Chapter 64: Choice

Lynn had now advanced to a Third-Level Apprentice. During his daily meditation practice, he increasingly felt the limitations of basic meditation techniques. 

Even without using potions as an aid, he could still improve his mental power through meditation. However, the effects were nowhere near as effective as they had been when he was a First-Level or Second-Level Apprentice. 

His progress now was essentially twice the effort for half the results. The ratio between effort and reward was completely disproportionate. 

It was like using a dull knife to cut meat. While it would eventually work given enough time, the real problem was that there was a time limit for a Third-Level Apprentice to break through to a formal wizard. 

The significance of advanced meditation techniques was not only in maintaining the speed of training but also in fully unlocking an apprentice's potential and even helping them surpass their natural limits. 

Through countless battles and experiments, wizards had precisely calculated that the natural mental power limit of humans was thirty-five points, which corresponded with the thirty-five-year-old breakthrough deadline. 

However, advanced meditation techniques were one of the greatest achievements of the wizarding world a miracle created through countless interdimensional wars and accumulated knowledge. 

These techniques allowed mental power to surpass the human genetic limit of thirty-five points, reaching up to forty points. This significantly increased the success rate of becoming a formal wizard, bringing greater power to the wizarding world. 

Although the difference was only five points, for those reliant on mental power, every single point of increase was exponentially more difficult to achieve. 

Additionally, formal wizard spell templates were incredibly complex. The stronger one's mental power, the greater the chance of successfully mastering a template and engraving it into oneself with the aid of auxiliary potions. 

In ancient times, every successful formal wizard had broken through using only thirty-five points of mental power. 

However, in modern times, many wizards relied on the advancements of the wizarding world, barely stepping into the realm of formal wizards with forty points of mental power. 

If these wizards had lived in ancient times, they would not have been qualified to advance. 

It was worth mentioning that there were many different schools of breathing techniques. Besides the basic meditation method that Lynn practiced, there were also specialized breathing techniques. 

These techniques, compared to the basic methods, might offer additional benefits such as enhanced elemental sensitivity or increased physical resilience. 

However, there was only one criterion for determining whether a technique qualified as an advanced meditation method whether it allowed one to surpass the human genetic limit of mental power and reach forty points! 

This was why Lynn had been so excited when Rosalind mentioned "advanced meditation techniques." 

"Advanced meditation techniques are not available for sale within the Furnace, not even if you have enough points. Now that the Furnace Master has allowed them to be exchanged for battle merits, it has naturally driven countless apprentices to risk their lives for them." 

Lynn was well aware of the immense value of advanced meditation techniques. 

Although his mentor, Rosalind, had always treated him well and even gifted him a few enchanted items, expecting her to directly teach him an advanced meditation technique was unrealistic. 

Sure enough, in the next moment, Rosalind took a deep breath and waved her delicate hand. 

Vines quietly emerged from the corners of the room, creeping along the floor, ceiling, and even the beams, weaving together to form a dense barrier. 

Flowers bloomed, vines intertwined, and within moments, the entire room was sealed off, isolating Lynn and Rosalind in a silent space. 

"Lynn, even though you are my student, advanced meditation techniques are simply too valuable. If you wish to learn from me, you must sign a contract." 

Rosalind's deep blue eyes were like a vast starry sea. Her usual gentle tone was now replaced with a serious and authoritative air. 

Lynn's heart tensed upon hearing this. 

He instinctively recalled the Furnace's contract the one that the Black Dragon Witch had used to threaten him on the battlefield, forcing him into a life-or-death situation. 

He had always been wary of contracts, and now he was even more cautious. 

Taking a deep breath, Lynn asked slowly, "Teacher, may I understand the specific terms of this contract? How does it differ from the Furnace's contract?" 

Rosalind frowned slightly at his question but then chuckled softly. 

"Lynn, do you think I would make you sign something as harsh as the Furnace's contract?" 

Being confronted so directly made Lynn feel a little embarrassed. 

Even though he held Rosalind in high regard, his natural caution had still made him instinctively wary. Now that she had pointed it out so plainly, he couldn't help but feel awkward. 

"Then allow me to explain the contract's specific terms." 

Rosalind spoke gently, but her tone carried an undeniable authority. 

"First and foremost, under no circumstances may you disclose the contents of the advanced meditation technique whether intentionally or unintentionally." 

Lynn held his breath, listening intently and catching every word. 

With his Third-Level Apprentice mental power, memorizing thousands of words in a short period was effortless. 

As the clauses were listed one by one, Lynn gradually realized that compared to the Furnace's "man-eating contract," this one seemed almost too reasonable. 

"So… could there be hidden traps?" 

Lynn remained cautious, but he quickly recognized that he didn't have many choices. 

The value of advanced meditation techniques was undeniable. Right now, the only way he could obtain one was by signing Rosalind's contract. 

Otherwise, his only other option was to enter the Furnace's battlefield, risking his life and praying he would be one of the few lucky enough to earn enough battle merits to exchange for it. 

The last alternative was to follow in the footsteps of the "ancient predecessors" and forcefully break through to a formal wizard with only thirty-five points of mental power. 

However, failure in that attempt would mean the collapse of his soul and absolute death. 

Between these two options, Rosalind's contract was the more practical choice. 

Even if there were risks in the future, it was still far more stable than gambling with his life. 

Though he had already made up his mind, Lynn still tentatively asked, "Teacher, can you reveal any more details?" 

At this, Rosalind's expression darkened, and her tone suddenly became severe. 

"Lynn, have I been too lenient with you?" she said. "I've already told you all I can about the advanced meditation technique. If you refuse, I will have no choice but to make you drink the Goldfish's Tear." 

Lynn was momentarily stunned before he understood her meaning. 

His beautiful mentor was, after all, a powerful formal wizard. His previous probing had indeed been somewhat inappropriate. 

As for the so-called "Goldfish's Tear," it was an extremely potent potion. 

Drinking it would erase all memories from the past seven days, even completely removing the awareness that those days had ever existed. It was a terrifying substance. 

"I've already stepped onto this ship there's no getting off halfway… Besides, the contract doesn't contain anything about sending me to my death…" 

Lynn could feel the life seed within his mental domain, rooted at its center, its tendrils intertwining and guiding the flow of mental power. 

He was already a Nature Wizard. If he wished to achieve greatness on this path, it was undoubtedly best to advance alongside his mentor. 

Taking a deep breath, he made his decision and said: 

"Teacher, I have decided!" 

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