After advancing to [Wizard Apprentice], Robb's perception of the magic within his body had become exceptionally sharp.
Although closely related, magic and spirit energy were two fundamentally different forces.
Spiritforce was used to construct and maintain spell models, while magic was the fuel that powered their effects.
Opening his status panel, he once again reviewed his current condition:
[Robb Reyne]
Age: 15
Current Combat Professions: Wizard Apprentice (1.5-star), Knight Apprentice (1-star)
Current Life Profession: Alchemy Apprentice (1-star)
Attributes:
- Constitution: 1.5
- Spirit: 2.4
- Magic: 0.7
Skills:
- Basic Alchemy (Skilled)
- Basic Meditation (MAX)
- Zero-Circle: Mucus Splash (Skilled MAX)
- Potion Brewing (Beginner)
- Herb Identification (Beginner)
- Basic Swordcraft (Skilled)
- Breathing & Body Training (Beginner)
- Spell Construction (Beginner)
- Mental Disruption (Beginner)
- Sonic Tremor (Skilled)
Special Traits:
- Dual Soul
- Solar Blessing (Fragmented)
Power Tier: Low-level Apprentice
Magic Value: 0.7 — enough to cast multiple spells without depletion.
From what he knew, a purely auxiliary zero-circle spell like Mucus Splash consumed about 0.1 magic per cast.
Some of the more aggressive zero-ring spells could consume up to 0.5.
"In other words, I can cast seven auxiliary spells in a row, or barely one or two offensive ones. But with Sonic Tremor, I don't really need to learn any others for now—it should suffice as my main attack method during the apprentice phase."
Robb calculated silently.
He also recalled some things he had overheard in Lady Elena's shop—
Upon advancing to true Wizard, one could learn special techniques called "Metamagic", which allowed a caster to expend multiple times more magic to drastically enhance a spell's power.
This explained why some full-fledged wizards could wield world-altering spells, even if their physical bodies weren't particularly strong.
"Not just wizards."
Andrey had once mentioned during a casual conversation that bloodline knights—non-wizard class users—could also utilize magic.
They typically channeled magic into their bodies, entering a state called "Life Surge", a temporary boost that, while less efficient than a wizard's casting, still offered fearsome power in melee combat.
"Maybe that's what makes the Magic Knight path so unique compared to normal professions? I should ask Andrey more about this later—maybe I can uncover hidden career paths."
Robb took a deep breath and looked out the window again.
The night had deepened over the Black Mist Forest. A few dim stars pierced through the mist, casting a faint glow over this mysterious region.
He shook his head and decided to make use of his new apprentice-level access by visiting the library. Maybe he could find more information about advancement routes.
The Academy Library was located on the third floor of the main tower, a vast, shadowy circular chamber, dominated by a labyrinth of bookshelves.
Tiny blue magical crystals glowed on every shelf, giving just enough light to read.
Robb presented his apprentice badge. The guard—a middle-tier apprentice with a blank expression—nodded slightly and let him through.
"Apprentice area is to the left. Do not cross the red boundary line," the guard recited mechanically, as if he had said it a thousand times before. "Violators will be punished."
Inside the library, Robb felt the ambient magical pressure. Each book here was protected by enchantments to prevent damage or theft.
He scanned row after row of shelves, looking for materials related to advancement.
Eventually, he found a worn-out book in an obscure corner—"A Guide to Apprentice Advancement."
He took it to a quiet spot and carefully flipped it open.
The first chapter detailed the various apprentice levels—low, middle, and high. Based on its descriptions, Robb was just at the start of the low-level apprentice stage.
But what truly piqued his interest was the section on becoming a full wizard. He flipped to that part and focused intently.
"Advancing to full wizardry is, in essence, a transformation of the spirit and magic into a new state."
"This process is known as 'Gate Opening'—referring to the unlocking of the spiritual gate leading to higher realms of power."
Robb furrowed his brow and kept reading:
"The Gate Opening ritual requires strict prerequisites:
Spirit value must reach a critical threshold; Completion of a gemstone-tier meditation technique at apprentice level; Successful independent modification of at least one spell model; Completion of the ritual under a mentor's supervision." "During the ritual, the apprentice will drink a special 'Key Potion' designed to temporarily dissolve the spiritual barrier, allowing brief contact with higher forces. If the apprentice is unprepared, failure could lead to spiritual collapse—or death."
As he read, Robb felt a strange sensation welling up inside. Something on his panel had changed.
He immediately checked his profession status and was shocked to see it had updated automatically:
[Wizard · Unknown Path (2.5-star)]
Advancement Conditions:
Spirit ≥ 4.9
Gemstone-tier Meditation mastered (determines progression path)
At least one spell mastered (determines progression path)
Complete the "Gate Opening" ritual
Traits:
Energy Circuit
Radiation Field
Metamagic
Mental Shock
(shared across multiple progression paths)
As he suspected, the more he explored, the more the panel would reveal hidden class paths and requirements.
But after seeing the actual criteria, he felt the weight of pressure.
4.9 spirit—more than double what he currently had. And he could already feel that raising his spirit further would become exponentially harder. That last 0.1 might take a hundred times more effort than the first 2.4.
Not to mention mastering a gemstone-level meditation technique and a spell. Both would require serious time and resources.
He thought, "To keep advancing, I need to gather the materials on Lady Elena's list and get Whispers of the Star-Eater as soon as possible."
But the items on her list were clearly forbidden materials—unobtainable through official channels.
According to Andrey, the black market was the most viable option.
"'Sunset Tavern', 'Lizard Alley', 'Blackwater Bay'..." Robb recalled the underground markets Andrey had mentioned. "Start with the safest one first."
"Can't aim too high too fast," he reminded himself. "Right now, I need to focus on steadily increasing my strength—especially by uncovering more potential advancement paths."
"Maybe there are even more special classes…"
He considered possible combinations: Wizard, Knight, Alchemist—his three main tracks were set. But what would happen if he added even more supernatural classes?
Craft-based professions like Enchanter or Alchemist;
Knowledge-based professions like Historian or Astrologer;
Even non-human bloodline variants that could turn into full classes in some games—Vampire, Demon, High Undead…
Each of them could theoretically create unique synergy effects with his current builds.
"I need a lot more data—both research and field testing." Robb sighed. "Every step needs careful planning."
He mentally compiled his short-term goal list:
Gather all materials on Lady Elena's list and obtain Whispers of the Star-Eater
Use artificial star dew to assist meditation and master the gemstone-tier method
Understand the internal factions and rules within the order
Explore more potential class advancement routes
…
As he continued flipping through the book, he found passages describing tiers beyond full wizards, along with brief notes on lands beyond the Black Mist Forest.
Robb muttered to himself, "There may be quite a few full wizards here, but based on what I've read, this forest is actually… just a small-scale supernatural gathering point?"
He was about to dig deeper, but a librarian came over, signaling that the library was closing.
With his head full of new information, he left the library, already planning the road ahead.
True wizards were already godlike to the average person. So what kind of power did higher beings—Grand Wizards, Wizard Sovereigns, or even the mythic Archfiends—possess?
Eroding history, folding reality; rewriting laws, reflecting madness… Were such things really possible, as the old books claimed?
And what of the Endless Seas, the Fairy Realms, the Dragon Graves, the Grand Abyss… or even the alien worlds beyond the Star Gates?
These places, spoken of like legends among apprentices—did they actually exist?
And could he one day reach them?
After returning to his room and handling some basic hygiene, Robb lay down on his bed, letting his thoughts settle.
Tomorrow would be a new day. And for him, every sunrise meant a new opportunity.
"Take it slow—but never stop… Heh, stop and you'll just become another pile of bones in this place."
He whispered this to himself, then slowly drifted off to sleep.