Unconsciously, another month had passed.
It was now July.
In the Alchemy Room of the quarry.
Roy sat at the table, on which lay several small gemstones emitting a blue aura and dozens more emitting a green spiritual light.
After a moment, he sighed softly.
"Failed again!
Indeed, crafting a Talent Gem is not so easy!"
He rubbed his eyes. Even with his current level of Mental Strength, the continuous use of the Eye of Hermes was somewhat taxing.
However, after discarding most of the debris and cracked rejects, he still managed to pick out a few gemstones, placing them into pre-prepared boxes.
Strength Gem (+1), Agility Gem (+1), Wisdom Gem (+1)...
Labels on each box indicated their respective attributes.
Roy reviewed the experimental records he had meticulously kept. Despite his recent attempts, the research on Talent Gems had not succeeded. Instead, he had inadvertently mastered the intricacies of Attribute Gems.
It was somewhat akin to pursuing the Ultimate Zenith and unintentionally obtaining a byproduct.
"I was clearly researching Talent Gems, so how did I end up mastering Attribute Gems?
Well, no matter. It's time to update my personal shop!"
He stored these items carefully, then sat in silent Meditation, adjusting his Shop Mark.
...
Not long after, Roy walked through the corridors of the quarry.
Olinda hurried past, casually greeting him, but then suddenly thought of something and extended her Mental Strength to sense him.
In an instant, in her perception, a translucent, illusory panel appeared above Roy's head, displaying various Wizard resources and knowledge exchange information.
"Your Shop Mark has been updated. These new additions... are they Attribute Gems?"
Her eyes lit up with a hint of delight.
"Yes, would you like to exchange for some?"
Roy turned his head and asked.
"Of course! These can be crafted into rings or other treasures that enhance attributes...
Let me see, each person is limited to purchasing two?"
After a quick read, Olinda took out 2000 Magic Stones and bought two Wisdom Gems that increased Mental Strength.
She said cheerfully, "I've long wanted to acquire some external items that could boost my Mental Strength.
Perhaps they can help me manifest a Willpower Rune and become an Elite Apprentice!"
But then she expressed some regret, "It's just a pity that, due to the interference of Energy Particles, one can only wear two at a time...
Otherwise, I'd definitely make ten rings and wear them on all ten fingers!"
Roy smiled. The issue of Energy Particle interference had always been a major challenge for Spellcasters.
...
After Olinda, Winter, Greet, and others also noticed the update to Roy's Shop Mark and happily acquired the new resources.
These items could not only be used to craft accessories but could also be embedded into Enchanted Weapons, providing corresponding enhancements to the wielder.
Inspired by their experiences during the battle with the Bloodhoof Tribe, they were gradually accumulating their own equipment, striving to achieve a well-equipped setup.
The main Alchemy Products Roy could provide included Blood Mercury, artificial meat, Flesh Fossils, and Animated Statues. Now, he had added Attribute Gems to his inventory of excellent resources.
He did not interfere too much with the development of his subordinates' personalities, focusing more of his energy on himself.
A few days later, after consuming the last batch of gems, he finally succeeded in refining two +2 Wisdom Gems.
"The +2 Wisdom Gems can provide an effect of increasing mental strength by 2 degrees!
With a special combination, equipping both at the same time will boost it by 4 degrees!
This is almost comparable to the mental strength of an Elite Apprentice!
My current mental strength is already over 20 degrees, and with this additional 4 degrees, it rounds up to 25 degrees!"
Roy was secretly delighted as he used his [Artisan Skill] and [Proficient] abilities to craft two ring-like accessories for himself.
Even more valuable was the experience gained from the process.
After embedding the gems into the rings and wearing them, he began to review and summarize his findings.
...
A while later, Roy returned to his Alchemy Room and approached an egg-shaped Life Support Pod protected by multiple mechanisms and Wizardry traps.
Inside was a pale-skinned youth.
However, this was not the result of Roy turning into an evil Wizard and slaughtering his young apprentices for experiments.
Instead, he had purchased embryos, studied the [Bloodline Art], and mastered the method of Bloodline Modulation, carefully cultivating this Homunculus body.
Those who enjoyed seizing others' bodies were the Black Wizards of thousands of years ago.
Contemporary Wizards no longer engaged in such practices.
This was also closely related to the connection between spirituality and matter proposed by certain Great Wizards.
The soul emerges from brain cells, and the brain is adapted to its original body.
The relationship between them is far more intricate than what ancient people observed and believed.
Choosing to parasitize and seize a naturally born life form would lead to many unsolvable problems, especially if the brain was already fully developed, which was strictly forbidden.
"The cultivation of the test subject is almost complete.
But at best, this is just replicating open-source levels...
The main thing is to understand the Bloodline Factor information within, ensuring there are no hidden dangers or backdoors...
But in any case, it's a start towards self-control."
Roy pondered.
Celine happened to walk in from outside and, seeing this scene, was momentarily stunned.
Roy noticed her presence, turned around, and smiled, "How about it? Does it feel like a dream returning to the Wizard Tower, watching Senior Apprentice Sophia cultivate a new body?"
Celine snapped out of her daze and pursed her lips, "You've learned these things much slower than Senior Apprentice Sophia, and you still haven't mastered the [Bloodline Art]."
Roy thought to himself, it's because the [Bloodline Art] contains so much knowledge outside the field of Alchemy.
At that moment, Celine's expression suddenly changed.
She covered her mouth, coughed a few times, and then opened her hand, staring at a pool of black-red blood in her palm.
"What's wrong with you?"
Roy's expression changed slightly as he approached her, placing his hand on her forehead without hesitation.
His mental strength penetrated the Silver Battle Armor, quickly scanning Celine's body and spirit, and soon he noticed something.
"Your body...
How did this happen?"
He was slightly surprised to find that the Life Energy Particles in Celine's body were scarce, and her energy field was weak.
The once formidable physique that should have belonged to a Grand Knight had now weakened to the point of being like a flickering candle in the wind.
"It's the Bloodline Disease...
Senior Apprentice Sophia's original body had already suffered genetic collapse long ago. It was only through the use of powerful Bloodline Spells that it was temporarily stabilized.
But now, the effects of the spells are gradually weakening, and the structure of the Bloodline Factors is on the verge of collapse...
Many issues are becoming apparent."
Celine calmly informed Roy, as if she were speaking of someone else's affairs.