This sudden interlude brought the team's discussion to a halt.
However, the group quickly resumed their conversation, focusing on the feasibility of Niya's choice.
"All the nobles of the Old Continent are descendants of Wizards, known as Bloodline Nobles, inherently noble.
But titles like Marquis, Count, Viscount, and Baron can still be conferred through military achievements or other significant contributions."
"If you endure a few more years in Tali, you might reach the level of an intermediate knight or acquire some exceptional knowledge and skills akin to a master in the mundane world.
By then, wherever you go, you'll be a guest of honor among queens and noblewomen, and perhaps even become a Countess."
"Indeed, this would ensure a secure future."
Tears welled up in Niya's eyes: "Thank you, thank you all for your guidance."
Roy added, "If possible, I hope you can secure a position in the task center or management office, so you can provide us with some information in the future."
Niya nodded eagerly. For her, the specific position didn't matter much, as long as it exempted her from mandatory tasks.
After discussing Niya's situation, Roy informed the group, "I will prioritize the enhancement of an intermediate knight, but I plan to achieve this through a Bloodline Potion rather than ordinary physical enhancement."
Renien's choice could be seen as tapping into the potential of a blank human Bloodline, while Roy's choice would involve the Bloodline of a Magical creature or aberration.
This is more expensive and harder to integrate, but it may come with additional traits.
This is a very common enhancement method in the Wizard World, significantly improving Wizards' melee combat abilities.
In ancient times, close combat was a weakness for Spellcasters, and it was even popular to use followers like knights as shields.
But since the advent of Bloodline Modification and the subsequent rise of Bloodline Wizards, this weakness has been mitigated.
Wizards now possess physical prowess and combat abilities comparable to melee professions, and their spells and spell-like abilities have been greatly enhanced.
This is akin to the state of humanoid Magical Beasts or even humanoid aberrations!
Later, Roy announced, "Most of the Fish Pearls and various miscellaneous materials we've collected are useless, but they contain some magical energy that can be used to refine Magic Stones. I can recycle them for you.
The rate I can offer is a 100% return. What do you think?"
"So, if we give you miscellaneous materials worth around 100 Magic Stones, you can return the full amount to us?"
"Exactly, the materials will be valued based on the popular 'Wizard Array Energy Measurement Method' for determining magical energy.
Generally, only 'miscellaneous' grade materials are used for this purpose.
I won't take a second discount from you, just a single discount during the valuation."
"That's great..."
"How generous and honest! Oh, Roy, I could just kiss you!"
The group readily agreed.
Recycling miscellaneous materials is also a major way for Wizard Alchemists to earn money daily. There are indeed first and second discounts, as well as various tricks like loss during processing and material quality.
Roy's offer of recycling miscellaneous materials with full Magic Stone returns was very beneficial for them.
Roy laughed heartily upon hearing this, "If you feel it's fair, you can help spread the word. But remember, the price should be according to the market rate, understand?"
"Understood, understood!" everyone quickly responded.
...
After thorough discussions, the group dispersed, each going about their tasks.
Roy also received some materials from the group, worth a few thousand.
"Quite a lot, but it's a pity I don't have a Storage Wizardry Artifact, otherwise, I could have gathered more in time!"
Most apprentices, when out on missions, tend to pick up lightweight and valuable materials and treasures.
Having a Storage Wizardry Artifact would make a difference.
Even a single magical creature's corpse could yield many more Magic Stones.
Moreover, such items have significant research value, useful for studying the manufacturing methods of spatial equipment, which is advanced content in "Creation Studies."
However, Storage Wizardry Artifacts are too expensive; they are spatial treasures, with the entry-level ones costing at least ten thousand. Roy currently doesn't have the spare money to buy one.
"I wonder when I'll come across such a windfall!"
With such thoughts, Roy returned to his Alchemy Room, found that the stamina recovery potion he had been brewing was ready, stored it away, and then began refining miscellaneous items.
"If only I had Magic Crystal Stones from a large Mana Crystal Mine, or specially customized Magic Cores, Elemental Pools, and such devices and equipment...
That would be key for mass production!
But being a 'Proficient' is just a Black Iron level talent, not capable of handling that level of production.
It requires a higher level of Alchemy Talent...
Speaking of which, if there's Black Iron, could there be Bronze, Silver, or even Gold levels?
This has implications in Alchemy, but I'm not sure how to fully tap into my Alchemy Talent."
The little apprentice is still too poor, and his abilities are very limited.
Producing a thousand Magic Stones in one go still requires ten batches of work.
If he could produce thousands or even tens of thousands of Magic Stones at once, or even unlock his Alchemy Talent, that would be ideal.
Roy worked while daydreaming.
...
Three days later, January 9th.
In a room on the third floor of the Wizard Tower.
Roy sat cross-legged on the bed, in Meditation, a fist-sized Willpower Rune appeared as a three-dimensional projection, swirling around his body, emitting a silver glow.
The first one: Fehu ()!
This projection from the mind to the outside world is a manifestation of mental transformation, something Roy achieved naturally after being able to move objects telekinetically.
Knock, knock, knock!
At that moment, the door to the suite was knocked.
Roy opened his eyes, and the runes manifested around him dissipated like bubbles.
He went to the door and opened it, finding a previously contacted errand runner.
"Master Roy, the Neanderthal Essence Blood you inquired about has arrived, and you can now buy it in the store."
"Good."
Roy immediately followed him out, heading to the store set up by the Wizard Tower, and bought the main material he needed.
It was a walnut-sized bottle containing a drop of peculiar, viscous blood.
Just this small drop cost a full 1500 Magic Stones.
However, it's still cheaper than buying the finished product directly!
Roy was fully confident about this.
"Finally, I can brew the Bloodline Potion I need for enhancement!"
He had made thorough preparations beforehand. Now, leveraging his Alchemy Talent, [Proficient], he began to work diligently.
Not long after, a bottle of turbid crimson liquid—the Neanderthal Bloodline Potion—was successfully brewed.
(End of Chapter)