A Crown of Shadows and Starlight

Chapter 2

Morning Dawn

As the morning sun rose, marking the start of a new day, many apprentices were just waking up. However, Meilin had already completed her task—watering the herbs in the academy’s potion garden.

In the academy, potion studies were a vast discipline, consuming thousands of herbs daily. While some rare herbs required special environments and long periods to cultivate, most could be artificially grown. However, tending to these plants was one of the lowest-ranking jobs, offering meager rewards. Yet, for Meilin, it was a blessing—this work didn’t require magic, had flexible hours, and provided just enough compensation for her to survive without borrowing money.

After finishing her morning duties, Meilin prepared for class. There were three types of courses in the academy. The first was public lessons, free for all apprentices. The second type required a fee, and Meilin had attended a few, spending nearly all her saved magic stones. The third type was private tutoring from a mentor, available only to chosen disciples—some were free, but most required payment. Regardless, these lessons were far superior to public lectures. Meilin was currently saving up magic stones for her next paid lesson, but today’s class was a free one.

Arriving early, Meilin noticed that the public class instructor had yet to arrive. Small groups of apprentices gathered, chatting about various topics.

She scanned the room, then quietly found an isolated corner to sit and wait.

“Heh, isn’t this Meilin?”

“I heard you’ve been trying to carve your eighth Will Rune again. Still no success?”

A few official apprentices noticed her and approached with mocking smiles. These individuals had second- or third-tier magical aptitude, yet they were still only first-level apprentices. When they first joined the academy, they had been deferential to Meilin, but now they acted arrogantly.

There was no helping it—the world was simply this harsh. At least these people only mocked her. There were others who were far worse.

Just as Meilin prepared to ignore them completely, a fragrant breeze drifted past, making her expression darken. The group of jeering apprentices immediately dispersed, clearly wary of the newcomer.

“Meilin, have you thought it over?”

“If you willingly become Filler’s servant, you might have a chance to advance to an official apprentice in the future. But if you wait until the academy assigns you, you won’t get to choose your master. And if you end up in the hands of one of those perverts, well… you know what will happen.”

The speaker was a golden-haired girl, about Meilin’s age, and a first-level apprentice.

“Keli, if you want to degrade yourself, that’s your choice. But don’t drag others down with you.”

Meilin finally spoke, locking eyes with the girl before her.

Keli had entered Watercloud Academy in the same batch as Meilin. With second-tier magical aptitude, she and Meilin had once been close friends. However, as time passed and Meilin failed to advance, their relationship had gradually faded.

Meilin didn’t resent her for this—such was the reality of life. However, what she truly despised was that Keli had sold herself to an older student for protection and quicker advancement. That alone wasn’t uncommon in the wizarding world or even within the academy, but what made Meilin most disgusted was that Keli had tried to lure her into that senior apprentice’s harem.

“You…”

Keli hadn’t expected Meilin to be so blunt. Her face turned pale with rage, and she clenched her fists, as if she wanted to punch that delicate face before her.

“What? Are you going to hit me?”

Meilin suddenly stood up, staring directly into Keli’s eyes.

Shocked by Meilin’s sudden action, Keli instinctively took two steps back. Laughter from the nearby students made her face flush crimson.

“You—you just wait! Meilin, there are only a few months left. I’ll be watching you!”

With that, she turned and fled from the classroom.

Meilin had correctly predicted that Keli wouldn’t dare make a move. First, academy rules strictly forbade apprentices from attacking each other. Even though Meilin hadn’t yet become an official apprentice, she was still under protection—for now. Of course, if she became a servant, she would lose all rights. Second, even if Keli did attack, she wouldn’t necessarily win. First-level apprentices hadn’t learned actual wizardry yet, whereas Meilin, despite her stagnation in magic, possessed the strength of a third-tier warrior. Defeating a mere first-level apprentice would be effortless.

With Keli gone, the other mocking apprentices didn’t dare continue their taunts.

Usually, Meilin kept a low profile, ignoring ridicule and insults. Today, however, she had stood up for herself, surprising those around her. Many apprentices secretly disapproved of selling one’s body for advancement, and without meaning to, Meilin had gained some sympathy. Not that it would change her situation.

Before long, a middle-aged wizard entered the room, and the classroom instantly fell silent. All the apprentices—official and non-official alike—straightened up, looking at him as if he were a terrifying predator.

At first glance, it was hard to determine the wizard’s age. He was around 1.7 meters tall, but his face was devoid of flesh, appearing as if his skin were stretched over bone. He looked like a skeleton wearing human skin—a truly terrifying sight.

“Teacher!”

The apprentices quickly stood and bowed.

The wizard waved his hand impatiently. “Sit down. I won’t waste time introducing myself. Today’s lesson is on the basic handling of toxic plants and creatures…”

Poison was a common material among wizards. Meilin had seen cases of wizards corroded by toxins—some recovered, others were permanently disfigured, and some died before they could be treated.

Even in the herb garden she tended, there were at least a hundred poisonous plants. Without knowledge of toxic substances, she would have died a hundred times over. As an unofficial apprentice, she wouldn’t receive medical treatment if she were poisoned.

The wizard spoke rapidly. Public lectures were part of a wizard’s duty to the academy, unpaid obligations. Though the knowledge wasn’t secret, these instructors often rushed through lessons to save time, making it difficult for many to understand or take notes.

Fortunately, Meilin had an exceptional memory. She focused on remembering everything and would write detailed notes later.

“Class dismissed.”

The skeleton-like wizard carelessly flicked his sleeve and left, leaving behind a room of bewildered apprentices.

“Meilin, wait a moment.”

As she was about to leave, an apprentice approached her.