Without much hesitation, Lynn headed straight for the section on detection spells.

Thanks to the school’s education, the offensive, defensive, and binding spells he had chosen earlier, Exploding Fireball, Lamp’s Defensive Field, and Green Vine Technique were all general-purpose spells.

Now that he had successfully advanced to First-Rank Apprentice, their power had also risen to the Zero Ring high-grade level. There was no need to discard them.

Only his other types of spells still lingered at the mid-grade Zero Ring level, and those needed to be updated.

As for concealment, he was blessed with the natural talent of Lucky, so the only real shortcoming left was in detection.

Should I look for a general-purpose spell usable even at the First-Rank Wizard stage? Or perhaps one like the Golden Mist Phantom, with extensions into the First Ring…

Lynn pondered inwardly, but soon recalled the words of the library administrator.

First-Rank Apprentices were already the backbone of the school. They would face many dangers and needed to devote more effort to their spellcraft…

That view was completely different from what he’d been taught when he advanced to Second-Rank Apprentice.

Back then, Chris had emphasized in Rank that apprentices should spend as little time as possible on spell-learning. The simpler the better, preferably general-purpose spells just enough to keep one’s combat power at the average standard.

Lynn considered carefully.

In truth, what Chris and the library administrator had said were not contradictory. The difference lay only in the stage they applied to.

*If all goes smoothly, in another two months I’ll head to the Silver Ring Academy… advancing to First-Rank Wizard in the short term is impossible.

*Which means, for this period, I’ll need to devote serious effort to spells.

*After all, my original trump card, the White Crow Swordsmanship, which barely reached Zero Ring high-grade power, has not improved much after my advancement to First-Rank Apprentice.

*That knowledge is already falling behind my current level.

As for things like Exploding Fireball, while they’re useful, they can’t really be considered trump cards.

General-purpose spells, once pushed to their maximum effect, usually fell slightly short of, or at best equaled, ordinary spells of the same Ring and grade.

Take Exploding Fireball, for example: it was a spell that even a Second-Rank Apprentice could learn.

At the Second-Rank stage, its power was very decent, and it could be rated as “fine quality.”

At the First-Rank stage, though its power still reached the Zero Ring high-grade level, it was only on par with an ordinary high-grade Zero Ring spell.

The fundamental reason lay in spell structures at lower levels, which were relatively simple.

But simplicity also meant limited and weaker effects.

There were only so many spells that could manage to be both simple and highly effective.

Only a very few general-purpose spells could remain outstanding at every stage.

Of course, there was another kind of spell, somewhere in between spells that managed to maintain strong effects while also reducing the learning burden.

The Golden Mist Phantom was one of them. Its logic resembled meditation techniques.

At the First-Rank Apprentice stage, one would build the basic framework of the spell. Then, at the First-Rank Wizard stage, additional complex structures could be layered on top.

In this way, both the power and the need to relearn would be minimized.

*The power system of wizard civilization is, in some ways, similar to science in my past life, rigorous, objective… It’s nearly impossible to have everything at once.

*If you want a spell that’s comprehensive, powerful, and low in energy consumption, then its structure behind the scenes must be both complex and efficient.

*As for those clichés of wild apprentices suddenly acquiring some so-called “secret spellbook” and being able to fight a First-Rank Wizard, that kind of thing rarely happens.

Far more likely, the wild apprentice simply wouldn’t even understand the secret method like me with the Black Moon Spirit Body, which I still haven’t managed to begin…

As Lynn mused, his eyes suddenly caught on an interesting detection spell

“Serpent Sense.”

Its description read: Simulates the sensory capabilities of snakes, including heat detection, vibration sensitivity, and heightened sense of smell.

Just as many technologies in his past world had been inspired by animal research, many wizard spells were created in the same way.

*This Serpent Sense spell combines three effects: vision, smell, and touch, covering nearly half of all detection spell categories.

And since I already have Wind Listening and Hawk Eye, they complement it perfectly, filling in its gaps… This detection spell clearly suits me well!

Lynn did not rush. He carefully looked through all the other ordinary-quality spells, and once he confirmed that none suited him better than Serpent Sense, he redeemed it on the spot.

*Detection spells should be enough for now. The next priority in this period is to earn contribution points and redeem the most important First-Rank Apprentice spell flight magic, the Golden Mist Phantom.

*After that, I’ll see if I can acquire more superior offensive or defensive spells.

*And then there’s still the Black Moon Spirit Body… My spirit has already advanced to First-Rank Apprentice, but my physical body, pushed to its limit by White Crow Swordsmanship, still lingers at the Second-Rank level.

*If I don’t manage to begin this secret method while still an apprentice, then unless I continue cultivating my body afterwards, the widening gap between my spirit and my body will make entry increasingly difficult.

Yet cultivating the body in parallel would consume enormous energy. It’s not practical.

...

“Congratulations, Lynn… I still remember you talking to me not long ago about advancing to First-Rank Apprentice. I didn’t expect that in such a short time, you would already succeed.”

In the front yard of Lynn’s residence, Lucas handed over the gift he’d brought to Adeline and offered his heartfelt congratulations.

“Your talent among the entire Hossens School must surely rank near the top!”

Lynn expressed his thanks, then glanced behind him and asked,

“Senior Martin isn’t with you? Didn’t he come along?”

“He seems to still be busy with work. There are a lot of chores in the City Administration Office,” Lucas replied, then asked,

“Now that you’ve advanced, I suppose the next step is the Gold-Thorn Apprentice assessment… What do you think? Do you have confidence in passing?”

Lynn smiled, pointing to the badge on his chest, the insignia of a Gold-Thorn Apprentice.

“Senior Lucas, you might not have heard. The school recently added new rules to the apprentice system.

“Because I advanced from Third-Rank to First-Rank in a relatively short time, I was exempted from the assessment. I already have Gold-Thorn Apprentice status.”

Lucas froze for a moment, only then noticing the emblem pinned to Lynn’s chest.

Though it was the same gold color as his own Silver-Thorn badge, both representing the rank of First-Rank Apprentice, the inverted triangular Gold-Thorn badge was edged with curling thorns, far more intricate and finely crafted.

“…Congratulations, Lynn,” Lucas said at last, though his eyes betrayed undisguised envy.

After all, who wouldn’t want to become a Gold-Thorn Apprentice?

With that title came greater resources, higher standing, and a significantly greater chance of becoming a full First-Rank Wizard compared to Silver-Thorns.

Unfortunately, he was already too old to qualify for Gold-Thorn.

With a sigh in his heart, Lucas went on,

“I took too many wrong turns along the way. For me, Gold-Thorn is impossible.

“But I still want to contend for the Silver-Thorn name.

“I’ve already applied for a long-term assignment to the Emerald Avenue outpost. The conditions there are harsh, filled with beasts, but it’s the perfect place for live combat training.

“And once Emerald Avenue is fully established, the supply of magic energy at the outpost will even surpass that of the school.”

His tone was resolute, and the envy in his eyes quietly faded.

There would always be people better, luckier than oneself, but that wasn’t what mattered. What mattered was focusing on one’s own path.

Lucas wasn’t yet forty years old. He still had twenty years before his body began its natural decline at sixty.

Theoretically, he still had a chance to break through to First-Rank Wizard.

Lucas intended to fight for it.

Noticing the shift in Lucas’s expression, Lynn smiled and said,

“Then let me wish you success in advance, Senior.”

His long-term friendship with Lucas wasn’t only due to their past connection in the Golden Shadow Society.

He genuinely appreciated certain qualities in this middle-aged man’s character.

After a moment’s thought, Lynn also asked Lucas to keep an eye out for any news of Light-Absorbing Black Stones.

After all, the two pieces he had previously obtained had been discovered at the Emerald Avenue outpost.

Since Lucas would soon be stationed there permanently, he might well come across them again.

It was only a small favor, and Lucas readily agreed.

A while later, Martin and Serena arrived one after the other.

Only Leah had yet to appear.

But she wasn’t late for long. Just after the meal began, the young girl finally hurried in.

“Sorry, Senior Lynn, something delayed me,” Leah said, visibly embarrassed.

“It’s fine,” Lynn replied with a smile.

“Senior Lynn, you’ve already passed the Gold-Thorn assessment?” Leah asked, glancing at the badge on his chest.

“Yes,” Lynn nodded, briefly explaining the exemption, then motioned for her to sit.

Leah nodded and took her seat. She seemed as if she wanted to say something, but in the end kept it to herself.

Once I’ve passed the Gold-Thorn assessment, then I’ll tell him…

The truth was, the reason she’d been late today was that her own Gold-Thorn Apprentice assessment had been scheduled that very morning.

After all she had experienced, Leah had grown weary and even fearful of scheming and intrigue.

Especially after Lynn had left the Security Department, she realized that patrol work was not as exciting as she had once imagined.

She couldn’t change anything…

And she knew she could never be as sharp or as cautious as Lynn.

Too often, she failed to see the truth of things, just like during the Sokol Society incident.

If not for Lynn, she would have remained in the dark, never realizing she had condemned innocents by mistake.

Leah disliked that feeling. She wanted a solution.

And she had found one

That solution was to grow stronger.

It was a lesson she had learned from Lynn himself.

He was indeed sharp and indeed cautious, but his greatest wisdom lay in the fact that he had never stopped climbing upward.

That was the principle he had always impressed upon her.

And so, Leah, too, had chosen to take part in the Gold-Thorn Apprentice assessment.

...

Since Lynn had only invited a handful of close friends, the gathering carried a warm and easygoing atmosphere.

And with Adeline serving up Earth-style dishes she had recreated under Lynn’s guidance, the mood of the banquet rose to an even higher pitch!

The only exception was Martin, the lone Third-Rank Apprentice present. He seemed rather uneasy.

Throughout the meal, he spoke little, only eating and drinking with his head down.

The joy he had shown a few months ago, when he first returned to the school, was almost gone from his face. He seemed to have reverted to that old, half-drunken, despondent state of his, and even quieter than before.

Though Lucas was usually a carefree sort, even he sensed Martin’s unusual mood. He threw an arm around his friend’s shoulder and teased with a grin:

“Why so gloomy? Did work give you trouble? I’m a First-Rank Apprentice now. If you beg me, I might just help you settle it.”

Martin was touched by the gesture. He forced a grin, pushed down his complicated feelings, and cursed:

“Get lost!”

Lucas only chuckled. After nearly thirty years of friendship, he took no offense at Martin’s words, pretending instead to be indignant as he cursed back.

None of them noticed the confusion hidden deep in Martin’s eyes.

All three of them had once been “eliminated apprentices.”

But now Lynn was a Gold-Thorn Apprentice, Lucas a Silver-Thorn, and both had advanced successfully to First-Rank Apprentices.

As for him… before the reforms, he had only been a peripheral member. After the reforms, he had not even managed to qualify as a Copper-Thorn Apprentice. He was a peripheral among peripherals.

Though technically still part of the Hossens School, in truth, his standing in its ever-growing ranks was hardly better than back when he belonged to the Golden Shadow Society.

Junior Lynn has at least a fifty-percent chance of advancing to First-Rank Wizard… and even Lucas looks like he might have a faint hope…

Melancholy welled in Martin’s heart as he poured down several cups of wine. At last, drunkenly, he muttered:

“After this gathering, Junior Lynn will be going deeper into the school for advanced studies. Lucas, you’ll be stationed long-term at Emerald Avenue… Who knows when we’ll meet again?”

On the surface, he was speaking of distance and time. But what he truly meant was status.

He knew very well that the difference in position would, with the passing of time, gradually wear away all their bonds.

Lynn and Lucas were destined to go farther and higher.

He, however, felt as though he had been left behind back on the school’s hillside of nineteen years ago, beneath that old silver-thorn tree.

Lynn could not later recall exactly how he had answered Martin.

He only remembered that the evening breeze was cool, carrying the scent of summer’s approach; that the darkening sky bore a bright full moon, so much like the one from his past life.

He had tilted his head back, downed a few more cups of wine, and drifted into a muddled sleep.

By the time he came to, the official list of Gold-Thorn Apprentices had already been published.

Lynn moved once more, this time into the school’s inner grounds, to the residential district reserved for First-Rank Gold-Thorn Apprentices.

...

Morning. In the school’s compound, a small stone plaza.

The Gold-Thorn Apprentices were gathering one after another.

On this day, Wizard Anderson would deliver their very first lesson as newly appointed Gold-Thorns.

Among the crowd, Leah stood in her white robe, pale-blue eyes scanning the assembly.

“Leah, who are you looking for?” asked Caroline, the girl beside her.

“It’s nothing,” Leah shook her head. But just then, a familiar voice called out a greeting.

“Leah?”

She turned quickly, her face lighting up with a bright smile. “Senior Lynn!”

Caroline was surprised by her reaction.

Though she hadn’t known Leah for long, the girl had always seemed especially calm and mature. This was the first time Caroline had ever seen her show such an expression.

Following Leah’s gaze, Caroline saw a handsome young man with medium-length black hair and light-gray eyes that held a quiet depth, like the still, expansive gray skies of autumn.

Perhaps realizing Leah’s thoughts, Lynn looked a bit puzzled. Leah quickly explained,

“After I passed the assessment, I wanted to tell you, Senior. But every time I came by, you weren’t home. Leaving a letter felt a little strange, so…”

“It’s fine. Congratulations on becoming a Gold-Thorn Apprentice,” Lynn shook his head with a smile.

After that gathering, he had been busy earning contribution points to redeem the Golden Mist Phantom, spending most of his time away from home. It was only natural that Leah hadn’t found him.

After a few more brief words, Lynn stepped forward, moving to the area reserved for First-Rank Gold-Thorn Apprentices at the front.

“Leah, who is that…?” Caroline asked curiously, watching his back.

“A remarkable senior,” Leah answered.

“More remarkable than Samuel?” Caroline pressed.

Samuel was a genius wizard of their generation, the descendant of a First-Rank Wizard within the Hossens School.

He had advanced to First-Rank Apprentice at the age of ten. Now, at fifteen, it was said he was already preparing to advance to a full First-Rank Wizard!

Leah frowned slightly, choosing not to answer the question.

Of course, she believed Lynn was stronger, but she was unwilling to place him in a comparison.

Caroline did not press further.

Because at that moment, Wizard Anderson arrived.

The Second-Rank Wizard descended from the sky, landing at the front of the crowd.

The previously noisy plaza immediately fell silent.

Anderson swept his gaze across the apprentices and spoke:

“Since everyone is here, the lesson officially begins.”

He first explained all the matters that came with becoming a Gold-Thorn Apprentice, benefits, future arrangements, and the elimination system.

The greatest benefit, aside from things like magic energy supplies, was the annual opportunity to study at the Silver Ring Academy.

The exchange period lasted from August 1st to December 1st every year, a full four months spent at Silver Ring Academy, during which the apprentices were expected to fully comply with its systems and teachings.

It was worth noting that this opportunity was reserved only for First-Rank and Second-Rank Gold-Thorn Apprentices. Third-Rank Gold-Thorns were not included.

Anderson explained that this was partly because Third-Rank Gold-Thorns were generally too young, but more importantly.

Third-Rank Apprentices were too weak, lacking the ability to withstand the dangers that might arise within Silver Ring Academy.

Lynn immediately caught the key point in Anderson’s words… Silver Ring Academy was not safe.

It seemed that beyond opportunities, there were also many hidden dangers.

As for the internal arrangements for Gold-Thorns, they did not differ too much from the school’s usual system, with mostly compulsory courses.

For First-Rank Apprentices, however, there was the addition of monthly practical training courses. These usually took the form of mandatory missions, meant to hone their combat ability while also helping to shoulder the school’s burdens.

The elimination system would be determined by a comprehensive scoring mechanism.

The score took into account two main factors: evaluations from course instructors and mentors, and the apprentice’s grades in their respective courses.

Every three months, a review would be conducted. The apprentice who ranked last among all Gold-Thorns from First-Rank down to Third-Rank would be eliminated.

Only after a year could they reapply for Gold-Thorn status, and the assessment at that time would be different.

After covering these points, Anderson moved to today’s true focus.

“Next, I will explain the rules for selecting the Gold-Thorns.

“First: regardless of how many Gold-Thorn Apprentices there are, the title of ‘Gold-Thorn’ is limited to three individuals.

“Second: the Gold-Thorn title is valid for only one year.

“Every year on this date, June 24th, a new selection is held.

“As for the rules of selection…” Anderson paused here, his tone dropping slightly.

“There is only one standard: actual combat.

“And let me be clear, by combat, I do not mean sparring. Aside from a few restricted items, there are no limits to the means used. Injury, maiming, even death are all permitted in this combat!

“Of course, I will be observing from the side and will do my best to ensure your survival… But remember, I said do my best, not guarantee.”

The moment his words fell, the nearly three hundred Gold-Thorn Apprentices present, most of whom had grown up within the Hossens School, were struck dumb with shock.

Never before had Hossens School adopted such a brutal selection method.

In the past, comparisons of strength between apprentices were mostly made indirectly through tasks such as hunting magical beasts, where performance could be measured.

Even when apprentices dueled, the fights had always been limited sparring matches that stopped short of true harm.

But now, it would be direct combat, cruel, with real risk of life and death!

Anderson watched the whispering crowd, his expression grim.

He had never been fond of the reforms Master Hossens had implemented for the apprentice system.

And now, these Gold-Thorn selection rules, personally decreed by Master Hossens, left him even more bewildered.

Earlier that very day, he had gone to ask Hossens about it.

The reply was brief and heavy:

“Anderson, when I founded the Hossens School, I never intended to raise a pack of man-eating wolves, but neither did I intend to raise a flock of tame sheep. The time left to us is not much.”

The first part, Anderson could just about understand.

But the second… what did it mean, time is not much?

When he pressed Hossens further, the man did not answer, only giving instructions to carry out his orders.

Suppressing his unease, Anderson continued,

“In the coming period, I will establish a dueling arena here in the plaza, where the Gold-Thorn selection battles will take place.

“Now, those who wish to contend for the title of Gold-Thorn may step forward to register.”

As he spoke, he looked toward the thirty-some First-Rank Gold-Thorn Apprentices gathered in the front row.

The Gold-Thorn title was restricted to three individuals, with no limit on apprentice rank.

But the nature of the selection already made it clear:

In the end, those three seats would come from among the thirty First-Rank Gold-Thorn Apprentices standing before him.

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/AetherTL