After borrowing money from Ron, the next step for Sauron was to purchase magic elixirs.
In this world, it was a well-known fact that knight cultivation required the assistance of magic elixirs. However, the specific type of elixir needed varied depending on the breathing technique.
Sauron practiced the Swain family's inheritance breathing technique. Therefore, the most suitable elixir for him could only be crafted by the Swain family. However, due to the disappearance of his father Oren and the loss of contact with Night Raven City, Sauron hadn't used the family's custom elixirs for a long time.
Now, in Holy Splendor Academy, Sauron could only make do with alternatives.
Entering a shop within the academy, behind the counter, an old man with glasses was sitting, engrossed in reading a book titled "Madame Lolia's Past Affairs."
"Cough, cough!"
Sauron coughed twice, prompting the old man to reluctantly put down the book and ask indifferently, "What do you want?"
"I want to purchase some magic elixirs."
Sauron contemplated for a moment and said, "White Spirit Potion will do. I'll take ten. How much?"
"Fair price, sixty gold!" The old man pushed up his glasses and said.
"Why is it so expensive?"
Sauron raised an eyebrow. "Last time, it was five gold coins per bottle, right? For ten bottles, it should be fifty gold coins."
According to his memory, White Spirit Potion was one of the most basic elixirs. Regardless of the breathing technique, it could be used as a supplement. However, its effectiveness in cultivation was generally average, often used by commoners.
"No choice, the situation in the southern region has been unstable lately."
The old man shrugged. "Major merchant caravans are unwilling to go there, causing the prices of materials to rise, and consequently, the prices of finished magic elixirs are going up too."
"...Fine."
Sauron shook his head. He could only obediently pay, taking ten White Spirit Potions with him as he turned and headed back to his dormitory.
In Holy Splendor Knight Academy, the living areas were separated between nobles and commoners.
Even the smallest nobles, as long as they paid their tuition on time, could get a private dormitory. On the other hand, most common apprentice knights had to share rooms.
Back in his dormitory, Sauron locked the door.
After drinking one White Spirit Potion, he began cultivation. Following the method from his memory, he operated the family's inherited Night Raven Breathing Technique.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Sauron cultivated according to a specific method.
Soon, half an hour passed.
When Sauron opened his eyes again, he felt a wave of fatigue. He picked up a small mirror, reflecting his pale face.
Then, a thought crossed Sauron's mind.
---
Name: Sauron
Occupation: None
Strength: 1.4, Physique: 0.8, Agility: 1.7, Mental: 1.3
Skills: None
Passive: Archery Technique Lv3 (25/100), Night Raven Breathing Technique Lv2 (13/100), Armybreak Swordsmanship Lv2 (5/100)
Runes: None
Status: Normal
---
The interface appeared before his eyes, and Sauron's eyes flickered slightly.
Through the recent cultivation, the proficiency of the Night Raven Breathing Technique had significantly increased. This meant that the effects of the White Spirit Potions had all been absorbed by Sauron.
"Not bad, continue!"
Sauron's heart burned with excitement. He immediately drank another White Spirit Potion and cultivated for another half hour. The proficiency of the Night Raven Breathing Technique increased once again.
However, this time, Sauron felt even more exhausted.
"At this rate, I'm afraid it won't be long before I can upgrade the Night Raven Breathing Technique's level!" Sauron's face revealed a contemplative expression.
In this world, whether an ordinary person could become a knight mostly depended on the breathing technique. According to Sauron's estimation, as long as he upgraded the Night Raven Breathing Technique, he would have the opportunity to become a knight and rise above the status of an ordinary person.
"Unfortunately, White Spirit Potions are not compatible with the Night Raven Breathing Technique."
Sauron shook his head. The family's inherited breathing technique required specially crafted elixirs to achieve the best cultivation effects. As for White Spirit Potion, it was generally used by commoners or minor nobles.
At the same time, for most breathing technique cultivators, they could usually only absorb the effects of one elixir in a month. Only those with outstanding innate talent could absorb more elixirs' medicinal efficacy.
Otherwise, even if forced down, it would only be expelled from the body over time. However, with Sauron having the proficiency panel, he didn't need to worry about this at all.
Every elixir he drank would be fully absorbed during cultivation.
This meant that Sauron's cultivation speed would far surpass the majority of people, even those considered geniuses.
In the memories of the original owner, Sauron's cultivation talent wasn't particularly good. If it weren't for his status as the son of the Lord of Night Raven City, he might not even qualify to join Holy Splendor Academy. It often took him more than a month of continuous cultivation to fully absorb the effects of one elixir, and he still couldn't absorb it completely.
It was because of this that, after three years at Holy Splendor Academy, there was still no sign of Sauron advancing to the level of a knight.
On the contrary, among the same batch of students, there was already someone who became a knight named Goliath, a true genius among commoner apprentices.
Anyone who could advance to the knight realm before the age of twenty could be considered a genius. Such individuals, even if they were commoners, would receive favor from the royal family. According to Sauron's knowledge, since Goliath became a knight, many forces had extended olive branches to him. Even before graduating from Holy Splendor Academy, a noble had promised him a piece of land, a fiefdom.
Although he came from a commoner background, Goliath was still an influential figure at Holy Splendor Academy.
In comparison, Sauron, despite his noble birth, was far behind. If it weren't for Lord Oren of Night Raven City, he might have been advised to leave Holy Splendor Academy.
After a short rest, Sauron continued his cultivation.
For him, the proficiency panel was his greatest reliance. As long as he kept cultivating, advancing to the level of a knight was just a matter of time.