The next morning, before dawn had fully lifted the sky, Ron was sleeping soundly when a rapid knocking shook him awake. He snapped to attention immediately—an ingrained reflex from his time at Ralph's estate, where unexpected visits from his father were always possible.
"Are you awake?" came Andre's hoarse whisper from outside the door.
Ron was about to respond when Andre lowered his voice further. "Quiet—crazy Darrend next door has been experimenting with sound-wave magic. We don't want to attract attention."
When Ron opened the door quietly, he found Andre in rough shape. The usually fastidious Prince had messy hair, bloodshot eyes, and his neat Apprentice robes were scorched in places.
"Your Highness, what happened?" Ron asked anxiously.
Andre shushed him. "Let's move away from the dorms." Once they had walked some distance, he exhaled sharply. "Don't mention it. There was a minor enchantment accident last night."
He pulled out magical stone shards, trembling slightly. "I punched a hole in the wall next door. Fixing the runes cost ten shards. If I hadn't been quick, I'd have been sent to the lab as test material."
Ron's heart sank. In Black Mist Forest, any "accident" could be used as an excuse to claim volunteer—or unwilling—test subjects.
Andre rifled through a battered notebook. "But this showed me something—location is vital for the first use of Burning Oil."
He looked up at the sky, now brightening with dawn. "This is the perfect time for body tempering."
They followed a hidden path through the forest. The air was chilly, carrying the distinctive scent of decay—a reminder of the forest's dark magic. As they passed glowing fungi, Andre slowed.
"These markings? Left by pathfinders. They fade with sunlight, so Wizards use them for direction."
After ten minutes, they reached a clearing. Ruined stone pillars stood crookedly, their tops etched with faded runes.
Andre dusted one pillar. "This used to be an experimental site. Few magical beasts or aberrations dare approach. And though these runes are broken, they still dampen magic fluctuations."
He pointed out the strange greenish-gray color seeping from the tiles. "Looks cursed, but that's exactly why it's safe. Residual energies keep aggressive creatures away."
He motioned for Ron to sit on a central stone platform. "Take off your clothes—down to your boxers."
Ron shivered. "What?" Morning chill made him clutch his clothes tighter.
Andre rolled his eyes. "We're not doing anything perverted. Burning Oil has to be applied directly to the skin—especially on major…meridian points."
"Is all this from other worlds?" Ron asked, undressing. Many magical techniques here traced back to other realms.
"I'm not certain," Andre replied, closing his notebook. "Our royal texts say the breathing methods were revelations from the Sun God. But it's more useful to focus on the process itself."
He flipped pages. "First tempering targets the heart, spine, and major joints. The order matters: one slip could ruin it."
A translucent panel appeared before Ron:
Detecting use of — Extraordinary Item — Burning Oil
After use, first body tempering initiates. Main Profession: Knight Squire
After Job Change:
Attribute Growth:
Magic Power Growth ☆
Constitution Growth ★★
Spirit Growth ★
Unlock Skills: Basic Swordsmanship, Breathing Exercises
Special Bonus: Martial skill XP gain ↑, Physical training efficiency ↑
Job Change Conditions:
Constitution ≥ 0.5 √
Complete one Breathing Method body tempering
Possible Advancement Paths:
α – Bloodline Knight ★★
β – Demon Hunter ★★
γ – Magic Swordsman ★★★
Warning: First tempering sets base Knight attributes
Hint: Detecting Potion Apprentice profession—linkage bonus expected
Ron's grin widened. Profession linkage—this was exactly like in the game. Players had coveted combo builds with optimal synergy.
Unlimited profession slots meant he could stack attributes, skills, and bonuses beyond any typical game build. As long as he had time, he could engineer a perfect system. It was his edge in this perilous realm.
He glanced at Andre, who double-checked the notebook, displaying an almost obsessive caution. That reminder of last night's explosion settled into Ron's mind. This world tolerated no mistakes—they were often deadly.
Andre snapped the book shut. "Focus carefully. When I apply the oil, you'll feel an intense burn—and possibly hallucinate."
His expression turned solemn. "Do not move. Don't panic. Once the oil penetrates your meridians, if you interrupt it…well."
Ron nodded.
"I'm starting now."
Andre poured glowing, sulfur-scented Burning Oil into his palm. As it touched the air, it shimmered with unnatural light.