"[Ascetic Body Training]'s manual was something I picked up at the Hoddam wizard market. I thought I was scammed, but now I realize I've stumbled upon a real treasure."
"The apprentice wizard who sold it to me is nowhere to be found now. Even if I did find him, he probably wouldn't have the subsequent parts."
"Perhaps Anglair is my only lead."
Ronan's eyes flickered slightly. He had used Anglair's unique Spirit Ignition Potion during his breakthrough to become a formal wizard.
The mysterious component within it had completed the expert-level proficiency of [Ascetic Body Training].
If he could figure out what that mysterious component was, he might find the path to master-level training for [Ascetic Body Training].
Of course, finding Anglair and extracting information from him was a significant challenge for Ronan at this stage.
Laura was a mad dog, pushing Ronan to the brink multiple times.
But in truth, Ronan felt most threatened by Anglair. Despite Anglair's "friendly" demeanor and "help," Ronan sensed the shadow cast by Anglair's smile. Anglair's heart might be colder and more indifferent than those crows pecking at carrion, capable of turning against you in an instant.
For now, Ronan could only attempt to gather clues in the Silver Magic Ring.
Channeling mental energy inward, Ronan observed the white orb, the size of a fist, suspended in the center of his chest.
Countless white light points emerged from his body, merging into the orb like moths to a flame.
This was the manifestation of Ronan's abundant life force, the energy drive activated by the [Immaculate Body] ability.
It consumed energy but also replenished it slowly.
Once restored to a fist's size, it ceased growing, likely linked to the proficiency of [Ascetic Body Training].
Regardless, Ronan was determined not to abandon the path of [Ascetic Body Training].
The emergence of [Immaculate Body] marked the first change in his talent panel, providing enhancements far surpassing any transcendent domain power gained from mastering spells.
This was a path with immense potential.
While wizards sought soul immortality, Ronan was eager to see how he would evolve if he continued down this path.
"The immediate issues are obtaining a soul sigil and first-level spell inheritance."
Ronan sat at the desk, fingers rhythmically tapping the surface.
Without these two elements, Ronan couldn't truly consider himself a first-level wizard.
This was the lament of wandering wizards.
Lacking systematic inheritance and guidance, each step required personal exploration, and sometimes even the next stepping stone was elusive.
To be honest, Ronan's requirements for a soul sigil were minimal.
As long as it was suitable and not terrible.
Grace had told him soul sigils could be replaced and weren't limited to one.
Newly advanced wizards, with weaker soul power, couldn't forge high-level, powerful sigils.
Ronan did have a soul sigil and corresponding first-level spell inheritance.
It came from Laura's storage pouch.
The sigil was called—[Bloodthirst].
Ronan had experienced its effects firsthand. It made plant-based spell summons enter a bloodthirsty frenzy, doubling their abilities, with duration dependent on mental strength. The downside was a "weakness period" afterward, significantly reducing plant minion power.
Choosing [Bloodthirst] meant switching to plant-based spells.
The advantage was Laura's storage pouch contained many plant wizard essentials, even a Leaf of Undying to enhance plant spells.
If plant spells weren't an unfamiliar domain and he had more interest, Ronan might have already begun forging [Bloodthirst].
For now, [Bloodthirst] was a last resort, only considered if no better option emerged.
Ronan aimed to join the Silver Magic Ring, obtaining inheritance through it... if their recruitment standards weren't too high.
"The Silver Magic Ring is likely ten times stronger than Hoddam Academy. Aligning with such a powerful force benefits my future."
The memory of Hoddam Academy's downfall, with the sky covered by blood-red clouds like clotted blood, remained vivid.
"Crimson Tower..."
He muttered the name softly, "I wonder what Hoddam looks like now."
In the small room, the bright but soft light of the crystal lamps illuminated the space.
Two tiny rune arrays on the walls glowed faintly, silently operating.
Ronan sat at the desk, a carving knife in one hand, an empty rune stone in the other, quietly engraving.
Time flowed like water, and after an indeterminate period, a bright light flashed from Ronan's hands, accompanied by a subtle "pop," white smoke rising and quickly drawn into a small vent on the wall.
"Whoosh—"
Ronan crushed the failed rune stone, tossing it into a waste bin, his eyes briefly flashing blue before brushing dust from his hands and standing.
First-level [Flight] rune, first-level [Acceleration] rune.
The core runes of a first-level flight tool, which Ronan was currently studying to establish himself in the Silver Magic Ring.
With [Basic Meditation - Realm of Clarity] and Laura's flight ring for reference, his progress was decent. Despite many failures, he was nearing entry-level with the [Flight] rune.
Ronan knew a [Flight] rune sold for ten medium magic stones in the Silver Magic Ring. As a private rune craftsman, he might sell for less, but with enough diligence, he could sustain himself.
Glancing at the time, nearing six in the morning, with Blueberry Inn's free breakfast service arriving soon, Ronan stopped practicing and left his room.
He was quite satisfied with the suite's training room, although small, it had [Soundproofing] and [Dust Absorption], with a long table for meditation, alchemy, and potion experiments.
After washing his hands in the washroom, Ronan strolled to the living room.
Morning sunlight filtered through the half-closed blinds, casting dappled patterns on the carpet.
A glass vase with pink and purple flowers sat on the central table.
Ronan sat on the sofa, retrieving a black metal box about the size of his hand from his storage pouch, placing it before him, and began unlocking the rune lock with mental energy.
The mysterious box from Linus required a first-level wizard's mental energy to open.
Unlike the universal rune lock on a storage pouch, this lock was complex, and attempting "brute force" would destroy the lock and contents, which was why Ronan had patiently worked on it.
He was curious about the treasure Linus's rumored mentor had left, warranting such careful preservation.
From Hoddam to the Silver Magic Ring, over two months, Ronan was close to unlocking the rune lock, likely within three to five days.
"Knock, knock, knock—"
A crisp knock broke the room's silence, a girl's voice calling from outside.
"Master Ronan, your breakfast is here."
Ronan paused his work, storing the box.
"Come in."
The door opened, and a young girl with lovely blue curls pushed a cart inside.
She neatly set the table, laying out the silverware, then presented breakfast.
"Master Ronan, you may begin."
The girl respectfully addressed Ronan.
He nodded, sitting at the table.
Today's breakfast was roast lamb wraps, creamy mushroom soup, and a small mixed berry fruit platter.
Having barely slept, Ronan's appetite was strong, eating quickly, aware of the blue-haired girl's eyes on him.
Her name was Alida, the innkeeper's only daughter at Blueberry Inn, and childhood friend of his guide, Jacob.
They were childhood sweethearts, but Alida's father disapproved, hoping she'd marry a true first-level wizard, even as a mistress.
Jacob, reportedly, was striving towards formal wizard status to overcome this.
Ronan had "overheard" these details in recent days.
Not intentionally, but his enhanced senses post-rebirth made him keenly aware of conversations around him.
He knew Alida secretly called him "the handsome master," and Blueberry Inn's business had been poor, relying on Jacob's occasional business.
Their rent offer to Ronan had been very fair.
"Alida."
Ronan suddenly called her, startling the girl who'd been watching him.
"Yes, Master Ronan."
Alida stood straight, "How may I assist you?"
"Do you have a date with Jacob this morning?"
Ronan cut a piece of lamb.
"No, sir."
Alida blushed, quickly adding, "In fact, we seldom meet. Jacob's busy with work and meditation, saving for his formal wizard breakthrough."
"Really?"
Ronan set down his fork, wiping his mouth with a napkin, "How much does he need?"
Alida brightened, "Do you want to sponsor him, sir? Jacob's a promising talent. If you support him, I could convince him to be your loyal follower!"
This girl is desperate to marry her childhood sweetheart... Does Jacob know you're offering him up?
Ronan dismissed her unrealistic fantasy.
"No."
He said, "Just offering him a chance to earn a tip."
"I plan to visit a few places today. As I'm new and unfamiliar with the area, I need a reliable guide."
Alida was disappointed but quickly perked up, boldly suggesting, "Sir, if it's just directions, I have a better idea, beneficial for both of us."
"Oh?"
Five minutes later, Alida left with a spring in her step, having sold Ronan a map of Seven-Ring City for two low-grade stones. She'd asked Ronan to tell her parents she was to guide him for a day, giving her time for a romantic date with Jacob.
"Love is indeed a stinky business."
Ronan mockingly sniffed the map, tucking it into his pouch.
At the counter, a pretty witch clerk handed Ronan a small box of magic stones, smiling, "That'll be two high-grade and forty-five medium stones, please verify."
Ronan glanced at the box, instantly counting the stones, expressionless, as he collected them in his pouch.
He was in a beautifully decorated artifact shop, primarily to sell surplus apprentice gear and extra storage pouches.
This was his third shop, offering the highest bid, yet still below his expectations.
Just the items from Linus alone, plus four zero-level storage pouches, were worth over three high-grade stones.
However, considering the Silver Magic Ring was a major wizard hub, with artifact and rune shops everywhere, lower prices for basic apprentice tools seemed normal.
"Anything else you need?"
The pretty clerk finished with Ronan as a middle-aged man, likely the manager, approached, dismissing her and greeting Ronan with a smile.
Ronan surveyed the shop, pondering, "Do you have weapons?"
After becoming a formal wizard, Ronan needed new gear, starting with the most essential weapon.
He expected the manager, also a first-level wizard, to show him around the wand section, but instead, after a pause, the manager said, "We have the most comprehensive first-level wands in Seven-Ring City, but you seem recently advanced."
"If you don't mind, share your intended sigil type and spell focus, and I can advise on wand selection."
Ronan's eyes narrowed, "You can tell I haven't forged a soul sigil?"
"Of course."
The middle-aged wizard nodded as if it were obvious, "Your soul aura is as clean as a blank slate, a trait of wizards without any sigils."
"Uh..."
Ronan was taken aback, learning that a formal wizard's aura changed after forging a soul sigil.
The sigil influenced their aura, giving it a mystical, obscure quality.
The more and higher-level sigils forged, the deeper this complexity.
This was commonly used to gauge a formal wizard's strength.
Mental energy fluctuations could be hidden, but masking soul aura was difficult.
And soul sigils formed the core of a wizard's spell system, with more complex sigils indicating greater power.
This was common knowledge among formal wizards, yet new to Ronan.
Hearing the manager's explanation, Ronan felt enlightened.
No wonder every formal wizard he'd met seemed stronger. He'd attributed it to his recent advancement and undeveloped mental energy.
He hadn't realized it was mainly due to lacking a soul sigil.
Ronan's "ignorance" didn't affect the manager's demeanor. As a shopkeeper, he remained polite and patient.
"Do you have melee weapons?"
Ronan asked, changing his focus.
-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LegendaryTL
Thanks!