The Night of the Full Moon

"That's why we need it," Arwen explained. "But light-element magic beasts are extremely rare and powerful. They're almost all magic creatures of the second tier or higher, and they're exceptionally dangerous."

Chen Chuan handed the crystal back to Arwen, looking thoughtful. "Could we create a core of light artificially?"

Arwen smiled wryly. "It's been attempted countless times, but artificial cores of light are far less effective. That's why Lord Alex is determined to find an alternative."

Chen Chuan nodded silently.

Suddenly, the door opened.

Chen Chuan turned and saw Alex walk in, holding a magic book.

Alex's gaze swept over the workbench before settling on Chen Chuan, his eyes deep and sharp behind his glasses.

"Arwen, it seems you've already briefed the new researcher on the project." Alex's voice was calm but carried an unquestionable authority.

"Yes, my lord. Chen Chuan knows more about the Flower of Light and the core of light than I expected." Arwen smiled slightly.

Alex nodded slightly and turned to Chen Chuan. "What are your initial thoughts on the Heart of Light Potion?"

Chen Chuan took a deep breath, shifting his gaze from the crystal in Arwen's hand to Alex. The fluctuating data on the record sheet and the frosty light flickering on the Flower of Light's leaves surfaced in his mind.

"I think the key is when we extract it from the Flower of Light." Chen Chuan looked Alex straight in the eye. "The night of the full moon may only be the beginning. We need to record the relationship between changes in the moon's phases and extraction efficiency more precisely."

Alex's eyes flickered slightly behind his glasses, and the corners of his mouth curved almost imperceptibly. "An interesting idea. But you should know that the academy's barrier is at its weakest on the night of the full moon. Unexpected visitors will come uninvited."

"Unexpected visitors?" Chen Chuan frowned slightly. "What kind of visitors?"

Alex didn't answer directly. Instead, he walked over to the workbench and tapped a faintly glowing rune array on its surface.

"The barrier around the academy weakens by thirty percent on the night of the full moon," he said in a low voice. "That gives certain magic creatures an opportunity."

Arwen took the chance to interject. "On the night of the full moon last year, a pack of Shadow Magic Wolves broke through the outer barrier and nearly entered the potion research area."

The moment Arwen finished speaking, Alex's gaze turned as sharp as a blade. He tapped the rune array lightly, and the fluctuations of magic power throughout the room instantly froze.

"It's not as simple as Shadow Magic Wolves." Alex's voice was low and dangerous. "After what happened last year, the academy strengthened its defenses on full-moon nights, but certain things can still pass through the barrier."

His gaze fell on Chen Chuan again, a light flickering behind his glasses.

"Research into the Heart of Light Potion has attracted attention from things that shouldn't exist.

"On the night of the full moon, when the Flower of Light blooms, it can not only draw a response from light-element magic beasts, but also awaken certain dark creatures."

Chen Chuan felt a chill rise up his spine. He looked at the Flower of Light glowing with a strange light on the workbench. At that moment, it seemed to be more than just a plant; it was a dangerous signal.

"Remember," Alex said, his voice a warning, "the extraction on the night of the full moon will test not only your potion-making skills, but also your ability to survive."

"So reach Second-Class Wizard Apprentice as soon as possible and improve your combat strength."

"As for resources, as a project researcher, I'll give you a monthly allowance of two hundred elementary magic stones and access to exchange for all magic below the first tier. Most importantly, as a reward for passing the elementary potion-maker assessment this time, I'll give you the formula for the Concentration Potion. It's one of the most difficult elementary potions, but you should just about be able to make it at your level. As for the more advanced potions that improve spiritual power, you'll need to earn points and exchange for them yourself."

"Remember to improve your spiritual power and advance to Second-Class Wizard Apprentice as soon as possible. You might be able to hide it from most people, but I can vaguely sense that your spiritual power has already surpassed thirty."

"A genius like you doesn't need to hide anything around me. Your talent is passable at Life Academy, but in the Black Tower of the Wizard World, it doesn't amount to much. As an overlord-level power among the universe's star regions, what kind of genius hasn't the Wizard World seen?"

"Hurry and improve. The Black Tower is your ultimate destination, so don't waste time."

With that, Alex gave Chen Chuan a long look. Vines surged and rolled out from beneath his feet, and he vanished in the blink of an eye.

Arwen looked in the direction Alex had disappeared and let out a long breath.

He turned to Chen Chuan. "It seems the lord has high expectations of you. He's rarely so frank with anyone."

Arwen walked over to the workbench and picked up a jar of pale blue liquid and a thin sheet of parchment.

"This is the formula and a sample of the Elementary Refreshing Potion. Lord Alex left them especially for you."

He handed the jar to Chen Chuan.

"Remember, this potion is extremely effective at increasing spiritual power, but it's exceptionally difficult to make. The slightest mistake can cause a spiritual backlash."

Chen Chuan took the glass jar and sensed the faint spiritual fluctuations coming from the liquid inside.

"I understand." He carefully put the jar into his storage space. "What preparations do I need to make for the extraction on the night of the full moon?"

Arwen pointed to a set of black robes in the corner of the workbench. "These are protective robes. They can withstand most forms of dark corrosion.

"Also," he said, taking a black badge from a drawer, "this is an emergency communication rune. Crush it if you're in danger, and it'll immediately send a signal to the academy guards."

Arwen placed the black badge in Chen Chuan's palm. Complex runes were engraved on its surface, and it was ice-cold to the touch.

"Lastly, remember this spot."

He pointed to an ordinary-looking stone slab on the wall behind the workbench.

"If you encounter a threat you can't resist, press the center of the slab. It'll activate an emergency teleportation array and send you straight to the safe zone in the academy's main building."

Chen Chuan's fingers gently rubbed the icy black badge. The lines of its runes grew slightly warm beneath his fingertips.

He looked up at Arwen, a trace of resolve flashing in his eyes. "I'll reach Second-Class Wizard Apprentice before the night of the full moon."

Arwen nodded slightly and took a black cloth bag from beneath the workbench.

"This is your magic stone allowance for the first month. Your badge's access has already been activated, so you can go straight to the magic book exchange and get the books you need."

Chen Chuan took the cloth bag, feeling its weight.

On the workbench, the Flower of Light gave off a faint glow.

Chen Chuan gripped the cloth bag tightly, feeling the hard edges of the magic stones.

He turned to the workbench and carefully examined the scattered vessels and materials.

Arwen had already returned to his own workbench and resumed grinding the purple crystal, so focused that he seemed to blend into his surroundings.