"A dragon? Is it a dragon?"
"No way! Didn't they say these creatures were already extinct?"
"So beautiful..."
The apprentices were stunned, pressing forward eagerly. After all, even in the Wizard World, dragons belonged to the realm of legend, and few had ever seen one.
Horn Wizard's stiff expression also changed. He straightened up and stretched his right hand in Lynch's direction. It seemed as though an invisible large hand had appeared, as the little creature that had just climbed onto Lynch's chest was suddenly snatched away.
Ignoring the small creature's struggles, Horn Wizard picked it up and scrutinized it carefully in front of his eyes.
"Hmm... A Fire Dragon Lizard, with flesh wings cultivated from its own cells?"
"An impressive idea."
After giving a brief evaluation, he released the Fire Dragon Lizard and turned his gaze back to Lynch. At this moment, his previously icy face bore a faint smile.
He praised, "An outstanding creation, and not merely an innovative idea."
"To successfully transplant flesh wings cultivated from its own cells onto a Fire Dragon Lizard requires a highly refined transformation technique. Accomplishing this would demand at least a Second Tier Basic Transformation Technique. You are indeed impressive, apprentice."
Horn Wizard's voice wasn't loud, but every apprentice present heard it clearly, and they were momentarily stunned.
"Second Tier! Someone has reached Second Tier in fundamental studies already!"
"No way..."
"What is he? A monster?"
Most apprentices present were still stuck at First Order in fundamental studies. Those who had barely broken through to the First Order were few in number. Even the green-haired apprentice, who had performed notably by transplanting the petrified eyeball earlier, hadn't reached Second Tier.
Now hearing that someone had genuinely achieved Second Tier shocked them profoundly.
"Tell me your name, apprentice," Horn Wizard asked again, taking out his notebook, his tone noticeably gentler.
His question successfully piqued the curiosity of the surrounding apprentices, who leaned in with ears wide open. Everyone wanted to know the identity of this dark horse.
Lynch replied, "Lynch Valen, sir."
Although Lynch had been here for two years, he mostly spent his time secluded in his room, studying and cultivating. He rarely interacted with other apprentices. Thus, upon hearing his name, the apprentices' first reaction was confusion and unfamiliarity.
Horn Wizard gave Lynch a once-over and hesitantly asked, "Noble?"
Many nobles had access to wizard knowledge even before entering the Wizard World, allowing them to study ahead. Horn's initial assumption was that Lynch was one of these privileged nobles, and the other apprentices generally shared the same belief.
However, Lynch's answer surprised them all.
Shaking his head, Lynch answered earnestly, "Estate farmer, sir."
An estate farmer, commonly referred to as a peasant.
"What?"
"A peasant? No way."
"I... I lost to a peasant?"
The apprentices struggled to accept this revelation. In this world, peasants were typically synonymous with simplicity, dullness, and ineptitude. No one could believe they were bested by someone they considered an 'honest fool.'
"Lynch... Lynch! I remember who he is now. Isn't he that unlucky Lynch?"
"I remember too..."
"That poor guy who had his materials swapped!"
"Oh, it's him?"
At this moment, some apprentices recognized Lynch's identity. Two years ago, when wizards were recruiting apprentices, the incident of an apprentice losing important materials and nearly their life became the talk of the town.
Suddenly, the apprentices' gazes shifted, expressing shock, envy, jealousy, and a clear hint of schadenfreude.
An honest peasant was still an honest peasant and clearly had no concept of humility or discretion.
In the Wizard World, which was far from a sanctuary for good-hearted children, schemes and rivalries were commonplace. A person so flamboyant and unguarded would inevitably face misfortune.
Horn Wizard nodded slightly, his eyes filled with stronger approval. "Impressive."
"In the Wizard World, there are no peasants or nobles—only spiritual power and the knowledge in your mind."
"Your talent is remarkable. I hope you continue to uphold it, apprentice."
Lynch bowed respectfully. "I will remember your teachings faithfully."
"Score: 91. Examination passed!"
This was an exceptionally high score. To go beyond this, one would need knowledge levels approaching the mid-to-late Second Tier. A perfect score was reserved for geniuses with mastery over Third Tier knowledge.
The examination continued until it finally concluded.
"Those whose names are called, step forward: Lynch Valen, Chris Wright, Jessica Stone."
After the examination ended, Horn Wizard summoned the top three apprentices based on their scores.
Besides Lynch and Chris, the third individual called was Jessica Stone, an Elemental apprentice. With her advanced analysis and construction of Water Elements, she received a score of 82, ranking third.
Horn Wizard brought the three forward and presented them each with a small cloth bag. "These are your special rewards."
According to the examination rules, the top three apprentices earned extra rewards.
Receiving the cloth bag from Horn Wizard, Lynch's heart filled with joy. All of the effort he had poured into revealing his Second Tier Basic Transformation Technique had been for this special reward.
The reward was indeed generous: the bag itself was a Space Pocket, containing approximately two cubic meters of internal space.
Space Magic items were exceedingly expensive, with the bag alone valued at one hundred Magic Stones.
In addition, the bag contained three items: 100 Magic Stones, a shape-shifting short Magic Wand, and a Low-level Knowledge Badge that permitted exchanging for a piece of low-tier spell knowledge at the Tower's library.
Other apprentices who passed the examination only received a Meditation Chapter, and those who failed received nothing at all.
Lynch's cautious nature meant he was past the age of seeking attention. If not for this lucrative reward, he could have submitted a different creation to pass the test without drawing so much notice.
"Thank you, sir."
Under the envious, jealous, and resentful stares of those around them, the three apprentices who had fared best stepped down with their newfound prizes.
With the examination now complete, Horn Wizard distributed formal Meditation Chapters to the apprentices who had passed.
Strictly speaking, these apprentices were not yet Wizard Apprentices. They were merely ordinary people who had undergone sensory sharpening. Only after officially meditating would they step onto the Wizard's Road.
And the prerequisite for all of this was the Meditation Chapter.
With the Meditation Chapter, apprentices could begin formal meditation and enter the Wizard's Road. Those who failed would have to wait for the next examination.
According to the Tower's rules, the initial examination for new apprentices was held every two years, with subsequent examinations taking place annually. This meant that those who failed now would have to wait at least until the following year.
Falling behind even a single step meant nearly insurmountable delays. By the next year, their peers might already have mastered full-fledged spell models and begun casting spells, while they would just be starting their meditation... A tough reality to accept.
For the moment, those who passed celebrated joyfully, while those who failed hung their heads in dejection. Some girls even broke down and wept openly.
Yet the worst blow came with Horn Wizard's follow-up announcement.
"Furthermore..."
After distributing the Meditation Chapters, Horn Wizard declared, "The official Inner Ring Apprentice examination for this batch has been scheduled to take place three months from now. Apprentices who receive their Meditation Chapters and wish to participate may come to register with me."
The apprentices' gazes focused sharply on him.
Throats tightened, expressions grew fervent.