Ch. 45 - Endless Worlds, Endless Exploration

After his class change to [Mage Apprentice], his perception of the mana within had become extraordinarily clear.

Though mana and spirit power were closely related, they were entirely different forms of energy.

Spirit power was primarily used to construct and maintain spell models, while mana was the actual fuel that drove a spell's effects.

Opening his attribute panel, he confirmed his current status once more.

[Robb Stark]

[Age: 15]

[Current Combat Classes: Mage Apprentice (One-and-a-Half Stars), Knight Squire (One-Star)]

[Current Lifestyle Class: Potion Apprentice (One-Star)]

[Attributes: Constitution 1.5 | Spirit 2.4 | Mana 0.7]

[Skills: Basic Potioneering (Proficient), Basic Meditation (MAX), Zero-Circle Slime Splash (Proficient MAX), Potion Crafting (Beginner), Herb Identification (Beginner), Basic Swordcraft (Proficient), Breathing Body Tempering (Beginner), Spell Construction (Beginner), Psychic Storm (Beginner), Sonic Tremor (Proficient)]

[Special Talents: Dual Soul, Solar Blessing (Incomplete)]

[Power Tier: Elementary Apprentice]

A mana value of 0.7, meaning he could sustain multiple spell casts without running dry.

From what he knew, a purely supportive zero-ring spell like Slime Splash consumed roughly 0.1 mana per cast.

Higher-energy offensive zero-ring spells could consume as much as 0.5 mana at the upper end.

"So I can currently fire off seven support spells in a row, or squeeze out one or two offensive casts. Though with Sonic Tremor in my arsenal, I don't really need to spend extra resources learning another attack spell. It should serve me well as my go-to offensive tool for the apprentice stage."

Robb calculated silently.

He also recalled fragments he'd overheard at Lady Elena's shop.

When a High Apprentice advanced to Morning Star Mage, they could learn a special technique called Meta-Magic, which dramatically amplified spell effects at the cost of multiplied mana consumption.

This was why many Morning Star Mages, even those without particularly impressive physical prowess, could still unleash spells powerful enough to destroy entire continents.

"It's not just Mages, either."

Arnor had mentioned in casual conversation that non-Mage classes like Bloodline Knights could also utilize mana.

They typically infused mana into their bodies to activate a temporary enhancement state called Life Burst. While less efficient than a Mage's mana usage, it was still devastatingly powerful in close combat.

"Maybe that's what sets the Paladin Lord class path apart from conventional classes? I should ask Arnor more about this later, see if I can uncover additional hidden class routes."

Robb drew a deep breath and looked out the window once more.

Night had settled deep over the Black Mist Order. A few dim stars flickered in and out of visibility through the dense fog, casting feeble light over this mysterious land.

He shook his head and decided to use his new apprentice-level access to visit the library. Perhaps he could find more information on advancement paths there.

...

The Black Mist Order library occupied the third floor of the main tower, a tall, dim, circular space dominated by a labyrinth of countless bookshelves.

Each shelf was dotted with faint blue Mana Crystal lamps, providing just enough light for reading.

Robb presented his Elementary Apprentice badge. The guard, an expressionless Intermediate Apprentice, gave a slight nod and waved him through.

"The Elementary Apprentice section is on the left. Do not attempt to enter any area beyond the red line." The guard recited what was obviously a warning he'd repeated countless times. "Violators will be punished."

Inside the library, Robb could feel the mana fluctuations in the air. Every book here was protected by preservation wards, preventing damage or unauthorized removal.

His gaze swept across row after row of shelves, searching for materials related to advancement.

Eventually, in an inconspicuous corner, he found a copy of [The Apprentice Ascension Guide].

It looked like it had seen better days.

Finding a quiet corner, Robb sat down and carefully opened the book.

The first chapter detailed the apprentice rank divisions.

Initiate, Elementary Apprentice, Intermediate Apprentice, High Apprentice. Followed by ascension to Morning Star Mage and beyond.

According to the descriptions, Robb's current strength placed him squarely at the starting line of Elementary Apprentice.

But what truly interested him was the chapter on Morning Star Mage ascension. He flipped to it quickly and began reading intently.

The advancement to Morning Star Mage is, in essence, a qualitative transformation of spirit and mana...

The book stated.

This process is known as the 'Opening', referring to the opening of the spirit gate that leads to a millions of times higher level of power.

Robb furrowed his brow and read on.

The Opening ceremony requires strict conditions to be met.

First, spirit power must reach a critical threshold.

Second, the apprentice stage of a Gem-tier meditation method must be fully mastered.

Third, at least one spell must be independently refined into an improved model.

Finally, the ritual itself must be completed under a mentor's guidance.

During the ritual, the apprentice consumes a specially crafted 'Key Potion.' This potion temporarily shatters the spirit barrier, allowing the High Apprentice to directly confront higher-order power. If the apprentice's preparation is insufficient, the consequences range from ritual failure to mental collapse, or even death.

As he read, a peculiar sensation welled up. Something on his panel seemed to be changing.

He immediately shifted his attention to the class panel and was surprised to find that the Mage Apprentice advancement information had automatically updated.

[Morning Star Mage: Unknown Specialization (Two-and-a-Half Stars)]

[Advancement Requirements:

1. Spirit power reaches 4.9

2. Any Gem-tier meditation method reaches Mastery (determines specialization)

3. At least one spell reaches Mastery (determines specialization)

4. Complete the Opening Ceremony]

[Traits: Energy Circuit, Radiation Domain, Meta-Magic, Spirit Detonation (shared across all specializations)]

Perhaps as his exploration deepened, the panel would automatically reveal more hidden class routes and advancement conditions.

But when Robb fully digested the Mage advancement requirements, a wave of pressure washed over him.

4.9 spirit power, on the surface, just over double his current value. But he was already sensing that each increment grew harder to achieve. By the later stages, a 0.1 increase might be a hundred times more difficult than before...

And Mastery-level proficiency in a Gem-tier meditation method and a spell, both would demand enormous amounts of time and resources.

He calculated silently.

"To keep advancing, the key is collecting Lady Elena's materials as quickly as possible and getting my hands on that Gem-tier meditation method."

The prohibited items on Lady Elena's list clearly couldn't be obtained through normal channels.

As Arnor had said, the black market was the most likely option.

"Sunset Tavern, Lizard Alley, Blackwater Bay..." Robb silently recalled the underground trading venues Arnor had mentioned. "Start with the safest one."

"Can't get ahead of myself." He reminded himself. "The priority right now is steady, incremental growth, especially finding more potential class advancement routes. There might be other, more unusual advancement paths..."

He mulled over possible combinations. "Mage, Knight, Potioneer. Those three main lines are set. But if I add other supernatural classes, what kind of chain reactions might occur?"

Craft-type supernatural classes like Enchanter or Alchemist. Knowledge-type classes like Historian or Astrologer.

Even some of the exotic bloodlines from the game that had clear hierarchical progressions could be converted into classes.

Vampire, Demon, Greater Undead... every one of them could potentially create fascinating synergy effects with his existing classes.

"I'll need extensive research and fieldwork." Robb sighed. "Every step has to be carefully planned."

He mentally compiled a near-term goal list.

First, collect the materials on Lady Elena's list and obtain the Universe Devourer Grimoire.

Second, use the artificial stardew to supplement meditation and master the Gem-tier method as quickly as possible.

Third, develop a deeper understanding of the Black Mist Order's internal power dynamics and rules.

Fourth, explore more potential class advancement routes.

...

Reading further, he found more descriptions of realms beyond Morning Star Mage, along with brief accounts of the world beyond the Black Mist Order.

Robb murmured to himself.

"There are quite a few Morning Star Mages here, but according to this book, the Black Mist Order seems to be... a relatively small-scale order of mages?"

He was about to search for more materials when a librarian approached, signaling that the library was about to close.

Leaving with a head brimming with new information, he'd already begun mapping out the road ahead.

If Morning Star Mages alone appeared as living gods in the eyes of ordinary mortals, what kind of power did those higher existences command.

The so-called Grand Overlords, Primordial Sages, or even the legendary Multiversal Gods?

Hollowing out history, folding reality; rewriting the laws of nature, reflecting madness... Perhaps it was just as the ancient texts described?

And then there was the Infinite Sea beyond this continent, the Faerie Homelands, the Dragon Tombs, the Deep Abyss... even trillions of other worlds connected through the Star Gates across the galactic quadrants.

These places, spoken of among apprentices as though they were myths and legends, did they truly exist?

And would he ever have the chance to see them with his own eyes?

Back in his room, after tending to some basic hygiene, Robb lay down on his bed and let his thoughts slowly settle.

Tomorrow was another new day. Every sunrise represented a new opportunity.

"Take it slow, but never stop... Heh. Stop moving, and I'll just become another pile of bones in this place."

He whispered the warning to himself, then gradually drifted into sleep.

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