Chapter 21: Level Four

"Three runes, including a non-standard [Fireball] rune... Based on the typical prices for zero-level low-grade artifacts at the wizard market, it should be worth at least a few dozen low-grade magic stones," Ronan estimated the value of the fireball ring in his hand. He was less certain about the mid-grade artifact ring with dual [Protection] runes.

Its value was too high to gauge without consulting a professional magical item store like Weiling Workshop.

"This guy just drank a potion; he might have more on him."

After pocketing the rings, Ronan felt no more reservations about looting the body. The potential gains overshadowed his fear of the corpse.

This time, he squatted beside the body, searching it thoroughly.

He soon found a black, intricately patterned pouch under the right side of the robe.

Opening it eagerly, he found it disappointingly sparse.

Aside from a dozen low-grade magic stones, it contained a single potion and a round, brass badge.

Ronan felt a pang of disappointment.

But it made sense; no wizard would carry all their valuables at all times.

The potion's contents were indecipherable to Ronan, whose knowledge of alchemy was nonexistent.

"I'll compare it at a potion shop later," he decided, setting down the potion and picking up the brass badge.

It featured a small green owl emblem, likely representing a specific organization or faction.

The thought made Ronan's heart skip a beat.

An organization meant potential backing.

Now that the wizard was dead, would someone investigate the area later?

What if they tracked down him, the "murderer"?

Would there already be allies on the way?

Scenes from movies, shows, news, and novels of revenge, pursuit, and retribution played endlessly in his mind.

A shiver ran through Ronan, the aftermath of killing resurfacing.

He dared not linger any longer.

Quickly gathering the valuables, he tossed the badge and pouch back onto the body and hurried away.

Initially, he'd considered checking on the first body, but now he only wanted to escape as quickly as possible.

Fearing retribution, Ronan avoided his treehouse for three days, wandering the wilds, eating and sleeping outdoors, halting all activities except meditation.

Three days later.

A weary, dust-covered Ronan returned home.

Cautiously unlocking and entering, he surveyed his dim, cramped cabin.

Everything seemed as he'd left it.

His first task was to check the junk box in the corner.

Finding his engraved [Cleanse] and [Shine] runes and stash of magic stones untouched, Ronan finally exhaled a long sigh of relief, sinking into a chair.

Over the three days, Ronan had thought things through.

The wizard he'd killed was also a "murderer."

Choosing a secluded spot deep in the forest to commit murder and then trying to silence Ronan indicated he was up to no good.

Such individuals acted discreetly; their bodies left in a predator-filled forest would be "cleaned up" within hours.

Aside from Ronan, no one would ever know what had happened there.

His previous worries had been somewhat excessive.

Still, for the next month, Ronan lived like a frightened bird.

He felt as though he'd returned to the state he was in when he first arrived.

Only after visiting the market with his saved magic stones, purchasing another low-grade Concentration Potion, and advancing to a Level 4 wizard apprentice, did he begin to relax.

"Whoosh!"

A figure broke the lake's surface.

It was a tall, slender youth.

Fair-skinned, blue-eyed, with shoulder-length chestnut hair clinging wetly to his shoulders—a blend of rugged handsomeness.

Ronan ran a hand through his hair, flinging water droplets, then walked onto the grassy lake shore.

Under a verdant walnut tree, Ronan sat casually, letting the breeze dry him.

"Over a month with no incidents... It's probably over."

He muttered quietly.

Just yesterday, he'd snuck back to the forest's depths.

The wizard's corpse was long gone, the battle's traces covered by new grass.

"Even with tracking spells, in this state... it should be difficult," Ronan mused, pulling out the two rings.

They were the artifact rings he'd taken from the wizard, which he'd often examined over the past month.

"With my current mental power, activating both [Protection] runes is still challenging. To do it comfortably and not hinder other actions, I'd need Level 6 apprentice strength."

Ronan judged the wizard's strength to have been Level 6, maybe even 7.

Such a powerful foe had died at his hands—an incredible stroke of luck.

"Overconfidence, poor condition, and severely underestimating my strength led to his downfall."

Ronan reflected, treating it as a cautionary tale to remind himself.

He was also familiar with the other ring, enchanted with [Fireball].

It was indeed useful, needing only a simple mental guide to cast a fireball, with power akin to a standard cast but much faster to release.

After one use, it required about a twenty-second cooldown, perhaps usable two or three times per battle.

The ring's other two low-grade runes were [Haste] runes, which slightly increased spellcasting speed.

Useful at low apprentice levels, but less so beyond.

Ronan dared not wear the rings, but kept them on him for emergencies.

Carefully storing the rings, Ronan stood, shook himself off, and donned his robe.

Wearing it without undergarments was comfortable, especially post-bath.

Yet both his robes were worn, this one full of holes that let the wind whistle through when he ran.

"I need a new one."

Feeling the holes, Ronan decided, "Might as well buy a magical robe."

Ronan had saved up a bit.

His rune engraving earnings, prior savings, and loot from the wizard, minus the potion purchase, left him with over thirty low-grade magic stones.

A basic magical robe cost about a dozen stones, even less for second-hand.

If he had more funds, he'd consider a magical leather armor set.

This past month, his [Ascetic Body Training] proficiency had risen significantly, further enhancing his physique. A magical armor set would maximize his physical advantages.

But with the [Protection] ring, it wasn't essential.

Ronan headed toward the forest.

As he walked, he pulled up his character panel.

[Name: Ronan Damien]

[Age: 16]

[Affinity: Non-Elemental]

[Level: Level 4 Wizard Apprentice (5%)]

[Skills: Basic Meditation Techniques (Expert 2/800), Energy Missile (Expert 531/800), Charged Weapon (Mastery 14/400), Rune Engraving—Cleanse (Proficient 102/200), Shine (Beginner 56/100), Ascetic Body Training (Beginner 87/100)]