Wizard Bloodline

"This is an open trial task for the Seventh Ring," Benigo explained. "A lot of first-level wizards from other Rings will likely participate."

"First-level wizards?" Ronan blinked. "Doesn't the Brain-Eating Flower attract second-level wizards?"

Considering its ability to significantly boost mental power and increase the chance of achieving domain resonance, Ronan assumed this task would attract many second-level wizards.

Benigo seemed to understand his thought process and shook his head, "Remember, the Brain-Eating Flower's effect on mental power is substantial for you, a first-level wizard.

"For second-level wizards, whose mental power is dozens of times stronger, it might just be an ordinary item. Moreover, the ancient potion formula I have isn't something everyone can easily use. Even with it, the potion's effect on domain resonance only applies to first-level wizards."

"Why is that?" Ronan asked.

"Due to the Brain-Eating Flower's unique properties and the difference in mental power between first and second-level wizards," Benigo tapped his temple, explaining briefly. "When the flower's properties activate, it breaks down your mental power completely. Second-level wizards, with their crystalized mental power, can't withstand this process."

Ronan nodded in understanding. If Benigo was right, he only needed to be wary of skilled first-level wizards from the other six Rings.

This lowered the difficulty considerably.

But Benigo's next words dashed the relief Ronan felt.

"What I mentioned is under normal circumstances. While the Brain-Eating Flower's value isn't as high for second-level wizards, it doesn't rule out their involvement. The key point is..."

Benigo looked Ronan in the eyes, speaking calmly but with certainty, "If I were Travis, this task would be the best opportunity to get your Demon Tungsten."

"You mean Travis might send someone after me during the task?" Ronan's eyes flashed with sharpness.

"If he knows you took it," Benigo said plainly. "That's almost a certainty. Unless he suddenly loses interest in the Demon Tungsten and forgets about you roughing up his underlings..."

Ronan's expression was stoic as he nodded slowly. "Got it."

He glanced at the sprouting Sacred Blood Tree seed on the lab table and asked, "How often does the seed need my blood for watering?"

"For now, once a week should suffice. I'll notify you in advance," Benigo replied.

Ronan nodded, then added, "Oh, by the way, if you have time, could you prepare a batch of healing potions for me? Other potions, rune stones, and magical tools are fine too. I'm running low on magic stones."

"So soon?" Benigo frowned, "I thought I gave you a batch just a while ago."

"That was two months ago. I can't earn resources by taking tasks from the Ring. Besides," Ronan glanced at his recently healed finger, "my current training significantly demands magic stones and resources."

In the outer city of the Seventh Ring, returning from Benigo's, Ronan walked the streets in the silver-gray robe he bought when he first joined the Ring.

From afar, he saw two figures basking in the sun at the Blueberry Inn entrance.

A small figure with blue curly hair, Alida, stood beside Jacob like a gentle lamb.

Jacob must have said something amusing, as she giggled ceaselessly.

"Good afternoon, Master Ronan!"

Jacob, sharp-eyed, spotted Ronan from afar and quickly straightened up to greet him.

Alida, more relaxed, cheerfully called out, "Hello, Master Ronan."

Ronan smiled and nodded at them.

Perhaps Jacob's recent breakthrough to Apprentice Level 8, edging closer to becoming an official wizard, relaxed Alida's father, allowing them a weekly date outing.

Even as Ronan entered the Blueberry Inn and neared the stairs, he overheard Alida and Jacob's hushed conversation.

"Master Ronan looks even more handsome with his short hair. Several witch acquaintances asked if he needed a mistress..."

"I think Master Ronan's aura grows increasingly powerful. In his presence, I can barely breathe."

"Silly, that's because your health is declining! Don't meditate too much; I don't want to be a widow after marrying you."

"Alida, what are you saying!"

Inside his room, Ronan sank into the couch in the living room.

A pot of freshly brewed chamomile tea sat on the table.

He poured a cup, then took out a silver disk with the Ring's emblem from his storage pouch to check.

This disk was his identity proof as an official Ring member and a communication tool with the Ring, similar to a communication stone.

Infusing the disk with his mental power, the first message from the Ring informed him—due to four consecutive months of failing to complete required tasks, his core member status was revoked, demoting him to an ordinary member.

Ronan's expression remained unchanged; he had expected this.

In fact, Ronan only learned a month ago that regular Ring wizards could apply for "Meditation Protection."

The protection could last up to three years, during which no tasks were required, nor were there any penalties.

He tried applying but was immediately rejected without explanation.

After the "demotion" notice, the remaining messages were similar—"Your potion commission is canceled!" "Sorry, your rune commission task was not approved."

Ronan read each message without emotion.

As a core member, he should enjoy privileges such as purchasing potions, rune stones, commissioning magical tools, and enchantments.

He received discounts both buying and selling within the Ring.

However, all these "privileges" were "frozen," as failing to complete monthly tasks also meant losing the basic benefit of ten high-grade magic stones per month.

Beyond the title of an official Ring member, he received no benefits or conveniences, akin to his days as a wanderer.

He now understood why Benigo had proactively given him the first and second-level metal magic inheritance; perhaps Benigo foresaw this situation.

Certain individuals in the Ring, above the rules, manipulated them to force his submission.

"This task is even more necessary."

Ronan sipped his tea, recalling the task Benigo mentioned.

The Brain-Eating Flower's importance to his advancement was one aspect, but the task itself was rare and an open Seventh Ring task immune to Travis's interference.

Completing it would grant him a precious "breathing space."

"Knock, knock, knock—"

A polite knock followed by Alida's voice came from outside.

"Master, do you need to send anything today? The courier leaves by three."

Ronan lifted his head slightly, "No, thank you, Alida."

"Alright, Master, have a good day."

Alida's footsteps receded, and Ronan chuckled, knowing she likely sought a tip.

During difficult times, people instinctively seek something to cling to, and loneliness often breeds longing.

Ronan was no exception.

He had written letters to Old Wells, Venicia, and his relatives across the sea.

Since parting from Old Wells and the others, over half a year had passed. Ronan only knew they went to a place called Windrest Harbor, unsure how they fared now.

Clearing his thoughts, Ronan opened his character panel.

**[Name: Ronan Damien]**

**[Age: 17]**

**[Talents: Attribute-neutral affinity, Immaculate Body (Active)]**

**[Strength: First-level Official Wizard (47%)]**

**[Skills: Basic Meditation - Void Realm (Master 265/1600)

Energy Missile - Particle Stream (Master 240/1600)

Charged Weapon - Power of Dispelling (Master 177/1600)

Ice Ball - Desolate Freeze (Master 200/1600)

Ascetic Body (Master 157/1600)

Frost Ray (Expert 24/800)

Animate Metal (Proficient 12/400)

High Energy Crucible (Skilled 54/200)**

In two months, purely through meditation, his progress increased by 1%.

Compared to ordinary first-level wizards, this pace was neither fast nor slow. At this rate, he would reach late first-level in about three years and the second-level threshold in nine years.

[Particle Stream], [Power of Dispelling], and [Desolate Freeze], his three transcendent domain powers, had steadily improved. Without focusing much on them, their proficiency increased by dozens of points, satisfying Ronan.

The most significant improvement was in [Ascetic Body], with mastery increasing by 150 points in two months!

It seemed determined to make up for lost progress in one go.

Now, the white orb within Ronan had grown from fist-sized to three times as large, multiplying its size.

This brought him even more abundant vitality.

Nurtured by this vitality, he felt as if a volcano could erupt within him at any moment.

With vitality burning, his physical strength in [Immaculate Body] mode seemed limitless, beyond quantifiable measure.

Of course, the greatest enhancement was [Immaculate Body]'s physical defense. From initially withstanding zero-level low-grade spells unscathed, it now resisted zero-level mid-grade and high-grade spells, significantly boosting elemental resistance.

A close inspection would reveal a thin, transparent keratin layer on his skin, naturally formed by countless spell impacts.

Behind these significant physical enhancements was Ronan's relentless potion consumption.

For two months, he practically drank first-level healing potions like water, for the minuscule vitality they provided to replenish his white orb.

After two months, his savings were nearly exhausted. Scouring his storage pouch, aside from essential, unsellable items, the rest barely totaled ten high-grade magic stones in value.

A far cry from his former wealth of a thousand high-grade stones.

"Deep training is a bottomless resource pit."

Ronan sighed, realizing without Travis's interference, he could have saved significantly by purchasing healing potions through the Ring's channels.

Due to [Ascetic Body] training, Ronan practiced nearly all elemental zero-level low-grade spells he could find, achieving proficiency in most.

Focusing on ice spells, the zero-level mid-grade [Frost Ray] reached expert level. Breaking through to master level might take one or two months. Having never advanced a spell beyond zero-level low-grade to master, he was uncertain about the timeline.

"Once [Frost Ray] develops a transcendent domain, 'Despair Domain' will undergo a true transformation—what a sight that will be..."

Ronan contemplated, closing the panel, and walked into the small training room.

At the lab table, he picked up a blank rune stone and casually engraved it. For Ronan now, rune engraving was no longer a livelihood skill but a pastime for calming his mind.

"Register me for this task."

The next morning, in the Seventh Ring task hall, Ronan stood at a task window, pointing to a prominently marked task on the task booklet.

As a public trial task in the Seventh Ring, it was usually "pinned" at the top. Ronan easily found the "Brain-Eating Flower" task Benigo mentioned.

Of course, the task didn't mention the "Brain-Eating Flower," merely encouraging Ring wizards to explore a secret realm known as the "Damp Jungle."

Only wizards with inside information knew the rare Brain-Eating Flower existed in the "Damp Jungle."

"Done, wait outside. An airship will take you there."

With registration complete, the window wizard handed Ronan a white rune stone, serving as task proof and key to the "Damp Jungle" secret realm.

Without the task, Ronan couldn't bypass the Ring to enter the "Damp Jungle." Unauthorized exploration of owned secret realms was a severe violation in the wizarding world.

Ronan accepted the proof and exited the hall, scanning the task windows. The green-haired witch wasn't there this time.

Composed, he stood at the hall entrance, waiting alongside a few wizards. Their strength was modest, like his, mid-first-level, and they were ordinary Ring members.

After a while, a young wizard with a core identity marked robe arrived, emanating late first-level mental power.

The mid-first-level wizards around Ronan immediately surrounded the newcomer, indicating a prearranged alliance.

Then, someone from the group approached Ronan, inviting him to join.

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