Endless World, Endless Exploration

After becoming a Wizard Apprentice, he found his perception of the magic power within his body had become exceptionally clear.

Although magic power and spiritual power were closely related, they were two entirely different forms of energy.

Spiritual power was mainly used to construct and maintain spell models, while magic power was the fuel that actually drove spell effects.

Opening his attribute panel, he confirmed his current condition once again:

Ron Ralph

Age: 15

Current Combat Classes: Wizard Apprentice (One-and-a-Half-Star), Knight Squire (One-Star)

Current Civilian Class: Potion Apprentice (One-Star)

Attributes: Physique 1.5, Spirit 2.4, Magic Power 0.7

Skills:

Basic Potionology (Proficient), Basic Meditation (Max), Zero-Ring Slime Splash (Max Proficiency), Potion Brewing (Beginner), Herb Identification (Beginner), Basic Swordsmanship (Proficient), Breathing Body Tempering (Beginner), Spell Construction (Beginner), Mental Interference (Beginner), Sonic Oscillation (Proficient)

Special Talents: Dual Soul, Blessing of the Sun (Incomplete)

Power Level: Primary Apprentice

Magic Power: 0.7

This meant he could support multiple spell casts without running dry.

As far as he knew, purely auxiliary zero-ring spells like "Slime Splash" consumed roughly 0.1 magic power per cast;

some high-energy offensive zero-ring spells, meanwhile, could consume as much as 0.5 magic power.

"In other words, I can currently cast an auxiliary spell seven times in a row, or barely manage one or two offensive spells. But with Sonic Oscillation, I don't need to spend extra effort learning another spell. It should be enough as an offensive method for the entire apprentice period."

Ron calculated silently.

He still remembered overhearing a few scattered remarks at Mrs. Allen's shop—

Once an apprentice advanced to become a Formal Wizard, they could learn a special technique called "Metamagic," which greatly enhanced spell effects by consuming multiples of the usual magic power.

That was why many Formal Wizards, even without especially powerful physiques, could still unleash terrifying spells capable of reshaping the world.

"Not just wizards."

Andre had mentioned during one of their chats that non-wizard professionals such as Bloodline Knights could also utilize magic power.

They usually infused magic power into their bodies, activating a temporary enhancement state called "Life Burst." Although their efficiency was inferior to that of wizards, its power in close combat remained astonishing.

"Perhaps this is why the Magic Swordsman class can differ from conventional class paths? I'll have to ask Andre more about this later and see whether I can uncover more hidden class paths."

Ron took a deep breath and looked out the window again.

Night had deepened over the Black Mist Forest. A few dim stars faintly pierced the thick fog, bringing a weak glimmer to this mysterious land.

He shook his head and decided to use his new permissions as a Primary Apprentice to visit the library first. Perhaps he could find more information about advancement paths.

The Black Mist Forest library was located on the Third Floor of the main tower. It was a tall, gloomy, circular space, with a maze of countless bookshelves occupying most of the area.

Every bookshelf was dotted with faint blue Magic Crystal Lamps, providing just enough light for reading.

Ron presented his Primary Apprentice badge. The guard—a stoic Intermediate Apprentice—gave a slight nod and let him pass.

"The Primary Apprentice area is on the left. Don't try to enter any area beyond the red line." The guard repeated the warning mechanically, clearly having said it countless times before. "Violators will be punished."

Upon entering the library, Ron could sense the fluctuations of magic power in the air. Every book here had been protected by a Magic Array to prevent damage or unauthorized removal.

His gaze swept across row after row of bookshelves as he searched for materials related to advancement.

In the end, he found an inconspicuous book in a remote corner: "Apprentice Promotion Guide." It looked quite old.

After finding a quiet corner, Ron sat down and carefully opened the book.

The first chapter detailed the divisions among apprentice ranks—Primary, Intermediate, and Advanced. According to the book, Ron's current strength placed him right at the starting point of the Primary Apprentice rank.

What truly interested him, however, was the chapter on advancing to become a Formal Wizard. He quickly turned to that section and began reading intently.

"The advancement to Formal Wizard is, in essence, a qualitative transformation of the spirit and magic power."

The book stated: "This process is called 'Door Opening.' It refers to opening the spiritual door leading to a higher level of power."

Ron frowned and continued reading:

"The Door Opening Ritual requires strict conditions:

First, spiritual power must reach the critical value;

Second, the apprentice stage of a Gem-Grade Meditation Method must be fully mastered;

Third, at least one improved spell model must be completed independently;

Finally, the ritual must be completed under a mentor's guidance."

"During the Ritual, the apprentice will drink a specially prepared 'Key Potion.' This potion will temporarily break through the spiritual barrier, allowing the apprentice to face higher-level power directly. If the apprentice is insufficiently prepared, the Ritual will fail at best; at worst, the spirit will collapse, or even death may result."

As he read, a strange sensation welled up inside him. Something on the panel seemed to be changing.

He immediately shifted his attention to his Career Panel and was surprised to discover that the advancement information for Wizard Apprentice had already updated automatically:

Wizard—Unknown Path (Two-and-a-Half-Star)

Advancement Conditions:

1. Spirit reaches 4.9

2. Any Gem-Grade Meditation Method reaches Master Level (determines advancement path)

3. At least one spell reaches Master Level (determines advancement path)

4. Complete the "Door Opening" Ritual

Traits: Energy Circuit, Radiation Field, Metamagic Technique, Mind Blast (shared by different advancement paths)

Perhaps as his exploration deepened, the panel would automatically display more hidden class paths and advancement conditions.

But after Ron clearly saw the advancement conditions for a wizard, he felt another wave of pressure.

4.9 points of spirit—on the surface, it was only a little more than twice his current amount. But he already vaguely sensed that raising his values would become more difficult the farther he progressed. Perhaps later, increasing his spirit by 0.1 would be a hundred times harder than it was now...

Then there were the Gem-Grade Meditation Method and spells at Master Level. Both required vast amounts of time and resources.

He calculated inwardly: If I want to continue advancing, the key is to gather all the materials on Mrs. Allen's list as quickly as possible and obtain the Gem-Grade Meditation Method in her possession.

The restricted items on Mrs. Allen's list clearly could not be acquired through normal channels.

According to Andre, the black market was the most likely option.

"Sunset Tavern, Lizard Alley, Blackwater Bay..." Ron silently recalled the underground trading venues Andre had mentioned. "I'll start by trying the safest place."

"Don't aim too high." He reminded himself. "For now, the most important thing is to steadily increase my strength, especially by finding more potential class advancement paths."

"There may be other, even more special class advancement paths..."

He considered the possible combinations. "The three main paths—wizard, knight, and potion master—have already been confirmed. But if I add other supernatural classes, what kind of chain reactions will occur?"

Skill-based supernatural classes such as Enchanter and Alchemist;

knowledge-based supernatural classes such as Historian and Astrologer;

and even some unusual bloodlines with clear hierarchical relationships in the game could be converted into classes, such as Vampire, Demon, and High-level Undead... Every one of them might produce miraculous synergies with his existing classes.

"I still need to collect a great deal of information and conduct field investigations." Ron sighed. "Every step requires careful planning."

He listed his recent objectives in his mind:

First, gather the materials on Mrs. Allen's list and obtain "Whispers of the Star Eater";

Second, use Artificial Star Dew to assist his meditation and master this Gem-Grade Meditation Method as soon as possible;

Third, gain a deeper understanding of the distribution of forces and rules within the School;

Fourth, explore more potential class advancement paths.

Continuing to read, he found more descriptions of realms above Formal Wizard, along with brief descriptions of the world beyond the Black Mist Forest.

Ron muttered inwardly: Although there are quite a few Formal Wizards here, according to the book, the Black Mist Forest can only be considered... a relatively small supernatural settlement?

He was just about to search for more information when a librarian approached and gestured that the library was about to close.

With his mind filled with new information, he left the library, already beginning to plan the road ahead.

A Formal Wizard was already as powerful as a god among mortals. Then what kind of power did those higher-level existences—the so-called Great Wizards, Wizard Kings, and even the legendary Magic Gods—possess?

Hollowing out history, folding reality; altering laws, reflecting madness... Perhaps it was just as the ancient texts described?

And beyond this continent lay the Endless Sea, Fairy Land, Dragon Grave, and Great Abyss... even the otherworldly realm connected by the Extraterrestrial Star Gate.

Did those places, which sounded like myths and legends to the apprentices, truly exist?

And would he ever have the chance to witness them with his own eyes?

After returning to his room and briefly tending to his personal hygiene, Ron lay down on the bed and let his thoughts slowly settle.

Tomorrow would be another new day. Every sunrise represented a new opportunity to him.

"Take it slowly, but never stop... Heh, if I stop, I'll just become another skeleton here."

He warned himself softly, then slowly drifted into a dream.