novelraw Chapter 39
Chapter 39
Robb could feel the spell model achieving extraordinary stability in his spirit space.
The droplet-shaped energy structure no longer flickered as before. It maintained a constant form, its internal energy flows becoming more regular and coordinated.
When he opened his eyes, a glob of faintly glowing slime had already condensed at his fingertips. Without any additional control, it shot precisely toward the target stone.
The instant it struck, the slime hardened rapidly, locking the stone to the floor, completely immovable.
The solidification speed and adhesive force far exceeded any previous version he'd cast.
[Slime Splash EXP +3]
[Current progress: Slime Splash (Beginner 49/50)]
"Just one more point..." Robb whispered, mentally calculating how much more practice he needed. "One more time."
This time, he decided to push further with innovation.
If spirit power's vibration frequency could affect spell performance, could that vibration be combined with the breathing technique's rhythm?
Robb adjusted his breathing, gradually aligning his spirit power's fluctuations with the breathing technique's cadence.
This was an entirely new experiment, fusing two seemingly unrelated techniques.
As the breathing rhythm guided the changes, the spirit power's vibration frequency shifted in tandem.
It was chaotic at first, but harmony quickly emerged, a state of resonance.
The combined effect was remarkably potent.
Spirit power seemed to come alive, flowing autonomously along the most ideal pathways, forming a spell model far more stable than anything before.
When the spell fired again, the volume of slime had visibly increased and solidification was noticeably faster.
The target stone wasn't just pinned, a small area of surrounding floor was also firmly sealed, creating a miniature slime-trap zone.
[Slime Splash EXP +1]
[Breakthrough! Slime Splash (Beginner 50/50) → Slime Splash (Proficient, MAX)]
[Bonus trait acquired: Viscous Tenacity (Slime solidification speed increased; Adhesive force increased)]
With this breakthrough, Robb felt the spell's fundamental nature transform.
What had been a simple slime projectile had evolved into a far more powerful control tool.
The slime was not only more abundant but tougher in consistency. Once solidified, it was virtually impossible to break through brute force at the same rank.
The only regret was that this zero-circle spell had reached its ceiling. Perhaps after advancing to Morning Star Mage, he'd have the opportunity to composite it with other spells and unlock higher potential.
More importantly, he now satisfied every class change requirement for [Mage Apprentice]!
[Spirit power reaches 2.0 ✓]
[Basic Meditation reaches Proficient ✓]
[Master one spell at Proficient level ✓]
[Initiate class change to: Mage Apprentice?]
Robb didn't hesitate for an instant.
Confirm class change.
A powerful energy erupted from deep within, sweeping through his body like a breached dam.
The sensation was far more intense than either previous class change. The air in the room seemed to freeze, and the shadows cast by moonlight on the walls twisted and warped.
Robb could clearly feel his connection to the surrounding world undergoing a subtle transformation.
Mana that he'd previously only been able to passively perceive could now be actively, if limitedly, manipulated.
The feeling was like going from a spectator who could only watch the world, to an active participant who could directly engage with and influence its rules.
Every breath, every heartbeat resonated with the surrounding mana, forming an unprecedented state of harmony.
[Class change successful!]
[Class acquired. Mage Apprentice (One-and-a-Half Stars)]
[Base attribute increases.]
[Spirit. 2.0 → 2.4 (+0.4)]
[Constitution. 1.4 → 1.5 (+0.1)]
[Mana. 0.4 → 0.7 (+0.3)]
[Class skills unlocked:]
[1. Spell Construction (Beginner)]
[2. Mental Interference (Beginner)]
[Special bonuses:]
[1. Slight increase in spell skill EXP gain rate]
[2. Slight increase in spirit power growth rate]
[3. Slight increase in mana capacity and recovery rate]
On paper, the attribute gains from [Mage Apprentice] seemed smaller than the earlier [Knight Squire] class change, seemingly at odds with the absolute dominance mages were supposed to hold over knights.
But the panel's attributes weren't mere number-stacking. The jump from 2.0 to 2.4 in spirit power alone produced far more dramatic real-world effects than any sub-2.0 increase ever had.
The change wasn't just a numerical bump, it was a qualitative capability shift.
Robb could now perceive surrounding mana flows with far greater clarity, and could even attempt to guide them according to his will.
The invisible energy particles in the room's air had become palpable.
The faint traces of mana embedded in certain wall materials could now be precisely located.
[Class synergy detected.]
[Mage Apprentice + Knight Squire + Potion Apprentice]
[Bonus synergy enhancements: Potion efficacy enhancement slightly increased, Body-Spirit coordination slightly increased]
The synergy effect from just three classes already exceeded Robb's expectations. He could feel the various energies within reaching an unprecedented state of harmony.
The Potion Apprentice's spirit accumulation bonus formed a perfect feedback loop with the Mage Apprentice's spirit growth rate, dramatically improving every meditation session's efficiency.
The Knight Squire's physical reinforcement provided a more stable foundation for spellcasting, ensuring that bodily limitations wouldn't hinder spell execution.
Robb stood and flexed his fingers.
"So this is what the [Mage Apprentice] class change feels like..."
Even this small motion let him feel how much smoother internal energy flow had become. Every subtle muscle movement generated corresponding energy ripples.
Come to think of it, the duty officer had given him a booklet earlier, and he'd been too busy to read it until now.
He pulled the slim volume from his pack. It looked plain and unassuming, a few dozen pages, the cover bearing nothing but the words "Required Reading For Initiates."
Yet when Robb opened the first page, he felt a faint mana pulse, the booklet had been enchanted with a simple anti-forgery spell, ensuring only genuine apprentices could read its contents.
He sat on the edge of his bed and began reading by the faint moonlight and the flickering Mana Crystal lamp.
The first few pages covered basic faction rules. no fighting in public areas, no unauthorized use of laboratory equipment, no entering restricted zones without approval, all things he already knew.
But as he read deeper, the content grew increasingly compelling.
"Section Four: Apprentice Advancement and Sequence Rules", this heading immediately caught his attention.
"...Any Elementary Apprentice who advances to Intermediate Apprentice within three years of certification will automatically be rated 'High Potential' and entered into the Mage Candidate Sequence."
"These individuals, viewed as future potential Morning Star Mages, will receive additional resource allocation and special training opportunities..."