Sorcerer: I want to be an Academic Prodigy

"Look who it is if it isn't Master Marichadon," Mendenez said with a smile as he saw Ivan enter the simple study. Stay tuned for updates on My Virtual Library Empire

"Cough cough, that's just some apprentice's joke. I didn't expect you to have heard it as well," Ivan said, slightly embarrassed.

He was only a Senior Enchanter after all, and such a title wasn't really appropriate; only an Enchantment Master, who must be a Level 3 Sorcerer, genuinely deserved the title 'Master.'

"At least you haven't been confused by the outside flattery," Mendenez nodded slightly.

"Oh, Elder, what do you mean by that?" Ivan asked, his expression darkening as he thought of something, "Could it be that there is gossip inside the guild?"

"Yes."

"What have they been saying?"

"They said that the Black Magic Wind Fire Array isn't a high-level formation, and that you have only gained fame and various honors and awards because of its uniqueness. They said that in terms of enchantment skills, you're just intermediate," Mendenez said outright.

"That doesn't really matter."

"You're not angry?"

"They're right; the Black Magic Wind Fire Array is just an elementary runes sorcery array. Such levels of formations are commonplace," Ivan said nonchalantly.

Fame, status, resources—he had already obtained them all, and it was only normal for others to be envious.

A few words didn't matter.

"Bullshit! It's only because you made the formation public, allowing them to see its true nature. Otherwise, with the potential of the Black Magic Wind Fire Array, it could easily dominate everyone," Mendenez cursed angrily.

Runes sorcery arrays were exactly like that—difficult yet simple at the same time.

Exposed, learned by others, it bred the idea in some that 'they could do it too.'

In fact, every bit of innovation was extremely difficult, and he couldn't stand those who took advantage and then spoke ill; he had even had a big argument with someone earlier.

"Let's see how their subsequent research turns out," Ivan asked again, "What else is there? There must be more."

"They also say you belong to the School of Space but are meddling in the affairs of the School of Energy Shaping. That you're not focusing on what you should be."

"They're saying I'm meddling in others' affairs, huh, well, if they have the guts, let them say that outside the guild. I guarantee they too could become famous," Ivan said, somewhat speechless at such nitpicking.

If these words spread, the spit of apprentices could drown a man, ensuring a notorious reputation.

"Ah! In the end, it's just jealousy over your achievements, trying to stand on your shoulders to raise their own profile," Mendenez sighed at the sordidness that arose within the guild.

Where there were people, there were rivers and lakes, and conflicts of interest were inevitable; the vast Enchanters Guild was no exception.

"By the way, you came to see me for a reason, didn't you, Sorcerer Ivan?"

"I just came to ask if there's a place within the academy that supports research in space studies or if there's any fantastic item? If there is, I'll apply to try it out," Ivan immediately revealed his intention.

"Have you exchanged for the Book of Space?"

"Sort of, the main guild rewarded me with a space heritage."

"I see, no wonder you don't care what others say," Mendenez murmured, impressed, and after a pause of several seconds, he gave a positive response.

As Ivan had guessed, those daring to use 'space' as the school name certainly had their own heritage.

However, Mendenez also stressed that things were tightly controlled and not easy to obtain; he should weigh how to apply or simply apply directly.

Leaving the simple study, Ivan didn't think much more about it and directly went to the Vice President's office, only to find that the latter was not there and couldn't be contacted, leaving him wondering what was keeping them so busy.

He left a message stating his intention.

"Go find out, within the guild, who exactly has been speaking ill of me?"

After returning to the Rapid Wood Tower, Ivan assigned Locke a task.

Where there was nothing, something was sought.

Regardless, he had to guard against others, lest someone try to step on him while he remained in the dark; that would be too passive.

"Good guts! I'll see who exactly has the nerve to speak ill of me," Locke was indignant upon hearing that someone was speaking ill of Ivan.

"Stop right there!" Seeing his furious demeanor, Ivan quickly called out to him, "I only asked you to gather information, not to cause a commotion in the guild. Be mindful of your actions. Understood?"

"Alright, you can take your own revenge,"

Locke, having misunderstood, simply agreed and quickly walked away.

Ivan couldn't be bothered to correct him.

Near evening, Locke brought back the news.

It was actually not difficult to find out, as the other party had once had a fierce argument with Mendenez, nearly resulting in a full-blown fight, which many people knew about.

As Ivan's "clan brother," Locke represented Ivan in making inquiries, and many people were willing privately to give face.

"Is Ulysses Lenna also from the School of Space?"

"Yes, he had always been outside, only recently returning to the Enchanters Guild. I suspect he came back to learn the Black Magic Wind Fire Array. What kind of person is this, to be so shameless?" Locke spoke indignantly.

He found out that while others merely talked idly, Ulysses showed clear hostility, often denigrating others.

Even Mendenez could not stand it.

"I understand. Let's ignore him for now. We all belong to the same school and will have plenty of opportunities to interact."

Ivan noted down the name, guessing that the other might have heard some news of the rewards, which seriously made him green with envy.

However, now was a time when he was attracting much attention, better still than stirring.

Time quickly passed, and the sixth day arrived.

In the morning, Ivan received a message from the Vice President asking him to visit the fifth level of the sorcerer tower. When he returned to the Rapid Wood Tower, he carried with him a special crystal amber.

Encased within the crystal amber was a lifelike specimen of a void rat, the symbol of the School of Space.

In addition, the third floor of the Rapid Wood Tower's energy particle pool was quickly filled with space energy.

"Boss, you really carry a lot of weight." Just from one visit, there were so many gains, Locke couldn't help but marvel.

"It's Vice President Angus's recognition." Ivan was naturally pleased.

"Think about those backbiters. Compared to them, they look like a bunch of clowns, quite ludicrous," Locke sneered, thinking about something.

"They want to demean the Black Magic Wind Fire Array without seeing the contributions it made to the sorcerer world. They should look at their own worth—"

"Alright, I'm going to seclude myself and meditate on space knowledge. Don't disturb me unless it's important. Handle minor matters as you see fit. Also, don't go too far; I might need your assistance." Ivan instructed.

"Sure thing, with me here, you can focus on your studies," Locke pledged, patting his chest.

After dealing with minor matters, Ivan remained on the third floor in seclusion, in the room where the energy particle pool was located.

He went through the "Book of Milor" and the "Pure White Star" again. Actually, over the last few months, he had spent some time and energy on space knowledge as well.

However, he had never delved deeply into it.

"Space strands are threads of space-type essence condensed into existence, ubiquitous yet invisible and untouchable, intertwined to form spaces."

"Any space needs space strands for support."

"To delve into space knowledge, one inevitably needs to explore space strands."

Both the "Book of Milor" and the "Pure White Star" mentioned the concept of 'space strands,' only by 'seeing' and 'touching' the space strands could a sorcerer truly step into the threshold of space study.

Up until now, Ivan couldn't achieve this.

In other words, his current level in space was akin to having one foot on the threshold and the other still outside.

"This space strand, what a miraculous existence."

He stared intently at the crystal amber retrieved from the Vice President. He could clearly see threads emanating from the void rat's body into the surroundings, transparent with a faint white glow, as if frozen.

These threads were actually space strands.

However, seeing them indirectly wasn't truly his own skill; it didn't count as really seeing, yet it also provided sorcerers an opportunity to touch and contemplate them.

His senses cautiously brushed past them, but it felt odd as the visible space strands within the line of sight didn't exist within his perception. Sweeping through, he felt nothing.

He tried repeatedly, and the results were always the same.

"As expected, it's not so simple."

"The 'Pure White Star' is a meditation method, progressively deepening the understanding of space, starting from here."

Undeterred, Ivan turned to study the "Pure White Star."

This meditation method included basic and elementary sections and even came with the spell 'Space Cutting,' a perfect starting point to appreciate space knowledge.

Then, supplemented by the space-type runes, runes bundle, and elementary runes sorcery array covered in the "Book of Milor."

As for space strands, once space cultivation reached a certain level, it would naturally lead to enlightenment. He firmly believed that with one final push, he would achieve it.