Meditation Aid Stone

This doesn't make sense, didn't Andrey mention there were also magic swordsmen and the so-called "Solar Knights"?

Especially the Solar Knights, whose combat strength was said to rival that of full-fledged sorcerers. Clearly, the knight's path doesn't end there.

Robb kept flipping through the pages, hoping to find detailed records on magic swordsmen and Solar Knights, but the descriptions of these rare professions were unusually brief:

"…Magic swordsmen are considered an unconventional breakthrough on the knight's path, first pioneered by the Bloodline Knight Abraham Silva."

"When he reached the limit of his bloodline, he channeled his spiritual power into a specially made magic sword, creating an entirely new form of power utilization…"

"…Records on Sovereign Knights are even rarer. They are believed to be the result of a perfect fusion between special bloodlines and magically enhanced bodies."

"It is said that only knights who awaken an ancient bloodline of the corresponding attribute and master top-tier breathing techniques have a chance to walk this path…"

Sovereign Knights, a new term. Perhaps this corresponds to the "Solar Knights" Andrey mentioned.

It seems different types of top-tier breathing techniques can lead to different forms of advancement, collectively referred to by sorcerers as "Sovereign Knights."

Interestingly, among the beastfolk legends, the most powerful beings are also called "Sovereigns." Could there be a connection?

But what puzzled Robb was that whenever the book mentioned the specific symptoms and consequences of knight aberrations, the text would abruptly cut off, clear signs of redaction.

"Why are the consequences of aberration such a taboo?" he wondered. "Could they be even more horrifying than we imagined?"

The entire book emphasized how to prevent and control aberrations, but rarely touched on what actually happens after one occurs, as if it were an unspeakable curse.

"Like an incurable disease, irreversible, a death sentence…"

Combined with the mental corruption brought on by meditation techniques, perhaps the world of the most powerful beings is far more dangerous than he had anticipated.

Feeling somewhat deflated, he closed the book.

After returning it to its shelf, Robb found himself with more questions than before entering the library.

The nature of the knight system, sorcerer advancement, and, most importantly, the essence of aberration all seemed deliberately concealed, known only to those with sufficient clearance or status.

That afternoon, he arrived on time in the teaching area to attend Erik's class on "Magic Circuit Optimization."

A dozen or so apprentices were already seated, mostly beginners, though a few Intermediate Apprentices were there to review the basics.

Robb chose a seat near the front, took out his notebook, and prepared to take notes.

Erik appeared promptly, as always, dressed in a deep gray robe with purple trim, and wearing a focused expression.

"Today we'll continue with the topic of cross-circuit optimization," he began, drawing a complex energy network in the air with his fingers…

Robb listened intently, occasionally jotting down key points in his notebook.

Compared to the first session, he now had a deeper understanding of magical circuits, and Erik's explanations seemed much clearer.

"Apprentice Robb."

Erik suddenly called on him, noticeably more friendly than with other students. "Please come up and demonstrate the 'circular flow' technique we discussed last time."

Robb stood and walked to the podium, taking the spot Erik indicated.

This time, he wasn't confused like before. He calmly closed his eyes and began adjusting his breathing, guiding the magic within his body along a specific path.

Under his control, faint but steady streams of magic formed a circular flow inside him, and with each cycle, the magic grew purer.

"Very good," Erik nodded in satisfaction. "Now tell the class what you observed. What changes did you notice after each cycle?"

Robb focused for a moment, then replied: "With each cycle, some impurities in the magic are filtered out. At the same time, the purified magic resonates with the circuit, making it stronger and more flexible. It's like…"

He paused, thinking of a suitable analogy.

"…like water flowing through a riverbed, washing away the silt while also smoothing and reinforcing the channel."

"An excellent metaphor!" Erik clapped, his eyes gleaming with approval: "That's the core principle of 'circular flow.' It's not just about purification, it strengthens the circuit itself. With consistent practice, both your magic reserves and quality will improve significantly."

[Spell Construction EXP +1]

Robb returned to his seat, noticing the curious and envious looks from other students.

Clearly, his rapid progress in mastering the material had exceeded most of their expectations.

At the end of class, Erik called him aside: "Your progress is astounding, faster than I anticipated."

He leaned in slightly and lowered his voice: "If you're willing, you can take the special test next week and skip the first-tier course altogether. Given your performance, you shouldn't have any trouble."

"Thank you very much for your recognition, Lord Erik. I'll make sure to prepare thoroughly," Robb replied gratefully.

Erik nodded: "The test will include both theory and practical components. The practical part especially will require you to maintain stable magic flow under pressure. Practice well."

After Erik's class, Robb hurried to the third classroom on the fifth floor's north wing to attend Lia's class on 'Mental Stability Techniques.'

Unlike the previous class, Lia's sessions focused more on hands-on training.

As soon as the students entered, they were instructed to sit before special crystal spheres and practice stable rhythmic output of spiritual power.

Robb placed his hands gently on either side of his crystal sphere and closed his eyes to begin.

Soon, the inside of the sphere lit up with a pale blue glow. As he poured in Spiritforce, the light intensified, yet remained within a steady range.

"Well done, Apprentice Robb."

Lia stopped beside him, observing the crystal sphere with satisfaction:

"You've already grasped the core of constant output."

[Mental Stability Technique EXP +1]

At the end of class, Lia also extended an invitation: "Since Erik has already recommended you for the test, I have no objections. Your control over Spiritforce is equally impressive."

She took a small transparent crystal from inside her robe:

"Here's a little gift, a Meditation Aid Stone. It's a minor result of my side studies in alchemy. It's not worth much in magic stones, but it can help you better sense energy fluctuations. Practice with it before the test, I believe you'll do well."

"Thank you very much for your trust and generosity, Lady Lia."

After expressing his thanks, Robb accepted the crystal and took his leave.

Leaving the teaching area, he was filled with curiosity about the Meditation Aid Stone Lia had given him.

He had always held a strong desire to explore new things, a habit ingrained since his student days in his previous life.

This small, transparent stone glowed faintly in the afternoon sunlight, pulsing subtly like it had a life of its own.

While caution is always wise, Robb's herb identification skill was approaching mastery, and he had a good eye for detecting traps or enchantments even in non-herbal magical items.

This stone contained no hidden mechanisms, clearly a sincere gesture, a casual but thoughtful gift.

"Since I'm already in the teaching area, I might as well try the stone in the meditation room."

With that thought, he turned and headed to the registration desk.

The meditation rooms here charged by the hour and were equipped with specialized arrays that completely blocked magical leakage, one magic stone shard per hour.

In the past, when he'd barely made ends meet as a prospective apprentice, this would've been a hefty expense. But now, as a professional potion maker, it was pocket change.

He pulled out a shard from his coin pouch and placed it in the tray. The clerk noted the time and summoned a guide to lead him to the meditation room.

The guide was a middle-aged man with a blank expression. The sapphire badge on his gray apprentice robe indicated he was an intermediate apprentice, yet he seemed resigned to performing mundane tasks.

Robb couldn't help but wonder: How many like him existed in the Black Fog Forest? They'd survived the cutthroat trial of becoming apprentices, passed the elementary stage… yet still saw no hope of advancement. Doomed to live out their lives in mediocrity.

Perhaps this was the siphoning effect of the Black Fog School, the region's most elite and popular hub. Just like how capital cities drain the talent and energy from surrounding towns.

The meditation room was softly lit, its walls inlaid with dim glowstones. The floor was padded with thick soundproof material.

The air carried a subtle fragrance, a mix of calming herbs like Mind-Calm Grass and Winterdream Flower. The scent gently coaxed the mind into a relaxed state.

Robb sat cross-legged on the meditation mat, gently placed the crystal in his palm, and closed his eyes.

After three deep breaths, he began adjusting his mental state using The Whisperss of the Star-Eater.

Unlike the tranquil serenity of the Basic Meditation Method, The Whispers of the Star-Eater guided one into a state that felt like standing at the edge of the cosmos, gazing into a galaxy brimming with danger. Awe-inspiring and perilous.

As his consciousness sank into that living sea of stars, the crystal in his hand quietly activated.

"This feeling…"

Robb was surprised to find that the stone seemed to amplify and clarify his energy fluctuations, making the previously blurry lines of his mental energy sharp and distinct.

It was like suddenly spotting a faint lighthouse in the darkness of night, not enough to illuminate the whole sea, but just enough to show the way.

The runes required by The Whispers of the Star-Eater were far more complex than the basic method. A single error could collapse the entire mental construct.

But now, aided by the crystal, he could more precisely trace the path of each rune.

Within his mental sea, starlike points of energy wove into fine threads, forming a double-helix pattern under his conscious guidance.

The process remained grueling, every step demanded extreme focus. But compared to before, it now felt noticeably smoother.

[The Whispers of the Star-Eater EXP +1]

The crystal's effect wasn't overwhelming, but it offered tangible assistance.

Robb could sense that the runes he constructed were more stable, his Spiritforce flowing more smoothly along the paths.

"So this is the power of alchemy?"

He opened his eyes and stared at the crystal in his hand, a new interest stirring in his heart.

Though simple, this aid stone had shown him the boundless possibilities of alchemy.

With the right materials and techniques, one could create magical items with specific, long-lasting effects.

This creative path was akin to potion-making, yet had its own unique charm.

He recalled overhearing snippets in Lady Elena's shop and things Andrey had mentioned about alchemy.

Unlike spellcasting, which directly manipulated magic, alchemy focused on solidifying magic into specific media, creating stable, persistent supernatural effects.

It began as a study of material essence and gradually branched out:

Basic Alchemical Alteration, modifying material properties, such as turning mundane metals into extraordinary ones.

Alchemical Constructs, combining multiple components to produce functionally integrated items.

And the most mysterious, Alchemical Life, a forbidden branch said to manipulate the essence of life itself…

Among all these branches, the most practical and destructive was likely the alchemical explosive, an item that could unleash devastating power in an instant.