Inside the examination hall, Locke felt he should still defend his teacher, even if this person was his grand-mentor.
Locke calmly explained, "Madam Morgana, it's because I advanced too quickly. I only reached First Class Wizard Apprentice this year and just began learning about the library's publication system."
"Teacher Sophia has been very good to me."
Madam Morgana slightly furrowed her brows.
Based on her approach to nurturing talents, a Wizard Seedling should already be assigned to publish D-grade or even C-grade papers during their third-class wizard apprentice stage.
This way, by the time such a genius advanced to first-class wizard apprentice, they would already have ample experience in publishing and a certain accumulation of papers.
This would allow them to quickly earn various titles and obtain corresponding benefits.
It would also enhance her reputation and expand her network.
Of course, this was the academic faction's method for cultivating talents under their wing, whereas Sophia the Witch was different—she lacked connections.
Moreover, initially, Sophia the Witch had misjudged Locke's growth speed.
Her original plan for Locke was simply to advance to second-class wizard apprentice within five years—that would have been considered success!
Madam Morgana snorted. "You seem quite attached to your teacher."
"Never mind, so be it."
"Sophia is still too willful."
The other two Formal Wizards exchanged glances but remained silent.
This was a matter between mentor and disciple—it was best they pretended not to hear, lest they end up offending both sides.
Madam Morgana addressed all examinees and announced, "Locke Augustine, you have passed the Breeder examination."
"You are now officially certified as a Breeder."
She handed Locke a golden seedling-shaped badge and said, "Becoming a Breeder is just the beginning. I hope to see more outstanding achievements from you in the field of breeding."
"The duty of a Breeder isn't merely to cultivate combat Magic Plants or provide Potion Ingredients for Potionology Masters. A Breeder's responsibility is to explore the mysteries of nature, maintain ecological balance, and use cultivated Magic Plants to better serve wizard society."
Madam Morgana continued, "Some Breeders focus solely on Potion Ingredient Magic Plants or Alchemy Material Magic Plants, while others specialize in Energy Magic Plants."
"A Breeder should strive to improve resource utilization in wizard society and enhance the ecological environment of Magic Plants. Any actions deviating from this path are misguided. Only this way can a Breeder maximize their potential. Researching combat Magic Plants is merely a waste of time—developing a Magic Plant capable of sparking an energy revolution holds far greater significance and would substantially increase the academy's overall combat strength."
Madam Morgana smiled at Locke and said, "I hope the next time we meet, you'll have cultivated an impressive functional Magic Plant, not another combat-oriented one."
Her final two paragraphs clearly carried personal bias, attempting to impart her philosophy to Locke—even to make him fully embrace it.
Locke's gaze fell upon the emblem on Madam Morgana's white Wizard robe, which featured her signature creation—the Magic Sunflower.
That was an advanced Magic Plant.
The Magic Sunflower could efficiently convert sunlight into magical energy, providing Wizards with a potent power source.
It had extensive applications—from maintaining Barriers and alchemical equipment on Wizard Ships to powering domains within Wizard secret realms.
Rumor had it that even the secret weapon hidden deep within Lilith's Cottage derived part of its energy from a garden of Magic Sunflowers.
Finally, Locke understood why the White Wizard Sophia had clashed with Madam Morgana.
'Sophia's advice to me in the field of Breeding Studies was simply to research and cultivate whatever type of Magic Plant I liked.'
'She never pushed me toward combat-oriented Magic Plants or any specific functional varieties.'
'But Madam Morgana is different. She seems to favor functional Magic Plants, especially energy-producing ones.'
'And because of her preference, she expects her students to share that interest.'
'She exerts much stronger control over her students.'
Locke realized. 'If anything, Madam Morgana is the more willful one. No wonder she clashed with my teacher—Sophia just seems more easygoing.'
But he didn't dare voice that thought aloud.
Locke accepted the emblem from Madam Morgana. "Thank you, Madam Morgana. I'll continue to work hard."
"Recently, I've been developing a new variety of Magic Plant for Potion Ingredients."
Though, in truth, he had spent the past month modifying it into a defensive combat variant.
Madam Morgana smiled approvingly. "Excellent."
"You may address me as Madam Morgana from now on. As Sophia's student, you are, in a way, also my student's student."
She seemed genuinely pleased by Locke's mention of developing a Potion Ingredient-type Magic Plant. "Directly researching combat Magic Plants is too inefficient for improving the Academy's overall strength. A genius like you should focus on more lasting contributions."
Locke maintained a polite smile, letting the words go in one ear and out the other…
"You're absolutely right, Madam."
Madam Morgana continued, "As a certified Breeder, you now have privileges that Breeder Assistants lack. Most are minor, but three are particularly significant."
"First, you now have access to the Academy's Germplasm Repository."
"Second, you're permitted to conduct riskier breeding experiments. The White Wizard Association will relax many of their restrictions on you—some of the items previously forbidden to Breeder Assistants will now be available for your research."
"Third, you have priority when applying for a medium-sized Plantation."
Madam Morgana added, "But these are secondary. The Breeder Certificate emblem signifies that your abilities have reached the standard of a full-fledged Breeder at this stage."
"It's both an external and personal recognition of your competence."
Once she finished, Locke bowed respectfully. "Understood, Madam Morgana."
In fact, each of these three privileges was extremely useful.
The Germplasm Repository was essentially the seed bank of Lilith's Cottage Academy, preserving various Magic Plants and seeds of different varieties. Some seeds were even mutated, kept solely for preservation and research purposes—unavailable for purchase elsewhere.
If he could purchase seeds from the Germplasm Repository, Locke would have access to many Magic Plant seeds that were otherwise unavailable at the Chimera Market.
Of course, the seeds in the Germplasm Repository were generally priced much higher—several times more expensive than those sold outside.
The second privilege undoubtedly provided him with great convenience.
But the most crucial was the third privilege—the priority right to apply for a medium-sized Plantation.
Locke pursed his lips. Back when he had applied for a medium-sized Plantation, he had been immediately pushed aside by those with connections.
But now that he was an official Breeder, if he used this privilege to apply for a medium-sized Plantation, he wondered how the academy's higher-ups would handle it.
Still, this was his right, and he would certainly exercise it immediately.
What others thought was none of his concern.
Inside the examination hall.
The remaining four candidates watched enviously as Locke accepted the badge symbolizing his status as an official Breeder.
Out of the five candidates who had taken the exam, Locke was the only one who passed.
(End of Chapter)