Luciel watched in awe as the magical image stone revealed a powerful knight executing a flurry of complex, elegant sword techniques. The vindictive energy surrounding the knight's blade flickered with white light, like a white crow soaring across the sky.
"So powerful!"
Even through mere observation, Luciel could sense the incredible might hidden within this swordsmanship.
However, the true strength of the White Crow Swordsmanship could only be unleashed with the support of vindictive energy—something only accessible after officially becoming a knight.
Luciel instructed the chip to record the entire sword technique before putting away the magical image stone. He then turned his attention to the other two items.
---
Browning's recommendation letter was unimpressive at first glance. Most of it contained formal greetings and polite platitudes, mentioning Luciel only briefly. It was addressed to a man named Zieg, likely a prominent figure—and perhaps an old friend of Browning's—at the Royal Knights Academy.
The last item, however, caught Luciel's attention instantly: a masterfully forged cross sword gleaming with cold light, the handiwork of a dwarven blacksmith of legendary skill. Luciel had long needed a proper weapon. For a knight, a sword was more than a tool—it was an extension of the body and spirit. A good sword could elevate one's combat effectiveness significantly.
---
After his dazzling victory in the exchange match, Luciel's reputation as a genius spread rapidly throughout Baifeng City. Nobles who had previously taken polite interest in him began sending gifts through housekeepers or family members studying at the academy.
Some aristocratic young women, captivated by Luciel's talent and mystique, lingered outside his old dormitory like bees to a flowerbed—thankfully, Luciel had already moved out.
"At least it's quiet here," he said to himself as he stepped into Giles' cluttered laboratory, oddly comforted by the chaotic but familiar atmosphere.
As Giles entered with Helen, Luciel stood and greeted him respectfully.
"Teacher."
Magic pharmacy had become a cornerstone of Luciel's journey as a knight—it funded his path and supported his development. He had no intention of letting it go.
Giles' tone was friendlier than before.
"I've heard you've been personally recommended by Dean Browning to enter the Royal Knights Academy," he said. "But enrollment doesn't begin for a few months. Spend that time here, and continue learning magic pharmacy under my guidance."
Luciel bowed slightly. "I will follow your instructions, teacher."
---
Luciel carefully added the final ingredient to a crystal test vial. His mental power flowed into the mixture like an invisible tendril, stirring the magical contents. The murky gray solution gradually transformed into a brilliant orange-red elixir.
"Amazing, Luciel!"
Helen gasped, her eyes lighting up in admiration. A satisfied smile crept across Luciel's face.
"You've successfully concocted a high-level potion," she said. "And you did it in only four tries. That's more than enough to qualify as a high-level pharmacist!"
Helen looked at Luciel with admiration, awe, and perhaps a hint of envy. She couldn't help but compare his progress to her own. It had taken her six months to prepare a proper low-level potion, while Luciel had surpassed her in weeks.
Giles soon arrived. After a short nod of approval and a few casual questions—answered smoothly by Luciel—he dismissed him to resume sword training.
Once Luciel had left, Giles stared at the remaining potion on the table and muttered,
"This boy is a monster. I swear, he remembers everything he reads just once... his learning ability is terrifying."
He sighed deeply. "Helen, I'm telling you, this child will surpass me in magic pharmacy someday."
Helen replied in a quiet voice, "Teacher, you've already said that... more than once."
---
Over the next month, Luciel devoted three to five hours a day to studying under Giles. With the chip's support, his understanding of magic materials and potion crafting grew rapidly. He went from imitation to comprehension, and even began personal optimization.
One of the greatest benefits of studying with Giles was free access to rare magical ingredients. Many of these materials would be impossible to find outside. Luciel, through the chip, had already discovered at least ten auxiliary materials that enhanced a knight's physical growth.
"At this rate, I'll soon master the third stage of White Crow Swordsmanship," he thought.
Compared to anything he'd learned before, this high-level technique required deeper focus and greater internal strength—but the results were astonishing. It had already surpassed the fourth-level Huazhe Cross Swordsmanship.
Since following Browning's advice to stop mental stimulation temporarily and focus on physique, Luciel's stats had improved dramatically:
Strength: 7.3
Speed: 7.1
Constitution: 7.5
Willpower: 7.0
Even most early-stage knights couldn't compare to him physically. Now, he felt ready.
---
Unable to hold back any longer, Luciel decided it was time to awaken vindictiveness.
With one final round of his self-developed mental stimulation method, the effect was immediate. His body shuddered uncontrollably, a deep, electric-like energy rushing through him. His muscles surged with power.
He held out his palm. A soft white light—gentle, translucent, yet immensely potent—spread over it.
Vindictiveness!
Excitement flooded him.
The light resembled a thin veil of fog, but it radiated destructive force. Luciel was eager to test it out—but before he could, the energy abruptly faded, vanishing before his eyes.
A voice echoed in his mind:
"Applicable energy detected... Chip upgrade initiated... Current progress: 12%. Please replenish energy. Chip functionality will significantly improve after upgrade."
Luciel stood frozen.
The vindictiveness may have vanished, but the revelation that followed made his heart race with joy.
The chip could upgrade.
Not only could it store, analyze, and optimize—it could now evolve.
A bold thought sparked in Luciel's mind:
Extraordinary bloodlines.
He had thought himself excluded, forever ordinary.
But what if the chip—once powerful enough—could analyze, replicate, or even create an extraordinary bloodline?
Could he forge his own bloodline?
For the first time, Luciel didn't see a closed door—he saw a key in his hand.