Mandatory Task

For the next while, Roy kept a low profile while stepping up his progress.

Although there were villains running rampant in the tower...

He could not possibly restrict himself out of fear, never daring to cross the Lightning Pool. He still had to secretly make incense to earn money and quietly build his fortune.

He had only one thought on his mind now.

Keep his head down and grow stronger. Surpass them!

Mid-October.

"That Teshiz..."

A faint silver glow emerged from the void, outlining the shape of a Will Rune.

It gradually stabilized.

"The tenth rune!"

Joy appeared on Roy's face.

If talent was lacking, resources could make up for it.

This path really worked.

"Still, after drinking several potions in succession, their effects have clearly weakened."

After giving it some thought, he reached a conclusion.

"I need to increase income and reduce spending!

Explore more ways to make money and more types of self-made potions, pursuing even lower costs!"

As for exactly how to do that...

He found himself stumped.

The Skilled Worker Black Iron Rank Talent he possessed was merely a single talent.

The success rate bonus it provided was based on Alchemy Recipes he had already mastered.

Either he learned and mastered new recipes.

Or...

He obtained more and better talents!

But the question was, how could he achieve those things?

Time flew by, and over a month passed.

Inside the Witch Tower, in an apprentice residence.

After basic preparations such as heating the solvent, Roy mixed various materials according to the knowledge he had learned.

They included Ironblood Grass, a plant with sharply serrated leaves.

Bat Wings, dried and cut into tiny fragments.

A pinch of purplish-red Nian Stone mineral powder, like grains of salt.

These and similar materials were poured into the Reaction Kettle in strict order and precise amounts, then simmered.

As the temperature rose, the originally clear solvent gradually turned cloudy. The various materials blended together within it, forming an indescribable liquid.

Because the conditions were so crude, the whole process really did look somewhat like "Witch's Brew."

But in truth, it was a legitimate method of Wizarding World alchemy, containing a kind of mysterious ritualistic witchcraft power.

The Skilled Worker Black Iron Rank Talent faithfully fulfilled its role of guidance, mobilizing the knowledge in Roy's mind and the instincts of his body, doing its best to steer this alchemy process toward success.

During this period, he had studied and researched at the same time, living a very fulfilling life.

Those Who Pay Attention were not let down. He had finally mastered a few scattered recipes for other alchemical potions.

This Minor Shriek Potion was one such magical potion that might come in handy.

"This potion stimulates the mind and is often seen as an aid to meditation, similar to a Meditation Potion.

Unlike a Meditation Potion, it has obvious Negative Effects.

The user instantly hears a deafening Banshee's Wail, then suffers reactions such as Nauseating and headaches. Later on, they may even develop aftereffects such as tinnitus and nightmares.

But it has one advantage that the previous Meditation Potion simply cannot compare to.

It is cheap enough!"

Roy mixed and measured the ingredients while thinking to himself.

At last, more than an hour passed.

The "Witch's Brew" was ready!

Roy Frowned as he examined it.

Even after repeated purification, the potion still had the color of an amber medicinal broth. A careful sniff revealed an inexplicably pungent odor.

"This smell... is truly unbearable!"

It resembled the dusty, muddy smell that rose when raindrops struck concrete after a sudden summer afternoon shower. It made him uncomfortable to smell, while a wave of scorching heat assaulted the mucous membranes in his nose.

But the Next Moment, he decisively drank it all in one gulp and licked the bottle clean.

"Ugh, my tongue feels a little numb..."

He Frowned, and his face suddenly turned pale.

"Screech!"

A banshee-like shriek rang out inside his mind, splitting his head with pain.

Yet his mind instantly Awakened, and his spirits lifted.

The potion was taking effect.

Roy hurriedly seized the time to meditate again.

The Book of Wizards...

Will Runes...

Tracing them, manifesting them...

One point of knowledge after another surfaced in his mind.

Around half an hour later.

Just as he began to hear illusory tinnitus in his head, like the chirping of cicadas.

The eleventh Will Rune—Yiza()!

Successfully manifested!

A few days later.

"The Shriek Potion Looksed Like it was pretty good.

My meditation efficiency has clearly improved over the past few days. Within a month, I should be able to manifest another Will Rune!"

Roy stood before the mirror in the bathroom of his residence, rubbing his forehead, half relieved and half wary.

"Still, the Side Effects are gradually showing up. It seems like I'm starting to get tinnitus."

Tinnitus was not a Big Problem, but it signified an accumulation of Negative Effects.

In the Long Run, it might cause some irreversible damage.

"Looks like drinking this potion alone won't do. I need to give my body room to recover."

Knock, knock, knock!

As he was thinking, someone knocked on the door.

Roy went to open it and found Renion and the others outside.

"Roy, the Witch Tower has issued a Mandatory Task requiring us to venture outside. All Intermediate Apprentices have to take part!"

The moment he entered, Renion told him some Bad News, excitement evident in his voice.

"Mandatory Task?"

Roy's expression tightened.

The apprentices of the Wizarding World were protected by the Witch Tower. Within the tower, they enjoyed personal rights and safety guarantees.

But once they went outside, that might not be the case.

The thing he had worried about before had finally come true.

He steadied himself and instead comforted Renion. "Don't panic yet. Explain it clearly, slowly."

Renion said, "Do you remember the Forbidden Experiment that caused such a stir a month before the Tower Clearance?

"Of course I remember..."

How could Roy possibly forget?

That was precisely what had happened when he transmigrated.

"There is news that the Testing Ground where the accident occurred has undergone a mutation!"

Nia, Andov, and the others who had followed Renion inside were also still somewhat shaken as they began discussing it.

"The Witch Tower did everything it could to contain it, but it was still useless. For now, it could only seal off the entire compound along with the Small World.

A great deal of Witchcraft Energy has radiated into the outside world, creating mutated monsters around the Witch Tower.

Although the suppression of the World Will means it has not produced Wizard Rank magical creatures, they have become extremely violent and dangerous.

To investigate the situation, the Witch Tower needs to dispatch apprentices to various places."

After talking for a while, Roy learned that this Mandatory Task would be completed in groups of three to five, with apprentices free to Team Up.

The Witch Tower had serious business to handle and could not simply watch them go to their deaths, so it arranged for Advanced Apprentices to lead the teams.

This could not completely prevent vicious apprentices from having ulterior motives, but it could serve as a deterrent.

After hearing this, Roy relaxed slightly.

But it was still unclear who would be responsible for his group. That would only be assigned at the time of departure, according to the selected mission location.

Hopefully, it would not be someone even more vicious!

Amid his unease, the next day arrived.

"It's actually Senior Student Sophia!"

When everyone learned this, they felt both relieved and worried.