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Chapter 53: Liver! Liver! Liver!
Soul Crystal.
Over the past few days, Lynch had been delving into the library to research detailed information about this magic material and had found the correct method of using it. If applied, it could bring a significant increase in spiritual power within a short period.
So, should he use it?
Staring at the Soul Crystal in his hand, Lynch’s eyes flickered faintly, torn and uncertain.
For a long time...
"No!" Ultimately, Lynch shook his head.
The main concern was the side effects.
The so-called correct usage of the Soul Crystal mentioned in books merely eliminated the painful torment that comes from using it, but it could not completely remove its side effects.
Forcibly absorbing the energy within to aid cultivation might indeed boost spiritual power in the short term, but it would leave impurities in the soul afterward. These impurities would directly affect advancement and even the subsequent journey on the Wizard’s Road.
This world offers no free gains. Regardless of how precious the magic potion or magic material is, there are always side effects, and forcing growth is inadvisable.
"There’s no necessity right now either."
Lynch analyzed: although Al harbored hostility towards him, it was unlikely that he would take direct action, especially after witnessing Lynch’s performance tonight.
After all, Al was now a High-level Apprentice in the tower, with limitless potential ahead, while Lynch was merely a Low-level Apprentice who had just arrived at the Inner Ring—albeit fortuitously obtaining the Warrior Feather, but nothing more.
Faced with such disparity, a reasonable mind might not consider Lynch a future threat.
Even Lynch himself wasn’t entirely confident he could catch up with Al; the bold words he had uttered earlier in the banquet hall were merely a ploy to lower Al’s guard, spoken casually.
While everyone understands that any enemy, whether a threat or not, should be eliminated, doing so must not lead to consequences.
Having the Warrior Feather and being friends with the Scoochi Family, Lynch had some protection. Unless willing to risk it all, Al couldn’t do much to him.
Destroying one’s bright future just to kill someone who poses no visible threat?
It’s unlikely anyone would think that way under normal circumstances, right?
"Stay low-profile and develop, stay low-profile and develop."
Thinking this, Lynch eased his worries, set aside the Soul Crystal, and began his routine cultivation for the day.
...
Meanwhile, within the Shadow Tower.
On the open terrace, Alfred sat on a Magic Chair, gazing at the Shadow Land below, gently swirling a silver wine glass in his hand, his focus on the Stone House District.
"Hah!"
"How foolish I was, to have felt fear because of that silly boy—a mere peasant."
Smirking self-deprecatingly, he retracted his gaze and took a sip of the crimson Fairy Blood in the glass—a high-level magical drink that greatly aids meditation and cultivation. Such a small glass cost hundreds of Magic Stones.
Feeling the Elemental Energy boiling within his body, Alfred set down the glass and comfortably reclined in the vine chair, letting his body absorb the nourishment of the potion while running his hand through his hair.
Perhaps it was a leftover sentiment from encountering an "old friend," but Alfred felt particularly spirited today and couldn’t stop recalling the past.
"How lucky I was... to make such a right decision!"
Alfred was deeply gratified for the cleverness and decisiveness he had shown back then, swapping Lynch’s experiment materials, which allowed him to stand out and become the wizard’s chosen apprentice, thus embarking on the broad avenue of destiny transformation.
If not for his foresight and intelligence back then, just look at Lynch now.
Without prospects, without a future, a silly boy who only knows how to work hard. 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝒸ℴ𝓶
"Hah, hard work."
Thinking of this, Alfred almost laughed aloud.
In this world, what matters is background, resources, and talent. A dullard who only knows honest cultivation—like Lynch—could train for a lifetime and only remain a Low-level Apprentice––with zero chance of advancing to wizard.
Failing to reach wizard status would leave one as no more than a mortal, bound to die, whether in a century or even just a few decades, vanishing into the grave. He wouldn’t even warrant Alfred’s concern.
They were no longer creatures of the same realm.
"Advancing to wizard—that is the true pursuit. Such insignificant distractions should no longer occupy my thoughts."
Shaking his head, Alfred banished Lynch from his mind entirely.
"Creak!~"
Just then, the sound of grinding teeth echoed as the door outside swung open.
An older man wearing a gray cloak stepped inside—it was Alfred’s mentor, Wizard Murphy.
Alfred promptly rose: "Mentor."
Murphy waved dismissively, his face kind: "Alright, sit down. You just drank Fairy Blood; now is the best time to absorb its effects. Lie down and don’t move."
"Yes, Mentor." Alfred quickly reclined again.
Murphy approached, his smile full of concern: "How was it? The Fairy Blood painstakingly concocted by your mentor—is it satisfactory?"
Alfred nodded firmly: "You’re the one who brought about my transformation today!"
Murphy said, "This is nothing."
As he spoke, he reached into his pocket and retrieved a Magic Potion Bottle filled with a dark green liquid, presenting it to Alfred: "Once your spiritual power stabilizes, drink this bottle of potion afterward."
Taking the bottle, Alfred asked hesitantly: "What is this?"
Murphy frowned slightly, displeased: "Do you think I would harm you?"
Alfred quickly replied: "That’s not what I meant, Mentor. I understand. I’ll drink it right away."
Only after watching Alfred pour the potion down did Murphy nod in satisfaction.
Looking into Alfred’s gray eyes intently, Murphy continued, "Alfred, my student, remember: trust your teacher. I will provide you with endless resources to help you become a wizard. Only I can help you ascend to a wizard! No one else can!"
Alfred firmly nodded: "Yes, Mentor, I trust you."
...
A few days later, Lynch moved into his new residence in the Inner Ring District.
This was an independent cottage in a Gothic style, two stories high, encircled by a fenced yard, with several rooms inside—bedroom, living room, dedicated cultivation room, laboratory, bathroom—a clear upgrade from the shared quarters in the Stone House District, which lacked even private washrooms.
"Finally, an independent experiment area."
Seeing the brand-new laboratory, Lynch was overjoyed and immediately began his first transformation experiment.
[Mid-level Magic Plants Transformation Technique +3]
Becoming an Inner Ring Apprentice granted access to significantly greater resources than before. All knowledge under the wizard level within the main specialization could now be obtained directly from the study vault, while knowledge from other disciplines could still be borrowed from the library.
His knowledge list grew substantially.
[Mid-level Magic Plants Transformation lv0: 12/500.]
[Elementary Biological Transformation lv0: 6/300.]
[Amphibious Creature Transformation Details lv0: 32/300.]
[Mammalian Transformation...]
Faced with the abundance of knowledge, Lynch couldn’t suppress his excitement—there was more to learn!
Determined, he began fervently grinding away.
Time flew by, and over a month passed.
The newly acquired knowledge progressed rapidly, with several fields already reaching Level 1, and Amphibious Creature Transformation even advancing to Level 2 proficiency.
Of course, the cost was Lynch sleeping less than 20 hours over the entire month.
But it didn’t matter—learning new knowledge kept him from feeling tired.
Three months quickly slipped by.
Finally!
After months of accumulation, Lynch succeeded in breaking through the latter stages of meditation progress, unfolding a new Chapter in this particularly challenging pursuit.
[Meditation lv2: 36/6000]
A second Basic Will Rune glimmered faintly in his Spiritual Sea, signaling a significant leap in spiritual power, climbing to Level 3.
Spirit: 3.2.
On average, apprentices required 3–5 years of meditation to form the second Basic Will Rune, yet Lynch had managed it in just over a year—a remarkable achievement by any measure.
Among those who became Inner Ring Apprentices alongside him, only Jessica had managed to condense a single rune, while Kane was still at zero.
To Lynch, though, it wasn’t about being exceptional. What truly thrilled him was the increase in spiritual power—the realization of a roughly one-fifth boost brought immense joy.
More energy for grinding!
Time passed quickly, seasons changing, and six months whisked by in a blink.
During this period, Lynch achieved significant breakthroughs, maxing out the Knowledge List for all previously studied subjects in his specialization.
Undeterred, he immediately sought out new material.
[High-level Magic Plants Transformation lv0: 12/1000]
[Mid-level Biological Transformation...]
[From Fundamentals to Proficiency in Water Creature Transformation...]
[Elemental Creature Transformation...]
Besides in-specialty knowledge, Lynch even spent Magic Stones to acquire cross-specialty material.
[Mid-level Extraordinary Cultivation]
[Basic Alchemy]
[Elemental Basics]
[Basic Magic Potion...]
After mastering foundational topics, he planned to purchase several spell models from different disciplines.
Lynch refused to confine himself to just one school of thought; to him, the entire Magic World was an ocean to explore.
Beyond magic, his progress in Knight training also showed promising results.
[Basic Swordsmanship max]
[Knight Breathing Method lv2: 128/6000]
The Apprentice Knight career consisted of three training stages focusing on muscle, bones, and skin, corresponding to lv0, lv1, and lv2. Completing all three levels marked the end of apprenticeship, signaling full-fledged Knighthood.
Lynch anticipated this eagerly.
Even at lv2 of Knight Breathing Method, his physical attributes had undergone substantial improvements.
Strength 2.1, Agility 2.3, Constitution 2.1.
This translated to twice the physical capabilities of an average person; Lynch felt as though he could take down a bull with his bare hands.
And this was just as an Apprentice Knight; how formidable would full-fledged Knight status be?
Fueled by anticipation, Lynch burned with enthusiasm for grinding.
Grind, grind, grind!
While other apprentices reveled at gatherings, Lynch studied books in the library.
While others hunted or took scenic strolls, Lynch conducted experiments in his lab.
While others relaxed in playful leisure, Lynch focused on sword practice in the training room.
Even as others slept soundly, Lynch tirelessly meditated and studied through the night...
Regardless of day or night, wind or snow.
Seasons turning, the rhythm of time flowed through relentless dedication to accumulating experience.
In the blink of an eye, three years passed...
