That was a "Favor", a unique energy bond between a mentor and student.
It felt like cool, sweet spring water flowing into a parched throat, refreshing and invigorating.
Compared to last time, this Favor was more even and lasting, like a gentle drizzle rather than a sudden downpour.
Robb closed his eyes, feeling the energy circulating through his body.
He had already learned how to guide this precious energy, directing it to where it was most needed.
[Mana: 2.0 → 2.05 (+0.05)]
Though the increase seemed small, Robb knew that slow and steady accumulation was the healthiest and most sustainable way to grow.
Just like Layla's Diligence Makes Up For Mediocrity talent, these small steps would one day add up to a remarkable achievement.
"Teacher, what's wrong?" Layla asked, puzzled by Robb's sudden silence.
"It's nothing." Robb opened his eyes and smiled:
"I was just thinking about how your progress inspired me. Sometimes, the most stable path may also be the grandest one."
Layla nodded, half-understanding, then turned to continue organizing herbs.
Robb watched the diligent girl, feeling a special sense of fulfillment.
Teaching wasn't just one-sided giving; the mentor-student bond was a kind of mutual growth, both sides gained something from it.
Turning his gaze away, he walked to the backyard, where Daera's cheerful laughter echoed.
The little Sea Siren had changed even more dramatically than Layla.
Ever since consuming those failed slime experiments, her growth had been astounding.
In just three days, Daera had grown nearly ten centimeters taller, with a body now resembling that of an eight- or nine-year-old human child.
She could now stay on land for up to four hours, nearly double her previous limit.
Even more astonishing was her command over the elements.
Once only able to form small water balls with difficulty, she could now control a full water dragon, dancing freely in the air.
She had even begun sensing other elements, with a surprising affinity for wind.
"Master, look what I learned!" Daera excitedly showed Robb her new skill.
She pressed her hands together, then slowly drew them apart, forming a spinning water vortex between her palms.
Then, something amazing happened:
Strands of breeze circled the vortex and slowly merged into the water, forming a small wind-water symbiotic construct.
"Fusion of wind and water?" Robb raised an eyebrow in surprise. "That's not a typical ability of Sea Sirens."
He immediately activated "Transcendent Identification" to observe Daera's changes closely:
[Sea Sprite Daera]
Bloodline Purity: Silver Tier 99% (Almost at Gold Tier threshold)
Elemental Affinity: Water (Primary), Wind (Moderate), Fire (Weak)
Special Abilities: Water Element Control, Wind Element Sensitivity, Elemental Fusion (Basic)
Physical State: Extremely healthy, life force abundant, growth potential further enhanced]
"What terrifying talent…" Robb couldn't help but marvel.
"She's already on the verge of crossing into a Gold-Tier bloodline, and she's showing aptitude for elemental fusion."
This development far exceeded his expectations. Normally, Sea Sirens excelled at manipulating water, but had difficulty resonating with other elements.
Daera's wind-water fusion hinted that her bloodline might be undergoing a unique evolution.
"Master, can I have more of that soft stuff?" Daera asked hopefully, eyes sparkling.
"They were really delicious!"
Robb shook his head gently:
"Those were failed experiments, there's no more. But don't worry, I'm working on a new 'recipe' more suited to your body. Once I improve my bloodline modulation abilities, I'll create a more customized nutritional source for you."
The gluttonous little Sea Siren pouted slightly but returned to the courtyard to continue practicing her elemental manipulation.
Back in the lab, Robb looked at the two remaining devouring slimes.
Floating in the nutrient fluid, the tiny lifeforms were unaware of the experiments awaiting them.
"The last experiment helped me reach the threshold of the bloodline modulation skill. With one final push, I should break through and gain an additional trait."
Robb pulled out a detailed experimental plan.
Unlike his previous attempts, this time he had designed three progressively complex experiments to explore higher levels of bloodline modulation.
For the first experiment, he selected three relatively mild bloodlines: Fur of a prairie wolf, horn of a mountain goat, and dander of a flying squirrel.
Though none of these creatures had supernatural traits, each had distinct survival traits, agility, resilience, and nimbleness.
"Theoretically, the more mundane the creature, the easier it is to integrate their bloodlines. Start simple, step by step."
Robb carefully introduced the three materials into the first slime in a specific sequence.
As expected, this low-tier fusion proceeded smoothly.
The slime formed three distinct internal layers, clearly separated, but with no signs of rejection.
"Good. Baseline test successful. Moving on to phase two."
The second experiment was a significant step up in difficulty.
Robb selected the scales of a Fire Lizard, a fire-type elemental creature, attempting to merge it with ordinary animal bloodlines.
The challenge here was the natural energy gap between supernatural and mundane species. Forced fusion could lead to energy overflow, causing collapse or complete takeover by the stronger bloodline.
Robb's solution was a gradual layering approach:
First, build a framework of ordinary bloodlines.
Then, dilute the supernatural blood and inject it in small doses.
Finally, as stability grew, slowly increase the concentration.
This process demanded intense mental control, straining even experienced modulating alchemists.
But Robb succeeded, leveraging his deep study of growth pathways and alchemical theory.
The slime glowed a warm orange-red. Internal energy flowed smoothly, a successful integration.
"Excellent. Now for the final challenge."
The third experiment was his most ambitious yet, combining three vastly different supernatural bloodlines:
Essence of a wind elemental sprite
Stinger of a crystal scorpion
Fur of a shadow wolf
These creatures differed not only in elemental traits but also in biological structures.
Conventional theory would call this combination doomed to fail.
But Robb had his own idea: "The key isn't to force incompatible traits together, but to find a point of balance."
He first established a triangular energy flow model within the slime, creating a circular loop to avoid direct conflict.
Then, he designed an energy buffer zone, serving as a transition hub between bloodlines.
This system didn't mix the energies directly, it created a symbiotic flow:
Wind energy enhanced crystal diffusion
Crystal structure gave shadow energy a carrier
Shadow's permeability increased wind's penetration
The process lasted nearly two hours, draining Robb's mental reserves.
But as the final strand of energy stabilized, the slime revealed an unprecedented composite form:
Its surface was a fluid gray-blue, glittering with crystalline sparks and shadowy currents. The three energies coexisted in harmony.
[Bloodline Modulation EXP +1]
[Breakthrough! Bloodline Modulation (Novice 50/50) → Bloodline Modulation (Adept 1/100)]
[Gained Additional Trait: Bloodtrace
(Can identify bloodline traces within a creature and trace ancestral characteristics)]
Robb took a deep breath, feeling the surge of new knowledge.
"Bloodtrace" was a precious ability for any bloodline modulator.
Eager to test it, he turned to the successfully modded slime and tried to trace its bloodline sources.
To his surprise, he could sense not only the three direct bloodlines but also their ancestral origins:
In the wind sprite's blood, a faint trace of an Elemental Lord, likely from a distant ancestral contact
The crystal scorpion showed signs of exposure to Earthvein Crystal, explaining its unique crystal body
The shadow wolf carried a faint imprint of the Multi-Shadow Wraith, a rare being from the shadow dimension
"Amazing…" Robb thought in awe.
"This ability far exceeds expectations, it can uncover hidden traits lost to time."
Still, he could tell that "Bloodtrace" alone wasn't enough to achieve such clarity. Likely, his now-proficient ExtraordinaryAppraisal also played a role.
From now on, when modifying Daera's or others' bloodlines, he could more accurately assess their essence and skip unnecessary trials to find optimal paths.
Even better, this tracing ability seemed to work on living creatures too.
He focused on his own Crimsonblood Wyvern bloodline, gaining an unprecedented view:
[Crimsonblood Wyvern Bloodline Ancestry:
Lightlord Dragon (Star Tier)
→ Titanfire Dragon (Quasi-Star Tier) / Crimson Flame Dragon (Quasi-Star Tier)
→ Crimsonblood Wyvern (Gold Tier)
→ Volcano Drake (Silver Tier)
→ Fire Lizard (Bronze Tier)]
This clear lineage revealed the full regression path and provided a direction for future bloodline activation.
If he could purify the Crimsonblood Wyvern line, he might be able to restore it to the Titanfire Dragon, or even higher.
"Let's try it on Daera…"
Robb left the lab and returned to the garden.
Daera was helping Valenwood tend the flower beds, moving with surprising agility as if fully adapted to land.
"Daera, come here for a moment," Robb called softly.
The little Sea Siren skipped over joyfully. "Master, what is it?"
Robb didn't explain. He simply placed a hand on her shoulder and activated Bloodtrace.
Daera, thinking he was playing with her, smiled and nuzzled her cool, jade-like face against his hand.
But Robb was transfixed. A shocking bloodline map unfolded in his mind:
[Sea Sprite Daera Bloodline Ancestry:
Ocean God (Moon Tier)
→ Songweaver (Star Tier)
→ Pureblood Sea Sprite (Gold Tier)
→ Common Sea Sprite (Silver Tier)]
"Incredible…"
Robb's eyes widened.
"She carries Moon Tier-tier divine ancestry! No wonder her potential is so immense."
Even more exciting, he found a dormant special ability branch in Daera's bloodline, Songweaving.
It was a unique Sea Siren trait involving resonance between sound and magic, something that could be awakened with proper training.
"Daera, I've got good news," Robb said, withdrawing his hand and smiling. "I've found a way to greatly enhance your abilities, one that perfectly matches your nature."
The little Sea Siren's eyes sparkled. "Really? What is it, Master?"
"Singing," Robb replied simply.
"Your ancestors include 'Songweavers', they could control elements and influence thoughts through magical songs. That talent still slumbers within you. All it needs is the right key."
Daera's eyes lit up.
"Really? I love singing! I used to hum tunes all the time when I was in the crystal tank!"
"Then it's perfect." Robb nodded. "Starting tomorrow, I'll design a special set of vocal training exercises to help you awaken this gift."
As for tomorrow, once this is done, it just happens to be time for the quarterly meeting of the Wizard Reserve Assembly…