Hmm? This pastry tastes pretty good.
Carl's gaze shifted downward, and he pinched another piece, bringing it to his mouth.
Where there are people, there are circles; it's indeed true. Today seems like a gathering, but Modili is actually pulling together connections for himself, for his tutor.
The Swamp Alliance was just established, and there are no obvious factions yet. Could Modili want to start one?
It seems there are already factions. Those who came today are people I've either seen or heard of. So, has Hibell already joined the faction of Modili's tutor?
As his thoughts raced, Carl's eyes flickered. He unexpectedly spotted a familiar face in the corner.
He, despite having no Wizard Talent, had also come to this gathering.
Bunian sat next to a female Wizard Apprentice, diligently attending to her food and drink.
The two of them were acting affectionately, their bodies almost touching, whispering softly to each other from time to time.
A man with a dejected aura beside him turned his head.
"I'm Bach, an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice with not much of a future."
"Carl," Carl said, raising his glass in greeting.
"You're Bach? The Bloodline Wizard who helps people transform their bodies?"
"Did you also hear that from Bunian?"
"That's right," Carl smiled.
He hadn't chosen this seat randomly; it was precisely because of Bach beside him.
"Speaking of which, back in Sigerno City, I knew a Wizard Apprentice who also followed the Bloodline Wizard path."
Carl spoke in a low voice, "Unfortunately, the Kolong people's army stormed the city, and he was killed as a result."
"Is that so?" Bach paused.
"That Wizard's legacy..."
"Sigerno City has fallen. His legacy must be in the Kolong people's hands," Carl said. Seeing the look of regret on the other's face, he added, "However, I found a 'Guide to Transformation Techniques' amid the chaos of war. It must have been one of his books."
"A 'Guide to Transformation Techniques'?" Bach's eyes lit up.
"Of course," Carl said.
"Apprentice Bach, I'm actually very interested in the Bloodline Wizard path."
"Hmm?" Bach raised his eyebrows, his eyes flickering.
He wasn't foolish and clearly understood Carl's intentional implication. However, the 'Guide to Transformation Techniques' was also very important to him.
"What do you want? Magic Stones? If it's the complete version of the 'Guide to Transformation Techniques,' I'm willing to offer five Magic Stones to acquire it."
"No, no!" Carl shook his head.
"As I said, I'm very interested in the Bloodline Wizard path. You can trade 'Gamp's Laws of Transformation' for it."
A great Bloodline Wizard. His Gamp's Laws of Transformation are the general principles for Bloodline Wizards.
Nothing can be created from nothing!
Quantity cannot be altered!
Magic Items cannot be transformed!
Wizard Gamp made outstanding contributions to promoting the Bloodline Wizard path, and most Bloodline Wizard lineages within the Gando Kingdom are related to him.
"You actually know about 'Gamp's Laws of Transformation'? It seems you know a lot about Bloodline Wizards."
Bach snorted and said, "Unfortunately, the book's owner is my tutor, Jin. I can't sell it without his permission."
"I see..." Carl frowned and sighed.
"That's a real shame!"
"It's alright. Even if we can't trade knowledge, I'm still glad to have met you, Apprentice Bach."
"It's not entirely impossible..." Bach looked at Carl, lowering his voice.
"When studying Bloodline Wizard witchcraft, I habitually take notes. I can trade my notes for your 'Guide to Transformation Techniques'."
"Notes?" Carl chuckled lightly.
"I wonder if your notes contain anything from 'Gamp's Laws of Transformation'?"
"They do," Bach said.
"I definitely won't disappoint you. If you're worried, we can go to the Alliance for notarization."
Bach was clearly planning an indirect deal. He couldn't trade the book directly, but including its content in his notes apparently didn't count as a direct trade.
Carl carried a thick stack of 'notes' and placed them on his desk.
Just by briefly flipping through them, he realized he might have stumbled upon a treasure and gotten a real bargain.
Robert's Bloodline Wizard legacy, aside from lacking the critical Stone Heart, was comprehensive.
It even included how to become an Official Wizard.
Unfortunately, the lengthy text was very challenging for Carl to study, as he lacked any foundation in Bloodline Wizardry.
In contrast, Bach's study notes, while appearing disorganized and seemingly intended to obscure certain key information, were perfectly suited for a beginner.
The various piecemeal descriptions, quoting this and that, actually helped Carl gain a deeper understanding of the Bloodline Wizard path.
Many things he had previously found confusing now had answers.
Transformation and changing... they are actually entirely different paths. I was wrong before.
"Turn a match into a needle!"
Holding a matchstick, he performed the transformation trick.
The match in his hand flickered lightly and, visible to the naked eye, sharpened into a fine, pointed needle.
However, it only lasted for a very short time. As his spiritual power receded, the fine needle turned back into a matchstick.
True teaching can be conveyed in a single sentence, while false teachings fill countless books. Sometimes, without a little guidance, you can wrack your brains over a problem and never figure it out.
This deal was definitely not a loss!
With the aid of Potions, Carl's Wizard cultivation progressed rapidly, his spiritual power increasing daily.
However, perhaps it was due to his improved Cultivation, or perhaps because the Potion of Light of Wisdom itself was rather special. In any case, the Potions he acquired from the Swamp Alliance were noticeably less effective than the Potion of Light of Wisdom.