Second Body Tempering and "Rhythm"

At that moment, he noticed Andre looking at him with a strange expression.

"You've changed a lot," Andre said. "The old you would never have been this serious."

Ron smiled. "Probably because I've seen hope."

Indeed, in just a few short days, he had gained the Potion Apprentice class, learned the "Corona Breathing Technique," and found an extremely well-paid job at the Herb Shop.

But most importantly, he had begun to truly understand the rules by which this world operated.

Ron took out the bottle of Scorching Essential Oil from the drawer. The pale golden liquid shimmered faintly in the sunlight.

With the experience from the first time, he could now more clearly sense the energy contained within the essential oil.

"Tell me," Andre said as he took the oil and examined it carefully. "Why is Lord Holt so interested in you? Just because of a well-preserved Star Grass?"

Ron shook his head. "It should be more than that. I think it's because of 'Rhythm.'"

"Rhythm?"

"Just like the Corona Breathing Technique says, every kind of power has its own particular rhythm."

Ron explained, "While sorting herbs today, I discovered that many materials carried some sort of special fluctuation."

Andre tapped his forehead. "That reminds me of something. My grandfather once said that true wizards must not only master power, but also understand its essence."

"Like this bottle of Scorching Essential Oil." He shook the potion in his hand. "On the surface, it's used for body tempering, but it actually contains the rhythm of the sun."

Ron's heart stirred. No wonder he had seen that golden sun during his first body tempering.

Perhaps it had not merely been an illusion, but his Breathing Technique allowing him to sense the energy characteristics within the essential oil.

"It's about time." Andre glanced at the sun outside the window. "Where are we practicing this time?"

"The same testing ground." Ron packed his things as he spoke. "The runes there can conceal our presence, and—"

Before he could finish, a muffled bang came from next door, followed by Darund's exasperated voice. "Damn it! It failed again!"

The two exchanged glances and smiled helplessly.

Their neighbor, who was obsessed with researching Sonic Spells, caused disturbances almost every day, much like the spells he studied.

After passing along the chilly morning path, the abandoned testing ground appeared especially quiet beneath the sunlight.

The rune-carved Stone Pillars cast mottled shadows, while bluish-gray marks on the ground flickered in and out of view under the daylight.

No wonder the wizards had chosen this place for experiments. This area was extremely sensitive to energy, and any supernatural power would leave traces upon the ground.

Ron noticed that the bluish-gray color on the ground seemed lighter than yesterday.

"Strange," he murmured.

Through the keen perception he had gained from his class change, he discovered that those colors were actually remnants of some kind of energy. Whenever sunlight shone upon them, they gradually faded.

"We're here." Andre's voice interrupted Ron's thoughts. "You can start preparing."

As Ron took things out of his bag, he warily scanned the surroundings. "Why do you think the wizards abandoned this testing ground?"

He had always found this place strange. In the resource-starved Black Mist Forest, a site with Isolation Runes should not have simply been discarded.

"You'd have to ask those runes."

Andre pointed at the mottled marks on the Stone Pillars. "They say an experiment by a formal wizard went wrong, contaminating the runes and gradually causing them to lose their original effects."

"Enough idle chatter. None of this has anything to do with two insignificant nobodies who aren't even apprentices."

The blond youth did not seem interested in discussing it further. He swiftly took out the Scorching Essential Oil.

"I need to remind you of something. The second body tempering may not be quite the same as the first."

"How so?"

"Do you remember that feeling from yesterday?" Andre began flipping through his notes. "When the essential oil seeped into your body, there was a special rhythm."

Ron nodded. He would never forget that experience: scorching energy flowing through his meridians, every pulse like the heartbeat of the sun.

"This time..." Andre's voice turned serious. "You need to actively guide that energy, like—"

He seemed to be searching for a suitable analogy.

"Like dancing. The first time, someone led you along. But this time, you need to learn to control the rhythm yourself with the music. And after this, you won't need anyone else's help for future body tempering."

Ron seemed to grasp something. He recalled his experience at the Herb Shop that morning. Those medicinal materials also possessed unique rhythms, and the key lay in how to perceive and make use of those traits.

"I understand." He took off his shirt and sat cross-legged on the stone platform. "Let's begin."

Scorching Essential Oil detected. Begin Second Body Tempering?

Notice: This body tempering will affect the growth of certain attributes for the combat class—Knight Squire.

After the first body tempering, he could already clearly sense the paths of the meridians within his body.

"I won't need to remind you of every step this time." As Andre spoke, he began preparing the Scorching Essential Oil. "You need to actively guide the flow of energy."

Ron nodded and closed his eyes, beginning to adjust his breathing.

Begin Second Body Tempering?

"Confirm."

When the first drop of Scorching Essential Oil fell onto his back, that familiar burning sensation struck again.

But this time, Ron did not endure it passively. Instead, he actively matched the rhythm of the Corona Breathing Technique.

Inhale, seven breaths. Energy surged into his body with each breath.

Hold, three breaths. He felt the fiery rhythm contained within the essential oil.

Exhale, five breaths. He guided the energy along his meridians.

"Very good," Andre's voice came from afar. "Now enter the second level of breathing."

Ron deepened his breathing rhythm. This time, he could clearly sense the path of every wisp of energy, as if he were controlling countless tiny streams of fire and guiding them along fixed routes.

Second Body Tempering

Progress: 35%

Potion Apprentice Class Synergy effect active:

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Meridian alteration efficiency slightly increased

-

Energy absorption rate slightly increased

As his breathing deepened, Ron gradually entered a wondrous state.

Unlike the passive endurance of his first body tempering, this time he could clearly sense the patterns governing the flow of energy.

Those scorching currents were like invisible paintbrushes, outlining the contours of his meridians under his guidance.

"Focus on the second level of breathing." Andre's somewhat worried voice came from nearby.

"Inhale for nine breaths, hold for five, exhale for seven. Remember, you are the one leading the rhythm."

Ron adjusted his breathing frequency as instructed. As the rhythm shifted, he felt the energy within his body begin to flow in a new way.

Every breath was a note, while his meridians were the instrument playing them.

And once the rhythm aligned perfectly, the energy flowed with extraordinary smoothness.

Second Body Tempering Progress: 67%

Meridian Rhythm Resonance detected

Additional effect obtained: Energy flow efficiency slightly increased

I think I've found the trick. Ron mused inwardly.

The pattern of this energy's movement bore more than a few similarities to the "Rhythm" he had observed in the medicinal materials at the Herb Shop that morning.

Just then, an even more powerful heat current suddenly surged into his body.

It was the final wave of Scorching Essential Oil, far hotter than before.

"The crucial moment has arrived." Andre's voice turned grave. "Remember, don't resist this energy. Guide it instead—"