"Blood Mercury is commonly found in animated artificial lifeforms...
After injecting oneself with Blood Mercury, the body gradually acquires some characteristics of constructs, thereby gaining enhancement.
This is also the principle behind immunity to many toxins.
However, the risks are evident.
It can easily lead to a series of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as leukemia, scurvy, and myocardial infarction...
To avoid these sequelae, it is essential to refine high-quality Blood Mercury that can contain sufficient Wizardry Energy, blood oxygen, blood sugar, and other substances.
For safety reasons, it's best not to replace too much at once. Start with about 100 milliliters to test the waters. If the results are good, then proceed to refine more."
Recalling the knowledge gained from the Bronze-level talent [Sulfur-Mercury Theory], Roy scribbled notes in his private journal.
Unconsciously, various formulas and Wizardry symbols filled more than ten pages.
Based on these, he calculated various parameters and meticulously prepared the refinement process.
The entire process wasn't overly complex, but it required precise sulfur-mercury ratios and the enchantment technique combined with Wizardry Energy.
Due to the fluid nature of mercury, he also needed to draw upon the power of the twenty-first Rune, Lakoz, which represents "water" and "flow."
This required some knowledge related to the 「Animation Art」.
Fortunately, Roy met all these conditions.
...
The next day, in his residence.
"..."
As if murmuring to himself.
Or like the lament of a wandering spirit.
Low incantations echoed within the room.
Under the energy radiation of the Wizard Array, a crimson hue, akin to the aurora, drifted and illuminated the mercury in the beaker.
Roy focused intently, his mental power tightly locked onto it.
Using the method of mental infusion, he enchanted a part of the spell model base modified from the 「Animation Art」 and, through the operation of the Wizard Array, imbued it with activating magic.
After a moment, he took a glass rod and gently stirred it like chopsticks.
The color of the mercury in the beaker began to change slowly, shifting from a bright silver to a pale red, then deepening further.
As time passed, the color of the mercury grew darker, eventually forming the deep crimson of Blood Mercury.
It glowed faintly under the light of the Magic Crystal Chandelier, exuding a mysterious aura, and seemed to possess life and spirit as it naturally wriggled.
"It seems to be done!"
Roy used the knowledge from the Bronze-level talent [Sulfur-Mercury Theory] to assess the quality of the refined Blood Mercury. Confirming it was up to standard, he extracted it into a specialized syringe.
His expression remained focused and serious until not a drop of Blood Mercury remained in the beaker.
"Time to try it!"
As the specialized needle device pierced his skin, a cold sensation flowed into his veins along his arm.
Roy momentarily felt as if he were frozen.
But immediately after, the Wizardry Energy contained within the Blood Mercury activated, releasing Life Energy along with various nutrients.
He felt a warm, soothing sensation, as if soaking in warm water.
Roy stood up, removed the needle, stretched his limbs, and then tried clenching his fist.
Due to the remote sensing between the infused Wizardry Energy and his mental power, he could clearly feel the Blood Mercury moving within his body.
"I feel stronger!
But it's not the strength from muscles and fascia; it's Life Energy!"
Roy recalled the principles of advancing from an advanced knight to a Grand Knight.
The so-called Grand Knight originally stemmed from the results of Wizard Body Modification.
It was the only martial profession in the Wizard World capable of breaking the physical limits and possessing a Wizard-level physique.
What it relied on was the vast amount of Life Energy obtained after modification, rather than mere bones and muscles.
Roy slowly clenched his fist, attempting to control the flow of Blood Mercury within it.
A moment later...
A faint blood-red glow, like a crimson flame, enveloped his fist.
Although he didn't actually strike, he could feel the surging power contained within.
This mysterious force, simulated by Wizardry Energy, was the so-called "Combat Aura" that the knight profession dreamed of, triggered by the seed of Life Energy!
If the power of a Spellcaster originates from the materialization of spiritual energy,
then this "Combat Aura" is undoubtedly the materialization of Life Energy, the foundation of close-combat professions.
"Although I'm only at the level of an intermediate knight now, as the replacement ratio increases, I will surely surpass the advanced knight and progress toward becoming a Grand Knight.
By then, even without using the seed of Life Energy to modify my body, it will be enough to achieve a similar strengthening effect!
The day I completely replace the thousands of milliliters of blood in my body will be the day I rival a Grand Knight!"
This was the prediction brought by the knowledge instilled in his mind.
...
After a brief test, Roy headed to the training ground and rented a small private room for further testing.
Red light flickered, and his fists moved like lightning.
With a loud crash, the wooden board shattered into pieces.
He expressionlessly brushed away the fragments, savoring the feeling of mastering the force.
"As expected, the 100 milliliters of Blood Mercury I tested gave me an increase of about 0.1 degrees in total energy!
Next, I'll continue the replacement for deeper strengthening and modification.
But doing so will likely require more Magic Stones than I currently have.
I'll need to sell the Fish Pearl from the Fishman Lord to get several thousand."
This was a big deal. Within Okmi Wizard Tower, few apprentices could produce such a large sum at once.
Even someone like Sophia might not necessarily have the need for it at the moment.
And if I sell it directly to the Wizard Tower, they'll heavily undervalue it.
That would be a last resort if there's no other market and I risk being stuck with it.
It's better to use the method of refining Magic Stones to extract the magical energy from it myself.
"Roy, it's great that you're here.
I was just looking for you!"
Just as Roy stepped out of the training ground, pondering how to sell the Fish Pearl for a good price, Renien hurried over to him and spoke.
Roy asked, "What's the matter?"
Renien's expression turned serious. "I just found out something. That bitch who harmed us isn't dead. She escaped Olen's pursuit and managed to return!"
"Olinda isn't dead?"
Roy's face showed surprise.
"Could it be that she has some Enchanted Items or special means?"
Renien replied, "That's a reasonable guess, and it could also explain another thing—why Olen wanted to kill her and her companions...
It might have been to kill for treasure, or to silence them."
Roy nodded. "Or perhaps both!"
"Let's go settle the score with her!"
Roy called out and immediately headed toward the second-floor dormitory area for intermediate apprentices.
Not long after, the two of them knocked on the door of Olinda's residence, and soon she opened it, looking haggard.
"What brings you here?"
Olinda, unaware of what had happened, asked with a hint of confusion.