[{"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-8":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},1265078,1693,"Chapter 8: Level 4 Synthesized Item: Deep Blue Jade","wizard-starting-with-synthesized-gems-chapter-8",8,"\u003Cp>Locke returned to his dormitory at dusk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dorm was quieter than the morning, as nearby rooms, occupied by Anjouans, had emptied over the past few days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those students had been forced to leave the academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Frankish Empire conquering Anjou, Aurelian Academy’s annual intake would drop by at least a seventh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alone in his dorm, Locke opened the first book and read avidly through the night, enthralled and enlightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was his introduction to the wizarding world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a simple bread dinner, Locke retrieved the Level 4 synthesized item from the Horadric Cube.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, he had synthesized a Level 3 ring using a gold ring, ruby, and sapphire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also synthesized a fist-sized Level 3 ruby from three rubies and several Level 2 sapphires into three Level 3 sapphires.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selling a few could easily cover Aurelian’s tuition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, it was time to synthesize a Level 4 item.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Locke noticed the cube didn’t prompt him to synthesize a Level 5 item.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a mortal, Level 4 was his current limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Level 4 sapphire was smaller, only fingernail-sized, shaped like a pearl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Level 4 Sapphire (Deep Blue Jade), a peculiar gem from deep veins, with mental fluctuation stabilization (filtering) properties. Jewelry made from it, worn constantly, stabilizes the wearer’s mental state.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Locke paused, examining the gem. “As expected, Level 4 items aren’t ordinary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This sapphire stabilizes mental fluctuations subtly. I don’t know its full use yet, but I can have a jeweler craft it into a ring.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the Horadric Cube’s power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Locke thought, “With the cube, I’ll never lack high-grade materials, a major asset in the wizarding world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve escaped gold coin poverty, though I’ve racked up magic stone debts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the nine thick tomes, he mused, “This is the reward for my gamble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I hadn’t deduced the Outstanding Graduate quota’s existence, I’d likely be packing to leave, never touching the wizarding world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Outside, I’d rely on the cube, posing as a famed gem craftsman in Corfu’s mortal society, dying as dust in a century.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But now, everything’s different.” Locke eyed the books, reflecting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With the Outstanding Graduate status, I’m safe at Aurelian, free from survival worries. My only task is to study.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But rest is part of studying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With history class tomorrow, Locke closed the book in the late night, collapsed into bed, and fell into a sweet dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, Aurelian Academy, history classroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor Alder entered with a dark expression, slamming his materials on the podium. Many students, eager for drama, focused on Locke and the few remaining Anjouans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Angel’s face was deathly pale, like paper, her eyes flickering with resentment toward Locke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She believed Alder’s anger targeted Locke for refusing to work in his office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other students, privy to rumors, awaited the spectacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cohen Julian, son of a Frankish earl, whispered to his two stout lackeys, “Today’s a show. Those Anjouans, especially Locke, will be expelled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the podium, Alder’s grim gaze swept the room, lingered on Locke, then shifted venomously to another student. “Last quiz results are out. Some didn’t study at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Abysmal scores.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This semester, I’m raising the history course passing standard. Anyone averaging below the passing line fails unless you use free time after class to copy textbooks in my office.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Earn performance points.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only then will I let you pass.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alder adjusted his monocle. “But I must commend one student, Locke Augustine from Anjou, whose scores have greatly improved. Learn from him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Class begins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alder’s words stunned many, sparking whispers, especially from Angel and Cohen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Angel, shocked, stood instinctively, then sat back, realizing her outburst was impolite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her status diminished, she relied on working for Alder to stay without paying fees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But, confused, she stared at Locke, lips trembling on her pale face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why wasn’t this like what Alder said in his office? Wasn’t he supposed to expel Locke publicly to show Anjouans the consequences of refusing him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why the change?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regret flashed across Angel’s face. Weak and dizzy, she realized something was off, even if slow to catch on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I’d listened to Locke and avoided Alder’s office, would I be like him now?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In another corner, Cohen’s eyes narrowed in confusion. “What’s going on? How did that lowly Anjouan, Locke, turn things around?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why is Alder sparing a landless earl’s son?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not entirely a wastrel, Cohen grew silent, wary, and hesitant to provoke Locke further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In class, Locke listened to Alder’s lecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing the academy’s truth, he found Alder’s tales of the seven kingdoms’ ancient history intriguing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chaotic era before the seven kingdoms, with hundreds of small states, bore traces of wizard influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Likely, each state had at least one wizard behind it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Locke thought, “Tongus must have informed Alder I joined the secret society.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But why is Alder boldly targeting other students in class? He’s growing reckless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Like a drowning man clutching at straws. Why is he so desperate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Locke shook his head, focusing on the lecture. It no longer concerned him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a wizard prospect, he was no longer the academy’s bottom-tier fodder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alder likely wouldn’t dare touch him now. It was irrelevant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Locke attended history class for two reasons: to conceal his wizard ties, as Tongus required him to attend mandatory classes normally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, Alder’s history was a basic general knowledge course for the wizarding world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, Locke needed to study it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking up, he saw Patty Aisa, seated in front, turn and silently mouth, “Congrats, noble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t expect you to pass.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re society members now. Afternoon meeting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Locke smiled at the blonde girl, who grinned like a friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was accepted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made sense; the academy had few wizard prospects.\u003C\u002Fp>",944,"2026-06-05T16:22:57.670Z",1,"novelbin.me","a48417bf4e4bcbebc9d51c77caefa8c8f291a6c776ceb6926b6f8a230e7b86d4","wizard-starting-with-synthesized-gems-chapter-9","wizard-starting-with-synthesized-gems-chapter-7",578,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwizard-starting-with-synthesized-gems-cover.jpg"]