Lennox strode into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him before peeling off his training clothes with a grimace. The greasy, dark residue clinging to his skin had an acrid, almost metallic scent, making him wrinkle his nose in disgust.
Damn. No wonder Garrick told me to shower.
Holding the foul-smelling garments at arm's length, he stepped over to the laundry cabinet built into the wall. He yanked open the wooden hatch and tossed the clothes inside, watching as a faint glow pulsed from within—a sign that the Mystic Tavern's automatic washing and cleaning features had activated. The moment the cabinet shut, the embedded runes shimmered, and he knew the garments would be cleaned, purified, and returned to his wardrobe before long.
Satisfied, he turned back and approached the enchanted brass knob on the opposite wall before twisting it.
Warm water cascaded down from the showerhead, washing away the thick impurities that had excreted from his pores during his breakthrough. The heat of the water loosened the last remnants of tension in his muscles, soothing his body as the filth ran down the drain.
He scrubbed himself thoroughly, ensuring not a single trace of the filth remained. The heat of the water relaxed his muscles, easing the last remnants of tension from his breakthrough. Finally, after several minutes of rinsing and lathering away the grime, he felt truly clean.
Reaching for a towel, Lennox quickly dried himself off—only to pause as he caught sight of his reflection in the large bronze-framed mirror on the wall.
His breath hitched.
The person staring back at him was still him—but different.
His skin, once bearing the faint marks of minor blemishes and old training bruises, was now flawless—smooth, clear, and strangely radiant. His chestnut-colored hair, damp and tousled from the shower, looked richer in tone, catching the dim light in a way it never had before. His brown eyes, once a simple earthy hue, now gleamed with an unnatural sharpness, like polished gems set against the refined contours of his face.
And his body…
His once-average frame had undergone a transformation. Defined muscles now rippled under his skin, lean and powerful, giving him a far more athletic build. He wasn't bulky, but his muscles carried a density that spoke of explosive strength. His shoulders were a bit broader, his abs more pronounced, and his posture naturally straighter, as if his very bones had been reinforced.
Even his height—
Lennox blinked, stepping closer to the mirror. Before his breakthrough, he had stood at a respectable 5'8", but now… he had grown. He was at least 6 feet tall, if not a little more.
He let out a low whistle.
"Not bad," he muttered, flexing his arms experimentally. Power thrummed through his limbs, coiled and waiting to be unleashed.
Shaking off his lingering awe, he moved to get dressed. He pulled on a long-sleeved, dark tunic with fitted cuffs, the fabric lightweight yet sturdy—perfect for easy movement. Over it, he wore a sleeveless leather vest reinforced with subtle stitching, lending both durability and an air of rugged refinement. A pair of well-fitted black trousers followed, secured with a sturdy belt, and finally, he slipped into his comfortable but durable leather boots, worn but still solid from use.
Satisfied, he ran a hand through his still-damp hair and left the bathroom, heading straight for the common room.
The moment he stepped downstairs, the scent hit him.
A rich, mouthwatering aroma filled the air, the tantalizing scent of roasted meat and seasoned vegetables mingling with the crisp scent of freshly baked bread. Garrick's cooking.
Lennox inhaled deeply, his stomach grumbling in anticipation.
But before heading to the kitchen, he made his usual stop behind the counter.
Reaching for the familiar bottle of Emberbrew Ale, his hand suddenly hesitated mid-air.
A thought struck him.
Shouldn't today be special?
He had just broken through to the secondary-stage apprentice realm. He had made undeniable progress in his training. Wouldn't it make sense to mark the occasion with something different?
His gaze drifted across the shelves, where several elegantly crafted bottles sat in perfect arrangement.
Eluna's Nectar.
Twilight Mirage.
Infernal Emberwine.
Glacier's Kiss.
These were the other rank-one magical drinks in the tavern's stock, each shimmering faintly under the dim lantern glow.
He had been tempted to try them before—many times. But both Garrick and the mysterious system had explicitly warned him against mixing drinks.
They had told him that consuming multiple types of magical drinks before exhausting the effects of a single one was a waste, as his body wouldn't be able to fully absorb the benefits. More importantly, the drinks weren't just beverages—they were like potent tonics, carefully balanced to enhance different aspects of the body. Mixing them recklessly could disrupt his foundation and cause unpredictable side effects.
But now…
Now, he was stronger.
His attributes had significantly improved after breaking through. His body had undergone a complete transformation.
He could handle it.
Still, Lennox wasn't the type to take unnecessary risks. So, before making a decision, he mentally consulted the system.
"System, can I start drinking the other magical drinks now?"
The reply came instantly.
[Yes. Your physique has improved enough to safely consume other Rank-One magical drinks in stock.]
Lennox smirked.
Nice.
[However,] the system added, [all drinks taken from the tavern's inventory must still be purchased using your personal account balance.]
Lennox rolled his eyes. Of course.
He had long since accepted the system's habit of charging him for literally everything.
Brushing it off, his eyes scanned the lineup of shimmering bottles once more.
With so many choices, which should he pick?
Feeling indecisive, he asked the system for a recommendation.
[Since you have just broken through, it is advisable to consume Eluna's Nectar. This drink will stabilize your foundation and ensure a smoother adaptation to your new strength.]
The system then added another useful suggestion.
[For optimal results moving forward, you should alternate between Emberbrew Ale and Eluna's Nectar—Emberbrew before training, and Eluna's Nectar after training. This method will allow for the best absorption of both drinks' unique benefits.]
Lennox nodded in appreciation.
That made sense. Emberbrew Ale reinforced the body and boosted endurance, making it ideal before training. Meanwhile, Eluna's Nectar was a stabilizing agent, ensuring steady, controlled growth after exertion.
"Got it. Thanks, System."
Turning back to the shelves, he grabbed an elegant, tall bottle of Eluna's Nectar.
The liquid inside shimmered, a golden hue swirling with faint streaks of silver, resembling moonlight dancing on water.
Its ethereal glow made it seem almost alive.
Grabbing two glasses, he carefully poured the drink, watching as the glowing liquid filled the cups in smooth, rippling waves. The fragrance that emerged was subtly sweet, with hints of something cool and refreshing—like crisp night air mixed with blooming moonflowers.
It was intoxicating just to smell.
As he finished pouring the glowing liquid into the two glasses, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[2 Gold Coins Deducted: Payment for Two Glasses of Eluna's Nectar.]
Once again, he barely spared the notification a glance—he was already used to the system's relentless transactions.
Satisfied, he picked up the two glasses and made his way to the kitchen.
As he entered, he found Garrick just finishing placing the last dish on the table.
The warrior glanced up, his sharp eyes immediately landing on the two glasses in Lennox's hands.
A single brow arched in silent question.
Lennox merely grinned and set the glasses down.
"It's Eluna's Nectar," he explained. "Figured we should try something different today."
Garrick didn't comment. He simply studied the glasses for a moment before nodding and taking his seat.
Lennox smirked as he settled in across from him.
Time to eat.