Intermediate Apprentice

【Meteor Spell 2.0】While its power increased dramatically, its mana consumption also increased dramatically. Two shots completely depleted Matthew's mana.

Fortunately, his mental strength has now reached 29 points, just one step away from becoming an intermediate apprentice.

"If this were in the Winter Realm, he wouldn't be able to unleash his full magic at all."

"If we're going by ranks, I'd say I'm at least a beginner wizard apprentice at the half-step peak of mastery."

Matthew chuckled self-deprecatingly, dusted himself off, and walked outside.

……

ten minutes later……

Matthew appeared in the trading area, walked up to the Smith family's grocery store, and pushed open the door to go inside.

During this period, Matthew would go to the grocery store every few days.

So Tom wasn't surprised, and he couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark.

"Oh, my esteemed pharmacology genius and master of sorcery scroll making, I knew you'd come today!"

He rubbed his hands together and winked at Matthew.

Matthew understood, but shook his head. "Next time, there really aren't any left."

Tom seemed to have expected this and didn't press the matter further. "Although you've given me bad news, I have good news for you!"

Upon hearing this, Matthew's eyes lit up. He quickly stepped forward. "From what you're saying, have you perhaps found out information about the Harrison family?"

"Of course, our Smith family..."

"Speak quickly!" Matthew interrupted, waving his hand.

Tom was used to being interrupted, so he wasn't annoyed.

"Ahem, ahem..." He cleared his throat and began, "The Harrison family is a ducal family in the Seven Empire..."

Then, Tom began to recount the intelligence he had obtained.

It turns out that this family is an extraordinary family. Although they have never produced a formal wizard, they have had several wizard apprentices in their history.

For centuries, they seem to have been conducting some kind of bloodline research, but Tom has not been able to find out the specifics.

On the surface, the Harrison family now has only one mediocre apprentice left, Molde.

However, the intelligence provided by Tom indicated that there was another mid-level apprentice in the family named Eamon hiding behind the scenes.

This person was actually Mold's great-grandfather!

……

After hearing this explanation, Matthew confirmed with the other party again.

"Is the Harrison family really only one apprentice named Eamon, who is currently an apprentice?"

"Absolutely true, unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless Mold is still alive."

Matthew was still a little uneasy and asked again and again, "Are you sure?"

Tom patted his chest and assured him, "I'm sure, I'd stake the reputation of the Smith family on it."

Upon hearing this, Matthew finally breathed a sigh of relief. Tom had always valued the Smith family's reputation, and since he had used the family's name as collateral, he must have a reliable source of information.

If the Harrison family only had one mediocre apprentice, Matthew wouldn't have anything to worry about with his current abilities.

The school's next death mission is approaching, and according to estimates, he only needs another week of meditation to advance to intermediate apprentice.

He planned to choose a mission close to the Seven Empire and visit the Harrison family on the way to obtain their bloodline research.

In recent days, after consulting numerous illustrated guides, he has found some magical beast bloodlines that can resolve the soul erosion problem.

If the Harrison family's research can indeed fuse two bloodlines, then Matthew can use this to resolve his soul abnormality, get rid of Angela's threat, and at the same time, his physique will be enhanced once again.

Seeing that Matthew hadn't spoken, Tom realized he was doubting his own intelligence and continued muttering to himself.

"You can rest assured about the authenticity of the information; the intelligence of the Smith family has always been reliable."

Not to brag, but our family business spans the entire wizarding world…

"Bang—" A loud slam of the door interrupted Tom's endless chatter.

Matthew had already walked outside and headed back to the dormitory without looking back.

……

Eight days later...

The Tidal School, just as dawn was breaking.

Matthew sat cross-legged on the bed, his eyes closed, his expression solemn.

As the final stroke was drawn in his mind, an irregular shape appeared completely and condensed in his mental space.

Suddenly, the image trembled, and he felt his mental strength increase.

Unlike previous enhancements, this spiritual power strengthened his spiritual source.

He seemed to hear a cracking sound, like some kind of bottleneck being broken.

"Boom—" Matthew felt a boom in his mind and he suddenly opened his eyes. The system panel popped up in front of him.

Name: Matthew Claire

[Physical Fitness: 8]

【Mental Power: 30】

[Unrefinable: The item possesses its own consciousness.]

"finally……

Promoted to intermediate apprentice!

Matthew felt refreshed and his perception of the world became clearer. His thinking and calculation abilities also increased significantly.

He can now meditate on two sides of the Forgotten Image simultaneously, and his understanding of the image is becoming increasingly profound.

In recent days, he has exchanged all his magic stones for various materials to make [Healing Potion] and [Lightfall Scroll].

Although Tom's intelligence indicated that the Harrison family currently only had one intermediate apprentice.

But Matthew will not let his guard down, especially since he still needs to complete the school's mission.

Of course, he didn't forget to use the diluted ink condensate to make some weakened versions of the [Lightfall Spell Scroll] and sell them to Tom.

Today is the day the school's tasks are issued.

Without giving it much thought, Matthew quickly packed his things and hurried out the door.

……

A moment later...

Apprentice area, apprentice hall.

"Matthew? What brings you here at this hour? What's up?" Geralt yawned.

"I'll complete the verification!"

"Certification? Didn't you already complete it when you returned from the Winter Realm?"

"It's not a project-based assessment or verification, but rather an intermediate-level apprenticeship certification."

"Huh? Intermediate apprenticeship certification?"

Geralt was stunned. He hadn't noticed the magical fluctuations on Matthew's body before, but now that he was sensing it carefully, he realized that the other party had actually advanced.

He felt a sense of unreality and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, his voice trembling, "You've only been back from the frontier for a short time, and you've already advanced?"

Keep in mind that they were in the same batch of apprentices who entered the Tide School, and the other person even lost a lot of time due to pioneering work, yet they actually advanced before me!

Matthew had to complete his intermediate apprenticeship certification before noon to be eligible to freely choose his tasks, so he had no time for conversation.

"Am I lucky enough to complete my intermediate apprenticeship certification?"

"Oh, oh, wait a minute..." Geralt finally snapped out of his shock, but his expression was bittersweet.

He quickly handed Matthew a scroll. "This is your certification scroll. With it, you can freely choose your school's missions."

"Thanks."

Just as Matthew was about to leave, Geralt suddenly remembered something and interrupted, "By the way, you should know about the Wizard Advancement Trials, right?"