After the sumptuous dinner, not only was Sain's belly full, but he also felt a slight enhancement in both his mental energy and magical power. A subtle tingling sensation appeared on his arms and around the various wounds on his body. The dinner comprised of dishes made from magical creatures and beasts had yielded an unexpected benefit for him.
"It seems the master values you highly. I haven't had such an extravagant meal in a long time," Senior Sister Faye remarked to Sain. "Sometimes, when experiments get intense, I just drink a nutrient potion to get by."
By the time the banquet was halfway through, Master Mosido and Senior Brother Zoro had barely touched their meals before hastily returning to the laboratory on the first floor, seemingly inspired by their recent discussions. Therefore, Sain spent the rest of the dinner primarily conversing with Senior Sister Faye, which offered him a gentle warmth that contrasted sharply with the cold atmosphere often felt at the Black Magic Academy.
"Master truly shows me immense favor, and you are lovely and considerate as well, Senior Sister," Sain replied respectfully. He wasn't merely flattering his mentor or Senior Sister; he genuinely felt a nurturing environment during this brief encounter, markedly different from other dark wizards or apprentices he had met.
Could this be the warmth of belonging to the same school?
In contrast to the evil dark wizards who often treated their apprentices as experimental subjects, the atmosphere in Master Mosido's faction was evidently much healthier. This was indeed a stroke of luck and wisdom for Sain. After all, when he had been in the public classroom, three official wizards expressed interest in him. He had not chosen the seemingly most powerful Master Anginia, nor had he opted for the widely respected Master Kosolon, but instead had diligently sought to align himself with the low-key yet enigmatic Master Mosido.
According to Senior Sister Faye's explanation, Sain learned that this lavish dinner, aside from rapidly restoring physical and mental stamina, had a more significant purpose: it was to help him recover from his injuries as soon as possible. As a low-level apprentice experiencing such a feast for the first time, the benefits he received far exceeded those of his senior siblings. It was only logical that an increase in both mental energy and magical power became apparent.
Faye's smile at Sain's compliment indicated her appreciation. What woman doesn't enjoy receiving praise for her beauty? Especially in a place like the Black Magic Academy, where competition and hostility among apprentices was common, it had been a long time since she had heard such affirming words.
Unbeknownst to Sain, among the senior apprentices at the Black Magic Academy, Faye held the nickname "Black Widow." Although another senior apprentice named Liliana had a larger reputation, her actual strength was not necessarily superior to that of Sain's current senior sister.
"I see you're very close to becoming an intermediate apprentice, but your injuries will likely delay that by about two months. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing," Faye continued. "Have you transitioned to the meditation method that the master gave you?"
"Not yet. Today, I mainly browsed the two magical notes Master Mosido entrusted to me," Sain answered honestly.
Faye looked pleased by his response and replied, "Wise choice. Hasty changes in meditation methods can lead to complications. Your body still needs time to adapt, so I suggest you wait until you become an intermediate apprentice before switching. Besides, the year-end evaluations are in just two months."
"Given your strength, you'll likely end up at the bottom if you aim for the intermediate level. It might be better to stay a low-level apprentice and aim to secure a higher rank," Faye advised.
Her suggestions prompted Sain to nod in agreement. He understood that until his body completely recovered and was able to assist the master with experiments, Faye would be his primary guide under Master Mosido.
At Sain's composed and steady demeanor, Faye couldn't help but smile.
After leaving the mentor's residence, Sain made his way to his little abode. Since it was getting late, the entire Black Magic Academy was largely deserted. In the past, he would rarely choose to walk around at this hour. However, at this moment, he felt no apprehension.
True to expectations, as Sain approached his dormitory building, he noticed a few apprentices pointing and whispering about him. His deeds—killing Ilk, causing a ruckus in the Abyssal Street with Lina, and dispatching Scarface Chock—were enough to earn Sain a notable reputation throughout the Black Magic Academy.
Sometimes, having a reputation in such a chaotic environment could greatly reduce trouble; at least, those without adequate strength wouldn't dare bully him.
Upon returning to his familiar little dwelling, Sain discovered that Lina had not yet returned. He exhaled softly, realizing that Lina had gone to visit her new mentor, Master Ferena. From observations of her behavior in the dungeon, it was clear that Master Ferena was not an easy person to get along with.
Like Master Mosido, who had the warm disposition hidden beneath a stern exterior, such wizards were rare in the Black Magic Academy. Sain had surely struck lucky in this regard. Lina's mentor, Master Ferena's self-serving nature, seemed to be the norm within the academy.
The only comfort for Sain was that Master Ferena had willingly offered a precious energy crystal to help Lina, suggesting that she truly valued her.
After the master's banquet, Sain settled into a routine of back-and-forth between his dormitory and Master Mosido's laboratory. Even someone as affluent as Master Mosido could not provide his disciples with magical beast ingredients every day. Beyond occasional lavish meals, Sain primarily consumed ordinary food and had also tried the nutrient potions mentioned by Senior Sister Faye a couple of times.
Strictly speaking, nutrient potions barely constituted alchemical elixirs. They were among the lowest tier, and one didn't even need to be an apothecary; a regular apprentice could concoct them by following the proper material ratios. The two nutrient potions Sain had consumed were actually concocted by Senior Sister Faye herself.
It was unclear whether Faye lacked a talent for potion-making or if she merely enjoyed teasing Sain, but the distinct flavors of those two potions had left a lasting impression on him. For a long while, he found himself resistant to such nutrient concoctions.
Conversely, after Sain showcased his culinary skills to the master, Senior Sister Faye frequently urged him to prepare dinner. Compared to the bland meals produced by the alchemical golem, it was clear that Sain's cooking was much more to her liking.
During this period, Sain noted that aside from himself and Senior Sister Faye, Senior Brother Zoro and Master Mosido were often absent during meals. Did wizards, once they reached a certain level, no longer need to eat? Sain found himself pondering this question as he walked back to his room.