"Speaking of which, your Ralph family's breathing technique, while not as good as the royal family's, isn't it still quite good, right? Why don't you..."
Andrei asked with some curiosity.
Ron scratched his head awkwardly. Indeed, in his original memory, his father and older brother had repeatedly asked him if he was interested in training as a knight.
But back then, I was indulging in sensual pleasures and disdained the arduous and exhausting training of a knight.
It's too late to regret it now.
Andrei noticed Ron's expression and instantly understood everything.
"I see. Back in the capital, you were a notorious playboy."
His tone suddenly became playful, and he gently swirled the tea in his cup:
"I remember once, you were so drunk in the royal gardens that you actually did it in front of several ministers, with one of your personal maids."
"Ahem!" Ron quickly interrupted him, a hint of embarrassment on his face.
The original owner's absurd memories are like a nightmare to him now.
Seeing Ron's restless state, Andrei finally couldn't help but laugh out loud:
"Alright, for the sake of these fifty magic stone fragments, I won't expose your secrets."
He placed the teacup on the table, his expression returning to a more serious tone: "But seriously, Ron, have you really thought this through?"
"What's the meaning?"
"The Corona Breathing Technique is indeed powerful, but precisely because of this, its difficulty in cultivation far exceeds that of ordinary breathing techniques."
A hint of worry flashed in Andrei's eyes. "Even in our royal family, not everyone can master it."
"Furthermore," he paused, "given your current physical condition, rashly practicing advanced breathing techniques could very well lead to..."
"I know there are risks," Ron interrupted him, "but what are these risks compared to our fate three months from now?"
It doesn't matter, he has cheat codes anyway, and there's another reason he practices breathing techniques: he wants to try and activate a special class related to knights to gain extra power growth.
Seeing Ron's determined gaze, Andrei sighed, "Since you insist on this, then I will no longer try to persuade you."
He stood up, rummaged through his belongings, and pulled out a stack of crumpled handwritten manuscripts from his bag, clearly for easy reference:
"This is the manuscript I copied back then. It contains some cultivation tips and precautions."
"However, I must remind you of something."
Andrei stared intently into his eyes: "If you think you can figure it out on your own just by getting the notes, you're sorely mistaken."
Ron looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"Advanced breathing techniques are not as simple as they seem."
Andrei shook his head. "It requires a strict guidance process and specific training methods, otherwise it's easy for things to go wrong."
He looked at the stack of crumpled manuscripts:
"For example, the first and subsequent second stages require the use of specially formulated 'heat-inducing essential oils' to strengthen the body. If the drug ratio is incorrect, or if it is taken at the inappropriate time..."
Andrei pointed to his chest: "At best, it will cause burns to the body; at worst, it will cause spontaneous combustion starting from the lungs."
Ron gasped, realizing how naive he had been.
"Moreover, different body-tempering drugs are required at different stages."
Andrei continued, "For example, the third stage requires 'lava drippings,' and the final stage requires..."
Seeing Ron's slightly pale face, Andrei smiled: "Don't worry, since I've taken so many magic stone fragments from you, I will naturally take full responsibility."
As he spoke, he handed the notebook to Ron: "I've written down the formulas for these medicines, but I'll need to personally guide you through the specific refining process."
Ron took the notebook and turned to the first page.
Among the densely packed characters, besides the key points of breathing techniques, there are also numerous annotations on drug preparation.
"To be honest," Andrei said with a smile as he put the pile of magic stone fragments into his pocket, "I'm quite looking forward to seeing how well you can master this breathing technique."
His tone carried a hint of mischief:
"Even within our royal family, there are not many people who can fully master the Corona Breathing Technique. Most people get stuck at the second stage and can no longer make any progress."
"Are you trying to dampen my enthusiasm?" Ron said with a wry smile.
"How could that be?" Andrei's smile deepened. "I was just encouraging you."
He stood up and straightened his apprentice robe:
"Let's go to the herbal medicine shop first. The ingredients for 'Burning Essential Oil' are not particularly rare, but the proportions are very important. I need to help you choose them myself."
Seeing the other party's delighted expression, Ron realized that this prince had probably been waiting for the right price to sell.
After all, in a world where wizards dominate everything, what is the point of the inheritance of secular royal families? It's better to take the opportunity to gain some practical benefits.
As for those so-called sectarian prejudices, who would care about such empty reputations when it comes to life and death?
After leaving the dormitory area, Ron followed Andrei through a winding stone path.
"Don't tell me you haven't been to the market much in the past few months?" Andrei said, turning back to look at Ron as he led the way.
Ron touched his nose somewhat awkwardly. Indeed, he had almost never left the house before, locking himself in his room all day to study "Basic Meditation Method".
Even daily necessities were purchased through errand runners, and the only opportunity to leave the house each month was to pick up the magic stone fragments delivered from home.
"I remember you used to have your meals delivered to your room."
Andrei laughed and said, "If I hadn't come to see you today, I would have thought you had starved to death in your room."
On the stone path, dark blue moss illuminated their way.
Various strange plants on both sides emitted eerie light in the night, some swaying as passersby walked, while others bloomed with iridescent light in the darkness.
"Be careful of these plants." Andrei pointed to a cluster of mushrooms glowing purple on the ground. "These are 'Nightmare Umbrellas,' they will…"
"I know." Ron instinctively took a few steps back. "It says in the admissions guide that it releases hallucinogenic spores."
"Oh?" Andrei raised an eyebrow. "It seems you've read the admission guide very carefully."
"After all, there's not much else to read besides those few books," Ron said with a wry smile.
During that period, he devoted all his time to meditation and reading, to the point that he knew very little about what was happening in the outside world.
"And I actually fell for it once. During my first week here, I slept in that area for a whole day. When I woke up, I found myself hugging a datura plant that could spray poison. Since then, I've been especially careful about these things."
Andrei found it somewhat amusing and was about to say something when a sharp scream suddenly came from afar.
A grey-robed apprentice stumbled out of the roadside bushes, his right hand now a twisted, vine-like structure.
"This happens a few times every month." Andrei shook his head. "But you don't need to worry. Living like a caveman like you is actually safer."
"The apprentices' market is just ahead."
Andrei walked around him and pointed to a dilapidated stone archway ahead:
"Here, you can find almost anything an apprentice could want. Of course, that is, provided you have enough magic stone fragments."
As you pass through the archway, you are greeted by a strange mix of various herbs and medicines.
A cat wearing boots walked gracefully past them, its fur gleaming metallic in the dim light.
Next came a group of chattering little elves chasing a crystal ball that bounced on its own.
Ron was so engrossed in watching that he almost bumped into a tall figure in front of a stall.
The enormous, tentacle-like body made him somewhat reluctant to get close, so he stepped aside.
"Don't be nervous," Andrei laughed. "Although the Krakens look scary, they are very good business partners. Just be careful when you speak, their saliva is corrosive."