Being a knight is not easy

Chapter 68: Unwilling (Part 3)

Robin was silent for a moment, a hint of unwillingness flashing in his eyes.

The wizard's apprentice's words were cruel, but they were true. However, he didn't want to give up.

"What if...what if I work harder?" Robin raised his head and looked at the wizard apprentice with a firm gaze. He was a man with a system, and he could gain experience as long as he got started.

“Is it possible to make up for a lack of talent through hard work?”

The wizard's apprentice was stunned for a moment, seemingly surprised by Robin's persistence. He was silent for a moment, then said coldly, "In theory, lack of talent can be compensated through hard work, but that requires unimaginable effort and cost. Are you really willing to endure that?"

Robin nodded without hesitation: "I do. I'm willing to give anything to become a wizard."

The wizard apprentice stared at Robin for a few seconds, then sighed. "Okay, since you're so persistent, I'll teach you the basics of meditation. However, I have to warn you, this path is much more difficult than you think. If you give up halfway, I won't care about you anymore."

Robin was delighted and nodded quickly: "Thank you! I will definitely stick to it!"

Robin took the book handed to him by the wizard apprentice and immediately understood his previous "good intentions".

It turned out that the reason why the wizard apprentice was willing to help him test his talent was because he had long known that Robin's talent was extremely low, and that the real introduction to meditation required special rituals and auxiliary tools.

No wonder Robin had been exposed to so many basic meditation methods before but still couldn't get started - it turned out that he was missing the most crucial thing.

Robin took a deep breath, suppressed his dissatisfaction, and nodded solemnly: "No need for rituals, I am fully prepared now. I have several books on basic meditation methods and have studied them many times."

A flash of surprise crossed the wizard's eyes when he heard Robin's words. He raised an eyebrow, his tone tinged with sarcasm, "Oh? It seems you're somewhat prepared. However, meditation alone isn't enough; you need money, too."

Robin was stunned for a moment, then he understood what the wizard's apprentice meant.

He nodded, turned and left the laboratory, and went to Memphis to borrow money.

Memphis seemed to have anticipated that Robin would come to him. When he saw Robin, a meaningful smile appeared on his face: "What, are you in trouble?"

Robin smiled bitterly and nodded: "I need some money to buy the rituals and auxiliary tools needed to practice meditation."

Memphis didn't ask any more questions. He took out a bag of gold coins from his pocket and handed it to Robin: "Take it. But I have to remind you that the path of a wizard is not easy to walk. Don't get yourself into trouble."

Robin took the gold coin and nodded gratefully: "Thank you, I will definitely return it to you."

Memphis waved his hand, his tone teasing, "Alright, you're welcome. If you really become a wizard, I might need your help in the future."

Robin smiled and said nothing more. He turned and returned to the wizard's lab. He handed the gold coin to the wizard's apprentice and said firmly, "This is the money you asked for."

The wizard apprentice took the gold coin and sneered, "Another fool who doesn't know how to live or die."

Robin ignored his taunting and said calmly, "Now, can you teach me?"

The wizard apprentice nodded, a hint of impatience in his tone. "Alright, since you've paid, I'll teach you. However, I must warn you that rituals and auxiliary tools are only the first step to getting started. If you can't even enter the most basic state of meditation, don't blame me for not warning you."

Robin nodded, his tone firm. "I understand. I'll try my best." The wizard apprentice said nothing more. He turned and took out an exquisite wooden box from the cabinet and handed it to Robin. "This contains the rituals and auxiliary tools needed to practice meditation. Please follow the steps in the instructions. If you have any questions, you can ask me. However, my time is limited, so don't expect me to teach you step by step."

Robin took the wooden box and nodded solemnly: "Thank you. I will study it myself."

The wizard apprentice waved his hand, his tone carrying a hint of indifference: "Alright, you can go now. Remember, practicing meditation requires a quiet environment and focused mental strength. If you can't even enter the most basic meditative state, then don't waste your time."

Robin nodded and turned to leave the lab. His heart was filled with mixed emotions, both anticipation for the future and concerns about his own talents.

It now takes two days to load the cargo, so they have a temporary room at the mine.

After returning to his room, Robin couldn't wait to open the wooden box.

Inside were several exquisite magic props, including a crystal ball engraved with runes, several specially made candles, and a detailed instruction manual.

Robin followed the instructions, arranging the candles into a specific pattern and then placing the crystal ball in the center of the pattern.

He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to adjust his breathing according to the basic meditation method, trying to enter a meditative state.

However, no matter how hard he tried, his mind was always filled with various distracting thoughts, and he was unable to enter the so-called "empty state" at all.

Sweat gradually seeped out of Robin's forehead, and he began to feel a little anxious.

"Do I really have no talent?" Robin whispered to himself, with a hint of unwillingness in his tone.

At this moment, a flash of inspiration suddenly occurred to him. He remembered the crystal ball that Knight Malizzi had used to guide him in practicing breathing techniques, and the way he perceived the life force.

"Perhaps, I can try to combine breathing techniques and meditation." Robin thought to himself.

He took a deep breath and began to regulate his breathing according to the breathing method, while focusing his attention on the crystal ball.

Gradually, he felt a weak energy fluctuation coming from the crystal ball, as if guiding his mental power.

A surge of ecstasy suddenly surged in Robin's heart.

I finally found the key to getting started.

Robin looked at the cracked crystal ball in his hand and felt helpless.

This crystal ball only had three weak wisps of energy, but it helped him successfully sense the mental power. However, it was obviously just a disposable magic prop and it completely lost its effect after the energy was exhausted.

He sighed softly, put the broken crystal ball aside, and secretly felt glad that he had at least taken the first step.

"Although the crystal ball is gone, at least I have mastered the feeling of meditation." Robin muttered to himself, with a glimmer of determination in his eyes.

(End of this chapter)