Since the little prince Alphonse had actively sought Lynn's acquaintance, the threshold of his top-floor cabin was practically worn smooth.
Apprentices from various cities, people who considered themselves extraordinary, came one after another to pay their respects, wearing smiles that ranged from genuinely warm to carefully fabricated. Lynn did not refuse any of them. Instead, he spoke with each seriously, using the opportunity to learn more about the Wizard World. He had nothing pressing to do, and any additional understanding could only make his future learning path smoother.
Every conversation took place on the deck or in the ship's corridors. Lynn never allowed himself to be alone with any of them. Although he knew that few would dare make a move against a top-tier genius outside a Wizard's door, caution was a habit worth maintaining.
"Brother, I am the Young City Lord of Grayrock City. Please look out for me once we reach the Academy."
"My family's trading company spans several countries, as peers If you need supplies, just say the word!"
"Sir Lynn, your talent is truly astonishing…"
Throughout it all, Lynn wore a gentle smile and treated everyone with measured courtesy. He was neither overly enthusiastic nor distant, maintaining a balance that made others comfortable while keeping his guard intact. As he listened, he quietly absorbed fragmented information about the Wizard World and the Boneyard Spire Academy.
"I heard contribution points are the most important currency at the Academy. They can be exchanged for knowledge and materials…"
"Boneyard Spire controls several subordinate resource planes, but they're all extremely dangerous. The most important one is undoubtedly the Forest of Ten Thousand Bones…"
"Choosing a tutor is crucial. Some tutors' research directions are extremely dangerous, and the attrition rate of 'materials' is terrifying. Follow the wrong person, and your life may be ruined…"
Through these scattered conversations, Lynn gradually pieced together a rough outline of the Wizard World and the inner workings of Withered Bone Spire Academy.
As for the Gray-Robed Wizard, ever since the netherbone ship had set sail, he had remained shut inside his cabin, tinkering with who knew what.
A few days later, as Lynn passed by the Wizard's quarters, he noticed, almost by accident, that the door was slightly ajar.
His heart stirred.
It seemed the Lord Wizard… had finished his work?
After a brief moment of hesitation, Lynn stepped forward and gently knocked.
"Lord Wizard, Lynn pays his respects."
The moment his words fell, the cabin door was pushed fully open by an invisible force, as though seized by a giant unseen hand. A hoarse voice drifted out from within.
"Come in."
Lynn took a slow breath and slipped inside.
The Gray-Robed Wizard was hunched over a table, tinkering with strange organs soaked in a green solution. Faint spiritual fluctuations rippled through the air, accompanied by a lingering scent of blood.
"Lord Wizard, I apologize for disturbing you."
"Morris."
The reply was short.
"Tutor Morris." Lynn immediately bowed.
Morris halted his work, and his insect-like compound eyes turned toward Lynn.
"what is it boy?"
His voice was still dry and abrasive.
"I wish to ask about the Academy's situation," Lynn said respectfully.
Morris let out a kaka laugh, like bones grinding against each other.
"A strong desire for knowledge is a good thing. But at Boneyard Spire, all knowledge demands a corresponding price."
"After all for Wizards, knowledge is the greatest form of wealth."
He paused, then added, "That said, considering your talent, I can share some basic information for free."
Lynn was delighted and quickly expressed his gratitude.
But… do all Dark Wizards laugh this stereotypically?
Unaware of Lynn's inner thoughts, Morris briefly explained the Academy's main branches, its competition rules, and the tutor system.
"Remember this, boy" he said. "The Academy does not forbid fighting. It only forbids meaningless waste, for example, wasting a 'material' with potential."
A chill crept up Lynn's spine. He understood immediately that these so-called "materials" referred to apprentices like himself.
"Relax," Morris continued. "A 'genius' like you won't be casually consumed by the Academy. That would be far too wasteful. If the Academy operated that way, it wouldn't have lasted this long."
"Still, while talent is important on the Wizard's path, it does not represent everything."
"To become an official Wizard, knowledge, comprehension, resources, willpower, and luck are all indispensable."
"For Wizards, the accumulation of knowledge is the highest priority."
"Witchcraft is the lever that pries open the rules of the world. Endless knowledge is the key to mastering those rules."
Lynn's heart stirred. He reached into his pocket, took out the purse containing eight magic stones, and offered it with both hands.
"Tutor Morris, thank you for your guidance. May I ask whether these magic stones can be exchanged for some… knowledge that would benefit me the most at this stage?"
Morris's compound eyes flashed red as he laughed again.
"Clever boy."
With a casual wave of his bone-blade arm, the purse flew directly into his grasp. He weighed it, then snorted.
"Eight low-quality magic stones?"
"Still, I'm in a good mood, Tell me what kind of knowledge do you want? Offensive witchcraft? Defensive techniques? Or magical theory?"
Lynn was momentarily stunned.
What kind of knowledge?
How would he know?
He answered honestly. "I don't know what suits me best. I humbly ask the Tutor for guidance."
This response seemed to please Morris. The red glow in his compound eyes dimmed slightly.
"A wise choice."
"When you arrive at the Academy, a Basic Meditation Method will be distributed to everyone. But that thing is common trash. For someone with your Superb Soul Talent, it's a waste of time."
He rummaged through a drawer with his bone-blade arm and pulled out a black bone shard that emitted faint spiritual fluctuations.
"This contains the Soul Whisper Meditation Method. It's a solid introductory technique for the Soul system and suits your talent perfectly."
"It has an exceptional effect on refining and expanding mental power, laying a firm foundation for future Soul Witchcraft."
"Needless to say, its value far exceeds eight low tier magic stones."
With that, he tossed the bone shard to Lynn.
"Press it against your forehead and focus your spirit. Perceive the information within."
Lynn was overjoyed. He caught the bone shard, it was icy cold to the touch.
"Thank you, Tutor Morris. I will remember your kindness."
"Go back and study it," Morris said, waving his bone-blade arm. "If you encounter anything you don't understand before we reach the Academy, you may come ask me."
This was clearly a special privilege.
Being a "genius" really did feel good.
Back in his cabin, Lynn immediately pressed the bone shard to his forehead and focused his spirit.
A flood of complex information surged into his mind. At the same time, the light screen on his retina activated.
[High-information-density knowledge carrier detected. Soul Whisper Meditation Method confirmed. Beginning recording… Recording progress: 1%…]
The Soul Whisper Meditation Method appeared in his memory library, but the recording speed was painfully slow.
Unable to wait, Lynn initiated Analysis.
[Beginning Analysis of Soul Whisper Meditation Method… Analysis progress: 0.1%…]
Even slower.
Whether recording or analysis, both processes lagged far behind the speed he was used to when scanning ordinary books. Clearly, the knowledge contained within this meditation method was vast and of an entirely different level.
The Path of the Mage lay right before him, and Lynn couldn't help but feel a trace of impatience.
While relying on the panel's Analysis, he also began memorizing the obscure incantations, mental guidance routes, and visualization diagrams on his own, refusing to waste even a single moment.