Watching the excited and energetic crowd of wandering gray-robed wizards gathered around the notice board, Ronan recalled Old Wills' words: "The real bloodshed begins now."
Ronan fell silent, suddenly worried that Old Wills, in need of money for a ship ticket, might be tempted by the shining allure of magic stones and rashly take on high-risk, high-reward tasks.
After all, Jacob had once told him that Old Wills had lost his daughter early on and had since treated Vinicia, who was also alone, as his own daughter, later taking in Sherrill as well.
For the sake of his "daughter" and "granddaughter," it wasn't impossible for Old Wills to take a desperate gamble.
Ronan quickly sought out Old Wills to test the waters.
Fortunately, Old Wills proved to be more clear-headed than Ronan had feared. Having experienced one dark wizard invasion, Old Wills understood the risks behind these tasks better than anyone.
He had indeed taken tasks from the notice board, even encouraging Vinicia and Sherrill to do so, but they were the most ordinary and simple material processing and collection tasks.
The rewards were modest, but they provided an additional source of income, allowing them to continue living in town, albeit barely.
Ronan was relieved.
On the fifth day after the summons was issued, Barry and his son left Hoddam with the formal wizard and master potioneer they had mentioned.
On that same day, Ronan finally managed to open the last storage pouch from the advanced apprentice black-robed wizard.
In the cold, dimly lit room, with the windows tightly covered by thick curtains, only a faint light filtered through.
Ronan sat at the table, examining the pile of items before him under the glow of a crystal light.
A heap of magic stones.
A black robe insignia representing the Forest of Whispered Death.
Several books.
A few bottles of potions.
A pile of bones, treated with special solutions, whose origin—animal or human—was unclear.
No magical equipment or other miscellaneous items were found, and the pouch's interior was surprisingly clean and organized compared to what Ronan had anticipated.
Ronan speculated that the advanced apprentice black-robed wizard, who had fallen by his hand, likely sold all low-level magical items for magic stones, potions, and high-level magical equipment.
Ronan remembered the white bone staff the wizard wielded in battle and the defensive artifact capable of deploying a high-level zero-order spell shield.
Unfortunately, they were all destroyed by Ronan's [Particle Stream].
Even so, the haul before him was enough to make Ronan feel pleased.
Setting aside the contents, the storage pouch itself was quite valuable.
It was clearly an advanced apprentice-grade item, with a storage space more than three times larger than the previous two pouches.
If sold in a magic shop, it would fetch at least dozens of intermediate magic stones.
The three storage pouches were enough for Ronan to pack all his belongings, with space to spare.
Ronan had spent nearly two months working on this last storage pouch, even delaying meditation and spell practice, to ensure it remained intact for his use.
Now, finally, it was his, and he couldn't help but admire it.
Returning to the matter at hand.
Ronan began to inventory the items.
Counting the magic stones, there were twenty-two intermediate stones and forty-seven low-level stones.
Five potions: two mid-tier mental recovery potions, one mid-tier healing potion, one high-tier mental enhancement potion, and one...
A fiery red potion in the most exquisite crystal bottle, its nature unknown.
There were four books: three spell books and one private notebook.
The spell books included two high-level zero-order spells—[Bone Spear] and [Skeletal Warrior]—and one mid-level zero-order spell—[Corpse Explosion].
Ronan had encountered these necromancy spells before; each was incredibly powerful, especially [Bone Spear], which had once posed a deadly threat to him.
Ronan held a conflicted view on necromancy spells.
On one hand, it seemed wasteful not to learn such powerful spells.
On the other hand, he worried that practicing them might get him labeled as a black robe by the academy.
While he couldn't resist practicing in secret, he dared not delve too deeply.
Fortunately, these three necromancy spells were offensive, and with his master-level [Energy Missile], Ronan's offensive capabilities were strong enough, negating the need to learn more.
He casually opened the notebook placed with the spell books.
The notebook meticulously documented the black-robed wizard's experience with each spell learned from the first apprentice level onward.
It detailed strategies for each step of power advancement, filled with bloodshed and intrigue, along with lessons and reflections from successes and failures.
Ronan read through it with great interest, finding it akin to a "crime lord's" rise to power story.
It was clear that the author, an advanced apprentice black-robed wizard, was meticulous and goal-oriented.
He was also a "predatory" wizard, focusing all his time and energy on meditation and spell practice, with no side pursuits.
"Supernatural Domain... but there's no mention of Supernatural Domain content..."
Ronan flipped through the notebook, pondering.
He was eager to learn more about the "Supernatural Domain," and the black robe clearly knew something, but it wasn't recorded.
Ronan turned another page—
"Finally reached Level 9, time to prepare for formal wizard advancement..."
"Mental power is still short of the gaseous state needed for the Spirit Ignition Potion, and one potion isn't enough."
"War is breaking out; killing gray robes can earn rewards... this is an opportunity for me."
"School of thought choice after advancing to wizard—
Bone Spear path—Soul Sigil choices: [Malice], [Penetration].
Summoning path—Soul Sigil choices: [Frenzy], [Enslave].
Corpse Explosion path—Soul Sigil choices: [Plague], [Shock], [Corrosion]."
Ronan's gaze lingered on a word in the notebook, and he paused.
The next moment, he picked up the most elegantly packaged fiery red potion from the pile and examined it closely, his expression shifting from bewilderment to disbelief.
It was as if an unexpected, delightful surprise had left him momentarily stunned.
"Spirit Ignition Potion? Is this really a Spirit Ignition Potion?!"
Ronan murmured, his heart racing with excitement, beating rapidly for a while before finally calming down.
Looking at the mysterious potion again, his eyes were filled with joy and excitement.
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