A noun entry: Wizard

[Soul Chanter (Rare): Soul Attack Damage +130%, Willpower Attack Damage +20%]

"Does it increase the damage of soul attacks and willpower attacks?" Russell felt somewhat comforted.

Although it's a rare purple guaranteed attribute, can a god-tier attribute be compared to a bottom-tier attribute?

There's no comparison at all.

This is a noble bonus to soul damage and willpower damage.

Russell consoled himself, equipped the purple entry, and then quietly waited for the day when the mandatory mission would be announced.

The mandatory task didn't keep Russell waiting long; within a few days, the notice was sent to every wizard apprentice.

"Bang bang bang".

A bird-like alchemical creation landed by Russell's window and tapped on the window with its wing.

The sound of the goldbird knocking on the window startled Russell. After he opened the window, the bird dropped a note and flew away.

Russell picked up the note, which contained the requirements for this mandatory mission.

Head to the Lost Forest, defeat a 'Mirror Wolf', and obtain the 'Mirror'.

[Killing additional Mirror Wolves and turning in the Mirrors will earn you contribution points. The deadline is 12:00 noon ten days from now.]

[The Mirror of the Mystery must be submitted to any Wizard Tower before the deadline; wizarding apprentices who fail to do so will be punished.]

The description of the mandatory task is concise and looks very simple.

"Mirror Wolf." Russell began to recall information about this alchemical life form.

Yes, the Mirror Wolf is a type of alchemical lifeform.

They were failed creations made by ancient wizards, reaching a maximum of level three and unable to break through to level one, and were left to survive and reproduce in the Lost Forest.

The Mirror Wolf is about the same size as a normal wolf, with a gray body and a crystal mirror on its head that can release a bewitching beam of mental energy.

Once hit by the light, a level three wizard apprentice will be confused for at least three or four seconds!

Even for a first-tier wizard, it has an effect lasting a fraction of a second!

"Alchemy life is truly peculiar; it can even reproduce on its own." Russell's gaze then fell on the alchemist bird outside the window.

Modern wizards are far less skilled; they can only create alchemical artifacts, but cannot reproduce them like living beings.

Without even a source of energy, it cannot be activated or propelled.

This is also a problem that has troubled many arcane wizards: how to transform alchemical creations into alchemical life?

There was absolutely no clue whatsoever.

Russell quickly packed his things and prepared to head to the Lost Forest.

Before setting off, he contacted Gus and discovered that their mandatory missions were different, making it impossible for them to team up.

Gus scratched his head in frustration, realizing he couldn't rely on powerful figures anymore.

The mandatory tasks differ for first, second, and third-level wizard apprentices.

The mandatory tasks within each level are also divided into many types.

Just like Russell's mission, it was to kill the Mirror Wolf and obtain the Mirror.

If all level three wizard apprentices were given this task, the Mirror Wolves would face genus extinction.

Unable to sustainably produce Mystic Mirrors for the Wizarding Guild.

The practice of draining the pond to catch all the fish is unacceptable.

The Wizarding Association's policy regarding these alchemical lives left behind by ancient wizards is sustainable development.

The Lost Forest wasn't too far from where Russell lived; otherwise, there wouldn't have been enough time to turn back.

Perhaps the mandatory assignment of tasks also takes this into account.

However, the location of the Misty Forest has already fallen outside the control of the Wizarding Association.

That is, the area that is shrouded by wizard towers and illuminated by the light of the City of Dawn.

Russell rented a carriage, and it took him four days just to get to the edge of the Lost Forest.

Lost Forest.

As you can tell from its name, it's a forest where it's easy to get lost.

If an ordinary person accidentally enters this place, they will never find their way out and will only wander endlessly inside until they die.

Only wizard apprentices with strong mental fortitude can navigate the Lost Forest and ensure they don't get lost.

Russell looked up at the forest shrouded in a light white mist, glanced around, and decided to first visit a small town built around the misty forest.

It was getting late, and according to intelligence, the Lost Forest was even more dangerous at night, with terrifying creatures lurking there.

That was the overlord of the Lost Forest, possessing first-tier strength.

However, it only appears at night, so it's best to enter the Lost Forest during the day.

Russell did not attempt to meet the challenge head-on or challenge someone of a higher level; instead, he checked into the town's only small inn.

The small inn also served as a pub, where many townspeople would sit and drink heartily.

"What would you like to order?"

Behind the bar was a pretty and cute girl with a few freckles on her cheeks.

When she saw Russell, her eyes lit up and her tone became more enthusiastic.

"I'll stay at the hotel for two days and take care of my horse, feeding it the best hay."

Russell paid all the money at once, refused the delivery service, and then went upstairs to his room.

The room was small, the bedding was very old, and there was a faint musty smell in the air.

Russell opened the windows to ventilate the room, and after thinking for a moment, he did not use magic to clean the room.

He was now dressed in a gray leather armor set, with a sword at his waist, a typical outfit for a wandering knight.

When you're out and about, you should still try to conceal your true self.

As for his appearance, Russell had used makeup to significantly reduce his attractiveness, but judging from the girl's enthusiasm, it didn't seem to be enough.

After a night, Russell entered the Lost Forest at midday, when the white mist was at its lightest, illuminated by the intense sunlight.

"The Great Knight's willpower far surpasses that of ordinary people, barely reaching the standard of a wizard apprentice."

"Therefore, it is only reasonable for a great knight to come to the Lost Forest for adventure and training."

Russell drew his cross sword and, using only his enhanced physique from the Sea King's bloodline, swung it haphazardly, easily killing a creature with level two strength.

The cross-shaped sword was slightly dull.

Russell felt a little heartache; this exquisite cross sword had cost him quite a few gold coins.

"No wonder knights mostly use weapons like giant axes and hammers; cross-shaped swords are just too easy to break."

He sheathed the cross-shaped sword and continued searching for the Mirror Wolf.

The Lost Forest is vast, and the Mirror Wolves are just one group within it, so they're not easy to find.

"It will take eight days to travel back and forth. I conservatively estimate that I only have a little over a day. If I can't find it during the day, I'll have to risk searching at night."

An afternoon passed, and Russell frowned, glanced at the clear crystal in his hand, and continued his search.

Finding the Mirror Wolf is somewhat difficult, but that won't stump the wizard.

The crystal in Russell's hand is a kind of alchemical product. As long as there is a Mirror Wolf nearby, the crystal will resonate with the Mirror and emit light.

Logically speaking, he should have traversed most of the forest and should not have come up empty-handed.