"Animation energy fills the hair, enabling rapid growth and strengthening...
This is the Hair Demon Physique!
To undergo this modification, one must consume the Hair Ghoul Bloodline Potion, accompanied by a series of mystical rituals to harness its essence..."
Roy continued reading.
The Hair Ghoul Bloodline Potion primarily requires two main ingredients: Hair Ghoul Residue and Activation Potion, which can be easily concocted through simple blending.
The Hair Ghoul Residue, being a complementary practical resource, is provided free of charge by the Wizard Tower.
This is part of the investment in cultivation.
However, the Activation Potion needs to be personally concocted!
This is not only a requirement for personal customization but also a test of one's abilities.
"Let me see... the Activation Potion...
This requires 100 Magic Stones to provide Wizardry Energy; Aqua Alberti, used as a solvent; 200 milliliters of fresh human blood to provide specific biological active components...
And also, slime mucus, dried earthworms..."
Gathering 100 Magic Stones is not difficult.
Aqua Alberti is a common universal solvent, available for purchase in the market at any time.
200 milliliters of fresh human blood can be drawn as needed.
Various miscellaneous items are common mystical symbols, abundantly available in the material market.
However, one crucial point is that during the concoction process, one must perform the 'Animation Art' to transform the corresponding Wizardry Energy into a specific form...
"It seems everything is ready except for the east wind.
The real key, as expected, lies in mastering the 'Animation Art'!"
Having clarified this, Roy felt a sense of understanding.
As for relying on others or using existing Activation Potions,
Such options do not exist.
Only by personally concocting it can one withstand the erosion of animation energy during the ritual process, achieving the desired effect.
Moreover, a Wizard's body modification signifies their core secret.
This must be firmly in one's own hands.
Only followers, slaves, or automata would allow others to act on their behalf.
...
Unconsciously, time had come to June, marking nearly a full year since the crossing, when the seventeenth Tivaz and the eighteenth Belkano Willpower Runes successfully manifested one after another.
The progress of [Acquiring Alchemy Talent] had finally accumulated to the long-awaited 100%!
In his vision, a semi-transparent illusory panel appeared, displaying the text.
[Alchemy Machine (Black Iron Level)]
[When performing apprentice-level alchemy operations, physical and mental energy consumption is halved]
Roy suddenly snapped out of his meditation, looking at it with a hint of surprise.
"Another talent that affects the apprentice level!
This time, it halves physical and mental energy consumption!"
After some contemplation, he quickly realized that this could significantly reduce fatigue during related operations.
The significance seems to go far beyond just feeling better; it also saves time on recovery afterward.
Additionally, it avoids the increased failure rate or quality decline caused by fatigue.
"It seems it can be paired with [Proficient], making daily concoctions much easier!"
Roy's evaluation of it was as if it were a given.
It doesn't belong to the category of qualitative changes, but it can greatly improve the daily alchemy experience.
After all, as a Wizard Alchemist, daily concoctions are very tedious and exhausting.
"But the progress is too slow; it took a whole year to finally accumulate 100%.
If there's a chance in the future, I must find ways to accelerate it!"
Alchemy Talent remained the foundation of his abilities, and he was determined to find a way to fully understand it.
...
Time flew by, and several more months passed.
The difficulty of mastering the "Animation Art" far exceeded Roy's expectations. Even by October, he still hadn't succeeded.
It had already been nearly half a year since he met the learning requirements.
During this period, the progress of [Acquiring Alchemy Talent] seemed to have slowed down even more, now only reaching 20%.
On the other hand, his mental strength continued to grow steadily. New Willpower Runes, the 19th to the 22nd—Ehwaz, Mannaz, Laguz, and Ingwaz—gradually manifested.
This was already the upper level of a senior apprentice. Just two more runes, and he would meet the standard for promotion to an advanced apprentice!
"Ah, learning is so hard!"
Another morning, Roy woke up in his bed, rubbing his temples, feeling a heavy head.
In this field, lacking the support of Alchemy Talent, he truly experienced the frustrations of an ordinary person.
If only there were something in Alchemy Talent that could aid learning…
A sudden thought flashed through his mind.
"Fortunately, after all these days of research, I've gradually digested much of the knowledge from classes and the library.
Using this to reverse-engineer the key points of spellcasting…
It should be like this, and like this…"
After a quick wash, Roy skipped breakfast and got busy again.
The bright lights in his residence illuminated the desk, casting a pale glow on his focused and serious face.
He scribbled continuously, sketching mysterious rune patterns in his notebook.
These were the key components of the Spell Model. As he deduced them, he simultaneously tried to compile and run them in his mind.
In addition, there was the mystical symbolism of the Willpower Runes.
The incantation "" was the pronunciation of the second rune, Uruz.
It meant "wild ox," symbolizing determination, willpower, courage, and vitality—the essence of primal strength and endurance.
It pointed to the inherent will and power of objects.
And "" was the pronunciation of the 21st rune, Laguz.
Translated, it meant "water."
But just as "water" in the Five Elements wasn't limited to its literal meaning, its true essence lay in the power and fluctuations inherent in water bodies.
All things in the world, like streams, waterfalls, and even oceans, possessed a flowing nature.
This was a key component of the Animation Art.
Harnessing energy, strength, movement, flow…
All were related to it.
Together, they formed "the flow of power," extending to animate all things.
Suddenly, Roy had an epiphany.
Many processes he hadn't understood before now fell into place, and everything became clear.
"I understand! The casting of the 'Animation Art' should be like this…"
A low incantation suddenly echoed in the room.
"…"
Moments later, Roy pointed toward a piece of clothing hanging on a rack in front of him.
He could clearly sense that, with this gesture, a certain force within him seemed to leave his body.
It was a strand of mental energy containing his thoughts and intentions, embedded with the deep mysteries of the spell's incantation and model structure.
What they constructed was the power of the "Animation Art" he had been tirelessly pursuing for over half a year!
As the white mist swirled, the clothes seemed to come to life one by one, hopping and skipping as they freed themselves from the hangers, lining up on the table like soldiers awaiting inspection.
(End of chapter)