At that moment, he noticed that Andrei was looking at him with a strange expression.
"You've changed a lot," Andrei said. "You wouldn't have been this serious before."
Ron smiled. "Probably because I saw hope."
Indeed, in just a few days, he obtained the job of a potion apprentice, learned the "Corona Breathing Technique," and found a very well-paid job at the herbal medicine shop.
But most importantly, he began to truly understand the rules by which this world works.
Ron took the bottle of burning essential oil from the drawer; the pale golden liquid shimmered in the sunlight.
Having learned from his first experience, he was able to feel the energy contained in the essential oil more clearly this time.
"Tell me," Andrei said, taking the essential oil and examining it closely, "why would Lord Holt be so interested in you? Just because of a well-preserved Star Grass?"
Ron shook his head: "It's probably more than that. I guess it's because of 'rhythm'."
"rhythm?"
"Just as mentioned in 'Corona Breathing,' every kind of power has its own specific rhythm."
Ron explained, "When I was sorting through the medicinal herbs today, I discovered that many of the materials carried a certain kind of special energy."
Andrei tapped his forehead: "That reminds me of something. My grandfather once said that a true wizard must not only master power, but also understand the nature of power."
"Like this bottle of scorching essential oil." He shook the potion in his hand: "On the surface, it's for body training, but it actually contains the rhythm of the sun."
Ron's heart skipped a beat; no wonder he saw that golden sun during his first body tempering.
Perhaps it wasn't just a simple illusion, but rather a perception of the energy properties of essential oils through breathing techniques.
"It's almost time." Andrei glanced at the sun outside the window. "Where are we going to practice this time?"
"Let's stick to that testing ground," Ron said as he packed his things. "The runes there can conceal our presence, and…"
Before he could finish speaking, a muffled thud came from next door, followed by Darrend's exasperated voice: "Damn it! Failed again!"
The two exchanged a glance and both gave each other helpless smiles.
This neighbor, who was obsessed with researching sonic magic, also caused some kind of disturbance almost every day, just like the magic he was researching.
......
Walking along the slightly chilly path in the early morning, the abandoned experimental field appeared exceptionally quiet under the sunlight.
The stone pillars engraved with runes cast dappled shadows, and the bluish-gray marks on the ground were faintly visible in the sunlight.
No wonder wizards choose this place for their experiments; this area is extremely sensitive to energy, and any supernatural power will leave a mark on the ground.
Ron noticed that the bluish-gray on the ground seemed lighter than yesterday.
"That's strange," he muttered to himself.
Through the heightened senses he gained from his job change, he discovered that these colors were actually remnants of some kind of energy. They would gradually fade whenever sunlight shone on them.
"We've arrived." Andrei's voice interrupted Ron's thoughts: "You can start preparing now."
As Ron took something out of his bag, he glanced around warily. "Why do you think the wizards abandoned their experimental field?"
He had always found this place strange; in the resource-scarce Black Mist Forest, a place with isolation runes shouldn't have been abandoned like this.
"That's a question for those runes."
Andrei pointed to the mottled marks on the stone pillar: "It is said that an experiment by a certain formal wizard went wrong, causing the runes to be contaminated and gradually lose their original effects."
"Alright, stop with the nonsense. Anyway, this has nothing to do with us two lowly minions who aren't even apprentices."
The blond boy seemed uninterested in discussing these matters and quickly took out the hot essential oil:
"I should remind you that the second body training might be slightly different from the first."
"How so?"
"Do you remember that feeling from yesterday?" Andrei began flipping through his notes: "When the essential oil seeps into the body, there is a special rhythm."
Ron nodded. He would never forget that experience: the intense energy flowing through his meridians, each pulse like the pulse of the sun.
"This time…" Andrei's voice turned serious, "you need to actively guide that energy, just like…"
He seemed to be searching for a suitable metaphor:
"It's like dancing. The first time, you're led by someone, but this time, you have to learn to control the rhythm yourself with the music. And from this point on, you won't need anyone's assistance when you do physical training later."
Ron seemed to understand something. He recalled his experience at the herbal medicine shop that morning. The herbs there also had unique rhythms, and the key was how to perceive and utilize these characteristics.
"I understand." He took off his shirt and sat cross-legged on the stone platform. "Let's begin."
[Hot essential oil detected. Should we begin the second training session?]
[Note: This body tempering will affect some attribute growth of the combat class - Knight Squire]
After his first body-strengthening session, he was able to clearly perceive the pathways of the meridians within his body.
"This time I don't need to remind you of each step," Andrei said, starting to mix the hot essential oils. "You need to actively guide the flow of energy."
Ron nodded, closed his eyes, and began to regulate his breathing.
[Shall we begin the second body training session?]
"confirm."
When the first drop of the burning essential oil landed on my back, the familiar burning sensation returned.
This time, however, Ron did not passively endure it, but actively cooperated with the rhythm of the "Corona Breathing Technique".
Inhale, seven breaths. Energy flows into the body with each breath.
Hold your breath for three breaths. Feel the intense, rhythmic heat contained within the essential oil.
Exhale, five breaths. This guides the energy to flow along the meridians.
"Very good," Andrei's voice came from afar, "Now enter the second breath."
Ron deepened his breathing. This time, he could clearly sense the flow of every strand of energy, as if he were controlling countless tiny streams of fire, guiding them along specific paths.
Second Body Forging
Progress: 35%
The synergy effect of the Potions Apprentice class is in effect:
-
Meridian transformation efficiency slightly increased
-
The rate of energy absorption increases slightly.
As his breathing deepened, Ron gradually entered a wondrous state.
Unlike his passive experience during his first body tempering, this time he was able to clearly perceive the flow of energy.
Those scorching air currents were like invisible paintbrushes, outlining the contours of the meridians under his guidance.
"Focus on the second breath." Andrei's somewhat worried voice came from not far away:
"Inhale for nine breaths, hold your breath for five breaths, and exhale for seven breaths. Remember, you are in control of the rhythm."
Ron adjusted his breathing frequency as instructed, and as the rhythm changed, he felt the energy in his body begin to flow in a new way.
Each breath is a musical note, and the meridians are the instruments that play them.
When the rhythm is perfectly in sync, the flow of energy becomes exceptionally smooth.
Second Body Forging Progress: 67%
Meridian rhythm resonance detected
Additional effect: Slightly increases energy flow efficiency.
"I think I've figured it out," Ron thought to himself.
The pattern of this energy flow was somewhat similar to the "rhythm" he had observed in the herbal medicine shop that morning.
Just then, an even stronger surge of heat suddenly rushed into his body.
That was the last wave of hot essential oils, and the temperature was much higher than before.
"The crucial moment has arrived." Andrei's voice turned serious: "Remember, do not resist this energy, but guide it."