CHAPTER 104: CHAPTER 97: SUN FLAME DRAGON

"Alchemy explosives..." Ron recalled snippets he’d seen in the library.

According to the records, alchemy explosives were accidentally invented by a Wizard named Herman.

He was experimenting with combining magic power crystals with certain minerals when an unexpected explosion nearly destroyed the entire laboratory.

The power of an ordinary alchemy explosive can rival the attack magic of an Official Wizard, and in some cases, it’s even more terrifying — because it doesn’t rely on the caster’s magic power. Once activated, it bursts with constant might.

Ron remembered an outdoor experiment Andre once described.

He saw an Advanced Apprentice throw a seemingly insignificant silver orb towards the target, followed by a blinding white light and a deafening boom.

When the smoke cleared, the small hill, more than ten meters high, was reduced to dust, leaving only a deep crater in the ground.

"It’s just that the cost is truly too high..." Ron sighed.

The incredibly powerful alchemy explosive was said to have consumed several months of the Advanced Apprentice’s savings, and selling one individually was worth at least several complete magic stones.

However, as long as it could be triggered with a magic guide wire, even an Elementary Apprentice could deliver a blow comparable to an Official Wizard, which was a terrifying thought.

"Andre initially tried the path of alchemy..." Ron remembered the setbacks the Thirteenth Prince had once mentioned.

"Now I have become a Professional Alchemist with Master Level proficiency in Basic Magic Potion Making."

Ron planned in his mind, unconsciously rubbing the pattern on the surface of the crystal stone:

"Next, I no longer need to fully invest in accumulating experience points for Magic Potion Making; I can completely spare some energy to explore the new path of alchemy."

Though Magic Potion Making and Alchemy are two separate disciplines, they share commonalities in many aspects such as material processing and energy control.

Especially after systematic training as an Alchemist, there’s a relatively deep understanding of the properties and reactions of various extraordinary materials, which will significantly shorten the time to get into alchemy.

Moreover, the golden finger with unlimited profession slots is precisely prepared for such multi-disciplinary development.

"I might as well ask Andre later if he can transfer his alchemy books to me."

Ron calculated in his mind, as if he had already seen himself setting up an alchemy workstation in the corner of the workshop:

"Multi-directional development can not only increase strength but also create synergy among various professions, gaining more attribute bonuses."

He had fully experienced the benefits brought by the synergy of [Alchemist], [Knight’s Squire], and [Wizard Apprentice].

What kind of spark would be ignited if [Alchemist] were added?

......

When he left the teaching area, the sunset of the Black Mist Jungle had painted the entire sky a reddish-orange, with dappled shadows of trees, like an impressionist painting.

Ron walked slowly along the stone path, contemplating the knowledge learned today and the upcoming test.

Passing by the Candidate Apprentice Dormitory Area, he noticed the whole area was unusually quiet.

The usual sounds of laughter, quarrels, or various practice noises were all gone.

"Why is it so quiet?" Ron was puzzled, and then suddenly remembered today’s date.

It was the annual "Cleaning Day."

Those Candidate Apprentices who had not been promoted within the time limit had already been expelled or selected.

At this thought, he unconsciously quickened his steps, an indescribable complex feeling surged in his heart:

"If not for the golden finger, I might also be among those expelled."

A year ago today, he was merely a bewildered youth brought to the Black Mist Jungle by a White-robed Mage, with low spiritual talent and a bleak future.

Back at his place, Ron began to pack his simple belongings, preparing to officially move out of the dormitory.

Although he already had an independent workshop, he had been swamped with various affairs in recent days and hadn’t completed the move.

"Let’s completely move out today."

He glanced around the simple room that had accompanied him for nearly a year, his fingers lightly caressing the worn marks on the windowsill, feeling a touch of reluctance.

This cramped space witnessed his struggles and continuous growth.

Here, he spent countless late nights reading by lamplight.

He repeatedly studied the "Basic Meditation Technique," and later, he braved the risk of spiritual contamination to practice the "Star Eater’s Ravings."

Here, he flipped through the "Basic Magic Potion Theory" until the pages were dog-eared and worn, filled with countless detailed notes.

He was immersed in memories when a knock on the door brought him back to reality.

Ron opened the door to see Andre standing outside, holding a cloth bag.

The blond boy’s face appeared slightly tired, with noticeable dark circles under his eyes.

"Just in time." He smiled and stepped aside, "I was just about to move my things to the workshop."

Andre seemed somewhat nervous, silently helping Ron pack his things after entering the room, clearly different from his usual carefree demeanor.

His back was straight, and his movements were particularly cautious, as if facing a superior, his eyes frequently dodging, avoiding direct eye contact with Ron.

"Hey, what’s up?" Ron noticed his friend’s unusual behavior and joked casually:

"Did a ghost possess you, or did you have a nightmare last night?"

Usually, at such times, Andre would surely respond with a witty retort or return an even more exaggerated joke.

But today, the blond boy just forced a smile, his voice so low it was almost inaudible:

"It’s nothing, just... I saw some things that made me think."

Ron paused his actions, looking seriously at Andre: "Is it about the cleaning activity today?"

Andre nodded, a trace of bitterness appearing on his face:

"Yes, I saw with my own eyes how they dealt with those... candidate apprentices who failed to advance within the time limit."

"I met a few... of my former townsfolk."

Andre continued, his voice slightly trembling:

"They knelt down and begged me to introduce them to you, hoping to become your servants. But I... I refused."

He raised his head, his eyes flickering with complex emotions: "Ron... Did I do the wrong thing? Maybe I should have..."

"You did absolutely right." Ron interrupted him:

"I do need assistants, but not those ordinary people with no special talents. Besides, resources are limited, and having one more useless person would only distract our attention."

Andre’s face changed slightly, clearly not expecting Ron to express his views so directly and coldly.

In his impression, although the other party was rational, he had never shown such a strong side.

"However..."

Ron’s tone softened a bit, looking at the other person with implied meaning in his words:

"If we encounter someone truly talented, regardless of their background, I am willing to give them a chance. This world is like this: only those with value can exchange for the right to survive."

Andre nodded, seemingly relieved.

"Don’t think too much about it."

Ron casually patted his shoulder:

"Help me move that box of books to the door, and we’ll go to the new workshop together. By the way, I have a new idea to discuss with you, about the bloodline activation ritual."

Andre was immediately drawn in, and that familiar vigor returned to his eyes: "What idea?"

Ron explained briefly, carefully placing a few books into a cloth bag:

"I’ve been studying ancient texts on bloodline activation these days and discovered some interesting clues."

He took a worn-out notebook off the shelf and opened it to a page:

"Did you know? The Bloodline Activation Potion was initially designed for alien race slaves to enhance their naturally extraordinary traits. But in the mid-Second Era, someone started trying to use it on humans, to activate the ancient bloodline hidden within them."

Andre was immediately captivated by this topic, his anxiety temporarily replaced by curiosity: "Really? I’ve never heard of these."

"Because most attempts ended in failure."

Ron turned to another page in the notebook, which was densely recorded with various experimental data:

"The earliest bloodline activation potion formula was too aggressive, lacking detailed adjustments for human physiological traits, resulting in severe deformities in most experimenters. The success rate was desperately low, probably only around one percent."

He pointed to a passage in the notebook:

"But as the formula was continuously improved, the success rate gradually increased. By the early Third Era, there was already a relatively stable human-specific bloodline activation potion, which forms the basis of your royal inheritance."

"So your new idea is..." Andre looked at Ron with some anticipation.

"I believe that the traditional bloodline activation ritual mainly relies on external stimuli to awaken the dormant bloodline, but this method often has difficulty controlling the direction and intensity of the awakening."

Ron explained, his eyes gleaming with thought:

"If through a specific combination of magic potions, we might be able to guide the bloodline awakening process more precisely, and even trace back to a more ancient and pure source."

He closed the notebook in his hand, and his expression became serious:

"The bloodline of the Farouk Royal Family conceals the traits of the ’Sun Flame Dragon,’ while the traditional activation method can at most awaken the ’Fire Lizard’ or ’Two-legged Flying Dragon’ bloodline. But if we can concoct a special ’Directional Activation Potion,’ it may directly point to that most ancient and pure ’Sun Flame Dragon’ bloodline."

Andre’s breathing visibly quickened: "Can this... really be done?"

"Theoretically feasible, but the risk is also considerable."

Ron did not hide anything:

"Any attempt that deviates from the traditional path can bring unpredictable consequences, including bloodline deformities. Especially when trying to directly activate a more ancient and pure bloodline, the rejection reaction will be more intense."

Andre fell into contemplation, weighing the pros and cons of this proposal.

But soon, a determined glow reignited in his eyes:

"I am willing to try ahead of you. After all, the bloodline of the Farouk Royal Family is relatively stable, and most people awaken the ’Fire Lizard’ or ’Two-legged Flying Dragon’ bloodline, with a low probability of abnormalities."

He paused for a moment, his tone turning resolute, and every inch of muscle on his face tightened, showing a determination bordering on madness:

"Moreover, I hope I can become stronger, at least have enough value to stay here."

Ron looked into his friend’s eyes full of determination and finally nodded:

"Alright, I’ll start preparing from tomorrow. Today, help me finish moving these things, then go collect the materials on the list and we’ll discuss the specific formula in detail tomorrow."

Each of them picked up a cloth bag and left this makeshift dorm that was about to become a past.

The corridor remained eerily silent, with the entire Candidate Apprentice Dormitory Area shrouded in an eerie stillness.

The occasional distant shouting only added to the suffocating oppressive atmosphere.

As they left the Candidate Apprentice Dormitory Area, Ron turned back one last time to look at this place that carried all his memories from when he first arrived at the Black Mist Jungle.

His gaze swept over those familiar buildings, where every brick and every window seemed to mark traces of his growth.

Although his rapid development was due to having extra assistance...

At least, all those countless bitter days and nights, the sweat was real, the pain was real too.

"Goodbye... no, never see you again." he said in his heart, then turned and left.