Locke realized the wizard ship’s deck held dozens of other wizard prospects besides them.

The deck was vast, so even with dozens of people, it didn’t feel crowded.

Most had strong mental energy, many surpassing Locke’s mana.

Locke calmed himself. His Level 3 aptitude was decent on Corfu Island but ordinary on this southeast quadrant wizard ship.

The ship likely carried prospects with Level 4, 5, or even 6 and 7 aptitudes.

One of the three ship wizards, holding Locke’s group’s files, flipped through them and said, “I’m your mentor managing your life on this ship. Until you’re assigned to academies and disembark, follow my orders.”

“Now, I’ll test your mana and spells.”

“First, Locke Augustine, attack my amethyst matrix with your spell at full strength.”

“Confirming, Locke Augustine, you’re sixteen, correct?”

Locke nodded. “Yes, Mentor.”

He pinched a wildflower in his left hand, whispered a spell, and the flower withered instantly.

From under his right coat sleeve, five Mandrake Vine branches emerged, wrapping around the amethyst matrix like fingers, causing ripples on its surface.

The matrix displayed two numbers: [18, 0.2].

The mentor announced, “Mental strength 18, Vine Hand potency 0.2 circle.”

“Learning time: two years. Wizard aptitude: Level 3. Primary affinity: wood element. Secondary affinity: metal element. Next.”

Locke looked at the amethyst matrix, realizing it was the tool Dean Tongus mentioned for measuring mana precisely.

His mental strength was 18.

Per Tongus, the minimum for a third-class wizard apprentice was 10. His 18 was likely due to mastering two trick spells.

Next, Patty tested, using Scorching Spark on the matrix.

A wave of flame surged, and the matrix showed [10, 0.1].

This meant Patty’s mana was 10, and her Scorching Spark was only 0.1 circle.

Patty stepped aside, her face grim. Locke consoled her, “It’s okay, Patty. Your spell’s potency is likely above 0.1 circle, just not quite at 0.2.”

Patty smiled faintly. “I think so too.”

“Thanks, Locke.”

Then Kode tested. Having no spells, the mentors had him place his palm on the matrix and channel mana, resulting in a single number: [7].

Kode paled. He thought he was close to casting his first spell, but the minimum mental strength for a trick spell was 10.

His 7 meant he was still far off.

The mentor said, “Kode, 15 years old, Level 1 wizard aptitude, primary affinity: water element, secondary affinity: wind element.”

“Testing complete.”

“The ship’s rooms are divided into seven types, based on wizard aptitude. Level 1 prospects stay in the lowest deck. Level 3 and below stay below the main deck.”

“Level 4 and above can stay in rooms above the deck.”

“I’ll explain this once. Find your rooms based on your aptitude.”

“And one reminder, the Endless Mysterious Sea is dangerous. Don’t wander without reason.”

Locke glanced at Patty and Kode, surprised. Due to Tongus, he’d planned to stay near them.

But the ship’s dorms were stratified by aptitude, dividing people into categories with different treatment from the start.

Kode said regretfully, “Mentors, can’t we stay together? We’re friends from the same continent.”

The three mentors ignored them and left.

The mentors murmured among themselves.

One said to the lead mentor, “Jarvis, wasn’t that kid’s spell, Vine Hand, your specialty?”

“Why’s he using Mandrake Vine? It’s outdated, replaced by Tiflo Root Vine.”

“There are advanced spells for Vine Hand, but with Mandrake, he’ll need to unlearn and relearn later.”

Jarvis glanced at him silently.

The third mentor sneered. “That’s how it is with prospects from small places. Their spells are decades behind. He’s from Corfu Island, right?”

“There, mortals see wizards as legends.”

“Their Seven Gods faith was spread by southeast quadrant formal wizards.”

“Souls of mortals believing in the Seven Gods, crafted by formal wizards, are locked. After death, they’re funneled into soul prisons as experimental materials.”

“That’s the power of formal wizards. Will I ever become one?”

Jarvis looked at him scornfully. “Dali, you talk too much. With your Level 4 aptitude, do you think you’ll become a formal wizard?”

“You’re lucky to have come this far.”

“Don’t be greedy.”

“You!” Dali glared at Jarvis but suppressed his anger. Jarvis, a first-class wizard apprentice in the Four Seasons Garden’s life magic school, plant magic branch, was close to formal wizard status with a Level 6 aptitude.

Dali feared crossing someone destined to become a formal wizard.

Overhearing the mentors, Locke learned that the southeast quadrant’s Vine Hand spell had upgraded its vine seed.

No matter. Locke steadied his mood, gazing at the wondrous deck of the wizard ship.

He’d take it step by step.

He could later replace it with a superior vine, or perhaps not.

With the Horadric Synthesis Cube, he could enhance the Mandrake Vine’s quality through synthesis.

Locke, Patty, and Kode parted ways on the deck, heading to rooms based on their aptitudes.

Kode descended through a dark passage to the damp, dark lowest deck.

Patty went to the second-lowest level.

Locke, with Level 3 aptitude, stayed just below the main deck, where rooms had windows with some sunlight, less dampness, and minimal mold.

Most rooms on this level were empty, so Locke picked one and settled in.

The room was elliptical, like living inside a barrel, likely to save space or fit the ship’s structure.

A glass window on the left wooden wall showed the stormy sea and gray sky outside.

The wooden bed, atop a circular barrel-like platform, had clean blankets, mattresses, and pillows of soft cotton and goose down.

It was surprisingly comfortable.

Locke sat on the bed to rest. The wizard ship had many islands to visit, so disembarking was far off.

He could relax here.

But soon, arguing voices came from the corridor.

“Why can’t I, a third-class wizard apprentice, stay on this level? My mental strength is 14, far above the third-class threshold!”

“The lowest deck is for mortals. I’m different! I deserve this level!”