This wizard only wishes to be a teacher

The word "homework" never has a plural form, for it is never finished. — The lament of a Wizard Apprentice at Greybone Academy.

"Ah..." After writing the last word, Monica collapsed into her chair, her whole body seemingly turning into liquid. If not for Sally catching her, Monica would have probably completely melted onto the floor by now.

"Keep it up, you still have 13 hours before the final deadline tomorrow—um, you have two more subjects’ homework left." Beside her, Sally, while browsing through a book, glanced at her friend, who seemed to be ready to be hung up to dry, and reminded her with a hint of helplessness.

"Wuwuwu... I now feel that Miss Sniezana was actually rather cute, and I kind of want to go back..." Monica laid helplessly on the desk, looking at the two huge stacks of homework beside her, with a look of despair in her eyes.

"Who told you not to write even a single page these past few days?" Sally mercilessly added, but still passed her own homework to her friend, and naturally took two Magic Stones from Monica’s hands.

Thanks to the "homework rental service," during this period, Sally had made a small fortune.

However, she was rather cautious because if such activities were discovered, she might lose her scholarship.

"By the way, there’s an open lecture by Dean Lucian this afternoon. Are you going?" Sally took out a pocket watch to check the time, then she packed up her books, turned to Monica, but all she got in return was an even more piercing wail from a certain groundhog.

Sally shook her head helplessly, not wanting to continue to stimulate Monica, and quickly left the room, heading toward the cafeteria.

On the wall of a classroom building, Sally saw a somewhat fresh slogan, "Homework should not be excessively assigned..."

"Sigh." Sally shook her head somewhat helplessly. She personally felt that the homework load was just about right previously, but thinking about a certain salted fish who was still crying and catching up on homework, Sally fell silent, feeling there was some reason to the academy’s slogan.

...

"Good afternoon, Brunote. You just came out of the lab?" On the way to the classroom, Sally accidentally ran into Brunote.

As the only one with fifth-class aptitude among the new bloods, Brunote naturally had received many overtures from Formal Wizards and had chosen a Formal Wizard as a mentor. Therefore, in addition to the regular courses, Brunote also had to take on some tasks assigned by his mentor.

"Yeah, Professor Mundo is quite strict." Brunote didn’t say much but looked at Sally with a hint of curiosity.

"You must have received some invitations from Formal Wizards, right? Why do you seem disinterested in finding a mentor? I heard from Professor Mundo that although under Dean Lucian’s new system, the role of a mentor isn’t as significant as before, it’s still best to have one if you can."

"After all, we can’t always stay inside the academy. Once we go out, without a mentor’s lead or protection, things might happen."

"I know, and thank you for your concern." Sally gave a smile. She had plans for a mentor, of course, but the one she intended to ask was not among those Formal Wizards.

The pair chatted casually and quickly entered the lecture hall, seizing two decent seats while it was not too crowded.

As the start time for the open class approached, the lecture hall, which had been relatively empty, became increasingly noisy. Even some Third-level Wizard Apprentices hurried over to attend Lucian’s class, which was mainly aimed at First and Second-level Wizard Apprentices.

"Good afternoon, today’s lesson will explore the in-depth study and improvement of wizard models. I will use the simplest witchcraft model ’Blazing Technique’ as an example to discuss some of its variations and the special changes it can exhibit with the use of weapons. Some of the witchcraft models covered are from my student Carly, and she has given permission for their public disclosure..."

At the podium, Lucian smiled, looking at the Apprentices’ eager faces below, feeling a satisfying sense of accomplishment. He began with the basic structure of the Blazing Technique and delved in deeper with each explanation.

"It sounds quite simple." Sally, holding a Feather Pen, sketched notes in her notebook.

Blazing Technique, being such a simple witchcraft model, was naturally mastered by Sally. So when Lucian described the model’s composition, she found the class somewhat dull at first.

But as Lucian’s lecture went deeper, Sally went from relaxed to somewhat overwhelmed. Her draft paper on her lap was now covered in countless hurried scribbles. She looked up bewilderedly as Lucian, who was still unruffled on stage, continued to delve into what seemed like the umpteenth expansion content. She scratched her head, then somewhat helplessly put down her Feather Pen.

And when Lucian’s content went deeper, reaching the level of the ’Torch Fire Technique · Improved,’ Sally completely gave up any attempt at understanding. For a Third-level Wizard Apprentice, these subjects would be quite challenging to grasp fully, let alone for her as a relatively newbie.

However, the frustration of being exposed to knowledge that she couldn’t absorb or comprehend was agony for Sally.

Next to her, Brunote had a similar expression, but he was still trying to take notes, although they were slightly disorganized and might even be considered some sort of abstract doodling.

"Okay, that concludes this open class." Lucian, after demonstrating the series of effects from the Blazing Technique to the Torch Fire Technique, pressed his left hand on his chest, bowed with a Wizard’s etiquette, and quietly left the scene, leaving behind students who were either completely baffled or deep in thought, absorbed in their quiet contemplation.

After he left, it took a little while before applause began to resonate from within the hall.

"Mentor Lucien, your explanation just now was so enlightening, I feel like my understanding of the Blazing Technique has deepened," Carly said cheerily as she ran over from the side, with Edison following close by her.

"Edison, have you finished your practice for today?" Lucien asked, looking at Edison.

"I still have two sets of exercises left, my senior sister said she would help me with them later," Edison nodded his head. As his realm as a Physical Refining Wizard improved, his physique had grown stronger, and at this moment, he was even half a head taller than Lucien.

However, as his body underwent transformations, so too did his personality become more stable and composed. Though he spoke less and less, every word he uttered was serious, and his promises were kept. Even in Lucien’s view, he seemed a bit "rigid."

But this trait had its advantages: Lucien didn’t need to supervise the tasks he assigned to Edison once he agreed to them. In this regard, Edison was even more reliable than Carly.

Thinking of this, Lucien couldn’t help but look at Carly beside him.

"Mentor Lucien, I feel like I’ve hit a bottleneck now, and what I need to find is that slight opportunity to break through," Carly mumbled, trying to forcefully rationalize her recent lax behavior.

The corners of Lucien’s mouth twitched slightly, then he raised his hand and gave Carly a moderate knock on the head.

Carly crouched down slightly, covering her head with her hands, but quickly she thought of something that would shift Lucien’s attention away from her.

"Mentor Lucien, there’s a reply from Winter Fort. They said they will send a delegation led by a Formal Wizard to visit us. However, they want us to first fulfill the ’academic exchange’ commitment," Carly looked at Lucien.

"I understand, the commitment won’t be a problem," Lucien nodded slightly, and then he looked at Edison, a hint of expectation flickering in his eyes.

Just as Lucien was about to guide Carly and Edison in their usual routine, he suddenly felt a rich Shadow power starting to gather not far in front of him.

"Carly, go to the training field and wait for me; I’ve got some things to take care of," Lucien’s smile slowly faded, and after instructing Carly, he quickly headed towards the source of that power.

Soon, he saw a Shadow Serpent emerging from the shadowy interstice.

"My lord," Lucien bowed slightly, showing his respect to the Grey Bone Wizard represented by the Shadow Serpent.

"Lucien, if I’m not mistaken, you should have mastered the combat power of a Second-level Wizard to a certain extent, have you?" asked the Shadow Serpent as it squirmed quickly, soon forming a somewhat ethereal image of a Grey Bone Wizard. He smiled amiably at Lucien.

"Yes," Lucien nodded lightly, already guessing the purpose of the Grey Bone Wizard’s visit.

"Recently, I’ve been working with Lord Delatore to conquer a special ancient ruin. We’re currently in the preparation stage, but later, when we embark on the formal exploration, we’ll need a Second-level Wizard with excellent scouting ability..." The Grey Bone Wizard smiled at Lucien.

"I feel that the Nightmare creatures, which can be considered ’undying’ in some aspects, are quite suitable. Don’t worry, I am here to extend Lord Delatore’s invitation. As for the reward, you may choose from these..."

The Grey Bone Wizard waved his hand, and immediately countless streams of shadow energy flew out from inside his body, converging into a densely populated list.

Lucien felt envious looking at some of the resources listed there.

"Dean, may I inquire about the nature of the ruins?" Lucien, suppressing his desire for these materials, cautiously asked.

"It involves some secrets. Alright, don’t ask too much. Some matters concerning higher-level wizards, you know, are not very beneficial to be known," the Grey Bone Wizard didn’t reveal much, vaguely dismissing the question.

"Don’t worry, we can sign a contract. When deciphering the ruins, you just need to manipulate the Nightmare creatures from the safest place for reconnaissance," the somewhat ethereal figure of the Grey Bone Wizard smiled, earnestly attempting to persuade Lucien.

Although Lucien appeared calm on the surface, many thoughts were passing through his mind.

Higher-level wizards?

If the Level 3 Wizard Delatore was involved, then what the Grey Bone Wizard referred to must not be a Level 3 Wizard but at least a Fourth-level Wizard, a relic of the Dawn Wizard’s level.

However, the emergence of this Dawn Wizard level sanctuary seemed too coincidental at the turn of events when Carly felt the Cloud Kingdom Sanctuary being disturbed.