The next day, in the study.
Matthew used the Bluewater Flowers he had collected yesterday while practicing the meditation method.
He took several flowers from the basin on the table, tore open the petals, and pale blue juice flowed from the broken edges.
The flowers were rich in moisture—each petal yielded a considerable amount of extract. After repeating the process several times, the beaker on the table was filled with Bluewater Flower juice.
Matthew poured the liquid into his palm and applied it to his forehead.
Then, he calmed his mind and began circulating the meditation method.
A few breaths later, the juice seeped into his skin. A cool sensation entered his mind, refreshing his spirit.
Matthew felt as though he were standing on a storm-lashed shore, waves crashing endlessly against him. With each impact, his mindscape grew more solid.
An hour later, the beaker was empty, and his mindscape had become significantly more condensed.
He checked his condition and found that his magical power had also increased slightly.
Frequent use of Dark Magic placed a heavy burden on the mind. Wizards who relied on it too often tended to become increasingly obsessive and unstable for this very reason.
Before practicing the meditation method, Matthew would feel mentally exhausted after casting Avada Kedavra twice in succession.
Now, after strengthening his mind through meditation, casting it repeatedly felt much easier.
At this rate, he estimated that after advancing to a Second-Rank Wizard Apprentice, he would be able to cast Avada Kedavra three times in a row without any mental strain.
Next, he drank five vials of Mental Restoration Potion and continued constructing runic models within his mindscape.
From yesterday's testing, he had learned that each potion's effect lasted up to eight hours.
That meant—
To maintain double recovery speed for the mindscape, he would need to consume fifteen vials per day.
A massive expense.
Each vial cost about two Galleons, meaning thirty Galleons per day.
Fortunately, over the past two years, he had made a considerable amount of money selling potions under the alias German, and he had also inherited his grandfather's estate. For now, he could sustain the cost.
Besides, once he advanced further, meditation would no longer require constant mental consumption.
After reaching Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice, the focus would shift to accumulating mental power rather than constructing models—at that point, maintaining potion effects would no longer be necessary.
...
After another hour, he drank a Mandrake Restorative Draught, instantly restoring half of his depleted mental energy.
After two days of training, with the help of potions, Matthew had already constructed twenty runic models within his mindscape.
He prioritized building the models required for Lightning Bolt.
Although the spell required thirty-two runes, many were repeated—there were only eighteen unique runes in total.
He decided to test the spell again, to see whether it could now be used in actual combat.
Matthew cast a Disillusionment Charm and headed to the forest outside White Stone Town.
Before long, he found a suitable target—a massive tree, thick enough that three people together could barely encircle it.
Using the runic models in his mindscape, Matthew instantly condensed all thirty-two runes in his hand.
Then—
He guided them into the structure of the Lightning Bolt spell.
"Crackle—!"
A brilliant light burst forth from his hand as the runes transformed into a bolt of lightning, shooting forward.
The moment it struck the tree's trunk, immense heat was generated, instantly vaporizing the moisture within.
When the lightning faded, a clean, circular hole had been blasted straight through the massive tree.
The power was immense, far stronger than his Reductor Curse or Severing Charm.
He also noticed something else—
The meditation method enhanced the power of runic magic.
After training, his Lightning Bolt had increased in strength by roughly twenty percent.
It took about eight seconds to guide the runes into a complete spell model.
That was fast enough for real combat.
After finishing the test, Matthew returned to White Stone Town.
As he passed the town entrance, he noticed the watchman in the tower was someone new—and there were now two guards stationed at the gate.
---
Back at the house, just as Matthew was about to head upstairs, Chris called out:
"Sir Matthew, earlier, Lady Alsa from White Stone Manor sent over an invitation to a dinner banquet."
Matthew frowned slightly. "Lady Alsa?"
Chris explained:
"She arrived from the capital about half a year ago. She's an administrative officer for the court wizards.
"I've heard she's extraordinarily beautiful—so much so that countless men are captivated by her.
"She's a hot topic in White Stone Town. Go to any tavern on East Street, and you'll hear people talking about her."
White Stone Manor had originally belonged to the former mayor. It was said that he had been deeply fell in love with Lady Alsa, and shortly after her arrival, he passed the entire estate to her.
Matthew took the invitation.
It was exquisitely crafted, embroidered with a flower resembling a bird's tail feather.
He recognized it from one of the books in the study—
Red Iris.
In this world, the Red Iris symbolized love. Its bloom lasted only a single night—opening at dusk and withering by morning.
The invitation read:
[Mr. Matthew,]
[This Friday evening, I will be hosting a banquet at White Stone Manor.
Distinguished young talents of White Stone Town will be in attendance.]
[I sincerely hope you will honor us with your presence at this grand occasion.]
[I look forward to spending a delightful evening with you on this charming night.]
[—Alsa]
...
Matthew's expression was filled with confusion.
He didn't know this Lady Alsa at all—yet he had received an invitation.
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
He had only been in White Stone Town for a few days. Link and Anna were still strangers—unlikely to have recommended him.
More likely—
Someone had noticed the fight by the river yesterday.
He decided to accept the invitation.
If she was an enemy, refusing wouldn't make her go away.
If she wasn't—
Then perhaps this would be his chance to integrate into the wizarding circles of this world.
After all, that was precisely why he had come here—
To gain access to more runic magic and meditation techniques.
---
Evening – White Stone Manor.
The manor was located northwest of White Stone Town, surrounded by a lush garden.
The blooming red irises resembled a painting formed from the glow of a sunset.
A river flowed beside the garden—connected to the frozen river in town, yet here it remained unfrozen, its flowing waters adding life to the scenery.
Inside one of the manor's rooms—
A well-dressed butler knocked on the door.
"Come in."
The voice from within was soft and melodious.
The butler entered to find a woman with chestnut-colored hair seated before a dressing table, her back turned.
Two maids stood behind her, carefully tending to her appearance and adorning her with jewelry.
Standing respectfully behind her, the butler could glimpse half her reflection in the mirror.
Her red lips parted slightly, exuding a captivating charm. The smooth curve of her jawline resembled a finely sculpted work of art.
"The banquet is ready, my lady," the butler said.
She asked softly, "Is anyone absent?"
"Everyone has arrived."
She nodded.
In the mirror, a faint smile curved her lips—both alluring and full of radiance.
=====================
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