Breakthrough

In the study, the cauldron on the desk steamed with heat.

Matthew was brewing a Potent Vitality Potion. After this period of effort, his Sea of Consciousness had become much more condensed.

Moreover, he had already "condensed" 648 "Runic Models" and could now attempt to break through to Level 3 Wizard Apprentice.

After a busy stretch, the liquid in the cauldron turned a vivid blue.

The Potent Vitality Potion was finished. He turned off the Magic Flame and poured the potion into a clean Glass Cup.

He took an intricately crafted Incense Burner and a thumb-sized piece of Dark Red Spice from his pocket, sliced off a small shaving from the end of the spice with a knife, placed it into the Incense Burner, and lit it.

An indescribable scent emanated from the Incense Burner, its fragrance surpassing the limits of human olfactory perception.

Matthew felt a powerful swelling sensation in his Sea of Consciousness.

Matthew had recently attended another exchange meeting hosted by Lady Alsha, and this small piece of spice was the greatest gain from that gathering.

This was a first-rank Dragon Scale Incense. Dragon Scale Incense was not a natural product but an Alchemical Product, said to be made primarily from the scales of Dragonoid Creatures.

Dragon Scale Incense was highly beneficial for a wizard's Sea of Consciousness growth. Using it while practicing meditation methods greatly enhanced progress. Using it during a breakthrough could increase the success rate, and even if the breakthrough failed, it would not harm the foundation of the Sea of Consciousness.

However, the price of Dragon Scale Incense was exorbitant. The thumb-sized piece Matthew bought cost him one Magic Stone, far more expensive than a first-rank spell.

But this Dragon Scale Incense burned for a very long time; a small shaving could last one to two hours.

Next, Matthew drank the Potent Vitality Potion from the cup. The still-bubbling potion in the Glass Cup felt only room temperature as it entered his mouth.

The magic power within his body began to stir abnormally. He quickly sat on the bed and activated the "Aemon Basic Meditation Method."

Under the influence of the meditation method, the agitation of the magic power began to affect the Sea of Consciousness.

As he practiced the meditation method, the turbulence of the magic power within him became rhythmic. Each surge struck the Sea of Consciousness, and the frequency was very rapid, accompanied by a strong dizziness that nearly made it impossible for Matthew to maintain the meditation method.

After several quarters of an hour, the Sea of Consciousness shook violently. Matthew's expression turned somewhat grim at this point.

But this breakthrough had the help of Dragon Scale Incense, keeping the Sea of Consciousness very full throughout.

Half an hour later, the potion's effects gradually faded, and the dizziness slowly receded. Just Then, the Sea of Consciousness jolted violently, and Matthew heard a sound like breaking glass by his ear.

Matthew felt as if he had broken through some kind of shackle. The range of his Sea of Consciousness expanded rapidly, stopping only when it had doubled in size.

Immediately after, the magic power within him began to boil. Items in the study were lifted into the air by an unseen force, floating.

A Moment Later, the magic power within him gradually calmed, and the floating objects around him fell back down one by one.

Carefully sensing, his total magic power had increased by thirty percent compared to before.

Matthew could barely hide his joy. He was now a Level 3 Wizard Apprentice. His guess during the last breakthrough had been correct—this breakthrough had once again triggered a small Magic Outburst for him.

Moreover, based on his observations During This Time, his magic power was far greater than that of wizards at the same level in this world. Each time he broke through, the increase in his magic power exceeded what wizards in this world gained during their breakthroughs.

He and Link were both Level 3 Wizard Apprentices, but his total magic power was now nearly twice that of Link's.

West Street Tavern, at noon.

Link had arranged to meet Matthew at the tavern. The Owner of this tavern had changed.

After Matthew and the others dealt with the Old White Mutant, the Security Station posted a notice listing all the faces on Old White as deceased. The previous tavern Owner, Old John, was also on that list.

After the list was announced, Old John's son sold the tavern to pay off debts.

When Matthew arrived, Link and Anna were already there. As soon as he entered the tavern, he saw the two waving at him.

This time, there were no Guests coming to collect debts in the tavern; it was much quieter.

After Matthew sat down next to Link, Link called a waiter over to order.

The person who came was the young boss they had seen last time—Old John's son, Young John. He was now wearing the tavern's waiter uniform.

Link was also a bit surprised. He had noticed him earlier but hadn't called him over to ask.

Link asked, "Aren't you the Owner anymore?"

Compared to the last time they saw Young John, there was less anxiety on his face now, but more gloom. The successive deaths of his parents had hit him hard.

Young John shook his head and said, "To pay off my father's debts, I sold the tavern. But the Lady Jill who bought it is a good person. She allowed me to keep working here."

"Lady Jill? What a coincidence." Link stroked his chin.

Lady Jill was a well-known Widow in Whitestone Town. Her Deceased Husband had been a wealthy merchant, and after his death, she took over his business.

After taking over, she expanded the business even further. Half the shops on the street where the tavern was located were her properties, but her main enterprise was freight logistics. She commanded many caravans that transported goods between cities.

In this world, long-distance Spatial Teleportation Arrays could only be set up by powerful Level Two Wizards. They existed only in large cities and the strongholds of powerful wizard organizations, and activating one required consuming many Magic Stones.

Thus, cross-regional transport of goods in this world relied mainly on caravans.

Young John asked in confusion, "What coincidence?"

"Nothing, I just saw her earlier. I didn't even know she bought this tavern." Link laughed. "I'm a bit hungry. Let's order first. One Cheesy Baked White Stone Fruit, three steaks, one cup of..."

Matthew immediately said, "Same for me."

After Young John left, Link said, "Lady Jill is a wealthy merchant in the freight business. I just came back from her place. Actually, I've been wanting to see her for a while."

Because Grandfather came to Whitestone Town with her caravan back then, I wanted to see if she had any clues.

But she manages many caravans and is very busy, so she hadn't returned to Whitestone Town for a while.

The moment she got back to Whitestone Town, I went to visit her right away.

From her, I learned that Grandfather took four people into the Winter Forest, and one of them was her Subordinate.

That Subordinate of hers was originally going to the Winter Forest for resource exploration—collecting Rainbow Cloud Grass there was also one of her industries.

But that Subordinate of hers, just like my Grandfather, went missing in the Winter Forest.

The old Rainbow Cloud Grass collection area is almost depleted, so she's going to form an Exploration Team to scout for new collection zones in the Winter Forest.