In the central district of the port city, within the cluster of wooden buildings that served as Lilith's Cottage's public classroom area, Formal Wizard Urien Rich stood at the lectern delivering his lesson.

Dressed in silver-embroidered wizard robes, he had a floating wizard slate hovering behind him like a screen.

As a formal wizard specializing in the ice magic sub-branch of the evocation school, Urien Rich was explaining basic rune principles.

"Runes and language form a major foundation of occult studies, not the entirety, but a crucial component. You've all studied various ancient language courses before, those were the basics of rune studies. But foundational rune studies are far more complex than what you've previously learned."

"The core objective of this course is to ensure you fledglings master at least the basic rune vocabulary for wind, water, fire, and earth magic, the four fundamental elements."

"Once you grasp these four elemental rune systems, understanding and learning rune studies for other magic disciplines will become significantly easier."

"Thus, this can be considered the bedrock of wizardry."

"Some wizard apprentices become so desperate to advance to second-class that they recklessly focus solely on mental strength growth while neglecting fundamentals. Such individuals rarely achieve favorable outcomes."

Urien Rich spoke in a monotone, seemingly indifferent to how many students could keep up with his pace. His teaching appeared perfunctory, more about fulfilling academy obligations than genuine instruction.

Most of the time, he merely recited textbook passages verbatim, only occasionally offering brief explanations when particularly inspired.

Were it not for Lilith's Cottage's mandatory teaching rotations requiring formal wizards to personally lecture, Urien Rich would likely have told students to self-study from textbooks.

As Urien Rich lectured, Locke diligently took notes, jotting down key points. Some concepts required later review to fully comprehend.

For particularly confusing sections, he could always consult Witch Sophia afterward. She could instantly identify exactly which concepts eluded him or which foundational knowledge he lacked, often tossing him a relevant book to study.

Locke surveyed the classroom. Because Urien Rich taught rapidly and with minimal elaboration, most of Lilith's Cottage's wizard prospects struggled to follow. Only a small minority, those with Level 5 or 6 aptitude, could fully grasp the material.

Their learning efficiency naturally far surpassed that of Locke and others like Lorne.

When class ended, Lorne, seated beside Locke, looked utterly bewildered, practically cross-eyed from confusion. He wasn't alone, many prospects around them had similarly glazed expressions from failing to keep up.

Someone whispered audibly, "It doesn't really matter if you don't understand. Becoming a second-class wizard apprentice just requires learning more spells and reaching 50 mental strength points."

"Being bad at basic rune studies isn't a dealbreaker."

"I've heard many seniors failed this course. We're wizards now, why worry about failing exams?"

Locke recognized the speaker as a Level 2 aptitude prospect.

While basic rune studies didn't directly affect advancement to second-class wizard apprentice, they profoundly impacted one's ability to construct personal magical frameworks.

The polarization begins as early as the first week, Locke realized. Those aiming for formal wizard status can't afford to neglect fundamentals.

Otherwise, how could they independently study spell models instead of forever relying on others' interpretations?

When the mechanical bell signaling class dismissal rang outside, Urien Rich immediately closed his textbook without even perfunctory farewells and strode out, denying students any opportunity to ask questions.

Lilith's Cottage's public courses functioned more like privileges, the instructors cared little about student comprehension. Attend or not, understand or not, it made no difference to them.

After class, many apprentices flocked around the Level 5 and 6 aptitude prospects, begging for notes and explanations.

This service typically cost one or two magic stones.

"Those high-aptitude students have it made," Lorne grumbled, watching a crowd swarm around Everett Levis, a Level 6 aptitude prospect with primary wood element affinity like Locke, and the current batch's top talent.

"Just sitting there earning magic stones without lifting a finger."

From day one, Everett had received Lilith's Cottage's special attention and resources.

Unlike Locke and others, such prospects were treated as insiders even as third-class apprentices.

"But you're lucky too, Locke," Lorne continued. "Your mentor only has you as a student, so you can ask her questions whenever."

"Not even Everett Levis gets constant access to a formal wizard's guidance."

"I heard he's only met his mentor a handful of times."

Lorne sighed. "Meanwhile, I've never even seen Teacher Hamrick Us since enrollment."

"A second-class wizard apprentice handles my training."

Locke shrugged. "That's just how academy assignments work. Want me to ask Witch Sophia to take you on too?"

He joked, of course he'd never make such a presumptuous request. One didn't dictate terms to formal wizards.

Lorne waved frantically. "No no no! That would offend Teacher Hamrick Us!"

"Even though I've never met him, I dare not slight him. At Lilith's Cottage, he's mentored nearly every light magic practitioner to some degree."

Pierre, their neighbor from Dwarf Street and a local with Level 4 aptitude, turned around from his seat ahead. His merchant parents' modest means had landed him in the same affordable housing.

"Did some digging," Pierre said. "Locke, your mentor Witch Sophia only became a formal wizard in the past six months."

"Meaning, just months ago, she was still an academy student herself."

"You getting assigned to her was pure luck. Hey, after you get your private lessons from her, mind sharing your notes? I missed some parts in class."

"Standard rate, one magic stone."

Locke nodded. "Sure, Pierre."

Copying an extra set of notes was trivial.

As for Lorne, Locke met his gaze. Their bond ran deeper as fellow overseas arrivals struggling without magic stones.

Locke had always lent him notes overnight free of charge, a simple courtesy requiring minimal effort.