Ethan's Ascendancy: The Scholar's Journey

The sky had turned a bright azure, heralding the start of a new day. Inside the mage tower, Ethan was deep in concentration. He had spent hours perfecting the meditation method designed to absorb elemental magic power. His focus was unbroken, even as he faced the daunting task of understanding and harnessing the power of the elements.

The sky's brightness filtered through the tower's high windows, casting long shadows that danced across the stone floor, a silent testament to the passing hours.

Despite the immense pressure, Ethan remained remarkably composed. His training and enhanced learning ability had paid off; he had successfully extracted his first ray of magic power. The system prompt that appeared before him was both a relief and an invitation to further explore the possibilities before him:

"Congratulations, you have obtained 1 magic point through a special method. Career transfer is underway…"

The prompt was accompanied by another message:

"You do not possess a standard job transfer certificate. Do you wish to proceed with a special job transfer?"

Ethan was momentarily taken aback. He had assumed that becoming a lord was the ultimate goal and that the path to success was straightforward.

However, this new development suggested that the game's mechanics were more complex than he had anticipated. With a sense of cautious optimism, he selected "Yes" to proceed with the special job transfer. The possibilities seemed endless, and he was eager to explore what lay ahead.

The system responded:

"It is detected that you have triggered a special job transfer in the magic system. All ordinary-level professions of the magic system will be opened to you."

The array of options that followed was impressive. Each profession came with its own set of skills and benefits. Among them were the Mage and Elementalist, both of which caught Ethan's attention:

**Mage**

**Lord Talent**: Magic Affinity (reduces all magic consumption by 10%)

**Lord Skills**:

Primary Magic (increases attack magic damage by 5%)

Primary Mystery (recovers 10% magic value daily)

**Magic**: Random Level 1 Magic × 3

**Elementalist**

**Lord Talent**: Elemental Manipulation (increases elemental magic effects by 10%)

**Lord Skills**:

Primary Fire/Earth/Water/Air Comprehension (choose one: increases magic power of that element by 1, decreases mana consumption by 1)

Primary Magic Power (increases attack magic damage by 5%)

**Magic**: Random corresponding element magic × 2

As he considered these options, Ethan's initial excitement waned. The Mage and Elementalist roles were undoubtedly powerful, but he realized that they might not align with his long-term goals. He had always been keen on finding a role that would complement his learning ability rather than just bolster his magical prowess.

Among the available professions, he also found Alchemist and Necromancer roles, each with unique attributes. However, none of these seemed to fit as perfectly as the Scholar profession, which stood out due to its specific benefits:

**Scholar**

**Lord Talent**:

Academic Research (Knowledge +1 per level)

**Lord Skills**:

Primary Enlightenment (adds 5% experience gain), Primary Academic (allows mutual learning of level 1-2 magic, influenced by wisdom)

The Scholar profession was primarily auxiliary, but it provided a significant advantage by complementing Ethan's learning abilities. It seemed designed not just for magical combat but for overall strategic enhancement, offering a pathway to integrate and maximize his abilities more effectively.

Ethan chose the Scholar profession with a decisive click. The system confirmed:

"You have been employed as a scholar."

He noted an additional warning:

"Your occupation column is full."

This hint about the occupation column being full sparked curiosity about possible future expansions or limitations. For now, Ethan was content with his choice. The Scholar role granted him immediate benefits:

**Lord/Scholar LV1 (0/1000)**

**Territory**: Mage Tower (Broken)

**HP**: 100%

**Magic Value**: 11/11

**Attack Power**: 0

**Defense Power**: 0

**Strength**: 0

**Knowledge**: 1

**Lord Talent**: Learning Ability, Academic Research

**Lord Skills**:

Primary Enlightenment, Primary Academic, Primary Scouting (Temporary)

**Magic**: None

The Scholar profession did not provide direct magic but increased his knowledge and magic value. His magic value was now 11 points, one more than the standard base value. This indicated that his meditation practice was not in vain and could further enhance his magical capabilities.

"At least I didn't choose a mage or an elementalist. Even without their direct magic benefits, I can still learn magic and utilize lord skills. This makes it comparable to other professions in practical terms," Ethan reflected.

Ethan noticed that the Scholar profession appeared to share experience points with the Lord role, suggesting that the Scholar role might serve as an enhancement rather than a standalone role.

Ethan felt a significant shift in his perception. The Scholar role seemed to offer a broader perspective on his journey. Rather than being a mere add-on, it appeared to complement his core abilities and provide additional advantages that could prove invaluable in his endeavors.

This realization deepened his appreciation for his choice and motivated him to make the most of the opportunities it presented.

As he pondered these insights, a spirit monster cautiously ascended the stairs to the third floor of the mage tower. It approached Ethan with a look of anticipation and respect.

"Master, do you wish to venture out for resources today?" the spirit inquired gently.

The question snapped Ethan out of his reverie. He glanced at the window and realized that the day had fully arrived. Time had flown by as he had immersed himself in his studies.

"Can you go out on your own?" Ethan asked, curious about the capabilities of his spirit minions.

"No problem, Master," the spirit replied earnestly. "However, we lack the ability to transport resources as efficiently as you can. We can only carry them back."

Ethan understood the limitation. While he, as the lord, could directly manage resources from the wilderness, the spirits had to physically transport them. He contemplated the logistics and decided to make use of their abilities.

"Alright, I'll send out six spirits to scout and gather resources. They will be divided into two groups of three. Each spirit should carry a day's worth of food. They should return before dusk and rest if it gets too hot during midday," Ethan instructed.

"Safety is the priority. If they encounter danger, they should abandon the supplies and retreat immediately."

The spirit nodded in agreement, expressing gratitude for Ethan's considerate approach.

"Yes, Great Master. You are truly the most benevolent Master we have ever served. We will dedicate ourselves to fulfilling your commands," the spirit said with heartfelt admiration.

Ethan offered a reassuring smile. "Be careful out there. I trust you will do well."

The six spirits, now fully briefed, began their journey out of the mage tower in two separate groups, heading in different directions.

Ethan watched as they disappeared into the distance, feeling a mix of pride and concern for their safety.As he turned his attention back to his studies, Ethan decided to focus on mastering the "Elementary Element Meditation" and exploring the depths of his new role.

The Lord's talents and skills he had gained were significant, but the Scholar profession added another layer of complexity and opportunity. He needed to harness this to its fullest potential.

The real focus, of course, was the book titled "The Ghost Experiment Handbook." Ethan had come across this book and believed it held valuable information that could further his progress.

With the spirits out gathering resources, he now had uninterrupted time to delve into its contents.

Ethan opened the book and began to read. The knowledge he gained from the Scholar profession seemed to enhance his understanding of the material.

As he immersed himself in the study, he felt a sense of clarity and purpose, knowing that each step forward was a step towards mastery of his craft and the expansion of his domain.

The mage tower was still broken, but Ethan's determination was unshaken. He knew that with patience, strategic planning, and the right use of his abilities, he could overcome the challenges ahead and transform the mage tower into a formidable stronghold.