The Wizard of Truth: Starting with Analyzing All Things

The success of the Rift Canyon mission, especially the key role played by Rowe, stirred up quite a ripple within Darkmoon Academy, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.

The official announcement from the Deacon's Office, while not elaborating on the details, clearly commended Rowe [surname unknown] for his outstanding contributions to "Special Contamination Handling and Tactical Assistance," and awarded him a substantial amount of contribution points. This caused a sensation among the apprentices. It was extremely rare for a **mid-level apprentice** to have his name listed alongside that of the formal wizard Walter and receive a public commendation from the Deacon's Office.

In an instant, Lowe's situation in the potion workshop underwent a subtle change. The curious or disdainful glances of the past had mostly transformed into awe, flattery, and even a hint of barely perceptible jealousy. Even Tina's tone towards him had lost some of its former indifference, becoming more complex and indescribable. Her businesslike instructions were occasionally interspersed with seemingly casual inquiries about mission details. Lowe consistently responded with vague explanations such as "being quite sensitive to energy structures" and "Master Walter's effective leadership."

Master Fields summoned him again. This time, the atmosphere in the study was more relaxed, even with a rare touch of gentleness.

"You did very well, Rowe." Field looked Rowe up and down, his gaze lingering for a moment on the unassuming soul amulet on his chest. "Walter speaks highly of you. Especially your ability to see through energy nodes and construct temporary protective fields; even among first-ring wizards, not everyone can master it with such... subtlety."

"You flatter me, Master. It was the team's excellent coordination that made me so lucky," Luo Wei said modestly.

"Excessive humility is not a virtue," Field waved his hand. "The academy needs talent, especially talent with unique abilities like yours. Your contribution points should be enough to exchange for some decent knowledge. I suggest you take a look at the academy's 'library,' where one floor is open to outstanding apprentices. Perhaps you can find some... materials that complement your abilities."

**The Library!** A thought struck Luo Wei. It was one of the Darkmoon Academy's true treasure troves of knowledge, far surpassing the small library within the workshop. It was said that the first floor contained a vast collection of analyses of basic sorcery models, the historical evolution of meditation techniques, in-depth illustrations of common magical creatures and materials, and even some fragments involving ancient runes and the fundamentals of alchemy! This was exactly what he needed—a more systematic and expansive "database" for the Book of Truth, and also a theoretical foundation and cover for the profound knowledge he had gleaned from the stone tablet.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master!" Luo Wei said sincerely.

"You deserve it." Field's tone shifted, becoming slightly serious. "However, the bigger the tree, the more the wind blows. Some of the abilities you've demonstrated this time have attracted some...unnecessary attention. Not just praise."

Luo Wei's heart skipped a beat: "What does the master mean?"

"The academy isn't monolithic," Field said somewhat cryptically. "There are different factions, different ideologies, and... purely driven by curiosity. Some might try to approach you, win you over, or... probe the secrets behind your abilities. Be prepared and proceed with caution."

He stopped short of saying more, but the warning was conveyed.

Leaving the study, Rowe felt a little heavy-hearted. Field's warning confirmed his premonition. Fame brought resources and opportunities, but also potential trouble.

He first went to the deacon's office to exchange for contribution points. The huge amount of contribution points allowed him to exchange for a lot of resources, but he prioritized the right to enter the first floor of the library for three days and the right to make a copy of "Detailed Explanation of Basic Rune Construction (Enchantment Application)".

He then eagerly went to the library located in the heart of the academy. It was a majestic gray stone tower, with powerful magical barriers and mental scanning at the entrance. Only after showing his access token was he allowed to enter.

The library's first floor was vast, with towering bookshelves filled with books and scrolls of all kinds—made of leather, paper, and even bone. The air was thick with the scent of ancient paper, magical ink, and a faint aroma of preservatives. A few apprentices and fully-fledged wizards were scattered throughout, reading quietly, creating a solemn atmosphere.

Like a mouse that has fallen into a rice jar, Luo Wei immediately began a frantic "scan." He pretended to browse among the bookshelves, but in reality, his consciousness was connected to the [Book of Truth], and he was rapidly "analyzing" and "inputting" all the books within sight.

**[Introducing the "Atlas of Energy Characteristics of 300 Common Magical Plants"...Database Update...]**

**[Included "Stability Analysis of Elemental Sorcery Models (Seventeen Typical Cases)"...Enhanced deductive reasoning capabilities...]**

**[Entered "A Study on the Origins of Ancient Hermetic Runes (Fragment)"...7% match with information on the stone tablet, supplementary background information...]**

**[Introduced "Seventy-Two Basic Training Methods for Fine-tuning Mental Power"... Optimized and fine-tuned meditation method generation...]**

A massive influx of systematic knowledge into the Book of Truth clarified many previously vague concepts, and validated or supplemented some conjectures based on the information in the stone tablets. In particular, the books on runic literature and mental training provided him with a more solid theoretical foundation for understanding and constructing "fields." He felt that within the edifice of wizarding knowledge, he was no longer a castle in the air, but was beginning to lay a solid foundation.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. When Luo Wei left the library, he felt that his "knowledge base" had undergone a qualitative leap. Although his level was still **intermediate apprentice**, his understanding and application of power had been elevated to a new level.

However, as Field warned, trouble soon came knocking.

That day, he had just finished refining a batch of "Mind-Concentrating Incense" at the workshop when a young man he didn't know, dressed in an exquisite silk robe and with a warm smile on his face, stopped him. This man's spiritual power fluctuations were not weak, reaching the level of **Advanced Apprentice**, but his aura was slightly exaggerated.

"Are you an apprentice of Lowe?" The man smiled amiably, bowing slightly with impeccable manners. "I am Marco, affiliated with the 'Grey Tower Exchange Association.' I've heard of Lowe's exceptional talent in energy perception and processing. Our association's president, the esteemed **Second Ring Wizard** Elena, greatly admires you and would like to invite you to a small salon we'll be hosting tomorrow evening to exchange insights on the application of ancient energies."

The Grey Tower Exchange Association? Rowe had never heard of this organization. An invitation from a second-circle wizard? That's quite a high rank.

Alarm bells rang in his mind. Field's warning still echoed in his ears. Such sudden "appreciation" and invitations from unknown forces were often disguised as sweet talk.

"Thank you for your kindness, Master Elena and your association." Lowe's face showed just the right amount of flattery and regret. "However, Master Field has just assigned me an important research task, and time is tight. I'm afraid I won't be able to spare the time. I'm truly sorry."

He directly used Field as a shield.

Marco's smile froze for a moment, but he quickly recovered: "I see, what a coincidence. But it's alright, the association's doors are always open to you. Here's an introduction to our association and some interesting tidbits about ancient energy theories that you might find interesting in your spare time."

He handed over a beautifully decorated, gold-embossed invitation and a thin booklet, then politely took his leave.

Luo Wei held the invitation and brochure, his brow furrowed slightly. He returned to his room, not looking at the invitation, but first "analyzing" the brochure.

**[Analysis Target: Unknown Reading Material (The Wonderful World of Energy Resonance)]**

**[Trace traces of mind-inducing runes discovered. Effect: Subtly increases affinity and curiosity towards the 'Grey Tower' ideology.]**

**[Encrypted information stream discovered (bottom layer), content: '...Observe target's reaction...Assess value...Attempt to contact its possible ancient heritage...']**

really!

Luo Wei's eyes turned cold. This so-called "Exchange Association" had ulterior motives! They not only wanted to win him over, but also wanted to uncover the secrets of the source of his abilities, and even suspected that he possessed some kind of ancient heritage!

He threw the invitations and brochures directly into the runic furnace used for processing waste, watching them turn to ashes.

This surveillance made him feel uneasy. He realized that relying solely on Field's name would probably not be enough to completely ward off all trouble. He needed to develop the ability to protect himself more quickly.

He refocused his attention on his core strengths. The knowledge gained from the library deepened his understanding of the "Construction Method of a Constant Energy Field Foundation." Although he was still far from successfully constructing it, he could begin to experiment with more complex and stable applications of the "field."

At the same time, he began to utilize the workshop's resources, combined with the knowledge he had learned from the library, to try to optimize and improve the formula of the "Primary Energy Aggregate." He needed more and purer energy sources, whether for cultivation or to support the higher-load calculations of the [Book of Truth].

Just as he was engrossed in his research, trying to improve himself amidst the turmoil, another piece of news arrived—led by Wizard Walter, the academy would be organizing a small-scale purge operation against the Shadow Forces, targeting another suspected stronghold. And Rowe's name once again appeared on the list of candidates to participate.

This time, he was not recruited as a technical advisor, but as a "special ability user" with practical experience.