Ian had always had a question.
He had noticed that most of the Wizard Tools carried by the Nolan brothers before, as well as the gloomy man just now, were shield-type.
But the battle had shown that shields weren't very effective at protecting their users. Their only advantage was that they could be activated immediately.
He lowered his head in thought and gradually understood.
The prerequisite for any battle was to make sure you were defended. Even if a shield lasted only a very short time, it could still leave you an opening to counterattack.
"I'm still far too unprepared in this regard. I've been relying entirely on my strong physique to dodge. If I run into tracking sorcery, I'll be completely helpless!"
He didn't expect every opponent to lack Instant-Cast Sorcery. He just hadn't encountered one yet.
He was still some distance from breaking through with shield sorcery. Should he keep strengthening his physique?
Ian took a Rock Bear Potion from the Thermostat Box, thought for a moment, then put it back.
"Forget it. I can't throw off my plan."
It was just that his progress with the Bloodline Purification Art was slow. Over the past two months, he had spent a great deal of magic stones buying the Essence Blood of Magic Beasts.
Most of the magic stones he earned had been swallowed up by this sorcery.
"Don't let me down!"
[Bloodline Purification Art: Proficient (286/400)]
That afternoon, news of the carriage attack reached Nightfall Town, causing another stir.
Kenna and the others also came together to Ian's residence.
Their expressions were even more solemn than the night before. Clearly, something extremely important had happened.
"Ian, something big has happened," Kenna said gravely as soon as he entered.
"The High Tower has just issued a conscription order. All apprentices of Intermediate rank and above must accept the assignment and take part in the war against the Crimson Court."
Ian's heart tightened. What was coming had finally arrived.
Robert took out a more detailed map and spread it across the table, pointing to the southern region.
"The Crimson Court is more than three thousand miles from Shadowmoon Tower. That sounds far, but in fact, the territories controlled by the two sides share many borders, and clashes are constant."
"Especially here, here, and..." Robert pointed to several marked locations on the map.
"These are several medium and large magic stone mines, important medicinal herb growth sites, and at least five disputed ruins. They're all points of contention between the two sides."
Wade picked up where he left off. "There have been constant conflicts for decades, even centuries. Looks like this time they're serious."
Monica added softly, "The Crimson Court is a typical Black Wizard organization. They act with bloodthirsty cruelty. The mortal kingdoms under their control suffer terribly. They're treated like cattle and sheep, sacrificed in blood at will."
Kenna nodded. "Shadowmoon Tower may not be very benevolent, but we do prohibit large-scale blood sacrifices of civilians. Our ideals are completely at odds."
Ian listened in silence, gaining a deeper understanding of the war's background.
This wasn't merely a struggle over resources, but a clash between order and chaos, between the ideals of White Wizards and Black Wizards.
"After issuing the conscription order, the High Tower posted a large number of tasks."
Kenna took out a sheet of parchment covered in a long list of tasks and their corresponding Contribution Points.
"Take a look. The tasks suitable for us Intermediate Apprentices mainly fall into a few categories."
Ian took the parchment and examined each entry carefully:
Rear Support:
1. Mass production of specified war potions—Requirements: Consistently produce at least thirty Lesser Healing Potions or twenty Basic Antidote Potions per day. Contribution Points are awarded for every ten potions.
The task notice stressed that the minimum acceptable success rate was sixty percent. If the standard wasn't met for three consecutive days, Contribution Points would be deducted and the apprentice reassigned.
2. Maintain underground water filtration runes: Travel to several large water sources controlled by the High Tower and inspect and repair the large Purification Rune Arrays.
Task note: May encounter trace levels of Magic Power radiation. Apprentices skilled in defensive runes or Rune Masters are advised to apply...
3. Forge standard Wizard Tool components: Travel to a logistics workshop and mass-engrave low-grade Sharpness Runes or Fortification Runes according to fixed blueprints...
Garrison and Patrol:
1. Guard the No. 7 Magic Stone Mine, located on the edge of the controlled region, where a permanent outpost has been established.
Requirements: At least three Intermediate Apprentices must form a team and patrol the mining area daily to prevent small-scale infiltrations...
2. Guard the granary southeast of Redwood Town: Ensure the safety of wartime food supplies...
3. Patrol the Ashen Path...
Frontline Support:
1. Assistant potion-maker at the Falling Star Plains frontline camp: Travel to the latest outbreak zone and assist the Formal Wizards at the camp with processing medicinal ingredients...
Task note: The area is at Level One readiness. Sorcery occasionally strikes the area, but the Contribution Points are high...
2. Frontline logistics supply courier: Accompany an armed transport team and deliver important supplies, such as potions and magic stones, to the front lines.
Task note: Apprentices must be capable of defending themselves to some degree or...
Combat and Reconnaissance: 1. Scout the enemy situation in "Bloodvine Swamp," where the Crimson Court is suspected of having established a stronghold...
Ian's gaze lingered on the task to "mass-produce war potions."
He had made these potions at the Starleaf Apothecary, but only in small quantities, and his proficiency was still at the beginner level.
However, with the characteristics of his Status Panel, completing these tasks would be easy. He could work far faster than ordinary apprentices and earn a large number of Contribution Points.
The High Tower had clearly stated that Contribution Points couldn't be transferred. They could be exchanged for magic stones at the Military Supply Department at a one-to-one rate, but magic stones couldn't be used to buy Contribution Points.
Most importantly, they could be exchanged for all kinds of advanced knowledge, high-grade potions, advanced potion formulas, and more.
Ian noticed that several things he had long been yearning for were listed. His eyes lit up.
"The Concentration Potion formula, the Star-Moon Intermediate Meditation Method, the Silent Jellyfish's condensed core..."
The Shadowmoon Tower had brought out all sorts of treasures that were usually hard to find!
But...
He quickly calmed down.
The tallest tree catches the wind. His gaze lowered, and he silently looked away.
An Intermediate Apprentice who displayed potion-making efficiency and quality far beyond the norm.
In peacetime, he might be considered a genius. But during wartime, he could become "a valuable resource that must be kept under tight control and exploited without limit!"
He might even draw the Crimson Court's attention and become the target of an assassination.
He couldn't afford either outcome!
"I can't choose that." Ian firmly rejected the task that suited him best.
If he accepted it and deliberately kept his potion success rate down, that would be pointless too—a pure waste of time.
He didn't know how long the war would last, but he knew he had to grow stronger quickly!
Ian turned his attention to the other tasks.
Pure patrol tasks or guarding existing strongholds offered too few Contribution Points and too little opportunity for growth. He ruled them out.
Combat and reconnaissance... He didn't want to go looking for death just yet. He ruled them out.
Finally, his gaze settled on "Garrison at a Frontline Logistics Camp and Provide Potion-Making Support."
This type of task required apprentices to travel to a logistics point in the war zone, take on some camp-defense duties, and use the local equipment and resources to make urgently needed potions for the front lines.
It offered more Contribution Points than potion-making alone, but fewer than a pure combat task—a reasonable balance.
More importantly, he would have access to the frontline military supply exchange system.
It was bound to offer sorcery and resources unavailable in the rear, better suited to the battlefield. He would be near the front lines, but not at the very front.
There would be danger and pressure, but they'd be manageable. He wouldn't immediately face large-scale combat.
"I'll take this one!"
Before you continue