Rapid Progress

The system improved memory-based knowledge the fastest.

If he devoted himself to studying a complete book,

he only needed three days to fully absorb it.

Over the past two times, Ian had even temporarily stopped attending the High Tower's free lessons.

Partly because he feared accidents on the road, and partly because he feared running into Simon.

Every night, he took potions and meditated. Watching his proficiency steadily increase filled him with a profound sense of fulfillment.

More than half a month later, dawn had just broken.

Bang, bang...

"Ian, open the door!"

Ian had not even gotten out of bed when a heavy bout of knocking woke him.

He finally came!

Ian instantly sobered up, suppressed the irritation he had just felt at being woken, got dressed, and opened the door.

"Tell me, little brother, what's going on? It's been so many days, and you haven't answered a single letter from me, huh?"

Simon's expression was rather unpleasant. The moment he entered, he began questioning Ian.

Clearly, he wanted to seize the initiative and intimidate Ian from the start.

A panicked look appeared on Ian's face, and he shook his head repeatedly.

"Brother Simon, my family still hasn't sent me any magic stones. I was too embarrassed to come looking for you."

"Bullshit!" Simon slammed his hand down on the table and glared at Ian.

"I refuse to believe you don't even have this many magic stones on you."

Ian dodged the spit flying from Simon's mouth and patiently explained.

"You know how many magic stones I spent before. When have I ever lied to you?"

Simon froze for a moment, suddenly uncertain. But thinking it over, that was true.

Usually, whenever he gave this coward a little scare, Ian confessed everything.

Did I squeeze him too hard? Maybe Ian's family can't keep up with the magic stones anymore?

Ian had been such a fat sheep for so long. It seemed he truly had nothing left on him.

"You seriously don't even have five magic stones? You know I hate it most when people lie to me."

Simon's tone turned gloomy. He intended to use some methods and make Ian suffer a little.

"I borrowed his magic stones. What, do you have a problem with that?"

At some point, Kenna had arrived outside the door.

He held a greatsword in his hand and stared coldly at Simon.

Simon abruptly turned around, and his expression immediately darkened.

Could this sanctimonious bastard also have set his sights on Ian?

"I don't care about the matters between you two. I sold the herbs to Ian, and he still has to give me the magic stones."

Simon's eyes shifted as his tone weakened. He was extremely wary of Kenna.

"Wait a little longer. Once my family sends the magic stones, you'll be the first person I repay."

Ian was helpless as well. He could only stabilize Simon for now.

He was still too weak and did not want to immediately make Simon into a mortal enemy.

Borrowing someone else's influence could only help for a while. What truly mattered was becoming strong himself.

His strength was rapidly increasing. The more time passed, the more advantageous it would be for him.

"Hmph! At most, one month. I must get those magic stones."

Simon did not continue pressing the matter. Without even looking at the two of them, he slammed the door and left.

"Thank you, Brother Kenna. Come in and sit for a while."

Ian invited Kenna inside, but the other man shook his head.

"You need to be careful. Simon's background is somewhat complicated. It seems there may be an Advanced Apprentice behind him."

Ian's heart tightened. Advanced Wizard Apprentices were completely different from low-level and Intermediate Apprentices.

Most of them had remained at the Academy for many years. Their mastery of wizardry ran deep, and they had formed the beginnings of their own systems.

Compared to novices like them, they were genuine combat monsters.

"Thank you for the warning." Ian's tone was solemn, and he quietly felt grateful for this extremely important information.

Kenna looked somewhat embarrassed. After hesitating for a moment, he still spoke.

"I only happened to come by this time. Mainly, I wanted to buy an Awakening Potion from you."

Ian was not surprised. For low-level and Intermediate Apprentices, this was still the cheap and useful potion most commonly consumed during meditation.

"I don't have any on hand. My success rate in brewing potions is still very low. I'll deliver one to you in a few days."

Seeing Ian agree, Kenna relaxed and placed five magic stones on the table.

"If Simon comes again, you can contact me. I'll help you kill him directly. As for the payment..."

Before leaving, Kenna said something that left Ian unsettled.

This upright Knight had spent several years in the wizarding world and had changed enormously as well!

Forget that. At least I've finally seen some returning magic stones!

Ian sighed as he looked at the magic stones on the table, each the size of a quail egg and glossy black.

Then his expression turned grim. Simon's decisive departure earlier had actually made him even more uneasy.

He was not as foolish as the original owner of this body. He did not believe Simon would truly wait a month before coming back.

Ever since activating the Status Panel, he had stayed indoors and holed up at home, cultivating desperately.

He had done so to avoid trouble, yet he still could not escape it.

However, he was no longer the helpless person he had been more than half a month ago.

[Name: Ian Marcus]

[Age: 16]

[Realm: Low-level Wizard Apprentice (75%)]

[Talent: Medium Light Attribute Affinity]

[Skills: Star-Moon Lower Meditation Method: Proficient (18/400)

Wizard's Hand: Proficient (12/200)

Lesser Frost Ray: Mastery (3/400)

Awakening Potion: Beginner (51/100)

Basic Potion Identification: Proficient (160/200)]

The rapid improvement of his meditation method reassured him the most. This was the foundation.

Although he had begun developing slight drug resistance, it would not be a problem to persist until he broke through to Intermediate Apprentice.

Then there was his only offensive spell: Lesser Frost Ray.

Its proficiency had risen extremely quickly in the early stages. After reaching the Proficient stage, practicing it three or four times on average could still increase its proficiency by one point.

After more than twenty days and over a thousand casting practices,

its proficiency finally crossed beyond Proficient yesterday and entered the final stage: Mastery.

What surprised him was that the Status Panel showed its proficiency could continue increasing.

That made him pay even more attention to this spell. Its casting time had now been compressed to 0.5 seconds.

Its maximum attack range had reached twenty meters, already making it a mid-to-long-range spell.

Ian quietly left home and arrived at an empty clearing, where he steadied himself.

His hands rapidly completed the gestures, his fingers even leaving afterimages as he swiftly recited the incantation.

"Glacies!"

With a point of his arm, a dark blue streak shot forward with a whoosh.

Puff! A huge tree fifteen meters ahead, wide enough for one person to wrap their arms around, was pierced straight through.

The entire trunk rustled as thick frost instantly spread across it.

It not only dealt piercing damage, but also had a sustained freezing effect.

Another ray shot out. The nearby trunk remained intact, but a thin layer of frost covered its surface.

Ian nodded inwardly. "The power can be controlled at will. This is what a spell should be like."

The current Frost Ray was immensely powerful when unleashed at full strength, though its consumption increased accordingly.

With his current Mental Power, he could only fire five rays before it was exhausted.

That was already thanks to the substantial recent progress in his meditation method.

When he returned home at noon, he found that his food stores were running low. Ian had never stayed home for so long before; this was his first time.

He put on the High Tower's gray robe and pulled up its hood.

With some gold coins and eleven magic stones tucked away, he headed out once more.