Robb gently picked up the letter from his desk and broke the wax seal stamped with the official insignia of the academy.
The golden seal cracked, revealing a neatly folded sheet of paper.
The letter was brief and clear: one week from now, the quarterly evaluation meeting for the Wizard Reserve Track would be held in the Seventh Council Hall of the Central Tower.
All reserve members were required to attend. The exact time would be delivered by courier in the coming days.
Notably, the letter mentioned that ranking changes would be announced, and the internal structure of the sequence might be adjusted.
"So, it's finally happening," Robb murmured, a spark of anticipation in his eyes.
The quarterly evaluation of the Wizard Reserve Track was a major event within the academy.
At this gathering, each member would receive a formal performance assessment from the senior sorcerers.
Those who performed well would rise in rank. Those who didn't could be demoted, or even removed from the sequence.
"My rank was boosted to the top seventeen last time. I should be able to break into the top fifteen now."
Robb placed the letter back on the desk and began planning his next few days.
"Time's short. Need to focus on a few key areas…"
He mentally listed his priorities: Bloodline modulation, Radiant Ring mastery, Extraordinary Appraisal, advanced Potion Brewing, plenty still needed reinforcement.
After thinking for a moment, Robb decided to devote most of his time to improving bloodline modulation.
"I have two Devouring Slimes left. If I plan well, they should be enough to push me into the Adept tier."
He returned to the lab and retrieved two containers holding the final slimes.
Both were stable, semi-transparent, and floating calmly in nutrient solution, occasionally twitching like they were breathing.
Robb prepared a more advanced experimental setup:
First, he added a small sample of his own blood into the first slime, injecting his Crimsonblood Wyvern energy.
Next, he introduced a drop of Daera's fish scale extract, attempting to merge Sea Siren water affinity.
Finally, he added Fusion Adhesive to promote the fusion of these seemingly opposing bloodlines.
"If I can successfully merge my dragonblood and Daera's Sea Siren lineage in the slime, I'll have a reliable reference model for modifying Daera's bloodline later."
The process was meticulous. Robb controlled every step with precision, guiding the flow and rate of energy infusion.
The slime's color shifted from crimson to deep blue.
Under the adhesive's influence, it finally stabilized into a violet-red hue, with scale-like textures and watery ripples on its surface.
The second slime experiment was even bolder.
Robb attempted to infuse four different bloodline samples simultaneously. Wind sprite feather, fire lizard scale, water serpent skin flakes, and a drop of Valenwood's dryad essence.
This was a fusion attempt of unprecedented complexity, far beyond any previous experiment.
"In theory, multi-bloodline fusion like this is nearly impossible. But if I can find the right balance…"
Robb summoned all his mental focus, injecting each energy type in a specific sequence and dosage.
First came the plant-based tree spirit essence as the foundational framework.
Then the water element from the serpent to form symbiosis with the plant base.
Next, the wind element from the feather to add flow and flexibility.
And finally, the fire element in trace amounts to activate and energize the system.
At first, the slime trembled violently, its colors flashing chaotically, it looked like it might burst at any moment.
But Robb's unwavering mental control gradually settled the chaos. The elements merged.
The result: a strange, rainbow-like structure formed within the slime, each element neatly arranged, distinct yet harmoniously coexisting.
[Bloodline Modulation EXP +1]
[Progress: Bloodline Modulation (Novice 49/50)]
"Success! One more experiment and I'll break through."
Robb exhaled as sweat slid down his brow.
He gazed at the two successful test subjects and the seven inert, failed ones beside them, deep in thought.
"These failed samples have lost all activity, no research value. But if I take them to the academy's resource recycler, I can probably trade them for some magic crystal shards."
He carefully sealed the seven failed slimes in a special containment bag.
Though lifeless, they still contained residual bloodline energy, and had to be handled cautiously to avoid contamination.
As he stepped into the hallway, he saw Layla helping Daera practice basic water control.
"Layla, if you're free, could you take these to the resource recycler?"
Robb raised the bag. "Failed experimental samples. They're dead, but should be worth a few shards."
Layla nodded. "Of course, Teacher. I'll take care of it shortly."
Robb handed her the bag and hurried back to the lab, he still had potion orders to fulfill.
Just then, Daera, who'd been focused on forming a water orb, suddenly froze.
Her tiny nose twitched as if sniffing an enticing scent.
"Mmm… smells so good…" the little Sea Siren murmured, her blue eyes locking onto the bag.
Before anyone could react, she dashed forward with astonishing speed, grabbed the bag, and tore it open.
"Daera! No!" Layla shouted, rushing to stop her.
But Daera had already pulled out a lump of dead slime and stuffed it into her mouth, chewing greedily.
"Oh no! That could be toxic!"
Valenwood's vines whipped in panic, with glowing letters appearing on her leaves in alarm.
She reached out, trying to hoist Daera upside down and induce vomiting.
"Wait!" Robb activated Extraordinary Appraisal, observing Daera's inner state.
To his shock, she showed no signs of poisoning.
In fact, she looked blissful, grabbing more of the dead slimes and devouring them one by one.
Robb's Appraisal revealed something stunning: As the remains entered her body, the residual bloodline energy didn't disperse or harm her. Instead, her body absorbed and transformed it using some unknown mechanism.
The energies were deconstructed, purified, and restructured, fusing into Daera's Sea Siren bloodline and strengthening it.
"Stop! Don't interfere!"
Robb raised a hand to halt Layla and Valenwood. "She's fine. In fact, it's helping her."
They froze, stunned, as Daera consumed the entire bag of remains and then happily licked her fingers.
"Master~ Any more? That was sooo yummy!"
Daera looked up, her eyes sparkling. Her voice had become clearer, like a refined silver bell.
The trio exchanged bewildered looks. Then realization dawned on Robb:
"The Glutton… So this is what that talent truly means."
Through continued observation, Robb confirmed his theory.
Daera's Glutton talent was far more than just eating a lot or growing fast.
Its core power was the ability to efficiently extract beneficial essence from supernatural materials and convert it into personal growth.
The dead slimes, while inert, still contained bloodline residues, making them perfect fuel.
"Look, she's changing!" Layla gasped.
Daera's body was transforming before their eyes:
She grew about five centimeters taller. Her silver hair became sleeker and shinier.
Faint scales appeared on her skin, shimmering like a rainbow in the light.
Her eyes, once a simple ocean blue, now glowed with hints of violet-red, like mysterious gems from the deep sea.
Robb's Extraordinary Appraisal continued gathering data:
Sea Sprite: Daera
Bloodline Purity: 95% → 98% (approaching gold-tier threshold)
Elemental Affinity: Water (primary), Wind (minor), Fire (trace)
Special Abilities: Enhanced Water Control, Minor Multi-Elemental Resistance
Physical Status: Extremely Healthy, Growth Rate Accelerated
"Incredible…" Robb whispered.
"This is what a second-tier talent should be, not just eating and growing fast, but refining essence from any supernatural matter to strengthen herself."
Layla peered at Daera curiously. "With this ability… in the arena…"
She didn't finish, but Robb understood instantly.
In bloodsport arenas, where slaves fought to the death, if Daera could devour defeated enemies, she could grow stronger fight after fight.
"Exactly," Robb nodded.
"Some gladiators do eat opponents' bodies, but more for fear and brutality. Daera, however, genuinely benefits from it."
Layla thought aloud: "Teacher, since Daera can grow from consuming bloodline material, could we prepare tailored 'ingredients' for her? Like creatures rich in pure elemental energy?"
"That's a great idea," Robb's eyes lit up. "A custom 'diet plan' could guide her bloodline evolution."
He knelt and asked gently, "Daera, how did that taste?"
The Sea Siren blinked, her now brilliant eyes gleaming. "Super tasty! Better than anything I've eaten! And…"
She paused, searching for the right words.
"I feel like… there's lots of new energy flowing in me. Like I drank a big bowl of hot bone broth!"
Robb chuckled, patting her head.
"Would you like to try more foods like that? I can prepare special ones that help you grow stronger."
"Yes, please!" Daera jumped excitedly, her silver hair sweeping in a bright arc.
"Master, I want to grow stronger! That way I can help you one day!"
Watching her overflowing energy, Robb felt a deep sense of accomplishment.
"We'll get stronger together," he said softly.
Layla and Valenwood exchanged a warm smile nearby.
Robb stood, his thoughts already racing ahead.
"Next, I need to apply bloodline modulation theory into practice, to design a full cultivation plan for Daera's evolution. And I also need to prepare for the upcoming Wizard Reserve Track Evaluation…"
As dawn broke, lights still glowed inside Robb's workshop.
Layla sat at the long table, fully focused on preparing a complex healing potion.
Her brow was furrowed with mental exhaustion, but her hands remained steady and precise.
Robb stood nearby, quietly observing the devoted young woman.
It had been nearly a month since Layla arrived.
Unlike Daera's obvious, visible transformation, her growth was steady and subtle.
Each practice session brought slight improvement in potion crafting.
Each day's review deepened her understanding of Potion Brewing.
Each week, her mental control quietly grew stronger.
Her progress was slow but unwavering, like a stream carving stone, becoming a force impossible to ignore.
The Diligence Makes Up For Mediocrity trait was manifesting in its purest form through her.
"Teacher, I'm done." Layla looked up and presented the potion.
A bottle of amber liquid shimmered in the light, far above beginner-level quality in both purity and stability.
"Let's see." Robb took it and examined closely.
The color was even, with no impurities or bubbles.
Shaking it revealed perfect viscosity, not too thick, not too thin.
Opening it released a fresh herbal aroma, no bitterness or stinging scent.
It was a near-perfect healing potion. Though basic, it would be considered high-grade on the market.
"Excellent." Robb praised sincerely.
"Your progress has surpassed my expectations. A month ago, you struggled with basic ratios, now you can craft a complex formula independently."
Layla blushed, eyes sparkling with pride and joy. "It's all thanks to your teaching."
Robb shook his head gently. "Teaching only shows the path. Real growth comes from your effort and talent."
At that moment, Robb felt a familiar surge of energy rising from deep within.