The swamp was damp and dewy, shrouded in mist, with no sunlight year-round.
Only the pale blue full moon would pierce through the dense forest at night, casting patches of light onto the ground.
Inside the dormitory, Salun stood shirtless, breathing heavily.
The floor beneath his feet was already soaked with sweat.
Veins bulged on Salun's face, his expression contorted and fierce.
His hands were clenched, his eyes tightly shut, as he slowly cultivated according to the breathing rhythm of the Radiant Breathing Technique.
Looking closely, many crisscrossing, faint yellow runes were faintly visible on his bare upper body, pulsating like shifting sand.
After several tens of minutes, Salun opened his eyes, a slight smile gracing his lips.
"The Seed of Life has reformed. Is this the power of a Novice Knight? Danik really didn't lie to me."
This was Salun's third day at the Shadow School.
On his first day, he had made an agreement with Danik, exchanging ten magic crystals for this Radiant Breathing Technique and its accompanying secret medicine.
This breathing technique, inherited from the Tulip Royal Family, was extraordinarily effective, many times better than the 'Wild Wolf Breathing Technique' passed down in his own family.
It was only because he had become a provisional apprentice that Danik would never have revealed such a precious breathing technique.
This was the foundation of the Royal Family's inheritance and rule!
After drinking the secret medicine given by Danik, Salun's injured body had recovered its health.
The markings inscribed on his body could also accelerate his Knight cultivation.
The raw material, however, was... Danik's blood.
From this, Salun learned that his blood was pale yellow.
Unlike Salun's decisiveness, Beirut followed Lilith's advice and chose a Zero-Order Trick from the library.
Danik, with the support of royal resources, seemed to have not only chosen a trick but was also researching the method for making bright crystals.
Although Salun's choice was difficult for the two to understand, Danik naturally wouldn't refuse business that came to his door.
"Now, if I face a Devouring Frog, knowing its weakness, I can finish the fight within a minute."
Salun smiled confidently. After advancing to Novice Knight, his strength was three times what it was before.
His overall physical quality had increased by two times, enough to easily defeat ten unarmed adults.
"Knights give me such a huge boost, so what about the Wizards who look down on Knights?"
Thinking of this, Salun's expression became stern, putting away the slight arrogance from his breakthrough, and once again becoming cautious.
"They should all be in their dorms now, studying tricks or earning magic crystals. This is a good chance for me to go to the library."
He had spent all ten magic crystals, that was true, but who said he only had ten?
The five people who stole his points had given him twenty!
Moreover, Salun still had one School point left, which was equivalent to a hundred magic crystals!
But more importantly, School points had a use that magic crystals could not replace.
By touching his identity bracelet, Salun automatically received relevant information about the School in his mind.
"Points can be exchanged for some precious potions, spells, and magic items.
You can also learn magic courses with restrictions, which magic crystals cannot compare to."
Salun frowned, his heart in a dilemma.
Ultimately, he still decided to keep the points and not convert them into magic crystals.
"Then I'll be like them and choose a trick."
His Wizard aptitude was only the lowest, seventh-grade.
Knowledge itself had weight, and the more things he researched, it might not necessarily be a good thing for him.
Salun went out and heard the sound of his next-door neighbor smashing experimental equipment again, shaking his head helplessly.
"Again? How many times has this been?"
Although they lived in a communal dormitory, there was magic power to block sound, and the sealing of each person's room was very good.
Therefore, one could imagine how loud the noise from the guy next door was.
Salun put on his cloak and arrived at the library.
On the way, he had to be careful, respectfully letting every School member he saw go first.
He had a clear understanding of his status.
"Madam Fermi Meyer?"
Salun softly called out to the old woman in front of him.
She slowly woke from her rocking chair, holding a scroll of parchment in her hand, her face etched with fatigue.
The wrinkles constantly squeezed the space around her eyes.
But she gave Salun a very warm, scholarly feeling, unlike the oppressive and dark atmosphere of the School.
"Oh, you must be the new fellow, aren't you? You're late.
Here, that's the book corner where Zero-Order Tricks are kept. As for other knowledge, you don't have permission to know yet."
Fermi Meyer said slowly, a smile on her face, as if advising a junior.
Salun nodded, indicating he understood.
But his attention was not on the Zero-Order Trick he was about to choose.
Salun secretly glanced at her heart; a dazzling red light was particularly conspicuous.
"Librarian Fermi Meyer will be brutally murdered tomorrow night by a mysterious person of official Wizard level.
The culprit stole a leaf hidden in the first floor of the library, in the crevice between the third bookshelf and the floor in the leftmost book corner."
Salun remained calm, looking in the direction Fermi Meyer was pointing.
The leftmost book corner on the first floor... So, that's where the Zero-Order Tricks are?
The entire library was built in a luxurious Baroque style, and there were at least several hundred bookshelves there.
The library was incredibly large, at least larger than any library Salun had seen in his previous life.
Salun bowed to her and walked towards the book corner.
He seemingly casually began looking through the first bookshelf.
Behind him, Fermi Meyer yawned, a little sleepy, but with a slight smile on her lips.
The new fellows always couldn't hide their curiosity.
But an overly strong desire for exploration only had drawbacks for apprentices who were still growing.
Fermi Meyer decided that when the other party had chosen a trick and came to her, she would advise him.
After an unknown amount of time, Salun secretly glanced at the dozing old woman and began to make small movements.
But he didn't let his guard down at all.
He walked back and forth five times, taking almost an hour.
Finally, seemingly tired, he leaned against the third bookshelf.
His right index finger quickly reached into the crevice and hooked out a silver leaf.
The entire process did not exceed three seconds.
It was also thanks to his breakthrough as a Knight, becoming a transcendent being, that he had such excellent control over his body.
Salun held the leaf, his face calm, but his slightly trembling fingers still betrayed him.
"Hmph."
He composed himself and came before Fermi Meyer.
"Oh? Little fellow, aren't you going to choose a trick?"
Salun nodded and then shook his head.
"I do, but I only have ten magic crystals, and once I choose, they'll be gone. I'd rather save them for other uses.
However, thank you, Madam Fermi Meyer, I already have a desired target. Your generosity is unforgettable."
Fermi Meyer showed a hint of surprise.
If he didn't intend to choose one in the first place, why waste precious time just to visit the collection?
"That's nothing, little fellow, you are very special."
Fermi Meyer smiled, rubbing her tired eyes.
Then she took a book from her embrace, tore off a page, and handed it to Salun.
"This page is inscribed with one of my Zero-Order Spells — Entangling Vines. Just throw it out when you need it.
I hope it helps you a little. I hope to see you again in the library, little fellow."
Salun looked deeply at Fermi Meyer and nodded heavily in thanks:
"I will, honored Madam Fermi Meyer. Thank you again for your generosity."