Chapter 212: Undead Transformation

"Facado and his family have decided to join the academy."

In the study, Sunan, Rose, and the Scepter sat facing each other.

Hearing the Scepter's report, Sunan remained calm and unsurprised.

When he invited Facado and the others, he was certain they would eventually agree to join Starlight Academy.

Unless they had no desire to enhance their power and become wizards, the allure of freely exchanging resources was irresistible.

On the entire Starlight Continent, only Starlight Academy (Star Alliance) had the resources to support their advancement to wizardry.

"The other wizard apprentices from the Russell family have also joined the academy."

The Scepter took a sip of floral tea, the aroma of calming flowers invigorating him slightly.

"Additionally, the wizard aptitude test in the Northwest Region concluded last month, and a new batch of students arrived at the academy yesterday, totaling five hundred and twenty-three. The total number of academy students has now exceeded fourteen hundred."

Sunan nodded slightly. "How about the number of second-level wizard apprentices?"

"One hundred and two," the Scepter replied without hesitation, clearly well-acquainted with the academy's development. "The number is still growing. In another twenty to thirty years, we might see the number of second-level wizard apprentices surpass three hundred."

Sunan understood and nodded.

From the base era to the present academy, after years of accumulation, the second-level wizard apprentices were experiencing a period of rapid growth. The number of second-level wizard apprentices would continue to increase at a faster pace.

As for third-level wizard apprentices, that was still a ways off.

It would be a significant milestone when Starlight Academy saw its first student become a third-level wizard apprentice.

"With over fourteen hundred students, if not for the addition of four instructors, I would have been overwhelmed just with teaching," Rose complained lightly.

The Scepter nodded in agreement.

The number of instructors at Starlight Academy was still too low. With a ratio close to five hundred students per instructor, the three of them felt the pressure.

If it weren't for the substantial contribution points from teaching, they might have protested long ago.

Fortunately, with Facado and the others joining, the pressure had eased somewhat.

Sunan smiled slightly. "You've worked hard."

He paused, then added thoughtfully, "If you know any other third-level wizard apprentices, feel free to invite them. As long as they pass the approval of most of you instructors, they can join the academy as instructors."

"Not a problem!" The Scepter replied with a smile. "I do know a few people."

Rose also mentioned she would reach out to some contacts.

"By the way, where's the Traveler?" Sunan finally remembered another person not present.

"He's gone into seclusion," Rose replied. "The Traveler plans to transform himself into a semi-elemental being to extend his lifespan."

She paused, then added, "In fact, I'm also planning to undergo a semi-elemental transformation soon."

"Me too," the Scepter said seriously. "I'm planning to exchange for some high-tier Dragonkin blood and undergo bloodline fusion."

Sunan's expression shifted slightly.

Their intentions reminded him that none of the three had undergone any life-extending biological modifications.

As Sunan knew, wizard apprentices seeking to extend their lifespans, aside from consuming special potions like the Dawn Potion, typically had three methods.

Besides semi-elementalization and bloodline fusion, there was the transformation into an undead form.

Converting their bodies and souls into an undead state, thereby significantly extending their lifespans.

Of course, undead wizard apprentices weren't truly immortal; they merely lived two to three hundred years longer, an increase far exceeding the other two methods.

However, the cost was substantial.

First, the transformation conditions were stringent, with a low success rate.

Besides requiring vast resources, they needed a place rich in negative energy, like the Black Forest, as a conversion site.

Even if all conditions were met, the success rate wouldn't exceed twenty percent.

Secondly, even if they were lucky enough to succeed, their power growth would stagnate, essentially eliminating any hope of becoming a formal wizard.

Most wizard apprentices sought to extend their lives to buy more time to become wizards. Therefore, undead transformation was rarely chosen due to its contradictions.

In contrast, although semi-elementalization and bloodline fusion offered less lifespan extension, they allowed room for growth and the potential for advancement.

However, most wizards wouldn't undergo semi-elementalization or bloodline fusion during their apprentice phase.

This stage of biological modification doesn't significantly enhance their power and might hinder future development.

It's best to wait until becoming a wizard to choose a more potent bloodline fusion or undergo deeper elementalization, which is more beneficial for future growth.

But on the current Starlight Continent, wizard apprentices had limited options.

Since joining Starlight Academy, Rose and the others were no longer resource-deprived, but they had 'wasted' too much time before. Following the normal progression, their chances of becoming wizards before dying of old age were slim.

Thus, they could only opt for semi-elementalization and bloodline fusion.

Even so, their chance of becoming formal wizards remained low, less than ten percent.

They had even slimmer chances than outstanding apprentices like Sheman and Corey.

At least the latter had a good chance of becoming third-level wizard apprentices before fifty, leaving them much more time to strive for wizardry and a higher chance of success.

Honestly, Sunan wouldn't mind if the Star Alliance produced one or two more wizards.

When confronting the [Dark Throne] in the future, they could use additional strength.

With this in mind, he was now researching the formula for Construct Potion.

The Construct Potion from the Starlight Tower had over fifty bottles remaining—a decent number—but they would eventually run out.

To prepare for the future, he needed to create a new Construct Potion as soon as possible.

The main ingredients for Construct Potion couldn't be found on the Starlight Continent, and researching substitutes was equally challenging.

So Sunan decided to take a different approach, focusing on developing a weaker version of the Construct Potion.

Once successful, no matter how weak the effect, he could use the cube to synthesize a potion not inferior to the original.

After chatting with Rose and the Scepter about the academy, Sunan left the study and headed for the wizard tower construction site in Zone 2.

After more than a year of construction, the tower's foundation and body were nearly complete. He was now working on the central crystal energy transmission system.

Once the central system was built, the next step was the Elemental Pool.

As long as these two facilities operated smoothly, the tower's foundation would be set, and he could proceed with spatial planning.

"Before that, it's best to create the tower spirit, which will help monitor the construction speed in real time."

Sunan decided to start crafting the tower spirit upon returning.

This was also a challenging project.

Creating a tower spirit was as difficult, if not more so, than making a secret puppet.

Starlight Calendar 1288, Month of Slumber (December).

According to some wizard tomes, the Month of Slumber symbolizes talent.

Wizards specializing in prophecy believe that children born in this month possess extraordinary potential.

Potential implies dormant power, and dormancy corresponds to awakening—from dormancy to awakening—this is the meaning behind the Month of Slumber.

This month also signifies the end of the old year, the most important month for farewells.

Flaming agreed with this notion.

After all, he was born in the Month of Slumber.

"What are you reading, Flaming?"

Donohan's voice interrupted his thoughts.

Without lifting his head, Flaming replied while turning the page.

"A book on astrology, quite interesting."

"When did you become interested in that?" Donohan asked curiously.

In his memory, Flaming never seemed to read such books.

"For wizards, knowledge is power. Expanding into other fields isn't bad."

Flaming placed a bookmark in the middle of the book, closing it and setting it aside.

"I heard from Mentor Rose that Lord Sunan memorized all the books in the academy and Dragon Skeleton Tower libraries."

Donohan rolled his eyes, "Well, that's Lord Sunan. For us, it takes months to digest a single spellbook. To read every book in the library, it'll take forever."

"Enough of that. Are you attending the party tonight?"

Flaming nodded without hesitation, "Senior Sheman has helped me a lot. The party tonight celebrates his and Senior Corey's promotion to third-level wizard apprentices. Of course, I'm going."

"You're lucky to get an invitation," Donohan said enviously.

The party was organized by wizard apprentices close to Sheman and Corey. Considering space limitations, only second-level wizard apprentices were invited.

Flaming, having advanced to a second-level wizard apprentice in his fifth year, naturally received an invitation.

To many students, this was proof of his talent, recognized by seniors, and he was envied by others.

Flaming felt a twinge of pride but didn't show it, changing the topic instead. "I heard Tagana is attending the party too?"

"Of course, she's the non-human student personally named by Lord Sunan to join the academy. The mentors take special care of her, and the party organizers wouldn't overlook her."

Mentioning this, Donohan's tone carried a hint of jealousy.

"Don't say that, Tagana is quite talented."

"Her time to grasp the meditation method was much longer than yours."

"That's because she's not human. If she were, her talent would surpass mine."

Flaming's words were sincere.

Dark elves practicing a meditation method designed for humans face inherent challenges.

Yet despite this, Tagana mastered the meditation method in just two months, an astounding achievement.

If there were meditation methods and spellbooks tailored for dark elves, her growth might outpace even Senior Sheman and Corey.

Those personally named by Lord Sunan to join the academy undoubtedly possessed extraordinary qualities.

After some banter with Donohan, Flaming sent him off and began his daily meditation in the dorm.

When he finished meditating, it was already dark outside.

Flaming glanced at the quartz clock on the wall, noting the party was half an hour away, and left the dormitory.

The seniors hosting the party had reserved the top floor of the second cafeteria.

By the time Flaming arrived at the top hall, many were already present.

The tables, draped in white cloth, were laden with various delicious dishes and drinks. Elegant water elementals moved gracefully between tables, their movements like a dance.

After admiring the scene for a while, Flaming reluctantly looked away, searching for Senior Sheman.

He soon found his target.

In fact, Sheman and Corey were quite conspicuous.

At the center of the dining hall, they were surrounded by people eager to converse with them.

"I heard the academy wants to invite you as a mentor, Sheman?"

"There's interest, and Corey received an invitation too."

"What are your plans?"

"Obviously, we accepted. The contribution points and resources available to mentors far exceed those for students, right, Sheman, Corey?"

"That's my plan too," Sheman smiled.

"Same," Corey, typically laconic, added.

Flaming listened with some envy.

At his current age, would he also become a third-level wizard apprentice?

Eventually, the crowd around the two dispersed, and Flaming found an opportunity to approach.

"Congratulations on your promotion, Seniors Sheman and Corey."

"Long time no see, Junior Flaming. Thanks for coming to the party," Sheman said warmly.

Corey nodded slightly at Flaming.

He valued strength and talent, ignoring those without them, and Flaming was evidently not among the latter.

"Greetings, Senior Adil," Flaming then addressed Adil beside them.

Adil was as beautiful as ever, her gentle demeanor having matured over time.

"Long time no see, Junior Flaming," Adil smiled gently. "I recently met Mentor Scepter, and he praised your talent, mentioning you've already constructed your fifth star ring."

"Mentor Scepter overpraises me," Flaming replied modestly.

The group chatted amiably, and just as the atmosphere peaked, a commotion arose at the hall's entrance.

Turning to look, Flaming saw a tall, slender girl with ebony skin and delicate features entering.

Her expression was indifferent, and she exuded an aura that discouraged approach.

Despite this, she instantly drew attention, becoming the focus of the room.

The girl seemed accustomed to such scenes, ignoring the surrounding gazes. Her eyes scanned the room, softening upon spotting Adil, a faint smile breaking her cold demeanor.

"Tagana's here," Adil smiled as she approached, affectionately linking arms with the dark elf girl.

The two soon whispered to each other.

Flaming was surprised, "Senior Adil and Tagana seem to have a good relationship?"

Sheman chuckled, "When Tagana first joined the academy, Adil, under the teacher's instructions, took good care of her, so they became quite close."

Flaming understood.

No wonder.

As he knew, when Tagana first joined, many were intrigued by her dark elf heritage and tried to approach her, but she rebuffed them all.

Over time, she gained a reputation for coldness, driving away admirers.

The dark elf girl didn't care, continuing her training and studies, largely ignoring others.

Had it not been for attending the party tonight, Flaming wouldn't have known she had a close friend in Senior Adil.

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