Sorcerer: I want to be an Academic Prodigy

Twin Towers, Sorcerer Ivan's meditation room and study.

"Now that I've dealt with the trivial matters, I should plan the path ahead." It's been almost a month since he overcame the period of spiritual power fatigue on Tidal Island.

Next, he needed to consider how to further enhance his strength.

For sorcerers, the purpose of cultivation has always been to improve spiritual power, which represents the level of strength. The cultivation of a Level 1 Sorcerer can be divided into four stages: the initial stage, the vaporization stage, the elementalization stage, and the Level 2 promotion stage.

No matter which stage you're at, you need corresponding cultivation resources.

His current spiritual power is at 25.8 graduated degrees, which is in the initial stage. The first step of cultivation is to increase spiritual power to around 30 graduated degrees, and then use the vaporization supplementary potion to start turning the intangible spiritual power into vaporous mental power.

"The cultivation of sorcerers is truly fascinating. I remember when I was being promoted to a sorcerer, under that endless pressure, the spiritual power constructing the magic model had vaporized, liquified, crystallized, and eventually became a crystallized magic model."

"However, that was a special state, where only the spiritual power that made up the magic model changed. The essence of my possession of spiritual power had not vaporized and was still intangible."

"Presumably, the predecessors must have gotten inspiration during the promotion process, step by step increasing spiritual power: vaporizing at Level 1, liquifying at Level 2, crystallizing at Level 3, forming a gradual and orderly path of cultivation."

Reflecting carefully on the cultivation process, he couldn't help admiring those who discovered the way of the sorcerer, managing to find the cultivation methods from Level 1 to Level 3 during the sorcerer's promotion.

This is certainly worth remembering for posterity.

His thoughts returned to his own cultivation plan.

Just like during the apprentice stage, cultivation for a Level 1 Sorcerer still requires mental power potions, or other means to stimulate spiritual power, with potions undoubtedly being the most widely used.

He counted his resources related to this, all in all, he had two: mid-grade magic stone water and the Black Magic Wind Array.

"High-grade magic stones are much rarer than mid-grade ones. Maybe I can try collecting them and attempt to deduce the high-grade magic stone water for Level 1."

"The Black Magic Wind Array needs further refinement; for now, it can't be used to improve spiritual power."

"Other mental power potions could be an option."

Ivan wasn't fixated on whether the items were researched or deduced by himself. If he could buy or exchange them from elsewhere, he didn't mind at all.

However, as a potion maker, he preferred to obtain the mental power potion formula, so that he could make enough potions for a significant boost at once.

Thinking about the Academy's control over mental power potions, he couldn't help but worry. Moreover, on Moon Pincer Peninsula, the raw materials for making Class 1 Mental Power Potions have always been scarce, mostly concentrated within the Sorcerers Academy.

"This area seems to be getting more and more restless."

About the strange sorcerer he encountered before, he learned from Randall, after returning to the academy, that the mentor mentioned by the stranger was Toyennes; that person named 'Jeeson Sawyer' was the one who previously reinforced Toyennes.

Recalling that person's words, they must have known about Toyennes' intentions and that Toyennes had not succeeded. Fortunately, that person showed no intention of seeking revenge for Toyennes; instead, they attempted to recruit him.

"I wonder what organization it is. They certainly talk big."

Ivan heard from Randall, who had also never seen that sorcerer. The fact that the stranger could operate so openly near the academy's territory showed the instability in the vicinity.

In fact, signs of chaos had already appeared during his apprentice stage, whether it be the increasing death rate of apprentices or the incident at the Flash Vortex Secret Realm.

So far, the chaos hasn't affected the core interests of the academy, and the academy itself hasn't taken major action.

But he could faintly sense undercurrents swirling around Moon Pincer Peninsula.

...

Three days later.

Ivan went to another sorcerer's residence in the living area, which was also a new dwelling—a three-story tower-shaped building. The owner of the tower was a newly promoted sorcerer—Wolban.

"Sorcerer Wolban, congratulations."

"It's nothing compared to your speed. I heard you went to Tidal Island. Have you just returned to the academy?"

"Yes, it hasn't been many days since I returned."

Ivan followed him into the hall, only to realize there were other sorcerers present, including a notably attractive female sorcerer.

Information about the sorcerer from Mongna Ant Land Cottage flashed through his mind, and a name surfaced. She must be Wolban's mentor.

"Let me introduce you. This is my mentor, Sorceress Andaya."

"This is Sorcerer Ivan."

Wolban introduced the two to each other.

Ivan had an inkling; she must be the very person who originally had an issue with him, but later Wolban had persuaded her to relent. Since nothing serious had happened at the time, he held no animosity toward Andaya.

"Hello, Steward Andaya."

"Sorcerer Ivan, your presence only proves how poor my judgment was," Andaya's cool voice rang out.

Ivan glanced at Wolban, unsure what his mentor meant by that.

Wolban responded with a wry smile; his mentor's personality was always such.

"My mentor once wanted to lend you help, but before she could, you had already become an official sorcerer," he explained.

"I see."

Ivan realized and then complained to him, "Wolban, that's not very nice of you to keep this good fortune hidden. Had I known sooner, I would have come straight away."

It wasn't an idle remark; methods for increasing the chance of advancement should naturally be welcomed, and he certainly wouldn't have found them excessive.

"You were too quick," Wolban said.

"Steward Andaya, regardless, I still want to thank you for your kind intentions." Hearing his ambiguous words, Ivan promptly changed the subject and expressed his gratitude to Andaya.

"No need for that. Originally, my plan was for you to face more setbacks, and after you were rejected by one person after another, I would step in and make an offer. Taking advantage of someone at their lowest hardly deserves your thanks."

Just as Ivan was about to say something, Andaya asked:

"Sorcerer Ivan, may I ask you a question?"

"Please do."

"What is your opinion of Mongna Ant Land Cottage?"

"Not bad."

Ivan looked at her quizzically.

Andaya asked again, "To be more specific, what do you think about that century-long contract and the resources for improving power?"

After some thought, Ivan replied, "One just needs to carry out the tasks step by step to gain resources for improving one's power. I would say it's 'fair'."

"Fair? A good 'fair,' haha."

Hearing his answer, Andaya revealed a cutting smile full of ridicule.

Ivan didn't appreciate that and his expression darkened slightly.

Wolban quickly tried to defuse the situation, "Ivan, please, don't be hasty. My mentor's personality is always this way. It's not personal."

Ivan retorted, "Steward Andaya, may I know your own esteemed opinion?"

Andaya did not mince her words: "I must say, your ideas are too superficial, and naïve, Sorcerer Ivan."

Wolban once again tried to smooth things over, "Please, calm down, calm down." Continue your adventure with empire