After instructing the dwarf servants to clean his room, Locke stepped outside. Despite a year of effort, he still hadn't escaped his magic stone poverty.

There was no helping it, his primary focus had been on increasing his mana and mastering two spells, alongside attending the three public courses and Witch Sophia's classes. He simply hadn't had the energy to spare for anything else.

Moreover, for a third-class wizard apprentice, selling specially synthesized plants, seeds, or gems would be suicidal. The risks of drawing unwanted attention were too high.

This was precisely why Locke was eager to advance to second-class wizard apprentice and learn the Magical Plant Breeding course from Witch Sophia.

After a year at Lilith's Cottage, Locke had come to understand certain realities. A third-class wizard apprentice was only slightly stronger than an ordinary human, incapable of contributing much value to the academy.

But second-class wizard apprentices were different.

They could perform meaningful tasks for the academy, maintaining magical resources, assisting mentors as potion-making or breeding assistants, and more.

As for first-class wizard apprentices, they even had independent laboratories at Lilith's Cottage. They could stand on their own in many fields, creating profitable outputs. From this rank onward, they were considered core members of the academy.

Second-class wizard apprentices formed the solid foundation of Lilith's Cottage.

At noon, Locke hurried to his mentor's cottage.

Along the way, he noticed unfamiliar wizard apprentices crowding Dwarf Street. After a moment's thought, he realized their purpose, they were likely here to peddle loan contracts to desperate prospects struggling to advance to second-class wizard apprentice.

Through this past year, Locke had learned that while the black wizard world operated on slavery and primitive societal structures, white wizard society was capitalist to its core.

In Lilith's Cottage's city, enforcement patrols prohibited wizard apprentices from killing each other or using spells to persecute ordinary humans. But all forms of trade went entirely unchecked.

This meant wizard apprentices could easily exploit their status and economic advantage to pressure mortals into signing contracts, turning them into test subjects.

Similarly, higher-ranking apprentices used information and financial leverage to force unfair contracts onto junior prospects.

At the street's entrance, a tall second-class wizard apprentice blocked Locke's path. The man was lanky and gaunt. "Greetings, junior. I noticed you're in need of magic stones."

"I have a job opportunity perfect for you, two magic stones daily, excellent pay!"

Locke frowned. "What would I need to do?"

The apprentice smiled. "Nothing strenuous. In fact, it might benefit you. My senior, first-class wizard apprentice Anglon, has developed a mental strength enhancement potion called Anglon Potion. It's passed animal trials and now seeks wizard apprentice volunteers."

"All you need is one dose daily for seven days. We'll pay fourteen magic stones total. Plus, your mental strength is guaranteed to increase."

Locke asked, "By how much?"

Mistaking his interest, the apprentice eagerly elaborated, "It's a groundbreaking formula. The exact enhancement rate is still being studied, but it will absolutely accelerate your advancement to second-class wizard apprentice."

"Augustine, with your Level 3 aptitude, you might not reach second-class within the academy's five-year deadline. This could be your chance,"

Locke nodded. "Sounds great. But no thanks."

With that, he walked away.

The apprentice, who had already begun reaching for a contract, froze in disbelief. Anger flashed in his eyes, but he merely glared at Locke's retreating back. "Damn rookie."

"Whatever. Not worth the trouble."

"Senior Anglon allocated ten magic stones daily per test subject. If I recruit just one, I can pocket eight stones each day."

"That'll cover the resources I need."

His gaze swept the street, scheming. "It's been a year. Those Level 6 and some Level 5 aptitude prodigies have already advanced to second-class. They're born elites."

"But others must be growing desperate by now."

"Finding willing test subjects won't be hard."

Meanwhile, Locke's expression turned icy as he left Dwarf Street. He knew the apprentice had lied.

The man had assumed Locke ignorant, but after a year as Witch Sophia's assistant, Locke understood the process.

Before any new potion reached wizard apprentices, it required extensive animal testing to verify effects. Then came human trials, ordinary mortals, before finally progressing to wizard apprentice volunteers.

The gap between mortals and wizard apprentices was minor.

If a potion passed human trials, its side effects, if any, would be minimal and well-documented. Such potions typically required apprentices to pay, not the other way around.

Clearly, this "Anglon" had skipped human trials entirely, jumping straight from animals to wizard apprentices. Hence the need to bribe test subjects with magic stones.

The potion's side effects were undoubtedly severe, and its mental strength enhancement claims were dubious at best.

Signing such a contract would be suicidal. Any apprentice who did would likely be ruined for life.

Locke resolved to warn Lorne and Pierre about these predatory contracts tonight.

For now, he quickened his pace. If his calculations were correct, his mental strength had already met the second-class wizard apprentice threshold.

He needed Witch Sophia to verify his rank, update his records, and claim his academy rewards.

Moreover, Lilith's Cottage's benefits and expectations for second-class wizard apprentices were entirely different from those for third-class.