an apprentice's mental strength. A brief inspection confirmed Locke's claim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You've progressed faster than I anticipated,\" she said, her voice measured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Locke.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My original plan was for you to reach second-class wizard apprentice in four years. Yet you've done it in one. Even mastering [Poison Berry Shot] took only a third of the time I expected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze sharpened with newfound interest. \"You must possess some latent talent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Such cases aren't unheard of. Wizard aptitude testing methods are constantly improving, but no examination can ever fully map a person's potential.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Occasionally, exceptions slip through.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In my assessment, your actual aptitude far exceeds the academy's evaluation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The academy would never assign me a high-aptitude student willingly, so this is likely an oversight on their part. You've surprised me, Locke.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She fell into brief contemplation. \"In a few days, I'd like to conduct a free bloodline trace examination on you. Would you consent?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Locke nodded immediately. \"Of course, Teacher.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Witch Sophia's tone shifted decisively. \"I've reconsidered. Now that you're a second-class wizard apprentice, you can truly be of use to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come with me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First, extract 500ml of dryad blood and bring it here. We'll brew an anti-curse potion together. With your assistance, the process will be smoother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Locke, circumstances have changed. Your future may extend further than I initially projected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She added, \"I recommend spending 150 magic stones to enroll in the Universal Studies course at the public classrooms. I lack the time to teach such fundamentals myself, but they'll benefit you greatly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for the Magical Plant Breeding course you've wanted, I can instruct you personally, for 500 magic stones. Now that you're second-class, you're also eligible to learn advanced potion-making assistant skills.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Locke agreed eagerly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wesley Durant, who had remained silent until now, whispered to Witch Sophia, \"Congratulations on acquiring a promising student.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I envy you. Holly Tower assigned me several Level 2 aptitude apprentices, utterly useless, not even fit as test subjects.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll never understand why those fossilized elders insist on accepting prospects below Level 3 aptitude. Why can't they raise the admission standards?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Though I never thought you'd take on a student either, Sophia.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Witch Sophia coughed lightly. \"Mind your words, Wesley. My apprentice is present.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1053,"2026-06-05T16:22:57.670Z",1,"novelbin.me","a71ba0325aa882cb9478000bf301e8ff863da03bbad4d58131697cf8b92a422a","wizard-starting-with-synthesized-gems-chapter-37","wizard-starting-with-synthesized-gems-chapter-35",578,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwizard-starting-with-synthesized-gems-cover.jpg"]