"Two magic stones per pound for beast meat, that's just..." Ronan struggled to find words, finally settling on "impressive."
Magical beasts had unique constitutions, their flesh rich with energy particles, making them appealing to wizards accustomed to dealing with such energies.
Even with simple cooking, beast meat tasted more flavorful than ordinary meat.
Ordinary wizard apprentices, plagued by energy particle corrosion, had to take potions to counteract it after consuming beast meat.
Only officially recognized wizards, whose bodies had undergone preliminary energy particle transformation, could indulge freely.
Ronan's [Ascetic Body Training] had recently advanced to proficiency, significantly enhancing his physique, allowing him to enjoy beast meat without worry.
He mainly wanted to try something new.
Since the news of the Black Wizard Lands' imminent invasion spread, Hoddam had been gripped by a pre-war frenzy, with prices for all goods skyrocketing.
The only thing that hadn't increased, and had even dropped, was beast meat.
"According to the butcher, with resources tight, every wizard in Hoddam is spending on essentials, arming themselves for the coming battle. Fewer people are willing to spend on luxuries like beast meat, so its price has naturally fallen."
"This zero-level beast, the White-Tusk Porcupine's meat, used to sell for five low-grade magic stones per pound."
Ronan sat in his chair, picking his teeth.
For some reason, he felt an intense heat spreading through his body.
Even after downing two large pitchers of water, he couldn't quell the inner fire, so he started body training right there to burn off the excess energy.
Two hours later, drenched in sweat, Ronan felt normal again.
"Am I the only one who reacts like this to beast meat? Could I be allergic?"
Ronan wondered.
Excess energy particles should cause pain, not this strange "full" feeling he experienced.
Something akin to a potent tonic seemed to energize him completely.
Curious, Ronan pulled up his character panel and noticed his [Ascetic Body Training] proficiency had jumped by 11 points from a single post-meal session.
"Could beast meat enhance body training?"
Ronan blinked, astonished.
Upon reflection, he realized it might not be a secret at all.
"Beast meat's benefits probably mean little to wizards. Those who can afford beast meat wouldn't focus on body training, and those who do train can't usually afford beast meat... I'm an exception."
For those pursuing the path of knights, beast meat was likely a coveted treasure.
Regardless, this was good news for Ronan.
With beast meat's help, his progress in [Ascetic Body Training] would accelerate, just as beast meat was now affordable.
After a moment of joy, a shadow crossed his mind.
Ronan walked to the side of his cabin, took down a gleaming single-handed sword, and swung it casually, sighing, "War..."
Over the past half month, the tense atmosphere in Hoddam's wizarding community hadn't lessened; if anything, it had grown stronger.
It felt like a major conflict was brewing.
The black-robed wizard's corpse hung on the town's wooden stake had long since dried out, and two more stakes had been erected.
Skyrocketing prices, fresh blood-soaked corpses, and rampant rumors were fraying the nerves of the community's weakest members.
Ronan was no exception.
In fact, accustomed to the peaceful society of his previous life, Ronan found himself more anxious than most as war loomed.
He'd followed the crowd, stockpiling enough provisions in his small cabin to last him over half a year.
His daily routine now included gathering wild fruits to dry or make into preserves.
Most of the game he hunted was turned into jerky or smoked meat.
Even Ronan was surprised by his own skills... all driven by anxiety.
Fortunately, as a runesmith, Ronan benefited from the war's impact.
With magical equipment prices soaring, the price of runes followed suit.
[Cleanse] runes now sold for two magic stones, and [Shine] runes for three.
This increase was minor; mid-level runes saw even greater hikes, with [Protection] runes heading towards fifteen magic stones.
Ronan seized the opportunity to profit, delving into [Protection] rune engraving and developing an interest in enchanter work.
Runesmiths were akin to assembly line workers, while enchanters were skilled technicians.
Income varied significantly at the same level.
Unfortunately, despite his efforts, Ronan hadn't cracked even the basic [Protection] rune after more than a fortnight of study.
Zero-level mid-grade runes proved more complex and challenging than anticipated, and even with panel assistance, his progress was slow.
Holding a single-handed sword he'd bought for half a low-grade magic stone at the wizard market, Ronan practiced a mundane knight's sword technique given as a bonus with the sword. Feeling in good form, he put the sword down and resumed practicing [Protection] rune engraving.
He worked until his mental energy was nearly spent, wasting several blank rune stones in the process.
Exhausted, Ronan rubbed his brow, absorbing the insights from the panel feedback as he retrieved a crystalline blue potion from his pouch.
A low-grade Concentration Potion.
Amid rising prices due to "war," potions were now exorbitantly priced.
Fortunately, Ronan had stocked up before the price surge, selling a "Low-Grade Healing Potion" he'd taken from the dead wizard to fund the purchase of three low-grade Concentration Potions.
He'd already consumed two; this was his third and final one.
"The effects are diminishing... hopefully, it'll help me break through."
Ronan eyed the character panel, showing 94% progress as a Level 4 wizard apprentice, silently praying.
Without hesitation, he uncorked the crystal vial, downing the potion in one go, and rinsed it three times with water, swallowing each flush.
With that done, Ronan climbed onto his bed, sitting cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began meditating.