Before the main hall, the youths caught sight of the mentor from afar, esteem in their eyes for Toyennes, who stood in the wind, exuding a unique scholarliness that inspired admiration.
"Greetings, mentor."
"Children, has life within the castle posed any difficulties?"
"All is well."
Toyennes spoke with a gentle voice, his gaze filled with care.
After asking about their daily affairs, Toyennes led the youths into the main hall and took out a potion, gesturing to them, "This is a mental power potion—Magic Stone Water, suitable for 1st Class apprentices; now the potion is yours."
Three bottles of Magic Stone Water were distributed to each person, handed out in the sequence they were enlightened.
Ivan also received a set, the small glass vials contained water that seemed to have ink dripped into it. The ink formed into strands of smoke that lingered, undispersed, and upon a gentle shake, the black smoke twisted and writhed.
According to the knowledge on Meditation Method, mental power potion is one of the most valuable potions among sorcerer potions; regardless of the quality, they are rare commodities in the market.
The feeling of being gifted such an extravagantly valuable potion was overwhelming, and for a moment, he felt dizzy with happiness, utterly impressed by the mentor’s generous act.
Watching the youths, each with an expression of joy, Toyennes said, "I look forward to the day you become 1st Class apprentices. Then you may come to me, and I will teach you how to use spiritual power and how to manipulate energy particles. For now, you may all return."
"We will follow your order, mentor."
With respectful bows, the youths walked slowly out of the great hall.
They clutched their mental power potions tightly, fearing they might get lost on their way back.
Before they reached the dormitory, somebody couldn’t repress the excitement within. Experience tales at novelhall.Côm
"Haha, having the mental power potion is fantastic."
The others couldn’t help but look over—it was Thomson. Some smiled along, others showed looks of disdain, and some seemed thoughtful.
Thomson paid no mind to the odd looks of others; no one knew the pressure he faced.
Few knew he was practicing Ode to Spring Dew. Just by hearing what others said about him, he knew he was the only one whose Meditation Method and primary attribute did not align. He was born with the poorest 1st Class talent, one disadvantage compounded by another, dooming him to be at the bottom.
He saw no hope of catching up with the others.
But now, with the arrival of the Ink Stone Water, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief, at least he could soon become a 1st Class apprentice.
Hearing Justine say this, Ivan remembered that others couldn’t determine their exact spiritual graduated degrees like he could; they only estimated based on the number of meditation runes they depicted, making the comparison blurry.
"Ivan, when do you think is the best time to use it?"
"Probably when meditation becomes noticeably more difficult."
Justine’s thoughts coincided with his own; the potion was too valuable, and they had to maximize its effectiveness.
The thirteenth day of practicing Ode to Spring Trees.
Ivan succeeded in depicting the fourth meditation rune, and the next day he was able to conjure the first four runes in his mind all at once, advancing his spirit to 1.8 graduated degrees.
It was slower than he had anticipated. After some thought, he felt the environment was to blame; the concentration of energy particles on the island likely couldn’t compare to that of the Sorcerers Academy, which had held him back.
The sixteenth day.
The sky above the island was still shrouded in clouds, with light only seeping through them. The outside world was bathed in bright sunlight, while the light on the island was dim.
The young men opened their doors in due time, ready to head to the nearby dining hall for breakfast.
Laurie got up even earlier and was just returning from the dining hall.
He gently clapped his hands, attracting everyone’s attention.
"Fellow junior brothers and sisters, I, although not particularly talented, have become a 1st Class apprentice. If you have any questions about meditation, you can ask me, and I will not withhold anything."
"Congratulations, Brother Laurie, then—"
"Brother Glen, my apologies, I didn’t make myself clear earlier, I’m going to visit my mentor first to learn new knowledge. I’ll have time to guide you all when I return."
Laurie stood before everyone with a slightly pale face, but Glen’s respectful title of ’brother’ was music to his ears. He showed an obvious smile and took the opportunity to mention his upcoming visit to his mentor.
Ivan pushed open his door, just in time to see an ambitious figure’s back.
Of course, he knew what had happened outside. Not to mention the exceptional hearing brought by Bat’s Eyes, Laurie had practically stood right in front of his dormitory door, hardly subtle.
"Ivan, I was the first among everyone to become a 1st Class apprentice. Don’t you think this ’brother’ title is deserved?" Laurie turned around, his face full of smiles, not waiting for Ivan to respond before he continued, "Don’t be discouraged. Surely you’re close too, keep up the good work."
What did ’a petty man making good’ look like? It was clearly right before his eyes, presuming to overstep his boundaries first thing in the morning and disturbing the peace.
Ivan kept a straight face, "If I’m to call you brother, let’s wait until you’ve learned how to cast Spells."
He walked past Laurie from the side, causing Laurie’s smile to freeze on his face.