Duke deduced that the level of the Deep Blue Tide Meditation Technique should be sixteen or seventeen.

During this period, he also maxed out the levels of the Mountain Magic Potion and White Orchid Antidote Potion, gaining two free attribute points.

The White Orchid Antidote Potion even acquired a trait called "Immune to Hundred Poisons."

[Immune to Hundred Poisons: The detoxification effect of the White Orchid Antidote Potion you make is greatly enhanced, and the types of poisons it can neutralize have increased.]

Duke felt that this trait was quite useful, as the increased detoxification effect would not only fetch a higher price for sale but also make it more convenient for personal use.

However, he wasn't sure exactly what types of poison the trait covered, as the Skill Tree didn't provide clear information, so Duke would have to experiment slowly to find out.

As for the four Earth Magic spells, they were still not at max level, and Duke found that increasing proficiency in Earth Magic was even more difficult than he anticipated.

Despite consuming quite a few Basic Magic Recovery Potions, he only made some progress.

[Physique: 15.2]

[Strength: 16]

[Agility: 15.2]

[Spirit: 26.9]

[Free Attribute Points: 4]

Duke glanced at the attributes on the Skill Tree, noting that he had accumulated four free attribute points and his Spiritual Power had reached 26.9.

This was achieved through grinding several skills, gaining Spiritual Power attributes from level-ups, and some increase from personal Meditation Practice.

Duke allocated all four free attribute points to Spiritual Power.

[Spirit: 26.9->30.9]

This upgrade brought a very noticeable enhancement, and Duke could feel that the space for Spiritual Power in his mind expanded again.

The amount of Magic Power his body could store also increased significantly, about one-third more than before.

The four points of Spiritual Power Duke increased were based on the base attribute of 26.9, and progressing at this level was very challenging.

Many Wizard Apprentices with average aptitude were stuck at this threshold for a long time, often requiring special means to boost their Spiritual Power.

If adequate resources were available, the hurdle could be relatively easily overcome by simply accumulating resources to boost Spiritual Power.

Duke relied on the Skill Tree and used free attribute points to cross this step.

He continued to dedicate himself to increasing proficiency, eager to max out the level of Earth Magic spells as soon as possible.

Just a few days later, however, a piece of news disrupted his peaceful period of development.

...

The examination for Second-class Wizard Apprentice was about to commence, scheduled to start in just half a month.

This time, the preparation period was even more rushed than the last, for which they were given at least a month's notice.

Once Duke learned this news, he immediately began to prepare.

Now that he had acquired a larger Space Ring, he could bring substantially more items.

First off, he prepared food and fresh water; although he usually didn't need to prepare water, one never knows the nature of the examination. Should he be unable to use Magic to conjure water, he would have to rely on the reserves in the Space Ring.

Duke always prioritized food and water, ensuring basic survival before considering anything else.

He took stock of his magic stones, finding only three thousand nine hundred pieces on hand.

Despite having sold quite a few magic potions lately, he hadn't saved much; his personal cultivation consumed a considerable amount of magic stones.

Duke returned to the Broken Cauldron Alchemy Shop, intending to purchase some Alchemy Creations for preparation.

He planned to acquire some offensive-type Alchemy Creations to diversify his attack methods.

White from the Broken Cauldron Alchemy Shop recommended a demonized item named Poisonous Snake Spike to Duke.

This was a ring inlaid with an emerald, enchanted with a powerful subordinate spell.

The energy level of Poisonous Snake Spike reached nineteen degrees, which was quite rare for a subordinate spell.

The key aspect of this spell was its potent corrosive capability; once an enemy was hit, they would be engulfed by corrosive energy that continuously eroded the enemy.

If not treated promptly, the entire body could be corroded into a pool of blood.

Duke was immediately drawn to this powerful demonized item and bought it for one thousand seven hundred magic stones.

Additionally, White warmly recommended a new product recently developed in the shop, the Magma Bomb.

This was an Alchemy Creation that could be detonated using Spiritual Power or Magic Power, with an explosive energy strength reaching fifteen degrees.

The Magma Bomb could be thrown and detonated at will or used for targeted blasting according to the user's intentions.

Upon exploding, the bomb would unleash extreme heat capable of melting ordinary rock, thus earning its name.

Fifteen degrees of energy strength is already quite high, and most First-class Wizard Apprentices find it difficult to perform spells of such intensity.

The most powerful spell Duke himself could use was the Water Arrow Technique, which wielded an energy strength of only fourteen degrees.

However, now that his Spiritual Power had increased, the strength of the Water Arrow Technique had also increased, though he had not yet tested exactly how much, estimating roughly sixteen degrees.

This was because he had combined the saliva of the Three-headed Dog into the mixture, allowing the Water Arrow Technique to reach such a level.

Ordinary Wizard Apprentices did not have such conditions.

The Magma Bomb further underscored the importance of Alchemy, allowing one to unleash massive destructive power with minimal strength.

However, the prerequisite is wealth; each fist-sized Magma Bomb costs a hefty one hundred fifty magic stones.

Duke pondered for a long while and eventually decided to purchase five, leaving him with only seven to eight hundred magic stones.

For him, these Magma Bombs were only for emergencies and not to be used in everyday battles.

Having an additional means at a critical moment is always beneficial.

As for magic potions, Duke did not lack them; he often received a variety of magic potions when helping Hela, usually the extra batches beyond order requirements.

Accumulating over time, the various magic potions in Duke's Space Ring increased significantly.

Duke then met with Simon and the others, discussing certain matters.

In Simon's original small group, only three members had advanced to Second-class Wizard Apprentices, while the others remained Third-class Wizard Apprentices.

For this examination, only Simon, Anli, and Abel, along with Duke, were taking the Second-class Wizard Apprentice exam—a total of four individuals.

Duke also learned that there was no news yet about the Third-class Wizard Apprentice exams, with only the Second-class Wizard Apprentice exams scheduled to begin.

He heard from Simon that, based on past experience, the Second-class Wizard Apprentice exams were not simple and were considerably more difficult than the Third-class Wizard Apprentice exams.

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