30: Rank 1 Apprentice

In this period, he had seen Fred's genius apprentice Sam, who was also his senior.

Sam was a tall guy with blonde hair and had a very amiable personality, even though he constantly poured over his experiments he would always help out with Mike's problems when he had time.

But since he was new besides some small talk his interactions with him were minimal.

In the remaining time, he spent them in the free public lessons. The free lessons in Black Academy were not many, and they only consisted of the history of Sages, the basics of the ancient Maish language, the principles of Sage spells, basic Potioneering, anatomy, and basic magic spell theory.

The professors of the public lessons always had dark expressions, and they hurriedly left right after the period ended. Not only did they not answer the acolytes' questions, it seemed like everyone owed them Magic Crystals.

"It was a public lesson, after all, being able to listen is already not too bad!" Wade comforted himself, he had Abby's help and could record the lessons completely.

In the future, he could always take them out for reference when he revises, as for the other acolytes, they were in a worse state.

If they did not understand, there was always a price to pay to obtain information from the professors or other apprentices.

"Today's topic was really difficult! The image of that Swamp Frog's anatomy was only shown for a few seconds. I did not even have time to look at it clearly!" Baron complained.

"There's no choice! The study of anatomy is a very broad topic, and the images are aplenty, classes will not end if they're not taught fast enough!" Wade replied by his side.

He was one of his new neighbours, Baron. He had come with him on the train and later they found out that they were neighbours and since both of them were new apprentices they often attended classes together. Their friendship considered pretty good.

While continuing with their discussion about the various common aspects about Sage world that he could gain from Baron they found themselves at their rooms.

Bidding goodbye to each other they entered the room.

"From what I can tell from all this time that I have spent in the Academy there are only two ways to earn magic crystals. The first is by doing the missions with Sam and the other is by making potions." He thought.

Potion Masters are rather rare amongst Sages, and a huge investment is needed to become one. However, after succeeding, one can make money at a terrifying pace.

"Almost there! I have a feeling that I will become a Rank 1 Apprentice tonight! After reaching Rank 1 Apprentice, I will be able to move the energy particles in the air. Not only will I be able to resist the radiation from the academy's buildings, but I will also be able to attempt to experiment with basic potion brewing!"

Wade's eyes flashed with excitement, but very soon he recovered his composure by exercising restraint. He then sat cross-legged on the bed, and began the meditation for the day.

The air in the room quietened down, and only the faint sounds of Wade's breathing could be heard. Wade's chest moved with an undulating pattern and his expression was serene, with only some restless movements beneath his eyelids.

After about an hour, several black spots of light radiated from Wade's forehead, just like fireflies. These light spots hovered around Wade, and finally entered his openings, it looked a little eerie.

"Hah..."

After the black coloured spots of light entered Wade's body, he felt his whole body shudder. The muscles on his face twitched, and large beads of sweat rolled down. Very soon, he returned back to having a peaceful state.

After some time, Wade opened his eyes.

"I have finally advanced to a Rank 1 Apprentice! This speed of three weeks is similar to a regular fourth-grade Apprentice, not out of ordinary."

"Originally, I could have advanced six days ago, but I had to stop to stabilise my Mental Force so that the Apprentice Rune could be built easily. There were some other difficulties in advancing this time, which may also be attributed to this!"

The one reason for prolonging the date of advancement was to stabilise his mental and magic Force so that the construction of the rune would not face any problem and another was to keep a low profile.

A regular fourth-grade apprentice must take around a month's time to turn into a Rank 1 Apprentice after receiving the meditation technique.

As for ten days to half a month's time, that was the measure of a fifth-grade apprentice. Wade did not want to undergo any tests caused by suspicions of him having the wrong aptitude. If Abby was discovered in the end, not only would it be lost, his life might also be in danger!

After all, Abby now has undergone changes after transcending dimensions. It has already fused together with his soul and cannot be separated at all.

"According to the assessments done by Abby, a Rank 1 Apprentices Mental Force is roughly double that of an average adult. Moreover, Mental Force seems to have a life of its own, strongly attracting the energy particles in the air towards it!"

Wade stretched his hands, and a layer of ebony coloured light wrapped around his arm like a snake. It also felt a little cooling.

"I have the highest elemental affinity with the Dark element, and will choose to cultivate on the path of the Dark element. This was the plan that I set for myself since long ago. As for the energy particles of Fire and the other elements, I shall just keep a few of them to use it to my advantage in future!"