Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 17: Spirit Catalyst Trap
"what news?"

"It was reportedly received from a businessman who claimed to provide 'special channels.'" Andre's tone was somewhat uneasy.

"Recently, this kind of news has been circulating widely among the candidate apprentices. Those merchants claim to have a way to significantly increase mental strength in a short period of time."

Ron's heart moved: "So Locke was fooled?"

"No, it's worse than that."

Andre shook his head. "Those banned drugs can indeed improve mental strength in the short term, but the price is..."

He didn't finish, but Ron could already picture the twisted flesh and throbbing eyeballs.

"I heard that there seem to be wizards supporting these businessmen."

Andre continued, "They need a large number of experimental subjects, and those desperate apprentices are the best targets."

Ron suddenly became alert. So, Locke was someone else's prey from the very beginning?
Then he thought about how as soon as Locke got into trouble, people were whispering around here, discussing the special channel through which Locke obtained the spiritual catalyst. It was such a coincidence that it was a bit unusual.

"So, I'm here to remind you," Andre's voice became extremely serious, "no matter what kind of temptation you receive, don't try anything from unknown sources."

"Don't worry, I'm not that stupid." Ron forced a smile and said, "Haven't we found the right path now?"

Andre nodded with a hint of relief:
"Indeed, even Lord Holt has recognized your talent in potions, and your practice of Coronal Breathing is also going smoothly."

"But then again," he suddenly changed the subject, "how are you going to handle Mrs. Allen's teaching today? She's known for being strict."

"Well," Ron glanced at the notes on the table, "I've already reviewed all the parts about simple potions in 'Basic Potions'."

He picked up a notebook filled with notes and casually demonstrated his understanding of medicinal herbs:

"And yesterday's practical operation at the herbal medicine store gave me a new understanding of many materials."

Andre took the note and flipped through it, a surprised expression on his face:
"Did you summarize all of this yourself? You even recorded the reactions and properties of rare medicinal herbs in such detail."

At this moment, there was a sudden chaotic commotion outside, mixed with a few suppressed screams.

"Someone else..." Andre's expression suddenly darkened, and even his tone, which he always tried to maintain elegantly, became hoarse.

The two looked at each other. The commotion at this time often meant that someone who was desperate had chosen a path of no return.

"Go check out the situation?" Ron asked hesitantly.

Andre's fingers unconsciously stroked the lapels of his clothes, which was his habit when he was in a dilemma.

But in the end he nodded slowly:
"Go ahead, take a look, but be sure to keep your distance. At times like this, those white-robed wizards who are short of experimental materials will always 'come' on time."

When the two arrived at the end of the corridor, a group of people had already gathered. Although it was still dark, there were obviously no lazy people living here.

Unlike the Locke incident this morning, this time everyone kept their distance tacitly, as if they were afraid of something.

Under the flickering magic crystal lamp, Ron saw a twisted figure huddled in the corner.

The morning light shone through the window frame onto the once delicate female face, but now it looked hideous and frightening.

"It's Emily." I don't know who recognized her first.

The name gave Ron a shock.

He had seen the Duke's daughter yesterday afternoon. Although she was disheveled, she was still wearing a luxurious silk dress and a jeweled necklace. This noble girl, even though she had become someone else's slave, still maintained her aristocratic elegance.

And now...

Not only was Emily's face unrecognizable, but her body was also twisting in a way that defied common sense. The priceless silk dress was soaked with sweat and stuck to her skin, outlining a strange outline.

It seemed as if something was wriggling inside her, making her originally slender figure look weird and distorted.

"I heard that she went to Apprentice Marcus's room a few days ago..." a female apprentice whispered.

"Oh, Emily won't accept this. She's always dreamed of becoming a junior apprentice..."

"Yes, thanks to the magic stone fragments she obtained by selling her body, she was able to afford the 'Spirit Catalyst'."

"Tsk, tsk, what a shame. I remember how proud she was when she first arrived, saying things like, 'I'll stay here even if I have to become a test subject.' And now..."

The discussion stopped abruptly. A tall figure in a white robe appeared at the end of the corridor, and a contemptuous snort came from under the mask.

"Another poor wretch who doesn't know how to live or die."

The white-robed wizard's voice was emotionless: "I'm just researching a new transformation formula and I'm lacking a suitable test subject."

He casually sent out an invisible wave, trapping Emily, who had begun to mutate, and prepared to take her away.

With the rough movements of the white-robed wizard, the girl's originally delicate facial features were distorted under the pressure, and the jewel necklace was deeply cut into her gradually swelling neck.

At this moment, she struggled slightly and raised her head to look at the apprentices who were watching.

Ron noticed that the other person's big eyes, which were once as beautiful as clear gems, were now covered with bloodshot like spider webs.

In that blood-red area, one could vaguely see some strange objects constantly reorganizing.

"Help...help...wu" She tried to make a sound, but only indistinct whimpers came out of her throat.

The wizard was a little disgusted. He reached into his robe and took out a bottle of potion with a strange glow. "Looks like I have to keep you in line..."

"Let's go." Andre grabbed Ron's arm and said, "It's better not to watch the next scene too much."

The two turned around and took a few steps when they heard a shrill scream behind them. The sound was mixed with some creepy low hum, as if it came from the bottom of the abyss.

After returning to the dormitory, Ron couldn't calm down for a long time.

Everything that happened today was too heavy. From Locke whom he met last night to Emily now, they all reminded him of the cruelty of this world.

"We must improve our strength as soon as possible."

In this dark and cruel world, strength is the foundation of survival.

Whether it is to survive or to prevent himself from becoming a piece of meat on the chopping board of those white-robed wizards.

He opened his notebook and continued to study the properties of the medicinal herbs.

He was about to receive instruction from Mrs. Allen, so he had to be fully prepared.

(End of this chapter)