CH41

"Freshly brewed coffee," Larry said, with a flick of his finger, causing a cup of coffee to float over to the table.

Helag glanced around the room filled with potion test tubes, then looked at the coffee, thinking it smelled different.

Larry chuckled, "Don't worry, it won't be contaminated by the potions. I always follow safety standards in my experiments."

Helag awkwardly smiled and took a sip of the coffee, finding it tasted fine.

"Follow me," Larry said, removing his gloves and sealing the test tube with a wooden stopper before placing it on a nearby shelf.

In the inner room, there was a desk. Larry picked up a book and a notebook from it.

"This is the spell model for the Dark Energy Shield. This notebook contains all my research notes from when I was an apprentice. I hope it helps you," Larry said.

"Thank you, Mr. Larry!" Helag noticed the notebook was almost as thick as the book.

Generally, wizard apprentices had to put in a lot of effort to learn a spell, spending countless hours and energy to complete a spell model.

"The Dark Energy Shield is highly practical but also very challenging. It may take you a lot of time to learn. Don't rush it. Make sure you thoroughly understand it before constructing the spell model, or you might harm your mind and affect future advancements," Larry advised.

Larry shared some tips and pointed out common pitfalls, recounting his own mistakes.

An hour later, Helag finally left Larry's house.

"These shared experiences are worth two magic stones," Helag thought.

Although Deep Blue handled the model construction, these experiences were invaluable.

Even though the spell models for Partial Petrification and Corrosive Arrow were complete, Helag never stopped researching them.

He needed to analyze, learn, and summarize on his own, not relying too much on Deep Blue.

A deep understanding of these principles would raise his future potential.

Back home, Helag immediately had Deep Blue analyze the Dark Energy Shield spell model while he carefully read the book and notebook.

[Dark Energy Shield spell model and related data analyzed and organized. Ready for spell model construction.]

A few minutes later, Deep Blue had processed the data.

"Begin constructing the Dark Energy Shield spell model."

[Task logged.

Estimated time remaining: forty-five minutes.

Estimated magic consumption: 48%]

The Dark Energy Shield was more complex than Helag had anticipated, requiring more time and magic than the other two Level 0 spells.

Reading the book and notes, Helag found that Partial Petrification and Corrosive Arrow had around fifty parameters and formulas each, while Dark Energy Shield had over ninety parameters and sixty formulas.

Moreover, it involved knowledge of dark energy, requiring a foundation in elemental spells.

For ordinary apprentices, this spell was indeed advanced and challenging to learn.

Helag planned to study this spell thoroughly. Deep Blue could enhance his combat capabilities, but he couldn't neglect his own research and learning.

With Deep Blue providing precise data, Helag could learn and understand more quickly.

Forty-five minutes later.

[Dark Energy Shield spell model construction complete.]

Helag put down the book and began casting the Dark Energy Shield to test its effect.

A black-purple energy shield appeared around Helag, providing 360-degree protection.

"Deep Blue, how effective is this shield?" Helag asked.

[Based on calculations, it can withstand three Small Fireball spells] Deep Blue replied.

"Three… not bad," Helag said, satisfied. Small Fireball was one of the more powerful Level 0 spells, and the Dark Energy Shield significantly boosted his defense and tolerance.

Deep Blue added, [For second or third-class apprentices, the spell strength would be higher, and the shield would likely withstand only 1.5 spells.]

This was expected. Against vastly superior wizards, no shield would suffice.

"Now I have basic combat capabilities," Helag thought. With these two spells learned, his next plan was to earn money.

Without magic stones and gold coins, he couldn't do anything. Courses and resources all required money.

He opened the rune stone and searched for suitable tasks.

Helag's criteria were: low danger and rewards in magic stones.

[

Hunt Giant Spirit Spiders, ensuring the silk sac remains intact.

Reward: twenty magic stones.

]

Helag checked the Giant Spirit Spider's information and immediately discarded the task.

Giant Spirit Spiders required at least a third-class apprentice to handle, and ensuring the silk sac's integrity added significant difficulty, likely needing an official wizard or a very skilled third-class apprentice.

[

Necromancy experiment assistant needed. Must have knowledge of necromancy spells.

Minimum requirement: second-class apprentice.

Reward: five magic stones.

]

Helag also had to pass on this task. He lacked the necessary skills and knowledge, and necromancy experiments were highly risky, with the highest accident rate. Many necromancers ended up looking ghastly due to experimental accidents.

[

Assassination team recruiting.

Target: third-class apprentice.

Minimum requirement: second-class apprentice with strong combat skills.

Reward: fifteen magic stones.

]

Helag sighed. His current strength disqualified him from many tasks.

There were very few tasks for first-class apprentices offering magic stones. After two hours, he finally found a suitable one.

[

Collect Sleeping Mushrooms in Moonlight Forest.

Ten mushrooms for one magic stone. Less than ten will be exchanged for ten gold coins each.

]

Helag didn't rush to sign up but went to the tavern to gather information.

After reading some posts, he understood that this task was available every spring and summer.

Sleeping Mushrooms were essential potion ingredients, required in many potion recipes, with high demand.

The task was issued by Moonlight Woodland, open to all apprentices.

However, aside from first-class apprentices, few took this task due to its low efficiency.

Sleeping Mushrooms were hidden underground, making them hard to find and harvest. They also had a magic-blocking property, complicating the search.