After leaving the Botanical Garden, Sophia the Witch stood outside the wooden cabin and said to Locke, "The complementary spell for the Magic Resonance Breeding Method is the first-circle spell [Magic Sun]."
"And there's no decomposed cantrip model for it."
Locke raised an eyebrow. "So, Teacher, does that mean First Class Wizard Apprentices have to rely on alchemy equipment to implement the Magic Resonance Breeding Method?"
"Is the equipment expensive?"
Sophia nodded approvingly. "I must commend you—your insight is excellent."
"That's precisely the case. First Class Wizard Apprentices who can't cast Magic Sun themselves to artificially create specific frequencies for targeted Magic Plant mutations have no choice but to purchase [Radiation Cauldrons] sold by alchemy workshops."
"The Radiation Cauldron also requires operation by a wizard of at least First Class Wizard Apprentice level."
"The cauldron is costly to produce, requiring a first-circle alchemist to personally craft it with considerable effort. A single Radiation Cauldron can cost between twenty to thirty thousand Magic Stones."
"Therefore, most First Class Wizard Apprentices rarely buy one outright. You can rent one at the Chimera Market." Sophia glanced at the Platinum Star pinned to Locke's Wizard Robe and smiled. "Lijin Secret Language offers rentals, and as a member there, you could save quite a few Magic Stones."
"I believe renting a Radiation Cauldron for a month should cost around five hundred Magic Stones."
Sophia looked slightly troubled. "If only I'd kept the Radiation Cauldron I used during my apprenticeship—unfortunately, I sold it off a few months ago. Otherwise, I could have lent it to you."
She pointed at the monocle Locke was wearing. "For now, I'll lend you this Focusing Monocle. No need to return it immediately."
"Just be careful—a single Focusing Monocle costs at least ten thousand Magic Stones."
"I was very meticulous with it back then, so it's still in near-new condition."
Upon hearing that the monocle currently perched over his left eye was worth ten thousand Magic Stones, Locke suddenly felt its weight like never before.
Carefully, he removed the monocle, pulled a handkerchief from his Wizard Robe pocket, wrapped it meticulously, and stored it inside his Astral Ring.
Locke gave Sophia a wry smile. "Teacher, Breeder equipment is ridiculously expensive."
Sophia chuckled softly, as if recalling something from her past. "I understand exactly how you feel right now."
"It'll get better. Everyone struggles at the beginning."
"I'll do my best to assist you. Fortunately, your talent in the Breeder field is extraordinary—geniuses always have an easier path."
"As for the Advanced Meditation Technique, higher-ups will personally deliver it to you soon. You'll likely need to sign a non-disclosure agreement then."
The flowers on Sophia's Wizard Hat darkened into a solemn black, and her smile vanished instantly, replaced by a stern, icy demeanor—more akin to a Formal Wizard Mentor of the academy than when Locke had first met her.
Locke glanced to his left and saw three newcomers approaching the outskirts of Sophia's wooden cabin cluster, recommendation letters in hand.
The three newcomers still had traces of youthful innocence on their faces—two female Wizard Seedlings and one male. All three gazed at Locke and Sophia with a mix of awe and curiosity.
Yet when Sophia turned her eyes toward them, they immediately lowered their heads in fear, avoiding her gaze, not daring to look up.
Sophia extended her right hand, and in an instant, the assignment letters in their hands flew into hers.
After a quick glance at the three letters, she let out a soft chuckle. "The academy has assigned you three to me. From now on, you are all my students."
"Your primary affinity is for Wood Elemental Particles, and one of you has a specialty in independently concocting [Hemostatic Powder] while aboard the Wizard Ship?"
One of the three—a young male Wizard Seedling around sixteen—shivered slightly. After hesitating several times, he finally gritted his teeth and mustered the courage to speak. "Teacher Sophia, it's me."
Sophia responded with an indifferent "Hmm," then muttered quietly to Locke, "This seedling's background before boarding the ship is somewhat similar to yours. I suspect someone among the academy's higher-ups is envious of your rapid advancement, so they sent me this seedling with a comparable history."
"They probably want me to replicate another you."
"But I'm no gold-star lecturer. I don't have that kind of ability."
"Genius isn't something you can just reproduce."
Locke glanced at the apprentice's assignment letter and noticed that he, too, had a third-tier aptitude, with a background strikingly similar to his own.
It seemed his own growth had exceeded the academy's initial expectations, leading them to suspect that Sophia was an exceptionally talented Wizard Mentor—hence this move.
Sophia, having seen through this, was slightly displeased.
Locke gave a slight nod in acknowledgment of her words.
Truthfully, at first, Sophia had merely regarded him as her first student. But after several shifts in her attitude toward him, she had come to value him so highly, forging such a close bond between them.
Sophia turned a stern gaze toward the three Wizard Seedlings, this time seeming more experienced. "I'll provide you with personalized schedules in a few days. My time is limited, so my student, Locke Augustine—a First Class Wizard Apprentice—will be instructing you in my stead."
"From now on, if you have any questions or concerns, you may approach Locke."
She handed the three assignment letters directly to him. "Locke, I leave them in your hands."
"You'll teach them five times a week, one hour per session."
"Unless there are special circumstances, you don't need to report to me. I trust your ability and judgment—you're more than capable of guiding them."
Locke accepted the letters and replied, "Understood, teacher. Don't worry."
"I'll teach these juniors well."
The fact that Sophia had "lent" him the Focusing Monocle worth ten thousand Magic Stones was reason enough for him to take on these students for her.
Besides, Sophia was already so busy every day, yet she still carved out time to teach him.
If he didn't want his own lesson time to be squeezed, he had no choice but to take over the instruction of these three Wizard Seedlings for her.
The witch Sophia gave Locke a trusting nod before turning to leave and entering the nearby laboratory.
The tense, heavy atmosphere only slightly eased after Sophia's figure completely disappeared behind the wooden door.
Yet the three Wizard Seedlings still dared not breathe too loudly. They stole glances at Locke, hesitant to speak first as they were unfamiliar with their senior's temperament.
They feared careless words might provoke him.
Meanwhile, Locke was quietly examining the assignment letters to learn about each of them, showing no intention of initiating conversation.
(End of chapter)