Wizard: Start with Biological Transformation to Grind Experience novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15: 015: Danger and Exam Questions Lurk Everywhere

As Lynch ventured deeper into the Corrupted Forest, he gradually sensed the pervasive threats lurking within.

First came the cunningly concealed swamps.

These swamps were scattered throughout the region, and they weren't merely ordinary bogs. Infused with Elemental Energy, they had evolved into Extraordinary Swamps with a disturbing vitality.

Hidden silently beneath layers of decaying leaves, they appeared indistinguishable from ordinary ground. But the moment they sensed a prey stepping onto them, they quickly transformed into soft quagmires, dragging the victim downward and tightly entangling them.

Even more terrifying was the swamp's potent corrosive power. Once trapped within, it wouldn't be long before the swamp's corrosive force consumed the victim entirely, leaving no chance for companions to intervene or rescue them.

And the swamp was merely the appetizer of the dangers in this perilous forest. The greater threats lay in the ubiquitous greenery.

The vegetation that thrived in the Corrupted Forest was far from ordinary. After years of nurturing by Elemental Energy, they had become terrifying monsters with extraordinary vitality.

The massive vines dangling from trees moved like living serpents, twisting and coiling in search of targets to entrap the moment anyone ventured too close. Covered in sharp barbs, they could tear through flesh on contact and inject powerful paralytic toxins—capable of incapacitating even an elephant within seconds.

Seemingly tranquil shrubs concealed countless traps. Their razor-sharp leaf edges were capable of shredding anyone who brushed past them, leaving their bodies flayed as if tortured.

There were also gigantic flowers resembling shells, towering as high as a person, with fragrant aromas that lured victims close—only to swallow them whole in one bite.

Fruit trees let out ear-piercing screams that could stun people, then used thorns to pierce their skin and quickly drain their blood...

Dangers of this sort were countless.

This was not an ordinary forest but a voracious beast, eagerly devouring any lifeform that stepped within its bounds.

"Squeak... squeak..."

Boots crushed against thick, soft, decaying leaves, creating muffled sounds. Lynch leaned on his Magic Wand, cautiously advancing step by step through the forest.

Each time he moved forward, he would first tap the ground ahead lightly with his Magic Wand.

A faint blue glow shone at the wand's tip, and when it made contact with the ground, tiny ripples would spread outward quickly.

This was evidently a basic technique for Wizards in utilizing spiritual power: Perception.

By releasing and diffusing spiritual power, it penetrated the thick decaying leaves to directly detect the ground beneath.

Terrifying swamps, invisible to ordinary vision, were laid bare under the scrutiny of spiritual power, clearly distinguishing solid ground from treacherous bogs.

However, this seemingly simple action wasn't something every apprentice could perform. Mastery of the Perception Skill required meditating at least one Will Rune.

"This must be the first exam question for the trial..."

Apprentices who hadn't grasped the Perception Ability would find themselves unable to proceed further. Evidently, this was the first test for the Tower's trial, assessing the apprentice's raw strength—the minimum qualification required being at least one meditated Will Rune.

Such was the threshold test. Failing to manifest even one Will Rune naturally disqualified one from advancing to become an Inner Ring Apprentice.

[Spirit Perception Skill Level +1]

Lynch had only recently mastered Spirit Perception after producing his first Will Rune less than a month ago. He was approaching the threshold of Level 0.

[Spirit Perception Level 0: 482/500]

Though his Perception Level wasn't high, this trial didn't require deeply advanced Perception—simply sensing the ground below was more than enough to pass.

"Rustle..."