Lying comfortably on the large bed in the master bedroom, Lynn finally let out a deep breath, completely relaxing his tense nerves. For the first time in a long while, he could truly feel at ease.
Thinking back on the arduous journey he had endured, he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with emotions.
First, he had exhausted all his efforts to nullify the Furnace Contract, only to then be targeted by [Landscape].
After dealing with [Landscape], he was immediately pursued by people from the Furnace Stone, and he had even come dangerously close to being captured by a Second-Level wizard.
But now, with his arrival in the Mechanical City, all those troubles were finally behind him. He was safe here!
No one dared to lay a hand on him in this place he had finally secured his freedom and safety.
The tension that had gripped him for so long suddenly loosened, and a deep wave of exhaustion crashed over him.
Lynn ended up sleeping for three whole days and nights as if making up for all the fatigue he had accumulated over time.
When he finally woke up, his entire body felt indescribably refreshed, his mind clearer than ever.
However, he had no time for complete relaxation.
Or rather, a life of ease simply did not suit him.
After washing up, Lynn immediately instructed the maid to prepare a lavish meal.
He devoured the feast at lightning speed and, without wasting a moment, dashed straight to his laboratory.
As she cleared the dining table, Bethany watched his figure disappear around the staircase corner and bit her lip lightly.
This master was nothing like she had expected.
In three whole days, as the head maid, she had only seen him for a mere twenty minutes.
Despite living under the same roof, meeting him was a luxury, and even the most basic interactions had become impossible.
Of course, Lynn had no idea what was going through his head maid's mind. At this moment, he was entirely focused on preparing for the final step in his breakthrough to becoming a formal wizard.
Over the years, the wizarding world had developed a well-established process for a Level 3 Apprentice to break through to a Formal Wizard.
At least three conditions needed to be met to ensure a high success rate.
These three conditions were: "Advanced Meditation Technique", an Auxiliary Potion, and a First-Level Spell Template.
Each of these conditions played a different role:
"Advanced Meditation Technique" allowed the mental power limit to expand from 35 points to 40 points.
The First-Level Spell Template was the key to stabilizing the surge of mental power during the breakthrough, acting as a bridge to help a wizard control the enormous energy gained upon advancement.
The Auxiliary Potion ensured that mental power could increase rapidly during the breakthrough, providing the crucial support needed to cross that "bridge."
Lynn had already used "Azure Sky Meditation Technique" to raise his mental power limit to 40 points.
As for the auxiliary potion, he had two bottles of Amber Heart in his possession, and the First-Level Spell Template "Void Tranquility" was already in his hands.
Now, all that remained was to complete his training in Void Tranquility, and he would be ready to attempt the breakthrough to a Formal Wizard!
Void Tranquility could be broken down into three high-tier Zero-Ring Spells to reduce the difficulty of learning: Laws of the Void, Unwavering Command, and Metamorphosis.
Lynn had already mastered the Laws of the Void, leaving only the Unwavering Command and the Metamorphosis.
"I learned the Laws of the Void relatively easily. Back then, I was constantly on the move and on high alert, yet it still only took me about half a month to grasp it completely...
"If I focus entirely on training, the Unwavering Command and Metamorphosis should take at most ten days. They aren't particularly difficult to learn, but the real challenge will be integrating them into Void Tranquility… That could take even longer."
Taking a deep breath, Lynn quickly recalled the details of Unwavering Command and Metamorphosis in his mind.
The Laws of the Void was a mystical technique that enhanced mental clarity and protected the spiritual domain.
The Unwavering Command formed an external protective force that shielded the body from harm.
Metamorphosis was a technique that linked the previous two, allowing them to complement one another and eventually form the First-Level Formal Spell Void Tranquility.
Of course, the true power of Void Tranquility far surpassed that of the Laws of the Void and Unwavering Command alone. Being a formal spell, it not only safeguarded mental power but also provided bodily protection offering enhanced benefits at no extra cost.
"According to the description of Unwavering Command, I need to gather the 'common' energy factors from the surrounding world…"
Lynn carefully extended his mental power, attempting to sense and collect the ordinary energy factors in his surroundings, focusing completely on his training.
Perhaps due to his "Heaven Rewards Diligence" talent, Lynn had unknowingly become a cultivation fanatic.
Once he entered a training state, he would rarely interrupt himself voluntarily, and nothing else could distract his attention.
Apart from necessary physiological needs, Lynn was entirely immersed in the world of wizardry, never actively disengaging from his cultivation.
Time flew by rapidly…
During this period, a few of Lynn's neighbors had come by, hoping to introduce themselves.
However, since Lynn had been in seclusion the entire time, they had no choice but to leave empty-handed.
Aside from the neighbors, the only two people Lynn knew in the Mechanical City Darwin and Martha somehow managed to track him down and paid a visit.
During their visit, they even joked around with Bethany, his headmaid.
Martha, despite being a woman, was quite the rough type. She smirked mischievously while patting Darwin on the shoulder and teased:
"Damn, I never would've guessed Lynn's got some wild tastes, huh? Even crossing racial lines… Darwin, you better not follow his example. You're still young, don't waste your time on women. Focus on studying mechanics that's where your future lies!"
They paid no mind to Bethany's presence as they made fun of her.
As Lynn's servant, Bethany had no authority to request a Formal Wizard and a Warhammer Master's apprentice to watch their words.
Since she had no right to knock on the laboratory door or disturb Lynn's seclusion, she couldn't inform him about the visitors in time.
Lynn, on the other hand, was too deeply immersed in his cultivation to emerge from his training.
Seeing this, Martha and Darwin didn't linger. They simply left a message: "Come find us if you need anything," before departing.
Not long after they left, Lynn finally took a brief break from his training to eat and rest.
Even after learning that Martha and Darwin had visited, he had no plans to seek them out.
After all, he was at a crucial stage in his cultivation.
Once he finished resting, he immediately resumed his training.
Day after day, Lynn lost all sense of time. He trained relentlessly, completely absorbed in the constant rewards from "Heaven Rewards Diligence."
The steady stream of progress and feedback was utterly addictive it felt endless.
This state lasted for a full one and a half months…
Finally, on this day, Lynn had completely mastered the First-Level Defensive Spell Void Tranquility!
"Unwavering Command and Metamorphosis were indeed quick to grasp, taking less than ten days combined. But crafting a First-Level Formal Spell? That was insanely difficult like jumping from basic arithmetic to calculus in one go…"
Lynn muttered to himself. Fortunately, he had "Vitality Echo" as a reference, which allowed him to fully comprehend Void Tranquility in record time.
With all three conditions met, it was time to attempt the breakthrough to Formal Wizard to undergo a species transformation, transcending from a short-lived being to a long-lived race!
......
Night had fallen, and the restaurant was brightly lit. Lynn sat at the head of the table.
The dining table was laden with over a dozen dishes, each a masterpiece of aroma, flavor, and presentation. The atmosphere was opulent and grand.
A few maids stood quietly near four women, each with her unique charm and demeanor, making this dinner all the more distinctive.
One of them poured wine for Lynn, the red liquid flowing from the bottle with a soft gurgling sound. Another presented a delicate dish...
Unlike his usual ravenous eating habits, Lynn was exceptionally refined today.
He held his knife and fork with grace, eating slowly, savoring every bite.
The maids couldn't help but steal glances at their master's refined table manners.
Their lord was usually hurried when he ate, but today, his demeanor was composed and elegant, reminiscent of a true noble.
This unexpected change made their cheeks flush, stirring unfamiliar emotions within them.
Just then, the crisp sound of high heels tapping against the marble floor echoed through the room.
Bethany stepped in with long, graceful strides.
Tonight, Bethany was dressed in an even more alluring maid's outfit, her fair skin exposed in just the right places.
Her long, slender legs were wrapped in a sheer layer of black stockings, adding to her charm and seduction.
As a high elf, she possessed an innate beauty and grace that made anything she wore irresistibly captivating.
She walked up to Lynn, smiled slightly, and spoke in a gentle voice, "You may all leave now."
The four maids hesitated for a moment before stepping back, leaving Lynn and Bethany alone.
At that moment, Lynn frowned slightly.
Bethany had always been obedient, never once behaving so boldly before him.
What was she up to…?
Bethany glanced around, ensuring that no one else was paying attention, then bit her lower lip slightly and leaned in close. A faint blush appeared on her flawless face.
She spoke softly, "Master, while you were in seclusion, someone secretly contacted me… They intend to harm you."
Before she could finish her sentence, Lynn moved abruptly.
He suddenly wrapped his arm around her slender waist and pulled her into his embrace.
They were now face-to-face. Lynn's sharp gaze locked onto her eyes.
"Someone wants to harm me…?"
His cold tone sent an indescribable pressure through Bethany's body.
Her heart pounded rapidly. The young man before her exuded a terrifying aura, making her tremble uncontrollably.
His eyes grew sharper, like blades slicing through the air, brimming with an intense killing intent.
Bethany had never seen such a terrifying look before.
She was already weak, with no means to resist, and now, under Lynn's oppressive gaze, she could only shiver in fear.
But Lynn had no interest in her thoughts.
His mind was already racing, analyzing potential threats.
"The people from Furnace Stone? Impossible. As a major force, they wouldn't risk provoking the City of Machinery... Then could it be the beings from another realm? If it's them, it would make sense that they'd try to strike here..."
He had only just begun to settle down, yet malevolent forces were already closing in on him.
"I can't just take your word for it," he said. "I need to read your memories to see for myself what truly happened."
Lynn carefully chose his words.
He still had some moral boundaries left, so he wasn't about to force her outright. Instead, he gave her a choice.
Of course, even if Bethany refused, it wouldn't change the outcome.
This wasn't a question for her.
It was a question for the remnants of his fading moral compass as a transmigrator.
"...You may do as you wish, Master…"
To Lynn's surprise, Bethany didn't resist at all.
Instead, she blushed slightly and lowered her voice in consent.
Her reaction caught Lynn off guard, but her cooperation was the best possible outcome.
After all, he was merely a Third-Level apprentice. If a forced soul-search went wrong, he wouldn't suffer much backlash but Bethany could easily lose her mind or even die from the trauma.
"Intermediate Zero-Ring Sorcery: Mind Probe."
With a single thought, Lynn activated one of the many sorceries he had prepared in the Furnace, a set of spells covering offense, defense, escape, and interrogation.
Now, at last, this particular spell had a use.
Generally speaking, the larger the gap in mental strength between the caster and the target, the higher the success rate of a soul search.
Lynn's mental power, while not top-tier, was still at the peak of a Third-Level apprentice, with a total of forty points.
By contrast, Bethany's mental strength was utterly insignificant.
Compared to him, she was like a firefly against a blazing sun.
Because of this disparity, Lynn was able to enter the depths of her mind effortlessly.
"No family, no lineage. She was born a slave, trained by slave merchants, and later sold to the City of Machinery…"
"Her deepest fear is being at the mercy of her master's humiliation at best, torture to death at worst…"
"She longs to escape servitude, no matter the cost…"
"Found it! 'If you're willing to cooperate, you can have everything you desire… Go to Dakar Street, No. 10, and purchase a mechanical bird under the guise of decoration…'"
Lynn searched with meticulous care, ensuring nothing was overlooked.
The soul search lasted a full half-hour.
By the time it ended, Bethany had already collapsed from severe mental exhaustion, lying limp in his arms.
Had he wished, he could have left an imprint in her consciousness, turning her into his absolute servant.
For someone as weak as her, such a thing was as easy as breathing.
As he gazed down at the unconscious high elf in his arms, a thoughtful light flickered in his deep, abyss-like eyes.
"Of my five maids, only Bethany is trustworthy. But what about the other four? Could they betray me as well…?"
A shadow of doubt crossed his mind.
He even began to wonder if his meal had been tampered with.
At that moment, his appetite vanished entirely.
Without hesitation, he carried Bethany and left the dining hall, heading straight for his bedroom.
She was nearly his height, but light as a feather. A faint, pleasant fragrance lingered around her.
But Lynn had no interest in such things.
His mind was preoccupied with the looming threats against him.
After laying Bethany down in his chamber, he stepped out onto the second floor and spoke in a calm, commanding voice:
"Clean up the dining room. The head maid and I have a business to attend to… No need to clean the second floor tonight."
Upon hearing this, the four maids blushed deeply.
They assumed their master had more… personal matters to handle.
Hurriedly, they lowered their heads and cleared the table, avoiding any further eye contact.
Lynn, however, wasted no time lingering.
After securing Bethany, he proceeded directly to his laboratory.
"Whoever this unknown enemy is, they dare to act in the City of Machinery but only through underhanded means, not outright confrontation…"
His brows furrowed.
He couldn't figure it out, but he shook his head, dismissing the distractions.
Locking the door behind him, he gave a firm command:
"Yfgríd, secure the laboratory. Complete lockdown."
In response, thick roots burst from the floor, rapidly spreading and sealing off the entire room.
Behind Lynn, a massive green tree materialized Yfgríd's protective presence ensuring no unwanted intrusions.
Lynn waved his hand.
Two amber-colored vials appeared before him Amber Hearts.
"The stronger I become, the more confidence I'll have. Instead of overthinking, I should focus on my growth first."
Without hesitation, he uncorked one of the vials and drank it down in one gulp.
Now, it was time.
Time to break through to a full-fledged wizard!
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