After parting with Gwen, Pierce walked straight toward the main gate of the base.

  The operation had concluded, and the resources had been exchanged. Naturally, there was no reason to linger.

  Sophia and Payne were waiting near the gate. The moment they spotted Pierce, they hurried over to greet him.

  "My Lord."

  Pierce smiled warmly. "You have worked hard during this period."

  "Not at all!" Sophia replied hastily, her eyes fixed on Pierce with hidden anticipation. "It is our honor to follow you, my Lord."

  Payne grinned, a simple and honest expression on his face. "My goal is to follow a powerhouse like you, my Lord."

  Facing their almost explicit declarations of loyalty, Pierce smiled faintly. He reached out and patted them on the shoulder, one by one.

  "Go back and cultivate diligently. Do not slack off. I will come to find you once I have advanced to Wizard."

  The implication was clear.

  Hearing this, Sophia and Payne’s faces lit up with surprise and joy. They nodded vigorously, unable to hide their excitement.

  "Yes, my Lord! I will definitely not disappoint you!"

  "Me neither!"

  Pierce said nothing more. With a final smile, he turned and walked away.

  It wasn't until Pierce had disappeared into the distance that Sophia pumped her fist in the air, her face flushed red with excitement. The thing she had longed for had finally become a reality; she was so elated she felt like jumping.

  Payne was also grinning from ear to ear.

  For the two of them, becoming the followers of a genius with infinite potential like Pierce undoubtedly meant their future was bright.

  Returning to the apartment he hadn't inhabited for over half a month, Pierce first manipulated energy particles to sweep the rooms clean. He released Eve and the Mist Raven to roam freely, then sat down in the living room to check his status.

  During the final five days of the operation, he had barely consumed any mental power, funneling it all into the accelerated analysis of Will Runes.

  After five days, the 26th Will Rune had been fully constructed.

  The analysis of the 27th Will Rune was approximately one-third complete.

  And his Spirit attribute had finally broken through the 120 mark.

  [Spirit: 120.48]

  [Physique: 64.96]

  [Task 1: Analyze 27th Will Rune. Estimated time: 120 days]

  [Task 2: Improve Ray of Enfeeblement spell model. Estimated time: 63 days]

  [Task 3: Improve Silent Image spell model. Estimated time: 58 days]

  "My Physique is fast approaching the level of a Peak Grand Knight."

  Based on Pierce's observations, the physique of a standard Peak Grand Knight hovered around 70 points.

  With his current growth rate, he would break through to the Peak Grand Knight realm in half a month at most.

  However, bridging the gap to the Legendary Knight realm after that would not be so simple.

  The promotion standard for a Legendary Knight required not only a Constitution attribute exceeding 100 but also the mastery of Elemental Power.

  Neither requirement was easily met.

  "My physique growth currently relies entirely on the passive feedback from my rising Spirit. The benefits of cultivating the Azure Wind Breathing Technique have become negligible."

  Pierce had considered improving the Azure Wind Breathing Technique, but after careful deliberation, he decided to postpone it.

  It was better to finish constructing the Will Runes and mastering the necessary spells and Metamagic techniques first. The breathing technique could wait.

  As for Elemental Power, the good news was that as a Wizard Apprentice, Pierce's sensitivity to energy particles far exceeded that of ordinary Knights. It would be relatively easier for him to communicate with the elements and awaken that power.

  As long as his Constitution hit the threshold, advancing to Legendary Knight shouldn't take long.

  Composing himself, Pierce took out the memory crystal ball sent by Gwen and began to scan its contents with the Omniscient Eye.

  It took a full thirty minutes for the scan to complete.

  Pierce spent another ten minutes digesting the flood of information before opening his eyes and exhaling a long breath.

  "Enchanting knowledge is truly as deep as an abyss. Just one branch contains this much information. Even with the Omniscient Eye, learning it all will take a massive amount of time."

  After a brief rest, Pierce began to organize the data.

  Gem Enchanting was a major branch of the discipline. Unlike other methods, its primary medium was gemstones.

  Because of this, the properties obtained were strictly limited by the materials used, and the variety of items one could craft was narrower compared to other schools of enchanting.

  However, the advantage was quality. Items crafted via Gem Enchanting were rarely low-grade—most were at least Faint-aura level.

  Additionally, most derivative secret techniques of enchanting were included within this knowledge base.

  Among them, the ones that attracted Pierce the most were undoubtedly Elemental Runes and Magic Tattoos.

  Elemental Runes, as the name implied, involved condensing a specific rune and attaching it to a person or object to imbue them with elemental effects.

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  For instance, attaching a Lightning Rune to a weapon could temporarily grant it lightning damage and a paralysis effect.

  Attaching a Gale Rune to one's body could reduce weight, drastically enhancing agility and flexibility.

  simply put, Elemental Runes were a technique to temporarily turn ordinary items into magic items or apply buffs to oneself.

  "It feels like an advanced application of energy particle manipulation. It also shares similarities with the Elemental Power of Legendary Knights."

  Pierce pondered.

  Elemental Runes consumed very little mental power. Once mastered, they could significantly boost combat capability, especially in melee scenarios. It was a highly practical skill.

  Undoubtedly, this was a must-learn.

  Pierce quickly made his decision and moved on to the knowledge regarding Magic Tattoos.

  Magic Tattoos could be seen as an extreme, specialized evolution of Elemental Runes.

  "Specialized" because they could only be inscribed on living human skin; they had no effect on inanimate objects.

  By tattooing specific patterns, one could permanently grant the body magical characteristics, including but not limited to elemental effects.

  For example, the defensive properties of a Ring of Protection could be converted into a Magic Tattoo. The user simply needed to inject a small amount of mental power to trigger a protective force field.

  "Extreme" referred to the fact that their effects were superior to runes and, crucially, permanent. Unless actively removed, a Magic Tattoo would last forever.

  Compared to Elemental Runes, Magic Tattoos were undoubtedly a higher-tier technique.

  They were categorized into three grades based on difficulty and potency: High, Medium, and Low.

  The higher the grade, the stronger the effect. However, the requirements for rare materials and the recipient's physique became increasingly stringent.

  A Wizard with a weak body couldn't bear a High-Grade Magic Tattoo, even if they had the materials.

  Most Wizards started with Low-Grade tattoos, upgrading them as their bodies strengthened.

  "Medium-Grade Magic Tattoos require a physique comparable to a Legendary Knight. For now, I can only handle the Low-Grade ones."

  Pierce murmured to himself.

  That said, even Low-Grade tattoos offered powerful effects.

  Take the Blink tattoo. Upon activation, it allowed the user to instantly teleport to any location within a hundred meters—an effect comparable to the Third Circle spell Blink.

  Or the Invisibility tattoo, which granted invisibility for one minute, matching the Second Circle spell.

  There were also offensive tattoos like Ice Burst, Thunder Blast, and Blazing Flame, capable of unleashing power rivaling Third Circle spells.

  Despite the drawback of long cooldown times, for a Wizard Apprentice, these were legitimate trump cards.

  And a Wizard—apprentice or otherwise—never complained about having too many trump cards.

  "It is a pity that the materials required are mostly rare. Gathering them will not be easy."

  Pierce thought for a moment, then issued a command in his mind.

  "Omniscient Eye, analyze Elemental Runes."

  [Task Created. Beginning analysis of Elemental Runes. Estimated time: 646 days.]

  "That long?!"

  Pierce frowned. He adjusted his request.

  "Analyze Lightning Rune."

  [Task Created. Beginning analysis of Lightning Rune. Estimated time: 129 days.]

  "That is more acceptable."

  Pierce nodded inwardly. "Omniscient Eye, analyze Blink Magic Tattoo."

  [Task Created. Beginning analysis of Blink Magic Tattoo. Estimated time: 355 days.]

  Without hesitation, Pierce paused the improvement tasks for Ray of Enfeeblement and Silent Image. He prioritized the Lightning Rune and the Blink tattoo.

  "Now, I just have to wait for the Realm of Truth to open."

  The next opening was at the end of February, just over a month away.

  By then, the remaining six Will Runes would likely be finished. But the Power of Rules obtained could be funneled into these new analyses. Nothing would be wasted.

  Stretching his stiff limbs, Pierce prepared to get up, only to find that Eve had fallen asleep on the sofa.

  He smiled, found the little sprite's "blanket"—a face towel—tucked in the corner of the sofa, and gently covered her. Then he retired to his bedroom.

  By the window, the Mist Raven stood vigilant, gazing up at the night sky at a 45-degree angle. As a mist construct, it no longer required sleep.

  The Next Day.

  Pierce rose early, ate breakfast, and headed to Garden No. 8.

  Upon entering the herb garden, he spotted a familiar, graceful figure in the front medicinal plot.

  Yuna, who was watering the plants, seemed to sense his arrival. She looked up, and upon seeing Pierce, a radiant smile bloomed on her face.

  "Junior Brother. Long time no see."

  Pierce smiled back. "Congratulations, Senior Sister."

  Yuna pursed her lips, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Then I should congratulate you too, Junior Brother. I heard about your glorious achievements recently. To be honest, I was quite shocked."

  She wasn't exaggerating.

  When the news reached her, she had been stunned.

  It wasn't unheard of for Level 3 Apprentices to kill Legendary Knights, but those were usually veterans with years of accumulation.

  Someone like Pierce, who had advanced less than two months ago, killing two Legendary Knights in quick succession? Unheard of.

  Even back when she was a first-year student, she hadn't been this formidable.

  The slight complacency she had felt upon advancing to Wizard vanished instantly.

  Looking at the smiling young man before her, Yuna sighed internally. Pierce's future achievements would undoubtedly far surpass her own.

  "Come with me. Teacher is waiting for you in the potion room," she said softly.

  Pierce's expression turned serious. He nodded and followed her.

  Crossing the vast plantation, they soon arrived at the potion room.

  The door was open. Morven sat by the window, reading a book.

  As they approached, Morven looked up and gestured to two empty chairs.

  "Sit."

  They obeyed.

  Snap.

  Morven closed his book and set it aside. He looked at Pierce, a faint smile touching his lips.

  "You did not disappoint me. Well done."

  "Thank you for the praise, Teacher." Pierce remained calm, showing no sign of arrogance.

  Morven noted this with satisfaction. Steadiness and composure in the face of praise or disgrace—essential qualities for a Wizard.

  At that moment, Yuna spoke up. "Teacher, what about Peyton?"

  Morven glanced at her, answering with a question. "Have you heard of the God-Flesh Golem?"

  God-Flesh Golem.

  Pierce looked puzzled.

  Yuna pondered for a moment. "Do you mean the flesh golem developed by the Golem Department? The one known as the strongest war weapon in Aurora City?"

  "Correct." Morven nodded. "Flesh golems are typically low-tier constructs. But the Golem Department found a new path. They used the corpses of fallen gods as the primary material, fusing them with countless rare resources to create the God-Flesh Golem."

  "It possesses an indestructible body, immunity to all spells below the Seventh Circle, and can even wield fragments of divine power. It truly deserves the title of 'strongest war weapon'."

  "It was relying on this golem that Aurora City conquered the Dillo Plane in less than twenty years."

  Pierce's heart raced.

  A golem made from the bodies of gods? The scale of such magic was terrifying.

  He had heard rumors that powerful Wizards used deities as experimental subjects, but he had assumed it was propaganda to glorify Wizards. Apparently, it was no exaggeration.

  But what did this have to do with Peyton?

  Yuna looked equally confused but remained silent.

  Morven continued slowly. "Although the God-Flesh Golem is unmatched in power, it requires at least a dozen Rank 1 Wizards to pilot it simultaneously. The mental load is crushing. It causes irreversible damage to the pilots, leading to a permanent reduction in their mental power."

  Pierce and Yuna’s expressions shifted instantly.

  They weren't surprised by the side effect—such power always came with a price.

  They were reacting to the implication regarding the resolution of the Hannan incident.

  Morven didn't keep them guessing. "By order of the Dawn Council, Peyton departed yesterday for a new plane. He has been assigned to the God-Flesh Golem piloting team. He will not return for at least six months."

  He looked at Pierce. "Additionally, as compensation, you may select resources worth 1,000 Merit Points. The Pei Family will foot the bill."

  Before Pierce could speak, Yuna frowned. "Teacher, isn't that result a bit unfair to Pierce?"

  "Unfair?" Morven shook his head slightly. "Only the strong are qualified to discuss fairness."

  He turned to Pierce. "What do you think?"

  Pierce nodded calmly. "I accept this result."

  He had never expected to destroy Peyton with this incident.

  Peyton was a formal Wizard. Pierce was an apprentice. They were not on the same level.

  The Dawn Council would never execute a formal Wizard for the sake of an apprentice.

  Yes, everyone knew Hannan acted on Peyton's orders. But so what?

  Everyone knew Pacey had died by Pierce's hand during the Freshman Trial. Had anyone—even Peyton—successfully charged him for it?

  No.

  Not because of a lack of evidence, but because Pierce was stronger and more valuable than Pacey.

  In the Wizarding World, the weak had no right to demand justice.

  In fact, if not for Morven standing behind him, the Council might not have punished Peyton at all. Without a backer, the matter would have been swept under the rug.

  That was the reality of this world.

  Strength reigns supreme. That is the only truth.

  Pierce wasn't satisfied, but he could accept it.

  It was better this way.

  He would deal with Peyton personally once he advanced to Wizard.