86: Chapter 86 Superficiality and Deception

After Ross released his potential, various Spells were activated, and the Ghoul Body strengthened his originally unremarkable Physical Body to the point where he could engage in hand-to-hand combat with these Petrified Monsters.

His originally human traits were undergoing changes; at this moment, his height grew from 1.8 meters to 2.5 meters, making the originally towering maze walls appear short by comparison.

Ross's originally black eyes were also tinged with a hint of blood red, and the muscles all over his body writhed frantically, growing rapidly as if hit by an acceleration button.

"This is the first time I've activated my specialties and Spells with all my might. I feel like the current me could take down ten of me who had just stepped into a Level 1 Wizard Apprentice in one go." Weighing his current strength, Ross was extremely satisfied with this physique full of toned muscles.

Meanwhile, layers of Spell effects wrapped around Ross's body. Driven by Ross's 3,008 points of Mental Energy, the [Hand of Vines] became not only much more flexible in reaction time, but its mimicry capabilities were also practically like cheating.

The thick vines coiled in mid-air, twisting into a suit of plant armor that was very close to the effect of the First-Ring Wizard Spell [Demon Vine Curse].

"It seems that although I have just entered the Level 1 Wizard Apprentice stage, after activating the [Ghoul Body], not only is my Physical Body growing stronger, but even my Mental Energy has been strengthened by the Physical Body as if advancing by a tier."

"Although it hasn't reached the level of an Official Wizard, it has at least increased by about fifty percent compared to before. Of course, this deep connection between the Physical Body and Mental Energy is still a bit distant for me; as long as it can enhance my combat power right now, it doesn't matter."

After his Mental Energy reached that of a Level 1 Wizard Apprentice, Ross's control over elements had increased by more than a notch.

The free elemental particles that were previously scattered throughout the space with an indifferent attitude now seemed like beasts in heat, looking ready to cling tightly to Ross.

Of course, this was an illusion after Ross's Mental Energy surged. Since he had just achieved a Breakthrough, coupled with the layer of Mental Energy fed back by his Physical Body, he was having some illusions at the moment.

But soon, Ross threw this illusion caused by the superficial growth of strength to the back of his mind.

"Although my Mental Energy is indeed a bit superficial, the condensation and guidance of elemental particles have been raised quite a bit. Previously, if I wanted to condense a standard [Magic Flame] Fireball within 5 seconds, it would consume about 50 points of magic power; if I wanted to speed it up, the consumption would basically increase exponentially."

"However, after the Physical Body enhancement stimulated by the [Ghoul Body] at this moment, which was originally a physical enhancement, it seemed like adapting to a 'Wizard's' body. Not only was the Physical Body strengthened, but even Mental Energy and elemental affinity received a certain boost, especially in the attraction of dark-type elements."

Ghouls themselves were a kind of undead, a race that mixed death and disturbed the living. Their bodies were filled with dark energy, attracting elemental particles from negative Domains including dark elements and death elements.

In some different worlds, they were unforgivable existences, terrifying monsters in many worlds, and even used as horror stories to frighten children.

But this level of undead, or rather a creature that merely contacted negative dark energy, was child's play to Wizards. Some Wizard Families even kept Ghouls in captivity as pets or guards to watch over their gates and courtyards.

After all, this kind of creature generally lacked spiritual intelligence, but it was still a race recognized by the world and held the status of an intelligent race. Since they had intelligence, even if only a little, they could be enslaved by Wizards.

It was just that Ghouls were somewhat bizarre, and it was mainly the hobby of a small circle of Wizards.

"Judging from my current physical strength and the Spells cast by magic power, if I am only facing one or two pairs of Petrified Monsters at the same time, it probably won't be a problem. Even if there are more, they will only tie me down and won't pose any life-threatening danger. In that case, I won't have to tiptoe around dodging before attacking anymore."

After stretching his muscles and tapping the armor formed by the entanglement of the [Hand of Vines], Ross roughly mentally prepared himself.

"After all, this is only a fraction of the residual power after the death of an Official Wizard, and all First-Ring Spells have suffered varying degrees of severe damage, losing their original power." Ross condensed his magic power, and three Fireballs appeared in his hands. It was the effect simulated by [Magic Flame] similar to a [Fireball]. Nourished by Ross's magic power, these Fireballs were almost identical in might to the original version of [Fireball].

Although Wizards' Spells were numerous, sometimes they shared commonalities. Spells with different names might just be targeted modifications of a certain Spell by a certain Wizard.

Sometimes it was just to highlight a certain aspect of function and effect. Therefore, after becoming familiar with [Magic Flame], Ross consciously mastered the Spell Model of the [Fireball].

"It is hard to say whether [Magic Flame] is a variant of [Fireball] or vice versa, but it can be expected that the two must have a lot of connections. Take many of the magic power output points and energy conversion nodes of the Spell Model, for instance; they have a high degree of overlap. Therefore, I can even save the points needed to exchange for [Fireball]."

Seeing this, Ross instantly threw the Fireballs in his hands toward a pair of Petrified Monsters approaching him. At this moment, the fierce firelight seemed to spew out three lines of firepower, enveloping all the Petrified Monsters.

The lizardman scout that poked its head out first was like a snowflake; upon contacting the firelight, it was pierced by the burning flames, its body began to shatter, and it fell to the ground as pieces of scorched stone.

Then came the other lizardman scout following closely behind, meeting the exact same fate.

Only the slow-moving Petrified Minotaur at the end, due to its towering body and relying on a hard stone shield, blocked the impact of Ross's [Magic Flame].

This didn't come as a surprise to Ross. After all, these Petrified Monsters were originally creations of a First-Ring Wizard. Although after that Official Wizard died, due to the lack of a master's maintenance, their might had decreased quite a bit, they still inevitably possessed considerable strength under the blessing of Spells.

Thus, Ross leaped in front of the Petrified Minotaur. At this moment, under the blessing of the Ghoul Body, Ross's height was almost identical to that of this monster.

With his prior experience, and under the blessing of a body comparable to a Ghoul, Ross was even more brutal.

The Petrified Minotaur was knocked down to the ground by him.