Necromantic Dust?
In Heicheng, it's called Soul Powder.
What it's called didn't really matter; from Hibell's expression, Carl could guess that this substance was highly valued among Wizards.
Carl was invigorated. It wasn't a waste to make a special trip and collect so many items; he had finally found something useful.
"Necromantic Dust generally appears on undead creatures. Mixed with honey, purple lotus, and crystal shards, it creates a Potion that can enhance spiritual power."
Hibell's beautiful eyes twinkled. "Do you still have Necromantic Dust at your house?"
"Um…" Carl hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Yes."
"How much?"
About twice what's here, I guess?
He wasn't very sure. He had grabbed a handful casually when he came and didn't remember the exact amount.
"Twice?" Hibell stood up, her voice excited. "Sell it all to me. I won't charge today's tuition or appraisal fees. What do you think?"
"Senior Sister," Carl didn't decide right away but asked, "Is this stuff very important to you?"
"This…" Hibell's voice paused. Then she nodded. "A Potion that can enhance spiritual power is very important for every Wizard Apprentice, myself included."
"Because of the Church's existence, undead creatures are very rare in this world. Consequently, Necromantic Dust is also rare, so I can't help but get a bit excited."
She wasn't lying. Nor was there any need to lie. These were all basic knowledge in the Wizard World, things Carl would eventually find out.
"Senior Sister," Carl said, "I can give you the items, but I'd rather not offset the tuition fee."
"Oh!" Hibell's eyes sparkled. "Then what would you like?"
"This…" Carl tentatively began, "Witchcraft?"
"Impossible," Hibell shook her head. "Not to mention, you haven't even mastered the Meditation Method yet and can't learn witchcraft. Besides, this Necromantic Dust is far from being worth that much."
Hmm…
"However, I do have a trick. I wonder if you'd be interested?"
"A trick?" Carl straightened up. "What is a trick?"
"You can think of it as a rather simple Zero-Circle Magic. The trick I can teach you is called the Light Technique."
Hibell's voice fell as she stretched out her index finger and gently tapped forward.
Her fingers were slender and white, like perfect sections of bamboo shoots—truly a work of art. Yet, what was most captivating was their tips.
A flicker of light gathered at the tip and then suddenly burst open. The blinding white light made Carl involuntarily close his eyes.
It was just a moment. Everything was as it was before.
"This is the Light Technique," Hibell said. "Without preparation, it can affect your vision and slightly weaken shadow creatures. If controlled steadily, it can also continuously illuminate the darkness."
Light Technique?
Carl stroked his chin. This trick wasn't powerful. If an opponent was prepared, it could even be said to be completely ineffective. However, it could be startling if encountered unexpectedly.
And…
It seemed quite suitable for the gloomy environment of Heicheng. He clapped his hands lightly. "Deal!"
Hibell pursed her lips and smiled. The Light Technique was of no value to her, but trading it for key ingredients for Potions that enhance spiritual power was a good deal for her as well.
"Senior Sister," Carl asked again, "Could I learn to refine Potions?"
"Of course, no problem," Hibell provided a definite answer. "The tutor's major is Potion Studies. How could his students not know about Potions?"
"But…"
"You know."
He certainly knew.
Knowledge was something you had to pay for.
He just hadn't expected learning about Potions in the Wizard World to be so expensive. It was even more complex than learning about lesser spell force fields.
General Knowledge of Plants, Low-level Enchantment Medicines, Biological Explanations, and even Anatomy and so forth…
These books were essential introductory texts for Potion Studies. Each was as thick as a dictionary and not cheap, costing from one to several Gold Coins.
Additionally, attending a class required separate payment.
By the time Carl left the estate, his pockets were utterly empty. The wealth he had acquired in the Otherworld had been drained, and he even had to borrow money for the carriage fare.
His expression was extremely grim. Fortunately, his gains were substantial.
Just like with a lower-level spell field, learning the Light Technique also required certain prerequisites: 'Basic Principles of Light,' 'Eight Elements of a Stable Light Source,' and 'Arcane Principles.' However, he had already studied Arcane Principles, which would save some time.
Many principles of witchcraft are universal; therefore, once one masters one form of witchcraft, learning others becomes much smoother. Carl set down the books and picked up a Crystal Ball that was beside him.
He had bought it from Hibell, spending half of his savings on it. For an enchanted item, it was quite a bargain.
It could be used three times. After three uses, it would automatically become scrap.
There were also Crystal Balls that could be used almost indefinitely, like the one Hibell had, but they were not something a few Gold Coins could buy; they required Magic Stones for trade.
The witchcraft spell imbued within the Crystal Ball was the Investigation Technique, which could help the holder to thoroughly understand their own condition.
The Crystal Ball, the size of a human head, was not heavy. It probably wasn't solid inside, as he could see ripple-like undulations similar to water.
Investigation Technique?
Carl composed himself and, following the method Hibell had taught him, held his breath and focused, placing his hands on the Crystal Ball.
He uttered strange syllables: "Hmm... Ooo..."
The next instant, Carl's body shivered as he felt a faint, warm current emerge from the Crystal Ball, flowing towards his limbs and body.
The warm current came quickly and left just as swiftly. It receded back into the Crystal Ball in the blink of an eye. The interior of the Crystal Ball also changed; various colors appeared within the originally clear water, fluctuating continuously.
Based on the different colors, one could analyze corresponding data.
"Constitution: Level One. spiritual power: Level One and a Half. Witchcraft Talent: Level Four…"
Hmm.
After giving it some thought, Carl took the Crystal Ball to the Divine Domain.
He was curious if the results of the Investigation Technique would differ here.
"Hmm... Ooo..."
From atop an ancient, mystical seat, Carl uttered the syllables. Before the Crystal Ball could produce results, a strange feeling preemptively surged in his heart.
It seemed... that in this Divine Domain, he already possessed the ability to investigate?
His eyes flickered. He gently raised his hand and, guided by some instinct hidden deep within his soul, gently waved forward.
WHOOSH!
The stars converged in front of him, forming a screen.
Name: Carl (Master of the Divine Domain Fragment)
Constitution: 0.77
spiritual power: 0.96
Source Material: 0
Occupation: Knight Attendant, Wizard Apprentice (uninitiated)
"It actually works!"
The attempt yielded a response. Unlike the vague rankings given by the Crystal Ball, the Divine Domain provided clearer, more precise numerical values with additional details.
However, instead of talent levels, there was an inexplicable Source Material.
Master of the Divine Domain Fragment?
Here, Carl's mind remained undisturbed by the slightest ripple, possessed only by absolute reason. Hence, there were no emotions like excitement or agitation, only calm analysis.
That means this place is a fragment of some Divine Domain. Since it is a fragment, it must have been whole at one point.
Being the master of the fragment...
If I could obtain other fragments, could I become the master of the Divine Domain?
What exactly is the Divine Domain? Is the Master of the Divine Domain a Divine? Or is there some relation to Divines?
Since these questions couldn't be answered, he decided not to dwell on them. However, he was certain that the Divine Domain Fragment had other abilities yet to be explored.
Just like this time. If he hadn't brought the Crystal Ball here, Carl would never have known that within this Divine Domain Fragment, his capabilities could be displayed before him in a data-like fashion.
Concise, clear, and easily understood.
Back in reality, Carl suppressed his fluctuating emotions and habitually attempted to practice the Visualization Technique before sleeping.
This time, whether it was because he had been building capacity for a breakthrough or it was simply the natural progression of things, he succeeded in one go.
Visualization Technique, initiated!