Inside Witch Sophia’s office.

Locke said to Witch Sophia, “Teacher, I truly don’t know what a meditation technique is. Please enlighten me.”

Since entering Lilith’s Cottage, Locke had relied on learning spell models to passively increase his mana.

Moreover, information about meditation techniques was rarely mentioned in the academy’s public resources.

He had never seen anyone openly selling meditation techniques at the Chimera Trading Market.

Of course, it was possible his previous rank was too low to access such resources.

Sophia placed three scrolls in front of Locke. “These are the three meditation techniques I have, tailored to wood element particle affinity.”

“Two I purchased directly, and one belonged to a former enemy.”

“You couldn’t access meditation technique resources before because they are among the academy’s most guarded knowledge.”

Sophia explained, “In the southeast quadrant, knowledge about meditation techniques is the most expensive and closely guarded secret.”

“Only with a meditation technique can one hope to become a formal wizard.”

“Without it, becoming a first-class wizard apprentice would take most of a lifetime. A meditation technique is a key to the door of truth.”

Sophia continued, “Without this key, the number of formal wizards in the southeast quadrant would be ninety percent lower.”

“Without a meditation technique, the only way to become a first-class wizard apprentice is to amass vast magical resources, consume them, and forcibly boost mental strength to break through wizard ranks.”

“Ancient wizards did this, but the side effects were severe, so formal wizards were extremely rare back then.”

Locke nodded. During the Universal Studies course, the dark elf Sasari had mentioned that ancient wizards were inferior to modern ones, and modern wizards would not surpass future ones.

The path of wizardry was always advancing. In the past, a First Circle wizard was the pinnacle of magic, but that was no longer the case.

Sophia said, “A meditation technique involves placing your mental strength in a specific state to achieve growth.”

“Different meditation techniques vary in this state.”

“Basic meditation techniques generally simulate the mana fluctuations of certain natural phenomena.”

Sophia added, “In the southeast quadrant, meditation techniques are divided into two levels: basic and advanced.”

“I have one advanced meditation technique, but I only have learning rights, not teaching rights, so I can’t even sell it to you.”

“Of course, you couldn’t afford it now, nor do you need it.”

“Per academy rules, only academy students can teach or sell meditation techniques. A basic meditation technique costs five hundred magic stones.”

“Outside the academy, even five thousand magic stones might not buy a complete basic meditation technique. The academy is very strict about this.”

Sophia pointed to the three scrolls and said, “These are the Root Pulse Synchronization Meditation Technique, the Sprout Seed Meditation Technique, and the Green Leaf Vein Meditation Technique.”

Sophia briefly explained their differences. “All three are suited for plant magic.”

“The [Root Pulse Synchronization Meditation Technique] produces the gentlest mana, with a moderate growth rate, a solid foundation, and high difficulty.”

“The [Sprout Seed Meditation Technique] boosts mental strength the fastest, but the mana is overly volatile, making the foundation unstable, requiring extra care to solidify it. It’s of moderate difficulty.”

“The [Green Leaf Vein Meditation Technique] risks energy overload, which is dangerous. It has a moderate growth rate, but the mana purity is lacking. It’s the least difficult.”

Sophia said casually, “Though there are differences, they’re just basic meditation techniques, so I don’t care which you choose.”

Locke thought for a moment and said, “Teacher, I choose the Root Pulse Synchronization Meditation Technique.”

With the Rose Red Jade, he wasn’t worried about mental strength growth speed, so he naturally chose the technique with the gentlest mana and the most solid foundation.

Sophia glanced at Locke, her lips curving slightly. “Good choice. This is the meditation technique I used as a second-class wizard apprentice.”

“The Sprout Seed Meditation Technique was used by one of my enemies.”

“The Green Leaf Vein Meditation Technique was a free gift when I bought a valuable magical material.”

Sophia retrieved two scrolls and handed one to Locke. “Take it and study it yourself. From now on, I’ll give you half an hour of meditation technique lessons and half an hour of breeding lessons daily.”

“Remember, you only have learning rights, not distribution rights.”

Sophia’s tone suddenly turned stern. “Wizards value their knowledge highly. If you share this meditation technique with others, harming my interests, I will be very angry.”

Locke nodded and said, “Understood, Teacher.”

He immediately dismissed the idea of reselling the meditation technique for magic stones.

At the same time, another thought arose in Locke’s mind: what would happen if he synthesized all three basic meditation techniques?

The Root Pulse Synchronization Meditation Technique was geared toward wood element particles, but his secondary primary affinity was [negative energy particles]. If meditation techniques could be synthesized, he should ideally create one that accommodates both of his primary affinity element particles.

However, this idea was difficult to implement now.

After all, meditation techniques were so costly. Acquiring one had already taken over a year’s worth of hard-earned magic stones. To buy the other two for synthesis, he would likely need to earn a breeder’s assistant certificate and start selling enhanced magical plant seeds.

Sophia said to Locke, “Follow me. I’ll take you to my magical plant cultivation room.”

“The breeding course will be taught there.”

“The breeding course requires many magical plants, so it’s typically hard for ordinary wizard apprentices to find ways to study it.”

Until now, Sophia had never allowed Locke into her plant cultivation room.

Locke followed, finally able to see the many magical plants Sophia had carefully cultivated.

Of course, Locke was extremely cautious. Entering the plant room of a formal wizard specializing in plant magic was highly dangerous.

Sophia’s magical creature cultivation room was already perilous, let alone her plant room, which was even more critical to her.

He couldn’t be too careful.