Strengthening the Team

"I choose this kind of mission!"

Ian pointed at the mission board and said to Kenna, "Going to the Frontline Logistics Department lets me make use of my potion-making expertise without being overly 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. You could be attacked at any time," Robert reminded him.

"I know." Ian nodded. "But where isn't dangerous? Once war begins, does that mean the rear is guaranteed to be safe?"

A Crimson Court infiltration squad had attacked nearby just today!

"I also 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 squads or stationed at some resource point, but..."

He looked at Ian, hope in his eyes. "If we can become stronger, perhaps we can fight for better missions, or... have a better chance of surviving."

The once-upright Knight no longer had his initial stubbornness in his eyes.

With a great war looming, as long as there was a chance to improve their odds of survival, they could cast aside a little dignity.

Ian understood what he meant. He turned and entered the house, taking out the exquisite wooden box he had bought from Alivia and opening it.

Four potions, dark as ink as though they could absorb light itself, 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 potions.

After receiving the Rock Bear Potion yesterday, their greatest concern amid their excitement had been the costly Neutralizing Potion.

Three hundred magic stones! To them, it was still an astronomical sum.

"Ian, this..." Kenna's voice was somewhat hoarse.

Ian understood their predicament. The Advanced Apprentice he had killed earlier had possessed only 300 magic stones in spare funds.

"I can lend them to you for now," Ian said calmly.

"But you'll need to repay the magic stones gradually with mission rewards from the coming war. Of course, if you feel the burden is too great, 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 vigorously as well.

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 kindness. We'll definitely repay the magic stones!"

"Good." Ian handed the four vials of Tranquil Water to them one by one.

"Take them here, now."

The four 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 restlessness in their hearts.

Then they took out the potent versions of the Rock Bear Potion Ian had given them and tipped them back.

"Urgh..."

Low, muffled groans rang out in the room.

Kenna's muscles bulged all over his body, veins standing out. His already tall frame seemed to swell another size.

Faint rocky patterns flickered beneath his skin. He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles crackling like popping beans. His eyes shone brightly, and his aura was more than twice as powerful as before!

Wade's transformation was the most obvious. He had already been powerfully built, but now his body expanded further, tearing apart his leather armor layer by layer.

The veins on his bare arms coiled like dragons, brimming with explosive power.

Robert's changes were comparatively restrained, but his gaze became sharper, and faint heat rose around him.

It was a sign that the fire-element magic power he specialized in was resonating with his strengthened physique.

He felt that his control over flames had become slightly smoother.

Monica's transformation was the gentlest, but her originally pale complexion turned rosy. Her breath became long and steady, and her Life Energy was clearly far more vigorous.

To her delight, she discovered that when casting healing witchcraft, her consumption seemed to have decreased while its effects had improved.

"This feels amazing!" Wade said excitedly, swinging his arms.

"I feel like I could kill a Rock-armored Demon Bear with a single punch now!"

Kenna carefully sensed the surging power within him, then solemnly bowed to Ian.

"Ian, thank you. From now on, if there's ever anything you need, just say the word!"

Robert and Monica also offered their solemn thanks, their eyes full of gratitude and warmth.

Before this, their relationship with Ian had been one of cooperation, with a degree of self-interest involved.

But now, Ian had lent them two such precious potions. That trust and generosity completely won their hearts.

Ian helped Kenna up and smiled. "We're partners already. Supporting each other is only natural.

"Next, get familiar with your newfound strength as quickly as possible. Then ask around and see if there are any missions suitable for us to take together."

"Alright!" the four answered in unison. "We're looking forward to fighting alongside you too."

By now, they had already begun to regard Ian as their new team leader.

After seeing Kenna and the others off, Ian stood alone by the window, looking at the gloomy sky.

Shadowmoon Tower stipulated that they had to go to the Academy and accept a mission within three days. After gathering in the mission area, they would head to their assigned locations.

The wheels of war had already begun to rumble forward. No one could remain uninvolved.

But he was no longer the Intermediate Apprentice from two months ago, hiding in the Magic Potion Shop for refuge.

Limit Break witchcraft, a powerful physique, growing companions.

And... the front line he was about to set foot on, where danger and opportunity coexisted.

"Crimson Court..." Ian murmured the name under his breath.

There was not the slightest fear in his eyes, only calm calculations and a faint hint of anticipation.

He quietly began packing his things, sorting and storing the bottles of potion one by one.

Finally, when he saw the stack of letters from home at his bedside, he wrote a letter to report that he was safe and inform them that he would be leaving soon. There was no need for a reply.

By evening, he looked around 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 wish to visit Malena, but Alivia had refused.

Still, in just two short months, it would be difficult for Malena's spiritual power to reach full refinement.

Forget it. This was something Mentor Alivia needed to consider.

"Mentor? Heh heh!" Ian suddenly remembered something, and the corner of his mouth curled upward.

Alivia had never acknowledged taking him as her student, either in private or in public.

"But since Alivia herself hasn't stopped him from calling her that, then perhaps... maybe she tacitly accepts it too?"

Ian stepped outside, intending to make one final farewell to Clayton and the others.

"What?" The moment Ian reached the front hall, 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 in his heart. "Malena and Aislin don't exactly have a good relationship!"

Would this put pressure on Malena?

It might even affect her condition during her breakthrough...