When Mortis prepared all of his equipment he had started brewing potions once again.
The next three days were a relentless cycle of experimentation and refinement. Mortis began with the basics, focusing on strength potions, healing potions, and refreshing potions. He meticulously followed the procedures Varo had taught him, but he also introduced his own modifications and improvements.
On the first day, Mortis decided to brew strength potions, aiming to produce a batch he could sell for a significant profit. He laid out the ingredients: Ironroot, Titan's Blood, and Energizing Crystals. Each component had to be prepared meticulously to avoid any adverse reactions.
First, he crushed the Ironroot into a fine powder, its metallic scent filling the room. He then extracted the essence of Titan's Blood, a viscous red liquid that shimmered with latent power. Finally, he ground the Energizing Crystals into sparkling dust.
Combining the Ironroot powder and Titan's Blood in a cauldron, Mortis heated the mixture gently, stirring it with a glass rod. He added the Energizing Crystal dust gradually, chanting an incantation to infuse the potion with his mana.
"Fortis," he murmured, feeling his mana flow into the mixture. The potion began to bubble and glow with a soft, golden light. He carefully monitored the reaction, ensuring the balance was maintained.
After several hours of careful brewing, Mortis poured the completed strength potion into vials. The liquid glowed faintly, a testament to its potency. He tested a small amount, feeling a surge of strength course through his veins. Satisfied with the result, he noted down the improvements he could make in the next batch.
That evening, Mortis focused on refining his mana. He consumed potions of accelerated learning and mana-enhancing potions, then sat on the floor in his dimly lit quarters.
Mortis assumed a meditative posture, focusing his mind and mana. He completely focused on his meditation technique, feeling his mana flow through his body.
"Mana surge," he spoke, channeling his mana into a refined state. He felt the Potion of Accelerated Learning take hold and enhance his understanding of the arcane arts. The mana-enhancing potion increased his mana reserves, allowing him to maintain intense meditation.
For hours, Mortis meditated, refining his mana and absorbing the knowledge from his recent potion experiments. He felt his understanding of alchemy and magic deepen, his mind expanding with new insights and techniques.
On the second day, Mortis dedicated his time to healing potions. He laid out the ingredients: Twilight Bloom, Essence of Sunroot, and Shimmering Crystal Powder. He recalled the lessons from Var, focusing on the delicate balance required to create a potent healing potion.
He began by crushing the Twilight Bloom into a fine paste, its sweet fragrance permeating the air. He then extracted the Essence of Sunroot, a golden liquid with potent restorative properties. The Shimmering Crystal Powder was ground into a fine, sparkling dust.
Combining the Twilight Bloom paste and Essence of Sunroot in a beaker, Mortis heated the mixture gently over a golden flame. He added the Shimmering Crystal Powder slowly, infusing the potion with his mana.
"Sana," he intoned, feeling the healing energy flow into the mixture. The potion glowed with a soothing, luminescent light, indicating its potency.
After several hours of careful brewing, Mortis poured the healing potion into vials. He used a steady hand to fill each vial, ensuring no spills or contamination. The liquid glowed brightly, a sign of its effectiveness. He tested a small amount on a minor wound, watching as the cut healed almost instantly. Pleased with the outcome, he noted the improvements for future batches.
That evening, Mortis continued his rigorous routine. He practiced the Fireball spell. He moved to the school's practice chamber, a large room with reinforced walls designed to withstand magical energy.
Mortis focused his mana into a swirling sphere of flames. He felt the heat and power of the spell, envisioning its destructive potential.
"Fireball," he intoned, hurling the fireball at a target. The sphere of flames exploded upon impact, engulfing the target in a fiery blast. Mortis analyzed the spell's effect, noting the intense heat and explosive force.
After spending some time training, he returned to his quarters and began his meditation routine once again, refining his mana further. The practice of converting the world's mana into his own was a painstaking process, but Mortis approached it with relentless focus.
On the third day, Mortis focused on refreshing potions. These potions were designed to rejuvenate and energize the drinker. He laid out the ingredients: Zephyr Leaves, Aqua Vitae, and Energizing Crystal Dust.
He began by crushing the Zephyr Leaves into a fine powder, their fresh scent invigorating his senses. He then extracted the Aqua Vitae, a clear liquid with revitalizing properties. The Energizing Crystal Dust was prepared in the same manner as before.
Combining the Zephyr Leaf powder and Aqua Vitae in a cauldron, Mortis heated the mixture over a gentle flame. He added the Energizing Crystal Dust gradually, chanting an incantation to infuse the potion with his mana.
"Refresca," he murmured, feeling his mana flow into the mixture. The potion began to bubble and emit a refreshing, cool mist. He carefully monitored the reaction, ensuring the balance was maintained.
After several hours of careful brewing, Mortis poured the refreshing potion into vials. The liquid emitted a cool, invigorating mist, a testament to its potency. He took a sip of one vial, feeling a surge of energy and clarity. Satisfied with the result, he noted down the improvements he could make in the next batch.
That evening, Mortis focused on the Ice Shard spell. He formed a jagged, crystalline spear of ice, feeling the cold energy of the spell and envisioning its piercing power
"Ice Shard," he intoned, launching the ice shard at a target. The spear of ice flew with precision, piercing through the target and embedding itself in the wall. Mortis observed the chilling effect, noting the shard's ability to slow down and immobilize opponents.
After spending some time training, he then returned to his own quarters once more, continuing his practice of converting the world's mana into his own. Mortis could feel that he was nearing a significant breakthrough, the energy within him building towards Rank 3 Apprentice.
On the evening of the third day, Mortis felt a shift in his mana. His newly refined mana merged within him, slowly pushing him towards a breakthrough. He focused his mind, guiding the energy through his body.
As he entered his meditative state, Mortis felt a powerful surge of energy within him. He focused on the intricate weave of his mana, feeling it pulse and resonate with the ambient energy of the world. His mana, which had previously been a pure, ethereal white, began to shimmer and fluctuate.
Initially, his mana appeared as a faint, shimmering white light, indicative of a Rank 2 Apprentice. But as Mortis concentrated, the color of his mana began to transform. The white light grew more intense, shifting through various shades before gradually deepening into a rich, vibrant yellow. This transition was not sudden but rather a gradual change that occurred as he aligned his mana with the world's energy.
The room seemed to pulse with energy as Mortis's mana evolved. The walls, once just cold stone, appeared to resonate with the vibrant yellow glow emanating from him. The light from the candles flickered more rapidly, their flames appearing to dance in sync with the growing intensity of Mortis's aura.
Mortis could feel the weight of the transformation as if he were shedding an old skin and emerging anew. His mana channels, previously narrow and restricted, expanded and flowed more freely. He visualized the new pathways of energy within himself, their patterns more intricate and expansive than before. This was not merely a physical change but a profound augmentation of his magical capabilities.
The sensation of mana refining and expanding was akin to a powerful, invigorating wave washing over him. Mortis felt his body and mind align with this new, potent energy. It was as though the very essence of magic had become more vivid, more tangible. His heart raced, not from exertion, but from the sheer intensity of the transformation. His skin tingled with the electric pulse of his newly acquired mana, and his senses were heightened, every sound and sight magnified.
The yellow mana that now flowed through him was not static but dynamic. It pulsed and flickered with life, its energy more potent and refined. Mortis reached out with his newly heightened senses, feeling the world around him in a way he had never experienced before. The very air seemed to vibrate with a newfound resonance, reflecting the heightened state of his magical ability.
With the breakthrough complete, Mortis felt a profound change not only in his mana but in his overall magical prowess. His spells felt more powerful, their effects more immediate and pronounced. Eager to test his new capabilities, he immediately set out to practice his spells.
In the practice chamber, Mortis summoned the Fireball spell. The incandescent sphere of flames formed effortlessly in his hand, its fiery brilliance even more intense than before. He hurled the fireball at a target, watching with satisfaction as it exploded with a greater force, engulfing the target in an expansive blast of fire. The flames spread wider and burned hotter, showcasing the increased potency of his magic.
Next, he practiced Ice Shard. He conjured a jagged, crystalline spear of ice, its formation quicker and more precise. The shard pierced through a target with enhanced force, leaving a trail of frost in its wake. The ice shard's piercing power was now more formidable, capable of inflicting severe damage and slowing opponents more effectively.
Finally, Mortis focused on Lightning Bolt. The brilliant arc of electric energy crackled with heightened intensity. He unleashed the lightning bolt with a swift motion, its strike more precise and devastating. The bolt leaped from the target to nearby objects, demonstrating its enhanced capacity to affect multiple targets.
As he stood in the practice chamber and contemplated about his newfound strength, Mortis slightly smiled.