The next morning, before dawn.
Ron was fast asleep when he was startled awake by a series of knocks on the door, which were not loud but extremely urgent.
He woke up almost immediately—a conditioned reflex developed at Ralph Manor, since no one knew when his father might suddenly visit.
"Ron, are you up?" Andrei's slightly hoarse voice came through the door.
He was about to respond when he heard the other person lower their voice and continue:
"Don't make a sound. That madman Darrend next door has been researching sonic magic. Making too much noise will disturb him."
When Ron quietly opened the door, he discovered that Andrei was in a terrible state.
The prince, who was always meticulous about his appearance, now had disheveled hair, bloodshot eyes, and even his usually neat apprentice robes were stained with several black marks.
"Your Highness, what is this?"
"Shh." Andrei raised his hand to stop him from asking the question, gesturing for the two of them to leave the dormitory area first.
Andrei finally let out a long breath after walking some distance:
"Don't even mention it, something went wrong last night when I was researching enchanting."
He took out the magic stone fragment and gestured with it:
"Blowing a hole in the wall next door cost me ten fragments to repair the runes. If I hadn't reacted quickly, I probably would have been sent to the lab as material by now."
Ron understood the implication—in the Black Mist Forest, any kind of "accident" could become a reason for wizards to requisition experimental materials.
Andrei pulled a crumpled notebook from his pocket and quickly flipped through it:
"However, this incident reminded me that the location is very important when using hot essential oils for the first time."
He looked up at the sky: "The sun is just about to rise, which is the best time to exercise."
The two walked along a secluded path.
The chill of the early morning air carried a faint, pungent odor, a smell unique to the Black Mist Forest.
As he passed a patch of fluorescent bacteria, Andrei deliberately slowed his pace:
"These are marks left by pathfinders. They fade in sunlight, which is why wizards use them to guide the way."
A dozen minutes later, the two arrived at an open space.
Several dilapidated stone pillars stood crookedly, with some indistinct runes carved on their tops.
Andrei patted the nearest stone pillar, kicking up a cloud of dust:
"The Black Mist Forest isn't very big, so there are often abandoned experimental sites by wizards. Generally, no monsters or aberrations dare to approach such places, so it's relatively safe."
In the morning light, the runes occasionally flashed with a faint glow.
"Moreover, although those runes are damaged, they can still isolate magical fluctuations."
He crouched down and examined the ground carefully: "Back then, countless experimental subjects died, and the floor tiles were stained this color by various energies."
Ron noticed that the ground did indeed have an eerie bluish-gray hue.
The colors weren't applied on; they seeped out from within, as if the floor tiles themselves carried some kind of curse.
"But precisely because of this, this place has become a safe place for us."
Andrei stood up, dusted off his hands, and gestured for Ron to sit on the gray stone platform in the center: "Take off all your clothes, down to your boxers."
"What?"
Ron paused for a moment, the morning chill making him instinctively pull his clothes tighter.
Did I hear wrong? I never heard that this thirteenth prince had homosexual interests when we were in the kingdom.
"Don't overthink it." Andrei rolled his eyes.
"I'm not one of those perverted mentors who like to prey on handsome boys. The burning essential oil needs to be applied directly to the skin, especially for some important areas."
He paused abruptly, as if choosing his words carefully: "According to the wizards, they should be called acupoints."
"This knowledge was passed down from another world?"
Ron asked as he unbuttoned his shirt.
Many of the mystical knowledge here has extremely complex origins, mainly because wizards have a particular fondness for absorbing extraordinary knowledge and cultivation systems from other worlds.
"I don't know." Andrei shook his head.
"Our royal records say that this breathing method is a revelation from the sun god, but in my opinion, it is better to focus on the important matters at hand than to dwell on its origin."
He opened his notebook and carefully checked something:
"According to records, the first physical training session should focus on important areas such as the heart, spine, and joints of the limbs. The order is crucial; even a slight mistake can cause serious injury."
Just then, a notification suddenly popped up on the panel:
[Detected to be in use—Extraordinary Item—Burning Essential Oil]
After use, you will begin your first body tempering and enter the job advancement process for the combat class - Knight Squire.
Combat Class - Knight Squire (One Star)
After changing jobs:
1. Attribute growth:
Magic Growth (One Star)
Physical growth (two stars)
Spiritual growth (half a star)
2. Unlock class skills – Basic Swordsmanship and Breathing Body Tempering
3. Special bonuses:
The speed at which martial arts-related skill experience points are gained has slightly increased.
Physical training efficiency slightly improved.
Job Change Requirements:
1. Physical constitution attribute reaches 0.5√
2. Complete one breathwork exercise.
[Warning: The first physical training session will determine the Knight class's base attributes]
[Note: Potions Apprentice class detected. Class synergy can be triggered to gain additional buffs.]
"As expected, there's a professional collaboration." Ron lowered his head and smiled slightly.
This synergistic effect is precisely what makes that game so appealing.
Players are willing to spend a lot of time and money to find the perfect class combination.
And what does it mean that I now have unlimited career slots?
The attribute synergy, skill complementarity, and growth bonuses between different extraordinary professions will all become his unique advantages.
Back in the game, players could only have a maximum of three classes at a time, but now my potential is limitless.
Given enough time, he can maximize the effect of this professional synergy and build a perfect growth system.
This is perhaps his greatest asset in this dangerous world.
Ron snapped out of his thoughts and glanced at Andre, who was intently studying his notes, seemingly confirming every detail.
This caution reminded him of the accident last night that "almost blew up the dormitory."
In this dangerous world, even the smallest mistake can be fatal.
"Alright." Andrei finally closed his notebook.
"I need you to listen attentively to everything I say next. During the application of the essential oils, you may feel a strong burning sensation, or even experience hallucinations."
His voice suddenly became extremely serious:
"No matter what happens, do not struggle or move. Once the essential oil has penetrated your body, it will begin to affect your meridians. This process must be completed completely, otherwise..."
Ron nodded; he could sense the gravity in Andrei's words.
This is not just a simple physical exercise, but a crucial decision that will determine his future path.
"Just in case you're unprepared, I'm letting you know in advance that I'm about to begin."
Andrei picked up the bottle of hot essential oil and poured some into his palm.
Ron noticed that the pale golden liquid began to emit a strange light the moment it came into contact with the air, while also emitting a faint sulfurous smell.