Sunan was never very interested in the banquet, and now that he knew what he had been longing for had been found, he no longer had the mind to stay.
He exchanged a few words with Kei, then left the banquet hall early and returned to his residence.
As soon as he entered, Sunan saw the two boxes placed in the courtyard.
He used the Mage Hand to carry the two boxes into the study and then opened them for a detailed inspection.
One of the boxes contained more than a dozen books.
The hardcover with dark patterns, composed of complicated and irregular lines, formed texts that only a Wizard (Apprentice) could understand.
"Touch of Fatigue", "Detect Poison", "Lock Picking", "Charm Humans", "Shield Skill", "Exotic Life Analysis", "Necromancy Rebirth", "Negative Energy Principle"...
Of the twelve books, aside from the five magic model books, the rest contained various specialized knowledge.
Among these five spells, Charm Humans and Shield Skill were both Tier One Magic.
"Tier One Magic..."
Sunan felt a touch of excitement.
Charm Humans and Shield Skill are both very practical Tier One spells.
Especially Shield Skill, it's almost a must-learn life-saving spell for every Wizard Apprentice.
Unfortunately, to learn Tier One Magic, spiritual power must be at least over 10 points.
He was still far from that.
"Wizards may have abandoned this world, but they left behind many tomes, magical items, and even legacies."
"These things are useless to ordinary people, who can't even understand them, but for Wizard Apprentices, they are precious treasures."
Sunan smiled.
As long as you are willing to spend time and have enough financial resources, any Wizard Apprentice can actually gather sufficient knowledge to advance to an Official Wizard in this world.
Of course, resources are another matter altogether.
Although the two Tier One spells can't be learned for now, the three Tier Zero spells are not a problem.
Sunan put away the magic books, planning to study them slowly later.
He then flipped through the rest of the specialized knowledge books one by one, but unfortunately, none triggered the corresponding skills.
Evidently, this knowledge was not categorized into skills.
"I'll keep them for when I have time to look at them, it's good to increase my knowledge anyway."
Sunan was slightly disappointed, put away the books, and then opened the other box.
The box was filled with various small boxes, of different sizes.
Sunan opened them one by one.
As expected, the boxes contained various preserved materials.
"Suxin Grass, Dragon Eye Mint, Black Python Bone Powder... all materials for crafting Lesser Active Potion!"
In the end, the only missing component for crafting Lesser Active Potion was Mingxin Tree sap.
And there was a considerable amount, enough to make forty to fifty potions.
"With so many materials, it should be enough for me to research a new version of the Lesser Active Potion."
Sunan was immediately eager, taking the materials straight to the lab.
The progress bar for the Star Ring Meditation Method was already over halfway; if assisted by the Lesser Active Potion, he wouldn't need long to construct the first star ring.
In the lab, Sunan lit a candle, then headed straight to the long table filled with beakers and test tubes.
In the last three months, Sunan had crafted the Lesser Dragon Blood Potion more than two hundred times; his potion-making skill had already reached Lv2, more than enough to conduct Tier Zero potion experiments.
So thereafter, besides meditation and spell learning, Sunan had another task: potion experiments.
He continuously synthesized Silver Moon Flower essences of different purity and volume, experimenting with the compatibility with other materials and searching for the optimal substitute ratio.
...
Starlight Calendar 1249, Month of Revival (February)
Because the Black-scaled Lizardmen had completely retreated to their nest in the Red Horn Wilderness, Black Stone City was entirely at ease with no threats.
Kei refocused on managing the territory.
Since Black Stone City was in the south, where the climate was warmer, the snow had already begun to show signs of melting at the beginning of the month.
It's expected that by the Month of Spring Awakening (March), sowing and farming could commence.
Kei had ordered the militia early to build irrigation canals to bring in river water in preparation for the Month of Spring Awakening's agricultural work.
With irrigation from the river, this year's harvest was predictably good.
Additionally, Kei also encouraged the serfs in the territory to fish relying on the river during the agricultural off-season to add some income to the territory.
After a battle with the Black-scaled Lizardmen, the army's strength in Black Stone City hadn't decreased but increased.
With the influence of the Lesser Dragon Blood Potion, the number of knights soared from the original nine to twenty-one.
And this number was expected to gradually increase over the next two months until the accumulated Black-scaled Lizardmen blood was exhausted.
As a result, there was a significant increase in meat consumption within the territory.
After all, a knight could eat up to thirty or forty pounds of meat if they ate to their fill, and relying solely on the beef and mutton from Black Stone City wasn't sustainable; they could only think of ways to solve it by fishing.
But fishing could only slightly alleviate the food issue.
Kei had to spend money to procure large amounts of meat from other cities.
Moreover, his brother's research was also a huge expenditure.
Just the antique and material purchases alone last month had cost over dozens of gold coins, which was nearly equivalent to a month's tax revenue for Black Stone City.
Kei felt a heartache as if bleeding.
But considering the long-term development of the territory, Sunan's research funding certainly couldn't be cut off.
Regarding ways to increase revenue and cut expenditure as the lord, Kei was worried sick and unaware of how much hair he'd lost.
Sunan, who was shut in his lab diligently researching potions, was oblivious to all of this.
Mid-month of the Revival.
After relentless efforts in experiments and research, Sunan finally crafted the first bottle of Lesser Active Potion.
[Lesser Active Potion (Tier Zero/Inferior), upon consumption, increases spiritual activity level for 15 days and 4 hours, stacking has no effect.]
"Finally completed!"
Looking at the beautiful silver-blue liquid in the potion bottle, Sunan let out a breath of relief filled with joy.
With the synthesis cube, he could precisely control the invigorating effect of Silver Moon Flower essence to make its effect approach Mingxin Tree sap's effect as a substitute closely.
The entire experimental process was just constantly adjusting the material ratios, which went exceptionally smoothly.
Thus, Sunan quickly managed to concoct a new version of the Lesser Active Potion.
Without hesitation, he immediately took the potion, then sat right there to meditate.
A mint-like cool sensation suddenly spread from his abdomen, swiftly pervading his entire body.
In an instant, Sunan felt as if he was floating serenely at the bottom of a chilly lake, with an indescribable sense of tranquility.
Unaware of how much time had passed, he suddenly opened his eyes, full of energy.
This was the positive effect of a slight short-term increase in spiritual power.
Sunan immediately opened his personal panel.
[Sunan Yanest, Human Male, 16 years old]
[Spirit 2.82/ Physique 2.94]
[Skills]
Star Ring Meditation Method Lv1 (750/1000)
Potion Crafting Lv2 (289/3000)
"Spiritual power increased by 0.03, and proficiency in the Star Ring Meditation Method increased by 25 points."
Sunan was ecstatic.
This efficiency was about five times better than before!
"Indeed, the potion's effect is much better than pure plant essence!"
Sunan was incredibly pleased.
At this rate, in 10 days, he'd be able to construct his first star ring!