Ever since Prince Alphonse had approached him, the threshold of Slade's top-floor cabin had practically been worn down by visitors.
Apprentices from different cities, each with an air of superiority, came to pay their respects, offering smiles, some genuine, some not.
Slade didn't turn them away; instead, he engaged in meaningful conversations with them, absorbing what he could about the wizarding world.
He had nothing better to do, and the more he understood about this world, the more smoothly his future path would be.
Each conversation took place on the deck or in the ship's corridors, always in public spaces. He avoided being alone with these visitors.
Although he knew these apprentices wouldn't dare attack a top genius like him at the wizarding gates, it was always wise to remain cautious.
"Brother Slade, I'm the young lord of Grayrock City. I hope you'll look out for me at the academy!"
"Student Slade, my family's trading company spans several countries. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask!"
"Lord Slade, your talent is truly remarkable..."
Slade always wore a warm smile and treated everyone with respect. He wasn't overly enthusiastic, nor was he distant.
He quietly absorbed bits of information about the wizarding world and the Bone Spire Academy from these exchanges.
"I heard that contribution points are crucial at the academy. They can be used to exchange for knowledge and materials..."
"The Bone Spire has several resource planes, but they are all incredibly dangerous. The most important one is the 'Forest of Ten Thousand Bones'..."
"The choice of a mentor is crucial," the grey-robed wizard said. "Some mentors focus on research that's incredibly dangerous, and the loss rate of 'materials' is high. If you pick the wrong mentor, your life could be ruined..."
With each conversation, Slade began to form a general understanding of the wizarding world and the Bone Spire Academy.
Since the "Netherbone" had set sail, the grey-robed wizard had secluded himself in his cabin, seemingly absorbed in his work.
A few days later, as Slade passed the wizard's cabin, he noticed the door was slightly ajar.
A thought crossed Slade's mind.
Had the wizard... finished his task?
After a brief hesitation, Slade stepped forward and gently knocked on the door.
"My lord wizard, your student Slade has come to visit."
Before the words had even left his lips, the door creaked open as if pushed by an invisible force, and a hoarse voice called from inside.
"Come in."
Slade took a deep breath and stepped inside. The grey-robed wizard was busy tinkering with some strange organs soaking in a green solution, a faint scent of blood hanging in the air.
"My lord wizard, I apologize for disturbing you," Slade said, bowing respectfully.
"Morris," the wizard replied briefly.
"Mentor Morris," Slade corrected, offering a deeper bow.
Morris paused his work, his compound eyes, like those of an insect, turning toward Slade. "What is it, little one?"
Morris let out a dry, crackling laugh, like bones scraping together. "A thirst for knowledge is a good thing, but in the Bone Spire, all knowledge comes at a price."
"For a wizard, knowledge is the greatest wealth."
He paused for a moment before continuing. "However, given your talent, I will share some basic information with you... for free."
Slade's heart swelled with gratitude. "Thank you, Mentor Morris."
He couldn't help but wonder... Are all dark wizards' laughs this typical?
Unaware of Slade's thoughts, Morris went on to briefly explain the academy's main houses, the brutal competition rules, and the mentor system.
"Remember, little one," Morris added, his voice taking on a more serious tone, "The academy doesn't forbid fighting, but it doesn't tolerate meaningless waste, like wasting a potential 'material.'"
Slade felt a shiver run down his spine, realizing that "material" most likely referred to apprentices like himself.
"Don't worry," Morris added, as though sensing his unease. "A 'genius' like you won't be easily wasted by the academy. That would be too much of a loss, and the academy wouldn't have lasted this long if it did."
"However, while talent is important on the wizard's path, it doesn't guarantee everything."
"To become a formal wizard, knowledge, comprehension, resources, willpower, and luck are all equally important."
"For a wizard, the most important thing is the accumulation of knowledge."
"Witchcraft is the lever that manipulates the world's rules, and endless knowledge is the key to mastering those rules."
Slade's heart stirred at this wisdom. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pouch containing eight magic stones, offering it to Morris with both hands.
"Mentor Morris, thank you for your explanation. Perhaps these magic stones can be exchanged for some... knowledge that would be most beneficial to me at the moment?"
Morris's compound eyes gleamed red for a moment before he chuckled again.
"Clever boy."
With a swift motion of his bone-bladed arm, the pouch flew from Slade's hands into Morris's.
Morris weighed it in his hand, his expression unreadable. "Eight inferior magic stones? How pathetic."
He let out an ambiguous grunt, then asked, "Alright, tell me, what kind of knowledge are you seeking? Offensive spells? Defensive techniques? Or perhaps magical theory?"
Slade hesitated for a moment, unsure. What kind of knowledge was best for him?
He responded honestly, "I'm not sure what would be most beneficial to me. I humbly ask for your guidance, Mentor."
Morris seemed pleased with this answer, his red eyes softening slightly.
"A wise choice."
"When you reach the academy, you'll be given the 'Basic Meditation Method.' It's common knowledge, though; for someone with your soul talent, it would be a waste of time."
He paused, rummaging through a nearby drawer with his bone-bladed arm before pulling out a black bone fragment that radiated a faint spiritual energy.
"This is the 'Soul Whisper Meditation Method,' a decent introductory technique for soul magic, and it's perfect for your soul talent."
"This method will help you hone and expand your mental power, laying a solid foundation for your future soul magic training."
"Of course, its value far exceeds eight magic stones."
With that, Morris tossed the bone fragment toward Slade.
"Place this bone fragment against your forehead and concentrate on sensing the information it holds." Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
Slade's eyes brightened as he caught the bone fragment, feeling its icy cold surface.
"Thank you, Mentor Morris. I will remember this!"
Morris waved his bone-bladed arm, signaling for Slade to leave.
"Go study it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask before you reach the academy."
It was clear this was a special privilege.
The sensation of being regarded as a "genius" was... incredible!
Back in his cabin, Slade eagerly placed the bone fragment against his forehead and focused on absorbing its contents.
A torrent of complex information flooded into his mind, and almost immediately, the light screen in his retina flickered to life.
[High-density knowledge carrier "Soul Whisper Meditation Method" detected. Recording... Progress: 1%]
In the memory library, the "Soul Whisper Meditation Method" appeared prominently, but the recording speed was agonizingly slow.
Before the process could even complete, Slade couldn't contain his excitement and began analyzing it.
[Starting analysis of "Soul Whisper Meditation Method"... Progress: 0.1%...]
Well, this is even slower.
Both the recording and analysis were far slower than scanning through ordinary books. Clearly, this meditation technique contained an immense amount of knowledge and intricate details.
With the path to becoming a sorcerer now within reach, Slade felt a sense of impatience creeping in.
Relying on the panel for analysis, he simultaneously focused on understanding and memorizing the complex incantations, mental pathways, and visualization diagrams.
In the days that followed, Slade isolated himself in his cabin, immersing himself in the Soul Whisper Meditation Method.
A "Do Not Disturb" sign hung prominently on his door, blocking all visitors as he remained fully absorbed in his studies.
On the ship, Slade enjoyed noticeable privileges.
While other apprentices had to eat in the crowded, noisy communal dining area, feasting on simple black bread, bacon, and bean soup, Slade's meals were delivered directly to his cabin by a dedicated sailor.
Today's lunch was a luxurious feast: roasted dragon lizard leg, a specialty from the Southern Spice Islands. The meat was tender, juicy, and enveloped in a fragrant blend of exotic spices.
The side dish was a crisp blue ice moss salad, a delicacy from the North Sea Ice Plains, with a subtly magical cooling effect.
The main course was a rich truffle and wild mushroom risotto, favored by the nobles of the central plains, each grain of rice soaked in a decadent broth.
Accompanying it was a glass of fine golden wine, followed by a small dish of elven honey cake for dessert.
These meals were specially prepared for the wizard, delicious and nourishing for the spirit.
Of course, they were also incredibly expensive.
Fortunately, Slade didn't have to pay with his own magic stones, otherwise, he would have gladly settled for black bread.
While savoring the meal, Slade made every effort to study the meditation techniques, determined to master them.
Power was the key to all these privileges!
During this time, Mary came to visit him several times, hoping to stay by his side, but each time he coldly refused.
Women would only slow down his cultivation progress!