The next day, Grimm purchased a large quantity of wands from the Fat Man. He even made a special trip to the third floor of Blackstone Spire, to the hut of the wizard Xinluwu, where he acquired several elemental wands of different attributes that the Fat Man did not carry. 　　Back in the laboratory, Grimm had laid out ten wands before him—fire, water, ice, wood, wind, lightning, earth, light, dark, and life—the most common elemental wands for wizard apprentices. A shared characteristic among these wands was that the sealed magical energy levels all fell between 20 and 30 degrees. 　　This meant that, aside from the Masque of the Formless being immune to energy attacks below 20 degrees, Grimm did not channel any magic power into the Masque. Consequently, any excess energy from the wands' attacks would be absorbed entirely by Grimm. 　　However, even attacks below ten degrees could easily kill Grimm, whose Constitution was only four. Therefore, Grimm had to keep a Life Tree Leaf in his

　　Seventy-ninth Floor of Blackstone Spire, Peranos's Room Hall. 　　Peranos, Valo, Black Cat, Grimm, and a female sorceress sat around a long table. Before each of them lay a massive platter, its contents being the prized ingredient known as the Piaozi Fish—the very creature raised in the laboratory aquarium. 　　"Grimm, this is your master's wife, Alice—Blackstone Spire's renowned gourmet. This Piaozi fish is a premium ingredient she began meticulously raising twenty-five years ago. Today, it serves as her welcome gift to you." Peranos offered an awkward smile, though the grotesque scar stitched across his face made the gesture appear sinister and terrifying. 　　Witch Alice smiled at Grimm, her expression radiating an indescribable charm, though she seldom spoke. 　　This matronly witch bore wavy golden hair, blue-amber eyes, and skin as creamy and fair as milk. Petite in stature, she was a true beauty. The only thing setting her apart from ordinary humans was the mouth that grew on the

　　One week later. 　　Grimm's body was gaunt, weak, and powerless. Even while merely sitting at the lab bench reading, a sheen of cold sweat broke out on his pallid face. His eyes were abnormally bloodshot, and his breathing was labored and weak. 　　Peranos remained indifferent, remarking casually, "It seems oral administration does work faster than respiratory infection. When I infected my lymph nodes under my mentor's guidance, it took three weeks before I developed symptoms like yours." He shook the green vial in his hand. After observing a faint spark of life emerge from the liquid, he handed it to Grimm. 　　Grimm took the vial and swallowed it in one gulp. Instantly, a surge of life energy began to permeate his entire body, somewhat alleviating the overwhelming weakness. 　　Pulling out his crystal ball, Grimm scanned his stats and let out a wry smile. His stamina had already dropped to 2? 　　Peranos shook his head, placing the empty test tube aside. As he scanned the vast text wit

　　Lafey returned a month later, accompanied by Yoric, Yorkiana, Binson, and Robin. 　　Grimm and Lafey's cozy cottage, filled with affection. 　　Probing other wizards' secrets was the most taboo of acts, yet as a lover, Grimm couldn't help but voice concern upon seeing the bandage on Lafey's back, radiating life energy: "Now that you have a mentor, why not diligently study wizardry instead of seeking adventure?" 　　Lafey snorted. "Do you think every wizard is like you—possessing both wisdom, magic stones, and a great mentor? My esteemed mentor has twenty-two disciples. How much attention do you think she'll spare for me? Still, it's fortunate. Though the ancient site Father mentioned was risky, it yielded significant rewards." 　　Seeing Lafey's face aglow with excitement as he fiddled with a golden key, Grimm could say little more. He gently pulled Lafey into his embrace. 　　... 　　When Mentor Peranos returned from the Seventh Ring Holy Tower, three dazed humanoid creatures appeared be

Ever since recalling the Maggot-Snail that had been steeping in the Blood of the Sun's Scion back into his body, Grimm had been nurturing it with all his focus. A strange, indescribable sensation—a fusion of ecstasy and agony—had been growing within him.The ecstasy was undeniable. Grimm was astounded to find his affinity for fire element manipulation increasing at an absurd rate. He could even faintly sense the untamed fire energy drifting through the natural world—a capability that belonged solely to full-fledged Sorcerers!A crystal ball hovered in the air. Grimm casually cast a Firebird spell, amplified by a nine-fold leverage multiplier.BOOM!A wave of blistering heat washed past. Grimm beckoned the crystal ball back. As he sensed the recorded attack potency, he couldn't suppress a gasp of shock. "It actually reached 118 degrees of energy!"His current spiritual force was at 29 points, with a mana pool ranging from 280 to 301. His maximum single-attack mana expenditure was betw