Wizard: Starts with Advanced Meditation

"Phew, the second rune."

After that incident, Hughes continued his meditation and experiments for the next two weeks as usual.

The 10 sets of materials he received from his mentor, plus the 10 sets he bought, propelled Hughes' progress at breakneck speed, and he finally completed the outline of the second rune.

Before he knew it, the next month arrived, and Hughes received another 10 sets of materials for the blood-replenishing potion from his mentor. Of the 20 sets he had bought before, only 5 sets remained. The remaining 15 sets of materials would be the materials for the next experiment.

Hughes became increasingly proficient in the process of refining blood-replenishing potions, and had successfully produced inferior blood-replenishing potions. Looking at the liquid full of black impurities, Hughes rubbed his sore wrists.

Inferior potions should not be used because they are almost ineffective and contain significant side effects.

Once, a wizard apprentice drank a substandard mental potion, and the mental runes in his consciousness space were directly corrupted.

Ultimately, one can only start cultivating again, and forcibly removing the spiritual runes will also cause some damage to one's aptitude.

This is also the most difficult stage for potion apprentices, as the products they produce after a lot of trial and error are always close to being finished products.

Success is only possible through continuous refinement, but the increasing difficulty leaves the apprentices without a single clue.

However, even inferior potions still have some value, because they at least have some minor effects.

Wizards usually give inferior potions to cheap slaves, especially those with strong vitality, since the side effects are enough for them to withstand for several years.

Hughes planned to go to the academy's slave quarters later to sell the inferior blood-replenishing potions and exchange them for a few magic stones.

Meanwhile, in a tavern in the market area, Locke stormed into a room on the second floor, his face contorted with rage.

"Bang!"

The loud slamming of the door startled everyone inside.

"What's wrong, Locke? That guy Rice still won't stand up for you?" Diriel took a sip of Frostfang Secret Brew on the table, exhaling a chilling breath.

"That guy definitely did it on purpose, and the way my brother died was so obvious! He was clearly cursed! Maybe..." Locke's eyes were bloodshot with anger.

"Maybe it was Rice who conspired with that Hughes to kill my brother! He must be furious that my brother openly provoked the harpy last time," Locke roared.

Last time, it was that confident Booker who shot an arrow at the harpy, forcing Rice and his men, who were hiding well, to fight back.

"Heh, but are you sure you want to betray Rice and become Young Master Logan's lackey? Besides, Rice's family has a second-level wizard, aren't you afraid..."

"Hmph, what are you afraid of? Everyone knows that the heir of the Morsold family is Irena. Have you ever seen Rice go to that wizard's tower? Besides, he died in an accident. Who would have found out? And besides, do you want the magic stone or not?"

Upon hearing the word "magic stone," a greedy glint flashed in Diriel's eyes. He gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! I'll join Young Master Logan too!"

……

Time continued to pass, and Hughes was immersed in his potion-making. He was unaware that during a mission for a certain apprentice squad, he would suffer the same death as his servant had.

(Many people have said that the non-main character plots below are too long, including the later parts, which is indeed a mistake, as the adventures of the supporting characters are written in too much detail.)

The following three and four chapters describe the tasks of the supporting characters, and I'll also briefly mention some information. I added a shorter version of the more verbose ending in parentheses around the middle of chapter 21; you can skip to that part.

If you want to see the full version, then all you supreme wizards can take a look. If you find the plot boring, you can skip it or read the short version. I will revise the parts of the later plot that connect to this part to make them less abrupt.

I've improved the plot after the third prize; it won't be so verbose.

Actually, I corrected it immediately ✌︎' ֊', but I had saved too many before. After the feedback, I had already written up to the third level, and the plot of the unpublished drafts was also connected.

……

A few days ago, a small team appeared in the Snowy Forest near the academy, wearing matching white fur coats to ward off the biting cold wind.

One of them was leading a Frostbone Beast that he had rented from the academy with half a magic stone. The area outside the academy was nothing like the Everfrost Spire; this place was a true frost hell.

Not only is the environment frigid and bone-chilling, but various magical beasts and the recently frequent frost-skinned dwarf squads are still predators here.

The Frostwolf is one of the native inhabitants of this place. Their pale fur allows them to blend into the forest, and their sharp teeth made of ice element can easily freeze large beasts. The leader of this Frostwolf pack can even spit out ice blades.

This small group, led by Rice, was the "Shadowweavers." They had all just become first-class wizard apprentices and embarked on this hunting trip with great confidence.

The branches around the big tree were covered with a layer of frost, and every forked branch was carrying fluffy snowballs, which fell in a rustling sound when the wind blew.

"Whoosh"

A blast shot towards a wild rabbit by the roadside, blasting its lower body to pieces without making a sound. Rice frowned.

"Locke, don't waste your magic."

"What's there to be afraid of? They're just a bunch of wolf cubs. Even ordinary swords can kill them. We even took down two harpies last time."

Rice didn't say anything, glanced at Moore beside him, walked up and patted Locke on the shoulder before continuing to lead the team forward.

"Hmph! Spineless coward," Locke sneered, exchanged a glance with Dilor, and then followed slowly at the back of the group.

Rice and his men stopped in a cave, sprinkled some animal-repelling powder at the entrance, and set up a temporary base there.

Rice pulled back his hood, his short white hair swaying slightly. He glanced at the map; not far from here was a temporary habitat for frost wolves.

Frostwolf migrate constantly, but they usually only migrate to a few locations, and the one marked on the Rice map is one of them.

However, there were no Frostwolf here today, so Rice and his group planned to sprinkle medicinal powder here to attract the Frostwolf.

Ordinary Frostwolf are relatively simple. They don't have ranged attack methods and can be dealt with by attacking first and second-class apprentices with their sharp teeth and claws. Just be careful not to be overwhelmed by their numbers.

The danger lies with the Frostwolf leader, who not only possesses spellcasting abilities but also a degree of intelligence. It can devise tactics based on different situations, making it a natural leader.

First-class apprentices lack offensive skills and combat experience. Once locked onto by the Frostwolf leader's ice blade, they might not even be able to withstand a single blow from his rune armor, since the Frostwolf leader's strength is equivalent to that of a third-class apprentice.

In the evening, everyone sat together, with a simple meat soup simmering in a pot.

After dinner, Rice discussed tomorrow's plans with everyone.

"Valerie, you ladies go to sleep first. We men can handle the night watch."

"Okay, Boss Rice," the female apprentices said and left first.

"Tch, what are you pretending for!" Locke thought to himself, annoyed.

"Then I'll assign the watch duties. Diriel, you and Reno... and..."

As he spoke, a hint of hesitation flashed in Rice's eyes. He took out a small bottle of fairy mead from his storage bag and tossed it to Diriel.

"I know you have a drinking problem. This is Fairy Honey Liquor, it's not very strong, just a small bottle, you won't get drunk."

"Haha, thank you, boss!" Diriel happily accepted the mead, sniffing its honey aroma, a glint of shrewdness appearing in his eyes.

Locke frowned, worried that the kid might get drunk and ruin the plan. Diriel winked at Locke, indicating that there was no need to worry.

Direll immediately uncorked the bottle and tilted his head back to pour the crystal-clear liquor into his mouth.

"Gurgle, gurgle, squeak"

By the campfire, Rice and Mor watched Diriel drink heavily. Mor wore a mocking expression, while Rice's expression was dark and unreadable.

At night, a figure stealthily slipped out.

"What?" Renault asked.

"I need to use the restroom," Locke said.

"I'm watching him," Diriel said.

"OK."

……