"Gurgle!"
He tipped his head back and drained it.
The Wisdom of Light potion slid down his throat and into his stomach. Its cool, refreshing sensation gave him a jolt.
No!
It wasn't the taste.
His mind had genuinely become sharper.
Carl's eyes flickered as he stood within the Divine Domain Fragment. He closed his eyes and focused on the feeling, while simultaneously practicing the Meditation Method.
His Mental Sea.
The turbulent waves that had risen and fallen in the past had settled considerably under the potion's effects. This meant the Meditation Method would become far more effective.
If the self-awareness was a seed, then the Mental Sea was fertile soil rich in nutrients.
And the Meditation Method—
It allowed the seed to absorb nutrients from the soil and take root.
Until the self-awareness completely occupied the Mental Sea and underwent a fundamental transformation, from the inside out.
In the past, distractions had kept the Meditation Method from working efficiently. Now, its efficiency had improved by far more than a little.
"Seven times!"
"After taking the potion, my efficiency has increased at least sevenfold."
"And it's not just the Mental Sea nourishing my mind. The potion itself also strengthens mental power."
"It must be the effect of the Necromancer Dust. Hibel said that many of the ingredients in this kind of potion come from souls..."
A day later.
Carl looked at the Data Panel before him.
Physique: 0.78 Mental Power: 0.98
His physique had increased by 0.01 over the past few days.
However, this had nothing to do with taking the potion. It was the result of his constant training and practicing the Breathing Technique.
As for his mental power...
"0.02!"
His mental power had increased by 0.02 in a single day. At his usual pace, that would have taken nearly a month.
Even accounting for the progress he had already made, it was still an astonishing increase.
Carl muttered,
"No wonder Hibel wants Necromancer Dust so badly. There's a world of difference between training with a potion and training without one."
Another day passed.
Physique: 0.78 Mental Power: 0.98
His mental power increased by another 0.01, but Carl could clearly feel that the potion's effect had become negligible.
"Almost 0.03 in two days."
"With my methods, I can make two doses of Wisdom of Light from one portion of soul powder. I still have thirteen portions of soul powder."
"That'll be enough for now!"
If he gave the soul powder—that is, the Necromancer Dust—to Hibel, she could make three or four doses of Wisdom of Light from each portion with her skills and specialized equipment. But that would expose him, so it wasn't worth the risk.
"More mental power will let me cast spells faster, and it'll also make the Lesser Force Field more powerful."
Carl loosened his muscles and added,
"It'll help with sword training, too."
This wasn't obvious within the Divine Domain Fragment.
Greater mental power improved his control over his body, but inside the Divine Domain Fragment, he already had perfect control and couldn't tell the difference. Only in the real world could he feel how much his control had improved.
"No wonder Miles can keep a Knight Squire at bay with nothing but a rapier, even though he's never trained in swordsmanship."
"The mental power of an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice lets him control his body with greater precision and move faster."
"As for a Senior Wizard Apprentice, even without training, their physical abilities are probably better than those of an average Knight Squire. That's why my old teacher Adolf can still move so nimbly despite his age."
"Whoosh!"
Carl drew back his sword, his expression solemn.
Then—
Combat technique—Gale Slash!
Four afterimages!
He'd produced four afterimages in a single swing. With the greatsword itself, that made five strikes—a respectable feat for a Knight Squire.
This was the first time Carl had managed to produce four afterimages outside the Divine Domain Fragment.
***
Black City.
The snowflakes, mixed with some unknown black powder, had finally stopped falling. But the temperature had plunged, and the snow on the city streets had frozen solid.
Even guests who were Knight Squires had to wear thick robes here.
"Uncle."
Aya leaped out through a crack in the ground.
"We're here."
The boy named Xiao Nan followed close behind her, his build still comparable to that of a grown man.
Unlike the first time they'd met,
the boy Xiao Nan wasn't wrapped up from head to toe this time. His youthful face was exposed.
After several trades, the two sides had built up some trust.
"Heh..."
Xiao Nan scratched his head and grinned foolishly.
"Uncle."
"Mm."
Carl's expression remained blank.
"Did you bring the goods?"
"We did." Aya nodded eagerly and gestured for Xiao Nan to take the bundle off his back. "Seventeen portions of soul powder, six gold items, some jade pieces, and a few books. But we couldn't find a Breathing Technique."
"Seventeen portions." Carl frowned slightly. "That's all?"
He wasn't surprised they hadn't found a Breathing Technique. They hadn't turned up any leads in their previous trades, either.
He'd gradually gotten used to it.
Besides, he already had the Poison Wolf Breathing Technique. He only collected other Breathing Techniques out of habit; he wasn't in a hurry.
"Well..." Aya forced a smile. "It's the Month of Severe Winter. Not many people are willing to come out, and as for the experts... I can't get in touch with them yet."
"But next month should be better."
Carl glanced up at the sky, apparently accepting her explanation. He pointed behind him.
"The goods are inside. There's some food, and the two Healing Potions you asked for."
Aya's eyes lit up.
Every year during the Month of Severe Winter, food shortages meant that a great many people died in Black City.
Food prices also soared.
Although Carl had raised his prices, he hadn't raised them by much. The difference was already a huge profit for her.
And then there were the rare Healing Potions.
"Uncle."
Aya took the goods from the bundle, her eyes bright.
"What do you need all these gold items for?"
"To handle and collect." Carl examined the gold statue in front of him, estimating its value. "Is there a problem?"
"No, no." Aya hurriedly waved her hands. "I thought you could leave the city."
Leave?
Carl's eyes narrowed.
That was true.
These things were worthless in Black City, but outside they could be traded for plenty of good things. Collecting them deliberately might give people the wrong idea.
That he could leave the city?
And that was why he was collecting them?
"I can't."
Carl spoke slowly.
"If you know a way out of the city, you can tell me."
"Sure." Aya nodded firmly. "You'll be the first person I tell, Uncle."
"Huh?"
She suddenly turned around, her face full of uncertainty.
"There's something moving!"
"Indeed."
Carl's expression grew grave. He was also a little surprised by Aya's keen senses.
He'd only just noticed it himself.
"Let's get out of here first."
"Boom!"
Before he'd finished speaking, footsteps in the distance suddenly erupted into a thunderous crash. Snow and dust flew into the air.
"Goron, you can't escape!"
"Argh!"
Roars and clashes rang out together, and the chaotic footsteps drew closer.
"Go!"
Carl's heart sank. Such a commotion probably hadn't been made by a Knight Squire. It was just as dangerous for him.
"Whoosh!"
Aya called to Xiao Nan, and the two of them leaped into a hidden passage underground.
They weren't strong, but they were nimble, and their years of living in Black City had sharpened their instincts for danger.
With the underground passageways connecting in every direction, it was easy to escape.
Carl, on the other hand, had never gone underground. He'd only visited Black City a few times and didn't know the area well.
He hadn't gone far before three figures blocked his way.
"I'm just passing through."
Carl raised both hands to show that he meant no harm.
"Could you let me by?"
An arrow shot straight toward him in reply.
Before you continue