Raun said, "Senior Locke, what we're experiencing is the normal progression. We still have three years to advance to Second-Class Wizard Apprentices."
"Your situation is the exceptional one."
Locke chuckled. "Don't call me senior. We've always been friends."
"When others call me senior, it's fine, but you two lived with me for over a year. Hearing 'senior' from you feels strange."
Pierre and Raun secretly sighed in relief. Seeing that Locke hadn't changed his attitude despite their current status gap filled them with gratitude.
Raun pointed at Pierre and said, "Dear Locke, Pierre actually came to ask for your help with something."
Locke looked curiously at Pierre.
Pierre blushed before speaking: "Dear Locke, you've seen more of the world than us. I wanted to ask your opinion about this contract—whether I should sign it..."
Pierre handed a contract to Locke.
"Senior Angron seems to think my constitution is special. He wants me to sign this to become his Potion Laboratory assistant... and says he'll pay me."
"Locke, you know my family situation isn't great. We really need the money. This would be an amazing opportunity."
Pierre added excitedly: "Senior Angron promised fifty Magic Stones per month! But Raun suggested I ask you first. You've seen more, and like Senior Angron, you're a First-Class Wizard Apprentice."
"You understand that world better."
For a Wizard Seedling, fifty Magic Stones monthly was undoubtedly a fortune.
For Pierre, from an ordinary family, resisting such "huge" temptation was difficult.
Locke quickly scanned the contract. His expression shifted from casual to serious. Closing the document, he gave Pierre a stern look. "Tell me—do you often get allergic reactions? Like skin redness in certain areas, runny nose, unexplained fevers, or digestive issues? These symptoms appear randomly whenever you move locations?"
Pierre froze. This was unrelated to the contract, yet Locke had revealed his private secret. "How did you know, Locke?"
"I rarely mention this to others—it never seemed important."
"I've seen mundane doctors. They said it's just my constitution. I bought some basic potions from Lilith's Cottage too, but they didn't help."
Pierre shrugged. "Sometimes the symptoms worsen."
Locke said gravely, "Because you have a rare Low Magic Resistance Constitution."
"Angron has targeted you. He doesn't want an assistant—he wants test material. I strongly advise against signing. Otherwise, staying humanoid might become difficult."
Locke wasn't concerned about his advice offending Angron.
Even if Angron learned about this minor matter, it wouldn't matter.
After all, it's highly unlikely for someone to hold a grudge against a First Class Wizard Apprentice over a single remark unless they're mentally unstable.
Moreover, Pierre was his old friend. If anyone had offended first, it was Angron.
Even if Angron was a seasoned First Class Wizard Apprentice with higher status, Locke had no vested interests with him, so it didn't matter much.
Pierre was clearly startled. "Using me as experimental material? But why? I'm just an ordinary Wizard Seedling."
Locke shook his head. "Low Magic Resistance Constitution is an extremely rare trait. Normally, all living beings possess some degree of magic resistance. Otherwise, simply living in this Mid-Magic Zone would be impossible to sustain."
"Every organism's inherent vitality grants them a certain level of magic resistance—it's just a matter of intensity. Take the Berserk Rhinoceros, for example. Their skin possesses magic resistance far surpassing that of humans."
Locke warned, "But among humans, a small minority have special constitutions with significantly lower magic resistance than others. When they enter an unfamiliar environment, they suffer from symptoms like vomiting, digestive issues, or rhinitis due to magic allergies."
"In severe cases, many don't even survive to adulthood."
Pierre was stunned. As an utterly ordinary Wizard Seedling, he never imagined he had such a unique constitution—yet he'd not only survived to adulthood but even became a third-class wizard apprentice.
Locke said, "Now you understand. Your case is exceptionally rare."
"People with Low Magic Resistance Constitution, due to their extremely weak resistance, interfere very little with potion effects, making them the ideal subjects for Potionology experiments."
"Magic resistance can interfere with a potion's properties, potentially obscuring observation results. From an experimental standpoint, the lower the magic resistance, the better—it allows clearer observation of a potion's effects. This differs entirely from considerations when actually consuming the potion."
Locke continued, "Typical Potionology experiments usually select naturally low-magic-resistance species, but those aren't human. Their internal structures differ greatly from ours, making it hard to predict how potions would behave in a human body."
"But someone like you—with low magic resistance that won't interfere with potions, human physiology, and the added wonder of being a wizard apprentice—is truly extraordinary."
Locke pondered seriously, "Fifty Magic Stones per month is ridiculous. They're taking advantage of your ignorance. If you're really considering becoming an experimental subject to earn Magic Stones, you should demand much higher compensation."
"I think at least one hundred Magic Stones per month would be appropriate."
"After all, you're incredibly rare."
Locke was now looking at Pierre like he was some protected species. Given that Locke himself was close to obtaining his Potionology Assistant certification, he had to admit the idea was tempting.
Raun nudged the stunned Pierre with his elbow, envy written across his face. "I'm so jealous. Who knew you'd turn out to be a chosen one, Pierre?"
"Just by being someone's test subject, you could earn a hundred Magic Stones monthly. What an enviable talent."
Pierre swatted his hand away. "What kind of talent is this? I'm becoming a lab rat!"
Pierre looked at Locke. "Even if I were to be a test subject, I'd choose someone reliable. I'd rather be Locke's test subject."
Locke shook his head in refusal. "A hundred Magic Stones per month is no small expense. I've only been learning to make Contemplation Balm recently—I don't need such a high-level test subject like you... I mean, I don't want to trouble you."
"Right, that's how it is. Whether to sign or not is for you to consider."
After all, he wasn't Pierre's parent. There were plenty of wizard apprentices in Lilith's Cottage who actively volunteered to be Angron's experimental materials to earn Magic Stones.
That was also a choice.