The system was most efficient at improving memory-based knowledge.
If he put his all into studying a complete book,
he could fully absorb it in just three days.
Lately, Ian had even been skipping the High Tower's free classes.
Part of it was fear of something happening on the way, but he was also afraid of running into Simon.
Every night was spent taking potions and meditating. Watching his Skill Levels steadily increase filled him with a deep sense of satisfaction.
「A little over half a month later, at the crack of dawn.」
"BANG BANG..."
"Ian, open up!"
Ian, who hadn't gotten up yet, was jolted awake by forceful knocking on his door.
'So, it's finally here.'
Instantly wide awake, Ian suppressed his morning temper, got dressed, and opened the door.
"Look, kid, what's the deal? It's been days. Not a single reply to my messages, huh?"
Simon looked displeased and began grilling Ian the moment he stepped through the door.
He was clearly trying to gain the upper hand and put Ian in his place.
Ian put on a panicked expression and shook his head repeatedly.
"Simon, my family hasn't sent the Magic Stones over yet, and I was too embarrassed to seek you out."
"Bullshit!" Simon slammed his hand on the table, glaring at Ian.
"I refuse to believe you don't have even that small amount of Magic Stones on you."
Ian dodged the spray of spittle and explained patiently.
"You know how many Magic Stones I've spent already. When have I ever lied to you?"
Simon hesitated, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind. On second thought, what Ian said made sense.
'Normally, a simple bluff like this is all it takes for the little coward to spill everything.'
'Could it be that I've been squeezing him too hard, and his family's supply of Magic Stones can't keep up?'
'Ian is a huge cash cow. I've been feeding off him for so long, it seems he's finally run dry.'
"You really don't have even five Magic Stones on you? You know how much I hate being lied to."
Simon's tone grew grim; he was about to resort to rougher methods to teach Ian a lesson.
"He lent his Magic Stones to me. So? Got a problem with that?"
At some point, Kenna had arrived outside the door.
A greatsword in hand, he stared coldly at Simon.
Simon whirled around, his expression instantly turning ugly.
'Could it be that this self-righteous bastard also has his eyes on Ian?'
"I don't care what you two have going on. I sold the herbs to Ian, so I need to get my Magic Stones."
Simon's eyes shifted. His tone weakened, as he was deeply intimidated by Kenna.
"Just give me a bit more time. As soon as the Magic Stones arrive from my family, I'll pay you back first."
Ian felt he had no choice but to placate Simon for the time being.
He was currently weak and didn't want to make a mortal enemy of Simon just yet.
'Relying on others' power was only a temporary solution; what mattered most was becoming strong himself.'
'His power was growing rapidly, so the more time he could buy, the better.'
"Hmph! One month at the most. I *will* get my Magic Stones then."
Simon didn't press the issue further. Without a glance at either of them, he stormed out and slammed the door behind him.
"Thanks, Kenna. Why don't you come in and have a seat?"
Ian invited Kenna in, but he just shook his head.
"You need to be careful. Simon's background is complicated. I think he has the backing of a High Level Apprentice."
Ian's heart grew cold. A High Level Wizard Apprentice was completely different from Low and Middle Level Apprentices.
Most of them have been at the academy for years. Their mastery of Witchcraft is profound, and they've begun to form their own unique systems.
Compared to novices like them, they were true monsters in combat.
"Thank you for the warning." Ian's tone was grave, and he was secretly grateful for this vital piece of information.
Kenna looked a bit embarrassed. He hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"It's just a coincidence that I was here to help. I actually came because I wanted to buy an Awakening Potion from you."
Ian wasn't surprised. This cheap and effective potion was what most Low and Middle Level Apprentices used for their meditation.
"I don't have any on hand. My success rate at refining potions is still very low. I'll get one to you in a few days."
Seeing Ian agree, Kenna's expression relaxed, and he put down five Magic Stones.
"If Simon comes again, you can contact me. I'll help you kill him outright. As for the payment..."
Before leaving, Kenna said something that left Ian shocked and uncertain.
'This upright Knight, after a few years of roughing it in the Wizard World, has changed so much!'
'Never mind that. At least I'm finally seeing some Magic Stones coming my way!'
Ian mused, looking at the shiny, pitch-black Magic Stones on the table, each the size of a quail's egg.
Then his expression turned grim. The fact that Simon had left so readily actually made him more uneasy.
'He wasn't as naive as this body's previous owner. He didn't for a second believe Simon would actually wait a month.'
Ever since unlocking the panel, he had stayed cooped up at home, never stepping out, desperately focused on his Cultivation.
He had done it all to avoid trouble, but trouble had found him anyway.
However, he was no longer the same person he was over half a month ago, completely unable to fight back.
[Name: Ian Marcus]
[Age: 16]
[Realm: Low Level Wizard Apprentice (75%)]
[Talent: Moderate Light Attribute Affinity]
[Skill: Star Moon Low Level Meditation Method: Skilled (18/400)
Wizard's Hand: Skilled (12/200)
Secondary Frost Freeze Beam: Mastered (3/400)
Awakening Potion: Beginner (51/100)
Basic Magic Potion Recognition: Skilled (160/200)]
The rapid progress in his Meditation Method was what put him most at ease; it was his foundation.
Although he was starting to develop a slight resistance to the potions, it wouldn't be a problem to hold out until he broke through to the Middle Level Apprentice realm.
Then there was his only Attack Witchcraft: Secondary Frost Freeze Beam.
The Skill Level had increased rapidly at first. Once it reached the Skilled stage, he could still gain one point of Skill Level for every three or four practice casts on average.
After more than twenty days and over a thousand practice casts,
the Skill Level had finally surpassed Skilled yesterday, reaching the final stage: Mastered.
What surprised him was that the panel showed the Skill Level could still be increased.
This made him focus on the Witchcraft even more. His casting time was now down to 0.5 seconds.
Its maximum range had reached 20 meters, placing it in the category of mid-to-long-range Witchcraft.
Ian slipped out of his room and found a deserted clearing, where he came to a stop.
He rapidly formed the hand seals, his fingers moving so fast they left afterimages, and quickly chanted the spell.
"Glacies!"
He pointed his arm, and with a WHOOSH, a deep blue streak shot out.
PFFT! Fifteen meters away, a large tree, so thick one person could barely wrap their arms around it, was pierced straight through.
The entire trunk shuddered, instantly becoming covered in a thick layer of frost.
'Not only does it have piercing damage, but also a continuous freezing effect.'
He fired another ray. This time, the adjacent tree trunk remained unharmed, merely coated in a thin layer of frost.
Ian nodded to himself. 'Controlling the power at will... now *this* is what Witchcraft is supposed to be like.'
When fired at full power, the Frost Freeze Ray was incredibly destructive, but the cost was correspondingly high.
With his current Spiritual Power, he could only fire five such rays before being completely depleted.
And that was only because of the great strides he had recently made in his Meditation Method.
When he returned home at noon, Ian discovered his food stores were running low. This was the first time he'd ever stayed cooped up at home for so long.
He put on the gray long robe of the High Tower and pulled up the hood.
With some gold coins and his eleven Magic Stones tucked away, he headed out again.