First-Class Apprentice

Over the next few days, Lynn holed up in his cabin and devoted himself to studying the Soul Whisper Meditation Method.

A "Do Not Disturb" sign hung prominently on his door, turning away all visitors as he became completely absorbed, neglecting both food and sleep.

Aboard the ship, Lynn enjoyed obvious privileges.

Other Apprentices had to eat in the crowded, noisy communal dining area, surviving on plain black bread, salted meat, and bean soup.

Lynn's meals, however, were delivered directly to his cabin by a dedicated sailor.

Today's lunch was a specially prepared roasted dragon lizard leg from the Southern Spice Islands—a large lizard—its tender, juicy meat covered in a thick layer of fragrant exotic spices.

The side dish was a blue ice moss salad, a specialty of the Northern Sea Icefields. It was crisp and refreshing, with a faintly magical chill.

The staple was truffle wild mushroom risotto favored by the nobles of the Central Plains, every grain of rice soaked through with rich broth.

There was also a glass of mellow golden grape wine and a small plate of elven honey cake for dessert.

These foods were specially supplied to Wizards. Not only were they delicious, but they also had a slight nourishing effect on Mental Power.

Naturally, they were also extremely expensive.

Fortunately, he did not have to pay with his own Magic Stones. Otherwise, Lynn would rather have gnawed on black bread.

As Lynn enjoyed the food, he raced against time to study the meditation method, intending to get started as soon as possible.

Power was the root of all these privileges!

During that time, Mary came to see him several times, hoping to stay by his side, but he ruthlessly turned her away every time.

Women would only slow down his cultivation!

Mary could only leave dejectedly, trailing behind several other Black Marsh City Apprentices as she tried to fit in with them.

After several days of sleepless effort, when the panel's Analysis progress reached 15%, Lynn finally gained a preliminary grasp of how to cultivate the Soul Whisper Meditation Method.

He could not wait for the Analysis to be fully completed and decided to use the meditation method to "get started" first.

That evening, after eating a vegetable salad mixed with Calming Herb for dinner, Lynn began his first formal attempt at meditation.

He sat cross-legged on his bed, cast aside distracting thoughts, and followed the method's instructions to guide his Mental Power into slowly rotating and compressing.

At the same time, he sensed the omnipresent Negative Energy Particles in the surrounding space, trying to draw them into his body, combine them with his Mental Power, and transform them into his first wisp of Witch Power.

The process was exceptionally difficult. Controlling Mental Power required tremendous concentration and precision.

Ordinary Apprentices were given three months after entering the Academy to cultivate a meditation method. Those who failed within three months would become "materials."

Apprentices had to go through countless explorations, attempts, and corrections before finding the right path.

Several times, Lynn nearly failed due to disorderly Mental Power, and stabbing pain shot through his mind from the failed meditation.

But relying on his powerful Soul Origin and the profound understanding brought by the panel's Analysis, he repeatedly steadied his mind and guided it again.

Aboard the Netherbone, strengthened by the Megalodon Wraith, the air was saturated with Negative Energy and soul aura, making it particularly suitable for his meditation.

After an unknown amount of time, a change finally occurred in his spiritual space.

Lynn heard a "whisper" from the depths of his soul—the echo of his own soul fluctuations and consciousness.

As the soul continued whispering, the scattered Mental Power was finally gathered bit by bit. At the center of the chaos, it began slowly revolving around an invisible point.

At first, it rotated extremely slowly and unstably, as though it might collapse at any moment.

Lynn did not dare relax. He continued maintaining his visualization, guiding the cold Negative Energy Particles in the surrounding space closer.

As if drawn by an attraction, the particles gradually merged into the rotating vortex of Mental Power.

The process was slow and painful. The Spirit Vortex was repeatedly shattered by Negative Energy, then repeatedly condensed again beneath Lynn's unyielding will, becoming increasingly solid each time.

When the absorbed energy reached a certain critical point, the originally illusory vortex of Mental Power suddenly trembled, and a faint ghostly light abruptly lit up at its center!

It rotated at a constant speed, generating a weak suction force on its own and continuously drawing in sparse Negative Energy Particles from the outside world.

It transformed them into pure Witch Power for storage, while feeding it back into the surrounding Mental Power and making it more condensed.

The Mental Core had formed!

Overwhelmed with excitement, Lynn could no longer maintain his meditative state and was abruptly forced out of it.

He suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with wild delight.

Lynn felt that the entire world had become utterly different.

He could see all kinds of energy flowing through the air, hear Apprentices outside his door quietly discussing him, and even make out the faint creaking of the ship's wooden hull.

His mind was incomparably clear at that moment, and even his thinking seemed to have become a little faster.

Moreover, Lynn could clearly feel that his Mental Power had improved somewhat.

A single successful session of deep meditation had not only condensed a Mental Core, but also increased his Mental Power!

This Soul Whisper Meditation Method truly was extraordinary!

Within his body, that faint wisp of Witch Power flowed slowly, bringing him a tangible sense of strength.

"So this is... the source of a Wizard's power?"

Lynn spread open his palm and felt the reborn state of his body. A surge of heartfelt joy welled up within him.

He had finally taken this crucial step in this other world!

From this moment on, he was no longer an ordinary mortal with mere talent. He was a First-Class Apprentice!

[Wizard Ranks: (from low to high)]

[Apprentices: First-Class Apprentice, Second-rank Wizard Apprentice, Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice.]

[Formal Wizards: One-Ring to Third-Ring Wizards]

[Stigma Wizards: Fourth Ring to Sixth Ring Wizards]

[Truth Wizards: Seventh Ring to Ninth Ring Wizards.]

Of course, Lynn was currently only a Wizard Apprentice incapable of casting any Wizardry.

Now that he had the "gun," all he needed was to load it with "bullets" to create a powerful weapon of destruction!

With the foundation of a "source of Witch Power," he would only count as a true Wizard Apprentice after learning Wizardry in the future.

Now that his Witch Power had condensed, Lynn's heart itched to experience casting Wizardry with his own hands.

Unfortunately, he had already traded all his Magic Stones to Morris. Otherwise, he would definitely exchange for another piece of Wizardry to play with.

Should I borrow some from someone first...?

After all, this ship was filled with "favored children of heaven" from all over the world. Many came from prominent noble families and had surely brought plenty of "starting capital."

Many people had visited him before, tried to build connections with him, and hoped that he would "take good care of them" in the future.

At the time, Lynn had merely brushed them off with a few perfunctory words.

Thinking about it now, since they wanted something from him, it was not excessive to collect a "care fee," was it?

The Academy's death rate was so high. If an "accident" happened, would not those assets simply fall into the hands of their enemies?

They might as well hand them over to him for safekeeping first. Once he grew strong enough, he might even be able to protect them a little.

Of course, paying them back was another matter entirely.

Why should he repay money he had "borrowed" through his own abilities?

He had never heard of gangs returning "protection fees" after collecting them.

Having made up his mind, Lynn pushed open his door and prepared to "raise funds."