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Chapter 48: 015: Warrior Feather
Warrior’s Feather!
Originally named the Undying Bird’s Feather, this is a magical artifact with peculiar effects. Its functions are many, but its greatest value is undoubtedly in——
Enhancing meditation!
This object possesses extraordinary elemental traits, naturally drawing the surrounding elements to it whenever it appears, thereby increasing the elemental content of the entire area.
The essence of wizard meditation is to absorb elements from nature, so the higher the elemental content in an area, the faster the meditation efficiency.
"I never expected the usually stingy tower to be so generous this time." Although Leonard had previously informed Lynch of an impending valuable reward, he truly didn’t expect the tower to reward him with such a precious item.
The Warrior’s Feather originates from the Undying Phoenix, a magical creature in the Wizard World, formed purely of elements, unable to reproduce, only born through the natural incubation of elements.
A Judge of the Shadow Tower helped an Undying Phoenix escape a perilous situation during a journey thousands of years ago, forging a friendship with it and becoming companions. Since then, the Shadow Tower has possessed the Warrior’s Feather.
However, the feathers of an Undying Phoenix are exceedingly rare, with only a few dropping each year.
As such, after the initial Judge left the tower with the Undying Phoenix, successive Judges unanimously agreed that the remaining Warrior’s Feathers would be awarded only to outstanding apprentices.
No matter the birth or background, evaluations are based purely on the apprentice’s performance, requiring votes from seven Judges to prevent some Wizard Families from leveraging their resources and power for apprentices.
Regarding magical items, the tower offers various rewards for apprentices, but the Warrior’s Feather is considered one of the best an apprentice can receive.
At the same time, it’s also one of the most difficult rewards to obtain.
"Let’s see how effective it is!"
Lynch took the gem box to a corner, sat on a meditation chair carved from ancient oak, opened the lid, and the quiet Warrior’s Feather inside floated up naturally, gently orbiting around Lynch.
In the warm glow of the fire, an indescribable warmth spread naturally throughout the room, permeating through the skin and into the Spirit.
Lynch crossed his hands over his chest, closed his eyes, and entered a meditative state.
"Such dense elements!"
As soon as he entered his Spiritual Sea, Lynch noticed the difference from before. Previously, the world perceived around him during meditation was quite dim, requiring much effort to slowly attract elements to illuminate the gray space.
This time, however, without doing anything, the surroundings were already lit up with dense element light points, as if he were amidst a vast galaxy.
Extending Spirit Tentacles towards the surrounding element light points, Lynch began his meditation.
"Tick-tock, tick-tock!"
The ticking sound of the mechanical clock’s gears echoed in the room. Lynch sat quietly on the chair, the long feather floating around his body, the warm yellow firelight illuminating his serene and tranquil expression.
After one round of meditation...
Opening his eyes, Lynch felt the meditation efficiency was higher than ever. Looking at the information displayed on the system panel, Lynch couldn’t help but slightly open his mouth.
[Meditation Chapter Skill Level +5]
"No way, just one round of meditation adds 5 points to skill level!"
So far, meditation in Lynch’s cultivation list was the hardest to improve on skill level. Usually, one round would increase 1 or 2 points. Even at peak efficiency, it would only add 3 points.
Never before had there been a situation where it increased by 5 points in one go.
"This is truly a treasure!"
Lynch then fully understood why so many apprentices yearned for this feather. Based on this meditation alone, its efficiency practically doubled.
Long-term meditation might not show such a large increase, as with an apprentice’s growth in power, meditation efficiency naturally improves, and one’s innate attraction to elements grows stronger, decreasing the feather’s effect.
However, in the early to mid-stages, the feather’s effect is still quite pronounced, generally enhancing efficiency by 10% to 30%.
It might not seem much, but over a lengthy apprenticeship, it becomes significant. Given an average apprenticeship duration of 50 years, a 10% increase saves 5 years, while 30% saves 15 years!
"The extra time allows for so much more to be done, to learn more knowledge and magic!"
Lynch was deeply moved.
"Knock, knock, knock!" Just then, a knocking sound came from outside the door.
"Lynch, are you ready? The banquet is about to start." A bright, cheerful female voice followed.
Lynch glanced out the window, realizing that the sky had darkened at some point.
"Coming!"
He hurriedly put away the Warrior’s Feather, stood up, and went to open the door.
Outside stood a male and female apprentice.
The girl had a delicate face, a straight nose with a few freckles along the sides, and chestnut hair braided into an intricate plait, falling from the back of her head to her waist. She wore an Inner Ring Apprentice Cloak, neatly dressed.
The boy was more laid-back, with a round face carrying a bit of baby fat and small freckles, his slightly curly brown hair messy, and the cloak collar askew.
These were the other two apprentices who passed the assessment and entered the Inner Ring with Lynch, Jessica and Kane.
At this time, Lynch was wearing only intimate clothing without a cloak, and was visibly unkempt. Seeing this, Jessica frowned.
She said disapprovingly, "Oh my! You’re not prepared, the banquet is about to start, and going like this would be quite inappropriate."
Tonight, there was a banquet, traditionally hosted by the tower for the apprentices who passed the assessment to enter the Inner Ring, a welcoming event, attended by some Inner Ring Apprentices and even Tower Inner Apprentices, very formal.
"I’ll be quick!"
Lynch quickly turned back into the room, donned the cloak, and swiftly tidied himself in the copper mirror on the wall before returning to the door.
Yet Jessica was still not satisfied.
"This won’t do."
She stepped forward, stood on tiptoe, and adjusted Lynch’s attire again, from the collar to the sleeves and the waist ties, from top to bottom.
As she did so, she lectured, "You’re destined to be the focus tonight; everyone wants to hear your story. With so many eyes watching, you must be careful; you can’t lose composure."
Jessica possessed a strong sense of group honor, with a dominant personality. When she was around, she would instinctively take the lead.
Finally, after a meticulous inspection to ensure everything was correct, Jessica clapped her hands and nodded in satisfaction.
"Let’s go."
The three boarded the long-awaited horned horse carriage, traveling towards their destination to the crisp sound of trotting hooves.
In the carriage, Kane suddenly asked curiously, "Is today a special day? Why did the tower choose today to announce the results?"
Jessica, arranging her small leather bag, replied without looking up, "It’s just an ordinary day; it just so happens the tower announced the results, giving you a sense of uniqueness."
Kane countered, "No way, the tower delayed for so long and suddenly announced; there must be a reason."
"Then what do you think is the reason?"
"I don’t know..."
Listening to their discussion, Lynch suddenly recalled that Leonard had mentioned during their last meeting that something hadn’t settled yet. Now that the news was out, does it mean something has concluded?
...
In the southern part of Ancient Ruins, Ramos Duchy, Shadow Marsh.
The powerful Shadow Marsh was the sole Witch Domain near the Ramos Duchy, ruling this country of hundreds of thousands of people. From the prince and nobility to the subjects and slaves, all life and death were in the Shadow Marsh’s hands.
This was a standard Black Witch Domain, where many people were sent yearly to the marsh as apprentices. Called apprentices, they actually contributed their bodies for wizards’ magical research, either transformed into bizarre magical creations or, if unlucky, turned into Undead Creatures, serving as Undead Guards roaming the marsh.
Of course, if fortunate enough to survive, one would gain supreme power and status, free to indulge with the duchy’s beauties, live in luxurious estates or palaces, enjoy endless gold coins’ splendor; even the nobles had to bow.
In short, the Shadow Marsh was the supreme ruler of this area, the true overlord!
Until... this day.
On this day, a sudden snowstorm descended upon the eerie marsh.
Thus, the marsh met its demise...
