"Realm of Clarity."
Ronan softly repeated these words.
He contemplated for a moment, then closed his eyes, entering meditation again.
In the void of his consciousness, the previous darkness had completely vanished.
There was a single point of light suspended in the middle, like a small sun, pulsating and emitting rippling circles of white light.
A continuous stream of mental energy flowed from it.
"Something's wrong?!"
Ronan suddenly felt a shift in his consciousness, his tightly shut eyes fluttering before opening quickly.
If anyone else were present, they would clearly see—Ronan's pupils had changed from a serene lake blue to a clear, bright azure, slightly glowing, resembling the finest, clearest blue crystal, exuding an aura of extreme calmness and wisdom.
At this moment, Ronan felt his mind operating at incredible speed, with countless sparks of inspiration colliding and bursting forth every second.
After a breath, Ronan retrieved blank rune stones and a carving knife from his storage pouch, beginning the inscription process.
The first blank rune stone, attempting to inscribe a high-level zero-order [Swiftness] rune.
Smooth, fluid... completed in one go, successful.
Then the second stone.
The third stone...
Ronan inscribed five [Swiftness] runes in one go, all successful!
Previously, his success rate with [Swiftness] runes was less than 30%!
During the entire inscription process, Ronan's mind remained calm and clear, as if his soul temporarily detached from his body, observing himself completing the work from a third-person perspective.
After finishing, his mental energy was almost undiminished, still in a full state.
After the five runes, Ronan ceased inscribing and instead took out a metal box covered in patterns.
This was the mysterious box he obtained from Linus.
Ronan attempted to unlock it.
Moments later...
Failure.
"Still no luck..."
The azure glow in Ronan's pupils dimmed, a faint weariness creeping in, and he shook his head, "Even with gaseous mental energy and the Realm of Clarity, I still can't break the rune lock on this box. It looks like I'll have to wait until I become a formal wizard to open it."
Despite this, Ronan was still delighted.
Summing up the effects of the master-level [Basic Meditation—Realm of Clarity]:
"A brain of unparalleled clarity and calmness, plus almost a constant mana-replenishing buff equivalent to using mid-level mental recovery potions!"
"And... it can be activated during combat!"
These two effects greatly enhanced Ronan's strength.
The former elevated his mindset, combat awareness, and strategic perspective to a true master's level.
The latter was crucial, especially for someone like Ronan, who wielded two transcendent domains and had an immense demand for mental energy.
With the Realm of Clarity active, Ronan could cast [Energy Missile—Particle Stream] without worrying about being instantly drained of mana; he could at least retain some combat strength afterward, significantly shortening the period of vulnerability.
The duration of [Charged Weapon—Breaking Force] could also be greatly extended.
"Now that the Realm of Clarity's proficiency is only at master level 1, its effects will continue to improve as proficiency increases…"
Ronan marveled, feeling his focus on [Basic Meditation] had been a remarkably wise decision.
Activating the Realm of Clarity consumed mental stamina, which could be thought of as the portion of energy that meditation couldn't completely replace, needing sleep to replenish.
The composition of this stamina was complex, related to one's willpower, physical condition, and other factors.
"With mental energy now gaseous, I can finally aim to become a formal wizard."
Ronan contemplated his mist-like, transforming mental energy.
His next step was to find a mentor, to learn everything necessary for the breakthrough to a formal wizard, including understanding soul sigils, combat styles, and other details he only partially grasped, to prepare adequately.
With this in mind, Ronan wasted no time, straightening his robe and heading out.
In the bright afternoon, Ronan walked slowly along the white stone path lined with green trees.
Occasionally, he encountered young wizards in academy robes, who, sensing the aura exclusive to gaseous-level wizard apprentices emanating from Ronan, showed expressions of respect and friendliness.
Ahead of Ronan, behind the tall and dense plane trees, lay a cluster of small houses with beautiful roofs, some with glass tops reflecting colorful light under the sun.
This was the mentor residential area he was heading to.
Before coming here, Ronan had specifically asked his neighbor, Dobby, for advice. Dobby had discreetly suggested starting his search for a mentor from the leftmost houses.
Although the strength of the mentors in the residential area wasn't strictly correlated with their location, those living on the leftmost side were generally the oldest and most experienced wizards in the academy, naturally possessing greater strength and insight.
Ronan decided to accept Dobby's suggestion, quickly arriving at the first house on the leftmost side of the mentor district.
It was a gray-white house with a small garden, where a magical fountain softly gushed on the lawn.
"Rudolph…"
The name of the resident was written on a small sign at the garden entrance. Ronan glanced at it, then stood respectfully at the doorway.
"Choosing a mentor is actually about having a mentor choose you. Besides fundamental strength and aptitude, factors like appearance, personality, and demeanor might be key in being chosen. You just need to do your best to present yourself well in front of the mentor!"
This was what Dobby had told him before he left, and Ronan privately interpreted it as—basically a "matchmaking" process!
The goal was to make the mentor take a liking to you.
In fact, Ronan felt quite confident. Due to his persistence in body training, his appearance was exceptionally attractive, making him a rare sight in the wizard community.
"As long as I don't end up like Linus and run into a southern wizard, I should be fine."
Ronan thought, then slowly released his gaseous-level mental energy in front of the garden, akin to a peacock displaying its plumage.
A response came swiftly.
A vast mental energy surged out from the house, quickly enveloping Ronan...
Ronan felt as if he was being "favored," his spirits lifting.
But before he could make another move, the mental energy withdrew even faster.
"What kind of misshapen garbage dares to flaunt itself in front of me? Get lost! Don't block the sunlight!"
A gruff and impatient old voice came from the house.
Ronan's confident expression froze, as if he was holding a large bouquet outside a girls' dormitory, only to be doused with a bucket of cold water.
"Misshapen... garbage?"
"Trash?"
Ronan opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word.
He ended with a slight bow at the door, leaving with a simple "Sorry to disturb you."
Even as he walked away, he could still faintly hear disdainful grumbling from behind.
An inauspicious start.
Ronan was taken aback.
But seeing the many small houses in the mentor district, he regained his composure.
"My aptitude may be lacking, and some wizards might have high standards and not fancy me—it's normal. Trying more won't hurt. With so many mentors, surely some would be willing to give me a chance, right?"
Ronan thought, moving on to the second house.
Moments later, Ronan left the doorway of the second house.
Then the third...
Fourth...
Fifth...
Ronan continued to pause in front of each small house, only to leave again and again.
His initial mindset—I'm a young genius of exceptional talent, I must choose the best mentor—shifted to—Alright, I admit my aptitude might be a bit lacking, an average mentor is okay, as the saying goes, "A teacher opens the door, but practice depends on the individual," it's all about self-effort!
Finally—Is anyone even there?! Anyone will do! As long as they're a formal wizard willing to take me in! I just want the most basic inheritance!
"Does it have to be this ridiculous?"
Ronan left yet another house, his expression now stiff and numb, far from his initial confidence.
Throughout dozens of houses, whenever Ronan encountered the house's resident, the probing mental energy would always quickly retract, without exception, resulting in rejection.
Some didn't even let him approach, driving him away with a cold aura.
Ronan couldn't understand.
Why?
Even if his aptitude was somewhat lacking, he was still a top-level apprentice at the gaseous stage. Why was he so unwelcomed?!
Ronan wandered through the mentor district, realizing there were only a few houses left he hadn't tried.
Suddenly, Ronan's eyes caught sight of a mist-shrouded area.
It was an old academic building resembling a palace, with columns and walls covered in dense ivy.
"The headmistress's residence."
Unconsciously, Ronan had wandered here.
His eyes flickered slightly, hesitated briefly, then quickly headed over.
Perhaps the most powerful headmistress would see something special in him, unlike the ordinary academy wizards who overlooked him?
Ronan decided to try his luck, as there were no rules against choosing the headmistress as a mentor.
But before Ronan could approach the palace, countless ivy vines outside the building began to writhe like snakes, swiftly intertwining to form a gigantic woman's face, which shrieked menacingly at Ronan: "Worm! Deceitful and vile worm! I'll kill you sooner or later!"
Ronan's face turned pale as he retreated.
Laura!
It was Laura!
He had almost forgotten about her while entertaining the idea of becoming the headmistress's disciple.
"I understand now."
Ronan looked back at the mentor district, suddenly realizing the cause of all the cold receptions he'd faced.
It was still Laura.
Faor's death had caused a huge uproar in the academy, and with Laura targeting him, this matter was likely known among the circle of formal wizards.
No one wanted to risk getting involved with Laura's big problem for a mere apprentice, especially one whose talent wasn't remarkable.
Perhaps, in these mentors' eyes... he was already considered doomed.
"If that's the case, there's no point in continuing to seek a mentor."
Ronan became clear-headed, expressionless, his fists clenching under his robe.
Lacking a mentor wasn't enough to hinder his advancement to a formal wizard.
He had only been with the academy for a few months, achieving what he had without relying on anyone's support or guidance.
"I'll try Jerome as a last resort. He dared to confront Laura directly, so maybe he'll be willing to lend me a hand now."
Jerome had left a positive impression on Ronan, despite the typical aloofness of a formal wizard.
Resolving to do so, Ronan prepared to leave.
But at that moment, a voice suddenly echoed in Ronan's ear.
"Are you not going to give me a try?"
"Who's speaking?!"
Ronan turned sharply, searching his surroundings in surprise.
The voice was clear and cheerful, like a singing skylark, belonging to a very young girl.
"Look over here, this way."
The voice beckoned Ronan, who followed it to see a small house on the edge of the mentor district, filled with irises, sporting a beautiful blue pointed roof.
Ronan's eyes flickered, hesitated briefly, then walked toward the house.
"Amara Blackthorn."
Ronan softly read the name on the identity plaque at the garden entrance.
Looking up at the house, the cheerful voice spoke again.
"Are you looking to choose a formal wizard as your mentor?"
"Yes."
Ronan continued the conversation, "My mental energy has reached the gaseous stage, and I'm about to advance to a formal wizard, but there are still many things I don't understand, so I'm seeking a mentor's guidance."
"Then come a little closer."
The voice instructed.
Ronan took two steps forward.
"Closer still."
Ronan continued, stopping just short of stepping onto the garden lawn when the voice halted him.
"That's enough, just stand there! Don't come any closer!"
Ronan stopped, and a mental energy emanated from the house, settling on him.
'So weak.'
Ronan noted the difference between this mental energy and the others he had encountered, silently remarking to himself.
But he couldn't help but self-deprecate, realizing he was judging others when he'd been rejected by so many.
The mental energy from the blue-roofed house was the weakest Ronan had encountered, but it lingered on him the longest, probing the most thoroughly.
Finally, the mental energy withdrew.
The cheerful voice spoke again, though this time it sounded less upbeat.
Ronan heard the girl sigh.
"Now I see why no one wants you."
"Why don't you…"
The voice paused, offering comfort and a suggestion, softly saying, "Why don't you just give up?
I actually think staying a ninth-level apprentice isn't so bad, at least you'll live a long life."
Ronan: "???"
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