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Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Tier 4 Synthesized Item: Deep Blue Gem

When Locke returned to his dormitory, it was already evening.

At that time, the dormitory was even quieter than in the morning, as the surrounding rooms were all occupied by students of Anjou descent.

Those individuals had been forced to leave the academy one after another over the past few days.

Thus, the dormitory hallway near Locke's room would only grow more deserted with each passing day.

With the Frankish Empire's occupation of the Kingdom of Anjou, the number of students admitted to the Aurelian Academy each year would decrease by at least one-seventh.

Alone in his dormitory, Locke opened the first book and began reading intently. That night, he became utterly engrossed, gaining vast knowledge.

It was the beginning of the Wizard World.

After a simple meal of bread to satisfy his hunger, Locke took out the Tier 4 synthesized item from the Synthetic Cube.

Previously, he had synthesized a Tier 3 ring using a gold ring, a ruby, and a sapphire.

Afterward, he used three rubies to synthesize a fist-sized Tier 3 ruby, and also synthesized several Tier 2 sapphires from sapphire fragments. He then used these Tier 2 sapphires to create three Tier 3 sapphires.

These Tier 3 gems were significantly larger, about the size of an adult's fist, with flawless transparency and color.

They had reached the level of rare treasures.

One could say that selling just a few of them would easily cover his tuition at the Aurelian Academy.

Now, it was time for Locke to synthesize a Tier 4 item.

Locke noticed that the Synthetic Cube did not prompt him to continue synthesizing for a Tier 5 item.

It seemed that, as an ordinary person, he could currently synthesize only up to Tier 4 items.

Looking at the sapphire before him, Locke saw that the Tier 4 sapphire had not grown larger but had instead shrunk to the size of a fingernail, resembling a pearl in shape.

[Tier 4 Sapphire (Deep Blue Gem): A peculiar gem found deep within mineral veins, possessing the ability to stabilize mental fluctuations (filtering property). Jewelry crafted from this gem, when worn, can steadily calm the wearer's mental state.]

Locke paused, staring at the Tier 4 sapphire in his hand. "Indeed, once synthesized to Tier 4, the items are no longer ordinary."

"The Tier 4 sapphire can subtly stabilize the wearer's mental state over time. Though I don't yet know its full use, I can easily commission a jeweler to craft a ring from it."

"This is the true power of the Synthetic Cube."

Locke thought, "With the Synthetic Cube, I will never lack high-tier materials—this will be a major advantage for me in the Wizard World."

"Now I've finally escaped financial hardship, though I do have quite a few magic stone debts."

Locke glanced at the nine thick books before him. "These are the rewards from my earlier gamble—the right choice."

"If I hadn't used logical reasoning to uncover the existence of the outstanding graduate quota, I would likely be preparing to leave the academy by now, never having encountered the Wizard World."

"After leaving the academy, I could only rely on the Horadric Synthetic Cube to disguise myself as a renowned gem craftsman among the mortal society of Corfu Island, living as an ordinary human who would turn to dust and dry bones after a century."

"But now everything has changed." Locke gazed at the book before him, deep in thought.

"With the outstanding graduate quota secured, I no longer need to worry about safety or survival at Aurelian Academy. All I have to do is focus on studying."

"Though rest is also part of learning."

With a mandatory History class scheduled for the next day, Locke gently closed his book late into the night and fell asleep, drifting into pleasant dreams.

...

The next day, in the History classroom at Aurelian Academy.

Professor Olde stormed into the room with a darkened expression, slamming his teaching materials onto the lectern. Immediately, many onlookers turned their gazes toward Locke and several other Anjou students.

Angel's face had already turned deathly pale, like a sheet of paper, yet her flickering eyes still shot a resentful glance at Locke.

She believed Professor Olde's anger was directed at Locke because he hadn't complied with the professor's request to assist him in his office for History class work.

Similarly, many students who had caught wind of rumors were waiting for the drama to unfold.

Cohen Julian, the son of the Earl of Frank, even whispered to his two portly followers, "Today's going to be entertaining. Those Anjou people are definitely getting expelled from our academy—especially that Locke."

At the lectern, under the students' watchful eyes, Professor Olde scanned the room with a grim expression before his gaze landed on Locke. Then, as if deliberately ignoring him, he glared fiercely at another student instead. "The results of the last pop quiz are out, and some of you clearly haven't been studying."

"The scores are abysmal."

"Starting this semester, I'm raising the passing requirements for History. Anyone whose average score falls below the passing line will fail the course—unless you come to my office after class and spend your free time copying history textbooks for me."

"To accumulate performance points."

"Only then will I let you off the hook."

Professor Olde adjusted his monocle. "However, I must commend one student—Locke Augustine from the Kingdom of Anjou. His grades have improved significantly this time. You should all learn from him."

"Now, let's begin class."

The professor's words left many students stunned, whispering among themselves—especially Angel and Cohen Julian.

From her seat, Angel stared at Professor Olde in bewilderment. So shocked that she instinctively stood up, she quickly sat back down upon realizing how impolite and conspicuous it was.

After all, times had changed. Her continued enrollment in the academy relied solely on working for Professor Olde, who had tacitly waived her tuition fees.

Yet Angel's pale lips trembled as she glanced at Locke in confusion.

Why was this different from what Professor Olde had said in his office? Wasn't today supposed to be when Locke was expelled on the spot—a warning to all Anjou-born students about the consequences of rejecting the professor's goodwill?

Why wasn't it going as planned?

Angel's face now showed a hint of regret. She was too weak, even starting to feel dizzy and lightheaded.

At this moment, no matter how foolish she was, combined with Locke's previous attitude, she could vaguely sense that something was wrong.

'If I had listened to Locke back then and hadn't gone to work in Professor Olde's office, would I be like him now?'

In another corner, Cohen Julian's pupils reflected confusion. "What's going on? How did that lowly Anjou person Locke manage to turn the tables?"

"Why would Professor Olde be wary of a landless count's youngest son?"

Cohen Julian wasn't entirely a spoiled noble either. Realizing he couldn't see through Locke, he immediately fell silent, unsettled and no longer daring to provoke Locke directly.

In the classroom, Locke listened to Professor Olde's lecture.

After learning the truth about the academy, hearing Olde recount the ancient history before the Seven Kingdoms held a different kind of fascination.

The chaotic era before the Seven Kingdoms, when hundreds of small states stood divided, clearly bore the shadow of wizards.

Likely, behind each small state back then stood at least one wizard.

Locke thought: "It seems Dean Tungus told Olde that I've joined the academy's Secret Society."

"But why would Olde dare to target other students directly in class now? He seems to be growing increasingly desperate."

"Like a drowning man clutching at any straw within reach. Why is he so frantic?"

Locke shook his head and continued listening. After all, this no longer concerned him.

The moment he became a wizard candidate of Aurelian Academy, his status within these walls was no longer that of expendable cannon fodder.

Thus, Professor Olde shouldn't dare target him anymore. None of this involved him now.

Locke still attended History class for two reasons: first, to maintain appearances and conceal all wizard-related matters, as Dean Tungus required him to attend classes normally—at least the compulsory ones.

The second reason was that Olde's historical lectures essentially covered basic magical world knowledge.

So Locke still needed to learn this.

Looking up, Locke saw Patty Eisa, seated in front of him, turn around and silently mouth the words: 'Congratulations, noble.'

'Never thought you'd pass.'

'We're society members together now. There's a gathering this afternoon.'

Locke smiled back at the golden-haired beauty who beamed at him like a friend.

It seemed he'd been accepted.

Understandable—this academy had precious few wizard candidates to begin with.

(End of chapter)

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