Chapter 312 - 293: Space Crystal Stone

Chapter 312: Chapter 293: Space Crystal Stone

"Although you’re very talented, that talent needs time to mature."

"The environment inside the ruins is complex, the Demons are ferocious, and people are unpredictable... and a Mage’s body is just too fragile."

"So my personal recommendation is that you learn the Trigger Skill before attempting to go out and explore."

"This is to avoid any sudden situations where you don’t have time to cast a Defensive Magic..."

As he spoke, Instructor Marvin’s gaze on Zelir suddenly sharpened, as if he were observing something.

After a two-second pause, he spoke again, his voice tinged with astonishment.

"Zelir, you... you’ve learned the Trigger Skill?"

"Yes."

Facing Instructor Marvin’s intense gaze, Zelir scratched his head, a little embarrassed.

"I know how important the Trigger Skill is for my personal safety, so I’ve been working hard to learn it recently and finally managed to master it."

"Who did you learn it from? Instructor Lena?"

"I learned it from a book."

’From a book?’

Marvin wondered if he had misheard.

"Then what Magic did you anchor to it?"

"Magic Barrier. It can block both physical and magical attacks, so it’s very practical."

"...Alright, then."

Instructor Marvin looked like he wanted to say something, but in the end, he just gave a weary wave of his hand.

He already held Zelir’s talent in high regard, and he always tried to think in the most exaggerated terms, but mastering the Trigger Skill was simply...

...too unexpected.

Although the Trigger Skill has no clear Level requirement, mastering the technique would take, at the very least, a genius Junior Mage who had been honing their craft for many years.

Even among Middle Level Mages, quite a few were stumped by this particular hurdle.

’How long had Zelir been a Junior Mage, again...?’

Instructor Marvin thought for a moment.

’Three months at most, right?’

’Forget it. I really can’t measure him by normal standards.’

"Since you’ve already learned the Trigger Skill... I have no reason to talk you out of it anymore."

"Just be safe. Always put caution first. I hope this expedition proves to be very rewarding for you."

"Yes, thank you, Instructor Marvin." Zelir placed a hand on his chest and bowed slightly.

...

The Silver Blaze Tree Cluster had shed the last of its withered, yellow autumn leaves. Its once-lush foliage had completely vanished, leaving only bare branches.

They interlaced as they reached for the sky, possessing a rugged beauty like an iron-wire drawing.

A thin layer of snow rested on the branches. When a light breeze blew past, the twigs trembled, gently dusting off a few specks of snow.

Bathed in the cold sunlight, they looked even more befitting of the name "Silver Blaze."

Zelir’s gaze slowly shifted from the window, refocusing on the elegant figure inside the room.

Instructor Manlin’s office was as tranquil as ever. The massive floor-to-ceiling windows separated the bitter cold outside from the warmth within, creating two distinct worlds.

She patiently waited for the kettle on the small, red-clay stove to boil. Then, to the sound of bubbling water, Manlin’s fair, slender fingers grasped the porcelain handle and poured the scalding water into the teacup from on high.

Flower petals tumbled and unfurled in the water. Steam carrying a fresh, herbal fragrance instantly filled the air, blurring her gentle profile.

"Here. Be careful, it’s hot."

The amber-colored herbal tea was gently pushed in front of Zelir.

"Thank you, Instructor."

He cradled the cup in his hands and took a small sip.

A warm current slid down his throat, the gentle heat spreading throughout his entire body and causing his nerves to relax unconsciously.

Whenever Zelir came here, he could always count on a cup of tea brewed by Instructor Manlin herself.

"So..."

Manlin settled into her high-backed chair, her gaze landing on Zelir through the curling wisps of steam.

"Are you leaving for Sengu Town in the next few days?"

"Yes."

Zelir nodded. "If nothing unexpected happens, I’ll be leaving the morning after tomorrow."

"Hm..."

Instructor Manlin didn’t say anything more to try and persuade him to stay.

"It’s good for young people to have drive... While staying in Black Stone Town is comfortable, it offers few opportunities for growth."

"That’s what I was thinking, too," Zelir agreed.

"How are your preparations coming along?"

Instructor Manlin asked with concern.

"I should remind you, Sengu Town doesn’t have a Mage’s Guild, which means there’s no dedicated place to trade Magic Items."

"If you wait to buy things until you get there, you’ll inevitably be ripped off, and the quality will almost certainly be lower."

"Don’t worry, Instructor Manlin, I’m all prepared."

Zelir fluently listed his supplies.

"Healing Potions, Surging Potions, a high-quality Overclocking Potion, and Source Energy Crystal Stones."

He patted the Storage Pouch at his waist. "Got them all right here."

"Hm..."

Instructor Manlin nodded lightly. "That’s a fairly complete list, but... I think you might have a use for this."

As she spoke, her hand swept over the table.

And a Crystal Stone appeared on the table.

It was only the size of a walnut, completely translucent, and cut into an irregular, multifaceted shape.

Zelir rubbed his eyes hard, wondering if he was seeing things.

He wasn’t mistaken.

There was a faint spatial distortion around the Crystal Stone, like the heat haze rising from a road in summer.

Even the sunlight passing through it didn’t travel in a straight line.

Instead, it bent at a bizarre angle, casting a fractured patch of light onto the tabletop.

"Instructor Manlin, this is...?" Zelir asked in astonishment.

"A Crystal Stone with the Power of Space preserved within it," said Instructor Manlin.

"The Power of Space..."

The term filled Zelir with a sense of reverence.

Until now, the Magic he had used was limited to various Elements, plus Arcane Magic.

He had never encountered something as profoundly mysterious as ’Space’.

It sounded incredible.

"Infuse it with your Magic Power to activate the Crystal Stone."