Blood Mercury as Blood

"Blood mercury is most commonly found in activated artificial life...

After injecting blood mercury into oneself, the body will gradually take on some of the characteristics of a construct, thereby gaining enhanced strength.

This is also the principle behind immunity to many toxins.

However, the risks are obvious.

It can easily cause leukemia, scurvy, myocardial infarction, and a series of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases...

One must strive for perfection, refining blood mercury of sufficient quality that can contain enough Witchcraft Energy, blood oxygen, blood sugar, and other substances to avoid these aftereffects.

To be safe, too much cannot be replaced at once. I'll start with around one hundred milliliters and test the waters. If the effect is good, I'll refine more and continue."

Recalling the knowledge he had gained from the Bronze-tier Talent Sulfur-Mercury Theory, Roy wrote and scribbled in his personal notebook.

Before he knew it, various formulas and Witchcraft Symbols covered more than a dozen pages.

Using them, he calculated the various parameters, then carefully adjusted the mixture and began refining it.

The entire process was not complicated. What it truly required was a precise sulfur-mercury ratio, along with enchanting techniques that coordinated with Witchcraft Energy.

Because of mercury's flowing nature, he also needed to draw upon the power of the Twenty-first Rune, Laguz, which represented "water" and "flowing."

This required some knowledge related to "activation spells."

Fortunately, Roy already met all these conditions.

The next day, at his residence.

"..."

A low, deep incantation echoed through the room.

Under the energy radiation of the witchcraft array, a scarlet color drifted like an aurora, illuminating the mercury inside the beaker.

Roy remained focused, his Mental Strength firmly locking onto it.

Using the Method of Mental Infusion, he enchanted it with a portion of a Spell Model Base adapted from "activation spells," then used the witchcraft array to imbue it with activating magic power.

After a moment, he picked up a Glass Rod and gently stirred it like a pair of chopsticks.

The color of the mercury in the beaker slowly began to change, shifting from a brilliant silver to pale red before deepening further.

As time passed, the mercury grew darker and darker, eventually forming the profound scarlet color of blood mercury.

It glimmered faintly beneath the light of the Magic Crystal Chandelier, radiating a mysterious aura. It even wriggled naturally, as if it possessed life and sentience.

"Looks like it's finished!"

Roy appraised it using the knowledge from his Bronze-tier Talent Sulfur-Mercury Theory. After confirming that the refined blood mercury was of sufficient quality, he drew it into a specialized syringe.

His expression remained focused and serious until not a single drop of blood mercury remained in the beaker.

"Time to try it!"

As the specialized Syringe Device pierced his skin, a chilly sensation was pushed along the venous blood vessels in his arm.

Roy instantly felt as though he had been frozen.

But immediately afterward, the Witchcraft Energy contained in the blood mercury was activated, and Life Energy was released along with various nutrients.

He then felt a warmth as if he were soaking in hot water.

Roy stood up, pulled out the needle, loosened his muscles and bones, then tried clenching his palm.

Because the Witchcraft Energy and Mental Strength he had injected into it resonated with each other from afar, he could clearly sense the blood mercury moving through his body.

"I feel stronger!

But it isn't strength from my muscles and fascia. It's Life Energy!"

Roy recalled the principle behind advancing beyond the Advanced Knight rank and ascending to become a Great Knight.

The so-called Great Knight actually originated from the results of Mage Body Modification.

It was the only martial profession native to the Wizarding World capable of breaking through the limits of the flesh and possessing a Wizard Rank physique.

What it relied on was also the vast amount of Life Energy obtained through modification, rather than mere bones and muscles.

Roy slowly clenched his fist, attempting to guide the flow of blood mercury into it.

A moment later...

A faint blood-red light, like a red flame, enveloped it.

Although he had not truly struck out, he could still feel the surging power contained within.

This mysterious power, simulated from Witchcraft Energy, was the "battle aura" triggered by the so-called Life Energy Seed—the power that every knight yearned for!

If a Spellcaster's power originated from Spiritual Power Manifestation,

then this "battle aura" was undoubtedly a manifestation of Vitality Manifestation, the foundation of every Melee Class.

"Although I'm only at the Intermediate Knight level now, as the replacement ratio increases, I'll inevitably surpass the Advanced Knight level and advance toward becoming a Great Knight.

By then, even without using a Life Energy Seed to modify my body, I'll still be able to achieve a similar strengthening effect!

The day I completely replace all several thousand milliliters of blood in my body will be the day I stand shoulder to shoulder with a Great Knight!"

This was a prediction brought about by the knowledge instilled in his mind.

After a brief trial, Roy went to the Training Ground and rented a small private room for testing.

Red light flashed, and his fists blurred like lightning.

With a boom, the wooden board shattered into pieces.

He expressionlessly slapped away the fragments, savoring the sensation of controlling his strength just now.

"Just as I expected, the one hundred milliliters of blood mercury I used to test the waters increased my total energy by around 0.1 degrees!

Next, I'll continue replacing it and carry out a more thorough strengthening and modification.

This is the content of the so-called Blood Mercury Physique modification. During the Apprentice Stage, I can continue replacing the blood throughout my body, up to around five thousand milliliters!

But if I do that, I'm afraid I won't have enough magic stones.

I'll have to sell the Fish Pearl of the Merman Lord and get several thousand raw magic stones to cover the cost of the materials."

This was a major transaction. The low-level apprentices of Oakmi Witch Tower could rarely produce so many raw magic stones in one go.

And if he sold it directly to the witch tower, they would severely underpay him.

He might as well use his own method of refining magic stones to extract the magic power inside.

"Ah, Roy, you're here.

I was just looking for you!"

Just as Roy left the Training Ground, considering how to sell the Fish Pearl in his possession at a good price, Renion hurried over.

Roy asked, "What is it?"

Renion said gravely, "I just found out something. That bastard who harmed us isn't dead after all.

She escaped Oren's pursuit and successfully returned!"

"Olinda actually isn't dead?"

A look of surprise appeared on Roy's face.

"Could she have some Enchanted Item or special method?"

Renion said, "That's a reasonable guess. It can also explain another matter: why Oren wanted to kill her and her companions...

He may have wanted to seize their treasure, then kill them to silence them!"

Roy nodded. "Come on. Let's settle the score with her!"

Renion acknowledged him, and the two immediately headed toward the Intermediate Apprentices' residential area on the second floor of the Witch Tower.

Before long, they knocked on the door of Olinda's residence. The other party soon opened it, her face carrying a haggard expression.

"What do you want?"

Olinda still did not know what had happened, and a trace of confusion appeared on her face.