"This magic stone was well worth it," Ronan mused.
After selling his runes, the shop assistant enthusiastically spent half a day showcasing the workshop's main magical items.
Had Ronan possessed enough magic stones, he might have bought one of the zero-level low-grade artifacts.
"I can't afford an artifact, but I must replace my rune carving knife. The old one is so worn it's affecting my success rate," Ronan remembered and almost turned back to the workshop before realizing, "Idiot! Buying from street vendors is cheaper! To the wizard market!"
With everything going smoothly, Ronan had plenty of time left on his trip.
Carrying eighteen low-grade magic stones, Ronan strutted confidently through the bustling wizard market.
He wandered until sunset before leaving the town.
He spent two low-grade magic stones on a quality rune carving knife from a miscellaneous goods stall.
Though second-hand, it was made of a special metal called tungsten silver, far superior in feel and durability compared to his old one.
Initially, he planned to find a house in the town's residential area but was dissatisfied after visiting several places with a real estate agent.
Living in town had its advantages: safety, convenience.
But it also had downsides: noise, crowds, and needing to pay for a spell training room or venture into the wild for quiet, solitary practice.
Now more accustomed to life in the forest after over two months, Ronan no longer felt the insecurity he had when he first arrived.
After careful consideration, Ronan decided to postpone moving into town.
"Better to save more and eventually move to the academy."
On his way home, Ronan stood on a hill overlooking the mist-covered Hoddam Academy, making a silent resolution.
Though everything seemed to be falling into place, the path ahead remained challenging.
To pursue the wizarding path steadily, he needed to join an academy, the only place offering a comprehensive and systematic education.
This was something a wandering wizard could hardly achieve.
"Hoddam," Ronan murmured, gazing intently at the mist-shrouded center before turning and heading back into the forest with his pouch of magic stones.
Days passed peacefully.
Ronan's daily routine remained rigorous.
With the character panel, his drive was incomparable to his past life. Now, he relished any activity that increased proficiency.
Watching the numbers on his panel steadily rise, no practice felt dull.
"Drip—drip—"
Sweat dripped from his chin onto the wooden floor, forming dark patches.
In the sweltering cabin, Ronan, wearing only white shorts, lay in an awkward, almost grotesque position on the floor.
His face was flushed, muscles taut, teeth clamped on his lower lip, veins bulging on his forehead, steam rising from his head as if enduring immense pain.
If someone observed closely, they'd notice Ronan's already contorted body slowly moving into an even more bizarre posture.
It was unclear how much time passed.
A sudden "crack" echoed in the cabin, like something snapping.
Followed by a series of loud pops.
Moments ago, Ronan was motionless; now, he jerked around the floor like a spasming fish, the popping sounds emanating from his joints.
After the spasms came torrents of sweat.
His pores opened like floodgates, releasing large droplets that pooled into rivulets, trickling through the floorboards.
Finally, nearly dehydrated, Ronan slumped weakly to the floor, unable to hide his joy.
"Damn, I've finally mastered this torturous self-abuse technique."
"Pain can stimulate mental growth, and in turn, increased mental strength can enhance my pain tolerance. This method works!"
"I'm a genius!"
Ronan beamed, opening his character panel.
**[Name: Ronan Damien]**
**[Age: 16]**
**[Affinity: Non-Elemental]**
**[Level: Level 3 Wizard Apprentice (45%)]**
**[Skills: Basic Meditation Techniques (Mastery 221/400), Energy Missile (Expert 288/800), Charged Weapon (Proficient 67/200), Rune Engraving—Cleanse (Proficient 77/200), Shine (Beginner 21/100), Ascetic Body Training (Beginner 1/100)]**
Compared to over a month ago, Ronan's attributes had drastically changed.
Most notably, his power level had jumped from a Level 2 to a Level 3 Apprentice, nearly halfway through.
The reason?
Ronan had taken a potion!
Drinking a potion worth twenty low-grade magic stones, his mental strength advanced over a level.
He chose to use the potion to boost his rune engraving!
Once his [Cleanse] rune reached proficiency, Ronan yearned for the substantial profits of mid to high-level runes.
For zero-level mid-grade and higher runes, the difficulty was one aspect, but the main challenge was the mental strength required.
For example, zero-level mid-grade runes demanded a mid-level apprentice's mental strength.
Apprentices range from Level 1 to Level 9; Levels 1-3 are junior, 4-6 are mid, and 7-9 are senior. Beyond Level 9, one becomes a full-fledged wizard.
A mid-level apprentice meant at least a Level 4 Apprentice.
Ronan estimated that with his aptitude, even with high-proficiency meditation, reaching Level 4 would take one to two years.
He couldn't wait.
So he opted for the potion.
"All necessary early investments. Besides, the power gained from the potion is still mine. No loss!"
Indeed, Ronan was already reaping the rewards.
Though not yet Level 4, his Level 3 mental strength made [Cleanse] rune engraving easier. Coupled with increased proficiency, his success rate approached fifty percent.
He also unlocked a new rune—[Shine].
Another zero-level low-grade rune, [Shine] was slightly harder to engrave than [Cleanse] but fetched a higher price, with Weiling Workshop offering two magic stones.
However, Ronan felt [Shine]'s utility was far less than [Cleanse].
[Shine] merely added a visual effect to artifacts, essentially just an enchantment for aesthetics.