Chapter 38

The refining utensils are made of magic-affinity metal, each piece carrying tiny stability runes, capable of withstanding high-intensity magic power modulation, and are essential tools for advanced potion research.

The protective inner armor is woven from a mixture of various extraordinary materials. Although it is not a true magic item, it has excellent texture and can provide considerable protective power without affecting the flexibility of movement.

Calculated by market value, these two items together require at least one or two complete magic stones.

"I choose these two." Luo En pointed to the list and said, his tone revealing caution: "This set of refining utensils and the protective inner armor."

The duty personnel nodded and made a record on the form: "A typical choice for potion apprentices, practical and not flashy. Wait a moment, I will go get the items for you."

During the time she left the testing room, Luo En thought again about why Lady Ailan would promote him so much.

Is it just because of the talent he showed in potionology? Or is it that the mysterious old pharmacist saw some deeper potential in him?

Regardless of the reason, he silently remembered this favor in his heart. In a place like the Black Mist Jungle, such help is really too rare.

Not long after, the duty personnel returned with an exquisite wooden box and a piece of neatly folded dark cyan cloth.

"These are the items you chose." She handed them to Luo En and attached a thin booklet:

"Also, this is the rules and regulations and resource guide that entry-level apprentices need to know. I suggest you familiarize yourself with it as soon as possible."

Luo En took the items and carefully opened the wooden box to check.

Inside was a set of well-crafted refining utensils, each piece flashing with the cold light of metal, with tiny stability runes engraved on the bottom.

"There is nothing to pick on about this set of utensils at the apprentice stage."

The duty personnel said while watching Luo En's movements: "It is suitable for refining not only ordinary potions, but also some advanced formulas. If used properly, it can accompany you for a long time."

Luo En closed the box and looked at the inner armor again.

The seemingly ordinary cloth felt unusually tough, and it felt slightly cool to the touch, obviously not an ordinary object.

"Thank you for your help." He nodded politely in thanks, "Do I need to go through any other procedures?"

"Not for the time being." The duty personnel handed him a green badge glowing with a faint light:

"Wear this, it can prove your entry-level apprentice status, and it can also allow you to enter some public areas of the school that require permission."

Luo En took the badge and pinned it to his chest.

The runes on the badge immediately resonated with his spiritual power, emitting a faint light.

"Lady Ailan has also given me some help before. Since she values you so much, as a senior, I will give you some advice."

The duty personnel's tone became extremely serious:

"Although entry-level apprentices have passed the most basic screening, they are still at a lower level of the food chain within the school. Especially people like you... who have come from behind, are often more likely to attract the prying eyes of those with ill intentions."

When leaving, she added meaningfully: "Be cautious and keep a low profile; this may be your most important survival rule for the next period of time."

Luo En nodded in thanks; he fully understood the meaning of these words.

After experiencing the things with Da Wo De and Ma Kusi, he already had a profound understanding of the rules of the Black Mist Jungle.

When walking out of the central hall, the night was deep.

Luo En hugged the set of refining utensils and protective inner armor tightly, his heart filled with excitement and a trace of vigilance.

Becoming an entry-level apprentice means he has taken the first step in the Black Mist Jungle.

But this is just the beginning, and the road ahead is still long and full of unknowns.

With these thoughts, Luo En walked toward the dormitory area.

Speaking of which, in fact, after he was certified as an entry-level apprentice registered by the school, he was qualified to change dormitories and move out of the probationary apprentice area.

But since the last time the thing with Da Wo De happened, a large area of his neighbors had become empty, which meant he enjoyed a quiet and undisturbed area alone.

He simply didn't move out; after all, changing to a better dormitory room required paying a large amount of magic stone fragments to the school, while the one he was living in now was free.

………………

After returning to the dormitory, Luo En locked the doors and windows immediately, and only after ensuring there was no possible surveillance did he begin to carefully study the items obtained from the school.

First was the set of refining utensils; he carefully took each piece of equipment out of the wooden box and placed it on the table.

This set of equipment was far more sophisticated than he had imagined—the crucible was made of a special blue-silver alloy, capable of conducting heat evenly and resisting most magic power corrosion;

Each interface of the distiller was embedded with micro-stability runes, which could precisely control the flow of steam;

Even those seemingly ordinary measuring cups and stirring rods contained special materials, capable of measuring and mixing various components without affecting the potion components.

【Potion Refining Experience +1】

Just by becoming highly familiar with the basic usage of these utensils, his potion refining experience had improved.

Luo En was secretly happy; this set of equipment would undoubtedly greatly accelerate his progress in potionology.

Afterward, he checked the protective inner armor again, which might be a precious item that could save his life at a critical moment.

At first glance, this close-fitting armor was no different from ordinary clothing, but when he observed carefully, he could see tiny runes faintly flickering in the fabric.

When touched lightly, the cloth automatically changed shape to adapt to his gestures, soft but carrying an incredible toughness.

"What exquisite craftsmanship." Luo En exclaimed, carefully folding the inner armor and placing it aside.

But now, he had more urgent things to do—raise the zero-ring spell "Slime Splash" to a proficient level and complete the last job transfer condition for 【Wizard Apprentice】.

Luo En quickly sorted out all the necessary conditions in his mind:

【Combat Profession - Wizard Apprentice (One and a Half Stars) Job Transfer Information】

【Job Transfer Conditions:

1. Spiritual power reaches 2.0 √

2. Basic meditation method reaches proficient √

3. Master a spell at a proficient level】

"Only the last one is left." Luo En whispered in his heart, "Must finish it tonight."

He looked around, looking for a suitable practice target.

Finally, his gaze fell on a stone at the foot of the bed, which he had prepared specifically for practicing spells.

Taking out the simple stardust liquid refined under Lady Ailan's guidance, Luo En took a small sip carefully.

The cool feeling spread from his throat to his whole body, and his spirit was clearer than ever before.

【Simple Stardust Liquid - Effect: Spiritual power stability slightly increased; spellcasting accuracy slightly increased】

"Alright, let's start." Luo En took a deep breath and began to condense his spiritual power.

With the qualitative change in his spiritual power as an entry-level apprentice, his control over energy was no longer what it used to be.

The previous blurry feeling had disappeared, replaced by a clear energy flow path.

The operation of every trace of spiritual power was within his perception range, like transparent water, which could be precisely guided to any direction he wanted.

Luo En closed his eyes, recalling the description of sound waves in Da Lun De's notebook.

Sound waves are essentially vibrations of a specific frequency, and spiritual power can also be adjusted according to a specific frequency.

This idea gave him a brand new direction for experimentation—he began to try to combine spiritual power with a specific sound frequency.

Wonderfully, this method was somewhat similar to the technique he had explored when practicing "Slime Splash" before.

The difference was that this time he was consciously adjusting the vibration frequency of his spiritual power, no longer relying on intuition.

Under his guidance, his spiritual power began to vibrate according to a specific frequency, just like a plucked string.

As the vibration frequency was adjusted, he could clearly feel every detail of the spell model and the changes in every energy node.

【Slime Splash spellcasting started】

【Spellcasting method optimization detected】

【Simple Stardust Liquid effect is in effect: Spell model stability slightly increased】

(End of chapter)