Adrenaline

The Witch Tower knew no seasons, and before anyone realized it, the new year had arrived.

The apprentices had gradually abandoned mortal habits and no longer celebrated festivals like the new year.

At that moment, everyone had gathered together to discuss a more important topic—the recent test.

"We're really done for this time!"

"We failed one after another. We're going to be assigned Mandatory Tasks!"

Renion, Nia, and Andov hung their heads, miserable and helpless.

Roy was left nearly speechless.

It had been nearly half a year since last July.

They had only just reached the point of manifesting the ninth Will Rune.

If you're not done for, then who is?

But Roy was already struggling to take care of himself, so he really could not worry about much else.

In the days that followed, they were indeed assigned Witch Tower tasks one after another and began handling various administrative duties.

Most of these were trivial chores that exhausted both body and mind while wasting time and energy, such as managing Low-level Apprentices, registering tasks, and taking inventory of the books.

As Renion put it, they were a waste of life.

But if they could not even handle these tasks properly, they would probably be sent to carry out all kinds of dangerous missions!

For that reason, they could only complain while honestly accepting their assignments.

January 20th.

The second floor of the Witch Tower.

In the residential area, inside a room.

Roy meditated with his eyes closed, sketching the outline of the Will Rune in his mind.

Aiyvaz()...

Strands of silver light filled the lines, and the thirteenth Will Rune successfully manifested.

"Excellent. My progress is still holding steady!"

Roy opened his eyes, sharp light flashing in them.

His predecessor's originally rather ordinary appearance seemed to undergo several indescribable changes at that moment, beginning to develop a certain bearing.

Not long afterward, he went outside and ate as usual, while Renion and the others arrived late.

"Mandatory Tasks are so annoying. They're practically a waste of life!"

"Ugh, I almost couldn't even make it to dinner!"

The group complained endlessly while casting envious looks at Roy.

"You've got it easy. You pass every time, eat well, sleep well, and steadily improve!"

"People are different from one another, after all."

Roy sighed inwardly, but he understood that if he had not possessed Alchemy Talent, his current situation would probably have been the same as theirs.

Thinking of this, he could not help feeling fortunate again.

The group chatted while eating, rambling about various everyday trifles before discussing what came after an Intermediate Apprentice successfully manifested sixteen runes.

According to the Witch Tower's regulations, they could begin learning Spell Models at that point.

Renion said, "At our Oakmi Witch Tower, we can also choose an alchemical formula.

"From then on, the Witch Tower will provide one complete witchcraft or alchemical formula inheritance free of charge, along with the resources for Mage Body Modification.

"But the prerequisite is signing a service contract with the Witch Tower and entering the inheritance sequence overseen by one's respective mentor..."

"Ugh, who knows how many years that'll take!"

Roy's heart stirred when he heard this.

"How many years?

"I seem to be getting close...

"By then, the public knowledge will be far too basic to satisfy my needs.

"To obtain more knowledge and skills, I'll have to discuss it with a mentor or earn them through tasks assigned by one."

However, he suddenly remembered a rumor he had heard before.

Many people had died in that Forbidden Experiment last June, including wizards above the formal ranks—even Archmages...

For the time being, it would probably be difficult to find enough qualified mentors to manage the apprentices!

After the meal, Roy temporarily put aside his groundless worries and continued exploring in the library.

He had been researching adrenaline for quite some time. He had gradually sorted out the various points of knowledge and developed a clearer plan for how to refine it.

In the end, only the specific ingredient ratios remained.

He wrote and sketched in his notebook, filling several pages with various points of knowledge and alchemical symbols.

These formulas, calculated through precise measurements, and the mathematical results concerning various dosages would determine the changes in the body's potential after consumption, as well as the operation of its various functions.

But such meticulous materialism belonged to the arcane arts.

In the end, Roy chose a blood essence extracted from a bull as the magical component and medicinal catalyst for the refinement ritual.

After trying to simulate and deduce the process, he finally nodded in satisfaction and returned to his residence to get to work.

Not long afterward, he obtained a small pile of white crystalline powder.

This was adrenaline, a product of Genesis research into the human body.

The Black Iron Rank Talent Skilled Worker once again played a crucial role, guaranteeing a certain degree of success.

With this guarantee, he could easily prepare the mixture, even diluting it precisely to quantities that would normally require sophisticated instruments to control.

This was already at the level of an Advanced Apprentice, something that originally required Spiritual Power Manifestation to achieve!

Several days later, in the Training Ground.

Roy took out a self-injecting Syringe Device about the size of his little finger, removed the protective cap, and drove it into his arm.

Moments later, a strange excitement surged through him, and explosive strength burst forth from his entire body.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...

He hefted a heavy two-handed greatsword and swung it in a series of swift, fierce slashes that ordinary Low-level Knights could rarely match.

After only a few strikes, several targets in front of him were smashed to pieces.

Immediately afterward, Roy gathered his strength and lifted a barbell weighing more than three hundred jin with one hand.

This was training equipment intended for Intermediate Knights and above. Roy was only at the level of a Low-level Knight and was not strong enough to lift it one-handed.

But under the effects of the special drug, he managed to erupt with enough strength all at once.

However, after only a few minutes, he suddenly stopped. His body trembled slightly, cold sweat poured down his face, and he felt somewhat nauseated, as though he might retch.

"These are the symptoms of hypoglycemia..."

Roy had little muscle or fat reserves to begin with. All his energy came from the metabolism of magic power combined with glucose.

Its utilization rate was extremely high, but it was also consumed extremely quickly.

Fortunately, he had prepared for this in advance.

He hurriedly pulled several pieces of candy from his pocket and stuffed them into his mouth, chewing and swallowing them.

"Looks like I need to adjust the formula. Ideally, I should preload it with a certain amount of high-concentration glucose and inject it directly into a vein.

"Also, in actual combat, an enemy won't just stand there and watch me inject the drug.

"They'll definitely look for an opportunity to interrupt me, or retreat after noticing it, using various tactics to stall until the drug wears off..."

After recovering somewhat, Roy rested and considered the matter, continuing to adjust and improve his plans for using the substance.

Several days later, the time reached the end of January, and the monthly test results were released.

"Trides failed repeatedly and was punished with Mandatory Tasks?"

Roy suddenly received a piece of important news that pleased him greatly.

When he went to investigate the details, he discovered that Trides intended to team up with several Intermediate Apprentices in similar circumstances.

Those people's financial situations and learning progress were, at best, similar to Renion and the others.

This time, the Witch Tower had not arranged for an Advanced Apprentice to lead them.

A task assigned as punishment would not come with such considerate protection.

"The opportunity has finally arrived!"

Roy's eyes lit up.