Ch. 89 - Livestock

"Do you know why we don't just kill off antimages, Adam?"

"Why?"

"True Archmages prohibit mages from slaughtering antimages, so that they can reproduce every hundred years. Battlemages risk their minds when traversing through other worlds, so apprentices participating in these trials will be sent to antimage hideouts. Although these antimages are weak, they study curse magic which targets the soul. It is a test of guts."

Adam walked out of Dean Victor's office with a contract, feeling weird. He didn't expect that mages kept antimages around as livestock.

Dean Victor had Adam promise that he wouldn't promote to a mage within 20 years, since the trial could be held at any time within these 20 years. In return, Adam is allowed to access all the floors of the library, and directly agreed to Adam's application for his new laboratory.

The former is of no use to Adam, however. The top two floors of the library that he previously couldn't access holds the research directions that the Academy has mastered for the promotion of apprentices. However, since Moldo is relatively weak, there wasn't much knowledge up there. However, the direct application for his laboratory is very useful, since he can now start his own experiments.

At the Approval Department, Mage Erin directly said as soon as Adam stepped in the door, "Give me the certificate and sign this agreement, then, you can conduct your own experiments in the Elemental Laboratory Building."

Adam knew that Mage Erin had received direct instructions from the Dean in advance. Ever since the Dean revealed the existence of a "net," he compared this to a Local Area Network back on Earth.

Adam signed the agreement quickly and said, "Thank you, Mage Erin."

"Little guy, ah," Mage Erin paused, smiling. "I can't call you 'little guy' anymore. I can't believe you found a way to promote yourself to become a qualified mage so soon. Perhaps, I should call you Mage Adam in a short time."

To mages, twenty years is nothing to them. Being virtually immortal, time means nothing to them.

"Your laboratory will be equipped with a mandatory soul perception device -- not to monitor you, but to help you suppress your promotion," Mage Erin explained to Adam, pointing her pen at the item marked in the agreement.

"Of course," Adam nodded.

"Then, you will be allocated five ether crystals per month," Mage Erin said, smiling. "This isn't a small amount -- most mages who have their own laboratory receive this amount as well. Most importantly, you are allowed to experiment with whatever you want."

Adam understands this. According to the Dean, these five ether crystals are equivalent to the Academy's compensation for delaying his promotion and can be regarded as his personal wealth.

Mage Erin continued to explain other parts of the agreement one by one. Afterwards, Adam left the Approval Department and flew back to his old laboratory.

In the laboratory, the devil was excitedly recounting the mission to James and Frank, exaggerating their role in the mission, making it seem like without the devil's help, the mission wouldn't have been completed.

After barging through the door, Adam walked straight into his experiment room and started to store his instruments and research papers into his portable space. "My laboratory has been approved. We're moving."

After witnessing the amazing scene in Adam's experiment room before, the two of them had already expected this. They quickly packed their personal belongings and research papers and left with Adam.

...

The Task Hall was the liveliest place in the Academy. Apprentices hope to find a suitable task for them to earn power stones. Compared to previously, the apprentices were much calmer, since competing for missions took precedence over petty fights.

Suddenly, after seeing the newly added quest on the board, a boy ran to the corner of the Task Hall and announced to his companion, "Brother Korver, there is news!"

"What is it?"

"That apprentice named Adam, who you asked us to pay attention to... there's news about him!"

"A mission?"

Adam's research on psychic power enabled Korver to control the elements far beyond his peers. Since that day, he has been incredibly interested in Adam. After learning about Adam at the apprentice bar the other day, he didn't try to bother Adam. Instead, he chose to wait for a good opportunity -- he knew the benefits of making friends with a genius.

"No, it isn't a mission. He is looking for an assistant," the boy said. He wasn't sure why Korver wanted to pay this much attention to Adam.

Korver raised his eyebrows, walking forward quickly. Some apprentices were eager to see Adam's name appear again, but nobody dared to take Adam's task.

Korver saw the information on the board which read: [Recruiting five to ten assistants, who are skilled in psychic powers and meditation according to my research. You will be paid 300 units of power stones per month. Location: Electric Magic Research Laboratory, 3rd floor of the Elemental Laboratory Building.]

"Electricity?" Korver frowned.

"Brother Korver," the boy said carefully. "I don't think this 'Adam' deserves your attention. Electricity? Who is he trying to kid? Our tutors have clearly said that electric magic is not worth studying. I predict this is him trying to show off."

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