Robb stared at the parchment spread across the workbench, its complex arrangement of runes and intricate ritual procedures stirring something deep within him.
"Soul Imprint."
This was a ritual recorded in the ancient book he bought from Thompson, specifically designed to strengthen the bond between the user and soulsteel.
Though the ritual diagram appeared simple, it contained countless delicate points of balance.
Every rune's position, angle, and stroke order had been precisely calculated to form a perfect energy circulation system.
"Such a delicate structure..."
Robb studied every detail with near-obsessive focus, oblivious to the passage of time.
He suddenly realized that, thanks to his long-term accumulation of knowledge in various fields, his ability to comprehend had undergone a qualitative change.
Especially after achieving mastery in potionology a few months ago, he acquired the advanced trait "Deep Knowledge", which gave him remarkable integration capabilities across different disciplines.
Combined with his newly unlocked "Inspiration" trait, his creative thinking had taken an extraordinary leap.
"The synergy between these two traits is unexpectedly powerful."
Robb keenly perceived:
"As a mere apprentice, I'm able to partially comprehend this ancient ritual, and even glimpse the principles behind it. That's no small feat. Looks like my snowball is really starting to roll under all these compound boosts."
Theories that once required repeated reading to grasp could now be understood at a glance;
Techniques that once demanded dozens of trials could now be mastered in just a few attempts.
This gradual growth in comprehension was snowballing, granting him a level of creativity and insight far beyond what an apprentice should possess.
Robb turned to the other side of the workbench. The silver-gray piece of soulsteel lay quietly in its custom tray, its surface glinting with a cold sheen.
After nearly a month of "dialogue" and synchronization, the soulsteel had gradually attuned to his mental wavelength, becoming more compliant and responsive.
But to achieve perfect synchronization, the ancient Soul Imprint ritual was still required.
"According to the ancient texts, the standard ritual consumes a large amount of mental energy, potentially even damaging the user's life force..."
Robb frowned thoughtfully, his gaze shifting between the soulsteel and the ritual diagram.
Then, a bold idea took shape in his mind,
"What if I integrate modern alchemy's energy conversion array into this ancient ritual? Could that dramatically reduce the energy cost?"
Once the thought formed, it spread like wildfire.
He picked up a pen and began sketching a revised ritual diagram on a fresh sheet of parchment.
The core elements of the traditional Soul Imprint ritual, those ancient runes that directly interacted with the soulsteel, were all preserved.
But on the outer edge, Robb added a ring of modern alchemical runes designed specifically for efficient energy collection and conversion.
These runes formed a precise closed-loop system, capable of recycling dissipated mental energy back into the main circuit, significantly improving overall efficiency.
Several hours later, the first draft of the improved Soul Imprint ritual was complete.
Robb meticulously checked every detail, ensuring no logical inconsistencies or energy incompatibilities.
"In theory, this improved ritual should reduce energy cost by nearly half, while maintaining the core effects."
Satisfied with his work, he began gathering the necessary materials for the actual operation.
According to the ancient texts, the Soul Imprint ritual worked best under certain celestial alignments, typically during a fuller phase of the moon.
And tonight just happened to be ideal.
Robb glanced out the window. Night had fallen, and a brilliant crescent moon was slowly rising in the sky.
"Everything's ready."
He carefully placed the soulsteel at the center of the ritual and used special silver powder to draw the revised diagram on the floor.
The runes shimmered gently under the moonlight. The entire formation resembled a living work of art, breathtakingly beautiful.
Robb took a deep breath and stepped just outside the ritual circle, beginning the activation process.
His mental energy, like a surgeon's scalpel, followed the pre-set pathways and injected into the array.
The silver powder runes lit up faintly at first, then brightened from pale bluish-white to dazzling silver, and finally to a radiant platinum glow.
Energy flowed along the complex network, producing resonances and conversions at every key node.
Robb could clearly sense the dissipating energy being successfully intercepted by the modern alchemical runes and redirected into the primary loop.
"Even better than expected."
He smiled slightly, maintaining a steady output of mental power.
As the ritual deepened, the soulsteel in the center began to visibly change.
Its sheen grew darker, as if it absorbed surrounding light;
Its surface rippled slightly, like a pool of living water;
Even more astonishing, it began to pulse, as if it had developed a "heartbeat."
When the ritual reached its critical phase, Robb didn't hesitate. He sliced open his finger and let three drops of blood fall onto the soulsteel as the catalyst.
The blood was instantly absorbed with no trace.
Immediately afterward, countless tiny runes surfaced on the metal, manifestations of Robb's mental imprint.
These runes arranged themselves into a unique pattern, a "code" only Robb could interpret.
As the final strand of energy entered the array, the ritual's glow gradually dimmed, eventually reverting to plain silver lines.
But the soulsteel had changed completely, its hue now deeper and heavier, its surface shimmering with a subtle glow, like living liquid metal.
Robb picked up the soulsteel with great care and was instantly overwhelmed by a profound sense of familiarity.
This metal was no longer a cold, inanimate object, it had become something capable of resonating with him.
Even a light touch allowed him to feel the energy flowing within it, as clearly as sensing his own pulse.
To his surprise, when he guided the soulsteel to change shape with his mental energy, it responded several times more quickly than before.
He only needed to think, and it would shift to the desired basic form.
"This is incredible."
Robb watched as the soulsteel morphed continuously with his thoughts:
First a small dagger, then a coin, then a delicate bird.
Through this Soul Imprint ritual, he had achieved a partial synchronization with the soulsteel.
Next came the challenge of forging it into the base form of a magic sword, a process that would undoubtedly be long and arduous...
But for now, the success of the improved Soul Imprint ritual had elevated his understanding of alchemy to a new level.
[Alchemy (Novice) EXP +1]
[Breakthrough! Alchemy (Novice 100/100) → Alchemy (Adept 1/200)]
[Passive Trait Upgraded:
Resonance → Trinity as One
(Enhanced synergy between Alchemy, Potion Brewing, and Enchanting)]
A sense of unprecedented clarity surged through Robb.
The essence of alchemy wasn't just about transforming or restructuring matter, it was about deeply understanding and communicating with it.
[Alchemist (Two-Star) Advancement Requirements Met:
Alchemy Knowledge at Novice level √
Alchemy Skill at Adept level √
Extraordinary Appraisal at Novice level √
Independently created over three basic alchemical items √
Successfully modified at least one existing alchemical blueprint √]
[Advance to: Alchemist (Two-Star)?]
Robb was slightly surprised, the last requirement, modifying a blueprint, had been fulfilled through his improvement of the Soul Imprint ritual.
Without hesitation, he confirmed in his heart: "Yes."
A warm current rose from within and surged through his body.
It felt similar to his previous profession advancements, yet subtly different.
This time, the energy was deeper, imbued with an ancient rhythm, mysterious and profound like a legacy passed down from antiquity.
His perception instantly sharpened, molecular structures of nearby objects unfolded before his eyes.
Tables, walls, tools, all appeared as intricate compositions of particles, each with unique structures and energy traits.
Even more astonishing, he could intuitively understand how these structures formed, how they changed, and how they could be manipulated through alchemy.
[Advancement Successful!]
[New Profession: Alchemist (Two-Star)]
[Base Attributes Increased:
Mental Power: 3.8 → 3.99 (+0.2)
Mana: 2.1 → 2.55 (+0.45)]
[Special Bonuses:
Moderate boost to Alchemy-related skill experience gain
Enhanced material perception
Moderate increase in control over material transformations]
Every profession advancement brought real growth, and this one was no exception.
Robb took a deep breath, feeling both his mind and body transform.
Progress became harder the further one went, but even so, he was now only a step away from the 4.0 mental power threshold required to become a High Apprentice.
The only drawback was that this next breakthrough could only be achieved through meditation. Becoming a High Apprentice was clearly a key milestone.
[Class Synergy Detected:
Alchemist + Wizard Apprentice + Potion Master + Bloodline Knight]
[Synergy Bonuses Unlocked:
Increased energy extraction efficiency during alchemy
Higher material essence yield
Improved energy conversion efficiency during reactions]
Looking at the various synergy bonuses, Robb felt genuinely pleased by the burgeoning power he had cultivated.
This was the snowball effect of multi-class progression:
Different training paths didn't conflict, instead, they complemented each other and created a leap in overall strength.
The synergy didn't stop there. When he advanced as Potion Master, a skill had evolved.
And when he first became an Alchemy Apprentice, two skills had fused.
So the next step should be,
[Skill Fusion Detected:
Potion Brewing (Novice) + Alchemy (Adept) → Matter Transmutation (Novice 30/100)]
As the transparent interface displayed the message, a wave of new knowledge and insights surged into Robb's mind.
"Matter Transmutation," as a fusion skill, not only inherited the strengths of both potion brewing and alchemy, it also represented a true qualitative leap.
Robb couldn't wait to test this new skill.
He grabbed a few materials from the workbench and casually began mixing.
To his amazement, the process, once dependent on precise measurements, temperature control, and tedious procedures, now flowed with startling smoothness.
He could intuitively gauge the ideal dosage and timing for each ingredient.
It felt as though every material was speaking to him, telling him exactly how to be combined and transformed.
Processes that once took dozens of steps were dramatically simplified,
Not because he skipped steps, but because Matter Transmutation allowed him to handle multiple steps simultaneously, adjusting and optimizing in real time.
Within half an hour, he had produced a perfect batch of Clarity Potion, which normally required much more time.
Even more impressively, the potion's quality exceeded anything he'd ever made before.
The liquid's purity, energy stability, and duration of effect had all reached unprecedented levels.
"This... this feels amazing."
Robb quickly grabbed a standard crystal and attempted an energy crystallization.
This basic alchemy technique was used to store specific energies in crystals, forming raw materials for various devices.
Previously, this process took at least two hours and required precise instruments and guidance tools.
Now, he simply held the crystal, focused his energy, and channeled it through a specific path.
Ten minutes later, a flawless Fire Element Crystal had formed, its energy density and stability far superior to anything sold on the market.
"Matter Transmutation."
Robb murmured, his eyes gleaming: "This is no mere sum of its parts. It's a completely new form of ability."
He suddenly recalled what Thompson and Lady Elena once mentioned:
Alchemy Sages, the legendary profession that unified the three core wizarding disciplines.
"Potion Brewing represents the fusion of medicine and energy; Alchemy, the transformation of structure and matter."
Robb pieced his thoughts together: "The third is Enchanting, the language of runes and energy."
Thompson had once hinted that a true Alchemy Sage mastered all three, capable of miracles beyond imagination.
Robb accessed his mind library and quickly noted the connections:
Potion Brewing – Medicine & Energy – Partially Mastered (Potion Master Two-Star)
Alchemy – Structure & Matter – Partially Mastered (Alchemist Two-Star)
Enchanting – Runes & Energy – Not Yet Mastered (???)
He also remembered the newly acquired trait: Trinity as One.
"Trinity as One," Robb murmured, "is the path of the Alchemy Sage."
From the current synergy, it was clear, once he fully mastered all three disciplines, a greater fusion skill might emerge.
That could be the key to the next realm.
"Enchanting..." Robb whispered. "Said to be even rarer than Bloodline Modulators."
He recalled the self-activating magic arrays and long-lasting devices in his faction, all dependent on expertly inscribed runes by enchanters.
Apprentices and even many official wizards could only crudely trace existing runes without understanding the deeper principles.
He himself was the same, he could mimic, but not innovate.
As a result, such imitations were weak, short-lived, and often unstable.
But a professional enchanter's rune would remain potent for decades.
They understood the logic behind runes, could innovate new configurations, and even embed their will and spirit into the magic, making it stronger and more enduring.
"To become a true Alchemy Sage, mastering Enchanting is non-negotiable."
Robb firmly wrote this goal into his mental library.
But there was a problem, few official wizards in the Black Mist Forest specialized in Enchanting. Opportunities for formal study were scarce.
All clues pointed to one place, the Crystal Spire in the prosperous Heartlands.
There, at the heart of the Ring Abyss Archipelago, lay a more complete wizard system and richer supernatural resources.
The Crystal Spire wasn't just a major hub of wizard activity, it was a treasure trove of rare magical knowledge.
It was said to house a full enchanting department, dedicated to cultivating mages in this rare profession.
"Looks like the path ahead is clear."
Robb closed his notebook, eyes shining with determination.
Becoming an Alchemist wasn't the end, it was a necessary step toward something greater.
The legend of the Alchemy Sage had revealed a far grander possibility.
There were still further advancements, Potion Professor, Alchemy Master, and most important of all, the elusive Enchanter.
All of them would likely require him to reach the official wizard level first.
Trinity as One.
Perhaps that was the ideal state he had always been searching for.