The night was quiet.
Moonlight filtered through the window, casting a pale glow across Ivan's room.
After finishing his last cultivation session, Ivan did not immediately rest. Instead, he remained seated on the bed, breathing slowly and maintaining the rhythm of the Crimson Heart Breathing Method.
The warmth inside his body had not completely faded.
The effects of the medicine were still active, lingering deep within his muscles and blood.
After stabilizing his breath and allowing the circulation to settle, Ivan slowly opened his eyes.
"NOVA," he said softly.
"Analyze my current physical indicators. Also evaluate the effects of the medicine."
"Yes, Master."
A familiar blue light swept across his body.
This time, the scan lingered longer than usual, moving carefully from his chest to his limbs, then returning to his core, recording every subtle change.
A few seconds passed.
"Analysis complete," Nova reported.
"The auxiliary medicine's active effects last approximately three hours."
Ivan nodded slightly. That matched what he felt.
"And during that time?" he asked.
"During its active period," Nova continued,
"cultivation and meditation refining efficiency is increased by approximately two times."
Ivan froze.
"…Two times?"
"Yes, Master."
For a moment, Ivan did not speak.
Then his eyes lit up.
Two times efficiency.
Combined with the Crimson Heart Breathing Method, the result was terrifying.
"If I take this medicine every day…" Ivan muttered, his thoughts racing,
"I could reach Lower Knight extremely fast."
In his mind, the path ahead became clearer.
Strength meant survival.
Survival meant security.
Then—
"NOVA," Ivan asked, "can I take this medicine every day?"
There was a short pause.
Then Nova replied calmly.
"Master, daily consumption is not recommended."
Ivan's excitement halted instantly.
"…Why?"
"Frequent consumption would cause medicinal residue to accumulate in your body," Nova explained.
"Although your refinement speed is high, excessive residue may destabilize Knight Seed formation."
Ivan frowned.
"In such a scenario," Nova continued,
"a bottleneck may form during your breakthrough to Lower Knight, preventing successful advancement."
It felt like cold water had been poured over his head.
Ivan let out a quiet sigh.
"So I can't rush it."
"Correct," Nova said.
"For optimal results, consumption is recommended once every two days."
Ivan relaxed slightly.
"At least that's still fast."
"Yes," Nova replied.
"For a normal knight apprentice, complete absorption would require approximately seven days."
Ivan raised an eyebrow.
"And for me?"
"With system assistance," Nova answered,
"absorption is completed in two days."
Ivan smiled faintly.
That was acceptable.
His gaze shifted to the remaining bottles on the table.
Two left.
For a moment, he considered asking his father for more.
But the thought quickly faded.
From the secret library records, Ivan knew how rare these medicines were.
Magical beast blood, special herbs, precise refinement—none of it was simple.
The fact that his father had given him three bottles already was surprising enough.
Ivan exhaled softly.
"…Better not."
As the thought settled, another idea surfaced.
The Void Furnace.
"NOVA," Ivan asked slowly, "can the Void Furnace create this auxiliary medicine?"
This time, Nova did not answer immediately.
Calculations began.
"Analyzing composition."
"Evaluating material grade."
"Estimating energy cost."
Ivan waited patiently.
"Conclusion reached," Nova said at last.
"Yes, Master. The Void Furnace can create this auxiliary medicine."
Ivan's eyes brightened.
"Explain."
"The Void Furnace converts energy directly into matter," Nova said.
"All creations are measured using energy units."
Ivan nodded.
"And the limits?"
"Due to current authority and furnace scale," Nova continued,
"only Class 1 materials can be produced."
Ivan thought briefly.
"And this medicine?"
"This auxiliary medicine is classified as a Class 1 mid-tier material," Nova replied.
"It requires approximately ten units of energy to create one dose."
Ivan absorbed the information quickly.
"One dose per cultivation session."
"Yes, Master."
Nova paused briefly before continuing.
"In addition," Nova said,
"the Void Furnace does not merely replicate existing medicines."
Ivan paused.
"…What do you mean?"
"When refined through conventional methods," Nova explained,
"this auxiliary medicine contains minor impurities and structural flaws formed during the refinement process."
Ivan frowned slightly.
"But isn't this medicine already good enough?"
"It is very good," Nova replied calmly.
"However, the Void Furnace constructs matter at a fundamental level."
"When used," Nova continued,
"it produces a perfect medicine, free of those flaws."
Ivan's eyes widened.
"Perfect?"
"Yes, Master."
Ivan swallowed.
"What kind of improvement?" he asked immediately.
"If created by the Void Furnace," Nova explained,
"the medicine's active duration will increase from three hours to approximately four hours."
Ivan's breath caught slightly.
"Additionally," Nova continued,
"cultivation and meditation refining efficiency will increase from two times to approximately 2.5 times."
Ivan stared.
"And residue?"
"Medicinal residue will be significantly reduced," Nova replied.
"However, consumption is still recommended once every two days to allow the body to adapt to the increased power."
Ivan exhaled slowly.
This was far beyond his expectations.
The Void Furnace was not just a tool.
It was refinement itself.
As his excitement settled, Ivan began thinking practically again.
"Energy…" he muttered.
Currently, Nova's passive energy collection was limited.
"Based on current conditions," Nova said,
"system energy generation averages ten units per day."
Ivan frowned.
That was barely enough for one dose per day.
Then Nova spoke again.
"Suggestion available."
Ivan looked up. "Go on."
"It is recommended to construct a miniature energy collector," Nova said.
"This device can absorb solar and ambient environmental energy."
Ivan's interest rose immediately.
"How much energy to build it?"
"Twenty units," Nova replied.
"Once deployed, it can increase daily energy income by approximately ten units."
Ivan calculated quickly.
That meant doubling energy income.
Worth it.
"And current reserves?" Ivan asked.
"Since activation," Nova replied,
"the system has accumulated approximately fifty units through ambient heat, light, and environmental absorption."
Ivan was slightly surprised.
"So we can afford it."
"Yes, Master."
Ivan made his decision without hesitation.
"Create it."
"As you wish."
The air in front of Ivan distorted.
Light bent strangely.
Particles gathered, compressed, and condensed.
Before his eyes, a small black box formed in midair.
Smooth. Matte. Sharp-edged.
Faint blue lines pulsed across its surface.
It looked completely out of place in this world.
Ivan reached out and held it.
Warm. Solid. Real.
"…So this is an energy collector," he murmured.
"Yes," Nova replied.
"For optimal efficiency, place it in direct sunlight."
Ivan walked to the window and carefully placed the black box on the sill.
Tomorrow, when the sun rose, energy would begin to gather.
He looked at the device for a moment longer.
Then he returned to his bed.
His body was tired.
His mind was full.
Progress had been made.
Ivan lay down, closed his eyes, and allowed himself to rest.
Outside, the night passed quietly.