A Crown of Shadows and Starlight

Chapter 20

These two spells might not be the most powerful among zero-level spells, but after testing them, Meilin found them quite suitable for herself.

However, in actual combat, enemies rarely stand still and let themselves be attacked. So, after experimenting with spells for an hour, she stopped to rest, meditated to recover her mental and magical energy, and reflected on her spellcasting flaws and the characteristics of different spells.

“Second round of testing—moving targets,” Meilin said aloud as she placed her hand on the blue crystal ball.

“Please confirm the test level,” the metallic female voice responded.

“Level one test,” Meilin replied.

A humming sound filled the room as a wave of magical light descended from the ceiling, forming a fifty-square-meter illuminated area on the ground. Then, a ball of light gathered and stretched until a gray wolf materialized at the center of the light field.

This was an adult Graythai Wolf—cunning, fierce, and immensely strong. Its fur blended well with tree bark in the forest, making it an ambush predator feared by wizard apprentices during their excursions. Fortunately, Graythai Wolves usually moved alone or with a single female mate, rarely forming packs.

Of course, the one before her was merely a magical projection. Its attack power was only eighty percent of a real Graythai Wolf, and it couldn’t cause actual harm to the tester. However, the training room’s magical evaluation system would assess damage.

Combat was nothing new to Meilin—she had survived life-or-death situations in the wilderness and even slain two Graythai Wolves before. However, this was her first time fighting using spells. Recalling the wolf’s combat style, she confidently stepped into the illuminated area.

“Howl—!” The Graythai Wolf let out a fierce roar and lunged toward her like a falling mountain.

Meilin sidestepped swiftly, forming a fireball in her hand. Just as the wolf leaped mid-air, she hurled the fireball at it.

“Perfect kill. Would you like to continue?” the metallic voice inquired.

“Continue,” Meilin replied without much excitement.

Fighting a Graythai Wolf without direct confrontation and relying solely on spells wasn’t particularly difficult—especially when attacking while the wolf was mid-leap. While wild beasts were at their most ferocious in those moments, they were also at their most vulnerable. The key was having the power to kill in one strike.

Over the next few hours, Meilin continued her combat training, even completing tests meant for third-level wizard apprentices. With the aid of Wind Sprint, she weaved between four Graythai Wolves like a shadow, almost invisible. In addition to spellcasting, she also made full use of magical artifacts and sword techniques, maximizing her combat abilities.

By the time the ten-hour session ended, even with stamina potions, Meilin was drenched in sweat and pale-faced—any outsider would have thought something was wrong with her.

“There are fewer and fewer young women willing to push themselves this hard,” the elderly man at the counter muttered as he watched Meilin’s departing figure.

Leaving the spell training area, Meilin headed straight for the trade district and entered Hel’s shop.

“Meilin, congratulations on advancing to a second-level apprentice,” Hel greeted her with a broad smile.

After seeing off the last customer, Hel shut the store door and pulled a pouch from beneath the counter, handing it to Meilin. “This is the payment for the last batch of potions—450 magic stones. You can count them if you want.”

“Do I still not trust you? This isn’t our first deal.” Meilin chuckled, lifting the heavy pouch......450 magic stones had quite some weight.

“Well…”

Hel hesitated, his expression turning serious. “Meilin, there’s something important I need to tell you.”

“What is it?” Meilin already had a guess but feigned ignorance.

“My family wants to invite you to join them… Meilin, I didn’t sell you out. They found out on their own, but I didn’t confirm anything,” Hel hurriedly explained, fearing she might misunderstand.

“That’s it?” Meilin nodded. “Hel, I trust you. Go on.”

“Alright.”

Hel rubbed his hands together. “The family isn’t trying to force you, but they’re offering to settle the issue with the Filler family if you join them. Otherwise, they won’t have the right to intervene.”

“What do you think, Hel?” Meilin asked.

“If you were still a first-level apprentice, I would’ve advised you to accept. But now… If you join, you’ll be bound by family restrictions. I’ll support whatever decision you make. However, if you refuse, I suggest you leave the academy soon.”

“Why?” Meilin raised an eyebrow.

“There are rumors that Filler’s family has obtained a dose of Loran Moon for him to break through his bottleneck. With his talent, once he takes it, his advancement to a full-fledged wizard will be inevitable. If you stay, he’ll undoubtedly kill you. Even the academy head won’t risk offending the Filler family over this,” Hel warned.

“I understand. Thank you, Hel—I’ll remember this favor.” Meilin nodded.

Loran Moon was a high-grade potion that significantly aided apprentices in breaking through to full wizards. As Hel had said, if she had any plans, she needed to act soon.

Leaving Hel’s shop, Meilin walked deep in thought. Unknowingly, she arrived beside a restaurant, and the enticing aroma drifting from within made her stomach grumble. Without hesitation, she turned and walked inside.

In a world of troubles, food comes first.

As she finished her meal, the frustration in her heart faded. Just as she was about to leave, a nearby conversation caught her attention.

“I heard the Hundred Herbs Lodge is being forced to disband.”

“Hmph, they offended a third-level wizard. Unless they want to die, they have no choice but to disband.”

“Even though the Hundred Herbs Lodge isn’t as strong as our Watercloud Academy, it has existed for nearly ten thousand years. They must have a wealth of meditation techniques and potion recipes.”

The words “potion recipes” made Meilin focus instantly. She glanced at the two speakers—both unfamiliar.

Watercloud Academy wasn’t a major power, but it still had thousands of apprentices. Meilin only recognized those who had joined around the same time as her. However, judging by their robes, these two were first-level apprentices. Their age suggested they were senior students.