Chapter Sixty-One: Choice

To advance to a full-fledged wizard, the three essential items were each difficult to obtain. Signing a contract with the Shadow Ring, as Wizard Matt had done, was only a last resort in Hughes’ mind—something he would consider only if absolutely necessary.

“The assimilation of my own mental rune is just a matter of time. As for a Level One defensive spell, I still have no clue. But I can use the upcoming assessment as an opportunity to get the vitality potion,” Hughes paced back and forth in his room, pondering possible solutions.

The greatest obstacle at present, Hughes felt, was the template for a Level One defensive spell. Such things were not for sale at the academy; the only way to acquire one was by signing that contract.

“Defensive spell, defensive spell…” Hughes kept searching his memory, wondering if there was any way he might obtain a Level One defensive spell template.

“Defense… that's it! My Ice Armor is a defensive spell, even if it’s only Level Zero.” Hughes felt his thoughts opening up. Without a Level One template, perhaps he could create one himself.

“Chip! If I provide you with a large number of Level Zero defensive spell templates, can you simulate and analyze a Level One defensive spell template?” Hughes asked, testing the chip.

“Beep! No accurate data for Level One defensive spell template in stored materials, unable to compare.”

“Beep! Can simulate and analyze the spell template with the highest endurance value from provided Level Zero defensive spell templates. (Note: Cannot estimate result's level!)”

“There’s hope!” Hughes felt a measure of relief at the chip’s response.

“As long as I provide enough defensive spell templates, and with the chip’s analytical abilities, the result shouldn’t be bad!” After weighing his options, Hughes decided to gamble. The chip was his best chance at getting a Level One defensive spell template.

Without delay, Hughes gathered the magic stones he’d earned—nearly seven hundred by now. He hadn’t had so many before; Lindsay had made a fortune with Hughes’ potions and shared a portion with him.

Hughes took his magic stones to the academy’s trading hall. To avoid unnecessary trouble, he deliberately concealed his face.

At the counter, it was the same snake-eyed man as before.

“What do you need?” The familiar tone greeted him.

“I want all defensive spells in fire, thunder, ice, and darkness elements.” Hughes lowered his voice deliberately.

“You… are you sure?” The man was incredulous. He’d worked there for years and never seen anyone buy so many Level Zero wizard templates, all defensive spells.

Though surprised an apprentice could be so wealthy, the man nonetheless turned to fetch what Hughes wanted.

Unlike before, he didn’t bring out thick tomes, but instead carried over a pile of parchment scrolls.

“Each scroll records a defensive spell, much simpler than those books,” he said, placing the bundle on the counter.

“How many magic stones?” Hughes looked at the scrolls, relieved they weren’t hefty books—otherwise, he’d need two trips to carry them all.

“There are twenty-three types of defensive spell templates, ten magic stones each, totaling two hundred thirty. Because these scrolls are complex to make, each template costs one extra magic stone. That’s two hundred fifty-three magic stones in all!” The man quoted the price briskly.

“Swindler!” Hughes thought the man was taking advantage of him.

After counting out the required stones, Hughes hurried back to his dormitory, arms full of scrolls.

Once inside, he closed the door, laid the scrolls out on the floor, and unrolled them.

As he moved, the seals on the scrolls were broken, revealing the records of spell templates. The room was suddenly filled with a myriad of lights.

“Chip! Start recording!” Hughes commanded, anxious not to miss anything.

“Beep! Recording…”

With the chip handling the records, Hughes finally felt at ease.

Ten minutes later, the information on the scrolls began to fade, and the chip had finished recording.

“Beep! Recording complete!”

“Beep! Recorded twenty-three Level Zero spell templates.”

“Beep! Ignoring host’s existing templates, twenty-two newly recorded Level Zero spell templates.”

“Beep! Fire element: nine templates, ice element: four, thunder element: three, darkness element: six.”

“Most are fire element?” Hughes scanned the data.

“Chip! Begin analyzing these defensive spell templates to find the one most suitable for me.” Hughes ordered.

“Beep! Task established. Analyzing and simulating the defensive spell template most suitable for host. Estimated time: 207 days!”

“Almost seven months? That’s acceptable.” Hughes found the time frame tolerable.

“Now, all I need is the vitality potion!” He resolved to spend the remaining half month preparing for the upcoming assessment, planning to select two more spell templates—certainly offensive ones, to gain an advantage.

The assessment drew nearer day by day. The academy was abuzz with preparations. Hughes noticed more people flocking to the spell testing grounds, especially third-level apprentices, striving fiercely. Clearly, everyone wanted the vitality potion, though the required ranking was unknown.

Hughes selected two Level Zero offensive spell templates: one was Scorching Ray, the other was Flame Spear.

Hughes had little worry about the assessment half a month ahead. He believed his physical attributes alone made him formidable among third-level apprentices, and his life energy was a deadly weapon.

What troubled him were those who had lingered as third-level apprentices for a long time—who knew what hidden cards they possessed?

One day, Hughes went to the spell testing grounds. Seeing the target he’d pierced, he gained new insight into his offensive spells. He hadn’t come of his own accord; Billy had dragged him along. With the chip, Hughes didn’t need the testing grounds to gauge his spells’ strength.

“All right, Hughes, I’m done testing,” Billy said, approaching after finishing his spell trials.

“How’s the assessment for second-level apprentices going? I’m sure you’ll be among the top!” Billy and Hughes left the testing grounds together, discussing the assessment.

“It’s okay,” Hughes replied. He hadn’t registered as a third-level apprentice yet, so his robe was still that of a second-level apprentice. Billy didn’t realize Hughes had already advanced.

“I wonder what the rewards are this time? I hear the competition among third-level apprentices is fierce; some are even resorting to dirty tricks for the final prize.” Billy spoke quietly, leaning close to Hughes.

“So intense?” Hughes was astonished; he had underestimated the third-level apprentices’ hunger for the vitality potion.

With three days left before the assessment, Hughes planned to reveal his third-level apprentice status. He was glad he’d had the foresight not to make it public earlier, or else, as Billy said, trouble would have come knocking.

After all, being both a potion genius and a third-level apprentice was a considerable threat to others.

“Hughes, I heard there aren’t many strong contenders among the second-level apprentices. Maybe you’ll be first!” Billy, who knew Hughes’ talent and strength, increasingly believed Hughes could win.

“Maybe it’ll be you!” Hughes joked with Billy. His own goal was the vitality potion, not the second-level rewards.

“Haha, if I come first, I’ll share half my prize with you!” Billy laughed, waving his hand in promise.

The two left in good spirits. Hughes went straight to the teaching area to register his status.

At the counter, after explaining his purpose, the attendant verified his information and handed Hughes the third-level apprentice’s wizard robe.

As Hughes took the robe, the attendant gave him a letter. Hughes didn’t take it immediately, but the attendant pressed it into his hand.

Walking away, Hughes read the letter. Its contents were much like Wizard Matt had said: if one wished to move beyond the third-level apprentice stage, one had to sign a contract with the Shadow Ring.