Wizard: I Can Refine Everything

Chapter 111: Chapter 11: Return to the Black Stone Mountain Range

To test the specific power of the Heart of Annihilation, Richard had spent a fortune on a test target and the final results left him quite satisfied.

The ultimate power of the Heart of Annihilation was two thousand energy levels, about double that of the original Realm of Annihilation.

Although magic power consumption had also increased by almost two-thirds, the stability of the Heart of Annihilation was far higher than that of the Realm of Annihilation, making it usable as a regular spell.

Moreover, a spell of two thousand energy levels among One Ring Wizards could be described as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

With this spell at his side, Richard felt confident that even if he were to participate in a Plane War now, he would be able to survive.

Having completed the test, Richard returned to the Wizard Tower, satisfied.

...

A Wizard Apprentice had been eagerly waiting outside his door, and as soon as Richard returned, he immediately greeted him.

“Master, you’re back.”

Richard nodded at him, “Which number are you?”

“Number 45, Master.”

Entering the Wizard Tower, Richard took out a magic wand from another laboratory on the second floor according to the number, and then returned to the reception room.

“Number forty-five.”

The Wizard Apprentice bowed respectfully and then took out an old notebook from his Magic Pocket, offering it with both hands to Richard.

“Master, this is the Encrypted Notes from our family’s library.”

Richard took it, and a message came from the Miracle Furnace.

[Material: Unknown wizard’s notes]

[Possible materials to refine: Thirteen extensions of the Magic Defense Magic Array]

[Refining cost: 5 spiritual power]

“Good, you’re an honest person,” said Richard as he leafed through the notes, waving a hand at the Apprentice, “You may go back. If there’s business, you can refer them here, and I’ll give you a ten percent commission on the profits.”

“No problem, Master.”

After refining the notes, Richard moved to the basement of the Wizard Tower.

This was where Richard stored alchemy materials and kept Encrypted Magic Books.

Upon reaching the library, Richard placed the notebook in order on the bookshelf.

Over decades, Richard had received Encrypted Notes that nearly filled an entire bookshelf. Although most were useless trash, a small part had brought unexpected gains to Richard.

Looking at the packed bookshelf, Richard scratched his head.

“There’s a bit too much. Looks like I need to clear out some of the useless trash.”

In the process of clearing the trash, Richard unexpectedly found a familiar notebook.

“This notebook…”

Holding the wrinkled notebook in his hand, memories from over seventy years ago, when he had just arrived at the Academy, surfaced in his mind.

Back then, to complete Jolod’s test, he and Ali had ventured into the Black Stone Mountain Range to hunt the Black Striped Water Python, and by accident obtained a notebook from a Death Apprentice.

“Speaking of which, I haven’t visited that wizard’s laboratory in the Black Stone Mountain Range yet,” Richard said, stroking the notebook with a slight smile on his face.

During his Apprentice days, he was too fearful of the various guardians in the laboratory to venture near, but now he had become a Wizard with a powerful spell like Heart of Annihilation.

There was no reason not to explore.

Without hesitation, and after tidying up the bookshelf, Richard promptly arranged the prepared Magic Equipment according to their sequence and handed it over to two Kemonomimi.

“I’m stepping out for a bit. If any Apprentices come by during this time, distribute according to their number.”

“Yes, Master.” (×2)

Besides the Magic Equipment, Richard also casually stuffed Ulysses into his Magic Pocket.

Since the residential floor of the Tower of Truth was a Secret Realm Space and almost devoid of World Guardians, with day-to-day security managed by ordinary wizards, Richard was confident about Ulysses moving around.

But it was different on the native soil of the Wizard World.

World Guardians would patrol the Wizard World, and they were extremely sensitive to Otherworldly creatures. If encountered, and if they sensed something off about Ulysses, Richard could be in big trouble. @@novelbin@@

Following the Teleportation Gate out of the Tower of Truth, the sparse magic power of the Wizard World gave Richard a jolt.

On the residential floor, Richard could offset the magic power consumption of flying just by his cells automatically absorbing magic power, but this approach would not work after entering the Wizard World.

“It’s no wonder so many Wizards choose to live in the Tower of Truth; the magic power in the Wizard World is indeed rather unfriendly to Wizards,” Richard remarked.

The trip from the Tower of Truth to the Black Stone Mountain Range at a Wizard’s speed would take about a month, thanks largely to the fact that most of the journey bypassed uninhabited regions, making it very safe to fly.

Should one encounter uninhabited regions, even wizards would have to take a detour.

During the flight, Richard encountered numerous Airships; the passengers on the Airships would crowd to the windows when they saw Richard, hoping for a closer glimpse of a Wizard’s visage.

For the vast majority of people in the Wizard World, Wizards were a mysteriously powerful existence.

A month later, Richard arrived at the Black Stone Mountain Range, but as he had just reached the skies above the Range and prepared to explore the ruins, a beast’s roar came from deep within the mountains.

“Roar!”

A Giant Beast fluttered its wings and flew out from the depths of the mountains; it had three snake-like necks, and at the end of these necks, three ferocious and majestic dragon heads were staring intently at Richard.

The comer was the Guardian God of the Black Stone Mountain Range that Richard had seen years ago.

“Which young Wizard dares to trespass into the Black Stone Mountain Range? This is the territory of the Black Tower Wizard Academy!”

The three-headed Giant Dragon spoke in human tongue, using the authentic Wizard Language, which surprised Richard slightly.

In the Dark Age, when Wizards were not yet the masters of the land, Dragons ruled the earth and skies, and all creatures born on land and flying in the sky had to submit to them and offer sacrifices.

Dragons built their nests from Gold, and back then, the peaks of every mountain in the Wizard World glimmered with gold.

And now, fearsome Dragons too had to speak the Wizard Language and guard Wizard homes.

“Master, I am Richard, a Wizard from the Black Tower Wizard Academy.”

Facing the giant dragon, Richard did not treat it with the disrespect reserved for otherworldly slaves.

This dragon had three heads, equivalent to a Three Rings Wizard. Facing such a powerful being, and a powerful being from his own camp no less, respect was essential.

“Wizard Richard, didn’t your mentor tell you? If a wizard wishes to enter the Academy’s territory, he must report to the Academy in advance.”

The dragon’s words made Richard somewhat embarrassed. Jolod had told him about this rule decades ago, but at that time, he had no intention of returning to the Academy, so he had forgotten it.

“This was my mistake; I will report to the Academy now.”

“Hmm. Be careful when exploring the mountains; don’t start a forest fire like you did over seventy years ago.”

Richard was startled upon hearing this, “You… remember me?”

The dragon snorted, “I remember the scent of every little troublemaker who has caused a stir in the Black Stone Mountain Range.”

…

Upon his return to the Academy, Richard immediately went to the hundredth floor of the Central Black Tower and reported to Deputy Dean Alex.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Enter.”

Alex, wearing glasses, looked up and, somewhat surprised, said,

“Richard, why have you come back? Didn’t you advance to a wizard not long ago?”

He remembered his old friend’s prized apprentice quite well, especially since Richard had caused more than just one troublesome incident.

“There are some matters I need to deal with at the Academy, and I specially came here to report to you,” Richard said respectfully.

“Dealing with matters? Alright, I’ve noted it down.”

After leaving the hundredth floor, Richard took the opportunity to visit his old mentor, Jolod.

After taking on three promising apprentices in a row, Jolod’s good fortune in finding students seemed to have run out, not having found a single suitable apprentice in decades.

After exchanging a few words of pleasantries with Jolod, Richard left the Central Black Tower and headed to the commercial district.

Anna’s cottage, now renamed Richard’s Magic Potion Store, specialized in Concentration Potions.

The shopkeeper was none other than Richard’s agent, Kevin.

Kevin, who had survived the Apprentice Wars, became a senior Wizard Apprentice and did not choose to take the Wizard examination but opted to graduate directly. While working part-time for the Academy, he managed Richard’s store.

Now Kevin was over eighty years old, his body marked with wrinkles and white hair. For a Wizard Apprentice, his life was roughly at its midway point.

“Kevin, long time no see.”

Entering the store, Richard greeted Kevin warmly.

Kevin jerked in surprise upon seeing the visitor, then promptly performed the Wizard’s Salute to Richard.

“Master Richard.”

Richard waved his hand, indicating that such formalities were unnecessary. He pointed at a boy beside Kevin:

“Your son? Or your grandson?”

Kevin patted the child’s head, “This is my grandson. Tuo Fu, quickly give Master Richard a salute.”

The boy shyly gave Richard the Wizard’s Salute.

“Not a bad little fellow.” Richard smiled and handed him a ring.

“Just a trinket for practice, when fitted with a Magic Stone it can defend against a Magic Missile.”

Tuo Fu took the ring and bowed to Richard, “Thank you, Master.”

After some small talk, it was time for business.

“Since becoming a wizard, my perception of time has become increasingly dull,” Richard said as he pulled out a contract from his pocket and handed it to Kevin, “Perhaps by the time I come again, you may no longer be here.

This is a contract; when you feel you can’t go on any longer, find a successor to take over your position.”

Kevin took the contract, glanced at it, then tucked it into his pocket, and said respectfully,

“I understand.”

…

Leaving the Academy, Richard headed straight for the Black Stone Mountain Range.

Having filed the report, the three-headed dragon did not impede his way this time.

However, Richard had apparently overestimated his own scouting abilities. After a century of change, the landslides of the past were now covered by lush vegetation. Richard searched the Black Stone Mountain Range for a long time without locating the so-called ruins.

“I didn’t expect that even after becoming a wizard, I’d need to find a guide,” Richard said somewhat moodily.

Arriving in Black Stone City, the small city had not changed much despite the passage of decades.

Richard found an old guide and spent a Magic Stone to have him lead him to the ruins from those years ago.

“My lord, not to brag, but our John family is the most knowledgeable about the Black Stone Mountain Range here in Black Stone City,” claimed an elderly man with graying hair as he led the way.

“Starting with my grandfather’s generation, our family has been guiding people. There’s not a place in the Black Stone Mountain Range that I don’t know.”

“Mmm, I’ve met your grandfather,” Richard casually replied.

“Mmm… huh?” The old man suddenly turned around, his expression a mix of surprise and fear, “You’ve met my grandfather?”

Richard remained calm, “About seventy years ago. Old John once led me into the mountains. He was quite skilled and even helped me track down a scoundrel.”

The old man was taken aback. This apparently young wizard in front of him did not seem to be lying, but if he had met his grandfather seventy years ago, then he must be at least in his eighties.

Gulp.

The old man swallowed hard, “You are a wizard? A real wizard?”

“Mmm.”

Richard nodded, then turned his gaze toward a partially sparse slope in the distance.

“You can go back now; we’ve arrived at the place.”