=====

?Physical Attributes?

[155 Defense] [Mid-level Rank 2]

[93 → 101 Strength (↑8)] [Low-level Rank 2]

[52 Speed] [Mid-level Rank 1]

=====

By the end of the fourth period, Vaan barely managed to achieve his goal of one hundred points in strength on time.

At the same time, he also helped Louise Roseberg rise to Mid-stage True Witch.

Alas, she was too tired in both mind and body to take notice of her improvement. Her body was limp, her eyes were closed, and her breathing was slowly regaining steadiness.

However, her brows were furrowed.

“Thank you for the hard work,” Vaan softly muttered.

He tousled her loose strands of hair behind her ears, adjusted her sleeping posture, and wrapped the blanket over her pristine glowing body before her furrowed brows relaxed, revealing a serene expression.

Nevertheless, she wouldn’t be able to get out of bed for the following week. Even if she forced herself to, she would be limping for the duration of that time.

Of course, it was a different story if healing magic or recovery medicine was used.

After cleaning himself with a wet towel, he further cleansed and dried himself with Heat Manipulation, got dressed, then left the witches’ dorm.

Since the first time Vaan used Heat Manipulation, he became aware that his acquired Specialized Magic could rely on a different source of power other than mana to use.

Heat Manipulation could be used with his mental energy, making his Heat Manipulation less like a Specialized Magic and more like a Special Ability. And when it comes to mental energy, he had a lot of it.

That being said, his mental energy was still derived from mana fed to the Heaven-Swallowing Space.

Even so, the size of his Heaven-Swallowing Space would become vital to all his future use of acquired Specialized Magic.

..

As the witches finished their classes, Vaan dropped by the library briefly to check on Dahlia.

Her thesis was completed and submitted to Headmaster Tabitha during the fourth period. Thus, she had no problem managing the library by herself.

After all, she no longer had any sneezing problems with touching enchanted books.

“I’ll perform another massage on them when I get back,” Vaan uttered while giving the edges of Dahlia’s eyes a brief rub.

“Mm,” Dahlia nodded.

Vaan left the library to Dahlia and went to pay a visit to Sacha Crane on the fifth tower’s top floor, where she was most likely studying the rank four purple metal.

“Good evening, my Lady. I’ve come to visit,” Vaan greeted at the door.

“Welcome, Vahn!” Sacha quickly placed down her tools and went over to welcome him enthusiastically.historical

“I’ve taken a look at the rank four metal. It has truly become a new element. No one would know the rank four metal was made from a combination of other metals unless they were told so. It’s a great material for anti-magic enchantment.”

“Your purple metal is easily the most valuable rank four metal to date,” Sacha claimed.

Unlike rank four mixed alloys, the rank four purple metal had no mana conductivity unevenness and irregularities.

As such, it could receive anti-magic enchantment, preventing earth-attribute witches from directly taking control of it with Earth Manipulation and disassembling it into pieces if it was made into a magic tool.

Towards Sacha’s remark and high praise, Vaan simply smiled before he asked politely, “May I use the Atomic Visualizer, Lady Sacha?”

“Of course! I gave you my word, Vahn,” Sacha quickly replied, placing her hands on her hips with a dissatisfied look. “Did you think I would go back on my word? You can freely enter my workshop and use my equipment as you wish, Vahn. You don’t need to ask me.”

“I was trying to be polite, Lady Sacha,” Vaan slightly smiled.

Shortly after, he seemingly took out the blood syringe from within his clothes but, in fact, withdrew it from the Heaven-Swallowing Space.

After dripping a sample of a spare glass piece, he placed it under the lens of the Atomic Visualizer and took a look.

Despite using the magic tool for the first time, he had shown complete familiarity with it.

Nevertheless, Vaan only took a few glances at the anti-magic spores within Cyrena’s blood sample under the Atomic Visualizer and ran a few tests before he was done studying it.

“You’re done? Can I take a look as well?”

“Of course, my Lady. Who am I to stop you?”

Vaan stepped away from the Atomic Visualizer, allowing Sacha to step in to take a look through its lens.

As that happened, Vaan retrieved the rank four purple metal ingot and studied it. He contemplated its possible use and necessity while waiting for Sacha to finish.

Surprisingly, Sacha quickly lost interest in the blood sample.

The Curse of the Purple Umbala wasn’t her area of expertise and interest. Only Healing Masters would be more interested in studying its cure.

“I have a favor to ask, Lady Sacha,” Vaan mentioned.

“Oh?” Sacha glanced at him with full attention and said, “Ask away, Vahn. If it’s something I can do, I will do it.”

“I hope you can make a sword out of this purple ingot for me and enchant it with anti-magic properties. It would also be nice if I could see an Artificer Master in action.”

“Sure, a small matter. I’ll show what an Artificer Master can do if it’s your wish, Vahn.”

Due to Vaan’s word aligning with Sacha’s interest, presenting her with an opportunity to work with the rank four purple metal and show off the greatness of artificing to him, she readily agreed to his request.

After Vaan drew up a design for his sword and handed it over, he watched Sacha work on the purple ingot without missing out on any details.

He absorbed her artificing skills and experience as he observed her.

Ding!

<Your artificing knowledge has slightly improved>

<Your artificing knowledge has slightly improved>

<Your artificing knowledge has exceeded the expert level>

<Expert-level Artificing Knowledge → Master-level Artificing Knowledge>

..

Two hours later, Sacha handed Vaan a completed Rank 4 Purple Sword with anti-magic properties. It also came with its sheath, which she chose to add without him requesting it.

“How is it, Vahn? Is it to your satisfaction?”

“It’s perfect, my Lady.”

After Vaan checked the inscription pattern on the blade of the sword and put it back in its sheath, he replied to Sacha’s questions.

The Rank 4 Purple Sword was, without a doubt, his new strongest weapon and would prove its use when he ventures into the Red Goblin Mountains.

“That’s great to hear. I’ve put my heart and soul into it,” Sacha stated while wiping off her sweat with a towel instead of using magic. The feeling hit differently.

“You’ve worked hard, my Lady,” Vaan smiled amicably and promised her, “I will make sure to repay this favor next time.”

Shortly after, he bid farewell and left in a hurry due to his appointment with the Senior Witch-level instructor, Edna Stunner.

He reached the second tower’s eighth floor in a short time and arrived in front of Edna’s private room. Before he could knock, the door opened of its own.

“I’ve been expecting you, Vahn,” Edna stated with an inviting smile as she lay in bed with her black negligee on.

–

–

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A/N: Oh, mama. Rest is a myth, the grind is eternal..