“This Ogham rune can be tweaked to make my control over the Mandrake Vine more flexible.” In the wizard ship’s cabin, Locke was adjusting the four-dimensional structure of the sixteen Ogham runes forming the [Vine Hand] spell model.

The standard Vine Hand model was universal, suitable for all, but each wizard’s soul and mana were unique, requiring slight rune adjustments to better align the spell with oneself.

This demanded a wizard apprentice’s understanding and proficiency with the spell, plus sufficient foundational magical knowledge.

After surviving the black wizards’ sudden attack, Locke gained new insights into his spell, spending a day in the cabin refining the model.

After adjusting the sixteen Ogham runes, Locke tested it in his room by channeling mana.

Post-test, he put away the small hourglass on his barrel table. “The improved Vine Hand’s response time dropped from 0.2 seconds to 0.1 seconds.”

A blink takes 0.1 to 0.4 seconds, and an average person’s reaction to sudden events is about 0.5 seconds.

Halving Vine Hand’s response time meant faster casting and higher precision control.

Locke glanced at the three Indigo Jade gold rings on his left hand. “But the cost is increased mana consumption for casting Vine Hand.”

Thus, wizard apprentices needed to tailor spell models to their needs.

Most would avoid trading higher mana consumption for faster response, but with ample Indigo Jades, Locke wasn’t concerned.

For him, boosting spell power was the priority.

“The mana stored in the Indigo Jades is depleted. I need to recharge them,” Locke said.

This took time.

Since mana recovery required time, he couldn’t fully drain his mana. He infused half his mana into the Indigo Jades, waited for recovery, then infused again.

Examining an Indigo Jade hidden in a gold ring’s mechanism, Locke noticed cracks in the once-flawless gem.

This indicated Indigo Jades had limited uses, about two to three times, before shattering into useless fragments.

Locke tucked the three Indigo Jades back into their gold ring mechanisms.

Then, he grasped at the air, and the Horadric Cube spun, emitting golden light. A black-red, lustrous jade appeared in his hand.

“Two Level 4 rubies and one Level 4 black onyx. The formula worked.”

Locke read the jade’s entry—

[Rose Red Jade, a rare gem found only deep in gem veins, it activates mental strength. Constantly wearing this jade doubles mental strength growth speed.]

Holding the jade, Locke felt his mental strength surge with vitality.

He could faintly sense his stagnant mental strength growing slowly but steadily.

Raising the Rose Red Jade, Locke noticed a strange gaseous substance inside. This substance seeped into his skin, tainting his mental strength, enhancing it with rose-red, thread-like mist.

It required close observation to notice.

“Since becoming a third-class wizard apprentice, I lacked further study methods, so my mental strength hasn’t grown,” Locke mused. “But with the Rose Red Jade, it’s growing again.”

“With proper study methods, my mental strength growth could outpace that of Level 3 aptitude apprentices.”

Excitement gleamed in Locke’s eyes.

His biggest worry was his wizard aptitude. It took him over two years to become a third-class wizard apprentice.

Higher-aptitude apprentices could achieve this in three months.

But with multiple Rose Red Jades, he could rapidly boost his mental strength.

His future training speed might rival those with higher aptitudes.

Resources could bridge the gap.

Staring at the Rose Red Jade, Locke pondered, “Why does my mental strength grow so fast when it touches the special substance in this jade?”

“What is this substance?”

“No matter. I can’t ask anyone now. I’ll find out eventually.”

He stored the Rose Red Jade in a pre-crafted gold ring, placing it on his right ring finger.

Then, Locke replaced the spent Deep Blue Jades in his left-hand rings with five new ones.

His gem stock was now depleted.

He’d need to visit a market after disembarking to restock gems for synthesizing Rose Red, Indigo, and Deep Blue Jades.

A knock sounded in the below-deck cabin. Lorne’s voice came through.

“Locke, come out quick.”

“The mentors are on our level. It looks like they’re finally assigning us to wizard academies.”

“I hope I can stay at Virdantia University. The wizards from Schleswig’s council told me it’s one of the southeast quadrant’s top comprehensive wizard academies.”

“Many great wizards came from Virdantia.”

Locke opened the door, seeing Lorne’s excitement. The corridor was silent, with many apprentices already standing outside their rooms.

At the wooden staircase to the upper deck, about twenty mentors in various wizard robes stood, including Jarvis from Four Seasons Garden.

Locke, feeling curious, whispered to Lorne, “Which is better, Four Seasons Garden or Virdantia University?”

Lorne’s continent had stronger wizards than Corfu, so he knew more.

Lorne thought carefully, whispering back, “They’re comparable, but Four Seasons Garden specializes in life magic, while Virdantia is a comprehensive magic university.”

“They differ greatly.”

“Forget Four Seasons Garden. They only want prospects with top-tier wood element affinity or exceptional talent in botany or potion-making.”

“Virdantia might accept mid-tier aptitude prospects for less popular magic fields to preserve their traditions.”

Lorne whispered, “The Schleswig wizard council recommended I aim for Virdantia’s evocation school light magic or life magic botany branches.”

“Their light magic is average, prioritizing Level 4 aptitude or higher, so it’s a long shot unless I’m lucky.”

“My main goal is their botany branch.”

“Virdantia’s botany is weaker, so Level 3 aptitude prospects might get in with luck.”

“You mentioned helping a teacher craft a potion before boarding. That’s a big achievement.”

Lorne added enviously, “You might have a shot at Virdantia’s botany branch.”

“The wizards from our continents were sent by Virdantia, so we get priority for their selection unless they reject us. Other white wizard organizations can’t choose us over Virdantia.”

“That’s our advantage.”

“Virdantia is one of the quadrant’s most prestigious academies.”

Lorne added, “This applies to us from mortal worlds. I heard native wizard world prospects have different standards. It’s more complex.”

“Some local prospects with Level 2 or 3 aptitude in Virdantia’s regions are directly recruited as their own.”

In the corridor, Locke asked curiously, “What’s Virdantia’s strongest magic field?”

Lorne smiled, whispering, “I knew you’d ask.”

“We can only dream. Those fields require at least Level 6 aptitude, even for locals. No exceptions.”

“Virdantia’s top fields are two: evocation school lightning magic and transmutation school shapeshifting.”

“Besides those ace fields, they have other strong ones, including potion-making.”

Lorne whispered, “The mentors are coming. Let’s stay quiet.”

“Good luck getting a good academy.”