Glowmoss Bugs, A Formal Wizard's Task

At once, a small glob of dark green acid shot from his fingertips and landed on the thick stone slabs paving the ground ahead, emitting a sizzling sound.

White smoke rose from the stone slab, leaving behind a shallow pit and corroded marks.

[Spell: Acid Spray (Not Initiated)]

Its power was not great, its range only two or three meters, and its accuracy terrible, but he had at least succeeded.

Luo Lin estimated that he would need extensive practice before he could reach a level of proficiency suitable for actual combat, as well as a proper and safe training ground.

Practicing inside the stone house was clearly not an option.

In comparison, learning [Weak Force-Field Armor] went more smoothly.

This spell model placed greater emphasis on the stable output and maintenance of mental power. Although constructing it was no easy task, it did not demand such stringent simulation of energy properties as [Acid Spray].

With the aid of [Efficient Scholar], Luo Lin successfully constructed it after two days and more than a dozen failures.

With a thought, a nearly invisible translucent force field, rippling faintly, covered his entire body and continuously consumed his mana.

[Spell: Weak Force-Field Armor (Not Initiated)]

He tried lightly drawing the bone dagger across his arm. The force field pulsed slightly, dispersing most of the force and leaving only a faint white mark on his skin.

The defensive effect was real, but weak. It could probably only withstand ordinary punches and kicks, or slashes from weapons that were not especially sharp, and it consumed mana at no slow rate.

Successfully learning two new spells brought a qualitative leap in Luo Lin's combat ability, even though both remained at their most basic stage.

Every day, he set aside a fixed amount of time to practice constructing and maintaining [Weak Force-Field Armor] inside the stone house.

As for [Acid Spray], he could only practice constructing its model and did not dare fire it casually.

Aside from spell training, Luo Lin had not neglected potion-making either.

He tried further optimizing [Stamina Recovery Potion], hoping to improve its quality to good or develop other practical low-level potions.

But progress was slow. Improving potions was no easy matter; it required extensive accumulated knowledge and inspiration, not something [Efficient Scholar] alone could accelerate without limit.

Besides that, Luo Lin also began systematically studying [Basic Rune Identification] with the ample contribution points he had on hand.

Runes were the foundation for constructing spell models, crafting enchanted items, and even laying out spell arrays. Their importance went without saying.

He bought more detailed introductory rune textbooks and set aside time each day to memorize and comprehend those complex, mysterious symbols and their meanings.

His progress in [Basic Rune Identification] began to rise slowly but steadily.

During that time, he made several more trips to Grey Tower General Store for transactions.

Mason was very satisfied with the sales of his [Stamina Recovery Potion] and even subtly asked whether he could increase the supply, but Luo Lin tactfully declined on the grounds that his energy was limited.

He knew full well that the identity of "Lin" could not be too high-profile. Maintaining the current supply volume was the safest choice.

He had also spotted Frack's group from afar once. They seemed to still be monopolizing the Moonlight Moss missions and had not come looking for trouble.

Luo Lin was happy to have some peace and focused on improving himself.

One day, while browsing the mission hall, Luo Lin noticed a newly posted long-term commission:

[Long-Term Purchase:

Live Glowmoss Bugs. Sparks must be intact, bodies complete. Purchase price: 15 contribution points each.

Posted by: Insect School Laboratory.]

Glowmoss Bugs?

Luo Lin recalled the knowledge from [Basic Magical Botany].

They were tiny insects that lived in specific damp, dark environments and fed on certain mosses. They were not valuable in themselves and were extremely fragile, easily dying during capture.

Thus, although the purchase price was not low, few people accepted the commission.

Luo Lin's heart stirred.

Capturing live specimens required patience and delicate handling, not overwhelming strength.

This suited him perfectly.

Moreover, the Insect School Laboratory sounded like a formal, practical laboratory. If he could establish a connection with it, there might be more opportunities in the future.

He accepted the commission and received a breathable crystal bottle specially made for holding live insects.

Following the location indicated by the mission prompt, Luo Lin arrived at a shaded ravine behind the academy.

The air here was heavy with moisture, and the rock walls were covered in all kinds of moss.

He searched carefully and soon discovered several tiny bugs beneath a patch of faintly glowing moss. They were only the size of grains of rice, their bodies translucent, with luminescent material flowing inside them as they slowly wriggled.

They truly were extremely fragile. At the slightest fright, they curled up, and even a little too much force could crush them to death.

Luo Lin held his breath as [Mage Hand] silently activated.

Under his precise control, the translucent energy hand became extraordinarily gentle, like a pair of invisible tweezers, carefully approaching one of the Glowmoss Bugs.

Then, with extreme steadiness, he "pinched" the bug up from the moss. The entire process was gentle and swift, without causing the bug to struggle violently.

He steadily placed the bug into the crystal bottle.

He had successfully caught the first one!

The precise control granted by [Efficient Scholar] had proven useful once again.

He captured bugs far more efficiently than ordinary people and could preserve their vitality to the greatest extent possible.

Over the course of one afternoon, he successfully captured five intact Glowmoss Bugs.

After turning in the mission, he received 75 contribution points.

The income was decent, and the process was relatively safe.

The successful Glowmoss Bug-catching mission brought Luo Lin a steady source of additional income and elevated his delicate control of [Mage Hand] to another level.

He continued supplying Grey Tower General Store with twenty [Stamina Recovery Potions] every week while alternating between processing other unpopular materials and catching Glowmoss Bugs. His reserve of contribution points grew steadily, surpassing 2,000.

That day, he once again went to the Insect School Laboratory to turn in five Glowmoss Bugs he had caught.

The person receiving him was no longer the expressionless assistant from before, but a middle-aged man in a dark gray robe, with sharp eyes and a deep, imposing aura.

Luo Lin could sense mental power fluctuations from him that far surpassed those of an apprentice.

This was a formal wizard!

"You are the apprentice who has been frequently submitting intact Glowmoss Bugs recently? Luo Lin?"

The gray-robed wizard spoke in a calm voice, yet it carried an invisible pressure.

"Yes, Wizard."

Luo Lin answered respectfully, his heart tightening slightly.

"Mm. Your capture technique is not bad, and your control over mental power is very precise."

Wizard Eric examined him, his gaze seeming capable of piercing through appearances.

"I am Wizard Eric, the person in charge of the Insect School."

"I noticed that the vitality of the bugs you submitted has been maintained exceptionally well, far beyond the level of an ordinary apprentice."

"You have considerable experience handling such fragile living specimens?"

"This student is merely more patient and somewhat skilled at delicate operations," Luo Lin answered cautiously, without mentioning [Efficient Scholar].

Wizard Eric neither confirmed nor denied it, continuing, "How proficient are you in [Basic Magical Botany] and [Basic Potion Material Processing]?"

Luo Lin considered the matter and answered honestly, "[Basic Magical Botany] has been touched on somewhat. As for [Basic Potion Material Processing]... I consider myself passable."

He did not directly claim to have reached a professional level.

"My laboratory recently needs to process a batch of Dream Spider silk glands. They must be removed intact without damaging their internal structure, and a considerable amount of work must be completed within a certain time."

"The mission reward is 500 contribution points, or resources of equivalent value."

"Are you interested in trying?"

Wizard Eric looked at Luo Lin.

"Of course, if you cannot handle it, or if you damage too many, you will need to compensate for them at full value."

Dream Spider silk glands?

Luo Lin recalled that Dream Spiders were extremely rare enchanted spiders. Their silk glands were important materials for brewing certain mental-type potions, but they were extremely fragile and exceptionally difficult to remove. The slightest mistake could rupture the glands, causing their essence to leak away and rendering them worthless.

This was a challenge, but also an opportunity.

If he could complete it, it would mean he might earn the favor of a formal wizard.

"This student is willing to try."

Luo Lin did not hesitate for long before decisively accepting.

High risk, high reward.

"Very good."

A trace of appreciation flashed through Wizard Eric's eyes.

"Come with me."