10: Chapter 0010 Old Man

The entire progression of events was beyond what Li Size had anticipated...

Because of his deep involvement in Rice's 'counter-espionage' plan, Sven had confirmed Li Size's loyalty using a sorcery contract.

He was compelled to recruit him as an external member of the [Internal Affairs Department], which was both a surprise and an opportunity for Li Size.

The [Internal Affairs Department] was essentially a department that directly connected to the Duchy's center of power, reporting directly to the Grand Duke, offering a clear path for promotion.

Based on his analysis, this type of department was less complicated than conventional ones; promotion was relatively easier as long as one possessed sufficient merit points or strength.

Secondly, based on his discussions with Gelia, the merit point System in the [Internal Affairs Department] was the only one comparable to that of the [Military Department] within the Duchy's administrative System.

The Rank of sorcery items redeemable was half a Rank higher than those in other departments like the Police Bureau or the Administration Hall.

Even more valuable was that the exchange center held secret treasures unobtainable elsewhere, including sorcery specialties from the Feiting Federation.

This System was crucial for people without background who wished to pursue the Wizard path.

Simply put, Li Size's first step was to accumulate gold coins to activate his [Pay-to-Win] attribute and meet the minimum requirement of 3.0 for a Wizard Apprentice.

Li Size’s fingertips traced the dark patterns on the cover of the "Internal Affairs Department Merit Exchange Manual" (Employee Level). The first page immediately captivated him with its dazzling array of exchange options:

Resistance Enhancement Sorcery (100 points): Can form a temporary Demonic Energy layer on the body surface to resist physical attacks and most sorcery attacks.

Corpse Questioning Art Scroll (80 points): Allows basic information exchange with a recently deceased corpse. Three questions can be asked, and the corpse will not lie.

Rune Protection Cloak (30 points): A cloak embedded with Wind Element runes, capable of buffering impacts and reducing most sorcery attacks.

Red Vine Thread (5 points/50g): A vine thread native to the southern jungles of the Feiting Federation, usable for weaving extremely tough restraint nets.

And the one he cared about most: Basic Meditation Method (20 points)!

He clenched the manual, his heartbeat involuntarily quickening. These miraculous sorceries and items were like light in the darkness, filling him with aspiration for the Wizard's Path.

The manual's introduction to the "Basic Meditation Method" clearly stated:

The core of the Basic Meditation Method is building a stable consciousness space, which can stabilize existing Mental Energy and, with long-term Cultivation, increase the value extremely slowly.

However, the learning requirement was a Mental Energy level of 3.0 or above.

More importantly, the manual was marked in red font:

Without the stable consciousness space provided by the Basic Meditation Method, forcibly learning or casting sorceries will result in a backlash from Demonic Energy particles, causing mental confusion in mild cases and consciousness collapse in severe cases.

This was a key sorcery Cultivation method Li Size could obtain in advance without entering the Higher Academy. Li Size reread the text repeatedly, secretly resolving to save up enough points for the exchange as quickly as possible.

Although the Basic Meditation Method at the Higher Academy appeared free, the faster one progressed on the Wizard's Path, the faster every subsequent step would be!

Becoming a Wizard Apprentice early would allow Li Size to access the mysterious sorcery field sooner, master transcendent power, and perform better in the advancement exams, thus getting into a better school.

This was a surefire profitable venture!

Of course, even though the [Internal Affairs Department] was excellent, attending the Academy was still mandatory!

On one hand, the Academy possessed a more systematic Wizard training structure. Rank was only one aspect; the accumulation of sorcery knowledge was more important, as knowledge was both wealth and the cornerstone of power.

On the other hand, the Academy had resources specially approved by the Duchy, such as Secret Realms containing sorcery creatures and cheap Demonic Energy Materials.

Finally, the Academy was an excellent place to build Wizard connections. An individual's time and energy were limited; one always needed help from others, just as Gelia sought help from her senior when facing intelligence difficulties.

After ensuring matters at the Police Bureau were settled, with Gelia and Sven hidden behind the scenes, Li Size took Felina and hurried back home...

Because he returned late last night, he hadn't disturbed his father, Pativ, about the procurement matter. Now, he had to explain things to Felina.

Leaving the Police Bureau, Li Size touched the silver coins in his pocket and shook his dizzy head.

The events of the past few days were too complex when strung together. He had finally managed to process it all. Next, he needed to sort out the matter of the Academy's equipment procurement.

He looked at the still beautiful Felina. After this incident, the deathly stillness and sorrow on her body had faded considerably.

She seemed reborn, having stepped out of her shackles. Her eyes held an apologetic look, yet also seemed to carry a different kind of affection, making one feel protective.

Forget it!

Li Size clenched his fist, admonishing himself internally:

The most important thing now was to leverage the counter-espionage plan to gain Internal Affairs Department merit points, obtain the "Basic Meditation Method" as soon as possible, and strive to accumulate stronger power before the major examination!

Otherwise, without becoming a Wizard Apprentice, he would ultimately be an ant in this power-revering sorcery world.

This procurement job was the first pot of gold; it could not be lost. The [Pay-to-Win] System was already growing restless!

With this thought, Li Size turned to look back at the Police Bureau. Since Felina was not detained and the matter involved hostile espionage activities, Gelia certainly wouldn't go to the Academy to find the Dean.

It was also unlikely she would intercede for him to extend the procurement contract. He should proceed according to his agreement with Felina. Did he still need to give her those 3 gold coins?

Theoretically, no, but Li Size scratched his head and quickly shook it—he had to give them!

Gelia, a sorcery master in the Police Bureau, was an opportunity to build a connection. 3 gold coins was not much!

Returning to the blacksmith shop near noon...

Li Size's father, Pativ, was wearing long trousers, his upper body bare save for a mud-brown cowhide full-body apron, worn to ward off molten iron and sparks.

His exposed arms were as thick as tree trunks, muscles coiled, reflecting a bronze color in the sunlight. He held a runed hammer in his hand; his strength had likely already reached the Knight Rank.

Seeing him from afar, Li Size felt somewhat conflicted. The reason he hadn't seen Pativ last night was because he wasn't the original Li Size.

He, a Transmigrator from Blue Star, had been an orphan in his previous life and didn't know how to face a 'father.' He rubbed his hands, feeling somewhat nervous.

However, this was a reality he had to face. He took a deep breath and called out from a distance, using the tone from his memories:

"Old Man! My mentor and I need you for something!"

His voice trembled slightly.

"Hahaha! My son is back!"

Pativ's voice boomed like thunder, his laughter full of joy.

He threw off his apron and stepped forward, tightly hugging Li Size. The strength of the embrace made Li Size slightly suffocated. He felt a sense of unfamiliarity and wanted to pull away, yet simultaneously felt a sense of security. His body trembled slightly as he allowed Pativ to hold him.

Li Size calmed his complex emotions, patted his chest, and said helplessly:

"Old Man, my mentor is here too. Today, the mentor came to discuss the procurement matter with us."

"Oh! Hahaha! Teacher, please come in! As for the equipment, that's easy. My old Pat's craftsmanship, no one in Gray Mist Mountain dares claim to be better than me!"

Pativ released Li Size and led the two into the inner room with the fireplace to discuss matters.

Felina explained the Academy's procurement and the contract she discussed with Li Size to Pativ. The contract was written in sorcery ink, and Pativ, completely trusting his son, signed it on the spot.

Since the original plan had changed, Felina urged Li Size to return to the Academy before nightfall, worried that Rice might not play by the rules and try to kill him.

Pativ asked Li Size about his situation at the Academy these past two days, his concern evident. During their conversation, Li Size slowly integrated, and the father and son enjoyed a harmonious time.

Li Size, who had never experienced fatherly love, became somewhat immersed, his eyes moist. He secretly vowed that he absolutely could not let down the mountain-like fatherly love of this iron-willed man.

As if sensing Li Size's thoughts, the sluggish feeling of Transmigration and possession suddenly vanished...

The previously fragmented memories now surfaced one by one as if they were his own. Most were daily interactions between Li Size and Pativ. Fragments of the original host learning sorcery flashed through his mind.

[Remnant Soul actively merged, Mental Energy +0.1. Possible reason analysis: Wish fulfilled.]

This was truly an unexpected joy. Li Size's Mental Energy had increased to 1.9 in just two days, getting closer and closer to the threshold for a Wizard Apprentice.

If his gold coins kept pace, he would reach it soon. He jumped up; the Meditation Method absolutely had to be put on the agenda.

After the meal, Li Size and Pativ discussed the Academy's order:

Pativ needed to gather reliable apprentices and go to the Land Bureau to purchase land to expand the workshop. The few dozen square meters of the blacksmith shop alone would not be enough.

Furthermore, Li Size would need to go to Gele City soon to order sorcery machine tools capable of quickly fabricating sorcery parts.

Finally, Li Size rubbed his hands and brought up the gold coins he had earned. He made up a reason, saying that over the past two days, he had become acquainted with Deputy Director Gelia of the Police Bureau.

She knew a major figure, a sorcery pharmacist in Gele City, and had a channel to buy Gele City's secret Mental Energy enhancement potions.

This type of potion could stably increase the Mental Energy attribute value, helping him reach the requirements for a Wizard Apprentice.

Pativ slapped his thigh and happily agreed, though he frowned, worried about encountering a swindler.

However, upon hearing the title of Deputy Director Gelia of the Police Bureau, and recalling her ability to sense Demonic Energy fluctuations, Pativ was not overly concerned.