Time slipped by amid busy, fulfilling research.
In the blink of an eye, more than three months had passed since Luo Lin passed the assessment.
Winter had long since ended, and the Karugusha Highlands had entered its brief, dry spring.
Yet the atmosphere within the Shadow Crow Holy Tower Arcane Academy had not softened because of it. Competition remained everywhere.
Luo Lin's life had settled into a new, more intensive rhythm.
Like a greedy sponge, he frantically absorbed all the knowledge accessible through a Third-Rank Apprentice's privileges.
The library's third-rank section became the place where he spent the most time.
He no longer confined himself to any single category of books, instead reading widely.
Basic Formation Analysis taught him how to use specific materials and spiritual-force guidance to draw permanent or temporary formations with various effects.
From simple warning formations to small-scale elemental gathering formations.
<One Hundred Exercises in Fine Spiritual Force Control> offered many techniques for tempering spiritual force. Though tedious, after persistent practice, his control over it had indeed become much more natural.
<Illustrated Guide to Common Extraordinary Creatures of the Alvado Continent (Apprentice Edition)> broadened his horizons and gave him a preliminary understanding of the world beyond the academy.
Through frequent use, the proficiency of the [Literacy] spell steadily rose to Beginner 65%, significantly improving both his speed and accuracy in deciphering unfamiliar writing.
This made it much easier for him to read books mixed with annotations in ancient languages, Elvish, and even a small amount of Draconic.
In terms of potion studies, the Basic Potion Material Energy Atlas materials opened by Wizard Eric had opened the door to a new world for him.
He no longer merely knew that Moonlight Moss had cold, yin-aligned properties. Through the atlas, he could "see" that its internal energy structure leaned toward tranquility and soothing effects.
He also came to understand that the faint mental stimulation of Shadow Fungus originated from several unstable nodes in its energy structure, nodes that could easily trigger spiritual-force resonance.
Luo Lin began attempting deeper potion experiments.
Rather than merely improving known formulas, he tried combining several mild low-grade materials based on the compatibility of their energy atlases, attempting to create a new potion that could slightly improve concentration.
The failure rate was extremely high. Out of more than a dozen attempts, only one or two might produce a faint effect, and even those were highly unstable.
But he never tired of it, treating every failure as a process of accumulating data and eliminating incorrect possibilities.
His assistant work in the laboratory also allowed him access to more strange and unusual materials, enriching his "material stockpile."
His contribution point income and expenditure remained high.
He earned around 700 contribution points steadily each week, but the costs of advanced meditation rooms, incense, body-tempering potions, and knowledge were equally enormous.
His total contribution points fluctuated between 4,500 and 5,500, like a pool of living water constantly flowing in and out.
The changes in the data on his panel had clearly slowed compared to before:
[Subject: Luo Lin] [Attributes: Spirit: 3.9 Mana: 39/39 Constitution: 1.7] [Spells: Mage Hand (Proficient 99%), Acid Spray (Beginner 75%), Weak Force-Field Armor (Proficient 50%), Literacy (Beginner 65%)] [Knowledge Mastered: Basic Meditation Method (Mastery 98%) Basic Rune Identification (Beginner 58%) Basic Magical Botany (62%) Basic Potion Material Processing (Professional 25%) Analysis of Common Cantrip Model Structures (Proficient 55%) Elemental Particle Contact Configuration Theory (Beginner 12%) Basic Formation Analysis (Beginner 5%)]
Among them, [Basic Meditation Method] in particular had been stuck at Mastery 98% for nearly two weeks, always just one final step away from the perfect level.
Luo Lin could sense that this was not merely a matter of understanding the meditation method itself. It also involved a deeper awareness and control of his own Mental Sea, something that could not be rushed.
His mana also continued to grow in tandem with the slow increase in his spiritual force, maintaining a ratio of one to ten.
That afternoon, after Luo Lin completed a batch of Crystal-Silk Worm mucus extraction in the laboratory, he did not leave immediately.
He had recently developed a strong interest in combining energy atlases with material processing, and was trying to optimize the formula for a [Decontamination Potion] commonly used to clean experimental vessels.
He hoped to improve its cleaning efficiency, or give it additional properties, such as a faint disinfecting effect.
This was not particularly profound research. It was more like practice and the pleasure of testing his ideas.
As he carefully mixed several base solvents according to the proportions he had devised, he suddenly heard a slightly teasing voice from beside him.
"Hey, our busy Luo Lin. Since when have you cared so much about washing bottles?"
Luo Lin looked up and saw Luna Sharp standing beside his workbench at some unknown point.
She was not wearing the gray apprentice robe today. Instead, she wore dark leather armor suited for movement, with two short blades hanging at her waist, giving her a neat and capable appearance.
"Senior Lina."
Luo Lin nodded in greeting.
After several chance meetings and brief exchanges in public areas, the two could be considered acquainted.
Lina seemed somewhat curious about his rapid rise and solitary habits, and occasionally came over to speak with him like this.
"Just call me Lina."
She waved a hand, then leaned closer with curiosity to inspect the oddly colored mixture Luo Lin was preparing.
"What are you making? A new poison?"
"I'm trying to improve the [Decontamination Potion]."
Luo Lin answered calmly, his hands never stopping as he precisely added another extract.
"Improving the [Decontamination Potion]?"
Lina froze for a moment, then could not help bursting into laughter, her eyes curving into crescents.
"You really are... interesting."
"Everyone else is desperately researching offensive spells or potions to improve spiritual force, while you're here figuring out how to wash bottles more cleanly?"
Luo Lin ignored her teasing and said seriously, "The basics are important."
"And understanding the principles behind these basic material reactions helps with understanding more complex potions."
Lina put away her smile and nodded thoughtfully.
"That's true. No wonder Wizard Eric values you so highly."
She paused, then changed the subject.
"By the way, there's a small apprentice trading fair over at Gray Marsh at the beginning of next month. I hear that some good things from outside occasionally turn up there. Want to go take a look together?"
"If you keep burying your head in research alone, you'll turn into an idiot."
Gray Marsh was an unofficial trading district within the academy, tolerated by the administration. It was rather remote and filled with all sorts of people, but sometimes one could indeed find things unavailable in the mission hall or legitimate shops.
Luo Lin considered it.
He had always avoided excessive socializing, but he felt that exposure to outside information was also necessary.
Besides, he wanted to see whether he could find any rare materials with unusual energy atlases.
"Sure. What time and where?"
he asked.
"I'll let you know when the time comes."
Lina seemed quite happy that he agreed.
"Don't worry, we're just going to look around. We won't cause trouble."
After saying that, she winked at Luo Lin and left the laboratory like a gust of wind.
Luo Lin shook his head and continued focusing on the potion in his hands.
This improvement seemed to be having some effect. The color of the mixture gradually stabilized, releasing a faint, fresh scent similar to mint rather than the previous harsh chemical smell.
A few days later, Luo Lin encountered Kyle Silverglow again in the advanced meditation room.
This time, Kyle rarely took the initiative to speak.
"Luo Lin?"
There was a trace of condescending scrutiny in his voice.
"Senior Kyle."
Luo Lin responded calmly.
"I heard you've been getting pretty close to someone from the Sharp family lately?"
Kyle's tone was mild, but the implication behind his words was anything but simple.
Luo Lin frowned slightly. "Just ordinary conversation."
"It's best if that's all it is."
Kyle said faintly.
"Some people are beyond your reach."
"Focus on improving your strength. That is the proper path. Don't waste your thoughts on crooked schemes."
After saying that, he ignored Luo Lin and closed his eyes, entering meditation.
Luo Lin watched his back and understood.
It seemed Lina had some background, and Kyle appeared to be warning him not to entertain improper thoughts—or perhaps showing off his own status.
He had no interest in getting involved in the class and factional disputes among apprentices, but trouble always seemed to find its way to him.
He did not take Kyle's words to heart and continued his meditation.
However, things seemed especially unfavorable today. His Mental Sea could never reach its optimal state of tranquility, and the membrane leading to perfection remained stubbornly unyielding.
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