Finally, just as the sun had completely set, Zelir raised his Magic Wand once more, and a golden ball of light ascended into the sky.

BOOM!

The light exploded.

This time, it didn’t transform into anything strange. Instead, countless elegant golden arcs of light unfurled and cascaded outward.

Finally, against the dim twilight, they perfectly outlined the image of a full, golden sheaf of wheat!

"High-five!" Zelir raised his hand.

SMACK! Bev stood on her toes to slap his hand.

Their hands met perfectly.

"We did it... We finally did it..."

A relieved smile spread across Bev’s face.

’Looks like I do have a bit of a talent for studying Magic after all,’ she thought.

However, the moment her Spirit relaxed, a powerful wave of exhaustion swept over her.

After all, Bev was still just a Magic Apprentice.

Even though she hadn’t been casting Magic, spending the entire day in deep concentration, constantly calculating and engraving spell structures, had also consumed a great deal of her Spiritual Power.

Bev’s mind had long since reached its limit.

Her body swayed, a little unsteady.

Quick-eyed and swift-handed, Zelir stepped forward and firmly supported Bev.

"Are you okay...? Should I take you back?"

"No, it’s fine. The butler’s carriage must be waiting for me at the Association entrance by now."

Bev gently rubbed her cheek against Zelir’s shoulder. "Just let me lean on you for a little while..."

She gazed at the sky as the golden sheaf of wheat gradually faded, a quiet sense of pride welling up in her heart.

Bev blinked. "Zelir... does this count as the first Magic I’ve ever created?"

"Yes. You’re amazing, Bev."

"Hehe... I told you I could do it."

Bev nodded lightly, leaning most of her weight against Zelir, seeming to enjoy the peaceful moment.

The evening breeze rustled, stirring the girl’s golden curls and carrying her faint, floral scent.

Zelir didn’t say anything more, simply holding Bev more steadily so she could lean more comfortably.

...

Inside a small building concealed by the Silver Blaze Tree Cluster.

Manlin’s office.

Dim starlight streamed through the massive glass window, bathing everything in the room with a cool, silver lining.

Watching the golden sheaf of wheat slowly disappear from the sky, Manlin let out a low chuckle and sat back down in her comfortable rattan rocking chair.

"That little girl Bev finally succeeded..."

Suddenly, a knock came from the door.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK...

"Come in," Manlin said faintly without looking up.

The door was pushed open, and the visitor was the old woman from the Magic Wand Shop.

"Manlin, as you instructed, that boy named Zelir came to my shop to buy a Magic Wand today," the old woman said.

"Mm..."

Manlin wasn’t surprised by this at all.

"I knew it. That would be the first thing he thought of after collecting his subsidy... Which one did Zelir choose?"

"The Night Peace."

"The one made from Star Meteorite Wood," the old woman said, "the Magic Wand that can amplify Full Magic."

"He actually chose that one... I see."

Manlin was a little surprised. "Then, according to our prior agreement, how much do I owe you?"

"Exactly two hundred Gold Coins."

Manlin nodded and paid the money without hesitation.

The old woman took the coin purse, bowed slightly, and prepared to leave the room.

As she was heading out, however, she ran into Marvin.

Marvin stepped aside to let her pass, and the old woman bowed to him as well before leaving.

Marvin glanced back at the old woman before walking into Manlin’s office.

"That person who just left, wasn’t she the owner of a Magic Wand Shop? Why would she come here?" Marvin asked curiously.

"It’s nothing. I just spoke with the owners of several Magic Wand Shops at the exchange beforehand."

Manlin settled back into her rocking chair.

"I told them that if Zelir came to buy a Magic Wand, they should let him pick whichever one he liked. No matter which one he chose, they were to charge him only One Hundred Gold Coins, and I would cover the difference."

Indeed, very few Mages would choose the Night Peace as their wand, but it was certainly not something one could snag for a mere One Hundred Gold Coins.

The Star Meteorite Wood Base Material alone was worth more than that.

"Why make things so complicated?"

Marvin walked over and sat down across the table, looking puzzled. "Wouldn’t it be easier to just give him one?"

"That wouldn’t do."

Manlin shook her head. "That little guy is very proud. If you just gave him something so valuable for no reason, he wouldn’t accept it."

"That’s true... To be honest, I never expected Zelir’s rate of progress to be so absurd."

Marvin said, "Do you think he would grow even faster if we had him focus on training instead of doing quests for the Adventurer’s Association?"

"There’s no need to be so impatient. This might be the most comfortable pace for him. Let Zelir find his own path forward."

Manlin smiled faintly.

"Some children are like wildflowers on a mountain. If you transplant them into a warm, sheltered garden, they won’t thrive. You have to let them face the wind and rain, struggle to survive in the cracks of a cliff. Only then can they be tempered into something sharp."

"You seem to have strong feelings about this," Marvin said, sensing the deeper meaning in Manlin’s words.

"Of course."

Manlin lowered her gaze slightly, her expression becoming nostalgic.

The starlight cast sharp, ink-like shadows across her face.

"Just like me, back then. If someone had paved the way for me at every turn and let me live a life of ease and comfort... I probably wouldn’t have become an Upper Level Mage today."

Marvin was silent for a moment before finally agreeing with Manlin’s point of view.

"Alright, you have more experience than I do when it comes to education."

He didn’t dwell on the matter, placing the documents in his hand on the table.

"Let’s get to business. This is the final route map for this year’s Monster Hunting, along with the list of participating students. You should familiarize yourself with it. You’ll have to lead a team."

"Sigh... another year has passed..."

Manlin picked up the documents.

She glanced at the map, a little surprised.

"The route this time actually goes through the Hengduan Mountain Range?"

"We have no choice. There aren’t many small Demon Creature Communities left on the outskirts of Gray Wood Forest. They’re not enough to train the new recruits."

Marvin added, "Also, Lena will be joining, so we’re more confident this time. We’ve already coordinated with the Adventurer’s Association, and they’ll be sending people to assist."

"That’s quite the lineup."

Manlin picked up the other document, the student roster, and began flipping through it.

But when she saw Zelir’s name, her pupils widened slightly.

"Zelir... He’s going too?"

Manlin looked up and asked in surprise, "It’s not his turn this year, is it?"

"You’re not the only one who wants to nurture his talent."

Marvin smiled as well. "Isn’t he an Adventurer? Hunting Demons in the forest is a perfect fit for him."

"I suppose so..."

Manlin put down the roster, her expression turning mischievous. "I’m looking forward to seeing how Zelir performs in this Monster Hunting."

"Me too."

...

Gray Wood Forest.

Following the map given to him by Instructor Manlin, Zelir began to carry out this month’s compulsory commission.

This time, the destination was a little deeper than when he had picked Moonlight Grass.

But it was still within the outer region of the forest and not particularly dangerous.

The surrounding trees were tall and dense, and sunlight struggled to squeeze through the gaps in the canopy.

Zelir held the map, discerning his direction while vigilantly observing his surroundings.

Soon, he found the first plant beside a winding creek.

[Cyan Moss].

This moss covered the shaded side of a massive boulder like a thick carpet.

Its color was much more vibrant than ordinary moss, and it had a strange, cool, and smooth texture to the touch.

Zelir carefully scraped it off and placed it into a cloth bag.

"Next is... Orchid Mushroom."

Zelir checked the map. The place where the second plant grew was in a low-lying wetland not far from here.

He crossed a muddy area and began to search carefully.

Sure enough, on a rotten, fallen log, Zelir discovered several clumps of strange, light purple mushrooms.

The edges of the Orchid Mushroom’s caps were curled like blooming flower petals, and they gave off a faint, unusual fragrance.

After picking all of them, Zelir picked up one of the Orchid Mushrooms as an idea suddenly sprouted in his mind.

’Among the Level Four Magic I’ve mastered, besides Fog Flowing Gauze and the Healing Skill, there’s also the Extraction Skill.’

’The Extraction Skill...’

’The art of making Magic Potions is a skill I can’t afford to miss out on.’

’Whether for logistical supplies or to sell for money, it would be extremely useful. I have to master it.’

’It’s just... I don’t have any opportunity to learn the Alchemy of Magic Potions right now.’

’Should I go ask Instructor Manlin for guidance?’

While pondering this, Zelir decided to just give it a try first.

He placed the Orchid Mushroom on a clean leaf and raised the Night Peace.

Zelir closed his eyes and visualized the Spell Structure for the Extraction Skill in his mind.

With the powerful amplification from his new Magic Wand, his Magic Power flowed more smoothly under his guidance than ever before.

’Extraction Skill, activate!’

A soft green light emanated from the tip of the Night Peace Staff, enveloping the light purple Orchid Mushroom.

As the green light permeated it, Zelir clearly saw the Orchid Mushroom rapidly wither and lose its color.

Wisps of light purple essence were being forcibly stripped from the cap by the Extraction Skill, suspended in mid-air.

"It worked..."

But this was actually useless.

The essence Zelir had extracted wasn’t pure; it was mixed with some grayish-black impurities.

Besides, Zelir hadn’t mastered a single Magic Potion Recipe yet, so he couldn’t do anything with the essence even after extracting it.

The Orchid Mushroom’s essence gradually dissipated in the air, serving only as a consumable for Zelir’s practice with the Extraction Skill.

Zelir packed up the remaining plants and prepared to set off in search of the final ingredient, the Flame Blood Fruit.

According to the map’s markings, the Flame Blood Fruit grew in a rather unique location—a small, treacherous valley.

Following the directions, Zelir spent nearly an hour before finally reaching the place.

However, before he could even enter, a series of piercing "SQUEAK"s and screeches echoed from the woods.

Zelir immediately stopped in his tracks.

He silently hid behind a massive rock and peeked inside.

Within the woods, a dozen or so ape-like Demons had gathered. They were climbing and leaping through the valley, chasing and playing with each other.

_Adventurer’s Association Universal Monster Atlas_

[Tier Eight]: Demonized Forest Ape

Individual Threat Rating: [Simple]

Appearance:

A Demon resembling a monkey, but covered in coarse, brown fur with crimson eyes.

Habits:

Demonized Forest Apes typically occupy fruit-rich woodlands as their territory and are extremely aggressive toward any humans who enter.

They will also proactively attack small villages when food is scarce.

Special Ability:

They have a rudimentary grasp of tool crafting and usage. Almost every Demonized Forest Ape tribe is equipped with Stone Spears or Stone Axes that can be thrown from a distance.

Association Notes:

A troublesome bunch, smarter and more dangerous than goblins!

Their thrown attacks are extremely deadly. Adventurers must be cautious, wear protective gear, and absolutely avoid getting surrounded.

Zelir narrowed his eyes and observed.

In the center of the territory occupied by the Demonized Forest Apes, there were several tall, peculiar fruit trees. A few Flame Blood Fruits hung sporadically from the highest branches.

’So they really are here...’