After that invisible shackle was broken, Richard's body underwent an astonishing transformation.
A tingling numbness spread from every part of his body, as though each and every cell were trembling. At the same time, the magic power within him began to drain away. The vanished magic power was absorbed by his cells, turning into nourishment that supported their evolution.
The first to transform was his skin. A layer of keratin formed over its surface at a rate visible to the naked eye. Under the protection of that layer, Richard could clearly feel the rate at which his body heat escaped beginning to slow.
But the changes were not limited to the surface. Every cell throughout Richard's body began transforming in this evolution. His cells produced heat more fiercely, while his muscles and fat started changing their structure to better adapt to frigid conditions.
Changes that would have taken tens of thousands of years were completed in mere dozens of minutes under the acceleration of the Magic Potion.
When it was all over, Richard suddenly vomited up a pool of black blood.
It was waste left behind by the renewal of his cells.
"Does this... count as getting started?"
Richard wiped his mouth. The freezing process in the cryogenic chamber had not yet ended, but he could no longer feel the cold.
When the time was up, Richard stepped out of the chamber, found his Magic Pocket, and took out a Crystal Ball for testing.
[Mental Power: 33.2, Physique: 31.9, Magic Power: 332, Rating: Intermediate Apprentice.]
"My physique actually increased by nearly two points. This year of training wasn't in vain after all."
The Body of Adaptation had the effect of drawing out the body's potential. Though this effect was technically a side effect, for now, that side effect