Conscription and Mission Selection

Ian had always been puzzled by one thing.

He noticed that whether it was the Nolan brothers from before or the gloomy man from just now, most of the wizard tools they carried were of the shield variety.

Yet, as the battles showed, the protective effect of these shields was not particularly good; their only advantage was that they could be cast instantly.

He lowered his head in thought, slowly coming to an understanding.

The prerequisite for any battle was to establish one's own defense first. Even if a shield lasted for only a fleeting moment, it could still buy enough time to launch a counterattack.

"My preparations in this area are still too poor. I've been relying entirely on my strong physique to dodge. If I ever run into a tracking-type sorcery, I'll be blind!"

He did not expect all his opponents to lack instant-cast sorcery; he simply hadn't encountered it yet.

His shield sorcery was still some distance away from a limit break. Should he continue to strengthen his physique?

Ian took a Rock Bear Potion out of the incubator, thought for a moment, and then put it back.

"Forget it, I can't disrupt the plan."

It was just that the Bloodline Purification Art was improving slowly. Over the past two months, it had cost him a massive amount of magic stones to purchase the essence blood of magic beasts.

Most of the magic stones he earned were swallowed up by this sorcery.

"Please, don't let me down!"

[Bloodline Purification Art: Proficient (286/400)]

In the afternoon, news of the carriage attack reached Nightfall Town, causing another stir.

Kenna and the others arrived at Ian's residence together.

This time, their expressions were even more solemn than last night; clearly, something extremely important had happened.

"Ian, something big has happened," Kenna said in a low voice as soon as he entered.

"The High Tower has just issued a conscription order. All intermediate apprentices and above must accept the summons and participate in the war against the Crimson Court."

Ian felt a chill in his heart. "What was bound to come has finally arrived."

Robert took out a more detailed map and spread it on the table, pointing to the southern region.

"The Crimson Court is over three thousand miles away from the Shadowmoon Tower. It sounds far, but in reality, the territories controlled by the two sides share many borders, and friction is constant."

"Especially here, here, and..." Robert tapped his finger on several marked locations on the map.

"These large and medium-sized magic stone mines, important medicinal herb growth points, and the ownership of at least five disputed ruins are all focal points of contention between the two sides."

Wade took over the conversation: "There have been constant conflicts for decades, even centuries. It seems they are getting serious this time."

Monica added in a low voice: "The Crimson Court is a typical black wizard organization. They act with bloody cruelty. In the areas they control, mortal kingdoms live in extreme misery, treated like cattle and sheep to be sacrificed at will."

Kenna nodded. "While our Shadowmoon Tower can't be called benevolent, we do forbid the large-scale blood sacrifice of civilians. In terms of philosophy, we are like fire and water."

Ian listened silently, gaining a deeper understanding of the background of this war.

This was not just a struggle for resources; it was a collision of order and chaos, the philosophies of white wizards and black wizards.

"After the conscription order was issued, the High Tower released a large number of missions."

Kenna took out a piece of parchment, which was densely packed with various tasks and their corresponding contribution points.

"Take a look. There are mainly a few categories of missions suitable for us intermediate apprentices."

Ian took the parchment and carefully examined it item by item:

Rear Support:

1. Mass-produce designated war potions—Mission requirements: A stable daily output of at least thirty Lesser Healing Potions or twenty Basic Antidote Potions. Contribution points are settled for every ten potions.

The mission description emphasizes that a minimum pass rate of sixty percent must be guaranteed. If the quota is not met for three consecutive days, contribution points will be deducted and the apprentice will be transferred from their post.

2. Maintain underground water filtration runes: Travel to several large water sources controlled by the High Tower to inspect and repair large Purification Rune Arrays.

Mission hint: Exposure to trace amounts of magic power radiation is possible. It is recommended that apprentices who have mastered protective runes or runemasters take this mission...

3. Forge standard wizard tool components: Go to the logistics workshop and, following fixed blueprints, batch-engrave low-level Sharpness Runes or Fortification Runes...

Garrison and Patrol:

1. Guard the No. 7 Magic Stone Mine. This mining site is located on the edge of the controlled zone, and a fixed outpost has been established.

Mission requirements: A team of at least three intermediate apprentices must conduct daily patrols of the mining area to prevent small-scale infiltration...

2. Guard the southeast granary of Redwood Town: Ensure food security during wartime...

3. Patrol the Ashen Path...

Frontline Support:

1. Pharmacist assistant at the Falling Star Plains frontline camp: Travel to the area where the latest battle has broken out to assist the camp's formal wizards in processing medicinal herbs...

Mission hint: This area is in a state of level-one combat readiness and is occasionally affected by area-of-effect sorcery. The contribution points are high...

2. War Zone Logistics Supply Courier: Follow the armed transport team to deliver potions, magic stones, and other vital supplies to the front lines.

Task Hint: Apprentices must possess a certain level of self-preservation or...

Combat Reconnaissance Type: 1. Reconnoiter enemy activity in the "Bloodvine Swamp," an area suspected of housing a stronghold established by the Crimson Court...

Ian's gaze lingered for a long time on the task of "Mass-producing War Potions."

He had brewed these potions at the Starleaf Apothecary before, though only in small quantities, and his proficiency was merely at the entry level.

However, with the characteristics of his Status Panel, completing these tasks would be effortless. His speed would far exceed that of an average apprentice, allowing him to earn a massive amount of Contribution Points.

The High Tower had explicit regulations: Contribution Points could not be transferred. They could be exchanged for magic stones at the Military Supply Department at a one-to-one ratio, but magic stones could not be used to purchase Contribution Points.

Most importantly, they could be exchanged for various high-level knowledge, advanced magic potions, advanced medicinal agents, and formulas.

Ian noticed that several items he had been longing for were prominently listed, and his eyes lit up.

"The Concentration Potion formula, the Star-Moon Intermediate Meditation Method, the core of a Silent Jellyfish..."

These rare treasures, usually impossible to find, had all been brought out by the Shadowmoon Tower this time!

But...

He quickly calmed down.

The tree that stands above the forest will be destroyed by the wind! He lowered his gaze and silently looked away.

An Intermediate Apprentice displaying potion-brewing efficiency and quality far beyond the norm—

In peacetime, he might be considered a genius, but in wartime, he could become a "valuable resource that must be tightly controlled and squeezed for all it is worth!"

It might even attract the special attention and assassination attempts of the Crimson Court.

He could not bear either of those consequences!

"I cannot choose this." Ian decisively rejected the task that suited him best.

If he were to take it and intentionally control the success rate of the potions, it would be meaningless—a pure waste of time.

He did not know how long this war would last, but he knew he had to become strong quickly!

Ian's gaze swept over the other tasks again.

Pure patrol missions or guarding existing strongholds offered too little contribution and slow growth; he abandoned them.

Combat and reconnaissance types... he did not want to actively seek death just yet; he abandoned them.

Finally, his gaze landed on "Frontline Logistics Camp Garrison and Potion Brewing Support."

This type of task required traveling to a war zone logistics point. While assuming certain camp defense duties, one would use local equipment and resources to brew urgently needed potions for the front lines.

The Contribution Points were higher than simple potion brewing and lower than pure combat missions, but they fell within a reasonable range.

More importantly, it provided access to the frontline military supply exchange system.

There were surely sorceries and resources there that were not available in the rear, better suited for the battlefield, while remaining on the front lines without being on the absolute front.

Although there was danger and pressure, it remained within a controllable range, avoiding the immediate threat of large-scale combat.

"I choose this!"