The Synthesis Wizard

Starlight Calendar 1255, Moon of Summer.

After more than half a year of recuperation, the Starlight Duchy gradually recovered from the shadow of war, and Ke Yi's control over the duchy grew increasingly stable. Now, he focused most of his efforts on rebuilding the Frost Province, striving to restore it to its former state as quickly as possible.

In the same month, the knight academies across the six provinces officially opened, welcoming their first batch of new students.

As time moved into the Flowing Fire Moon, the weather became increasingly hot.

Base 2.

In a spacious and bright laboratory.

Sunan carefully imprinted the final trace of a blood-red pattern onto the back of his right hand. With a flash of bloodlight, a horn-shaped scarlet mark appeared on his hand.

"It's done!"

A genuine smile of delight spread across Sunan's face.

After the battle at Kasham, he had devoted most of his energy to researching the Death Knell Striker, spending over two months to successfully create a bloodline mark using its ancient bloodline.

"The concentration of the Death Knell Striker's ancient bloodline was still a bit low. It had to be enhanced to create the bloodline mark."

"I'll call it the Death Knell Mark."

Gazing at the mark on his hand, Sunan's smile grew.

The Death Knell Mark's effect was to release a powerful sonic wave, far surpassing the Death Knell Striker's own sonic attacks.

Preliminary estimates suggested it could instantly kill a second-circle legend, and even a third-circle legend would be severely injured if not killed by a single strike!

The only downside was that it was a one-time consumable, used up after a single use, and not easy to produce.

Without harming the Death Knell Striker, extracting a small amount of blood daily took about fourteen days to create one Death Knell Mark.

"Making four or five for self-defense should suffice."

With another trump card in hand, Sunan was in an exceptionally good mood as he left the laboratory and headed to the detention area.

This was the most heavily guarded place in Base 2, aside from the warehouse and the laboratory.

The former two were primarily protected against external threats, while the detention area was fortified against internal threats.

It was safeguarded by multiple layers of formations, including but not limited to magic suppression, weakening, and heavy pressure, ensuring that any creature imprisoned here had its resistance reduced to the minimum.

The area was also heavily guarded by golems and Twin-Blade Spiders, making it impenetrable.

Arriving at the room where the Death Knell Striker was held, Sunan peered inside.

The Death Knell Striker lay listlessly on the ground. Hearing footsteps, it looked up to see Sunan and immediately let out a frightened cry, instinctively shrinking back, its beastly eyes showing a human-like plea.

In its pitiful state, it showed none of the might of an ancient bloodline descendant.

Yet, being subjected to blood extraction daily for over two months would leave anyone in a similar state.

The Death Knell Striker's weakness was not entirely due to the formations in the detention area but largely because of the significant blood loss.

Sunan felt helpless.

Both the research on bloodline marks and divine energy required extensive experimental materials, and to expedite the research, he had extracted a bit more blood than usual.

As an ancient bloodline descendant, it would recover over time.

Unfortunately, the Death Knell Striker's ancient bloodline concentration was too low, insufficient to awaken divine energy.

Ugo had sought the divine remains from the Spark Church precisely to extract divine energy for the Death Knell Striker, hoping it would awaken divine energy and reach a higher level.

Fortunately, Sunan didn't need to go to such lengths.

He had other means to enhance the Death Knell Striker's bloodline concentration.

The Hidden Dragon was a good example.

"It's a pity your power level is so high. Otherwise, contracting you as a magical pet would directly enhance your bloodline concentration."

Sunan felt a bit regretful.

The higher the power level of a creature, the more difficult it was to contract as a magical pet.

Unless the wizard (apprentice) was significantly stronger than the target.

Creatures like the Death Knell Striker, a third-circle legendary ancient beast, required at least a formal wizard to attempt contracting it, and success wasn't guaranteed.

That's why many wizards (apprentices) raised magical pets from a young age.

It's not that they didn't want to contract powerful beasts, but rather that they couldn't.

Although it couldn't be contracted as a magical pet, taming the Death Knell Striker wasn't difficult.

With a small measure in its body, this intelligent beast would naturally submit to preserve its life.

In fact, the Death Knell Striker had already shown signs of submission.

Before long, Sunan would have it tamed.

"Raising the bloodline concentration to awaken divine energy will take a considerable amount of time."

"Take it slow."

After drawing over a dozen vials of blood from the Death Knell Striker, Sunan left the detention area satisfied and headed to the meditation room.

Three days prior, he had already constructed the fourteenth star ring.

The 15th-level Star Ring Meditation Method required a proficiency of two million to upgrade.

"I'm currently increasing proficiency by about 4,600 per day. At this rate, it'll take roughly fifteen months to construct the fifteenth star ring."

"The training progress for spell quickening is approaching 70%. By the latest, I should master it by the Moon of Revival next year."

"Twenty-eight substitute metals remain for the Magic Rune Core."

"I have over eight kilograms of mithril now, about halfway to crafting a simulacrum."

"Two-thirds of the magical adamantite needed for crafting adamantite golems is still pending. Most apprentices have been busy crafting golems. Once we reach saturation, I'll adjust task rewards to increase the production of magical adamantite, which should speed things up."

"I also need to start gathering micro soul crystals to synthesize small soul crystals for crafting the adamantite golem's soul core."

Sunan mentally reviewed his upcoming tasks.

"Then there's the establishment of new magical plantations."

The new knight academies required a large supply of dragon blood fruits, necessitating new magical plantations to meet demand.

However, Sunan had been preoccupied with researching bloodline marks and divine energy, leaving no time to address this issue.

With the research reaching a temporary pause, he could now focus on it.

"The manpower is still too limited."

Sunan couldn't help but sigh.

Even one or two more reliable individuals would significantly ease his burden, sparing him from handling everything personally.

While reviewing the wizard intelligence collected by the Starlight Royalty, he had considered recruiting a few second-level wizard apprentices.

Those who had experienced the pain of resource scarcity wouldn't refuse a resource-rich trading platform.

As long as the base ensured a steady supply of resources and fair trade principles, loyalty wouldn't be a concern.

Before Sunan could act, good news arrived from the base.

Starlight Calendar 1255, Harvest Moon (September).

Xieman and Cole constructed their third star rings consecutively, advancing to second-level wizard apprentices.

Base 1.

Public rest area.

Xieman and Cole were surrounded by numerous apprentices, showering them with congratulations.

"Congratulations, seniors."

"I knew Senior Xieman and Senior Cole would advance to second-level wizard apprentices!"

"Advancing in just over five years, Senior Xieman and Senior Cole are truly geniuses."

"I'm so envious. I've only constructed my second star ring."

"Seniors, could you share your insights on advancing?"

Artir watched Xieman and Cole in the center of the crowd with a smile. While happy for them, she felt a mix of emotions.

Her talent wasn't on par with Xieman and Cole, and she was still some distance from constructing her third star ring, likely needing another two to three years.

Even Ethan, from the second batch, was progressing faster in constructing star rings and might advance before her.

"Alright, thanks for the congratulations, but we need to see the teacher. We'll share our insights another day."

Xieman smiled, addressing the group.

Hearing that the teacher summoned them, the crowd quickly parted to make way.

Xieman and Cole exited the crowd and headed toward the central area.

That was Sunan's exclusive space, where his laboratory, meditation room, and spell training area were located. No one could enter without his permission.

Two elite stone golems stood guard at the entrance.

Seeing someone approach, the golems turned their massive heads, their dark eyes scanning the two before emitting a mechanical voice.

"Target identified, authorized entry, proceed!"

With that, the heads returned to their original positions.

Cole cast a heated glance at the elite stone golems.

These were legendary-level golems.

Far more powerful than clay or stone golems.

If he could craft golems of this caliber one day, that would be impressive.

Having visited the central area several times, the two were familiar with its layout. They headed straight for the study after passing through the gate.

As they reached the door, Xieman was about to knock when a voice came from inside.

"Come in."

Xieman and Cole straightened their expressions, opened the door, and entered, seeing their teacher seated behind a desk, a book in hand, smiling at them.

To their surprise, Lord Amy, who often stayed in the underground world, was also present.

It lay on the corner of the desk, enjoying a catnip stick with a contented expression.

"Teacher, Lord Amy."

Xieman and Cole bowed in unison.

"Meow, it's Xieman and Cole." Amy looked up, waving a paw. "I heard you two advanced to second-level wizard apprentices. Congratulations, meow."

Xieman and Cole smiled, about to express their humility, when Amy continued.

"But your advancement was a bit slow, meow. In the past, if you hadn't advanced in over five years, you'd have been kicked out of the academy."

Their smiles froze.

Amy added, "Sunan advanced to second-level wizard apprentice in less than a year, meow."

Xieman and Cole were astonished, looking at Sunan with admiration.

As expected of their teacher, advancing past the second-level apprentice hurdle in such a short time.

"Alright," Sunan interrupted Amy, smiling at the two. "Don't mind Amy's words. You've done well to reach this point."

This was the era of the Elemental Desert, incomparable to a thousand years ago.

And compared to him, who had "cheats," there was no comparison!

Xieman and Cole advancing in just over five years showed commendable talent.

Of course, the base's ample resources played a role. Outside, many apprentices took twenty to thirty years to barely advance to the second level.

Less talented ones took fifty to sixty years to pass this stage.

Pleased by Sunan's praise, Xieman and Cole beamed with joy.

"We owe it all to your guidance, teacher!" they said in unison.

Sunan smiled, "I only provided a platform. Your progress is due to your own efforts."

Then his expression turned serious.

"Don't get complacent. Being a second-level apprentice is just the start of the wizard path. It only means you're qualified apprentices. On this continent, you need to be at least a third-level apprentice to be considered strong."

"Advancing to the third level is far harder than you imagine, let alone becoming a formal wizard. Be prepared for a long journey ahead."

"Yes, teacher!"

Xieman and Cole replied solemnly, bowing.

After advising them, Sunan softened his tone, tossing each a vial of potion with a smile.

"This is a superpower potion, a second-tier potion to enhance meditation efficiency. Consider it a gift for your advancement."

"But this potion has consumption restrictions. Your mental power needs to reach a certain level. Train for a while to stabilize your realm before using it."

A second-tier lesser superpower potion required a mental power of 13 to consume.

A newly advanced second-level apprentice might not reach 13, but a few months of training would suffice.

"Thank you, teacher!"

Xieman and Cole were overjoyed.

Potions enhancing meditation efficiency required more contribution points than other items.

Not to mention a second-tier potion.

Exchanging for it with contribution points would take them over half a month's tasks.

"Return to your training. Once you've stabilized, come see me. I have tasks for you both." Sunan waved them off.

They responded respectfully, bowing before leaving.

Outside the study, Xieman and Cole exchanged glances, sharing a smile.

"You advanced thirteen days before me, so you win this time. But next time, I'll surpass you!" Cole said determinedly.

In the past, Xieman would have laughed off Cole's challenges.

But after Old Roger's passing, his attitude towards strength improvement had transformed. Hearing Cole's competitive words, he wore a confident smile.

"I'll look forward to it, but be prepared. I won't lose to you!"

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