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墨書 Inktalez
Half an hour later.
Inside the Mission Hall of Elgreen Academy.
Freya received a Magic Stone handed over from the window and stored it in her Gray Robe.
"I currently have thirty-two Magic Stones, including one given by Rand. I only need seven or eight more to purchase both the Enchantment Department courses and the Spell Model. However, advancing to Third-Rank Apprentice isn't just about mastering two Spell Models; it also requires a significant accumulation of Basic Knowledge and an enhancement of mental capacity. These things can't be achieved overnight, but during this time, I still need to gather the necessary potions to increase my perception of Energy Particles for the advancement to Third-Rank Apprentice."
Freya stood in the Mission Hall and glanced at the task board in the distance.
There were many tasks listed, a mix of various types, with the majority being hunting missions.
The Elgreen area is often plagued by conflicts, with various disputes occurring everywhere—some personal, some between organizations, and even some among different races.
The hunting missions in this Mission Hall are not limited to those within Elgreen; other factions related to Elgreen usually pay a fee to post their tasks here for apprentices or Official Wizards in the academy to choose from.
However, Freya quickly withdrew her gaze after just a glance.
Although many of these hunting missions offer generous rewards, very few are suitable for her.
Even though she is on the verge of reaching the Great Knight realm and has mastered 'Light Wind' as an aid, it is still insufficient here.
The danger level of missions often correlates with the strength of the acceptor, and many tasks here are meant for Third-Rank Apprentices. For Freya, a Second-Class Apprentice, not only can she not accept them, but even if there are unrestricted tasks available, they tend to be more dangerous than others.
Previously, she accepted a hunting mission purely by luck because it happened to be one with the lowest danger level that a Second-Class Apprentice could take on, and she only did so after being confident in her ability to complete it.
Now, looking at the task board, there were either high-risk missions with no restrictions on numbers or levels or low-paying tasks like gathering herbs or cleaning the experimental garden—tasks that offered little reward and consumed too much time.
"Otherwise, should I go to the library now? Although I've finished reading about the basics of Defensive Spell energy position conversion, it wouldn't hurt to reinforce my knowledge, but it still feels a bit like a waste of time..."
Just as she hesitated, she suddenly remembered the employment messages in the Communication Ring from earlier.
Generally, Employment Tasks are just menial jobs. Although the pay is slightly higher than what is listed on the task board, it isn't significantly more. However, among these Employment Tasks, there are some with special high rewards. Most of them require apprentices with solid foundational knowledge and are specifically recruited by Official Wizards.
"I wonder if the task that hired me is one of those? Well, I'll go check it out and see how my luck is."
She paused for a moment and then walked toward a room on the left side of the hall, which was designated for handling Employment Tasks. The information from the Communication Ring had also come from here.
The door to the room was open, and she could vaguely see several figures moving inside.
As Freya stepped into the room, the faint smell of blood on her immediately caught the attention of several apprentices inside. Most of these apprentices were second-tier or First-Class Apprentices, typically engaged in safe tasks and were peaceful individuals. Although Freya's scent was very faint, they were quite sensitive to it.
However, they only glanced at Freya briefly before quickly turning their attention back to the Mission Board at the back of the room that displayed recruitment information from Official Wizards, ignoring her thereafter.
Freya paid them no mind and walked directly to the front of the Mission Board. The few apprentices in front of her instinctively made way for her to get a better view.
The recruitment information on the Mission Board was also categorized by levels. Soon, Freya found her name in the middle.
Laboratory Cleaning Task: Report to the Plant Department Experimental Garden for cleaning work between 2 PM and 4 PM. Level requirement: First-Class Apprentice. Plant Energy instructor: Anna. Note: Apprentices with cleaning experience in the Positive Energy System will be given priority; payment is two Magic Stones per month.
Because of that note regarding instructor Anna, as a Positive Energy System apprentice, Freya had priority for hiring, which is why she received a message from the Communication Ring.
"Sure enough, it's just a regular cleaning job. Although two Magic Stones per month is more than other cleaning tasks, it's still just menial work..." Freya shook her head slightly. Since she had mentally prepared herself for this outcome, she felt no disappointment.
Just as she decided to go to the Academy Library, the stagnant Employment Task board suddenly flashed, and a new Employment Task appeared above.
As soon as this task appeared, a stir arose among the several apprentices in the room who were observing.
Freya turned around and glanced at the newly posted task, her eyes narrowing immediately.
Experimental Assistant Task: Hire three apprentices to serve as experimental assistants, no time limit, available on call. Location: Necromancy Department, Exclusive Laboratory No. 3. Employer: Leander the Mentor. Required Level: Second-Class Apprentice. Note: Priority will be given to those with solid Basic Knowledge who can accurately identify experimental tools and ordinary experimental materials. Payment: One Magic Stone for every forty-eight hours worked, with time accumulated.
"Forty-eight hours for one Magic Stone? This can't be real!" A Second-Class Apprentice stared intently at the last few lines, clearly intrigued.
"However, it's an Employment Task from the Necromancy Department; what a pity," another apprentice remarked, evidently not swayed by the enticing numbers but expressing regret instead.
The Necromancy Department is a branch of the Negative Energy System and one of the most powerful departments in terms of Spell potency, primarily researching subjects such as Anatomy, Negative Energy Mutation Studies, and Biological Mutation Studies.
Freya was familiar with the basic knowledge of introductory anatomy in this department and could imagine the bloody nature of experiments conducted in the Necromancy Department's laboratories.
However, compared to these superficial aspects, the experimental projects in the Necromancy Department are most prone to excessive contamination by Negative Energy Particles. If not cleaned up promptly or adequately prepared, it could lead to significant trouble.
"What’s there to fear? As long as you pay attention, it’ll be fine," the earlier apprentice seemed determined and directly extended his Communication Ring, channeling his mental energy to report his full name for the task.
"Are you not worried about Negative Energy Particles affecting your constitution? You might find that even if you master knowledge from other departments besides the Necromancy Department's Spells, you won't be able to cast them," another apprentice, seemingly his companion, kindly advised.
"Sigh, I don’t have a powerful family backing me... You know my family's situation right now. I can only hope to become an Official Wizard for salvation; even becoming a mere Necromancer would be fine..."
Hearing his words, the advising apprentice was taken aback for a moment before patting him on the shoulder without offering further persuasion.
Standing quietly to the side and listening to the conversation between the two, Freya furrowed her brow slightly at the mention of the task.
She had heard about the situation concerning the Necromancy Department. However, as a member of the Positive Energy System, she found it much easier to deal with the troublesome Negative Energy from the Necromancy Department compared to others.
Moreover, she was somewhat intrigued by the rewards mentioned later.
She was currently short by about seven or eight Magic Stones, and she couldn't rely on the hunting missions outside at the moment. Given the circumstances, this special employment opportunity seemed to be the fastest way to obtain Magic Stones.
"Although the Negative Energy Particles from the Necromancy Department are difficult to handle, they are not insurmountable. From what I know, some experimental Sunlight Powder can partially block this type of energy radiation. Coupled with my own Positive Energy Particles as a buffer, I should be able to manage this task."
After considering the feasibility of this approach for a moment, she reached for her Communication Ring.
Having declined the previous cleaning task, she also left her name on the back of the Mission Board.
However, even though she had signed up, whether she would actually be hired still required an assessment. During this period, all she could do was wait.
Moreover, it seemed that there wouldn't be too many apprentices taking on tasks as experimental assistants in the Necromancy Department, so she had a good chance of being hired.
After completing these tasks, she did not linger and directly left the Mission Hall.
Once outside the Mission Area, Freya went to the Trading Area to purchase some Sunlight Powder and other necessities before returning to her room.
The light in her room was somewhat dim. Freya pulled back the curtains and opened the window to let in some fresh air, allowing for better circulation inside.
She hadn't returned here for two days while pursuing the Carrion Beast, and the air felt a bit stifling.
At this moment, the room was still arranged as it had been when she left.
The neatly stacked bedding, two spare Cross Swords hanging nearby, and a few books borrowed from the library on the desk titled Basic Knowledge.
Although the room was simple, it gave Freya an inexplicable sense of belonging.
It felt as if only here could she avoid thinking about so many things.
After relaxing her mind a bit, she placed her purchases on the floor, took off her Apprentice Gray Robe, washed up with a cold shower, and changed into comfortable, loose clothing.
Then she walked to the desk, took out an unopened book, and began to read carefully.
Her current mental strength allowed her to meditate on seventeen runes. According to the hints in the Meditation Manual, if she could meditate on twenty-five runes and master at least two Zero-Level Spells, she could be promoted to Third-Rank Apprentice.
Mastering a Spell not only required a vast amount of knowledge as foundational components for the Model but also necessitated that her body meet certain requirements under the radiation of Energy Particles.
All these conditions were indispensable.
The essence of a wizard is to pursue truth and evolve beyond their current level of existence.
It is said that upon being promoted to Official Wizard, one's lifespan undergoes a qualitative change, affecting both the body and the soul.
The Third-Rank Apprentice is the closest level to the realm of Official Wizard.
Although the requirements mentioned in the Meditation Manual seem simple, meeting all of them is quite challenging.
Moreover, recently, although Freya has maintained a meditative state, she has been feeling a gradual stagnation in her mental energy, causing the progress of guiding Energy Particles to radiate from her body to slow down as well.
Freya is aware of this unusual phenomenon; it is a manifestation of her limited aptitude leading to a dull perception of Energy Particles.
With her third-level aptitude, encountering this phenomenon after meditating on seventeen runes is still considered relatively good.
As far as she knows, Lilian possesses second-level aptitude but stagnated right after entering Second-Class Apprentice. Even using some special potions for perception enhancement has shown little effect, resulting in Lilian frequently using drugs and developing a resistance to them.
Although Freya has only just entered this state, due to the scarcity of Magic Stones, she hasn't used any potions at all, keeping her mind and body in their purest state.
However, to advance to Third-Rank Apprentice, she must use potions to enhance her perception; this is a necessary path due to the limitations of her aptitude.
While she is desperately trying to gather Magic Stones, it is still far too few compared to other apprentices with backgrounds.
If she does not become a wizard by the age of eighteen, the chances of becoming one afterward will be extremely slim. This is widely recognized information. Although Freya does not fully understand its significance, it does not prevent her from realizing the urgency of time.
Thus, she spares no effort in seeking ways to acquire Magic Stones, and the experimental assistant tasks in the Necromancy Department are one of those avenues.
...
Three hours later.
In the exclusive testing room of the Necromancy Department.
The dimly lit laboratory corridor is filled with an inexplicable pungent odor, somewhat reminiscent of disinfectant mixed with a fishy smell.
A middle-aged man dressed in a black robe led a group of about ten people down the corridor, heading towards Laboratory Three.
The individuals behind him wore gray apprentice robes, a mix of both men and women, all appearing youthful with immature faces.
Freya, walking in the center, calmly glanced at the apprentices accompanying her.
She had initially thought that no more than six would take on the mission, but she was surprised by the number; perhaps she had underestimated the desire for the Magic Stone among these individuals.
Among them, she could vaguely discern their affiliations through the faint energy aura surrounding them—approximately seven from the Negative Energy System, two from the Summon system, while she was the only apprentice from the Positive Energy System.
Although there were ten people in total, including Freya, only three were needed for the mission.
Perhaps this would significantly increase the difficulty of the assessment that was originally required, something no one wanted.
'I wonder who will be left behind?' Freya thought to herself with a slight frown.
Soon, under the guidance of the man in the black robe, they arrived at Laboratory Three. He turned around and instructed them.
"Wait here. I will notify Leander the Mentor. You will enter one by one to take the assessment. Those who fail will leave immediately; those who pass will stay. Understood?" (To be continued)
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