Beneath the deck of the ship, in the corridor, a young wizard clad in a gray robe embroidered with golden threads cast an indifferent glance at Locke and Lorne. Behind him trailed over a dozen wizard prospects with Level 3 aptitude.

"I am the admissions teacher for Virdantia University this year."

"Are you two Locke from Corfu Island and Lorne from Schleswig Continent?"

Lorne responded immediately, "Yes, I am Lorne, and this is Locke Augustine."

The admissions teacher of Virdantia University, Gregor Jackson, nodded dismissively. "I've reviewed both of your files. Among Level 3 aptitude apprentices, your records are decent. Follow me."

Lorne asked hesitantly, "Respected teacher, which magical discipline will we study at Virdantia University?"

Earlier, he had noticed that Virdantia University's admissions teacher would inform accepted students about their assigned magical disciplines upon enrollment. But this time was different, Gregor merely asked them a few perfunctory questions and ordered them to follow without further explanation.

Locke frowned slightly at the teacher's odd demeanor.

His suspicion deepened when he noticed a blue-haired girl standing beside Gregor, who glanced at them disdainfully and seemed on the verge of speaking but held back.

Gregor ignored Lorne's question and strode ahead without elaboration.

Locke tugged at Lorne and whispered, "Let's follow first and see what happens."

Lorne muttered under his breath, "Locke, something feels off."

Locke replied, "I think we might have become pawns in some kind of exchange. Look at that girl beside the teacher, she’s also a wizard prospect, but she’s wearing another wizard organization’s emblem. Yet she’s following Virdantia University’s admissions teacher."

"That’s probably why we’re being treated strangely."

"Let’s observe for now. Either way, we’ll end up somewhere."

Lorne clenched his fists but said nothing. He had never imagined that his hopeful expectations would be disrupted by an unfamiliar wizard prospect. Silently, he prayed that their guess was wrong.

Gregor led them through the corridor to an elderly witch dressed in tattered green robes, clearly an admissions teacher from another wizard organization.

Yuri Burns, the recruiter for Lilith’s Cottage, narrowed her eyes at the blue-haired girl beside Gregor and snapped, "Ruxin, you’ve already signed a contract with Lilith’s Cottage. You are our student. Why are you with Virdantia University’s people?"

The blue-haired girl, Ruxin, shrank back guiltily, avoiding Yuri’s gaze.

Gregor interjected coolly, "To be precise, the contract hasn’t been formalized yet. So, Ruxin isn’t technically your student."

"Witch Burns, I’d like to discuss this with you. I wish to invite Ruxin to study potion-making at Virdantia University."

"With her Level 6 aptitude, she’s more than qualified for our potion-making program. I’ve even offered her a generous magic stone scholarship and priority access to three wizard secret realms in the future."

"I believe it was unfair of you to hastily secure her for Lilith’s Cottage yesterday, especially when she wasn’t fully aware of the differences between our institutions."

Yuri’s expression darkened, her large nose twisting with fury. "So what? Ruxin is a wizard prospect cultivated by Lilith’s Cottage in the mortal world."

"According to the White Wizard Association’s rules, we have priority rights to her. This right has nothing to do with her personal wishes. Besides, potion-making is one of our ace fields, comparable to yours."

"Gregor, are you trying to break the rules?"

Her voice turned dangerous as she drew a vial of black, unidentified potion from her robe, her gaze menacing.

Gregor tensed at the sight of the potion, Lilith’s Cottage’s expertise in potion-making meant the vial could contain anything, even a deadly curse.

Keeping his composure, he replied, "This isn’t just my decision. It’s also the will of our Dean Hal."

Yuri’s hand froze.

Gregor pressed on, "The Dean asked me to relay this, Lilith’s Cottage is already locked in a deadly war with the black wizard organization Blood Curse Court, suffering heavy losses. If you relinquish Ruxin to us, we will expedite the White Wizard Association’s support for your cause."

Yuri’s eyes burned with rage. "Damn you vultures, exploiting our plight."

Gregor shrugged. "It’s merely a fair exchange."

"Additionally, we’re willing to compensate further. We’ll cede seven Level 3 aptitude wizard prospects originally assigned to Virdantia University to Lilith’s Cottage, free of charge."

"Of course, all meet your organization’s standards."

"Here’s the list…"

Locke and Lorne scanned the document and found their names at the top. Evidently, they were among the most promising Level 3 prospects in this batch.

They had become bargaining chips for Virdantia University to trade for Ruxin.

Lorne seethed, whispering to Locke, "How can they do this? Virdantia University is the best wizard organization. Lilith’s Cottage is at least two tiers below it."

Locke shrugged silently.

The best wasn’t necessarily the most suitable.

Virdantia University was vast, with both exceptional and mediocre magical disciplines. Enrollment there didn’t guarantee success.

Its strongest magical fields were irrelevant to them.

In contrast, they, especially Locke and Lorne, seemed to fit Lilith’s Cottage’s standards perfectly. Joining might not be a bad thing.

Still, Locke glanced at Gregor and Ruxin, irritation simmering.

He refused to be a mere tool for someone else’s convenience.

But without becoming a formal wizard, he had no voice.

For now, he could only wait.

Only by ascending to formal wizard status could he ever challenge this injustice.