Chapter 67: A Turbulent First Test

Fearing he would fall asleep and dream again, Saul spent the latter half of the night meditating with the crystal orb in his hands.

Although the transformation of his left arm into a wizard body had greatly increased his magic power, it hadn’t done much to change his inherent magical talent.

In other words, improving his magic power in the future would still be a major challenge.

Fortunately, the most pressing danger had already passed. Saul could now afford to take safer approaches or continue modifying his body to enhance his magic.

At 8 a.m., the hourglass clock signaled it was time for him to leave.

He slung on his bag and headed toward Mentor Kaz’s laboratory.

Senior Mark was absent today, leaving only Angela huddled nervously in the corner of the lab.

When she saw Saul enter, she forced a smile and greeted him.

“Good morning, Saul.”

“Huh? Morning.”

Saul glanced at Angela and noticed she had already lowered her head again, keeping to herself.

She seemed incredibly tense.

“Whew—” Saul let out a soft breath.

Well, truth be told, he was nervous too.

Even in his past life as a corporate drone, he’d taken his share of professional exams.

And every time, he’d been anxious, never quite able to pull off the calm of a seasoned adult.

That was the price of preparing for a test without actually preparing.

But the nerves this time felt different from before.

The First Rank apprentice test was held once a month, but new students were given three months to prepare for the first one.

From the attitude of the mentors and the remarks of the senior students, it was clear that failing the exam wasn’t a mere inconvenience—it wasn’t as simple as just retaking it.

“What’s the worst that could happen if I fail the test?”

“They wouldn’t actually turn me into flower fertilizer too, right?”

Saul had confidence in his own strength, but the real source of his anxiety was the authority of the tower and the overwhelming power of the official wizard.

First Rank apprentices were just too weak in comparison.

The two of them waited in the lab from 8 to 9 a.m., and the atmosphere only grew heavier with each passing minute.

But Mentor Kaz never showed up.

As Saul was zoning out, trying to calm himself, he suddenly noticed Angela walking toward him. She sat down on a stool about a meter away.

“Saul, do you know where Duke went? He hasn’t been to the lab in days,” she asked cautiously.

“He’s dead,” Saul replied flatly.

Angela’s head snapped up, but just before meeting Saul’s gaze, she quickly looked away.

“Oh… oh…” Her fingers fidgeted anxiously, and she shifted in her seat as if struggling with something.

“Um…” Angela clearly wanted to change the topic. “The test is at nine today, right? Why aren’t the mentor or senior here?”

Saul didn’t know either and was just about to suggest going out to check—

When the sound of footsteps approached. Senior Mark walked through the door.

He didn’t greet them and instead rushed into the lab to start gathering materials.

Once he’d packed what he needed, he finally spoke, without even looking back at them, “The mentors have an unexpected situation. All new apprentices are to take the test in the tenth-floor common classroom. Get moving.”

“Ah!” Angela gasped, covering her mouth with both hands.

Saul stood up immediately and followed Mark out of the lab.

Other apprentices were also emerging from their respective labs in small groups, holding books or carrying bags.

Everyone wore puzzled, uneasy expressions and whispered among themselves.

Angela caught up from behind, quickening her pace to walk beside Saul.

Strangely, even though she’d clearly been frightened by him moments ago, she still stuck close to him now.

That made Saul feel a little suspicious.

Just as Angela opened her mouth to speak again, someone suddenly forced their way between them.

“Good morning, Saul! Oh? Morning, Angela.”

After casually greeting Angela, Keli turned to examine Saul.

“You look worse and worse these days.”

Saul gave a bitter smile.

“Had a nightmare.”

“Nightmare? With your mental strength? Ordinary dreams shouldn’t affect you. Are you sure you’re not being haunted or cursed? Want someone to check it out?”

Keli had keen instincts and quickly noticed the potential issue.

Apprentices with developed mental power rarely dreamed without cause—especially not nightmares.

So as soon as Saul mentioned one, Keli immediately suspected he’d gotten himself into something.

When she said “someone,” she emphasized the word heavily.

She meant Byron.

“Yeah,” Saul nodded. He was thinking the same.

Senior Byron, who worked in the morgue, probably had plenty of experience dealing with spirits and curses. But he had just been promoted to a Third Rank apprentice, and was busy with paperwork, moving, and picking up new materials.

His morgue duties had been handed off to a new Second Rank apprentice. If Saul wanted to find him, he’d have to go to his new dorm.

If it weren’t for the lingering unease the dream had caused, Saul wouldn’t have considered bothering Senior Byron.

He didn’t like being a burden—especially when he was already low on credits.

Angela walked quietly beside them, her steps growing slower.

The moment Keli joined Saul, she’d struck up a lively conversation with him and Saul, normally reserved, was laughing and talking along with her.

Angela bit her lip, silently regretting her earlier hesitation.

Saul had one of the strongest mental talents among all First Rank apprentices. But back then, it seemed like he’d offended a Second Rank apprentice, and even his mentor didn’t seem to think much of him. That’s why Angela hadn’t tried to get close.

She just didn’t want trouble. Not everyone could afford to be as bold as Keli.

Still deep in conversation, Saul and Keli moved quickly, their long strides soon leaving Angela behind.

The temporary testing room on the tenth floor was quite large, and around twenty new students were scattered throughout.

Three months of studying wizardly had already led to the formation of several small cliques. A few loners sat apart, silent and solitary.

Saul and Keli, as usual, picked seats in the back row.

Angela didn’t follow this time. She found a seat on her own.

“Didn’t she always avoid you before? Why’s she suddenly sticking to you now?” Keli asked, resting her chin on her hand.

“She’s probably nervous,” Saul replied, not thinking much of it. “Do you know what’s going on? Why the test was moved here and why we’re all doing it together?”

“I don’t really know. I was eating breakfast with Mentor Gudo when he was suddenly called away. Then I got the notice about the test change.”

“Eating… breakfast with Mentor Gudo?” Saul asked with effort.

“Yeah.”

Keli wore an expression like ‘I don’t even know how this happened.’

“I’ve totally gotten used to his vomiting. I can even eat bread right next to him now without flinching.”

Saul wasn’t sure whether to be envious of Keli for being able to eat with Mentor Gudo or to pity her for having to.

While the two chatted, the rest of the room buzzed with scattered conversation.

Twenty-something people made it sound like a hundred.

Bang!

A sudden, loud noise startled everyone.

Saul looked toward the sound and saw a Second Rank apprentice walking in with a faint smile at the corner of his mouth.

Keli gasped beside him.

Even Saul sat up straighter, frowning.

Because the one who had just entered was Lokai—the same one who had given them their introductory lesson as freshmen!

Using the Mutual Aid Society as a front, Lokai had parasitized who knows how many newcomers. Saul didn’t know his true agenda, but he was certain Lokai was no simple “good guy.”

They had already mentally filed Lokai under the “evil faction.”

But Lokai didn’t say a word after entering. He simply pulled up the chair at the front podium and laid down a soft fur cushion.

“Someone else is coming and that’s the one conducting the test!” Saul quickly turned to the door.

Sure enough, a few seconds later, a thin, pale man walked in slowly.

He wore a loose, white robe, and his exposed hands were bony and skeletal. His footsteps were completely silent.

If he hadn’t been so short, Saul might’ve thought it was Big Pink making a grand entrance.

Saul had never seen him before but someone had.

Keli whispered a reminder: “That’s Mentor Anze. He specializes in Earth and Wood magic, but he also dabbles in Water and Poison and I heard he’s even studied Light magic. He’s got the most students in the entire tower. Lokai… is one of them.”

(End of Chapter)

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