At the end of Frostfall (November), the first snow fell.
Black Rock City was covered in a blanket of white.
On this day, Su Nan's learning progress with 'Hand of the Wizard' also reached 100%.
['Hand of the Wizard' learning progress reached 100%, 'Hand of the Wizard' obtained]
A flood of information rushed into his mind. Su Nan closed his eyes to digest it for a while, then opened them, looked at the books on the table, and uttered a series of strange syllables.
The moment the sound rang out, the books trembled slightly and then slowly floated up, down, left, and right, moving with his gaze.
The effect of Hand of the Wizard is to make distant objects float and move freely.
To outsiders, it appears as if an invisible ghostly hand is moving objects.
This is the origin of the name Hand of the Wizard.
Among the many zero-tier spells, Hand of the Wizard is one of the most practical.
Whether it's surgical experiments or potion making, using Hand of the Wizard can save a lot of effort.
In combat, the Wizard's Hand can also be used to remotely control weapons to attack enemies.
The effective range and weight capacity of the controlled object depend on the caster's spellcasting skill and mental strength.
This is why Su Nan chose the Wizard's Hand as his first spell.
With the Wizard's Hand, making potions and extracting lizard man blood will be much easier.
"Which spell should I choose for the second one?"
Su Nan's mind raced, and three spell books automatically floated out of the bookshelf and landed on the table:
Acid Splash, Sleeping Spell, and Flash Spell.
The effects of all three spells were easy to understand; their names revealed their meanings.
After a moment's thought, Su Nan finally decided to learn the Sleeping Spell first.
To speed up his learning progress in biological modification, he had captured many small animals for experiments.
Mastering the sleeping spell would undoubtedly make experiments much easier.
Since the Blackscale Lizardmen had already retreated, and the territory no longer needed him for combat, there was no need to rush to learn offensive spells.
In fact, the combat strength of a first-level wizard apprentice was generally not considered strong.
Upon initial promotion, a Level 1 Apprentice is merely someone with stronger mental power than the average person, capable of drawing upon external energy particles and storing them within their body, forming a novice with a concept of magical power.
Later, as they meditate and enhance their mental power, their body gradually strengthens due to the subtle influence and improvement from these energy particles.
At this stage, a Level 1 Wizard Apprentice is not significantly stronger than a Trainee Knight.
Compared to a trainee knight, they only possess slightly higher spell resistance, far inferior to a knight-level figure.
Only after mastering two or three offensive spells does a level 1 wizard apprentice truly possess combat power and the strength to fight a full-fledged knight.
This state continues until promotion to Level 2 Wizard Apprentice.
A Level 2 Wizard Apprentice can initially manipulate energy particles enough to enhance their physique to a high level. With the addition of magical assistance, even a peak Knight would find it difficult to match them; only a Grand Knight-level powerhouse could resist.
Furthermore, a Level 2 Wizard Apprentice can contract magical pets and use magical items.
A Level 2 Wizard Apprentice possessing magical pets and combat magical items is a force even a Grand Knight would dare not directly confront.
It was only at this point that the true difference between a wizard apprentice and a knight became apparent.
Gathering his thoughts, Su Nan picked up the *Sleeping Spell Model* and began to read.
[Reading *Sleeping Spell Model*, 'Sleeping Spell' learning progress +0.08%]
[Reading *Sleeping Spell Model*, 'Sleeping Spell' learning progress +0.08%]
Time flew by.
Following the Frostfall Month, the coldest and most difficult month of the year, the Slumber Month (December) had also passed.
On the fifth-to-last day of December, the Blackscale Lizardmen finally retreated in disarray, trudging through the snow.
This war, which had lasted for over two months, came to an end.
After five days of rest, Blackrock City then welcomed the first day of the Winter Harp Month (January) of Star Calendar 1249.
This day marked the New Year for the Duchy of Stars.
The howling wind couldn't dampen the festive atmosphere within the city.
Houses were brightly decorated, and groups of children ran and played among the crowds, their little faces red from the cold wind, yet still giggling incessantly.
In the inner fortress, in the banquet hall,
Young maids bustled about, constantly bringing fragrant ham, cheese, dried fruit, and fine wine to the tables.
Knights gathered around the tables, drinking and chatting, occasionally bursting into laughter.
Old Geller, directing his servants in setting up the hall, caught a glimpse of this scene out of the corner of his eye and couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.
In previous years, at this time, the former lord and his generals would be overwhelmed with the losses caused by the Blackscale Lizardmen and would have no time for a New Year's feast.
But this year was completely different.
Knight Jorton said they had dealt a heavy blow to the lizard bandits this year, forcing them to flee back to their lair before even surviving the first snowfall.
The surrounding villages had suffered almost no damage.
Because of this, on the first day of the new year, the serfs sent various agricultural products to the inner fortress to express their gratitude to the lord.
However, what puzzled old Geller was that he had heard this was all thanks to young master Sunan.
The knights and generals he knew all implied this, and they spoke of young master Sunan with utmost respect.
This left old Geller completely baffled.
Having lived in Black Rock City for decades, he could vaguely sense that some kind of positive change was taking place in the city.
"The lord and Lord Sunan have arrived!"
A cry of surprise suddenly rang out.
The hall fell silent instantly, and everyone turned to look at the entrance.
Kee and Sunan walked into the hall side by side.
Both were dressed in formal attire and shared a striking resemblance in their handsome features.
Kee, the elder brother, was tall and robust, with full, rounded muscles and strong lines, as perfect as an ancient Greek statue.
Although Sunan, the younger brother, still looked thin, he no longer appeared weak; his entire being exuded an aura of competence.
His eyes, in particular, were deep and bright like stars, so intense that one dared not meet their gaze.
The arrival of the two brothers immediately drew everyone's attention.
"Lord."
"Lord Sunan."
The knights bowed respectfully.
Their address to Sunan changed from "Young Master" to "Lord" as a sign of respect.
Ke Yi strode to the front of the crowd, raising his wine glass.
"Thank you all for your hard work last year! Tonight, let us drink to our hearts' content and enjoy the food!"
The knights cheered loudly, the clamor almost lifting the roof off.
Sunan watched this scene quietly, picked up a glass of fruit wine from the table, and took a sip.
After more than two months of being immersed in energy particles, his physique had increased to 2.79, almost reaching the peak of a trainee knight. Moreover,
Because he could absorb energy particles, he didn't have the same increased appetite as other trainee knights, requiring large amounts of food to replenish the energy consumed during cultivation.
If needed, he could even go without food for several months.
Now, he ate more to satisfy his appetite.
Su Nan had just finished a glass of fruit wine when Ke Yi walked up to him.
"Why aren't you drinking with everyone?"
"I prefer to be alone and quiet."
Ke Yi knew his younger brother's temperament, so he didn't say much, just smiled, and said, "I have good news for you. I've found what you wanted, and it should be in your yard by now."