Lynn followed Grand Wizard Helen back to the Furnace.
As the stronghold of a Fourth-Level Morning Star Wizard, the Furnace remained as calm and stable as ever, seemingly operating in an orderly manner.
If there was any noticeable difference, it was that there were significantly fewer people around. What was once a bustling hub now felt desolate, exuding an indescribable sense of loneliness.
Because Lynn was the sole survivor who had escaped from the Great Forest of Emerald Isle to deliver the message, he held a special status. He was considered a free agent, exempt from the obligations of military service and daily tasks at the Furnace.
Initially, Lynn intended to greet his teacher, but unfortunately, his beautiful mentor was too busy to meet him. Left with no other option, he returned to the Potion Garden on his own.
Upon arriving at his dormitory in the Potion Garden, Lynn realized how quickly time had passed it had already been two months since he left.
Although these two months had been spent mostly on the run, when he looked back, he found that he had gained a great deal.
Grand Wizard Helen had no interest in the items Lynn had brought back, so she allowed him to keep them.
Now, it was time for Lynn to take inventory of his recent gains.
First, he had acquired a spatial item filled with various potions.
Most of these potions were intended for Wizard apprentices. After a rough estimate, Lynn figured he had enough to advance to a Third-Level Wizard Apprentice, with possibly some leftovers.
Apart from these common potions, the most valuable among them were three unfinished potions, which were crucial for breaking through to a full-fledged Wizard.
Lynn handled these potions with extreme care, following the preservation methods outlined in Introduction to Potion Processing to ensure they retained their maximum efficacy.
Next, there was another spatial item, filled with all sorts of enchanted artifacts.
Over the past few weeks, Lynn had managed to gain a preliminary understanding of one particular artifact a dagger.
This dagger was crafted from an extraordinary material, sharp enough to slice through hair with ease.
When imbued with spiritual energy, it triggered an elemental reaction, unleashing formidable power.
As for the other enchanted artifacts, Lynn decided to study them gradually. Now that he had returned to the Furnace, he had plenty of time eventually, he would figure out their true uses.
Finally, the most exciting gain of all was "Little Green."
Describing it as a puppet seemed most fitting. While it lacked signs of life and did not require food, it did need special potions for maintenance.
Lynn had high expectations for Little Green. Once it was restored to peak condition, it would be equivalent to having a powerful knight-level companion.
For someone like him, whose spiritual energy was tightly regulated, this was an invaluable asset. In future battles, Little Green could even play a decisive role.
After organizing his spoils, Lynn took a deep breath and began contemplating his current situation and next steps.
Previously, he had spent his time in the Potion Garden of the Furnace without a deep understanding of its internal structure.
However, after experiencing the horrors of the battlefield, he had come to a stark realization apprentices had virtually no rights in the Furnace.
On the battlefield, an apprentice's fate was entirely dictated by the contracts they had signed. Even if an order demanded their death, the contract would forcibly execute it. No one dared to resist or refuse.
Lynn had witnessed firsthand how an apprentice perished due to contract backlash a gruesome scene that still sent chills down his spine.
He understood that while he had returned to the Furnace, temporarily free from the dangers of war, the shackles of the contract still bound him.
Unless he became a full-fledged Wizard and changed his relationship with the Furnace from servant to equal, he would eventually face the same grim fate.
Thus, his most pressing task was to become a full-fledged Wizard.
Only by doing so could he secure a foothold in the Furnace and truly embark on the path of wizardry, chasing after the unknown and the extraordinary.
Currently, Lynn was still a Second-Level Wizard Apprentice, but after fighting alongside Colin and Sonya, he had learned quite a bit about the requirements for becoming a full-fledged Wizard.
According to their discussions, the criteria for advancement were threefold:
A Third-Level Wizard Apprentice must achieve a certain threshold of spiritual energy this was the fundamental requirement.
The apprentice needed to prepare a first-level official spell, which would serve as a permanent spell imprint.
A special auxiliary potion was required to aid in breaking through to full Wizard status.
Each of these three requirements posed significant challenges.
The first demanded personal strength, while the second and third required substantial resources especially in terms of potions and spell acquisition, both of which cost a considerable amount of magic stones.
Looking back, Lynn realized he had already unknowingly solved one of these issues.
That was the potion requirement he already possessed the necessary potions for the breakthrough.
As long as he improved his knowledge of potion-making, he could begin refining and perfecting these potions himself something that often troubled other Third-Level Apprentices.
"In other words, when the time comes for me to advance, I will only need to purchase a first-level official spell."
Lynn's eyes gleamed as he thought about his collection of enchanted artifacts.
"Although first-level sorceries are expensive, I obtained a whole trove of enchanted artifacts this time. I can simply sell some of them in exchange for the necessary resources."
With that, he had resolved two of the three major hurdles faced by Third-Level Apprentices.
Becoming a full-fledged Wizard, once a distant dream, now seemed within reach. As long as he proceeded methodically, step by step, he could achieve it.
With a clear plan in mind, Lynn no longer saw his goal as something abstract or unattainable.
The road ahead would undoubtedly be challenging, but he had found a shortcut to his unique path.
Taking a deep breath, he decided to take advantage of this rare moment of peace to focus entirely on refining potions and breaking through to a Third-Level Wizard Apprentice.
"Now that no one will disturb me, I can fully concentrate."
He muttered to himself.
After ensuring that he had enough food and water and that his dormitory door was securely locked, Lynn began preparing the potions he would consume.
Each potion had been carefully selected to suit his current needs.
"Tears of Daylight" is perfect for boosting a Second-Level Apprentice's growth, with only one dose left.
"Mindy's Affection" enhances spiritual energy, the most beneficial potion for a Second-Level Apprentice.
"Secrets of the Ocean" is effective for both Second- and Third-Level Apprentices, best taken last.
Lynn laid out the potions in order, mentally mapping out his breakthrough strategy.
At present, his spiritual energy had already reached 12 points, while the threshold for a fully mastered Second-Level Apprentice was 15 points he was close.
He poured the last vial of Tears of Daylight into his mouth, instantly feeling his spiritual energy surge. His entire consciousness began to boil as the potion's effects spread through his body.
Closing his eyes, Lynn fully immersed himself in cultivation.
Having obtained such a wealth of resources, he was determined not to waste a single moment until he had consumed every last potion and successfully broken through.
Unless Grand Wizard Helen personally summoned him, he resolved to remain in seclusion until he reached the Third-Level Wizard Apprentice stage only then would he plan his next move.
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