Tap, tap, tap...　　The echo of high heels reverberated down the corridor. As the magical clock chimed punctually, a young, beautiful witch entered the hall under the astonished stares of the crowd.　　Her neat, dark brown bob, smooth skin, amber eyes, and the graceful curves beneath her fitted, cinched robe all signalled a mature, sensual sorceress.　　This was also the first time Grimm had ever seen a wizard in their normal human form.　　"Well then, I shall be your instructor for the seven foundational education modules. You may address me as Tutor Elaine."　　Her voice carried a magnetic quality. Noticing the astonished looks directed at her, she seemed to realise something and chuckled. ""Are you surprised by my appearance? Heh, not all witches focus solely on bloodline studies. While bloodline magic offers the quickest path to power, it also alters one's appearance and carries irreversible mental corruption. Thus, it suits not every witch."

　    At night, the Crimson Banner convenes. 　　The former ruling structure of the Five Great Spellcasters had long since ceased to exist. Now, the Crimson Banner was governed by twelve Alliance Elders. 　　Of the original five great spellcasters, only the Fireball Spellcaster and the Puppet Spellcaster failed to become Alliance Elders due to "accidental" deaths. The other three spellcasters attained this status, while the remaining nine were later exceptional talents who surpassed them in both aptitude and intellect. 　　Lafey, Yoric, Yorkiana, Binson, and Grimm still sat together. 　　Though their friendship endured, Grimm felt an inexplicable melancholy. 　　Yoric murmured, "Grimm, last week Lafey led us on a venture in the Barbed Thorn Forest. It was perilous, but nearly everyone secured seven magic stones. What do you say? Will you join us this time?" 　　Grimm feigned indifference, murmuring, "Forget it. You know I'm practically useless now. Not onl

　A day later, Grimm emerged from the laboratory, his expression grim as he addressed the wizard apprentice in charge. "May I ask," he inquired, "if the academy possesses any higher-grade microscopes available for rental?"　　"Higher-grade?"　　The wizard apprentice in charge of managing the laboratory equipment was taken aback by Grimm's question.　　"You, a mere wizard's apprentice, require such extravagant precision data for your research? Even this high-powered microscope proves insufficient?"　　Typically, only alchemical potion-making demanded such extreme precision from microscopes, with occasional requirements from mechanical studies. Other disciplines scarcely needed them at all.　　Thus, the apprentice wizard curled his lip. "Our academy isn't exactly renowned for alchemy, so a higher-grade one is out of the question... Hmm, wait, I recall something."　　Grimm's face lit up with surprise. "Really?"　　The wizard apprentice shot Grim

　　Grimm was deliberating over the matter of companion insects.　　Theoretically, almost any insect could serve as a wizard's companion, as the unique properties of an insect's soul passively increased a wizard's resistance to curses and illusions. Yet for this most intimate "companion" in a wizard's life, every practitioner still hoped their chosen insect might possess some distinctive traits.　　Of the seven insects Grimm had collected, three could be ruled out immediately. He remained indecisive about the remaining four, unable to settle on a choice.　　The first insect is known as the Carrion Eater.　　These insects were gathered from the remains of a cursed wizard's apprentice. After being cursed, the apprentice's body was devoured in mere moments by these horrific creatures, demonstrating the carrion beetle's profoundly cruel nature.　　Thus, Grimm had carefully preserved a few specimens.　　The second insect was called the botfly, a parasiti

　　An unknown span of time passed. Ding...　　Grimm's soul stirred, roused by the soul connection within the crystal orb. He saw the wizard apprentice named Valo from the seventh floor of Blackstone Spire calling out: "Hey, Grimm, come over here. My master's just stepped out. Oh, and bring some roach fish with you!"　　With a sudden jolt, Grimm sat bolt upright in bed, all traces of sleepiness vanishing instantly.　　At last, he could use the advanced microscope?　　Grimm rushed excitedly to the dissection table, gathering all the vessels containing mouse limbs. After a moment's thought, he turned his attention to the frog infested with parasitic snails.　　Grimm had previously amputated one of its hind legs for preservation. Yet during this period, due to the parasitic snail's infestation, the frog had developed three hind legs through "teratogenesis" – appearing like a grotesque, deformed freak, rather repulsive.　　This was not evolution. True e