Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, early October had arrived.

  It had been just over a month since Pierce entered The Spire Academy. Since accepting the commission for Garden No. 8, his life had become a steady rhythm of meditation, library research, and tending to the bizarre flora in the garden. Though busy, it was a life of profound fulfillment. More importantly, his prowess was advancing in a steady, calculated progression.

  In his living room, Pierce gazed at the data projected by the Omniscient Eye, letting out a long, satisfied breath.

  Host: Pierce

  Spirit: 14.24

  Physique: 5.10

  Task 1: Improving Mage Hand. Estimated remaining time: 22 days, 15 hours, 23 minutes.

  Task 2: Improving Luminescence of Flora. Estimated remaining time: 20 days, 13 hours, 34 minutes.

  During this interval, as soon as his spiritual power fully recovered, he immediately commanded an acceleration, aggressively driving the analytical process of his Will Runes. Every three to four days on average, he successfully constructed a new rune within his mental sea. Just moments ago, the Omniscient Eye had finally completed the analysis of Will Rune No. 6.

  At this point, Pierce had fulfilled half of the criteria for an advancement to Rank 2 Wizard Apprentice.

  "Now, I simply wait for my spirit to reach 18 points. Once I cross that threshold, I can officially ascend to Rank 2." A faint smile touched Pierce's lips.

  Only yesterday, he had gathered with the members of the Astra Society. From their conversation, he learned that even the gifted Shaun had only recently completed his fourth rune. Others, like Valeria or Vincent, were still struggling with their third. It was no exaggeration to say that Pierce had left his peers far behind. Even looking across the entire freshman class, his progress was undeniably within the top tier.

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  "A pity I cannot yet construct Rune No. 7; otherwise, reaching 18 points would be trivial." Pierce felt a slight pang of regret.

  Compared to the first six runes, the structure of Will Rune No. 7 was exponentially more complex. Without sufficient spiritual depth, attempting its construction was impossible. The recognized safe threshold for such a feat was precisely 18 points of Spirit. In other words, until he advanced to Rank 2, his rune construction had reached a temporary plateau.

  "My daily meditation currently yields an increase of 0.18 Spirit. I should reach the bottleneck by the end of October."

  Pierce nodded to himself, his plans already forming. This fallow period would not go to waste. He could funnel his surplus spiritual power into the analysis and optimization of spell models.

  "Omniscience, begin analyzing the framework of Will Rune No. 7," he commanded internally.

  【Task created. Analyzing Will Rune No. 7. Estimated time: 23 days.】

  "Expend remaining spirit to accelerate the improvement of Luminescence of Flora."

  A familiar wave of hollow exhaustion washed over him. Rubbing his aching temples, Pierce checked the updated status.

  【Task 2: Improving Luminescence of Flora. Estimated remaining time: 14 days, 15 hours, 34 minutes.】

  The decision to prioritize this spell was twofold: it would reduce the daily mana drain of garden maintenance, and more importantly, the Omniscient Eye had revealed a potential evolution—Fine Growth Control. When paired with specific vine-type seeds, this utility spell could be transformed into a lethal entanglement trap. In combat, such an unexpected control mechanism was often more valuable than raw destructive force.

  "Until I reach Rank 3 and gain access to Rank 1 spells, my combat options remain limited. Every hidden card increases my chances of survival."

  Pierce rose and donned his traveler's cloak, heading toward the Logistics Department.

  The payment for his first cycle at the medicinal garden had arrived. Combined with his other income, his coffers were significantly heavier. Yet, a wizard's expenses were equally staggering. The daily consumption of a single Spirit-Infused Grass leaf alone was a drain on his finances. After accounting for essential costs, he had only 40 contribution points and roughly 10 gold coins remaining—barely enough for two basic spell models.

  About half an hour later, Pierce stepped into the Logistics office. The room was dim and desolate, as always. A white-haired elder was hunched over a mountain of paperwork.

  "Administrator, I wish to exchange for the spell models of Acid Splash and Fatigue Touch." Pierce said respectfully.

  The elder didn't look up, his withered finger tapping the desk. "40 gold coins."

  "Credits," Pierce replied, handing over his apprentice badge.

  With a casual flick of his finger, the elder drew 40 specks of white light from the badge into his palm. Then, two leather-bound tomes drifted from the mahogany shelves and floated toward Pierce.

  Pierce caught the books, his eyes narrowing slightly. That was Silent Casting—the technique of releasing spells without vocal components. It was a high-level skill, usually the hallmark of an Official Wizard.

  "If I use the Omniscient Eye, I might be able to master Silent Casting by Rank 3." Pierce suppressed the excitement in his chest and took his leave.

  As he crossed the threshold, he encountered a group of five or six apprentices. They brushed past one another. Pierce, his mind already occupied with his next magical experiment, paid them no heed.

  However, after a few steps, the leader of the group—a tall youth with a sickly pale complexion—suddenly stopped. He squinted at Pierce's retreating figure.

  "Shaun, what's wrong?" one of his companions asked.

  The youth known as Silas did not answer. He merely stared at Pierce's back, a shadow of suspicion and cold curiosity crossing his face.