Weak Soul Shock

Seeing Lynn make such an outrageous demand when they could not scrape together nine Magic Stones, Russell decided to tear off all pretenses.

"Lynn, calling you sir is already giving you face. Isn't your appetite a little too big? As far as I know... you've made quite a haul on this ship."

"You think talent lets you do whatever you want? Do everyone else's Magic Stones just blow in on the wind? You alone took so many. You might be living comfortably, but the rest of us will have a hard time from now on."

"I already gave you Magic Stones before. Now you open your mouth and demand another nine from us. You're clearly trying to squeeze every last drop out of us!"

"Think about it, everyone. There are so many of us. Are we really going to let him bleed us dry all by himself? If we join together, what the hell do we have to fear from him?"

"Come with me and take back our Magic Stones! Don't give Lynn another chance to throw his weight around! As long as we stand together, the wizard masters won't be able to do anything to us!"

It had to be said that Russell had a bit of cunning.

He knew that just the few of them could not contend against Lynn, who had won the wizards' favor, so he wanted to seize on Lynn's "extortion" and unite everyone against him.

Unfortunately... the idea was good, but it was somewhat wishful thinking.

After Russell's impassioned speech, aside from the enthusiastic response from those around him, the other apprentices merely watched coldly.

To them, Lynn's "extortion" was certainly detestable, but Russell and his group were even more disgusting.

Let the dogs tear each other apart.

After Russell finished speaking, no one responded for quite a while, and his expression turned extremely ugly.

But with so many people present, he could not bring himself to lower his head and apologize or beg for mercy.

Of course, begging would have been useless anyway.

Lynn wanted everyone to see that their "protection fees" had been well spent!

A cold glint flashed in Lynn's eyes as he locked onto Russell. His Mental Power instantly activated the model inscribed within his Mental Core—Weak Soul Impact!

An invisible, intangible soul ripple carrying icy penetrating force instantly crossed the distance between them and slammed viciously into Russell's Sea of Consciousness!

"Argh!"

Russell felt as if his head had been violently struck by a Dayun. Excruciating pain came crashing down along with intense dizziness.

He let out a miserable cry, staggered backward while clutching his head, and toppled to the ground.

"Holy shit! Instant casting without an incantation!"

"What Wizardry was that? I didn't see a damn thing!"

"Could it be the legendary Kingly Overlord Aura?"

"As expected of a genius with transcendent talent! He only needed one look to glare that bastard to death!"

Everyone was stunned by the sudden scene. They had not seen Lynn make any move at all!

Wait, were First-Class Apprentices really this powerful? Killing people without leaving a trace?

Meanwhile, the well-informed children of great noble houses felt a chill in their hearts.

Though they had not yet cultivated a Meditation Method or learned Wizardry, each of them had more or less two Wizard Artifacts capable of casting level-zero cantrips.

Using a Wizard Artifact did not consume one's own Witch Power. Instead, it relied on the artifact itself to absorb energy particles from heaven and earth.

Yet its activation still required brief syllabic incantations and hand gestures, as well as more than two seconds of preparation.

But the apprentices had seen clearly that Lynn had not shown any sign of casting Wizardry, yet that invisible spell had undeniably taken effect on Russell.

Instant-cast Wizardry with no incantation and no gestures?

They were all apprentices, so why was he so absurdly powerful?!

Ignoring the surrounding shock and uproar, Lynn turned his gaze toward Lillian and Eileen.

"Who put their hands on you?"

Lillian and Eileen both pointed at the tall, skinny man.

Lynn's icy gaze fixed firmly upon the tall, skinny man.

The tall, skinny man trembled under his stare, then shouted with false bravado, "Y-you... what do you want?!"

"Say goodnight to this beautiful world, bastard!"

This time, Lynn did not hold back. He fully mobilized his Witch Power and unleashed Weak Soul Impact.

"Aah—"

The tall, skinny man felt as though an ice awl had pierced his brain, churning it into a pulpy mess.

A moment later, a freshly made "idiot" appeared before everyone.

His Sea of Consciousness had been completely shredded by Lynn, making him a true "soulless" man.

As expected, Wizard Apprentices completely crushed ordinary people, even if he himself was merely a newly advanced "rookie."

Lynn's gaze swept across the other Blackwater City apprentices.

Seeing Russell groaning on the ground and the tall, skinny man capable only of babbling "ah-ba ah-ba," they backed away again and again in terror. None retained even a trace of their earlier arrogance.

Lynn did not spare them. Five Weak Soul Impacts flew out in succession, piercing their consciousness and making them clutch their heads and howl in pain like Russell.

Their Seas of Consciousness had been damaged. If they were not repaired, they would likely never again be able to condense "mental will" and become Wizard Apprentices.

In a Dark Wizard Academy, who would be generous enough to spend resources repairing their Seas of Consciousness?

Their final fate would probably be to become "materials."

A deathly silence fell over the deck.

All the watching apprentices looked at Lynn with fear and reverence.

Without even seeing him make a move, he had instantly defeated seven Wizard Apprentices.

How many days had it been?! Was this the terror of transcendent talent?!

This man must never be provoked!

After the battle, Lynn ignored Lillian and the others' thanks. Under countless complicated gazes, he calmly returned to his cabin to continue his seclusion.

However, not long after he returned, knocks began ringing out one after another.

Lynn's heart stirred. He knew his recent "performance" had worked. Kindhearted people had surely come to "give" him Magic Stones.

Sure enough, after he opened the door, the apprentices who had previously been "short on funds" came to visit one after another, each bearing "sincerity."

"Big Brother Lynn! This is a small token of my respect. Please accept it!"

"Classmate Lynn, I was short on funds before, but things are a little better now. Please take these Magic Stones and use them!"

"Lord Lynn, once we reach the Academy, please look after me!"

This time, Lynn did not even need to open his mouth to "borrow." They voluntarily offered up Magic Stones as "protection fees."

Lynn remained as gentle as ever, accepting them all with a smile and updating the list and their "contribution levels" in his little notebook.

After counting them up, he had unexpectedly gathered another fifty-eight Magic Stones!

Added to the remaining twelve from before, his total assets had reached seventy Magic Stones!

With his purse full, Lynn did not hesitate. He sought out Instructor Morris again and exchanged for the Witchcraft Models of Bone Hand and Bone Armor.

The two spells cost sixty Magic Stones, leaving ten. They could not be exchanged for much, so he temporarily kept them as reserve funds.

Bone Armor was a practical defensive spell. When cast, it summoned bone armor to protect the caster.

Back in his cabin, Lynn pressed the two newly obtained bone fragments against his forehead.

[Detected Witchcraft Model [Bone Hand]. Beginning Record...]

[Detected Witchcraft Model [Bone Armor]. Beginning Record...]

[Current Analysis List (3/3): Soul Whisper Meditation Method (Analysis Progress 30%), [Bone Hand] (Analysis Progress 0%), [Bone Armor] (Analysis Progress 0%)]