Chapter 8 : Acolyte

The massive wooden doors of the laboratory loomed before Leylin as he pushed them open, stepping into the chamber beyond.

A pungent mix of sweet, acrid, and metallic scents immediately assaulted his senses—alchemical reagents in various stages of refinement. The air itself seemed thick, humming with residual energy from past experiments.

At the heart of the room stood an imposing table, nearly spanning the length of the chamber, cluttered with vials, flasks, and intricate glass apparatus Leylin couldn't yet identify. Strange liquids bubbled in some, while others contained preserved materials of dubious origin. The entire setting reminded him of the laboratories from his past life, though the aura of mysticism here far surpassed anything mundane science could achieve.

At the far end of the chamber, beside a softly glowing rune-etched cauldron, stood a middle-aged man with a head of neatly combed white hair. He wore flowing white robes embroidered with golden symbols, and his eyes gleamed like molten gold—otherworldly, piercing, scrutinizing Leylin as if seeing into his very soul.

"I am Kroft." His voice was deep, steady, and laced with a strange resonance. "The arrangements have been made. So then, Leylin—are you willing to become my apprentice?"

Leylin met the Magus' gaze for a second, and bowed his head immediately. If a normal person meets a Magus gaze head-on, and the Magus didn't voluntarily controlled his spiritual force, then they can call into a possibly deadly illusion.

"I am willing." There was no hesitation in Leylin voice.

A flicker of approval crossed Kroft's face before he nodded. "Good. Since the academy has decided this, I accept you as my disciple."

He glanced around the lab, his sharp eyes scanning the space. "This chamber may be modest compared to the grand halls of knowledge, but it will serve well enough for your initiation. Here, we shall not be disturbed."

Kroft folded his arms. "Now, before we begin, tell me—what does a Magus mean to you?"

Leylin took a breath, collecting his thoughts. The weight of his future knowledge, the mysteries of this world, and the boundless potential of magic crystallized into his response.

"A Magus is more than a scholar of the arcane," Leylin said, his voice firm but contemplative. "They are seekers—of power, knowledge, and the fundamental truths of existence itself. To wield magic is to grasp at the fabric of reality, to impose one's will upon the world. It is not merely about spells or potions, but understanding the essence of all things. A true Magus does not just accumulate knowledge; they refine it, innovate upon it, and push beyond the boundaries of what is known."

Silence followed his words. Kroft studied him for a long moment before a slow smile spread across his face.

"An intriguing perspective," the Magus mused. "Most acolytes answer with something naïve—power, longevity, enlightenment. But you... you see further."

Kroft chuckled. "Very well. Let us begin the rites."

With a wave of Kroft's hand, the floor shifted. Arcane symbols surfaced from the stone, glowing faintly as they arranged themselves into a formation. The temperature in the room dropped slightly, the air humming with an unseen force.

A single flame burst to life at the center of the formation, flickering but unnaturally steady. Shadows danced along the laboratory walls, cast by a light that did not waver.

Kroft extended his hand. "Now, give me your hand."

Leylin stepped forward, placing his palm in the Magus' larger, calloused one. Kroft's grip was firm, his fingers lined with faint golden markings—traces of long-practiced magic.

"By the ancient rites, I shall guide you onto the path of a Magus," Kroft intoned. "Repeat after me."

As Kroft spoke, the words seemed to echo, resonating in Leylin's mind as if embedded into reality itself. Though the language was foreign, he understood it instinctively, as though something deep within recognized its significance.

"I swear—I will forever be in pursuit of the truth."

Leylin's voice intertwined with Kroft's, his youthful tone carrying a trace of solemnity.

"Without the permission of my mentor, I swear that I will not reveal any of the knowledge imparted to me..."

As they continued, the flame at the formation's heart flared, casting brilliant golden light. A strange sensation washed over Leylin—an imperceptible shift in his perception. The world around him seemed to take on a sharper clarity, a deeper complexity, as if he were seeing beyond the veil of normality.

[Anomaly detected in host's brainwaves.]

The familiar voice of the A.I. Chip rang in his mind, confirming the subtle yet profound transformation.

When the last words of the ritual were spoken, Kroft released Leylin's hand, nodding.

"Congratulations," he said. "You are now an acolyte."

After Kroft provided him with instructions for the next day's lessons, Leylin left the laboratory and navigated his way back to the dormitory. Thanks to the A.I. Chip, he had already mapped a portion of the academy's layout, avoiding unnecessary detours.

His dormitory key, labeled 783, felt cool and heavy in his palm as he slotted it into the lock. The door creaked open, and as he stepped inside, an enchanted lamp flickered to life, casting warm illumination over the modest living quarters.

A bedroom, a small sitting area, and a washroom—functional, if sparse. A neatly folded blanket lay atop the bed, untouched.

Leylin set down his belongings, his analytical mind already assessing the resources at his disposal.

His acolyte robes, woven with defensive enchantments, were comparable to reinforced leather armor.

Leylin quickly slipped into them and pinning the acolyte badge to his chest.

Looking into the mirror, he examined his reflection. His dark hair framed sharp eyes, and now clad in the grey robes of an acolyte, he looked no different from the other apprentices. But Leylin knew—his journey would be unlike any other.

"Before starting meditation lets get something to eat."

Leylin went out to search for cafeteria and after a brief meal in the academy's dining hall—extravagant compared to his previous meals in the carriage—Leylin returned to his room, settling onto his bed with the crystal ball in his hands.

"So it begins, my journey onto the mysterious path of Magi." he whispered.

[A data interface has been detected. Begin transmission?]

"Proceed."

A sudden wave of searing pain gripped Leylin's skull as raw information flooded his mind. Symbols, patterns, complex formulas—knowledge directly imprinted onto his consciousness. He clutched his grip on the crystal ball, enduring the process.

[Elementary Meditation Technique acquired.]

When the pain subsided, he took a deep breath. The meditation technique, the foundation of an acolyte's training, was now his.

"A.I. Chip, defragment and optimize the data."

[Processing… 21.3% redundant information removed. Transmitting optimized version.]

"I wonder what my talent level would be like with A. I. Chip, possibly fifth-grade." Leylin exhaled, his mind sharpening as the refined information settled.

The meditation technique involved constructing mental runes—symbols drawn in the mind to enhance spiritual force. The more runes one could sustain, the greater their progress.

Level 1 Acolyte – Construction of 8 mind runes.

Level 2 Acolyte – Construction of 24 mind runes.

Level 3 Acolyte – Construction of 48 mind runes + Proficiency in at least two spell models.+ Achieving a spiritual force level of 7.

'Construction of mind runes isn't very difficult with A. I. Chip to monitor the minute details, the margin of error is much less. Spells can also be defragmented and optimized, the speed of A. I. Chip to study and calibrated spells was comparable to, or even surpassed top acolyte talents. The only issue would be raising the spiritual force and also getting the magical reagent needed to breakthrough to Acolytes Level 3.' Leylin thought.

'Well I guess I should worry about reaching Acolytes Level 2 first, then I can learn spells and take mission. With my soulbound devourer skil, my real potential can only be unlocked in the wilderness.' Leylin knows that currently going out to take mission is similar to suicide, the black forest outside the academy is too dangerous. And for now he is still far Acolytes Level 2.

Talent played a big role in advancement of acolytes. Fifth-grade acolytes could master the first level in days. Fourth-grade, like Leylin, took around two weeks or more. Others struggled for months or even years.

"If I reach Level 1 under a week, Kroft would be pleased with my talent and take me more seriously. I would be comparable to a Fifth-grade in his eyes, and along with some success in potionerring I would be close second to Merlin." Leylin is not bored enough to fight for the position of prized apprentice but being better valued by your professor have many perks. And Its not impossible for a fourth-grade talent to be outstanding, because even among different grades of talent, some are inferior and some superior.

Leylin's lips curled into a small smile. His path was clear.

Sitting cross-legged, he closed his eyes, entering the first stage of meditation. The runes began to form in his mind, glowing faintly against the backdrop of his thoughts.

The bronze clock in Leylin's dimly lit room ticked away as the A.I. Chip finally completed its analysis.

[The first mind rune has been analysed. Begin transmission?]

"Finally! Begin."

A three-dimensional rune appeared in his mind, intricate and dizzying. A regular acolyte might take days to comprehend it, but with the A.I. Chip, Leylin mastered it within hours. His speed, he estimated, was on par top fifth-grade acolytes.

Closing his eyes, he followed the meditation instructions, envisioning a serene lake. Time passed unnoticed as tiny motes of light flickered into his body. When he opened his eyes, exhaustion settled in. There was a time limit to practicing breathing techniques, just like Knights.

[Beep! Scanning host's body… Brain cell activity increased. Vitality +0.03]

Leylin felt his vitality increase just a bit, its because after absorbing direwolf soul, his vitality was already strengthen a lot and its harder to progress as one advances.

Without hesitation, Leylin stripped off his outer robes and lay down to rest, appropriate sleep after meditation optimizes its effects.

The A.I. Chip's alarm roused Leylin from his deep sleep. It was already 5:30 AM. He washed up quickly, grabbed a piece of bread for breakfast, and rushed to his mentor's laboratory.

"Good morning, Sir," he greeted Professor Kroft, noticing a beautiful female acolyte beside him.

"This is Bicky, another of my apprentices. And this is Leylin, the new acolyte."

"Also you also have another senior called Merlin. His Potioneering skills are excellent!" Kroft said to Leylin.

"Merlin has been called a once-in-a-century genius of Potioneering, and is regarded as the most likely successor of our mentor!" Bicky added.

"Haha! Indeed! Merlin has shown outstanding talent in Potioneering! If there is anything you don't understand, you may seek his help!" Once he mentioned Merlin, Kroft's face revealed a smile, and he seemed extremely satisfied with that student of his.

Leylin exchanged pleasantries with Bicky before Kroft inquired, "You attempted the meditation technique?"

Leylin nodded. "Yes sir, although it felt uncomfortable."

"Dizziness is a common aftereffect of the memory transmission," Kroft reassured him. "To attemp meditation technique despite of that, you are quite tenacious or just too eager."

After laying out his expectations—daily cleaning duties and free access to public lessons—Kroft dismissed them. Bicky was assigned to show Leylin around the academy.

As they toured, Bicky explained the layout. The trading post, the mission area, and the strict rules governing acolytes. Leylin absorbed the information.

Their walk led them to a garden where a crowd gathered around a silver-haired youth.

"That's Senior Fayle," Bicky said, eyes shining. "A genius who became a level 2 acolyte within six months."

Leylin shook his head, noting Bicky's admiration. 'Her love is beyond my understanding, she loves him enough to give her family resources even delaying her own growth. To the extent of stealing from her family treasures, but still cheats on him. What a weird girl.'

Moving on, Bicky directed him to the academic area, where acolytes took notes from a posted class schedule.

"There are free public lessons and paid ones," she explained. "The advanced ones cost one magic crystal for ten lessons."

His A.I. Chip had mapped most of the academy, marking safe zones in green, cautionary areas in yellow, and the most dangerous sections in red. It was wise to avoid the red zones until one was at least a level 3 acolyte.

After bidding farewell to Bicky, Leylin ate dinner and returned to his room. He resumed his meditation, carving another sliver of spiritual growth into his mind.

"I'll need 5-6 more days."

With that thought, he drifted into deep slumber, determined to walk the arduous path of a Magus.

Over the week, Leylin focused on strengthening his foundation at Abyssal Bone Forest Academy. He continued assisting Kroft in the laboratory, cleaning up experiments and sorting materials. This work provided valuable exposure to Potioneering and the environment of true Magi. During this time, he encountered Merlin, Kroft's senior apprentice, a tall and taciturn individual obsessed with his research. Merlin rarely interacted with others, which might have contributed to his exceptional skill in Potioneering.

Leylin also attended the academy's free public lessons, though they were few in number. These covered essential topics such as Magi history, the ancient Byron language, spell principles, basic Potioneering, anatomy, and spell theory. The instructors were indifferent, often rushing through material and leaving immediately after class. Questions were ignored unless acolytes were willing to pay in magic crystals.

Despite this, Leylin made full use of his A.I. Chip to record everything for later study. He even considered selling information to other acolytes for magic crystals.

He had a first hand experience about the harsh reality of life at the academy—Magi were living sources of radiation, slowly contaminating their surroundings and how adversely it affects acolytes who have yet to reach Level 1.

Ordinary humans could not survive long in such an environment. The only way to resist this was to grow stronger. Reaching the level of a true acolyte was not just a goal but a necessity for survival, this is where the cruelty of difference in talent is evident as well. While better talent individual could reach Level 1 acolyte soon and develop some immunity, student with poor talent continues to be bombarded with harmful radiation further damaging them.

Apart from necessary interaction, Leylin connection with fellow acolytes remained limited. He often attended classes with Bill, a fellow fresh acolyte, due to their proximity as neighbors. In contrast, his former companions, like Kaliweir, had been assigned to different mentors and now lived too far away for regular interactions.

Thankfully the urgency to advance wasn't dire for him. The radiation exposure have not yet started to erode his body but his breakthrough was near.

Leylin continued attending public lessons, with anatomy being a crucial prerequisite for advanced topics. Recognizing an opportunity, he began tutoring Bill, who aspired to major in Transfiguration. Bill, eager to improve, agreed to pay Leylin a magic crystal for one-on-one lessons.

After dinner, Leylin tutored Bill for an hour before returning to his dorm. He didn't do this for income only but to make connections as well, reputation is a useful tool specially when it's not very hard for someone like him to build.

Also a few extra magic crystal is necessary for now, because after reaching Level 1 acolyte status, it would grant him access to potion brewing and he needs some initial capital to start.

One night, Leylin sat cross-legged and began his meditation. The air in his room stilled as black light particles emerged around him, drawn toward his orifices. His muscles tensed, sweat beading on his skin before he finally entered a peaceful state. After some time, he opened his eyes, confirming his advancement to Level 1 acolyte.

His A.I. Chip confirmed that his spiritual force had doubled, naturally attracting energy particles. Testing his abilities, Leylin channeled Dark elemental energy.

By manipulating energy particles, he performed minor tasks, but overuse left him momentarily dizzy.

His spiritual force was still too weak for casual use of magic, he decided to rest, allowing his mind to recover.

There is one more thing that Leylin has noticed, which is that his spiritual froce recovery speed is much faster compared to other acolytes. After a while of contemplation with A. I. Chip scanning and observation, he concluded its because of his Soul affinity.

He has the highest affinity with soul element, which makes it easier to not only recover spiritual force, but also increase his control over it, his purify of spiritual force is also higher and also his meditation speed.

With his soul affinity, no one would find it suspicious if he has the progression speed of a fifth grade talent despite being just fourth grade.

The next morning, feeling refreshed, Leylin reported to Kroft's laboratory. As he entered, Kroft immediately noticed the fluctuations in his energy.

"Leylin, you have broken through!"

Leylin nodded humbly.

"Only 7 days? Your aptitude is similar to fifth-grade level!" Kroft smiled in approval, acknowledging Leylin's potential. He has read Leylin documents, and although he expected Leylin's progress to be faster than usual fourth-grade talents but it seems Leylin innate aptitude is also excellent.