Unexpected Invitation

The Next Day, in the study.

Matthew used the Blue Water Flower he had gathered yesterday while practicing the Meditation Method.

He took several Blue Water Flowers from the basin on the table, tore open their petals, and pale blue juice flowed from the torn edges.

Blue Water Flowers had an extremely high water content. Each petal could yield a considerable amount of juice, and after repeating the process several times, the beaker on the table was filled with Blue Water Flower Juice.

Matthew poured the Blue Water Flower Juice into his hand and applied it to his forehead.

Then he calmed his mind and began circulating the Meditation Method.

A few breaths later, the flower juice seeped into his skin, and the coolness entering his brain refreshed his spirit.

Matthew felt as though he were standing on a stormy shore, with waves constantly crashing against him. Each time a wave struck, his Sea of Consciousness became a little more solid.

An hour later, all the Blue Water Flower Juice in the beaker had been used up, and Matthew's Sea of Consciousness had become much more solid.

He checked the condition inside his body and found that his magic power had increased as well.

Long-term use of Dark Magic placed an enormous burden on the mind. This was why some Dark Wizards who frequently used Dark Magic became increasingly paranoid and insane.

Before practicing the Meditation Method, Matthew would feel mentally exhausted after casting Avada Kedavra twice in succession without interruption.

Now that his mind had been tempered by the Meditation Method, casting Avada Kedavra repeatedly had become much easier.

At his current rate of growth, Matthew estimated that after advancing to a Level 2 Wizard Apprentice, casting Avada Kedavra three times in a row would not have any effect on his mind.

Next, he drank five bottles of Spirit Nourishing Potion and continued constructing Runic Models within his Sea of Consciousness.

After yesterday's test, he had discovered that the Spirit Nourishing Potion lasted as long as eight hours.

In other words, maintaining twice the Recovery Speed of his Sea of Consciousness required fifteen bottles of Spirit Nourishing Potion per day!

That was an enormous expense. One bottle of Spirit Nourishing Potion cost roughly 2 Gold Galleons, meaning fifteen bottles would consume thirty Gold Galleons every day!

Fortunately, he had often sold Potions under Gellman's identity over the past two years and had saved up a sum of money. Combined with the inheritance left by his Grandfather, he could still cover the Expenses for the time being.

Moreover, practicing the Meditation Method did not require him to constantly consume Mental Power to construct Runic Models.

After advancing to an Advanced Level 3 Wizard Apprentice, subsequent cultivation would focus more on accumulating his Sea of Consciousness. By then, he would no longer need to maintain the effects of the Spirit Nourishing Potion.

An hour later, he drank another Mandrake Revitalizing Potion, instantly restoring half the Mental Power in his Depleted Sea of Consciousness.

Matthew had practiced the Meditation Method for two days. With the help of the Spirit Nourishing Potion and Mandrake Revitalizing Potion, he had already constructed twenty Runic Models in his Sea of Consciousness.

He had chosen to prioritize constructing the Runes needed for the Lightning Bolt spell.

Casting Lightning Bolt required condensing thirty-two Runes, but many of them were repeated. There were only eighteen different Runes in total.

He planned to test Lightning Bolt again to see whether it could be used in actual combat after practicing the Meditation Method.

Matthew cast the Illusionary Body Spell and headed to the woods Outside Whitestone Town to test his Magic.

After a while, he found a suitable target: a massive tree that would take three people to encircle.

Through the Runic Models in his Sea of Consciousness, Matthew instantly "condensed" thirty-two Runes In Hand, then "guided" them into the Spell Model Structure of Lightning Bolt.

"Crackle!" Brilliant light erupted from Matthew's hand as the Runes swiftly transformed into a bolt of lightning and shot toward the massive tree ahead.

The instant the lightning struck the tree trunk, the impact point generated immense heat, instantly evaporating the moisture inside.

After the lightning vanished, a circular hole pierced straight through the center of the massive tree.

Its power was immense, even stronger than Matthew's Shatter Charm and Cutting Charm.

He discovered that the Aemon Basic Meditation Method also enhanced the power of Runic Magic. After practicing the Meditation Method, the power of his Lightning Bolt had increased by Two-tenths.

Guiding the Runes into the Spell Model Structure took eight seconds. It could be used in actual combat now.

After finishing the test, Matthew returned to Whitestone Town.

As he passed the Whitestone Town Entrance, he saw an unfamiliar Night Watchman in the Tower. In addition, two more Guards had been stationed at the entrance.

After returning to his residence, Matthew had just started upstairs when Chris called out to him.

"Matthew, Lady Alsha of Whitestone Manor has just sent over a Banquet Invitation."

Matthew asked in confusion, "Lady Alsha?"

Chris said:

"Lady Alsha came from the Royal Capital half a year ago. She is an Officer for a Court Wizard.

"I heard she is unbelievably beautiful. Countless men have become infatuated with her beauty.

"She is now the talk of Whitestone Town. No matter when you visit the Tavern on East Street, you can hear people inside discussing Lady Alsha's beauty."

Whitestone Manor had originally belonged to the Former Town Mayor. It was said that the former Town Mayor had been deeply infatuated with Lady Alsha. Not long after Lady Alsha arrived in Whitestone Town, he presented the manor to her.

Matthew accepted the invitation. It was exquisitely made and embroidered with a flower resembling a bird's tail feather.

Matthew had read about it in a book in the study. It was a Red Iris.

In this world, the Red Iris symbolized love. Its blooming period was very short, lasting only one night. It generally bloomed at dusk and withered the following morning.

The invitation read:

"Mr. Matthew:

"I will be holding a banquet at Whitestone Manor this Friday evening. The banquet will invite the outstanding young talents of Whitestone Town.

"I hope you will honor me with your presence at this grand banquet.

"I look forward to spending a wonderful time with you on this enchanting night.

Alsha"

Matthew's face was filled with confusion and incomprehension. He did not know Lady Alsha at all, yet he had received her Banquet Invitation.

A sharp glint flashed Deep Within Matthew's Eyes. He had only been in Whitestone Town for a few days, and he was not yet familiar with Link and Anna, whom he had only recently met. It was unlikely that they had recommended him to Lady Alsha.

Perhaps someone had noticed their battle by the river yesterday.

He decided to accept the invitation.

If the other party was an enemy, they would not let him go simply because he refused to take the bait.

If Not an enemy, perhaps he could use Lady Alsha to integrate into Whitestone Town's Wizard Circle.

His purpose in coming to Whitestone Town was to come into contact with the Wizards of this world. He wanted to obtain more Runic Magic and Meditation Methods.

At dusk, Whitestone Manor.

The manor stood in the Outskirts northwest of Whitestone Town. A lush garden surrounded it, and the Red Irises blooming in the garden formed a beautiful scene, as though condensed from the afterglow of the setting sun.

The garden bordered a river connected to the one in Whitestone Town. The difference was that the water here had not frozen, and the flowing river added a touch of vitality to the scene.

Outside The Door of a room in the manor, a well-dressed Butler knocked.

"Come in." The voice from within was soft and melodious, like heavenly music.

After entering, the Butler saw the back of a woman with Chestnut Long Hair. She sat upright before a dressing table.

Two maids bustled behind her, helping her apply makeup and put on jewelry.

The Butler stood behind her with his head lowered, able to glimpse half of her face reflected in the mirror from the corner of his eye.

In the mirror, her red lips parted slightly, revealing an alluring beauty. The line of her chin was elegant and smooth, like a work of sculpted art.

The Butler said, "Miss, the banquet is ready."

She asked softly, "Is anyone absent?"

"They have all arrived."

She nodded. In the mirror, the curve of her slightly parted lips outlined her sensuality and liveliness.