Apprentice Market

"By the way, your Ralph Family's inherited breathing technique may not be as good as the Royal Family's, but it isn't bad either, right? Why didn't you...?"

Andre asked curiously.

Ron scratched his head awkwardly. Indeed, in his original memories, both his father and eldest brother had repeatedly asked whether he was interested in Knight training.

But at the time, he had been immersed in a life of pleasure and indulgence, utterly disdainful of the grueling and exhausting training of a Knight.

Now, it was too late for regrets.

Andre noticed Ron's expression and instantly understood everything.

"So that's how it is. Back in the Royal Capital, you were a notorious wastrel."

His tone suddenly turned teasing as he gently swirled the tea in his cup.

"I remember one time, you got so drunk in the Royal Garden that you lost your senses and actually did it with a personal maid in front of several ministers."

"Cough, cough!" Ron hurriedly cut him off, a trace of embarrassment appearing on his face.

Those absurd memories of the original owner's body were simply a nightmare to him now.

Seeing Ron's restless appearance, Andre finally could not help laughing.

"Fine, for the sake of these fifty Magic Stone Fragments, I won't bring up your old scandals."

He set down his teacup, his expression becoming somewhat serious again. "But seriously, Ron, have you really thought this through?"

"What do you mean?"

"The Corona Breathing Technique is indeed powerful, but precisely because of that, it is far more difficult to cultivate than ordinary breathing techniques."

A trace of concern flashed through Andre's eyes. "Even in our Royal Family, not everyone can master it."

"And besides..." He paused. "With your current physical condition, rashly cultivating such an advanced breathing technique could very well..."

"I know the risks." Ron interrupted him. "But compared to what awaits me in three months, what does this little risk amount to?"

It did not matter. He had his cheat, and there was another reason he wanted to cultivate a breathing technique: he wanted to see whether he could activate an extraordinary profession related to Knights and gain additional strength growth.

Seeing the determination in Ron's eyes, Andre let out a long sigh. "Since you insist, I won't try to persuade you any further."

He stood up, rummaged around, and took out a stack of crumpled handwritten pages from his carry bag, clearly prepared for convenient study at any time.

"This is a manuscript I copied back then. It contains some cultivation essentials and precautions."

"But I need to remind you of something."

Andre stared fixedly into his eyes. "If you think that getting these notes means you can figure it out and practice on your own, then you are gravely mistaken."

Ron looked at him in confusion.

"Advanced breathing techniques are not that simple."

Andre shook his head. "They require a strict guidance process and specific body-tempering methods. Otherwise, things can easily go wrong."

He looked at the stack of crumpled manuscripts.

"For example, the first stage and the second stage afterward require specially made Scorching Essential Oil to temper the body. If you get the medicinal proportions wrong, or take it at an inappropriate time..."

Andre pointed to his chest. "At best, your body will suffer burns. At worst, you'll spontaneously combust starting from your lungs."

Ron sucked in a breath of cold air. Only then did he realize how naive his earlier thoughts had been.

"Different stages also require different body-tempering medicines."

Andre continued, "The third stage requires Lava Droplet, while the final stage requires..."

Seeing Ron's slightly pale face, Andre smiled. "Don't worry. Since I've accepted so many of your Magic Stone Fragments, I'll naturally see this through to the end."

As he spoke, he handed the notebook to Ron. "I've written down the formulas for these medicines, but I'll still need to personally guide you through the actual refining process."

Ron accepted the notebook and opened to the first page.

Amid the densely packed writing, there were not only the key points of the breathing technique, but also numerous annotations regarding medicine refinement.

"To be honest," Andre said with a smile as he tucked the pile of Magic Stone Fragments into his robe, "I'm quite looking forward to seeing how far you can cultivate this breathing technique."

His tone carried a hint of mischief.

"Even in our Royal Family, there are not many people who can fully master the Corona Breathing Technique. Most get stuck at the second stage and can never advance another step."

"Are you trying to crush my enthusiasm?" Ron asked with a bitter smile.

"How could I?" The smile on Andre's face deepened. "I'm encouraging you."

He stood and straightened his apprentice robe.

"Come on, let's go to the Herb Shop first. The ingredients for Scorching Essential Oil aren't particularly precious, but the proportions are important. I need to help you select them myself."

Watching the other man's delighted expression, Ron finally realized that this prince had probably been waiting to sell it at the right price.

After all, in a world ruled by wizards, what meaning did the inheritance of a mundane royal family hold? It was better to take the opportunity to exchange it for some practical benefits.

As for those so-called family prejudices, when life and death were at stake, who would care about such empty reputations?

After leaving the dormitory area, Ron followed Andre along a winding stone path.

"Don't tell me you've barely visited the market these past few months?" Andre asked as he led the way, turning back to look at Ron.

Ron rubbed his nose somewhat awkwardly. Indeed, he had barely left his room before, spending every day shut inside, grinding away at the Basic Meditation Method.

Even the daily necessities he needed were purchased through errand-running servants. His only chance to go out each month had been to collect the Magic Stone Fragments sent from home.

"I remember that you even had people deliver your meals to your room."

Andre smiled. "If I hadn't come to find you today, I would've thought you'd starved to death in there."

Blue moss along the stone path illuminated the way ahead.

All kinds of strange plants on either side emitted eerie glows in the night. Some swayed as passersby walked by, while others bloomed in the darkness with illusory radiance.

"Be careful around these plants." Andre pointed at a cluster of purple-glowing Mushrooms on the ground. "These are Nightmare Umbrellas. They will..."

"I know." Ron instinctively stepped back several paces. "The admissions guide said they release hallucinogenic spores."

"Oh?" Andre raised an eyebrow. "It seems you read the admissions guide quite carefully."

"After all, there wasn't much else to read besides those books." Ron smiled bitterly.

During that period, he had devoted all his time to meditation and reading, leaving him with little knowledge of what was happening outside.

"And I really did fall for it once. During my first week here, I slept in that area for an entire day. When I woke up, I found myself hugging a Datura that sprayed poison. I've been especially careful around these things ever since."

Andre found it somewhat amusing and was just about to say something when a shrill scream suddenly came from afar.

A Gray Robe Apprentice staggered out of the bushes by the roadside, his right hand already transformed into a mass of twisted vine-like structures.

"This happens a few times every month." Andre shook his head. "But you don't need to worry. Living like a cave dweller, as you do, is actually safer."

"The apprentices' market is up ahead."

Andre walked around him and pointed at a dilapidated stone archway ahead.

"Here, you can find almost anything an Apprentice Stage apprentice could want. Of course, that's assuming you have enough Magic Stone Fragments."

As they passed through the archway, a strange mixture of herbs and potions assaulted their noses.

A cat wearing boots elegantly walked past them, its fur gleaming with a metallic sheen in the dim light.

Next came a chattering group of tiny fairies, chasing a Crystal Ball that bounced on its own.

Ron was so absorbed in the sight that he nearly bumped into a tall figure standing before a stall.

That enormous tentacle-like body made him reluctant to approach, and he quickly sidestepped.

"Don't be nervous." Andre smiled. "The Kraken Race may look frightening, but they are excellent business partners. Just be careful when speaking to them—their saliva is corrosive."