"What is the exchange rate for wind element coins?"

Although element coins and gold coins can be exchanged for one another, the exchange ratio is not fixed and fluctuates over time.

Upon hearing Karien's question, the shopkeeper took out a newspaper from under the counter, flipped through it, and showed Karien a table, answering:

"According to the report released by the country last month, the exchange rate for wind element coins is 95."

In other words, 1 wind element coin is worth 95 gold coins...

"It’s a lot lower than a few years ago…" Karien remarked.

"Indeed," the shopkeeper replied with a smile. "There are fewer magic scholars specializing in wind elements now, so this drop in the exchange rate is normal."

Nodding, Karien said, "Alright, I'll exchange 6 wind element coins and 20 dark element coins, and the rest can be settled with gold coins."

Normally, element coins fluctuate in value, but light and dark element coins are controlled by the Church of Light and the Church of Darkness, respectively. Their values are stable, making them hard currencies.

For this reason, most countries peg their gold coins to the exchange rates of light and dark element coins. For example, the gold coin of Durant Kingdom has remained at a 1:1 exchange rate with the light and dark element coins for over a decade.

"Alright, please wait a moment."

The shopkeeper raised his right hand, casting a small magic circle to lift the seal on the counter. Then, he retrieved the gold coins and element coins from the drawer, packed them into a fine cloth bag, and respectfully handed it over to Karien.

Karien quickly checked the contents, confirming that there were 20 dark coins, 6 wind coins, and 38 gold coins. Satisfied, he took out one dark coin and casually tossed the cloth bag into his backpack, saying coolly:

"See you next time!"

With that, he turned and left.

"Goodbye, Mr. Karien!" the shopkeeper called out.

...

After leaving the potion store, Karien quickly charged his teleportation orb with one dark element coin, preparing to leave at any moment.

If any danger arose, he would activate the teleportation immediately.

After all, he was carrying a large sum of money and had no real means of self-defense—just a weak rookie. Any mistake could cost him his life.

Over two thousand gold coins wasn’t a small amount. Even though Durant Kingdom's gold coins had low intrinsic value, they still had considerable purchasing power. One gold coin could cover the living expenses of an average family for an entire month.

In daily life, most common people used copper and silver coins more often.

However, Karien's caution was just a precaution.

For high-level magic scholars in the magic trade market of the royal capital, two thousand gold coins were pocket change. Only someone like Karien, who suddenly gained a large sum of money, would be this careful, afraid of being robbed.

Karien then visited a few other shops in the magic trade market and bought the necessary items, including a wind element magic crystal, which cost him 120 gold coins.

Since this trip to the royal capital had been a last-minute decision, Karien didn’t stay long. After purchasing the necessary items, he found a secluded spot to teleport back to Palos Magic School.

After storing the purchased supplies in his room, Karien took a few wind and dark element coins and walked out of his room.

Compared to a few days ago, Karien now had more confidence.

With abundant resources, he could help his students and give them a better chance to perform well in their graduation assessments.

Since it was still not too late, he planned to use the time to arrange special training for his students. But just as he opened the courtyard gate and was about to step outside to find his students, he saw Elder Elison, the head of academic affairs, storming towards him with his staff in hand.

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"This is bad..."

Karien instinctively wanted to close the door, but then thought better of it. As a teacher, he couldn’t just refuse the head of academics entry.

"Karien!!"

When Elder Elison got closer, he didn’t say a word but raised his staff and fiercely struck Karien, shouting angrily:

"I told you not to use underhanded tactics!"

"I told you not to sabotage others' teaching!"

"I told you..."

With each scolding, Elison struck Karien again.

Though the old man looked frail, his strength was terrifying. Even without using magic, Karien could feel the sting of each strike, causing him to jump up in pain and run around the yard.

It was clear that Elder Elison knew about Karien's behavior of auditing lessons at other colleges the day before. Such actions were considered highly unethical within Palos School.

"Still running?"

Seeing Karien dash away, Elder Elison’s face darkened. He raised his staff, and a massive magic array soon appeared in mid-air, with various magical elements swirling inside, seemingly preparing something.

"Damn!"

Karien was so scared that he almost lost his soul. He quickly ran back, apologizing repeatedly:

"Elder Elison, I was wrong, I really was wrong... please, don't destroy our old buildings."

Elison had only intended to teach him a lesson, so of course, he wasn't really going to cast a large-scale spell.

Quickly retracting the magic array, Elison jabbed the ground with the tip of his staff, saying angrily:

"How dare you be so audacious? Even if you’re weak, you’re still a teacher. What kind of example is it to go to other colleges and disrupt their classes?"

Karien forced a bitter smile. "Elder… I didn’t intend to disrupt anyone… I just wanted to promote more exchange… maybe I went about it the wrong way…"

"Still making excuses!" Elison glared at him and began scolding again.

After a while, though, he suddenly sighed and said:

"It’s also my fault… I pushed you too hard."

Karien quickly waved his hands. "No, no, Elder, I…"

"Enough," Elison interrupted, then pulled a short sword from his back and handed it to Karien, speaking in a low voice:

"This is a magic tool—Qinglan Sword. Give it to Mia.

"In three months, even if Mia’s magic level doesn’t compare to others, at least having a magical item will help boost her strength."

Karien stared for a moment, then solemnly took the Qinglan Sword, saying, "I am truly grateful!"

He understood just how expensive magic equipment was, and normal students would never have access to such items. If Mia had something that matched her magical affinity, it would significantly boost her power.

"This is just a loan to you!" Elison emphasized, then asked, "Do you still have the magic crystal I gave you yesterday?"

"It’s... it’s here!"

Karien quickly took out the magic crystal. Fortunately, he had bought one in the royal capital today, or he wouldn’t have been able to explain.

Elison nodded. "Give these two items to Mia. At the very least, make sure she graduates successfully."

Karien gave a firm nod and placed his hand on his chest, saying seriously:

"I will make sure Mia does well!"

"Good. Keep up the good work."

After giving his instructions, Elison, leaning on his staff, turned and left.

After a few steps, he suddenly stopped, turned back, and pointed his staff at Karien, shouting:

"About yesterday's matter, write me a 10,000-word self-reflection. Bring it to the main campus academic office within the next two days!"

Karien froze in shock.

"10,000 words!? Is this going to be a book?"

But Elison gave him no room for negotiation. With a cold snort, he quickly walked away.

...

At the Red Leaf Academy training field, Karien called Mia aside and handed her the items Elison had given him.

The blonde girl, Mia, with a ponytail, stared in disbelief at the magic crystal and the Qinglan Sword.

"Teacher, this..."

"Take them. Don’t let Elder Elison’s kindness go to waste."

Tightly gripping the Qinglan Sword and the magic crystal, Mia nodded earnestly. "I will definitely work hard!"

"Good!" Karien said, one hand in his pocket. "The real reason I called you here today isn’t just to give you these two items. I also want to arrange a special training session for you."

"Special training?" Mia paused and asked, "What kind of training?"

"It’s targeted training. Let’s first analyze your strengths and weaknesses."

As he spoke, Karien took out a notebook. Inside, it recorded the learning progress of each student from his lessons.

"First, your strength lies in your theoretical knowledge, which should be no problem since I, your teacher, am good at theory!"

Mia nodded confidently; this was an area where she had no doubt.

Holding up three fingers, Karien continued:

"Aside from theory, you also have three major advantages: good physical strength, strong mental power, and high affinity for wind elements."

"These three strengths of yours are not just a little better than others; they are vastly superior. Even a normal mid-tier magic scholar may not compare to you."

The ranks of magic scholars were divided into nine levels: levels 1-2 were low-tier, 3-4 mid-tier, 5-6 high-tier, 7-8 great-tier, and level 9 was the Saint-tier. Beyond that, one would enter the realm of gods.

"The reason you have these advantages is that Red Leaf Academy lacks resources, so you can only work on physical and mental strength. But this has also caused you to have serious imbalances in your training. Now, let’s talk about your weaknesses."

Mia listened intently.

"First, aside from wind elements, your affinity with other elements is too low. This is why, up until now, you’ve only been able to open the wind element channel, which limits the types of magic you can use."

"Second, even though you’ve opened the wind element channel, you can’t effectively utilize it, let alone condense an elemental vortex inside your body."

Normally, when a magic scholar begins their journey, they go through several stages:

1. Meditation to enhance mental power and sense the surrounding magical elements.

2. Opening the elemental channel. Once sensed, one must absorb the magical elements into the body through an elemental channel, which requires mental power and control.

The position of the elemental channel varies, but it’s often located in the palms or fingers to make it easier to construct magic circles.

3. Condensing the elemental vortex. This is the final stage, where the absorbed magical elements are gathered in a small space at the end of the channel, forming a vortex that can store the elements for long periods.

If successful, this marks the scholar as a true magic master.

"To achieve this, requires great effort. But if you can condense an elemental vortex, then you will truly be a magic master."