Locke quickly finished reading the Meditation Technique Loan Contract. Fifty thousand Magic Stones needed to be repaid within fifty years, with a total interest rate of fifty percent.
Otherwise, the academy would forcibly confiscate part of his assets to auction them off as collateral, thereby recovering the money by force.
Of course, this was likely just a theoretical right the academy could exercise. The very existence of a First-Class Wizard Apprentice held value, so the academy wouldn't easily turn against its own First-Class Wizard Apprentices.
Even if a First-Class Wizard Apprentice couldn't repay the debt, the academy probably wouldn't resort to such measures. It would simply mean the academy held more leverage over that apprentice.
In essence, it meant the academy would have another means of control over the apprentice.
However, this only applied to ordinary First-Class Wizard Apprentices.
For someone like Locke, a 'genius' who could earn large sums of Magic Stones through numerous new varieties of Magic Plants, repaying this debt wouldn't be too difficult.
Should he sign?
After some thought, Locke decided to go ahead.
Because this wasn't just about fifty thousand Magic Stones.
If it were truly just a matter of fifty thousand Magic Stones to purchase the Advanced Meditation Technique, he could simply wait a few years, accumulate enough Magic Stones through synthetic plants, and then make the exchange.
Though that would be unnecessary.
After all, stagnating at the same Mana level, making only snail-paced progress, would be mentally torturous.
But it wasn't that simple. The essence of this contract was to provide him with an opportunity to obtain the Advanced Meditation Technique.
And this opportunity required a First-Class Wizard Apprentice to willingly hand over leverage to the academy's higher-ups.
That was the key point.
Otherwise, the academy's leadership, following convention, wouldn't so readily impart something as crucial as the Advanced Meditation Technique.
Locke turned to Sophia and said, "Teacher, I'll sign."
If there were other ways to obtain the Advanced Meditation Technique, Sophia would have told him.
Moreover, he wouldn't have been completely unaware of them.
It seemed that in the Southeast Corner Domain, the Advanced Meditation Technique was strictly prohibited knowledge.
Much like the nuclear non-proliferation treaty on Earth in his previous life.
Sophia smiled wryly. "In the Southeast Corner Domain, a Mid-Magic Environment, many systemic flaws still exist."
"Even the White Wizard Association has lingering historical issues of exploiting wizard apprentices. I also recommend you sign and find ways to repay it gradually later."
Locke asked, "Teacher, if I have enough Magic Stones later, can I repay the loan early?"
Early repayment would at least save him from paying the interest.
The total interest on this loan alone amounted to a staggering twenty-five thousand Magic Stones.
After a moment's thought, Sophia replied, "You can repay the loan early precisely because you're already a First-Class Wizard Apprentice. That's why you have this privilege."
"Even Second-Class Wizard Apprentices must repay their loans and interest on schedule as stipulated. The academy's money is the second hardest to owe; the hardest is money borrowed from the White Wizard Association."
Sophia added, "So, ordinary First-Class Wizard Apprentices don't have the privilege of early repayment."
"If we were truly short on Magic Stones to purchase large quantities of resources, we would first borrow some from friends or family."
Locke nodded and signed his name on the contract. "I understand, teacher."
The world of a First-Class Wizard Apprentice seemed entirely different from that of a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice. Only after becoming a First-Class Wizard Apprentice did Locke gain a clearer understanding of the environment within Lilith's Cottage.
However, Sophia the Witch must have already experienced all this.
As long as he could become a Formal Wizard, none of this would be an issue.
Sophia the Witch said, "By the way, your application to establish a Medium-sized Botanical Garden was rejected by the academy's higher-ups."
Locke raised his eyebrows, looking surprised. "So soon? Teacher, I thought the academy would at least wait another month before responding."
Sophia the Witch replied, "Hmm, approval takes a long time, but rejection only needs a few days. Because approval requires going through many procedures."
"The review for a Medium-sized Botanical Garden even needs to be reported to the White Wizard Association, where it undergoes cross-examination by Senior Breeders from at least three wizard organizations to ensure your Medium-sized Botanical Garden doesn't pose risks like invasive species."
"A Medium-sized Botanical Garden can already cause severe environmental damage to a region due to experimental accidents."
"But for rejection, there are too many checkpoints and reasons to reject it immediately."
Sophia the Witch sneered, "But from what I know, I understand why the academy rejected your Medium-sized Botanical Garden application right away."
"There are two reasons."
"The less important one—you've just become a First-Class Wizard Apprentice and haven't even obtained your Breeder Certificate yet. So the academy thinks you don't yet have the necessity to establish a Medium-sized Botanical Garden."
Locke nodded. He had only tried his luck.
If he were really allowed to establish a Medium-sized Botanical Garden spanning 100 to 300 acres, he could gradually cultivate more Magic Plants on a larger scale in the future.
Although a First-Class Wizard Apprentice does have the qualification to apply for a Medium-sized Botanical Garden, he was well aware of his lack of seniority. So initially, he had only intended to reapply in a few days for a Small to Medium-sized Botanical Garden of 50 to 100 acres.
A flash of dissatisfaction crossed Sophia the Witch's eyes as she folded her arms. "But the more important reason is that the academy has limited opportunities to apply to the White Wizard Association for a Medium-sized Botanical Garden every three years."
"Just as the White Wizard Association only permits Lilith's Cottage to establish one super-large-scale botanical garden."
"Last year, a senior Breeder already secured approval for one Medium-sized Botanical Garden. Now you're applying, but there's also another First-Class Wizard Apprentice in the academy who has obtained a Breeder Assistant Certificate and is preparing to apply for his own Medium-sized Botanical Garden soon."
Sophia the Witch added, "That First-Class Wizard Apprentice's father is a First Circle Wizard in the academy, specializing in the Beast Taming Magic subfield of the Summoning School."
"So, that's why your application was rejected immediately."
"Locke, you should revise your application and switch to requesting a Small to Medium-sized Botanical Garden. Wait until these three years pass, then apply for a Medium-sized Botanical Garden. Your chances of approval will be much higher then."
A glimmer of understanding flashed in Locke's eyes—so that was how it was.
Now that he had become a First-Class Wizard Apprentice, he would naturally begin competing with the descendants of First Circle Wizards for the limited resources available.
During his time as a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice, he hadn't felt this pressure because the resources he used back then weren't particularly significant and didn't require him to compete with the likes of First Circle Wizards' heirs.
If he ever became a Formal Wizard one day, he would be directly contending with those Formal Wizards themselves for resources.
Locke turned to reassure Sophia, saying, "Teacher, I wouldn't have passed the application anyway, so it's fine."
Sophia looked at him and replied, "Actually, there's another way. If you can obtain a Breeder Certificate and win some competitions, then within these three years, the last medium-sized Botanical Garden establishment quota from Lilith's Cottage will fall into your hands."
She lifted her chin proudly and added, "Even if some people's fathers are Formal Wizards, there's nothing they can do about it."
"In the Wizard World, talent can resolve all disputes."
Locke asked, "Competitions?"
Sophia nodded. "Yes, I forgot to mention this earlier. First-Class Wizard Apprentices have some methods to quickly acquire resources—one of them is entering Secret Realms."
"The Secret Realm entry opportunity you previously chose was the Forbidden Forest, which is excellent."
"I would have recommended that one as well," Sophia continued. "Aside from that, there's participating in competitions."
"Under the advocacy of the White Wizard Association, the Southeast Corner Domain hosts many joint competitions with various purposes."
"First, to promote learning and research through competition, enhancing the overall level of White Wizards in the Southeast Corner Domain—something the Black Wizards lack, and one of our advantages."
"Second, to strengthen academic exchanges between major wizard organizations and deepen our connections."
"Third, to increase talent mobility through competition, uncovering those hidden geniuses."
"Just as I've told you before, some people never discover their talents in their lifetime, missing out on many opportunities and mistakenly believing themselves to be mediocre."
"The mortal world probably has similar organizational structures—for example, some mortal realms have lords hosting footraces and the like."
Sophia added, "And for wizard apprentices themselves, competitions offer substantial rewards, making them another way to acquire resources."
"Generally, only First-Class Wizard Apprentices can participate in competitions. In rare cases, unconventional events may invite Second-Class Wizard Apprentices."
Sophia explained, "You can think of it as competitions exclusively for First-Class Wizard Apprentices."
"For example, this one..."
She slid a document across her desk toward Locke.
Locke looked down and saw it was the White Wizard Association Breeder Competition, 257th edition.
Judging by the format, it seemed participants only needed to submit two works along with their design concepts and related materials to enter.
The competition was divided into preliminary rounds and finals.
The top thirty will receive substantial Magic Stone rewards, while the top one hundred will receive some consolation Magic Stone rewards, each worth approximately 100 Magic Stones.
The rewards for the top ten are the best.
Sophia said, "As long as you are a First Class Wizard Apprentice and possess at least one Breeder Assistant Certificate, you can participate in this competition."
"Senior Breeders and First Circle Wizards are prohibited from participating. This competition is specially designed for First Class Wizard Apprentices."
"This competition is held every five years and has been running for nearly 1,300 years. The top thirty rankings in this competition hold extremely high prestige."
"Although some may hesitate to participate because the general design concepts must be disclosed, it cannot be said that the champion is necessarily the most skilled Breeder at the First Class Wizard Apprentice level in the Southeast Corner Domain."
"Nevertheless, many experts and geniuses still participate, giving the competition great authority."
"Back then, I only participated once and placed seventh, regrettably failing to make it into the top three."
Sophia added with a slight explanation, "My advancement was too rapid—I soon became a First Circle Wizard and Senior Breeder, losing my eligibility to compete."
"Unlike some others who have participated over a dozen times."
"Registration opens in six months. If you're interested, you can sign up."