At this moment, he noticed that Andre was looking at him with a peculiar expression.
"You've changed a lot." Andre said, "You wouldn't have been so... serious before."
Ron smiled, "Probably because I've seen hope."
Indeed, in just a few days, he had acquired the profession of a Magic Potion Apprentice, learned the "Crown Breathing Technique," and found a highly rewarding job at the Herb Store.
But most importantly, he began to truly understand the rules of how this world operates.
Ron took out the bottle of scorching essential oil from the drawer, its pale golden liquid glimmering faintly in the sunlight.
With the experience from the first time, he could now perceive the energy contained within the oil more clearly.
"Tell me..." Andre took a careful look at the essential oil, "Why is Lord Holt so interested in you? Just because of a well-preserved Star Grass?"
Ron shook his head, "It should be more than that; I guess it's because of the 'Rhythm.'
"Rhythm?"
"As mentioned in the 'Crown Breathing Technique,' every power has its specific rhythm."
Ron explained, "While organizing the herbs today, I found many materials carrying some sort of special vibrations."
Andre tapped his forehead, "That reminds me of something my grandfather once said, that a true Wizard must not only master power but also understand its essence."
"Just like this bottle of scorching essential oil." He shook the potion in his hand, "On the surface, it seems to be used for body refining, but it actually carries the rhythm of the sun."
Ron's heart stirred; no wonder he saw that golden sun during the first body refining.
Perhaps it wasn't merely an illusion, but through the breathing technique, he sensed the energy traits within the essential oil.
"It's almost time." Andre glanced at the sun outside the window, "Where should we practice this time?"
"The same experiment site," Ron said while packing up his things, "The runes there can conceal our presence, and..."
He hadn't finished speaking when suddenly a dull thud came from next door, followed by Darrend's exasperated voice, "Damn it! Failed again!"
The two exchanged glances, sharing helpless smiles.
This neighbor, who is obsessed with studying Sound Wave Magic, creates commotions nearly every day, just like the magic he's researching.
......
Walking through the chilly morning path, the abandoned experiment site appeared especially quiet under the sunlight.
The stone pillars engraved with runes cast mottled shadows, and the bluish-gray marks on the ground were faintly visible in the daylight.
No wonder Wizards chose to conduct experiments here; this area is extremely sensitive to energy, and any extraordinary power would leave traces on the ground.
Ron noticed that the bluish-gray on the ground seemed lighter than yesterday.
"Strange..." he muttered to himself.
With the keen perception gained through his career change, he realized these colors were actually remnants of some sort of energy. They would gradually fade whenever sunlight touched them.
"We're here." Andre's voice broke Ron's thoughts, "You can start preparing."
While taking things out from his bag, Ron cautiously looked around, "Why do you think Wizards would abandon an experiment site like this?"
He always found it strange; in the resource-scarce Black Mist Jungle, a site with isolating runes should not be simply discarded.
"You'd have to ask those runes."
Andre pointed to the mottled marks on the stone pillars, "It's said that a failed experiment by an Official Wizard led to the runes being polluted, gradually losing their original effect."
"Alright, enough idle talk, those matters aren't our concern as neither of us are even Apprentices."
The blond boy didn't seem interested in further conversation, swiftly taking out the scorching essential oil:
"I must remind you, the secondary body refining might be different from the first."
"How so?"
"Do you remember the feeling from yesterday?" Andre began reviewing his notes, "When the essential oil seeps in, there will be a specific rhythm."
Ron nodded; he would never forget that experience, the intense energy flowing through his meridians, each pulse like the heartbeat of the sun.
"This time..." Andre's voice took a serious tone, "You must actively guide the energy, it's like..."
He seemed to be searching for a suitable metaphor:
"It's like dancing; the first time, you were led along, but this time, you need to learn to control the rhythm yourself with the music. And after this, you won't need anyone to assist you in future body refining processes."
Ron understood, remembering his morning experience at the Herb Store, where the herbs each had unique rhythms, the key being how to perceive and harness these traits.
"I understand." He took off his shirt and sat cross-legged on the stone platform, "Let's begin."
[Detected scorching essential oil, do you wish to commence secondary body refining?]
[Note: This body refining will affect the growth of some Knight's Squire attributes.]
After the first body refining, he could clearly perceive the pathways of meridians within his body.
"This time, I won't need to remind you of each step." Andre said, beginning to mix the scorching essential oil, "You need to actively guide the flow of energy."
Ron nodded, closed his eyes, and began adjusting his breathing.
[Commence secondary body refining?]
"Confirm."
As the first drop of scorching essential oil fell on his back, the familiar burning sensation hit again.
But this time, Ron did not passively endure; instead, he coordinated with the rhythm of the "Crown Breathing Technique."
Inhale, seven beats. Energy rushes into the body with the breath.
Hold, three beats. Sensing the intense rhythm contained in the essential oil.
Exhale, five beats. Guiding the energy along the meridian paths.
"Good," Andre's voice came from afar, "Now transition into the second rhythm."
Ron deepened his breathing rhythm; this time, he could clearly sense the direction of every strand of energy, as if controlling countless tiny streams of fire, guiding them along specific paths.
[Secondary Body Refining
Progress: 35%
The Magic Potion Apprentice career synergy effect is active:
-Slightly increased meridian modification efficiency
-Slightly increased energy absorption rate]
As the breathing deepened, Ron gradually entered a wondrous state.
Unlike the passive endurance of the first refining, this time, he could clearly perceive the flow patterns of energy.
The scorching currents were like invisible brushes, sketching the outline of meridians under his guidance.
"Focus on the second rhythm." Andre's slightly uneasy voice came from not far away:
"Inhale nine beats, hold five beats, exhale seven beats. Remember, you are directing the rhythm."
Following the instructions, Ron adjusted his breathing frequency; with the rhythm change, he felt the energy within him flowing in a new manner.
Every breath was a note, and the meridians were the instruments played.
When the rhythm was fully matched, the flow of energy became extremely smooth.
"I seem to have grasped the gist..." Ron pondered internally.
This energy flow rule bore some resemblance to the "rhythm" he observed in the Herb Store earlier.
Suddenly, a much stronger heat flow surged into his body.
It was the last wave of scorching essential oil, its temperature much higher than before.
"The crucial moment has arrived." Andre's voice continued to remind, "Remember, don't resist this energy, guide it instead..."