Leo did not make a move.
Leo had also seen what happened to the Prossian youth who had acted just now. He knew there was no point in fighting; it would only add another life beneath Wizard Lane's hand.
Leo turned and left.
Wizard Lane watched Leo depart, his gaze flickering.
If a Wizard Seedling with Level 3 Mental Power Talent like this was discovered by the Tower of Dawn after he had been rejected, Lane would likely be punished as well.
But when he thought of how the other party could never possibly reach the Tower of Dawn, Wizard Lane no longer cared.
"Next."
Very soon, everyone had finished their tests.
There were two Wizards aboard the wizard ship.
At that moment, the other Wizard emerged from the cabin and asked, "Lane, how were the test results?"
"Not bad. One with Level 4 Mental Power Talent from the Sogla Royal Family, three with Level 3 Mental Power Talent from noble families, and fifteen with Level 2 Mental Power Talent. Nineteen qualified in total."
This Wizard was somewhat surprised. "There was actually someone with Level 4 Mental Power Talent? Our luck this time is truly not bad. In the previous two years, there were only one or two Wizard Seedlings with Level 3 Mental Power Talent. This year is truly a bumper harvest."
The Wizard then said, "I'll take the unqualified ones back. Lane, take the rest to the Tower of Dawn."
Aboard the ship returning to the continent, Leo felt uneasy.
On the small ship, the other people being sent back, aside from Leo, were not in good spirits either.
Among them were quite a few in circumstances similar to Leo's. They had been unable to remain on the continent, which was why they had boarded the wizard ship. Being sent back meant they would have to face the dangers they had once fled from.
Leo's gaze then fell on a young man reading a book.
The young man carried himself elegantly, with an easygoing smile on his face.
He was Wizard Nova, the other Wizard aboard the ship.
Unlike Wizard Lane, Wizard Nova better matched Leo's impression of a Wizard—indifferent to everything around him, wholly immersed in his own ocean of knowledge.
From the moment Nova boarded the small ship, he had remained seated and read. The surrounding chatter, conversations, and the strange disturbances occasionally surfacing from the sea all meant nothing to him.
Leo looked at Wizard Nova and pondered inwardly.
If he told this Wizard now that he had Level 3 Mental Power Talent, how likely was it that Nova would take him back to the Tower of Dawn?
As the small ship sailed onward, the continent drew closer and closer.
Leo gritted his teeth and stepped forward. "Wizard, may I ask what book you are reading?"
Nova stopped turning the pages, raised his head, and looked at Leo. "I am reading. Please do not disturb me. If you are interested, you may take one of the books beside me and read it yourself."
"Thank you for being willing to lend me a book, great Wizard." A smile appeared on Leo's face, making him look like someone who truly loved reading.
Nova seemed a little surprised, but quickly immersed himself once more in acquiring the knowledge within his book.
Meanwhile, Leo weighed the change in his relationship with Nova. His plan was to first use their shared interest to draw closer to him, then reveal that he had Level 3 Mental Power Talent.
As Leo made his calculations, he took a book from the small pile beside Nova.
"Basic Potionology"
"Potionology is a discipline in which Wizards use mental energy to refine potions."
"In the process of refining potions, aside from the precious and dangerous materials that may be required, the most important thing is the method by which mental energy is infused during the refinement process."
Leo had only intended to use this as a stepping stone to grow closer to Nova.
But after reading the book, Leo gradually became absorbed in it instead.
A gentle voice arose in Leo's mind.
"Codex of inferior quality detected (Basic Potionology). Record it?"
"Codex recorded."
[Basic Potionology] Quality: Inferior Effect: Records the fundamental knowledge of Potionology Cost: 10 Refinement Points
"Refine Basic Potionology of inferior quality into Basic Potionology of ordinary quality."
[Basic Potionology] Quality: Ordinary Effect: Records the fundamental knowledge of Potionology Cost: 50 Refinement Points
A great number of vivid scenes suddenly flooded into Leo's mind.
Within those scenes, it was as though Basic Potionology had transformed from written text into moving images, allowing Leo to understand this knowledge more deeply.
Within the scenes, Leo viewed everything from a first-person perspective.
Rather than scenes, they were more like Leo was practicing with this Potionology knowledge himself.
Leo gradually became immersed in them, failing to notice that his hands were releasing pulses of mental energy in a steady rhythm.
Leo's actions caught Nova's attention.
Nova looked at the movements of Leo's hands, somewhat astonished. "This child learns so quickly. He merely glanced through Basic Potionology for a while, yet he can already display its most essential part."
"Sadly, his Mental Power Talent does not meet the standard."
"Even if he has talent in Potionology, he still cannot become a Wizard if his mental power aptitude is insufficient."
Nova lowered his head again and returned to his own reading.
After an unknown amount of time, Leo finally recovered from the state of watching the images. A notification flashed through his mind.
"Mastered the Basic Potionology Codex of inferior quality. Refinement Points +10."
"Mastered the Basic Potionology Codex of ordinary quality. Refinement Points +50."
In the game, refined Codices could allow players to acquire skills or items. When they acquired skills and items, players could also obtain Refinement Points.
"Since the Basic Potionology Codex can be obtained this way, the Basic Meditation Method Codex should also be able to grant Refinement Points... As for why I have not obtained any, it should be because I have not truly mastered the Intermediate Meditation Method yet."
At this thought, Leo instead felt a little happy.
Even before he had completely mastered the Basic Meditation Method Codex of inferior quality, it had already produced such an effect. Once he fully mastered it, the increase in meditation efficiency would surely be considerable.
The joy in Leo's heart flashed by in an instant as he looked toward Nova.
By then, the Wizard had finished his book and was holding a flat piece of bread, nibbling at it bit by bit.
When Wizard Nova saw Leo looking over, he wore an easygoing smile. "What is your name?"
Leo had not expected Nova to take the initiative to speak to him before he could open his mouth. He hurriedly said, "Wizard, my name is Leo Danville."
Nova nodded slightly and continued, "Have you encountered Potionology before?"
"No." Leo shook his head.
Nova said, "Your understanding of Potionology is quite good. But without the status of a Wizard to support it, Potionology is a worthless discipline. My personal advice is that after you return to the continent, forget everything you know about Potionology as soon as possible."
"For those who cannot become Wizards, Potionology knowledge does more harm than good."
Hearing this, Leo could not help but say, "Wizard, I actually have Level 3 Mental Power Talent."
"Level 3 Mental Power Talent..."
Upon hearing this, Wizard Nova even set down the bread in his hand for the moment. Frowning, he said, "Are you sure you are not joking with me?"
"I am not joking, Wizard. This is what happened."
Leo recounted everything that had happened aboard the wizard ship earlier, without concealing a single detail.
After listening to Leo, Wizard Nova fell into slight contemplation. "Lane truly detests Prossians... Still, I did not expect that his hatred would lead him to shut a Wizard Seedling with Level 3 Mental Power Talent outside the door."
"How about this..."
A crystal ball appeared out of thin air in Wizard Nova's hand. He said, "Test yourself again here."
Leo placed his hand on the crystal ball.
One ray, two rays, three rays—three beams of light appeared in succession atop the crystal ball.
Wizard Nova frowned. "It truly is Level 3 Mental Power Talent."
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