The seawater was drawn together into a swirling mass. A vast surge of Water Elemental Particle Energy poured from the Wizardry Scroll and merged with it.
The twenty-meter area it engulfed took on the crushing pressure of the deep sea. It pressed not only on the body but would also inflict severe damage on the internal organs.
Hiss! Hiss!
The seawater gradually turned corrosive. The Azure Spirit Thousand-Eyed Jellyfish churned up waves, struggling against the change in its surroundings.
The eyes floating on the water's surface squeezed shut, and it even began to shriek in pain.
Tentacles reached up from beneath the water and slapped at the surface, trying to break through the brutal conditions.
As time passed, the corrosive liquid would keep increasing. The pressure and corrosion would only fade once the particle energy in the area was completely exhausted.
Ryan knew it was time to leave. Powerful as this wizardry was, it was not enough to kill the Azure Spirit Thousand-Eyed Jellyfish. It was better suited to trapping an enemy.
He slowly raised his right hand. A black shadow circled down, and Ryan grabbed Harak's right foot. She lifted him easily and carried him away from the area.
Though he had used up a Mid-level Wizardry Scroll, Ryan had gained something more important: he had rediscovered his Wizard Heart.
How many Wizards had lost themselves after gaining power, only to meet a miserable end?
Back aboard the Wizard Ship, Ryan felt his thoughts growing clearer. He strode across the deck and into the cabin.
He decided he could be bolder. He no longer needed to take part in the Sea Beast Hunt; Harak could catch more than enough for his daily needs.
There was no point worrying about exposing his ability. Once he entered the Umbral Wizard Academy as an official freshman, he would need to demonstrate Supernatural Nurturing wizardry as proof of his qualifications anyway.
The Wizard Ship was about to pass through the last few sea regions. The Wizard Continent was no longer far away.
With so little time left, practicing the Wizard Meditation Method and mastering Wizard Knowledge mattered more than wasting time on unnecessary Sea Beast Hunts.
Every bit of strength he gained would leave him better prepared for whatever lay ahead.
The encounter with the Azure Spirit Thousand-Eyed Jellyfish had changed his thinking considerably.
No one could avoid making mistakes forever, but they could correct them early and leave themselves with no regrets.
Ryan would set the Aegis Secret Record aside for now. The Legacy Wizardry Book took priority.
He lacked a foundation in Supernatural Knowledge and was not ready to delve into the unfamiliar knowledge of Battle Body Wizards.
He understood exactly how to set his priorities.
Notice: Analyzing the third rune of the Vast Sea Meditation Method. Estimated time: ten days.
It was even harder than the second Wizard Rune.
Over the following days, Ryan immersed himself completely in Wizard Knowledge.
He left the task of finding food to Harak.
He was no longer seen at the Sea Beast Hunt. He did not even visit the Automated Restaurant anymore.
Naturally, the Wizard Freshmen paid no attention to someone who kept apart from the group. The Wizard Exchange Meeting went on as usual, full of raised glasses and laughter.
Anna's fiery red hair made her look like a rose in full bloom. She accepted the praise and flattery with confidence, though her expression held little joy. She seemed almost indifferent.
Gray, who had also chosen Supernatural Nurturing wizardry, did come knocking on Ryan's door.
"I haven't seen you in seven days! I thought something had happened to you, like Arthur. You nearly scared me to death."
When Ryan opened the door, Gray found him neatly dressed and looking well, but that did not stop him from making a fuss.
Then his voice rose in surprise. "No way, Ryan! Your Nurtured Creature can actually catch food outside by herself? She even brings it back for you?"
Harak flapped through the window and dropped several plump White Scale Fish onto the floor.
Gray's eyes widened as though he had seen something impossible.
His own fat lizard was treated like royalty, yet all it did was lie around on the floor, wait to be fed, and shit wherever it pleased. His gaze turned aggrieved. Why was the difference between them so huge?
Gray asked uncertainly, "Have you already reached fifty percent completion with your nurturing wizardry?"
The glossy black spots on Harak's feathers allowed her to turn invisible and escape the senses of lower-level Wizards.
Before Ryan could answer, Gray went on. "I'm only about a third of the way through nurturing Kobik. Harak doesn't look any different in size or appearance, so I can't really tell, but she does seem a lot smarter."
"That's it. I'm going to train Kobik properly and make her catch fish for me."
The brief interruption did little to distract Ryan. He closed the door, looking thoughtful.
He had always felt that Gray, the closest thing he had to a friend on this ship, was not as simple as he appeared.
Tiny flecks of blue light flashed in Ryan's eyes.
Gray's particle energy and physical strength were increasing rather quickly, faster than his Wizard Aptitude should have allowed.
Ryan shook his head and put the thought aside. It had nothing to do with him. Everyone had their own opportunities.
What mattered most now was mastering his final spell, Scarlet Heat.
Once he finished outlining the third Wizard Rune through meditation, his particle energy would rise enough to cast two spells. That would be a major boost to his strength.
Mastering Scarlet Heat would complete the first part of the Legacy Wizardry and unlock the advanced Wizard Knowledge that followed.
Time passed. Another month went by.
With a rumble, the Wizard Ship gradually came to a stop.
The Wizard Freshmen emerged from their cabins and gathered on deck. They stared in awe at the vast Wizard Continent stretching beyond sight, their faces alight with excitement and fervor.
Ryan gazed at the Wizard Continent through his cabin window, anticipation in his eyes.
They had arrived at the Wizard Continent!
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