Ian ignored everything else, cultivating desperately in his quest to break through to Middle Level Wizard Apprentice.
A few days ago, Kenna had paid Ian a visit. He told Ian that Simon had appeared nearby, but Kenna had already driven him off. He reassured Ian that he could continue his cultivation in peace, as Kenna would keep an eye on the area.
Ian understood. 'It seems becoming a Magic Potion Alchemist really makes a difference.'
He'd also considered whether the two of them could cooperate.
In this cruel world, even with his panel, cultivating alone would be highly inefficient.
After all, the panel couldn't conjure resources out of thin air.
「On the afternoon of the twenty-fifth day after his return from Nightfall Town.」
Ian suddenly felt his Spiritual Power surge with activity.
He hurried back to his bedroom, calmed his mind, and downed a Potion.
Soon, Ian seemed to hear a soft POP as his Spiritual Power broke through some kind of barrier.
In his mind's eye, nine complex, exquisite, and interlocking Will Runes had now fully formed.
HUMMM!
The Will Runes were now far more complete, as if they had come to life!
They rotated gently, shimmering with a soft, moonlit glow.
Motes of brilliant light sparkled around them.
In the void of his mind, scattered Spiritual Power began to surge toward the Runes.
The Runes trembled, each vibration tempering the Spiritual Power that continued to gather.
The strength and volume of his Spiritual Power rose like the tide.
...
An unknown amount of time passed before Ian awoke from his trance.
He focused his senses inward. His newly advanced Spiritual Power flowed like mercury between the Runes, moving with perfect smoothness.
His control over his Spiritual Power had reached a whole new level. He could now project it slightly, allowing him to begin influencing the physical world.
It was an incredibly strange sensation.
In his bedroom, Ian sat cross-legged on his bed, his eyes still closed.
Yet the scene within a ten-meter radius appeared before him in perfect clarity.
He could "see" the tiny currents of wind swirling around him.
In the ground by the corner of the house, a small insect was clumsily burrowing its way up through the dirt.
He could "see" the bright red blood surging through his veins.
He could clearly perceive the vibrant life force coursing through his entire body.
And around his chest... tiny gray specks.
'Specks?!!'
Ian was jolted from his state and his eyes snapped open.
He scrambled out of bed. There was indeed a slight ache in his chest.
'How could this be?' He quickly lit a lamp and began a careful inspection.
He found small, gray blotches—symptoms of Magic Power Erosion!
After a moment, Ian figured out the cause.
With his constant use of Potions these past few days, he had been meditating too frequently. His body couldn't withstand such repeated Magic Power Erosion.
'Looks like I'll have to find a way to strengthen my Physique.'
The situation wasn't serious yet. He just needed to manage the balance between strengthening his body and the Erosion from Magic Power.
Pushing aside his worries, Ian called up his panel.
[Name: Ian Marcus]
[Age: 16]
[Realm: Middle Level Wizard Apprentice (1%)]
[Talent: Moderate Light Attribute Affinity]
[Skills: Star Moon Low Level Meditation Method: Skilled (152/400)
Wizard's Hand: Skilled (160/200)
Secondary Frost Freeze Beam: Mastery (368/400)
Awakening Potion: Skilled (2/200)
Basic Magic Potion Recognition: Mastery (10/400)]
A smile touched Ian's lips as he looked at his impressive panel.
The tension that had gripped him ever since he'd transmigrated finally began to ease.
Especially his Secondary Frost Freeze Beam, which he had grinded to a level unimaginable for a Low Level Apprentice in such a short time.
He had wanted to test the changes in his power post-advancement, but one look at the already torn-up ground in his yard made him abandon the idea.
Seeing it was still early, Ian quietly left the house.
He made his way to a deserted clearing in the woods and came to a stop.
He quickly formed the hand signs. The moment the Spell left his lips, Ian felt the difference.
He commanded the condensed Spiritual Power in his mind with perfect ease, and it resonated instantly with his Magic Power.
WHOOSH! A deep blue streak of light shot out.
The beam easily pierced through a large tree 20 meters away and continued on for some distance before dissipating.
The tree trunk was coated in a layer of ice half a finger thick.
Among Witchcraft of the same level, beam-type spells were the fastest. The greater their concentration, the stronger their power.
'This... no longer seems like the power of a Low Level Witchcraft!'
Ian stepped closer to observe. This was different from the simple frost it created before.
Not only did the ice layer cause freezing damage, but it also had a powerful Imprisonment effect.
He tried it a few more times. The Witchcraft's maximum range reached nearly 30 meters.
The Spiritual Power cost was acceptable; he could cast it about ten times in a row.
He didn't practice any further and hurried home. After grabbing a quick bite, he went out again.
As he approached Kenna's residence, Kenna heard him and came out.
"Ian, what brings you here today? Is something wrong?"
Kenna was rather impressed with Ian. He had managed to shut himself away for nearly a month.
'It seems even geniuses must cultivate diligently to become a Magic Potion Alchemist.'
"Kenna, thank you for your help the other day."
After stepping inside, Ian handed him an Awakening Potion.
"Alright, I won't stand on ceremony. I'll gladly accept."
Kenna readily put the Potion away, his tone growing even warmer.
"You mentioned before that Simon has a High Level Apprentice backing him. How much do you know about that?"
The old woman in Nightfall Town had left a deep impression on him.
Ian was now extremely wary of High Level Apprentices; he felt he was still no match for them.
"I only heard my teammates mention it in passing. All I know is that they're members of the Night Shadow Association."
As Kenna spoke of the Night Shadow Association, his eyes filled with apprehension.
"Night Shadow Association? How have I never heard of them?"
Although Ian hadn't been very worldly before, he still knew of the more famous Apprentice organizations in the High Tower, and he had never heard of any Night Shadow Association.
"It's a new organization, formed recently by a dozen or so High Level Apprentices. I heard they're all Dark Wizards."
Dark Wizards were known for their sinister and ruthless methods.
They wielded countless mysterious and unpredictable forms of Witchcraft, and ordinary Apprentices wouldn't dare provoke them.
"Then won't you face retaliation for driving Simon away?"
Ian grew worried. He hadn't expected Simon to have that kind of backing.
"It should be fine. Simon seems to be just a peripheral member, and a small, personal matter like this won't attract the Night Shadow Association's attention."
Kenna spoke nonchalantly, but a hint of worry still flickered in his eyes.
The two chatted a while longer. Seeing that Kenna knew little about the Night Shadow Association, Ian changed the subject.
"I heard you have a team that hunts Demonized Fierce Beasts, but I've never seen them."
He hadn't just come to pay a casual thank-you visit.
He wanted to make contact with Kenna's team and see if they were worth cooperating with.
"We're usually very busy, either hunting Demonized Fierce Beasts or searching for Magic Potions. You're looking for them because...?"
Despite his rough appearance, Kenna was sharp-witted. He seemed to make a connection, and his eyes lit up.
Ian simply nodded, not denying it.
"I'd like to meet them and see if we can work together."
Acquiring Magic Potions was just the first step; he wouldn't start by selling large quantities of Potions right away.
He needed to observe them for a while and get a feel for how each team member operated.