4: Breakthrough to Level 2 Mage

Sitting in the center of the meditation room, Brian took a deep breath, allowing his mind to completely calm down.

He slowly closed his eyes, entering a meditative state, and summoned the second perfect spherical orb, which he had just finished meditating on, in his Spirit Sea.

He began to mobilize his spiritual power to outline the runic lines of the Second-Rank Teleportation Technique on the surface of the orb.

His spiritual power, like a delicate paintbrush, slowly moved across the surface of the orb, each line condensing his focus and anticipation.

When the last line was completed, the entire rune instantly burst forth with dazzling light, and a powerful spiritual fluctuation emanated from the orb.

Brian knew that the Second-Rank Teleportation Technique rune had been successfully inscribed onto the sphere.

At this moment, he only needed to fuse the two spheres with Spirit Fire to break through to Second-level Mage.

He suppressed his excitement, letting his mind completely calm down.

At the critical moment of breakthrough, there could be no trace of impatience or distraction.

Half an hour later, he once again concentrated his spiritual power and summoned the Spirit Fire.

The pale blue flame danced in his Spirit Sea, emanating a warm and powerful energy.

Brian focused his Spirit Control, slowly moving the Spirit Fire closer to the two perfect spherical orbs covered with runes.

When the Spirit Fire touched the first sphere, the sphere began to tremble slightly, and the runic light intensified.

Immediately after, the Spirit Fire enveloped the entire sphere, beginning to fuse and refine it.

Brian could clearly feel the power within the sphere undergoing earth-shattering changes; the originally loose spiritual power gradually became dense and powerful under the scorching of the Spirit Fire.

As the fusion and refinement of the first sphere neared completion, the Spirit Fire quickly turned to the second sphere.

The same process unfolded again, and the second sphere also began to transform under the embrace of the Spirit Fire.

Time passed minute by minute, and Brian was fully immersed in this breakthrough battle.

Finally, when the second sphere was also completely fused and refined by the Spirit Fire,

he brought the two refined spiritual spheres together.

With the collision, the spiritual power fluctuated rapidly, and gradually the two spiritual spheres fused together under the action of the Spirit Fire.

Upon complete fusion, a flash of intense spiritual fluctuation passed, followed by complete calm.

Powerful spiritual energy emanated within Brian's mind.

He knew that he had successfully broken through to Second-level Mage.

Before he could fully savor the feeling brought by the breakthrough,

Brian struck while the iron was hot, inscribing the three core Second-level spiritual runes: Spirit Fire, Spirit Stabilization, and Spirit Control.

The inscription process went very smoothly; with his rich prior experience, Brian operated with fluid ease.

When the last Spirit Control rune was completed, he clearly felt his mastery over spiritual power reach a new height.

The spiritual power that previously required conscious guidance now moved as if an extension of his arm, like a part of his body.

Brian opened his eyes, emotions of excitement and exhilaration continuously appearing on his face.

He tried to mobilize his spiritual power, and the surrounding magical elements seemed to respond to a summons, quickly gathering towards him.

This powerful affinity for magical elements was an experience he only gained after becoming a Second-level Mage.

He stood up, stretched his limbs, and could feel his body also becoming lighter and stronger.

As for compressing and refining his magic power to the Second-level magic power, that could wait until tomorrow!

I've worked so hard today, can't I get some rest?

Stepping out of the meditation room, Brian came to the top floor of the Mage Tower, overlooking his pioneering territory.

Under his efforts, this land was gradually prospering.

Now that he had become a Second-level Mage, it would surely become even better and more prosperous.

Three days later, when Brian walked out of the meditation room, he had already completed all the inscriptions for the first spiritual sphere.

In addition to the three cores, he had also inscribed Second-level Clone Technique, Second-level Magic Shield, and Second-level Lightning Technique.

The magic power in his body had also completed its transformation; thanks to the physical characteristics granted by his good son, the amount of magic power in his body was twice that of a normal Second-level Mage.

And his physical level had also completed its evolution; a Second-level physique could grant a lifespan of 200 years.

I haven't checked on the territory's situation for so many days; I should go find the butler to understand the situation first.

Oh, and I also need to go see Alice.

Hmm, I'll go see Alice first.

Two hours later, after seeing his wife, Brian summoned the butler Gude in the castle study.

Brian calmly said to the butler Gude, "Gude, report the territory's situation to me."

Gude bowed slightly, his expression respectful as he began to report:

"Lord, the agricultural development of the territory is currently proceeding very smoothly. The planted crops, based on estimated yield, can already cover the food needs of more than ten thousand residents of the territory with some surplus."

Brian was very satisfied that the territory could be self-sufficient, nodded slightly, and then asked:

"Hmm, good, the territory can finally be self-sufficient. How is the territory's defense? Have there been any suspicious movements recently?"

Gude's expression became serious:

"Currently, there are 60 knights in the territory, organized into 6 small teams, including 50 junior knights, 9 intermediate knights, and 1 senior knight. The territory's defensive strength has been continuously reinforced, and patrol teams have increased their frequency and range of patrols. The area near the Zhongnan Mountain Range, close to the castle, is our key surveillance area, constantly guarding against magical beasts from the mountain range causing trouble."

"Very good, defense work must not be slackened in the slightest. After all, we are a pioneering territory, not in the imperial interior, and need to guard against enemies who might invade at any time. Especially the Zhongnan Mountain Range, the port, and the territory's towns are the top priorities for defense."

Brian also somewhat seriously instructed Gude.

Gude respectfully replied, "Yes, my Lord, I will instruct the Knight Order of the territory to patrol the territory's situation well."

After listening to Gude's report, Brian had a clearer understanding of the territory's development.

He stood up and patted Gude's shoulder, expressing his satisfaction with Gude's work: "You've done very well, keep it up."

Gude complimented Brian, saying, "You flatter me, Lord. These are all things I should do. I believe that under your leadership, the territory will become increasingly prosperous."

Although Brian knew that Gude was complimenting him, people always like to be flattered!

Otherwise, why were so many high officials in ancient times such flatterers?

"Hmm, Gude, you are very good." Brian encouraged Gude, then looked at a map on the right wall of the study.

This was a map showing the full view of Tengfei Island.