Nearly half an hour had passed since Ivan entered meditation.
Inside his Soul Sea, at its very center, a strand of spiritual energy controlled by Ivan slowly engraved a peculiar rune. The rune was not a simple symbol. It was a complex three-dimensional structure composed of numerous interconnected nodes and pathways. Every connection had to be perfectly aligned and every node had to be positioned with absolute precision. Even the slightest mistake could cause the entire structure to collapse.
According to the records contained within the Basic Meditation Method, once the First Meditation Rune was successfully engraved inside the Soul Sea, it would become the foundation of a wizard's future path. During meditation, it would attract free-floating magical particles from the surrounding environment, refine them, and transform them into controllable free-floating particles, commonly known as mana.
At the same time, the mana produced by the rune would gradually nourish both the Soul Sea and the physical body. This process would slowly transform a mortal body into one capable of accumulating and wielding magical power. Only after completing this transformation could a wizard apprentice safely perform wizardry and continue advancing toward higher realms.
At present, Ivan's body was still fundamentally mortal. To be more precise, his body was still considered a magical insulator. Although it could interact with magical particles to a certain degree, it could neither store mana nor sustain prolonged magical circulation. Even though he possessed the strength of an Intermediate Knight, physical strength alone could never replace magical adaptability. Without mana continuously tempering his flesh, bones, blood, and organs, his body would never truly become suitable for the path of wizardry.
Inside the Soul Sea, the Meditation Rune gradually neared completion. Node after node connected together while intricate pathways intertwined to form the final structure. As the last section slowly emerged before Ivan's perception, only a single node remained unfinished. Ivan's concentration immediately reached its peak.
Even Nova temporarily reduced all calculations unrelated to the breakthrough. Every available unit of processing power was focused on monitoring the construction process and analyzing every fluctuation within Ivan's body and Soul Sea.
Slowly and carefully, Ivan guided the strand of spiritual energy forward.
Finally, the last node connected.
The moment the connection was completed, the entire rune trembled.
Buzz—
A deep blue radiance erupted from the completed rune.
The previously calm Soul Sea suddenly reacted. Gentle waves transformed into turbulent currents while silver ripples spread throughout the vast spiritual ocean. The newly formed Meditation Rune floated at the very center of the Soul Sea like an ancient celestial body, slowly revolving while emitting a soft blue glow.
The First Meditation Rune had been successfully constructed.
At that very moment, Ivan felt something change.
His perception rapidly expanded outward. Although the distance was still short and barely extended one meter beyond his body, it was an enormous improvement compared to before when he could only vaguely sense the surface of his skin.
Within that one-meter radius, countless free-floating magical particles drifted throughout the surrounding space.
Ordinary people could neither see nor sense these particles. Even most knights remained completely unaware of their existence. Only Wizard Seeds who possessed the potential to become future wizards could sense and perceive them clearly.
As soon as Ivan's perception spread outward, the free-floating particles within that area immediately reacted.
The first to arrive were crimson-red fire particles.
After them came dark particles carrying traces of shadow and darkness.
Mixed among them were peculiar silver-white particles containing faint spatial fluctuations.
Alongside these three elemental particles, countless other particles also drifted toward Ivan. Water particles, wind particles, earth particles, metal particles, and various other elemental particles were all attracted by the newly formed Meditation Rune.
However, the difference was obvious.
The fire, darkness, and spatial particles were noticeably more active than the others.
Their gathering speed was faster.
Their response was stronger.
Their numbers were significantly higher.
After observing the phenomenon, Ivan immediately understood the true meaning of elemental affinity.
The particles corresponding to a wizard's natural affinities would instinctively respond more actively to that wizard's spiritual force. The higher the affinity, the stronger the attraction.
Nova immediately began recording every change occurring within Ivan's body.
Inside the mental space where the Soul Sea resided, the free-floating particles slowly approached the Soul Sea under the attraction of the completed Meditation Rune.
Ivan watched attentively.
Although he had read countless descriptions within wizard books, this was his first time personally witnessing the process.
The colorful particles gradually entered the Soul Sea.
As they passed through the ocean-like spiritual layer surrounding the Soul Sea and came into contact with the blue radiance emitted by the Meditation Rune, a miraculous transformation began.
The crimson color slowly faded.
The darkness gradually disappeared.
The silver-white spatial glow weakened.
One after another, all elemental characteristics were stripped away.
The blue radiance emitted by the Meditation Rune continuously refined the free-floating particles, stripping away their elemental properties and reducing them to their purest state.
As the colors gradually faded, countless tiny silver-white droplets emerged within the Soul Sea.
Each droplet represented purified mana.
Like starlight falling from the night sky, the droplets slowly gathered together and drifted toward the center of the Soul Sea.
Slowly, the purified mana condensed into a small sphere.
The Meditation Rune revolved around it like a moon orbiting a planet.
For a brief moment, the entire scene resembled a miniature universe.
The Soul Sea became the outer cosmos.
The mana sphere became a tiny celestial body.
The Meditation Rune continuously revolved around it.
Even Ivan could not help feeling amazed.
Compared to the crude diagrams recorded in books, witnessing the process personally was far more magnificent.
At the same time, subtle changes began occurring throughout Ivan's body.
The free-floating particles entering from the outside world continuously flowed through his flesh, blood, muscles, bones, and organs as they traveled toward the Soul Sea.
This process was neither violent nor painful.
Instead, Ivan felt a warm and comfortable sensation spreading throughout his body.
Before constructing the Meditation Rune, his body resembled a magical insulator. Even if magical particles entered his body, they would quickly disperse without leaving any lasting effect.
Now things were different.
Although the particles flowing through his body were still free-floating magical particles rather than mana, they were nonetheless magical in nature.
As they circulated through his body, they subtly influenced his flesh and gradually improved his compatibility with magic.
Currently, the amount of mana stored within Ivan's Soul Sea was still far too meager to affect his body. It had not yet reached the point where it could provide feedback, strengthen his physique, and gradually transform it into a body suitable for wizardry. At this stage, the free-floating particles circulating through his flesh remained the only force subtly guiding this adaptation.
Although the transformation was still subtle and almost imperceptible, it had already begun.
For the first time, his body had begun adapting itself to the path of wizardry.
In the future, as Ivan constructed additional Meditation Runes and accumulated larger reserves of mana, this transformation would continue.
The mana stored within his Soul Sea would gradually circulate throughout his body, continuously strengthening it and improving its compatibility with magical power.
Eventually, his body would become increasingly suitable for casting spells and manipulating mana.
Some ancient wizards were even said to possess bodies comparable to high-level magical creatures, with astonishing magical affinity and terrifying resistance to spells.
Naturally, such achievements were still unimaginably far away from Ivan.
After observing the process for some time, Ivan quickly noticed another phenomenon.
The current absorption speed of free-floating particles was unusually high.
Not only that, the newly formed Meditation Rune seemed to be attracting particles automatically.
According to the records contained within the Basic Meditation Method, such efficiency should not normally be possible.
After receiving several rounds of analysis from Nova, however, Ivan quickly understood the reason.
This automatic absorption was only temporary.
The Meditation Rune was currently attracting particles so aggressively because this was its first activation.
For years, Ivan's Soul Sea had remained completely empty.
Now, after finally obtaining the ability to absorb mana, the newly activated Meditation Rune naturally displayed unusually strong attraction.
Furthermore, similar situations had been recorded among many Wizard Seeds who had just completed their First Meditation Rune.
Therefore, this phenomenon was not unique to Ivan.
Once the initial absorption period ended, future meditation sessions would require active guidance. Ivan would have to consciously attract free-floating particles and refine them into mana himself.
Otherwise, the growth of his mana reserves would become extremely slow.
Even so, Ivan was not disappointed.
Compared to the Breathing Method, which primarily focused on strengthening the physical body, the complexity of a Meditation Method was hundreds or even thousands of times greater.
After all, the Meditation Method simultaneously involved the body, mana, and the mysterious Soul Sea itself.
The fact that the Meditation Rune had worked so smoothly during its very first activation was already an excellent result.
Still...
A familiar thought quietly emerged within Ivan's mind.
"If Breathing Techniques can eventually become automated..."
"Then perhaps Meditation Methods can too."
The thought suddenly appeared inside Ivan's mind.
At first glance, the idea sounded completely absurd. After all, even the simplest Basic Meditation Method was hundreds or thousands of times more complicated than a Knight Breathing Technique. Yet the more Ivan thought about it, the less ridiculous it seemed. Throughout history, many revolutionary discoveries had started as ideas that sounded completely insane. If everyone believed something was impossible, nobody would ever bother trying.
Unfortunately, his current knowledge reserves were nowhere near sufficient to solve such a problem. After considering it briefly, he stored the idea away for future research. There was no point wasting time on a problem that even official wizards might find difficult to solve.
After observing the Meditation Rune continuously absorb free-floating particles and convert them into mana, Ivan suddenly had an idea. The Basic Meditation Method mentioned that concentration could improve the efficiency of meditation. If that was the case, perhaps he could actively guide the surrounding elemental particles toward the rune. With this thought in mind, he slowly closed his eyes and began following the instructions recorded in the Basic Meditation Method.
The moment he started actively participating in the process, the efficiency immediately increased. Combined with the rune's natural attraction, the speed of mana refinement became several times faster than before. Seeing the result, Ivan was both surprised and delighted. He had originally assumed the automatic absorption was already operating at peak efficiency, but reality proved otherwise.
As expected, books could only teach theory.
Personal experience was always the best teacher.
Time passed quietly.
One hour.
Then two.
Eventually, a faint sense of exhaustion emerged from the depths of his Soul Sea. The mana sphere ceased growing, while the Meditation Rune gradually slowed its rotation. The blue radiance surrounding it weakened until only a soft glow remained.
Feeling the warning signs described in the Basic Meditation Method, Ivan immediately stopped meditating.
According to the records, every wizard apprentice possessed a limit to how long they could meditate each day. Depending on the strength of their soul and mental energy, most Low-Level Wizard Apprentices could meditate for approximately two to three hours before reaching their limit.
The Soul Sea was not an inexhaustible resource.
If a wizard apprentice forced themselves to continue meditating after reaching their limit, the consequences could become severe. Mild cases would result in headaches, mental exhaustion, and temporary damage to spiritual perception. Serious cases could damage the Soul Sea itself. In extreme situations, the Soul Sea could collapse completely, resulting in immediate death or permanent mental destruction.
No sane wizard would gamble their future over a few extra minutes of meditation.
Therefore, overtraining the Soul Sea was never a wise decision.
Slowly opening his eyes, Ivan exhaled a long breath.
The dormitory remained silent.
Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a pale silver glow across the room. Outside, White Wing Saint Academy had long since fallen asleep. Only a handful of distant lights still flickered throughout the vast academy grounds.
After allowing himself a few moments to recover, Ivan spoke softly.
"Nova."
"Yes, Master."
"Bring out the analysis results."
A familiar translucent blue screen immediately appeared before him.
"According to analysis, following the successful construction of the First Meditation Rune, Master's body has successfully transitioned from a non-magical state into a preliminary magic-compatible state."
"Free-floating magical particles can now enter and circulate throughout Master's body without significant resistance."
"Physical enhancement has occurred."
"Due to Master's Intermediate Knight physique, enhancement efficiency was reduced."
"However, measurable growth has still been detected."
As Nova finished speaking, a transparent status panel appeared before Ivan.
Name: Ivan Thornheart
Age: 16
Race: Human
Physique: 7.6 → 7.7
Agility: 7.8 → 7.9
Constitution: 7.9 → 8.0
Mental Energy: 3.9 → 5.5
Seeing the results, a satisfied smile appeared on Ivan's face.
The physical improvements were modest.
However, the growth in Mental Energy was substantial.
His Mental Energy had increased by 1.6 points during a single meditation session. For ordinary Wizard Seeds, such growth would be almost unimaginable. Most would require multiple meditation sessions to achieve similar results.
More importantly, his Constitution had officially entered the eight-point range.
By Knight standards alone, that achievement was already impressive.
Ivan knew very well that once all of his physical attributes crossed the ten-point threshold, he would officially enter the High-Level Knight Realm. Considering that he had only broken through to Intermediate Knight a short time ago, having one of his primary attributes already reach eight points was remarkable progress.
After organizing his thoughts, Ivan recalled the information he had gathered from academy records.
Within the standard wizard advancement system, Low-Level Wizard Apprentices generally possessed Mental Energy between ten and twenty points.
Intermediate Wizard Apprentices ranged from twenty to thirty.
High-Level Wizard Apprentices ranged from thirty to fifty.
After reaching fifty points and satisfying various additional conditions, one could attempt to advance toward the realm of a First-Level Wizard.
Of course, those were merely standard measurements.
True geniuses often surpassed those limits. Some deliberately accumulated greater foundations before advancing, resulting in significantly stronger future growth after their breakthrough.
At present, Ivan was still short of the ten-point threshold.
Strictly speaking, the ten-point standard was recognized throughout most of the wizarding world as the true requirement for becoming a Low-Level Wizard Apprentice.
However, White Wing Saint Academy operated differently.
As long as a Wizard Seed successfully constructed their First Meditation Rune, they were already recognized as a Low-Level Wizard Apprentice by the academy.
The reason was simple.
Low-Level Wizard Apprentices possessed virtually no spellcasting capability. The realm primarily focused on mana accumulation, Soul Sea stabilization, and bodily adaptation. Actual spellcasting generally began after entering the Intermediate Wizard Apprentice stage.
Therefore, the academy regarded successful rune construction as the official boundary between Wizard Seed and Wizard Apprentice.
In other words...
From this moment onward...
Ivan was no longer a Wizard Seed.
He was officially a Low-Level Wizard Apprentice.
Just as this realization appeared in his mind, the badge resting against his chest suddenly emitted a faint glow.
Ivan immediately removed it and examined it carefully.
The ordinary-looking badge slowly transformed.
Its silver surface gradually turned bronze. At the same time, a single bronze star slowly emerged at the center of the badge. The transformation completed within only a few seconds.
Shortly afterward, a new transparent interface appeared before him.
Congratulations, Wizard Apprentice Ivan Thornheart.
Advancement to Low-Level Wizard Apprentice confirmed.
Identity Badge authorization updated.
New functions unlocked:
Mission Panel
Using the Mission Panel, the holder may view and accept academy missions remotely according to rank permissions. Mission completion verification and reward distribution must still be performed at the Mission Hall.
Academy Marketplace
Using the Academy Marketplace, the holder may purchase academy-approved materials directly through the badge. Purchased items can be delivered to designated locations within academy territory.
Information Storage
The holder may record, organize, and store personal information, notes, records, and mission-related data.
Warning:
Information Storage cannot store physical objects.
Ivan carefully read every line.
After confirming the newly unlocked functions, the transparent interface gradually disappeared. The glow emitted by the badge faded away, and the dormitory once again returned to silence.
Only then did Ivan notice the exhaustion accumulating throughout his mind.
Constructing the Meditation Rune, monitoring the breakthrough, and continuously meditating for nearly two hours—any one of those tasks would have been mentally exhausting. Combined together, they left him thoroughly drained.
This exhaustion was not physical.
It originated entirely from his mind and Soul Sea.
Because of this, Ivan merely skimmed through the descriptions of the newly unlocked functions instead of immediately testing them. There would be plenty of time to examine their exact capabilities and limitations tomorrow.
Suppressing a yawn, Ivan stood up and washed himself.
After changing into clean clothes, he returned to bed.
Moonlight continued pouring through the window.
Beyond the dormitory walls, the vast White Wing Saint Academy remained peaceful and quiet beneath the night sky.
A faint smile appeared on Ivan's face.
Today, he had finally taken his first true step onto the path of wizardry.