Helag noticed that Larry seemed completely unprepared to leave.
If a war really broke out, even official wizards wouldn't be able to avoid getting involved.
"Me?" Larry chuckled.
"I'm a logistics person. If it comes to actual fighting, my potionology knowledge is far more useful than combat skills. If it gets to the point where even I have to fight, it means it's time for me to run."
"Aren't official wizards also required to sign agreements with Moonlight Woodland?" Helag felt that Larry didn't seem to be under any constraints.
"That's the benefit of being a potionology master! My contract with Moonlight Woodland is different from others. Strictly speaking, we're in an employment relationship, so I'm not as bound," Larry explained.
Helag suddenly understood. "I see."
That's the advantage of having a skill. Experts are valuable everywhere.
"Now, let me tell you about some things to watch out for during the advancement process," Larry continued.
"In the wizarding world, there's an old saying: no two advancement processes are the same. It means that every wizard might encounter different situations during advancement, and you need to use your knowledge to adapt and handle them."
"Of course, you're just advancing to a second-class apprentice, so you shouldn't face many difficulties. Just remember, a wizard's most powerful weapon is always knowledge. Knowledge can solve most of your problems…"
***
After returning home, Helag spent two days digesting the experience Larry had imparted, then took out the Dawn Potion.
"Deep Blue, start monitoring my body comprehensively. Report any issues during the advancement process."
[Task archived.]
A 3D model of Helag's body appeared before him, displaying numerous parameters representing his current physical state.
Helag uncorked the Dawn Potion, releasing a purple mist that spread out.
He tilted his head back and drank the light purple liquid, which tasted bitter and slightly painful.
Once ingested, the Dawn Potion turned into energy that spread throughout his body.
[Heart rate accelerating. Current heart rate: 157]
[Toxins detected in the body, causing damage.
Current damage level: 3%.
Do you want to stop the advancement and expel the toxins?]
"Don't stop. Continue."
Helag closed his eyes, knowing this was the potion's effect and that he mustn't stop.
A layer of purple flames appeared on his skin, without heat, unable to ignite his clothes.
[Current heart rate: 267]
[Body damage level: 10%!]
[Genetic chain breaking…]
Helag's physical state was dire, but he remained calm, his mind steady.
"Genetic chain reorganizing…"
"Helag, look at this!" A woman's voice called from behind, but Helag ignored it.
He ignored the voice, but it grew louder and more chaotic.
"Pi over four, keep the sign consistent…"
"Wake up! Roll call!"
.
.
Helag's strong spirit kept him focused solely on the advancement process.
Boom!
Suddenly, Helag felt his head explode.
"These are wind energy particles, the red ones are fire energy particles, and the black ones… dark energy particles?"
Previously, Helag could sense the presence of energy particles but couldn't distinguish their attributes.
Now, he could clearly identify the attributes of each energy particle.
"So, which energy particles are suitable for me?"
After advancing from a first-class to a second-class apprentice, wizards can sense one or more types of energy particles suitable for them.
Apprentices can absorb these particles, which will continuously radiate their bodies, enhancing their physical strength.
Helag's body would grow stronger from this radiation, making him somewhat radioactive. While this radiation wouldn't significantly affect ordinary people, it would make it difficult for apprentices to have offspring with them.
Additionally, when using spells of the same attribute, casting speed, spell strength, and other factors would greatly improve.
This didn't mean other spells couldn't be learned, but spells of the same attribute would be stronger.
Helag took a deep breath and began meditating, extending his hands to absorb the surrounding energy particles.
Unlike before, he didn't absorb all particles indiscriminately. Instead, he let them gather on his skin, allowing those compatible with him to enter his body while the rest floated on the surface.
"It's dark energy particles…"
Helag discovered that the only attribute compatible with him was dark energy particles.
These are high-level energy particles, with many subtypes like negative energy particles and shadow energy particles, all falling under dark energy particles.
"It seems I'll need to specialize in dark energy spells in the future."
Specializing in one's compatible attribute yields twice the result with half the effort. Many wizards choose to specialize, especially when preparing to advance to an official wizard, where specialization becomes even more critical.
Helag's acquaintance, Locke, was an example. He seemed to specialize in earth element spells, using mostly earth-based magic.
[Current heart rate: 97]
[Body slowly repairing…]
Helag felt his physical state gradually stabilizing.
"Deep Blue, check my current physical state."
[
Helag Merlin: Strength 3.0, Agility 3.1, Constitution 4.8, Spirit 11.0, Mana 40%
]
Helag nodded. "Advancement successful. Just as Teacher Larry said, with my current spirit power, advancing to a second-class apprentice was no problem."
"Dark Energy Shield!" He cast a shield on himself to test the post-advancement effect.
"Deep Blue, how much stronger is the current Dark Energy Shield compared to before?"
[Calculations show that due to the majority of the spell's mana being composed of dark energy particles, shield strength has increased by 63%, and mana consumption has decreased by 39%]
Helag thought, "No wonder second-class apprentices start specializing. The strength increase is significant. Putting in 100% effort yields a 150% return."
After completing his advancement, Helag didn't celebrate excessively. Instead, he sat down and resumed meditating.
In his mind, six stars were connected, with four more needed to advance to a third-class apprentice.
Helag searched the starry sky in his mind, selecting a star to meditate on.
"Without Meteor Grass, meditation is much slower."
Helag had been using Meteor Grass to aid his meditation. Adjusting to the slower pace was challenging.
Meteor Grass was no longer useful at his current stage. He would need to find other ways to speed up his meditation.