"Luckily, I've saved up a decent amount of magic stones over this period. Even with the town's outrageous prices, I should be able to manage for a while," Ronan thought as he looked at his character panel.
[Name: Ronan Damien]
[Age: 16]
[Affinity: Non-Elemental]
[Level: Level 5 Wizard Apprentice (5%)]
**[Skills: Basic Meditation Techniques (Expert 219/800), Energy Missile (Expert 799/800), Charged Weapon (Mastery 342/400), Rune Engraving—Cleanse (Proficient 177/200), Shine (Proficient 27/200), Protection (Beginner 13/100), Ascetic Body Training (Mastery 101/400), Basic Swordsmanship (Mastery 388/400), Fireball (Beginner 10/100), Iceball (Beginner 20/100), Detection (Proficient 5/200)]**
Compared to two months ago, Ronan's panel showed some new developments.
He had learned three more zero-level low-grade spells from the remaining ones in his spellbook.
The offensive spells [Fireball] and [Iceball] were only at the beginner level, as he hadn't focused much on them.
However, the only auxiliary spell among the five, [Detection], had reached a proficient level.
"...Eye of Truth," Ronan chanted softly. As his mental energy flowed, his eyes glowed with a faint white light.
The casting of [Detection] was straightforward, requiring almost no gestures, but its utility was limited.
It could detect auras invisible to the naked eye, traces left by condensed energy particles after spellcasting, and even assess the strength of other wizards, albeit with a chance of failure.
[Detection] helped fill a gap in his scouting abilities.
Over the two months, Ronan's mental strength had barely increased, only advancing by 4%.
"This body's soul potential is truly lacking," he thought. Even the expert-level [Basic Meditation Techniques] couldn't compensate.
At this rate, Ronan estimated it would take four more years to progress from a Level 5 to a Level 6 apprentice.
The path of a wizard became increasingly difficult with each step. Without resorting to potions, Ronan doubted he could ever become a full-fledged wizard.
Even reaching Level 9 apprentice seemed a daunting goal.
Due to focusing much of his effort on intensive training, his rune engraving skills had only progressed modestly.
The [Cleanse] rune remained at the proficient level, while [Shine] had just barely advanced past beginner. However, he had successfully studied and practiced the mid-level zero-grade [Protection] rune.
"The price of [Protection] runes in the market has soared to nearly twenty low-grade magic stones each... Even with a low success rate in engraving them, I still make more profit than before."
Ronan had stockpiled about a dozen [Protection] runes, planning to sell them when prices peaked.
"The Black Wizard Lands haven't officially invaded yet. Once the fighting starts and magical items are heavily used, especially protective ones, [Protection] runes will be in high demand and extremely valuable."
All the major workshops in the market were buying various mid- to low-level runes. Ronan realized they likely received early warnings from the academy about the impending invasion, preparing well in advance.
This could explain why his initial visit to sell runes at the Weiling Workshop went so smoothly.
But these workshops weren't interested in selling runestones; they had their own blacksmiths and enchanters and were stockpiling finished magical items.
In these two months, Ronan had trained tirelessly, only to hit roadblocks with [Energy Missile] and body training.
Initially, his body training progressed smoothly with the help of beast meat, quickly increasing proficiency.
However, after reaching mastery and practicing the fifth posture of [Ascetic Body Training], Ronan couldn't continue.
His body could withstand it, but his willpower was faltering.
The deep, bone-piercing pain during practice nearly caused him to lose control more than once.
"Without a mental strength breakthrough, progressing further in [Ascetic Body Training] is tough... Even consuming beast meat daily isn't enough."
Ronan realized beast meat only accelerated training, but willpower determined the ultimate progress limit of [Ascetic Body Training].
While mental strength and willpower weren't directly linked, stronger mental strength helped endure pain better, preventing fainting or loss of control.
"Why put myself through this? In my past life, I was afraid of even drawing blood or getting shots."
"I'll wait until my mental strength improves to resume training, or find potions to enhance pain tolerance."
Ronan reached a forest clearing covered in thick leaves, stopping and slowly drawing his single-handed sword.
Reflecting on the past two months, his greatest gains were in [Basic Swordsmanship] and [Charged Weapon], which he practiced during every sword session.
One skill was nearing mastery, and the other was approaching expert level.
Ronan chanted softly, running two fingers along the sword's blade, imbuing it with a radiant glow.
As his ordinary silver sword gleamed brilliantly, he began his practice.
"Shh!"
His opening strike ripped through the air with a tearing sound, the sword sweeping horizontally and generating fierce winds. Leaves scattered and shredded like a swarm of dancing butterflies, fluttering around.
Ronan's moves were simple, but the transitions between them were seamless and natural, as if he were a seasoned adventurer steeped in knighthood, sleeping with his sword.
The swordsmanship itself was simple, and once his body formed muscle memory, practice became easier.
While proficiency increased, Ronan's understanding of the swordsmanship deepened. Each practice session refined the moves to better suit his personal style, transforming them.
Feeling warm, Ronan took off his robe, revealing a strong, flawless physique.
Every swing engaged his arms, shoulders, chest, abdomen, and thighs, muscles rippling like waves as sweat glistened, showcasing a raw, masculine beauty.
"Boom!"
With a flick of his wrist, the glow on his sword exploded outward, unleashing a visible white shockwave. The ground in front erupted into a crater, and two nearby trees creaked and toppled, leaves cascading down.
"Ahh—"
Ronan exhaled deeply, sheathing his sword, surveying the devastation around him with a sense of accomplishment.
"An average zero-level mid-grade protective item might not withstand my spell-enhanced sword strike!"
The energy particle burst effect of [Charged Weapon], combined with Ronan's formidable physical strength, was formidable, comparable to the power of [Energy Missile] at its expert level.
The key advantage was the lack of casting prerequisites. [Charged Weapon] could be pre-cast, with the proficient-level effect lasting nearly five minutes.
"Apprentice-level wizards without body modifications are similar to ordinary people. As long as I close the distance and strike before they finish casting, even senior apprentices might fall to my sword."
"Of course, that's assuming they don't have any active protective items."
"Does this make me a new profession—a Magic Swordsman, combining wizardry and knighthood?"
Ronan mused, examining his sword, tracing the fine cracks along the blade.
"Sadly, the sword's material is lacking. Just training has worn it down this much; it might break after two real battles."