Afterward, Erlant briefly introduced Roy to some good tasks, such as assisting the teacher in crafting golems.
If a new wizard happened to possess alchemy talent, they could apply to reside in the castle and take on this task.
Roy was quite interested in this, feeling it might be a good opportunity to leverage his strengths.
"[Proficient]plus[Alchemy Machine]plus[Mana Return]plus[Multitasking]plus[Artisan Skill]…
My work spirit is burning so fiercely that even I'm scared!"
With so many special abilities, he was fully confident he could dominate the teacher's alchemy workshop!
However, after learning a bit more, he was somewhat speechless.
"Lord Erlant, you didn't misspeak, did you…
In the teacher's workshop, crafting golems not only doesn't pay but also requires me to cover the costs myself?"
Roy suspected he had misheard!
"How could I misspeak? The teacher provides all the materials and techniques, and even teaches you knowledge for free…"
Erlant looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"This is a great place to learn, a rare blessing…
Many people wish they had the opportunity!"
"But I feel I've already gotten the basics," Roy explained. "Back home, I've successfully crafted golems."
Upon hearing this, Erlant smiled without speaking: "Every new wizard is this confident, but in reality, the golems most of them craft are far from battle-ready, lacking years of experience.
The seasoned craftsmen in the workshop will also need to guide you appropriately, even if it means wasting materials to reforge them.
These are essentially tuition fees, all to keep the workshop running…"
This is outrageous… absolutely outrageous!
What kind of shady workshop is this?!
Roy instantly abandoned the idea of joining the teacher's workshop.
Moreover, upon careful consideration, with his alchemy talent and the potential to display various extraordinary abilities in the future, it might not be suitable for him to linger under the teacher's watchful eye.
It would be better to be sent out as a lord, overseeing a territory.
While this wouldn't allow him to learn closely from the teacher, he could still find ways to acquire knowledge and wizardry resources.
From time to time, he could seek guidance through the communication crystal and rely on human or magical creature deliveries…
As a transmigrator, he naturally adapted to this mode and didn't find it inconvenient.
Roy gradually conceived and solidified this idea.
He needed to seek a certain degree of independence!
…
Time flew by, and soon over a month had passed.
Roy had explored the castle's library and internal academy, while Andov and others had completed several tasks near the royal city.
Feeling the timing was right, Roy began to make his request to Flosf.
"You want to become a lord and develop your own territory?"
Flosf showed a faint smile upon hearing his veiled request.
"As I've mentioned before, the Nether Kingdom faces threats from the indigenous barbarians.
Since you're interested, go to the frontlines and fight for me.
Coincidentally, I've just received a secret report that Scarto City in the south is about to be invaded. Go and support them."
Roy inquired, "Does this count as a task?"
Flosf replied, "Of course. I believe in equivalent exchange. You offer your labor and knowledge, and I will reciprocate.
However, this task isn't particularly difficult, so it can only be rewarded with 10,000 Magic Stones."
"10,000 Magic Stones," Roy nodded.
It was about the level of an ordinary mission.
Flosf added, "However, there are some additional benefits you can keep an eye out for yourself."
Roy's eyes lit up. "What benefits?"
Flosf replied, "Do you remember the Centaur Blood Essence I gave you earlier, as well as the Centaur soul I promised you? They are all there. Go and retrieve them yourself. If you successfully complete this mission, you can choose to stay there permanently. I'll arrange more tasks for you, allowing you to earn more Wizard Coins, resources, and opportunities. Don't underestimate these things. If you weren't my student, you might not even have access to such opportunities. You'd have to figure out how to gather resources on your own."
As long as it's not a paid mission, it's fine!
Roy secretly grumbled in his heart but tentatively asked, "To retrieve the Centaur soul, I'd need to use the 'Soul-Seizing Art,' which I haven't mastered yet."
In truth, he had the "Transmutation Circle" from [Equivalent Exchange], which allowed him to perform soul extraction without external tools. He could think of several ways to figure it out on his own. But this didn't align with the current status of a newly promoted Wizard. It would be too flashy and attention-grabbing. Moreover, he genuinely wanted to learn from his teacher's methods. This might help him improve the "Transmutation Circle" and expand its functionality by combining it with the knowledge in his mind.
Hearing this, Flosf wasn't surprised at all and simply waved his hand.
A crow perched on a golden branch nearby flapped its wings and flew over, carrying three translucent Magic Crystals the size of pigeon eggs, each shaped like a hexagonal prism.
"These are Soul Extraction Magic Crystals engraved with Wizard Arrays, a product of 'Mana Crystal Studies.' They are both supplies for your mission and an advance reward," Flosf explained to him.
"You can also study and decipher them to learn more… Of course, not all Centaur bloodlines and souls are useful. You'll need to learn to discern what's valuable."
Roy took them and examined them closely. He vaguely sensed that they shared some common ground with the soul knowledge he had been pondering, and he couldn't help but feel overjoyed. Although it wasn't exactly the same field, the overlapping areas would certainly provide valuable insights.
Then, Flosf waved his hand again.
A Centaur maid brought over a crystal ball the size of a fist. It was crystal clear, like glass, but with a mental scan, one could faintly detect the Wizard Arrays and Arcane Imprints engraved within.
"This Communication Crystal is for you. Local communication isn't as strenuous as cross-dimensional communication, so you can contact me when I'm free. But don't do it too frequently, understand?"
Roy stored it away and nodded. "Understood."
Flosf had more than just him as a student and had to manage communications with other subordinates and friends. He didn't have much time or energy to spare for Roy.
...
In the blink of an eye, another week passed, and it was now mid-August in the Wizard calendar.
Roy led his team, along with the sickly, semi-hibernating Flower Snake, to the warfront in Scarto.
This was where Roy would fulfill his mission and seek his development.
Before entering the city, they deliberately stopped on a distant hillside to observe and found that the city remained calm, with no signs of war.
"They must have used some method to foresee this in advance.
Whether it was through spies, divination, prophecy, or something else...
But no matter which method it was, it's a dimensional downgrade for this Low-Magic World!"
Roy immediately understood.
(End of Chapter)