As Ronan passed by the town's central bulletin board, he paused to take a look.
The board was still surrounded by a throng of gray-robed wanderers, their discussions creating a buzzing noise like a swarm of bees.
There hadn't been any changes to the board since morning; it still displayed the same tasks.
The rewards for each task were highlighted in bold fluorescent paint—potions to enhance mental power, high-level zero-order magical tools, magic stones, formal academy student status, ship tickets, and even the chance to become an apprentice to a formal wizard-level master!
Ronan's gaze lingered on the last reward.
Of all the rewards listed, this was the one that truly caught his interest.
The importance of mentorship in wizardry can't be overstated; having a guide makes a significant difference compared to self-study.
"Jerome," Ronan murmured softly, his eyes flickering.
The academy enrollment he once longed for seemed within reach, needing only his word.
Yet now, Ronan wasn't in a hurry.
Joining the academy at this time, given his status as a gray-robed wanderer, would likely see him immediately deployed on high-risk combat missions with a high mortality rate.
Once a formal student, he'd have no right to refuse.
Ronan was willing to take risks for the sake of mentorship and the opportunity to become a formal wizard.
But...
He wanted to see rewards commensurate with those risks first.
"I'll wait... for the right opportunity and until my strength grows," Ronan thought to himself.
Reflecting on the chaotic night and the battle against two advanced apprentice black robes, Ronan realized his performance wasn't as strong as he had hoped.
His control spells had no chance in the fast-paced, two-on-one battle.
Ultimately, his proficiency was too low.
If he could cast [Weakness Curse] and [Electric Surge] quickly, the fight and its outcome might have been very different.
"I still need practice," Ronan shook his head, turning his gaze from the bulletin board.
The small group that once supported each other through the forest had dispersed in just a few months, leaving Ronan alone once more.
With fewer personal ties, he could focus entirely on his training.
In the days that followed, Ronan lived a life of seclusion, dedicating almost all his time to rigorous training.
"Buzz—"
Ronan's lips moved, uttering short, vibrating syllables, and as his mental energy resonated, several bright electric arcs shot out from his position.
They left clear melt marks on the thick ice covering the lake, and upon reaching a predetermined target, the arcs exploded, causing several fish to leap from the water, landing stiffly on the ice.
"Whew—"
"At the mastery level, [Electric Surge] can release up to eight arcs at a time, with some control over their direction. The casting time is just over a second."
"Finally, it's usable in combat."
Ronan exhaled, satisfied with his spell's performance.
He took a low-level mental recovery potion from his pouch, drinking it as he waited for his mental energy to replenish, and opened his status panel.
**[Name: Ronan Damien]**
**[Age: 16]**
**[Affinity: Non-attribute]**
**[Strength: Level 9 Wizard Apprentice (1%)]**
**[Skills: Basic Meditation (Expert 541/800)
Energy Missile - Particle Stream (Master 31/1600)
Charged Weapon (Expert 763/800)
Rune Engraving—Cleanse (Proficient 185/200), Shine (Proficient 33/200), Protection (Mastered 156/400), Swiftness (Beginner 12/100)
Ascetic Body Training (Expert 123/800)
Basic Swordsmanship (Master 23/1600)
Fireball (Beginner 88/100)
Iceball (Beginner 36/100)
Detection (Mastered 12/400)
Weakness Curse (Proficient 21/200)
Electric Surge (Mastered 55/400)
Wailing of the Dead (Proficient 11/200)]**
This month had seen Ronan's capabilities expand more than ever!
He spared no expense, using various auxiliary and enhancement potions, and the results were unprecedented.
His mental prowess leaped from level seven to level nine!
His combat skills improved rapidly. Besides [Electric Surge], his necromancy control spells [Weakness Curse] and [Wailing of the Dead] reached proficient levels.
Ronan decided that as long as he didn't use necromancy spells openly, he wouldn't draw unnecessary trouble, ensuring he cleansed any negative energy residues post-casting.
He even learned [Bone Spear] and [Corpse Explosion] from the advanced apprentice black robe's collection. The former, a high-level zero-order spell, had decent power but required lengthy casting and a bone as a catalyst; [Corpse Explosion] was simple to cast but needed a corpse, making both spells impractical for Ronan.
The real boost to his combat prowess was his trump card, the mastery-level [Energy Missile - Particle Stream], now at 31 points!
"With 31 points in [Particle Stream], the number of energy particles in the spell increased to 31, the domain expanded, and its power surged. It truly has the overwhelming might akin to a formal wizard's first-order spell."
Ronan had seen Jerome, a formal wizard, in action and believed [Particle Stream]'s power was on par with Jerome's lava fire ring.
The only difference was that casting [Particle Stream] drained Ronan's mental energy, while Jerome could cast his spell freely.
Regardless, Ronan now had a trump card comparable to a formal wizard's full power, making him a formidable force among apprentices, if not invincible.
This growth came at a steep cost, requiring significant investment.
In a month, Ronan spent nearly a whole high-level magic stone on mental recovery potions alone while practicing spells!
Thankfully, he dabbled in rune engraving, mastering the high-level zero-order [Swiftness] rune, allowing him to sell rune stones and recoup some costs.
"[Charged Weapon] is nearing expert-level completion after much effort.
[Ascetic Body Training] progressed little due to a relaxed approach.
However, [Basic Swordsmanship] easily reached mastery."
While mastery came easily, it offered minimal improvement.
Master-level [Basic Swordsmanship] didn't transform drastically; it enhanced Ronan's control over his body, as if he were a finely-tuned machine, with every muscle engaged during a strike.
"My current strength is considerable among apprentices.
I can start gathering resources needed to become a formal wizard.
I'll keep an eye on the academy's bulletin board tasks."
With his mental power replenished, Ronan headed back to town.
Before leaving, he collected the fish he'd electrocuted for dinner.
In the wizard town, at the Drunken Stag Tavern...
The tavern's fireplaces blazed, banishing the outside chill. Inside, a few wizards lounged, passing time.
Ronan ordered a glass of wild raspberry wine at the bar, settling in a quiet corner, listening to the idle chatter.
Since Old Wills and the others left, Ronan frequented the tavern after training.
It was a place to relax and overhear useful information, given its proximity to the academy's task board.
"This one's for Marlney and Madna. May their souls find peace."
At a small table five or six meters away, a few gray-robed wizards prayed, their expressions somber, a hint of sadness in their brows.
They mourned fallen comrades, a common sight since the academy's summons intensified.
Ronan sipped his wine, listening to the wizards discuss recent tasks.
His keen hearing captured conversations from every table.
Suddenly, a loud thud of a cup hitting the table drew Ronan's attention.
"Enough, Iris... I can't pass up this opportunity!"
Ronan watched a tall, lanky wizard rise from a table, resolve etched on his face, as he left the tavern despite a female companion calling after him.
The young woman, left behind, wept quietly, comforted by another male wizard.
"Don't be sad, Iris. Rainey made his choice; we should respect it."
"A task offering a Spirit Ignition Potion can't be simple. I'm afraid he won't return."
"Becoming a formal wizard is Rainey's greatest wish. No matter what, Iris, I'll always be here for you."
The male wizard, comforting Iris, suddenly noticed Ronan watching them intently.
Startled, he pulled away from her, realizing it wasn't Rainey but a stranger.
"Who are you? What do you want?!"
"The task offering a Spirit Ignition Potion, is it real?"
"It was announced yesterday, on the board. Can't you check yourself?"
Ronan ignored the male wizard's guilty demeanor, tossed a low-level magic stone on the table to pay, and left the tavern quickly.
He headed straight for the academy's bulletin board.
The board was as busy as ever, and Ronan immediately spotted the bold words—"Spirit Ignition Potion!"
His heart skipped a beat.
The task, posted the day before, was well-known. Ronan was late to the news.
The task's details were vague but required wizards above the advanced apprentice level, promising a Spirit Ignition Potion for completion.
Ronan saw Rainey, the wizard from the tavern, already registering for the task.
Rainey, a level seven apprentice, seemed determined and confident, unaware of his friend's advances on his girlfriend.
Ronan stood before the board, contemplating the task for a moment, his gaze flickering.
Then he approached the registration desk to inquire.
"When does the Spirit Ignition Potion task deadline?"
The young academy wizard manning the desk was polite to Ronan.
"Five days. Are you registering? What's your name?"
Ronan shook his head, retreating from the crowd.
"Five days. That should be enough."
Ronan calmed himself.
He wouldn't pass up the chance for a Spirit Ignition Potion.
But he needed preparation.
Whether to accept the task depended on the next five days' outcomes.
Leaving the board, Ronan headed to the Dwarf Market.
As a level nine apprentice, he no longer needed a ticket to enter.
Ronan visited several artifact and potion workshops, spending most of his magic stones before returning home to seclude himself.
Five days later...
In his dimly lit room, Ronan sheathed his dark sword, now resembling a staff.
He adjusted his robe, stepping over empty potion bottles, and left his house.
The sun was bright, and Ronan squinted, adjusting to the daylight after five days of seclusion, then headed for the town center.
At the bulletin board, the task remained. Ronan scanned the crowd, spotting an elderly gray-robed wizard, subtly displaying a mirror-like shard beneath his robe.
After completing this final task, Ronan approached the registration desk.
"You're cutting it close," the academy wizard noted, checking the time. "Any later, and the task would be closed."
He handed Ronan a small copper token, instructing him to follow the path to the academy for evaluation to ensure he met the task's standards.
With the token, Ronan walked towards the academy, soon finding a group waiting.
Rainey was among them, embracing a young female wizard, exchanging tearful farewells.
The male wizard Ronan had caught earlier stood nearby, recognizing Ronan and quickly averting his gaze, guilt etched on his face.
"I may be just a level six apprentice, but I have an artifact that can cast high-level zero-order [Electric Spear]. Why can't I join?!"
A middle-aged wizard apprentice argued, being shooed away by academy staff.
"That's the rule. It's for your safety. With your strength, you'd likely die. Please leave."
Despite his protests, the middle-aged man couldn't convince the academy with his artifact and left, disgruntled.
His outburst drew attention from others in line.
Ronan noted one advanced apprentice, initially there for the task, leave the line after hearing about the artifact, subtly following the departing man.
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