The next day, in the public classroom area of Lilith’s Cottage, during the Universal Studies course.

The dark elf Sasari stood at the podium, holding a birdcage.

He lifted the black cloth covering the cage, revealing a fairy with green hair and dragonfly wings. Upon seeing the numerous wizard apprentices, the fairy let out a piercing scream.

The scream felt like it could rupture eardrums.

Simultaneously, the fairy’s body split during the scream, becoming two, then four, then eight. Soon, the number of dragonfly-winged fairies reached sixteen.

The sixteen fairies, crammed together in the iron cage, emitted a cacophony of screams, causing the second-class wizard apprentices in the classroom to wince and cover their ears.

Sasari, displeased, glanced at the apprentices and softly recited a spell.

Instantly, the numerous fairies in the cage let out agonized cries, shattering like illusory bubbles, leaving only the original one, which ceased screaming.

Sasari covered the cage with the black cloth and said, “This is a Linsel Fairy, native to the Mirror Lake shores in the southeast quadrant.”

“Don’t be fooled by its small size or its low danger rating in the wild. Its capture difficulty is moderate to low, but if you kids encountered it in the wild, you’d already be dead.”

“The Linsel Fairy has an innate 0.5-circle Sonic Shockwave spell, a sonic magic sub-branch of the evocation school.”

“Now, who can tell me which category its self-splitting talent magic belongs to?”

A middle-aged second-class wizard apprentice beside Locke raised his hand and said, “Senior Sasari, I believe it’s a transformation spell, part of the transmutation school.”

He added confidently, “The transmutation school isn’t just about changing an object’s shape; it can also create clones.”

Sasari gave him a cold glance. “Then tell me, what level of transformation spell can create clones?”

The apprentice’s forehead beaded with sweat. “Well… uh…”

Sasari said coldly, “Utterly foolish.”

He addressed all the second-class wizard apprentices in the classroom, “Transformation spells that create clones, regardless of the specific magic, require at least first-class wizard apprentice status.”

“Even then, a first-class wizard apprentice can’t do it perfectly. Only a formal wizard can truly use a transformation spell to create a clone.”

“That requires years of practice and countless studies. I already said this fairy’s rank isn’t high, so the answer is: those clones are merely illusions.”

“The Linsel Fairy’s bloodline also carries a 0.5-circle illusion school trick spell, [Mirage Multitude].”

“In summary, all of this fairy’s passive talents are only good for creating minor distractions, but in the wild, if luck turns against you, they could be the cause of your death.”

Sasari continued, “The Linsel Fairy’s skin can be used for alchemical purposes, crafting items like the [Mirage Cloak].”

“Its blood and eyeballs can be used to concoct potions, creating [Phantom Water].”

“You can take notes; you might need this information later.”

“That’s all for today. Class dismissed.”

After Sasari left the classroom, Locke saw the wizard apprentices begin to disperse.

Most apprentices attended this class to learn survival techniques for the wild.

Of course, a few were preparing to advance in fields like alchemy, potion-making, or breeding.

Locke organized his notes. The Universal Studies course had indeed broadened his horizons, introducing him to various specialties of the southeast quadrant and typical products from other wizard regions.

Leaving the classroom, Locke hailed a lizardman-driven rickshaw on the street and headed to Witch Sophia’s office.

Inside Witch Sophia’s office.

Sophia looked up at Locke and said, “I heard you moved to Diagon Alley. Are you settling in okay?”

Locke replied, “Yes, Teacher.”

“I moved last night, and it’s much more convenient. Diagon Alley is right next to the Chimera Trading Market, and it has dedicated patrolling wizard apprentices for security. It’s far safer and more convenient than Dwarf Street.”

Witch Sophia smiled and said, “Good.”

“I lived in Diagon Alley for a while myself. It’s decent, but be cautious.”

“There are many ill-intentioned people in Diagon Alley.”

Sophia continued, “Use the amethyst matrix to test your mental strength.”

Locke complied, placing his hands on the amethyst matrix, which displayed [60].

Sophia frowned at the result and said, “The effect of the Moonlight Elixir on you is far better than I expected.”

“I’ll need to conduct a bloodline trace for you sometime.”

“But this is a good thing.”

Sophia looked at Locke and said, “Back to business. Based on your displayed talent, I plan for you to become a first-class wizard apprentice within four years.”

“To become a first-class wizard apprentice, your mental strength needs to reach 200.”

“This can’t be achieved simply by learning spells and passively increasing mental strength, so you need to learn a meditation technique.”

Sophia paused to let Locke process, then continued, “Additionally, you can take the breeding course. That way, you can manage my magical plant cultivation room.”

“I originally planned to hire an external first-class wizard apprentice, but I don’t fully trust outsiders.”

Locke knew Sophia specialized in plant magic. Her magical plant cultivation room held too many of her secrets; even a glimpse of its contents could reveal much about her.

Sophia said, “This is also greatly beneficial for you, since you’re studying plant magic.”

“It could become a source of magic stones for you in the future.”

Sophia added, “Moreover, becoming a certified breeder’s assistant can resolve another issue for you.”

Sophia handed Locke a job assignment document. “The academy has assigned you to the enforcement wizard patrol team for the academy’s territory.”

“This is quite troublesome.”

Locke took the document and asked curiously, “Teacher, according to my former neighbor Pierre, who’s a local, he said patrol team positions require connections to obtain. Why is this a problem?”

Sophia shook her head. “Your friend only knows the surface.”

“That was true before, not now.”

“The wizard war between Lilith’s Cottage and the Blood Curse Court has been ongoing for five years.”

“Now, being an enforcement wizard on patrol carries immense risks. Local wizard apprentices with connections try to get out of patrol duties.”

“So, wizard prospects like you are typically assigned to the patrol team right away.”

Sophia continued, “Of course, it’s your choice.”

“Locke, you can stay on the patrol team, but if you don’t want to, you’ll need to find another way.”

“For example, proving your value to the academy by earning a breeder’s assistant certificate. Then I can arrange for you to be transferred out of the patrol team.”

Sophia glanced at Locke and said, “Right now, the patrol team loses people every day. Compared to black wizards skilled in combat, we white wizards are at a significant disadvantage.”

Locke understood, realizing he was in a highly dangerous situation.

Without Sophia’s warning, he might have naively stayed on the patrol team and been set up.

Locke said, “Understood, Teacher. I’ll follow your arrangements.”

Sophia’s lips curved slightly. “Have you prepared the five hundred magic stones? I have a few meditation techniques particularly suited for you.”

“By the way, do you even know what a meditation technique is?”