Chapter 14 – Chapter 14 Instruments and Techniques_1

However, the mainland has a large population and not everyone is a wizard. A large number of ordinary people exist, and gold and silver coins are still in normal use.

The Quete Archipelago does not have the ability to issue currency, and the currency in circulation is all transported from the mainland.

Hence, the gold and silver coins that Mrs. Grande stuffed into Link’s hands could also be spent in the Living Services Building.

Link had only visited the Living Services Building once before and was not particularly familiar with this four-story building; he just understood the general layout.

The first floor mainly offered catering services. Some New Bloods from noble origins who couldn’t adapt to the cafeteria’s common dishes, and who had some money in their pockets, would come here to upgrade their meals.

The second floor specialized in selling various intelligent devices, such as Intelligent Mechanical Puppets, and personal smart brains.

Not all New Bloods were able to get free personal smart brains from the large aircraft carrier provided by the academy, yet such devices were indispensable for their academy life and studies.

For those New Bloods who didn’t receive a free personal smart brain and lacked funds, the store on the second floor launched a smart brain loan scheme…

The third floor was a large bookstore.

The library mostly housed mainstream, basic books and rarely had any books or materials involving advanced knowledge.

Many great books that contained advanced and extended knowledge could only be bought from the bookstore.

And naturally, the prices were not beautiful at all.

The fourth floor was full of various shops, with a wide variety of goods and a mixture of everything.

Shopping here greatly tested one’s discernment.

Link’s needs were clear: a small, easy-to-carry weapon that could harm second-class wizard apprentices or even third-class wizard apprentices.

There were many weapons that met this requirement, mainly Rune Magic Tool, and even Magic Tools.

The so-called Rune Objects, or more precisely, rune items, were ordinary items with some runes added, giving them some special properties and playing some specific roles.

However, a few scattered symbols that are not systematic cannot cause a qualitative change in items, nor can they be called Magic Tools. Their effects are limited and they are not accepted by official wizards.

Wizard apprentices and some nobles were quite fond of Rune Objects.

Since Link was tight on funds, he naturally couldn’t afford the Magic Tools that could only be bought with Magic Stones. He could only set his scope on the Rune Magic Tool.

After looking around, Link set his sights on a spell-breaking sleeve crossbow in a second-hand goods store.

Regardless of whether they were second-class wizard apprentices on the verge of promotion, or already promoted third-class wizard apprentices, they were still within the realm of physical mortals. If they were shot at a vital point by a crossbow arrow, they would be seriously injured or even die.

The spell-breaking property of the crossbow arrow was specially designed to target shields, armor, and other types of witchcraft.

After a hard bargain, Link finally bought this used spell-breaking sleeve crossbow with three crossbow arrows for two gold coins and fifty silver coins.

Upon purchasing the sleeve crossbow, he equipped it immediately.

The saying “the cruel are often quiet” applies perfectly here.

If you have plans to harm me, I’m not afraid to kill you.

Back at the dormitory, Link set up several scenarios for using the sleeve crossbow, such as setting up ambushes, launching surprise attacks, and playing dead…

After practicing each scenario a few times and familiarizing himself with how to shoot crossbow arrows at the most tricky angles and at the fastest speeds, Link finally stopped with satisfaction.

After washing and changing, he meditated.

For wizard apprentices, meditation is the most important way to increase power.

Only by persisting daily can progress be made.

Link performed the “Mind Closure Technique,” allowed his consciousness to sink into the Sea of Consciousness, swapped the real and virtual relations of the rune of an equilateral triangle and its reflection, then condensed spiritual power into a thread. He first traced the Derivation Rune at the apex, then moved to the left base and traced the Water Element Affinity Rune once, then switched to the right base and traced the Wood Element Affinity Rune once, then returned to the apex, forming a cycle.

Each cycle consumed 3 standard units of spiritual power. After completing five cycles in a row, Link’s spiritual power entered a state of exhaustion.

Upon exiting the meditative state, although there was no test or data displayed, Link intuitively felt that his spiritual power had slightly increased, and two types of magic power had been added to his body.

One type of magical power was smooth and nourishing while the other was vibrant with life.

These two types of magic power were not stored in any particular part or organ of his body, but were distributed in every single cell.

As the quantity was still too small, and Link had not yet practiced a specific method to refine his physique using magic power, there was currently no noticeable change.

However, Link was very satisfied with the results of tonight’s meditation.

Most New Bloods, after passing the initial stages of meditation, would first imprint a Will Rune in their Sea of Consciousness, then continue to meditate on this Will Rune alone for some time.

Once they became familiar with the rhythm and state of meditation and their control over their spiritual power had been trained accordingly, they would then imprint other runes and finally form a rune cycle to advance to the rank of First Rank Wizard Apprentice.

The process was not only time-consuming, but the results were also not particularly obvious.

Unlike Link who, on his first meditation, advanced to a First Rank Wizard Apprentice, and with each subsequent meditation, his spiritual power steadily grew and his magic power gathered more smoothly.

It was simply perfect.

Then it was time to sleep.

…

The following day.

The sun rose as usual.

Link got up early, took care of his personal hygiene, and went to the cafeteria for breakfast under the morning glow.

Coming out of the cafeteria, on his way to the teaching building, Link deeply understood the strong pursuit of cleanliness and abstinence from food by those who were said to cultivate immortality in his previous life.

These unavoidable trivial matters in daily life were really a waste of time.

Eating was fine.

Link still loved fine food.

But having to spend a lot of time every day on washing and changing clothes made Link a little impatient.

Link decided secretly that he must learn a type of witchcraft that has a cleaning effect, so that with a swift motion, his clothes could be cleaned, and with another swift motion, his body could be cleaned!

But witchcraft wasn’t something one could learn just by wanting to. “The Essence, Origin, and Development of Witchcraft” was the only course Link could currently take to learn about witchcraft, but it didn’t provide a complete Magic Blueprint.

A course on Magic Blueprints should only be offered next semester.

If Link wanted to learn witchcraft in advance, there were currently only three possible ways.

The first was to report to the academy his promotion to First Rake Wizard Apprentice, in the hope of receiving potential benefits or rewards;

The second was to fish in the library, trying to find a rare and precious Magic Blueprint among thousands of books;

The third was to buy it from the bookstore in the Living Services Building.

However, each of these three methods had its drawbacks.

To go to the bookstore to buy it would cost Magic Stones, Link’s annual allowance of three standard first-level Magic Stones had not yet been issued, and his pockets were empty.

To find it in the library was as likely as winning five million in the lottery.

Upon comparison, reporting to the academy seemed to be the most appropriate option, although it might be a bit conspicuous since school has only been in session for two weeks.

Link did not rush to choose any of these three options.

He decided to wait patiently, as there might be other options available.