Chapter 46: Chapter 45: Endless Worlds, Endless Exploration... After transitioning to a [Wizard Apprentice], his perception of the magic power within his body became exceptionally clear. Although magic power and spiritual power are closely related, they are entirely different types of energy. Spiritual power is primarily used to construct and maintain magic models, while magic power is the fuel that actually drives the magic effects. Opening his own attribute panel, he once again confirmed his current status: [Ron Ralph] [Age: 15] [Current Combat Professions: Wizard Apprentice (One and a Half Stars), Knight’s Squire (One Star)] [Current Life Profession: Magic Potion Apprentice (One Star)] [Attributes: Constitution 1.5, Spirit 2.4, Magic Power 0.7] [Skills: Basic Magic Potion Making (Proficient), Basic Meditation (max), Zero-Ring: Slime Splash (Proficient max), Magic Potion Refining (Beginner), Herb Recognition (Beginner), Basic Swordsmanship (Proficient), Breathing Body Refining (Beginner), Magic Construction (Beginner), Spiritual Interference (Beginner), Sound Wave Vibration (Proficient)] [Special Talent: Dual Soul, Sun’s Protection (Remnant)] [Power Level: Elementary Apprentice] Magic Power 0.7—this means he could support multiple magic releases without exhaustion. As he knew, pure auxiliary zero-ring magic like "Slime Splash" consumes about 0.1 magic power per release; While some high-energy offensive zero-ring magic might consume up to 0.5 magic power at most. "That means, I can now continuously release seven auxiliary spells or barely release one or two offensive spells. However, with Sound Wave Vibration, there’s no need to spend extra effort learning more; it should be sufficient as an attack method during the apprentice period for quite some time..." Ron calculated secretly. He still remembered some words he overheard in Lady Allen’s shop— After an apprentice is promoted to an official wizard, they can learn special techniques called "super magic," which greatly enhance magic effects by consuming multiple times the magic power. This is why many official wizards, even though their physical qualities aren’t particularly strong, can still cast terrifying spells capable of altering the world. "Not only wizards..." Andre once mentioned during a casual chat that non-wizard professions like bloodline knights can also utilize magic power. They usually infuse magic power into their bodies, activating a temporary enhancement state called "Life Burst," which, although less efficient than wizards, is still incredibly powerful in close combat. "Perhaps this is why the direction of the magic swordsman profession is unique compared to conventional professions? I’ll have to find more opportunities to ask Andre for information in these areas and see if I can uncover more hidden profession routes." Ron took a deep breath and looked up again at the window. The night in Black Mist Jungle had deepened, with a few dim stars faintly penetrating the thick fog, bringing a faint glow to this mysterious place. He shook his head, deciding to first utilize his new privileges as an elementary apprentice to visit the library; perhaps he could find more information about advancement routes. ......... The library in Black Mist Jungle is located on the third floor of the main tower, a tall and dark circular space mostly occupied by a maze of countless bookshelves. Each bookshelf is dotted with faint blue magic crystal lamps, providing just enough light for reading. Ron presented his elementary apprentice badge, and the guard—a middle-level apprentice with an expressionless face—nodded slightly, allowing him through. "The elementary apprentice area is on the left, do not attempt to enter areas beyond the red line." The guard mechanically repeated the warning, evidently having said it countless times: "Violators will be punished." Upon entering the library, Ron could feel the magic power fluctuations in the air; every book here was protected by a protection array, preventing damage or unauthorized removal. His gaze swept over row upon row of bookshelves, searching for materials related to advancement. Finally, he found a somewhat aged "Apprentice Promotion Guide" in an inconspicuous corner. He found a quiet corner to sit down and carefully opened the book. The first Chapter detailed the division of apprentice levels—elementary, middle, advanced. According to the book, given Ron’s current power, he was just at the starting stage of an elementary apprentice. However, what truly piqued his interest was the Chapter on official wizard advancement, and he quickly turned to that section, beginning to read with concentration. "The advancement to an official wizard is essentially a qualitative transformation of spirit and magic power..." The book stated: "This process is referred to as ’Opening Ceremony,’ indicating the opening of a spiritual door to a higher plane of power." Frowning, Ron continued to read: "The Opening Ceremony requires strict conditions: Firstly, spiritual power must reach a critical threshold; Secondly, one must complete the apprentice phase of a gem-level meditation technique; Thirdly, at least independently complete the improvement model of one type of magic; Finally, complete the ritual process under the guidance of the master." "During the ritual, the apprentice will drink a specially made ’Key Potion.’ This potion will temporarily break the mental barrier, allowing the apprentice to face higher levels of power directly. If the apprentice is inadequately prepared, the ceremony will fail at best, or lead to mental collapse and even death at worst." As he read, a strange feeling welled up in his heart, and something seemed to be changing on the panel. He immediately turned his attention to his profession panel, surprised to find that the advancement information for the Wizard Apprentice had already updated automatically: [Wizard · Unknown Direction (Two and a Half Stars)] [Advancement Conditions: 1. Spiritual Power reaches 4.9 2. Mastery of any Gem Level Meditation Technique (determines advancement direction) 3. Mastery of at least one magic (determines advancement direction) 4. Complete the "Opening" Ritual] [Traits: Energy Circuit, Radiation Field, Super Magic Techniques, Spiritual Shock (shared across different advancement directions)] Perhaps as the exploration deepens, the panel will automatically reveal more hidden profession paths and advancement conditions. But when Ron clearly saw the wizard’s advancement conditions, he felt a wave of pressure. 4.9 points of Spiritual Power— seemingly only more than double his current level, but he already vaguely felt that the values would become harder to increase as he progressed. It might be that a 0.1 increase in Spiritual Power later would be a hundred times harder than before... And the mastery level of Gem Level Meditation Techniques and magic, all these require a lot of time and resources. He calculated in his mind: "To continue advancing, the key is still to quickly collect all the materials on Lady Allen’s list to obtain the Gem Level Meditation Technique she has." The prohibitive items listed on Lady Allen’s list were obviously unobtainable through normal channels. According to Andre, the black market is the most likely choice. "’Sunset Tavern,’ ’Lizard Alley,’ ’Blackwater Bay’..." Ron recalled the underground trading places mentioned by Andre: "Start with the safest place to experiment." "Don’t aim too high." He reminded himself: "The most important thing now is to steadily enhance my power, especially to find more potential profession advancement routes." "There might be other more special profession advancement routes..." He pondered the possible combinations: "Wizard, Knight, Alchemist, these three main lines are confirmed, but what chain reactions would result if I add other extraordinary professions?" Technical extraordinary professions such as Enchanter, Alchemist; Knowledge-type extraordinary professions like Historian, Astrologer; Even in the game, some distinctly hierarchical alien bloodlines can also be transformed into [Professions]. Like Blood Race, Demons, High-Tier Undead... each has the potential to create a magical synergy with his existing professions. "A lot of data collection and field investigation is still needed." Ron sighed: "Every step must be carefully planned." He listed his near-term goals in his mind: First, collect materials from Lady Allen’s list to obtain "Star Eater’s Ravings"; Second, use Artificial Star Dew to aid in meditation and quickly master this Gem Level Meditation Technique; Third, gain an in-depth understanding of the internal power distribution and rules of the School; Fourth, explore more potential profession advancement routes ... Continuing to read, he found more descriptions about realms beyond Official Wizards and brief descriptions of the world outside the Black Mist Jungle. Ron muttered to himself: "Although there are many Official Wizards here, according to the book’s introduction, the Black Mist Jungle seems to only count as... a relatively small-scale extraordinary gathering place?" Just as he was about to gather more information, a librarian approached, indicating that the library was about to close. With a head full of new information, he left the library, his heart already starting to plan his future path. Official Wizards might seem godlike in the eyes of mortals, but what kind of power do those higher level existences like the Great Wizard, Witch King, or even the legendary Demon God possess? Eroding history, folding reality; altering laws, reflecting madness... perhaps just like the ancient texts say? And outside this land, the Endless Sea, Fairyland, Dragon Tomb, Great Abyss... even that Otherworld connected by the Extraterritorial Star Gate. Do these places, which are like myths in the mouths of apprentices, truly exist? And will he have the chance to witness them with his own eyes? Back in his room, after taking care of his personal hygiene, Ron lay on his bed, letting his thoughts slowly settle down. Tomorrow is another new day, and every sunrise symbolizes new opportunities to him. "Take it slow, but never stop... ha, stopping would just make me another skeleton here." He softly warned himself, then slowly drifted into a dream.