Chapter 67: The Tumultuous First Test

Fearing he might dream again if he fell asleep, Saul chose to spend the second half of the night meditating with his crystal ball.

Although the left-hand witch body modification had significantly enhanced his magical power, his innate magical talent had not improved much.

This meant that his future magical growth would still be a considerable challenge.

Fortunately, his most urgent crisis had been resolved, allowing Saul to explore other, safer methods or continue modifying his witch body to further increase his magic.

At eight in the morning, the hourglass clock reminded Saul it was time to set off.

He packed his bag and headed to Mentor Kaz’s laboratory.

Today, Senior Mark was absent, leaving only Angela, who nervously shrank into a corner of the lab.

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

“Good morning, Saul.”

“Huh? Oh, morning.”

Saul glanced at Angela, noticing that she had quickly lowered her head again.

Angela seemed quite nervous.

"Phew—" Saul exhaled lightly.

Alright, he had to admit—he was nervous too.

Even in his past life as a working adult, he had participated in various professional exams.

Each time, no matter how prepared he thought he was, nerves still got the best of him. There was no trace of adult composure.

Perhaps that was the price he had to pay for inadequate preparation.

However, this time, his anxiety was different.

The First-Level Wizard Apprentice Test was conducted once a month, but new apprentices were given three months to prepare for their first attempt.

Judging from the mentors' attitudes and the remarks of senior apprentices, failing the test was far more serious than merely retaking an exam.

“What’s the worst outcome of failing the test?”

“Could they turn me into fertilizer as well?”

Though Saul had confidence in his own abilities, his real fear stemmed from the immense authority of the Wizard Tower and the sheer power of official wizards.

A first-level apprentice was nothing before them.

The two of them waited in the laboratory from eight until nine, as the atmosphere grew heavier by the minute.

Yet Mentor Kaz never arrived.

Just as Saul was considering stepping out to check, he saw Angela approaching him, sitting down on a stool about a meter away.

“Saul, do you know where Duke went? He hasn’t shown up in the lab for days,” Angela asked cautiously.

“He’s dead.” Saul answered flatly.

Angela’s head shot up, but just before making eye contact with Saul, she quickly averted her gaze.

“Oh... oh...” She wrung her fingers together, shifting uncomfortably in her seat, clearly conflicted.

“Uh...” Angela tried to change the topic. “The test is at nine, right? Why haven’t the mentor and seniors arrived?”

Saul had no idea either. He was just about to step outside when a series of footsteps approached, and Senior Mark entered the lab.

Without greeting them, he rushed to collect materials from the shelves.

After gathering what he needed, he finally spoke without turning around. “The mentors have urgent matters to attend to. All new apprentices’ tests have been moved to the public classroom on the tenth floor. Hurry up and get there.”

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

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

Other apprentices emerged from their respective laboratories, carrying books or bags, forming scattered groups in the corridor.

Everyone seemed bewildered and engaged in hushed discussions, their faces filled with unease.

Angela, who had followed them out, jogged a few steps to catch up with Saul on his left.

It was strange. She had clearly been intimidated by Saul earlier, yet she still chose to walk beside him.

This put Saul on alert.

Just as Angela was about to speak again, another figure forcefully squeezed between them.

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

After casually greeting Angela, Keli turned to examine Saul.

“You look more and more exhausted.”

Saul forced a bitter smile.

“Bad dreams.”

“Nightmares? With your mental strength, regular nightmares shouldn’t affect you, right? Could something supernatural be haunting you? Should we find someone to check?”

Keli had keenly spotted a potential issue.

Apprentices like them, whose mental strength had been developed, usually did not dream without reason—especially not nightmares.

So the moment Saul mentioned nightmares, Keli immediately suspected he was caught in some kind of trouble.

When she asked, "Should we find someone?" she emphasized the word "someone."

Keli was referring to Byron.

“Yeah,” Saul nodded. He had considered the same thing.

Byron, who had spent years working in the morgue, was likely experienced in dealing with supernatural entities. But since he had just been promoted to a third-level apprentice, he was busy with registration, moving quarters, and collecting new materials.

The morgue had already been handed over to a new second-level apprentice. If Saul wanted to find Byron, he would have to visit his new residence.

If not for the sheer unease the nightmare left him with, Saul wouldn’t have wanted to bother Byron.

Constantly troubling him wasn’t ideal, especially since Saul didn’t have many credits left.

Angela remained silent, slowing her pace.

The moment Keli arrived, she enthusiastically engaged Saul in conversation, and the normally quiet Saul responded with ease.

Angela bit her lip, regretting her earlier hesitation.

Saul’s mental strength was among the highest of the first-level apprentices, but at the time, he seemed to have offended a second-level apprentice, and even their mentor hadn’t looked favorably upon him. That was why Angela had hesitated to associate with him.

She had wanted to avoid trouble. Not everyone had Keli's confidence.

Still engaged in conversation, Saul and Keli, both brisk walkers, soon left Angela behind.

The public classroom designated for the test was spacious, with about twenty newcomers scattered throughout.

After three months of learning witchcraft, most had formed small groups. Only a few lone wolves distanced themselves from the others, silently sitting alone.

Saul and Keli once again chose seats at the back of the classroom.

This time, Angela did not follow them but found a seat elsewhere.

“She usually avoids you, right? Why did she suddenly cozy up today?” Keli asked, resting her chin on her hand.

“She’s probably nervous.” Saul didn’t overthink it. “Do you know what’s going on? Why was the test moved here and made into a group session?”

“I’m not sure either. I was having breakfast with Mentor Gudo when he was suddenly called away. Then I got the notice that the test had been moved.”

“You were... having breakfast with Mentor Gudo?” Saul struggled to process her words.

“Yeah.”

Keli wore a baffled expression, as if she didn’t understand it herself.

“I’ve completely adapted to his vomiting now. I can even eat bread without flinching.”

Saul didn’t know whether to envy Keli for dining with Mentor Gudo or pity her for having to endure it.

As conversations continued, the classroom buzzed with noise, twenty-odd people creating the atmosphere of a hundred.

BANG!

A loud noise startled everyone.

Saul turned toward the sound and saw a second-level apprentice with a smirk entering the room.

Beside him, Keli suddenly gasped.

Even Saul sat up straight, frowning.

The one who had entered was none other than Luo Kai—the same senior apprentice who had given their introductory lecture.

Luo Kai had been using the Mutual Aid Society to secretly parasitize numerous newcomers. Though Saul didn’t know his exact motives, he had already classified him as a threat.

Luo Kai said nothing, merely setting up a chair at the front of the classroom, placing a soft fur cushion on it.

"Someone else is coming—and that person is the real test proctor!" Saul immediately turned toward the door.

Sure enough, moments later, a pale, thin man with a sluggish demeanor entered.

He wore a slightly oversized white robe, his exposed hands bony and skeletal, his footsteps eerily silent.

If not for his short stature, Saul might have mistaken him for a corpse.

Though Saul had never seen him before, someone else had.

Keli whispered, “That’s Mentor Anzer. He specializes in earth and wood magic, but also dabbles in water, poison, and even light magic. He currently has the most apprentices in the Wizard Tower. Luo Kai... is one of his students.”

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