Roland was all too familiar with the thing before him.

It was the bone Bronson had held in his hands every night, carefully carving Spell Circuits into it so it could draw mana elements.

However...

Noticing that Darco's attention was not on the bone, Roland stepped forward without giving anything away. As he wrapped it in the linen again, he naturally asked, "Darco, you said just now... Mr. Bronson left the estate?"

"That's right."

Darco, who had originally wanted to ask about the bone's origin, lost interest at once after being interrupted.

In any case, he did not care what Bronson had given Roland. At this moment, concern for his father's safety filled his mind.

"Mr. Bronson did indeed leave the estate, but he didn't say where he was going."

Hearing this, Roland was not surprised.

After the previous incident of Bronson going out alone to gather mana elements, it seemed only natural for this scholar obsessed with research to do something unexpected.

What puzzled Roland, however, was why Bronson had asked Darco to pass this bone to him.

"Was he in a hurry for me to test the bone's effect?"

While he was thinking, Darco's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"What about you, Roland? When are you planning to return to the estate?"

"In a few days."

He still had enough money in his pocket to buy a dozen or so Devilfish.

According to his original plan, Roland intended to refine the remaining Awakening Potions in Far Harbor before returning.

"Then why not go back with me?"

Seeing Roland seemed to improve Darco's mood, the young noble returned somewhat to the way he usually spoke.

He placed a hand on Roland's shoulder and said with a smile, "If nothing unexpected happens, King Morne will summon us nobles in a few days. Once the audience is over, I can leave this place."

"That works."

Roland nodded.

"Then where are you staying now? Do you want to come with me..."

Before Darco could finish, Roland gently waved a hand and declined.

First, refining Awakening Potions required a quiet environment.

Second...

His hand touched the hard bone inside the bundle, and his brows lifted slightly.

Now that he had the bone capable of drawing mana elements, he did not need to wait until he returned to the estate before learning cantrips.

Thinking of the Fire Bolt Bronson had cast that day, Roland felt restless anticipation stir within him.

Although cantrips had limited power, the chance to learn a supernatural skill was something anyone would long for.

Roland was no exception.

"All right..."

Seeing Roland decline, Darco shrugged.

"Then how should I contact you when the time comes?"

"Go to..."

After giving the name of the inn where he was staying, the two exchanged a few more simple pleasantries, and Roland turned to leave.

Back in his inn room, he opened the bundle at once.

Looking at that pale bone, Roland took a deep breath and calmed his quickened heartbeat.

Then he closed his eyes. While carefully recalling the method Bronson had taught him for using Spell Circuits, he pressed his palm against the bone, which gleamed with a cold light.

The instant his palm touched the bone, an icy sensation spread from his fingertips.

At first, nothing unusual happened.

But just as Roland was about to give up, the seemingly chaotic carved marks became clear in his mind.

Every line seemed to come alive, outlining a complete pattern in the depths of his consciousness.

"This is..."

Roland's heart shook.

He sensed that the dense carved marks on the bone's surface were warming faintly, and something invisible in the air was being drawn over.

Like a traveler in the desert suddenly smelling moisture, he sensed the existence of mana elements with startling clarity for the first time.

Those free-floating energies circled around the bone like tiny fireflies.

At times, they gathered into streams. At others, they scattered and drifted, but in the end, all were captured by the exquisite lines on the bone.

As the mana elements gathered, Roland felt a slight sting in his palm.

The energy drawn by the bone had begun seeping in through his fingertips.

At first, the sensation was like cool threads drilling into his skin, carrying a faint numbness.

But as more mana elements flowed in, Roland's palm began heating up, like soaking in spring water whose temperature kept rising.

He could clearly feel that strange energy moving along the channels of his arm. Wherever it passed, his muscles trembled on their own.

It was a peculiar experience.

Neither painful nor comfortable, but a kind of... presence he had never felt before.

It was like the originally empty blood vessels in his body had suddenly been filled with something tangible.

Roland even seemed to hear a faint hum from the flow of mana, a distant sound like wind chimes.

His breathing quickened, and fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead.

Receiving mana elements for the first time made his body somewhat uncomfortable.

Every time the mana elements flowed through his joints, they triggered instinctive tension.

Yet strangely, when the mana reached the vicinity of his brain, Roland felt an odd sense of fullness.

It was like drinking a large mouthful of sparkling water, making even his heartbeat feel especially clear and powerful.

"Huff..."

After letting out a long breath, Roland moved his palm away from the bone.

Although his fingertips were still trembling faintly, the corners of his mouth rose.

"Mr. Bronson... truly is a genius."

He praised softly, excitement entering his eyes.

Without hesitation, Roland turned and sat on the edge of the bed. After adjusting his breathing, he closed his eyes.

When his eyelids lifted again, a familiar haze covered his vision.

The damp scent of the sea breeze vanished, replaced by the unique silence of the Consciousness Shoal.

Completely different from the chaotic, surging scene when he first drank the Awakening Potion, the Consciousness Shoal at this moment displayed a refreshing calm.

The gray fog had long since dispersed. In its place was a sea as clear as glass, reflecting a boundless blue sky.

When the breeze brushed past, it carried the clean scent of seawater, leaving his thoughts especially clear.

Remembering the rune structure Bronson had demonstrated when casting [Fire Bolt], Roland took a deep breath, and his fingertip moved through the void.

When the first stroke fell, the Spirit that had taken form in the Consciousness Shoal seeped from his fingertip like thread, leaving a crimson trail in the air.

"The core arc of the rune must be precise... too loose, and mana will leak away. Too tight, and it will trigger premature combustion."

Roland murmured while watching that red light bend into shape according to his will.

The instant the three overlapping arcs completed their intersection, the rune trembled.

Roland immediately steadied his wrist and began outlining the auxiliary lines around the outside.

This time, he increased his speed. Threads of Spirit moved like dancing flames, swiftly weaving jagged burning marks and a sharp projected arrowhead.

When the final stroke was completed, the entire rune collapsed inward, transforming into a floating dark red point of light.

Roland could feel the compressed heat within it.

It was like holding a spark on the verge of bursting.

He carefully wrapped it with his consciousness and placed it in a specific position deep within his mind, then left the Consciousness Shoal.

The instant he returned to reality, a clear line of text appeared before his eyes.

[You have learned Fire Bolt. Current level: Lv.1]

"Looks like... inscribing cantrip runes was not as difficult as I imagined..."

Looking at the golden text before him, Roland released a long breath. Then, while the feeling was still fresh, he activated the [Focus] trait and began recalling the other cantrip runes Bronson had taught him.

Although cantrip knowledge was not affected by the Tower's prohibition, allowing Bronson to teach it to Roland, because mana elements had not recovered in his early years, the scholar had not been very enthusiastic about cantrips. Instead, he had been more obsessed with studying ancient texts.

Still, perhaps because he had once imagined the grand scene of mana elements recovering, he had recorded several cantrip runes that interested him.

Only, these choices completely exposed the scholar's bookish nature.

Mage Hand was something he imagined could replace his hands in fetching books when he felt lazy in the future.

Light was for continuing to read books in dim environments.

Mending was for conveniently repairing damaged tomes.

As for the final Fire Bolt?

That was merely so he could easily light a campfire while camping in the wilderness.

Of the four cantrips above, aside from Fire Bolt, the others clearly offered little help in improving combat strength.

Roland sighed lightly, but soon perked up again.

No matter what, at least he had gathered the three cantrips needed to take up [Juggler], and the job-change requirements did not restrict the type of cantrip.

From that perspective, daily-use cantrips like Mage Hand, Light, and Mending were actually more useful.

They were discreet and safe to cast, perfectly suited to helping him complete the requirement of casting cantrips one hundred times.

With that thought, Roland closed his eyes and once again sank into the Consciousness Shoal.

Time passed quietly. When he opened his eyes again, dusk had already deepened outside the window.

[You have learned Mage Hand. Current level: Lv.1]

[You have learned Light. Current level: Lv.1]

[You have learned Mending. Current level: Lv.1]

Looking at the three new cantrips in the skill column, Roland nodded in satisfaction.

However, he did not rush to try casting them.

King Morne was currently in Far Harbor. Who knew whether this powerful peak transcendent professional would notice anything unusual?

For safety's sake, he decided to leave the harbor early tomorrow morning, find a quiet place to properly test the new cantrips, and then quietly return.

After making up his mind, Roland went downstairs and enjoyed a hearty dinner. Then he left the inn along a familiar route and walked toward the fish market.

After passing through several dark alleys, he saw Jenny's fish stall from afar.

Yet just as he was about to step forward, another group arrived from the side first and stopped before the stall.

Those people were wrapped in rough linen cloaks. Their faces differed, but all carried a gloomy, sinister air, and their entire bodies gave off a chill that warned strangers away.

At a glance, they did not look like good people.

Roland frowned and quietly took a few steps forward, stopping not far from the fish stall.

Although his relationship with Jenny was purely one of buyer and seller, over this period, this generous fishmonger had repeatedly lowered the price of Devilfish, allowing him to purchase large quantities of raw materials with the least money and ultimately refine the Awakening Potion successfully.

He had always remembered that favor.

So if she ran into trouble, as long as it did not endanger his own life, he would certainly lend a hand.

Unexpectedly, before Roland could observe carefully, the group picked up pouches filled with Devilfish and quickly left.

"Are these people... the ones Auntie Jenny mentioned before, the people in white robes buying Devilfish in large quantities?"

Roland guessed in silence and stepped forward.

Before he drew near, Jenny enthusiastically waved an arm and greeted him.

"Hey! Roland! Here to buy Devilfish again?"

"Yes, Auntie Jenny."

Roland smiled and nodded, then naturally asked, "Those people just now... they didn't give you any trouble, did they?"

"What? Looking down on your Auntie Jenny?"

Hearing the concern in Roland's words, Jenny's tone softened. She mysteriously lowered her voice and said, "They were here to buy Devilfish, same as you. But don't worry..."

As she spoke, she bent down and took a bulging leather bag from beneath the stall. After untying the cord, more than a dozen lively Devilfish appeared inside.

"I guessed you'd come again, so I specially saved some of the best for you!"

Seeing the sincere smile on Auntie Jenny's face, Roland finally relaxed.

After thanking her, he neatly took out his money pouch. After setting aside some emergency coin, he handed all the rest to Jenny.

"Right, Roland..."

As Jenny skillfully counted the Devilfish, she asked casually, "I've kept forgetting to ask you. What are you buying so many Devilfish for?"

"Well..."

Roland was briefly at a loss for words.

It was not that the question was difficult to answer.

In the Golden Valley Kingdom, and even on the continent of Faerun, refining potions was an extremely ordinary matter.

It was just that the Awakening Potion he refined was somewhat special. If he rashly told this warmhearted auntie, it might bring her unnecessary trouble.

"It's fine. If you don't want to say it, don't say it. Everyone has their little secrets."

Seeing Roland's troubled expression, Jenny laughed heartily and waved a hand, handing over the packed fish bag.

"But... do you know those people from just now?"

Roland's brows moved slightly at the question.

Auntie Jenny seemed especially talkative today.

Usually at this time, she would only look at him cheerfully. She would not ask so many questions.

"Am I overthinking it?"

After carefully sizing up the familiar fishmonger before him and confirming there was nothing unusual, Roland accepted the fish bag and shook his head with a smile.

"Of course not. If I knew them, I would have come with them to buy fish just now."

"That's true..."

Jenny patted her forehead and laughed at herself.

"Look at my memory. I've probably been too tired lately, asking questions that don't even make sense."

"Then you really should rest properly."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Roland carried the heavy fish bag back to the inn.

He processed herbs, lit the crucible...

With his rich experience, his speed in making Awakening Potions became faster and faster. In only one night, more than a dozen Awakening Potions were all completed.

"Huff..."

Looking at the six empty bottles on the wooden table, Roland released a long breath and rubbed his faintly aching temple.

"Looks like I can't drink too many Awakening Potions in a short period. I'll wait a few days before drinking the rest..."

Thinking this, Roland opened the occupation panel.

Seeing his Spirit attribute rise from 3.4 to 4.8, he nodded in satisfaction.

"The attribute requirement for taking up [Juggler] should definitely be met now. Next, I only need to cast cantrips one hundred times..."

After briefly putting away the tools on the table and properly storing the remaining Awakening Potions, Roland lay down on the soft bed and soon entered dreamland.

Early the next morning, before the sun had fully risen, Roland opened his eyes.

After washing up, he took his belongings, led Blackwind, and quickly walked out of Far Harbor.

To his surprise, although King Morne was currently inside Far Harbor, the security at the city gate was even looser than usual.

The city guards not only did not strengthen inspections, they even skipped the routine procedure of checking passes.

Although Roland found it somewhat strange, he did not dwell on it.

After leaving Far Harbor and mounting his horse, he followed the direction he had asked several attendants about that morning and galloped onward.

In only half a day, he arrived at a quiet stretch of coast.

Waves lightly slapped the reefs, and the salty sea breeze brushed across his face.

The view was open, yet there was no trace of people. It was an excellent place to test cantrips.

After looking around and confirming that no one else was nearby, Roland dismounted and walked toward the shore.

He took the white bone from his bundle, held it in his left hand, drew a deep breath, and extended his right hand forward.

As mana elements flowed through his body, he focused his mind and guided them toward the depths of his brain.

The next moment, the rune already inscribed there seemed to be ignited by the mana elements, transforming into a strand of scorching energy that surged out along his arm.

In only an instant, a crimson point of light lit at Roland's fingertip.

But the crimson light did not burst forth as expected. Instead, it gathered continuously like iron filings drawn by a magnet.

At the same time, he felt as though he had activated the [Focus] trait, and his Spirit began draining madly.

Amid the throbbing pain in his temples, Roland was astonished to sense that those leaping fire elements were winding around his fingers like docile young beasts, completely different from the violent posture they had shown when Bronson demonstrated the spell.

As the flames continued gathering, a perfectly round fireball the size of a palm formed above his fingertip.

"This feeling..."

At the sight, Roland opened his hand by instinct.

The fireball shot out, drawing a gorgeous tail of flame through the air and painting the sea surface red.

"Boom!"

Amid a deafening explosion, a mushroom-shaped cloud of white water vapor shot into the sky.

The violent shockwave raised waves several yards high, and salty seawater poured down like rain.

Cold seawater dripped from the ends of Roland's hair, but he did not notice at all.

He only stared blankly at the calming sea.

"This thing... is Fire Bolt?"