Locke spent the entire afternoon practicing the Mana Centrifugal Extraction Method using ordinary water.
The reason he stopped wasn't because he had mastered it—after all, this technique required continuous practice.
While innate talent played a role, time invested was equally crucial.
The more one practiced, the more proficient one became.
However, since Olde had already opened his wooden case, the Frost Rune on it had deactivated, leaving Locke with insufficient time to continue practicing the extraction method.
In a remote classroom at Aurelian Academy, two mixed blood liquids rapidly swirled in Locke's hands. Suddenly, a gray hue emerged within the originally blue-tinged mixture.
As time passed, the gray blood in the vial increased while the blue liquid diminished, though traces of the latter remained even at the end.
Professor Olde trembled with excitement, his eyes fixed intently on the potion bottle in Locke's hand.
That gray blood was the Pure Magical Blood Essence from the Stone Crab.
Locke exhaled in relief, wiping cold sweat from his forehead. This had been his third and final attempt.
Fortunately, luck was on his side—he had barely succeeded this time.
'It can't really be called mastery. This was just luck, and the extracted Bloodline still contains many impurities,' Locke thought. 'I'll still need to practice the Mana Centrifugal Extraction Method daily.'
'But ultimately, I did succeed.'
'This was a rare experience.'
The only pity was that opportunities on Corfu Island were limited. From now on, he could only practice using river water at best.
But progress would be slow that way.
Locke glanced at the ring on his right hand—the Deep Blue Gem embedded in it had likely lost its effect.
The gem functioned as an external filter, forcibly stabilizing his mana fluctuations.
Yet now that he had become a third-class wizard apprentice, this mana fluctuation filter seemed inadequate. A thumb-sized Deep Blue Gem could no longer last half a month.
His intense focus while channeling mana earlier had destroyed the gem. Once its special structure was broken, it was essentially just an ordinary blue sapphire—devoid of any unique value.
At most, its color and luster remained distinctive.
Locke pondered, 'But if multiple Deep Blue Gems are layered together, their combined quantity could enhance the filter's strength, keeping pace with my magical advancement.'
His attention shifted to Olde, his vigilance never fully relaxed.
Now, Olde could no longer contain his excitement. He lunged forward and snatched the Stone Crab Blood Essence.
"Yes, yes, perfect. Locke, thank you..."
"Though there are many impurities, this is already remarkable. It's not your fault."
Olde retrieved a stand, firewood, and a small crucible from his case. He placed a piece of Muscovite and a Rainbow Rose into the crucible, then poured in a bottle of alcohol.
Locke had previously read the formula for the Stone Crab Bloodline Modification Potion and knew that once he extracted the Stone Crab Blood Essence using the Mana Centrifugal Extraction Method, he had essentially completed the main part of the potion.
After all, this potion was merely a simplified version.
The most challenging part was actually the three vials of Stone Crab Bloodline Separation Potion that Olde had received from his formal wizard mentor. The moment this potion was combined with the Mana Centrifugal Extraction Method to successfully extract the Stone Crab Bloodline, the core of the Stone Crab Bloodline Modification Potion was already complete.
The remaining materials and refinement were just minor adjustments to make the potion safer for consumption.
Even so, Locke had seen the warning note in Olde's refining journal—this was still an experimental life-modification technique that had only been tested on subjects. The technique was not yet mature, and wizard apprentices were advised not to use it on themselves.
Soon, Olde retrieved a small vial of gray potion from the cauldron. He drew it into a syringe and, without hesitation, injected it directly into the veins of his own arm, paying no mind to Locke standing beside him.
Olde grinned, as if experiencing immense satisfaction.
Locke noticed that when Olde rolled up his sleeve, his emaciated arm was almost devoid of flesh and color, resembling a dried-up slab of stone from a coffin.
Even worse, the base of Olde's arm showed signs of rot.
But after injecting the Stone Crab Bloodline Modification Potion, his arm rapidly swelled like a balloon. His skin turned ashen, resembling stone, and muscles seemed to form beneath. The rotting areas were also concealed by the petrification effect.
Olde exhaled deeply, like a man who had been suffocating and could finally breathe again.
With a relaxed smile, Olde said, "I think this will buy me a few more years."
"The Stone Crab Bloodline grants me a robust physique. And the Stone Crab is a creature that can still feed and move normally even when ninety percent of its body is dead or rotting."
"With its vitality, I'll be able to accomplish much more."
Olde looked at Locke gratefully. "Congratulations, Locke. This counts as your first successful potion refinement. Though it wasn't done independently, it proves you have talent in this field."
"Honestly, I didn't have high hopes for your success."
"I'll report this refinement record to Tungus so he can document it properly."
"This is a significant achievement. Very few wizard candidates of indigenous origin successfully refine a bloodline modification of approximately 0.3-ring level before boarding the Wizard Ship."
Locke looked at Olde in confusion. "0.3-ring?"
Olde, still observing the changes in his body, replied cheerfully, "Mm. It's a method for measuring spell potency."
"In the Wizard World, the classic first-ring spell Fireball is considered a one-ring spell. The basic cantrip Finger Flame is rated at 0.1 rings. The standard strength of your Vine Hand is roughly around 0.2 rings."
"That's why I said I didn't expect you to succeed."
"Normally, this level of Bloodline modification requires at least a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice to accomplish."
Locke replied, "I just stumbled upon it by accident."
Olde nodded because Locke hadn't completed this independently.
Moreover, the main part was actually done by his formal wizard mentor. The two of them had merely followed the steps, mimicking the designed experimental procedure and using the pre-prepared potions to complete this Bloodline modification.
Olde said wearily, "Alright. I don't know why, but I suddenly feel extremely exhausted—this might be one of the side effects of the Stone Crab Bloodline modification."
"Starting tomorrow, come to this classroom every noon. I'll teach you Skull Explosion until the day our transaction is complete."
Olde rubbed his forehead, and Locke noticed two dark circles suddenly appearing under his eyes. Moreover, his pupils had begun to change due to the Stone Crab Bloodline modification, becoming elongated and narrow.
Locke grew wary. That Bloodline modification is far too unstable.
Who knows what side effects Olde is experiencing now?
Will he even last long enough to finish teaching me Skull Explosion?
Well, whatever. I'll be leaving Corfu Island in three months anyway. I'll take it one step at a time. If I learn Skull Explosion, great. If not, so be it.
Locke thought to himself, This time, learning the Mana Centrifugal Extraction Method and successfully brewing a Bloodline modification potion was already an unexpected gain for me.
Not wanting to stay too long around Olde, who was now a potential source of instability, Locke gave a slight nod before quickly turning and leaving.
After Locke departed, Olde narrowed his eyes and gazed toward the direction of his office.
Now that his body had been enhanced, it could accommodate more lifespan.
No matter. This academy had plenty of noble families willing to curry favor with him by offering up their useless descendants as disposable pawns.
(End of Chapter)