The Sixteenth

"It's said that Advanced Knights possess over five times the base stats, with combat power comparable to the kingdom's generals in the bards' songs.

Above them are the Great Knights, who can mobilize life energy and are equivalent to ten men!

The specific manifestations of these in actual combat are not as simple as just 5 or 10 times.

If utilized well, one can truly be a match for a thousand enemies, even beheading an enemy amidst ten thousand troops."

With this clarified, Roy now understood his approximate standing in terms of strength.

He was a veteran among Intermediate Apprentices, the kind referred to as "Old Apprentices" who had strengthened their physiques to the level of Intermediate Knights or thereabouts.

"But even so, compared to true Magecraft, it's still not worth mentioning!

Because even Apprentice-level Magecraft has attacks ranging from several to over ten degrees, capable of instantly killing these Knights.

And the first-level Magecraft used by Formal Wizards has a spell power exceeding 40 degrees!

That is already the power of the magic system after soul sublimation, and it's definitely not a simple calculation like '40 people pulling a tug-of-war together'!

Not to mention, there are all sorts of supernatural methods like curses, healing, flight, Summoning, and so on, which are simply inconceivable...

I still need to focus on improving my spirit, learn Magecraft as soon as possible, and become a spellcaster!

This isn't just a difference in power; casting spells itself represents infinite possibilities!"

After finishing his meal, Roy bid farewell to Renion, who was performing his duties as an attendant, and headed to the library to read.

He had no classes scheduled for the day and intended to seize the time for self-study and growth.

However, halfway there, he caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye of Potterning walking over with a grim expression.

Roy immediately became vigilant.

However, Potterning paid him no mind, merely glancing at him indifferently before walking away.

He didn't seem suspicious of him at all.

Roy was slightly surprised, then suddenly understood.

In others' eyes, someone like him, an ordinary and mediocre Apprentice, could not possibly possess the audacity and means to carry out such an attack.

Cattle and horses are herbivores; pigs and sheep are destined to be slaughtered, so how could they resist?

Perhaps if he stood before Potterning with a knife, full of anger, Potterning would dare to crane his neck and provoke him, shouting, "Cut me here if you dare."

Roy suddenly felt that his prepared speeches had become useless.

He was engaging in a battle of wits with the air.

However, looking at the other's retreating back, his eyes still held a chill.

"I must seize the time to surpass him!

Whether it's Intermediate Knight, Advanced Knight...

Or becoming a spellcaster!

With strength comes true confidence!"

Perhaps it was the killing of Trides that completed his transformation from "sheep" to "wolf."

His heart no longer held any apprehension towards Potterning; instead, it was filled with thoughts of how to surpass, and even eliminate, the other party!

In the following days, Roy devoted himself wholeheartedly to learning and improving.

With the help of various alchemical potions, his cultivation progressed remarkably, successfully manifesting nearly one rune each month.

The 14th: Peidroluo (...)

The 15th: Yar'qiz (...)

The 16th: Suovilo (...)

As time moved into late April, he finally succeeded in manifesting the 16th Will Rune.

The progress bar for [Alchemy Talent Acquisition in Progress] also reached 83%.

"I finally meet the Wizard Tower's requirements!

I am now a true veteran Apprentice and can advance further!"

The moment the brilliant silver rune appeared in his mind, clearly outlined by his willpower, Roy immediately went to the academic affairs office to apply for a mentor and the corresponding Magecraft Inheritance.

This was an Apprentice's benefit that included Magecraft and Mage Body Modification.

He was eager to become a spellcaster; that was the true foundation for him to establish himself in this world of Wizards.

However, the attendant Apprentice simply shrugged and informed him, "There are no mentors available at the moment, so you'll have to wait."

Roy's expression darkened: "No mentors? What's going on?"

"Because all the resident Wizards suitable for mentoring are dead!"

The Deacon Apprentice shrugged helplessly.

"Last year's forbidden experiment failed, it even blew a crack in the Astral Void...

Thousands of wizards and apprentices, along with massive amounts of precious materials, turned to ash. The Wizard Tower suffered a huge loss!"

"Then, what about the wizards fighting on the front lines?" Roy asked tentatively.

The sacred laws of the wizarding world stipulated that after becoming a wizard, one could not remain in their home territory without special permission.

Therefore, a large number of wizards and apprentices were fighting on the front lines, plundering and colonizing one plane and world after another.

Only a very small number remained in their home territory and were affiliated with this tower. It wouldn't matter if they all died, they could simply be recalled from outside.

The Deacon Apprentice said, "Communication and travel in the Astral Plane are measured in years at least. How could they react so quickly?

Besides, those people are living carefree lives outside. Without tremendous benefits, why would they actively rush back?

If it were me, I'd drag it out for ten or eight years, wait for others to clean up this mess, and then come back to take over. It wouldn't be too late."

Roy was dumbfounded when he heard this. "Can't you just give me the inheritance and let me self-study?"

The Deacon Apprentice replied, "If you want to, of course, you can.

But if you do, you'll have to accept whatever mentor assignment you're given when it comes time to choose one."

"Why?"

"Naturally, it's because while the great wizards are learned and talented, they don't excel at all forms of witchcraft. They can only teach what they specialize in."

"I don't mind," Roy gritted his teeth after hearing this. "As long as the Wizard Tower allows it."

The Deacon Apprentice said, "Then please wait a moment. I'll find the options available for you..."

Soon, a list of choices appeared before Roy.

The Wizard Tower didn't offer many witchcraft options for apprentices.

But each one was a carefully selected foundation, a tried-and-true correct choice!

For example, spells like "Fireball," "Rocket Spell," "Wall of Fire," "Explosive Fireball," "Multiple Fireballs," and "Meteor Fire Rain."

Although the list seemed long and dazzling, they all originated from the basic model of a single spell – "Fireball."

And "Fireball" itself originated from "Elemental Refinement."

Therefore, at the apprentice stage, to build a foundation, one didn't need hundreds of varied spells; only "Elemental Refinement" was necessary!

By mastering the crucial "Fireball Model" through it, combined with the relatively simple "Launch Model," one could even achieve miracles through sheer force, by throwing it with great power...

Naturally, they would be able to derive the Level 0 spell "Small Fireball" on their own.

In the future, mastering more advanced spells like "Fireball" and "Explosive Fireball" would simply be a matter of accumulation.

Roy didn't even look at the other options and started by choosing from the branches related to Alchemy.

Instantly, mainstream basic projects like "Acid Crafting," "Poison Crafting," "Elemental Refinement," "Animate," "Transmutation," and "Enchantment" appeared before his eyes.

There was also another section with transplant, reinforcement, and modification plans based on alchemical abilities or bloodline adjustments.