Chapter 10: Meursa Lawrence

As a caster—a spellweaver.

One's core lies in the spirit, the source pool, and the spell.

The strength of the spirit determines the degree of control over spells, the intensity of casting, and one's rank.

A weak spirit makes spellcasting more taxing; continuous high-intensity casting exhausts the mind.

But a powerful and resilient spirit remains alert and perceptive even under intense casting.

The source pool is simpler—it's like mana.

The capacity of the source pool, the amount of source energy, determines how many spells you can cast.

A spellweaver without source energy is no different from a lamb awaiting slaughter.

This time, Gune obtained the [Sebona Source Pool] from his mentor.

This would further expand Gune's source pool.

Then there are spells.

The tier and level of a spell determine its power.

Higher-tier, multi-syllable spells tend to be more powerful.

As for spirit, thanks to the damaged transcendent tome constantly honing his spirit while idling, Gune's spiritual power was terrifyingly strong.

This was also the key reason Gune could condense four 'Secret Crossing Runes' at the apprentice spellweaver rank.

And the three spells in Gune's hands, under the idle system, were all at quite high levels.

Transcendent beginner spell: Ring Bombardment, Level 5.

Common spell: Fire Arrow, Level 4.

Common spell: Thunder Arc, Level 4.

For a spellweaver, mastering spell levels—constantly casting, experiencing, comprehending, and even fine-tuning spells according to oneself—

all require a great deal of time and energy.

Thus, each level increase in spell level takes years.

But Gune gained cultivation experience every ten seconds.

This costless, efficient idle method allowed Gune's spell levels to be extremely high.

And each level increase in a spell raised its power by a tier, causing a minor transformation.

This made Gune's Level 4 and even Level 5 spells terrifyingly powerful.

This was also why Gune dared to venture deep into the Transcendent Wasteland with his companions.

…

Nightfall slowly descended.

In the underground potion alchemy chamber.

After mixing the potions, Gune let out a light breath.

Next, 'Belle' and 'Hawk,' the two apprentice alchemists, would handle the subsequent bottling, sealing, and warehousing.

Belle and Hawk, about the same age as Gune, were quick and skilled in the subsequent sealing.

Hawk and Belle both had considerable talent in alchemy.

If they were willing to put in hard work on potion secret spells, they might one day become true alchemists.

After sealing and warehousing, Gune had already recovered his stamina and energy.

He had been idling the [Pious Knight Breathing Method] for a few days now.

And Gune could clearly feel that his physical constitution had noticeably improved.

Moreover, his recovery of stamina and energy far surpassed that from the previous ordinary knight breathing method.

After finishing the potion warehousing, Belle and Hawk did not leave but came to Gune's side.

Lord Gune.

Both showed great respect toward Gune.

Because they knew that the youth before them, about their age, was a true alchemy prodigy, whose current alchemical attainments were likely beyond their reach for a lifetime.

I've been having some problems with potion mixing lately, Hawk asked cautiously.

What problems?

For Gune, the issues these two apprentice alchemists had were easy to handle and explain.

A dozen minutes later, the two left satisfied.

Very studious, and making excellent progress. I must say, Old Cohen has a truly keen eye.

But come to think of it, Old Cohen must be a transcendent too, otherwise he wouldn't have such a sharp eye to find so many talented youths.

Take me, for instance—or rather, my predecessor—was picked by Old Cohen from among the homeless orphans.

In Gune's sparse memories of early childhood, most were of hunger and cold, even bullying.

Until Old Cohen took him in.

But he doesn't feel like a transcendent.

As Gune was pondering, footsteps sounded from the stairs.

Hmm?

Gune looked toward the stair entrance.

Footsteps, one heavy, one light. Someone's coming?

Soon, white-haired, wearing a round hat and black robe, Old Cohen entered the potion alchemy chamber, and half-hidden behind him was a little girl about eleven or twelve, with dirty, ragged clothes and disheveled hair.

The girl's face was smeared with black soot, whether intentionally or for other reasons.

Adoption? Or? Gune narrowed his eyes slightly and wisely did not ask.

Gune had the self-awareness not to inquire about Old Cohen's affairs.

From today on, she is your sister. Also, I've arranged for her to study at the Sugg Transcendent Academy.

Adopted... sister? Gune's heart stirred slightly.

Mm, I understand. Before I graduate, she doesn't need to worry about anyone bullying her. Seeing the girl's timid expression and movements, Gune knew she would be bullied after enrollment.

After all, the Sugg Transcendent Academy is no kindergarten.

It is a transcendent school that reveres power and strength.

Private fights, broken legs, broken ribs—nothing unusual.

Even some vile acts of dragging little girls into the woods behind the academy.

Mm, she's going to study in the Shadow Department. When you have time, you can help her at school, Old Cohen said in his hoarse voice.

Shadow Department?

Gune raised an eyebrow slightly, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth as he looked at the little girl.

Sure enough, the little girl warily hid in Old Cohen's shadow, making her invisible to Gune.

I'll keep an eye on her. If anyone dares bully her, they'll receive the punishment they deserve, Gune nodded lightly.

What's your name? Gune leaned over to look at the little girl.

Unable to avoid it, the little girl seemed a bit nervous, clutching Old Cohen's black coat tightly, her big eyes watching Gune warily, with some fear.

Finally, the little girl mustered her courage.

Meursa... Lawrence.

Meursa Lawrence. A nice name, Gune nodded slightly.

Then Gune narrowed his eyes and asked softly, Are you very afraid of me?

Mm! The little girl finally nodded timidly.

You... are very scary! The little girl was almost in tears.

Super-sense... very strong!

Gune muttered to himself.

Super-sense!

It is a kind of non-rational perception, like an intuition.

For example, perception of danger, perception of unknown fear, and even perception of certain malice and gazes.

A good shadow user may not be very strong, but their super-sense must be strong.

Alright, stop teasing her, Old Cohen said hoarsely.

From now on, she is also one of the apprentice alchemists.

Mm, understood.

A moment later, Old Cohen led Meursa away through another stone staircase.

Gune watched them leave, pondered for a moment, then smiled lightly.

Old Cohen had taken in many people.

For instance, in Gune's memory, before him, Old Cohen had taken in at least five orphans.

But those adopted orphans, once grown, were all sent away by Old Cohen.

In Gune's view, Old Cohen was more like a 'transcendent talent scout,' finding talented youths and nurturing them.

As for where these people were eventually placed, Gune wasn't sure.

But soon, Gune would know.

Because Gune had just over three months until graduation.

Everything is done. Time to test the actual effect of my transcendent tome, the [Sebona Source Pool].

Mentor Olof knows my physique is much stronger than an average spellweaver's, but he doesn't know that my physique is not just strong—it's terrifyingly strong.

This Sebona Source Pool... I'm really looking forward to it.