Chapter 100: Dordogne
Due to Grace Eva having previously obtained the qualification to further her studies at the Dordogne White Tower, her younger brother, Richard Eva, naturally knew some information about acquiring the same opportunity.
Dordogne, renowned alongside Phoenix City, Atlantis, and Florence as a Second Tier Wizard Gathering Place, stood as one of the most prestigious top-tier wizard cities in the entire Western Continent.
The White Tower, established within Dordogne, was naturally considered a sacred place of knowledge in the hearts of many wizard apprentices and even full-fledged wizards.
Each year, the White Tower recruited seed apprentices from the Third Tier Wizard Gathering Places under Dordogne's jurisdiction.
The recruitment process, besides a comprehensive assessment of an apprentice's wizard level, wizard talent, and combat prowess, placed the greatest emphasis—and carried the most weight—on two core evaluations: [Wizard Invention] and [Law Comprehension].
It could be said that even if a wizard apprentice failed to meet the standards in level, talent, or combat ability, as long as they achieved high marks in either [Wizard Invention] or [Law Comprehension], they would meet Dordogne's recruitment criteria.
However, this seemingly straightforward scoring condition had thwarted many prodigious individuals.
In desperation, those "genius apprentices" who lacked both wizard inventions and law comprehension during their apprentice phase had no choice but to focus intensely on the first three comprehensive assessment items.
They continuously strived to excel in level, talent, and combat prowess, aiming to outshine other competitors and secure their place.
As a result, A-level talent apprentices, who were quite rare in Turin's Third Tier Wizard Gathering Place, were relatively common in the Dordogne White Tower trials.
At a glance, the lowest talent level was B, and outstanding apprentices with even dual A-level talents could occasionally emerge.
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Even these individuals, who were considered the elite in their paths, had to step aside when facing apprentices who met the [Wizard Invention] or [Law Comprehension] criteria.
Even if they were eliminated because of this, there was no room for negotiation; they could only wait for the next year's examination.
Fortunately, apprentices who met the [Wizard Invention] or [Law Comprehension] criteria were extremely rare.
Regarding [Wizard Invention], the last time Dordogne recruited an apprentice meeting this condition was over a decade ago—the first to invent the "Magical Steam Train," a Third Tier apprentice.
Unlike ordinary trains, the "Magical Steam Train," though also driven by steam power, had the invention of the [Steam Core], which enabled the train to traverse radioactive zones and resist contamination.
Based on the [Steam Core]'s invention principles, Atlantis specifically purchased the patent rights from the apprentice to develop the [Tidal Core], leading to the creation of the "Magical Tidal Train," capable of navigating the seas without suffering from radioactive contamination.
This particular [Wizard Invention] not only promoted the establishment of networks between various wizard gathering places but also significantly enhanced the safety of remote and weaker Third Tier Wizard Gathering Places.
It could be said that the invention of the "Magical Steam Train" was a revolutionary [Wizard Invention].
Moreover, this [Wizard Invention] catapulted the apprentice to fame, earning him the title "Child of Steam" bestowed by Dordogne.
Now, this "Child of Steam," leveraging the immense wealth gained from the [Wizard Invention] and the resource support from Dordogne, had successfully mastered the [Steam Law] and advanced to a full-fledged wizard, despite only possessing a B-level [Steam] talent. His name was Wally Dingle.
Apart from him, in recent years, there had been no other apprentices who entered Dordogne through [Wizard Invention].
On the contrary, a few apprentices who comprehended law fragments during their apprenticeship, meeting the [Law Comprehension] criteria, had a smooth path into the Dordogne White Tower.
Of course, regardless of who it was, every assessment stage had to be completed. Even if an apprentice qualified for exemption through [Wizard Invention] or [Law Comprehension], they still needed to undergo evaluations in level, talent, and combat prowess.
The purpose wasn't mere formalism; rather, the Dordogne White Tower aimed to comprehensively assess the apprentices' abilities to determine subsequent resource allocations.
"Before the academy's recommendation, there will definitely be another talent assessment—"
When Janna enrolled, her talent level had already been clearly documented, so this upgrade in her talent would inevitably be updated in her records.
However, this upgrade wasn't as simple as a typical apprentice advancing from C-level to B-level; it was a significant leap from B-level to the rare A-level.
"Although sudden upgrades to A-level talent are uncommon, they're not unheard of—anyway, the 'genius' persona is already established. As long as everyone continues to accept this persona, it's not an inexplicable matter. It's just—"
It's just that when the time comes, it will inevitably astonish a group of people.
Janna, however, was quite accustomed to this.
"Hu—" She exhaled deeply.
After confirming her goals and plans, Janna patted her slightly cramping stomach, took a piece of dark chocolate and a chilled canned milk from the refrigerator.
De Castell
"This dark chocolate isn't too bitter; it probably isn't completely sugar-free."
After a simple lunch, Janna glanced at the clock on the wall, estimated the time, and quickly recited a spell.
"I command you by my will—summon—Celestial Finch."
As a milky white light flashed, the Celestial Finch that appeared at the center of the magic circle first looked at Janna with a face full of shock.
After confirming that she was indeed unharmed, it flapped its wings and, somewhat awkwardly, flew onto Janna's shoulder.
"Master—"
"Aph, I know what you're going to say. What you saw in the Spirit Realm was my consciousness incarnation."
"Master, it was really you! Aph thought it was just my illusion."
Upon receiving Janna's confirmation, the Celestial Finch's bird eyes widened, and even the two blushes on its face seemed to deepen in color.
"Before we discuss this topic, I want to confirm with you: if we talk about this here, will that presence—the one I encountered today—sense it?"
"Ah, Master, are you referring to the Saint? That won't happen. The Saint is merely a lower-ranked angel—ah! Pfft, I didn't say anything!"
Feeling a bit speechless, Janna looked at the Celestial Finch's guilty expression. Though her face remained calm, a certain suspicion arose in her heart.
"Then why did you have that expression when you appeared from the Contract Array just now?"
"That's because Aph thought Master had been purified by the Saint and was feeling sad—"
"You mean, the Saint I encountered on Celestial Mountain wanted to purify me?"
"No, Master! Actually, the Saint didn't notice you at all. It was just that your consciousness suddenly disappeared on Celestial Mountain, so I maliciously speculated about the kind and benevolent Saint—"