In the central area of the port city, within the main building of Lilith's Cottage's public classrooms, Locke entered the office of Sasari, the resident instructor of the Universal Studies course and a first-class wizard apprentice.

Sasari was also the resident instructor for one of the three foundational public courses, Basic Mana Studies. Additionally, he was a dark elf, a rare sight within the academy.

Sasari raised an eyebrow as he examined the application Locke handed him. "I recall you haven’t attended my Basic Mana Studies class for nearly a week."

"Yet, you’ve already become a second-class wizard apprentice."

"I remember you only joined our academy last year, and your aptitude isn’t Level 5 or above. I make it a point to remember the names of all prospects with Level 5 or higher aptitude..."

"Even now, some of last year’s Level 5 aptitude prospects still haven’t advanced to second-class wizard apprentice..."

His expression turned inquisitive as he studied Locke with curiosity.

As a first-class wizard apprentice at Lilith's Cottage, it was only natural for him to take an interest in such an unusual situation.

Locke remained unfazed. After all, he had Witch Sophia’s authority to lean on. "Well, Witch Sophia mentioned that I might possess a special talent that wasn’t detected during the initial aptitude test."

"My mana is inherently much more stable than others’."

Sasari nodded in sudden understanding, his expression clearing. "Ah, I see. Then you’re quite fortunate."

"Your progress is nearly on par with that of a Level 6 aptitude prospect."

"Mana stability, that makes sense. Your talent would be best suited for potion-making, alchemy, or enchantment."

"I recall Witch Sophia is a First Circle potion maker and breeder, and the Universal Studies course I teach happens to be a prerequisite for those fields."

Without further hesitation, Sasari signed the application. "If this is Witch Sophia’s decision, there’s no need for me to scrutinize it further."

"Go to the payment office outside and submit your magic stones."

The Universal Studies course was considered an advanced class. Even if a third-class wizard apprentice had the magic stones to enroll early, the resident instructor would typically reject them.

After all, the wizards’ world was far from safe.

Many courses posed risks even to those simply listening in, especially for wizards with insufficient mana.

Prospects were often bound by multiple training contracts with the academy. Lilith's Cottage had no desire to see them die needlessly in class.

Moreover, first-class wizard apprentices who took on teaching duties preferred to avoid complications like deaths or accidents in their classrooms. Thus, they enforced certain entry requirements.

Only with their approval, signature in hand, could Locke pay the fee and attend the course.

Locke gave Sasari a respectful bow (lower-ranking apprentices were expected to show basic courtesy to their seniors) before leaving the office.

He then proceeded to another wooden hut, where he reluctantly handed over 150 magic stones to a second-class wizard apprentice at the payment counter.

After verifying the payment and the signed application, the apprentice said warmly, "Augustine, your enrollment is confirmed. You may now attend the Universal Studies course."

Locke nodded and left without further delay.

Instead of returning to Dwarf Street, he headed to a nearby avenue and hailed a lizardman-drawn carriage. "To Anvil Square in the southeast."

Lilith's Cottage’s registration office was located there.

The lizardman driver, seeing Locke’s wizard apprentice robes, immediately bowed. "At once, Wizard."

Roughly half an hour later, Locke arrived at Anvil Square and entered a secluded wooden hut protected by a barrier.

After stating his purpose, he underwent a mental strength test using the registration office’s amethyst matrix. The device displayed the number [54].

‘My mental strength increased by one point. It must be from mastering the spell model for magical flames,’ Locke mused. ‘And over the past five days, I’ve fully absorbed the residual energy from the Rose Red Jade in my mental strength.’

‘That passive boost is still there.’

‘Whatever that strange substance in Rose Red Jade is, it actually enhances a wizard apprentice’s mental strength. Even now, as a second-class apprentice, it’s still working.’

‘Though the rate has slowed to a third of what it was before.’

‘The Universal Studies course covers general knowledge about the world. Hopefully, it’ll help me identify what that substance in Rose Red Jade actually is.’

Locke dared not show the Rose Red Jade to Witch Sophia.

He couldn’t explain its origin, nor did he know its true value, or whether it might draw the attention of a formal wizard.

The halfling second-class wizard apprentice at the registration desk stared at the number on the amethyst matrix, momentarily stunned, before breaking into a warm smile.

Halflings were a human subspecies unique to the mid-magic southeast quadrant. Shorter than a ten-year-old human child, they were far more cunning and smooth-tongued.

"Congratulations, Senior," the halfling said. "I see you only joined our academy last year, yet you’ve advanced to second-class wizard apprentice in just one year."

"Such speed is remarkable."

"I’m certain you’ll become a first-class wizard apprentice in the future."

Locke blinked at being addressed as "Senior," then quickly understood. In the wizards’ world, strength dictated hierarchy, and the halfling was clearly currying favor.

Though both were second-class wizard apprentices, the halfling was already in his fifties, with streaks of white in his hair and wrinkles on his face.

Only those who had given up on advancement would waste their time in a registration office instead of working as assistants in the labs or shops of first-class apprentices or formal wizards.

Thus, their statuses were worlds apart. It was no surprise the halfling addressed him as "Senior" to flatter him, and perhaps as self-preservation.

Other rapidly advancing second-class apprentices might not be as easygoing as Locke.

The halfling handed Locke a badge bearing Lilith's Cottage’s emblem. "Senior Augustine, this is the academy’s insignia. All second-class wizard apprentices wear it on their robes."

"It signifies your status."

"And grants you access to areas reserved for second-class apprentices."