Mercifura Academy

Weeks passed, and Ourin could only be amazed at the effects of the potion.

[Beep! You have completed a cycle of [Ironguard Knight Breathing Technique]...]

[Beep! After comparison, undergoing the Ironguard Breathing Technique increased the Host's strength by 0.0001, Agility by 0.0001, and vitality by 0.0001]

Ever since he had taken the Murloc Essence Elixir, a low-grade elixir according to Magus Nocturne, the effect of his family breathing technique had greatly diminished. It was to be expected, and the fact that it still gave him benefits after he broke through the knight realm was already a testimony of its high quality. But at the end of the day, Ourin was not aiming at becoming a veteran knight, he wanted to become a body refinement acolyte, and the first step to achieve this was to reach the grand knight realm.

[Scan Complete! Ourin | Strength: 2.9 → 3.6, Agility: 2.3 → 2.8, Vitality: 2.9→ 3.8, Spirit: 2.8, Status: Healthy]

The elixir alone had increased his stat by 0.7 strength, vitality, as well as 0.5 agility. To achieve such results, it would have taken him at least 250 days, if he managed to complete ten cycles of his breathing technique a day. Although Ourin was eager to take yet another elixir, it seemed like Magus Nocturne completely lost interest in him after taking him as an apprentice, not talking to him even once after giving him the [Mercifura Meditation Technique], runes that allowed him to grow 'spirit'.

It took Kaliweir one week to become level 1 acolytes, as he was a grade 3 talent. The twins were slower, taking three weeks to achieve the feat, as they were grade 2 talents. Harry was even worse off. Despite two months having passed, he had yet to condense the runes in his mind. He practiced daily, however, with unwavering spirit, aware of his lack of talent.

As for Ourin...He had somehow managed to reach the level 1 acolyte realm in a month. Whether his reincarnation had allowed him to condense the runes faster, or because he was smart and he was used to learn thing, no one knew. However, the fact remained and allowed him to grow fast, albeit four times slower than Kaliweir, and who knew how many times slower than Julia, who had already reached the level 2 acolyte realm and learned a spell.

An interesting point was that the meditation technique also helped in raising vitality. A theory Ourin came up with was that the meditation technique increased the potential of humans as a whole, lifespan included, which was translated in a raise of vitality by the biochip's analysis scan. Going for a deeper evaluation, it seemed like his cell were growing more resistant to radiation and infections too. It was an amazing feeling.

The relationships between the different apprentices of Magus Nocturne were pretty awkward. Julia, as a grade 4 talent, was very arrogant. However, she still offered pointers. Free guidance from a genius, Ourin naturally exploited her weakness and pity to learn fast, and perhaps it was the reason why he managed to reach the level 1 acolyte realm much faster than Harry. 

However, the twins were different. They often picked on Harry when Ourin was not around due to his low talent and the fact that he had yet to reach the level 1 acolyte realm. Of course, it was just children's pranks, but Ourin could already tell they would become petty in the future.

However, Ourin was a bit worried about Kaliweir, who had set him as a target. Kaliweir was very jealous that Ourin had gotten a favour from Magus Nocturne. In his eyes, he was more deserving of the Murloc Essence Elixir than a grade 1 talent, which was from a logical point of view not wrong. Because of this, Kaliweir would often pick fights with Ourin.

Similarly, Ourin ignored him. After all, a child's envy was nothing but a child's whimsical cries for attention. If he reacted, he might even be reprimanded for it. With his biochip, he could tell that he was slightly ahead of his opponent thanks to his fights, diligent practice of both the meditation and breathing technique as well as the elixir.

[Scan Complete! Kaliweir | Strength: 2.2, Agility: 2.0, Vitality: 2.6, Spirit: 3.4, Status: Healthy]

The bells rang in the afternoon, and the Keying ship had finally reached its destination. Everyone gasped at the scene. Enormous gates and wall surrounded a magnificent tower, its top shrouded in dark clouds. As for the island, it seemed to be made of ash and bones. According to Magus Nocturne, the Mercifura Academy was built upon the Island of Bones, known to be one of the most dangerous place in the Southern Continent, and home to countless magical creatures. Murlocs were at the bottom of the food chain there.

Yet, the Mercifura Academy Tower was surrounded by bloodthirsty vines and dangerous flaming flowers, representing the mastery of the academy in the nature and fire element, the reason why Ourin had chosen this academy in the first place. Even as a body refinement acolyte, he planned to learn a few spells, not willing to discard his dreams of wielding magic, even if it took more effort than the average apprentice. With his biochip acting as a photographic memory, he would have it easier studying anyway.