That Layer of Glass Ceiling

After hearing the old man's words, the guard could not help but laugh bitterly to himself.

Indeed, at his level—at the realm of a Level 4 Wizard—he could remain active for long periods without eating. This was mainly because, as one of the Main Continent's top-tier Wizards, a Level 4 Wizard was fundamentally different from Wizards of other ranks.

Level 1 Wizards, Level 2 Wizards, and Level 3 Wizards were, in a sense, not much different from Wizard Apprentices. They were all still flesh and blood, merely with greater mental strength, higher mana reserves, more complex spells, and greater power.

Level 4 Wizards, however, were different. Once they crossed the threshold at the peak of Level 3 Wizard, they entered an entirely new realm.

In this realm, a Level 4 Wizard's body underwent a complete transformation, accomplishing a "Life Reshaping" much like the transition from an ordinary person to a Wizard Apprentice.

Through this Life Reshaping, a Level 4 Wizard's spellcasting abilities far surpassed those of a Level 3 Wizard, and they could sustain their bodily functions through pure energy. This was why the old man said that Level 4 Wizards did not need to eat.

But then again, not needing to eat and being unable to eat were fundamentally different things.

Even though they did not need food, many Level 4 Wizards still chose to eat normally. On one hand, it satisfied their taste buds; on the other, they did not want to become too unlike ordinary people.

The guard had refused the old man not because he did not want to eat, but because the old man had offered him softened black bread.

This was food eaten only by the poorest of the lower class. Even craftsmen and artisans with slightly better living conditions would choose to buy