After Duke crawled up to the shore, he didn't put on the robe from his Space Ring, walking along the sandy beach bare-chested, wearing only shorts.

He glanced at the Skill Tree; the proficiency in Underwater Breathing had increased significantly.

But now there were already many skills on the Skill Tree, a bunch of skills waiting for him to grind the proficiency up.

[Deep Blue Tide Meditation Technique: Level 2 (678/1500)]

[Wizard's Mark: Level 2 (178/300)]

[Water Arrow Technique: Level 1 (81/100)]

[Water Shield Technique: Level 1 (75/100)]

[Underwater Breathing: Level 1 (421/500)]

...

Looking at this string of skills, Duke didn't plan to learn any other magic in the short term.

Just these spells were going to take him a lot of time to grind proficiency, and learning new spells would leave him without the time and energy to improve.

Duke found that today's underwater training was quite effective. The sea was a very good environment for him, almost equivalent to an alternative cultivation room.

He just needed to be cautious, not to stray too far from the shore, in case he encountered some sea monsters.

Duke did not know which region of the sea Black Sail was located, but he could be sure that it was definitely located in the vast ocean.

There were definitely some boundary lines around, where Witch Arrays were set, making it difficult for outsiders to enter, and for insiders to row out using ordinary boats.

Trying to swim out from the bottom of the sea within Black Sail's range was even more impossible; there were likely terrifying giant creatures guarding the boundary areas.

Duke walked back to the dormitory bare-chested, with water stains on his body, the sunlight spilling down, making the muscles on his body glitter.

His physique was much better than most Wizard Apprentices, and his stamina hadn't been greatly exhausted despite staying in the sea for so long.

It was just that there was little Magic Power left, so to avoid some possible dangers, he didn't continue staying there.

With Duke's physique, he could dive very deep into the sea, which was also his advantage.

Additionally, with the aid of Fighting Spirit, his physique surpassed that of ordinary Wizard Apprentices.

Most Wizard Apprentices on Academy Island had not practiced Breathing Techniques, nor did they possess the physique of a Great Knight.

If these Wizard Apprentices exhausted their Magic Power and Spiritual Power, Duke could crush them as easily as he would a chick just with physical strength.

However, Wizards generally wouldn't let themselves fall into such dire straits, often carrying some supplies for contingencies.

Magic Stones had such a function; Wizards could absorb the energy from Magic Stones to quickly replenish Magic Power and recover.

It's just that this method was too extravagant, and generally not used.

When Duke got back to the dormitory area, he didn't expect Hanna to also just return, carrying some things in her hands.

He took a closer look: they were two pairs of brand-new black stockings, styled a bit differently, seemingly lace-edged, and one pair seemed to have an opening...

When Hanna saw Duke, her eyes lit up, drawn by Duke's perfect muscle lines.

Duke's physique was enhanced by the Skill Tree, nearly reaching the limit of human aesthetics, perfectly balanced and very healthy.

After exchanging greetings, they only chatted briefly before heading upstairs, Duke sensed Hanna was constantly looking at him.

When they reached the door, Hanna suddenly said, "Duke, I've bought two new pairs of stockings and want to try them on. Can you come in and see how they look?"

"No need." Duke shook his head in refusal.

Hanna quickly said, "Don't misunderstand, I'm not trying to make a sale to you. If it's you, I can offer it for free..."

Duke rolled his eyes, unable to understand what was on this woman's mind, and directly went inside and closed the door.

Hanna stood at the door, pouted, feeling somewhat aggrieved.

She looked down at her body and touched her face, for the first time doubting whether her charm had diminished, being rejected so decisively.

Duke's mind right now was focused on grinding proficiency; a ton of skills were waiting for him to level up.

More importantly, the complicated relationship with the woman next door was too much trouble, getting involved with her could easily cause problems, which was unnecessary.

If Duke really wanted to relieve some desire, it would be better to go into town, where he'd only need to spend money without worrying about any trouble.

But now, training and cultivation from morning to night left no energy for such matters.

...

Three days later.

Duke heard from Simon that someone in Zone C of the accommodation area had died inexplicably in their sleep, without any wounds on the body, with no cause of death found.

If it were just this, it would be fine, but this was already the third such death this month, all dying in the same way, in their sleep.

Simon said through the Wizard's Mark: "This matter has not yet drawn attention from above, no Official Wizard has come to investigate. But there's certainly lurking something in the housing area, we all must be careful, so as not to become sacrifices."

Duke understood the meaning of the sacrifices Simon referred to; if the number of deaths in the housing area continued to increase, it would eventually draw an investigation by an Official Wizard.

All they could do was try not to get into trouble before then, not to become one of those dead people.

Duke always knew that Academy Island wasn't safe. Besides those three who died in their sleep, it wasn't uncommon to find wizard apprentices' corpses along the sea.

No one knew how they died; might have been murdered or attacked by sea monsters.

These Wizard Apprentices mostly had no background, and the ones above wouldn't expend much effort to investigate thoroughly; they died, and were simply crossed off Black Sail's list.

Duke kept to himself, hardly clashing with others, which was how he remained unscathed.

Yet whether this situation could continue, he was unsure.

Duke realized he needed to speed up, to produce Shadow Water as soon as possible, at least to ensure he had enough combat power.

Currently, he only had some strength when in the sea.

Others weren't foolish either; Duke couldn't exactly tell them to let's have a fight in the water.

On land, his Water Arrow Technique would hardly pose a threat to other Wizard Apprentices, and he still needed the aid of Shadow Water.

After making some preparations, Duke decided to officially enter the sea, diving deep to capture the Shadow Squid.

Through these days of intensely grinding proficiency, he had also enhanced Underwater Breathing Technique, Water Arrow Technique, and Water Shield Technique to Level 2, not far from Level 3.

Duke originally planned to fully level up before capturing the Shadow Squid, which would be more assured.

But the current situation made him realize not everything will let him prepare thoroughly, he needed to quicken his pace.

Duke purchased several basic medicinal items, checked the items in his Space Ring, and after confirming everything, headed to the seaside.

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