Chapter 195 - 111: A Level 2 Wizard’s Greeting Gift, Precious Soul Spirit Water

Chapter 195: Chapter 111: A Level 2 Wizard’s Greeting Gift, Precious Soul Spirit Water

However, things did not go as expected.

Mo Ning had assumed that the Third Level Female Apprentice across from him, who had spent over half a century navigating the intricacies of the academy, would have no trouble answering such a basic question about the Space Element.

But Nasha, standing opposite him, looked completely baffled. Her soft, pretty face clearly read, "What are you asking?"

Mo Ning was stunned as well.

’This should just be basic knowledge of the Space Element. How could a Third Level Female Apprentice not understand it?’

Nasha was mortified. She had been trying her best to show goodwill to her mentor’s new favorite, but the boy had unexpectedly thrown a bizarre question at her right out of the blue.

’What lines?’

’She had used Instant Shadow Powder countless times but had never seen any lines.’

’How was she supposed to answer that?’

The awkward silence hung in the air for half a second before it was pierced by an emotionless female voice:

"Yes, Mo Ning. The lines you just saw were, indeed, Space Anchor Points."

As the words were spoken, a woman in an exquisite white Wizard Robe appeared out of thin air in the hall.

Her appearance was striking—she was bald, and her left eye was an incredibly complex mechanical construct. Deep within its pupil, arcs of blue electricity flickered like a snake’s tongue.

Mo Ning glanced at her collar, then immediately bowed, his posture formal and humble.

"Your Excellency! It is an honor to meet you!"

According to academy rules, First Level and Second Level Wizards wore white robes, with their rank insignia located on the collar.

A First Level Wizard had a single Divination Pattern embroidered on their collar, while a Second Level Wizard had two.

The so-called "Divination Pattern" was a specific design derived from Divination calculations.

It contained the Wizard’s name and rank.

As Mo Ning understood it, it was the Wizard version of a QR code.

This Female Wizard had two Divination Patterns on her collar, which meant she was clearly the master of the laboratory—Second Level Wizard Yi Lin.

With a single, concise sentence, Yi Lin pinpointed the root of the cognitive gap between Mo Ning and Nasha:

"Vision is based on consciousness. Consciousness is based on understanding."

Mo Ning grew thoughtful.

He more or less understood what the Wizard meant:

Certain aspects of Space Magic directly interfaced with consciousness itself. Only when your consciousness could resonate with it—could "understand" it—could you "see" it.

Otherwise, it was as good as non-existent.

Nasha, however, felt awful.

She suddenly felt as if Mo Ning were the Third Level Apprentice, and she was the clueless new recruit who understood nothing.

Yi Lin didn’t spare Nasha a single glance, her eyes fixed on Mo Ning. "The laboratory has research projects on Space Magic, but your Spiritual Strength will need to be at 60 or higher. Otherwise, your consciousness can easily get lost in space."

This was a promise: once his Spiritual Strength reached 60, he could join the relevant research projects.

Mo Ning was both surprised and impressed.

Surprised, because the results of his probing question had far exceeded his expectations.

Impressed, because this Wizard’s insight was terrifyingly sharp. With just a few words, she had seen right through him. It felt like standing stark naked in front of her.

Yi Lin’s manner of speaking was brutally efficient. "I had you come over mainly to declare to the other laboratories that you belong to me."

The Female Wizard’s next words carried an undeniable dominance. "Anyone who dares to make a move on you is challenging me!"

Mo Ning understood instantly.

’Something must have happened behind the scenes. Her Excellency must have received some news and rushed over to stake her claim.’

But he had no ill will toward the Deep Red Rose Laboratory, so he didn’t particularly mind.

A rare hint of satisfaction entered Yi Lin’s tone. "Mo Ning, you are even more outstanding than I anticipated. Since I brought you here, I can’t let you leave empty-handed."

The Female Wizard paused briefly. "I will give you a drop of Soul Spirit Water as a welcome gift."

Mo Ning was a little baffled.

’What is Soul Spirit Water?’

It was a blind spot in his knowledge; the information retrieval system in his mind came up with nothing.

Nasha bit her luscious red lips, nearly exploding with jealousy.

’By the Mystery!’

’A single drop of Soul Spirit Water can increase Spiritual Strength by at least one point. How could the mentor be so generous?’

Yi Lin explained it herself. "You are to consume it after you form your first Spirit Ring. Depending on the unique characteristics of one’s soul, Soul Spirit Water can increase Spiritual Strength by 1 to 1.5 points.

"This is an extremely precious item. Even an Official Wizard would find it difficult to obtain a single drop. It’s not suitable to give it to you now, so I will keep it for you in the laboratory for the time being."

Mo Ning’s heart pounded.

’Heavens!’

’It’s that powerful!’

He knew exactly what this meant. The Soul Spirit Water was a loyalty fee.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Mo Ning made his promise. "Your Excellency, I swear on my soul that I will never betray the Deep Red Rose Laboratory."

He knew the Female Wizard before him disliked idle talk, so he kept his oath short and to the point.

The corner of Yi Lin’s mouth curved. The arc was almost imperceptible, but it was undeniably a smile. "Thirty years will be sufficient. Forever is not necessary."

The Female Wizard quickly concluded the meeting. "Alright, that will be all."

She addressed Nasha for the first time. "See Mo Ning out."

The word "out" was still hanging in the air as Yi Lin vanished, leaving only the phantom image of a rose in her place.

The rose scattered its petals and withered away.

Nasha stood rooted to the spot, looking at Mo Ning with an incredibly complex expression.

Her stare made Mo Ning’s skin crawl.

But he was smart enough not to ask.

Several seconds passed.

Nasha let out a soft sigh. "You’re one lucky kid."

Mo Ning couldn’t agree more.

He had already guessed that this drop of Soul Spirit Water was closely related to the second group assessment.

In a way, it was the true grand prize of the assessment.

(End of Volume One.)