"I choose this kind of mission!"
Ian pointed at the mission board and said to Kenna, "Going to the Frontline Logistics Department would let us make use of our potion-making skills without being too dangerous."
Kenna and the others were somewhat surprised. They had thought Ian would choose the safest rear-area potion-brewing mission.
"Ian, it's dangerous there. We could be attacked at any time," Robert reminded him.
"I know." Ian nodded. "But where is safe? Once war begins, does that mean the rear will definitely be safe?"
A Crimson Court infiltration squad had attacked nearby just today!
"Besides, I need Contribution Points. I need to grow stronger quickly."
Ian paused and looked at the four of them. "What about you? What are your plans?"
Kenna gave a bitter smile. "People like us, without any special skills, will most likely be assigned to patrol teams or stationed at some resource point. But..."
He looked at Ian, hope shining in his eyes. "If we can become stronger, perhaps we can fight for better missions. Or... our chances of surviving might be greater."
The once-upright knight no longer had the stubbornness he had possessed at the beginning.
With a great battle looming, as long as there was a chance to improve their odds of survival, they could cast aside a little pride.
Ian understood what he meant. He turned and walked into the room, took out the exquisite wooden box he had bought from Alivia, and opened it.
Four vials of potion, dark as ink and seemingly capable of absorbing light, appeared before them.
"Tranquil Water, a Neutralizing Potion." Ian pushed the wooden box to the center of the table.
"One vial costs 300 magic stones on the market. I have four here."
Kenna and the others' breathing instantly grew heavy, their eyes fixed firmly on the four vials.
After receiving the Rock Bear Potions yesterday, their greatest concern, aside from their excitement, had been the expensive Neutralizing Potions.
Three hundred magic stones! To them, that was still an astronomical sum.
"Ian, this..." Kenna's voice was slightly hoarse.
Ian understood their predicament. The Advanced Apprentice he had killed earlier had only had 300 magic stones left on him.
"I can lend them to you first," Ian said calmly.
"But you'll need to repay the magic stones gradually with mission rewards during the coming war. Of course, if you think the burden is too heavy, you can choose not to take the potions for now."
"Borrow them! We'll borrow them!"
Wade practically roared it out, while Robert and Monica nodded desperately.
With war approaching, every bit of increased strength meant a greater chance of survival.
Debt? Only the living were qualified to repay debts!
Kenna took a deep breath and nodded heavily. "Ian, we'll remember this favor. We will definitely repay the magic stones!"
"Good." Ian handed each of them a vial of Tranquil Water.
"Take them here, right now."
The four of them did not hesitate and each drank a vial of Tranquil Water.
Half an hour later, the potion took effect. A deep, tranquil aura enveloped them, soothing the agitation in their hearts.
Then, they took out the enhanced Rock Bear Potions Ian had given them and threw their heads back to drink.
"Urgh..."
Low, muffled groans echoed through the room.
Kenna's muscles bulged, veins standing out across his body. His already tall frame seemed to swell by another size.
Faint rock-like patterns flickered beneath his skin. He clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking like popping beans, his eyes gleaming as his aura became more than twice as powerful as before!
Wade's change was the most obvious. Already brawny, his body expanded again, and the leather armor on him burst apart layer by layer.
The veins on his bare arms coiled like horned dragons, brimming with explosive strength.
Robert's changes were comparatively restrained, but his gaze grew sharper, and faint heat rose around his body.
It was a sign of resonance between the fire-element Magic Power he specialized in and his strengthened physique.
He felt that his control over flames had become slightly smoother as well.
Monica's change was the gentlest, but her formerly pale complexion turned rosy, her breathing became long and steady, and her Life Energy clearly grew much more vigorous.
To her delight, she discovered that when she used healing Witchcraft-like Abilities, the consumption seemed to have decreased while the effects had improved.
"This feels amazing!" Wade excitedly swung his arm.
"I feel like I could kill a Rock-armored Demon Bear with one punch now!"
Kenna carefully felt the surging power within his body, then solemnly bowed to Ian.
"Ian, thank you. From now on, if you ever need us for anything, just say the word!"
Robert and Monica also solemnly thanked him, their eyes filled with gratitude and closeness.
Previously, their relationship with Ian had been one of cooperation, with more or less some consideration of mutual benefit.
But now, Ian had lent them two such precious potions. That trust and generosity had completely won their hearts.
Ian helped Kenna up and smiled. "We're partners to begin with. It's only right that we support one another.
Next, get familiar with your newfound strength as soon as possible. Then gather some information and see whether there are any missions suitable for us to take together."
"Alright!" the four answered in unison. "We're looking forward to fighting by your side as well."
They now regarded Ian as the new leader of their team.
After seeing Kenna and the others off, Ian stood alone by the window, looking at the gloomy sky.
Shadowmoon Tower required everyone to go to the Academy and accept a mission within three days, then gather in the mission area before heading to their assigned location.
The wheels of war had already begun to rumble forward. No one could remain uninvolved.
But he was no longer the Intermediate Apprentice who had hidden in the Magic Potion Shop to take refuge two months ago.
Limit Break Witchcraft-like Abilities, a powerful physique, growing companions.
And... the frontline he was about to enter, where danger and opportunity coexisted.
"Crimson Court..." Ian murmured the name.
There was not the slightest fear in his eyes, only calm calculation and a faint trace of anticipation.
He quietly began packing his things, sorting and putting away the potions one bottle at a time.
Finally, when he saw the stack of letters from home beside his bed, he wrote a letter to report that he was safe and inform his family that he needed to go out soon, telling them there was no need to reply.
By evening, he looked at the somewhat familiar yet empty room, his mind calm.
I wonder whether Malena can avoid this war.
After class yesterday, he had vaguely expressed his desire to visit Malena, only to be refused by Alivia.
Still, in merely two months, it would be difficult for Malena's Mental Power to reach full refinement.
Forget it. That was something Mentor Alivia needed to consider.
Mentor? Heh heh! Ian suddenly remembered something, the corner of his lips curling upward.
Alivia had never acknowledged taking him as her student, whether in private or in public.
But since Alivia herself never stopped him from calling her that, perhaps... maybe she tacitly accepted it too?
Ian stepped outside, intending to make one final farewell to Clayton and the others.
"What?" Ian had barely reached the front hall when Clayton's news stunned him.
Alivia's most prized student, Aislin Moonshadow, had successfully broken through and become a Formal Wizard!
A faint unease rose within him. Malena and Aislin don't get along very well!
Would this put pressure on Malena?
It might even affect her condition during her breakthrough...
Before you continue