Target: Ryan Age: 14 Spiritual Power: 6.6 (6.1 + 0.5) Physique: 5.2 Particle Energy: 1.3 units Wizard Meditation Method: Vast Sea (Basic) Supernatural Nurtured Creature: Harak (Low-grade)
Delight flashed in Ryan's eyes. The second Wizard Rune had raised his Spiritual Power even more than the first.
It seemed the difficulty of a Wizard Rune was closely tied to how much Spiritual Power it granted.
He found himself thinking about the different grades of Wizard Meditation Methods.
The Vast Sea Meditation Method was only at the basic grade. Beyond it lay Advanced Meditation Methods and higher-grade Meditation Methods, corresponding to First-level through Third-level Wizard Apprentices. Different methods had different traits and raised Spiritual Power to different degrees, in both quality and quantity.
Becoming a full-fledged Wizard is only the first step in pursuing Truth and walking the Wizard's path. To Wizards of the present day, those words spoken by the Deep Blue Grand Wizard in the Primeval Era sounded far too grand.
The leaders of every Grand Wizard Force were full-fledged Wizards. They stood at the top of the pyramid.
If Ryan had one regret, it was his mediocre aptitude.
Given the same Meditation Method, someone with Top Aptitude would always gain considerably more Spiritual Power.
The Eye of Truth could make up for that shortcoming.
Ryan washed his face in the bathroom. When he came out, his eyes were bright.
Now came the most crucial part.
Notice: Scanning physical condition and calculating the amount of Natural Particle Energy that Spiritual Power can draw in.
The stronger one's Spiritual Power, the more Natural Particle Energy one could influence.
Powerful Wizards could even cast large-scale, potent Wizardry without consuming the Particle Energy within their bodies.
Ryan had not even become a First-level Wizard Apprentice, so he was nowhere near capable of that.
He could barely draw a tiny amount of Natural Particle Energy into his body.
The process also strengthened his flesh through radiation.
After about ten minutes, Ryan learned the precise radiation level.
"The human body is far too fragile. Becoming a Supernatural Wizard changes everything, from mind to flesh. It's the evolution and transformation of the cells."
A ray of dawn pierced the heavy clouds, adding a new color to the ink-dark sky.
Ryan opened his eyes. The aura around him had grown stronger, and the strength of his body had clearly improved.
Notice: Physique increased by 0.3. Current physique: 5.5.
His knuckles gave faint cracks as he repeatedly tensed his muscles.
He threw a punch, and the rush of air made that newfound strength unmistakable.
He pushed open the door. Sunlight streaming through the window stretched his shadow across the floor.
People were scattered around the Automated Restaurant, but it was much quieter than before.
No one seemed inclined to think about the old Wizard Exchange Meetings. They silently ate the portions assigned by the Wizard Ship's central control system. All of that was in the past.
Ryan took his usual seat in the corner. On the table were bread and mayonnaise from the remaining stores, along with Sea Beast meat he had hunted himself.
He ate quickly but with care, tearing off mouthfuls of meat and swallowing them. His powerful digestion turned the food into energy for his entire body.
Radiation from Particle Energy consumed a great deal of Life Energy. Some cells inevitably died, but after his body replaced them, the new cells grew stronger under the Particle Energy's influence.
Oddly, Ryan did not see Gray in the restaurant.
Surely he hasn't failed to catch any food and gone hungry? Judging by his physique and the strength of his Particle Energy, Gray ranked among the best of the Wizard Freshmen there.
Ryan gave it no more thought. Suddenly, he felt someone watching him, the malice in that gaze poorly concealed.
When he looked over, the hooded figure in the corner lowered his head.
There was a bitter irony to it. At this hour in the past, during the Wizard Exchange Meetings, that man had always been the center of the crowd.
Now, aside from chewing and the clink of cutlery, the Automated Restaurant was silent. The emptiness felt oppressive.
Ryan's expression remained calm. Arthur's gaze did not affect him.
Perhaps today, or perhaps tomorrow, the Wizard Ship would have one fewer freshman aboard.
The vast Endless Sea held too many unknown secrets, not to mention countless Sea Beasts and other creatures.
A Supernatural Lifeform might appear during a freshman's hunt, attack, and leave him dead at sea.
But that excuse was secondary. What mattered more was the stance it represented.
Wizard Tuta had made the rules, and he would abide by them himself.
I saw him. That worthless bastard still had that hateful, blank expression. So full of himself. Kill him. Kill him!
Arthur kept his head down. His hood and black robe nearly covered the whole table as he sat in shadow, his mouth stuffed with Sea Beast meat.
His eyes were bloodshot, his face twisted. He ground the food between clenched teeth as though he were crushing Ryan's heart.
No one else can know about Anna and me. I can't let them find out. Ryan has to die. He has to!
He forced the food down so hard that veins stood out on his neck. The nails of his remaining hand dug into his palm.
Arthur had bloodshot eyes and deep dark circles beneath them. Murderous intent had raged in him all night.
I can kill Ryan easily. He's just a worthless fool who chose the Supernatural Nurturing Department. I have Top Aptitude. I can do it. I have the highest standing. I can crush that insect.
I also have a Wizard Legacy. The new Particle Energy Wizardry scroll is already in my hands. Once he goes out to sea, I just have to catch up and kill him.
Ryan finished eating and left.
Arthur remained where he was, turning the matter over and over in his mind, repeating his assurances to himself.
His hollow heart seemed capable of feeling pleasure only through the anticipation of killing.
"I'll always be the strongest."
Arthur sprang to his feet and roared.
Eyes turned toward him throughout the Automated Restaurant, many of them startled.
"That looks like Arthur. I heard his face was disfigured and he lost an arm. Guess it's true."
"He never used to be like this. What happened to him?"
"I heard something's wrong with his mind. I think the rumors are right."
The Wizard Freshmen in the Automated Restaurant seemed to recall things from the past and began whispering among themselves.
Arthur felt as though he were suffocating. The Automated Restaurant had become a hell that tormented him.
He struggled out of the restaurant and returned to his room, slamming the door behind him.
Leaning against it, he gulped for air. His eyes were even more bloodshot.
"They're all talking about me. They're all laughing at me. Damn those inferior Wizards. I have a Wizard Legacy. I have the best aptitude. I'm a genius. I still have the highest standing."
With his right hand, he gripped the Red Metal Ring hanging beneath his clothes, squeezing it tightly as sweat poured from him.
Arthur's eyes were frighteningly vicious, frighteningly mad. "It must be Ryan. He told them. He deserves to die. He deserves to die!"
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