Wizard: Start with Biological Transformation to Grind Experience novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40: 007: The Library and the Revenge Mark

"Finally got it approved!"

Walking along the path to the library, Lynch was visibly elated.

For Outer Ring Apprentices like him, the Tower’s library could only be accessed as an occasional reward. If one wanted unrestricted entry, they had to apply for a key.

Applications were reviewed every three months, but the review process was shrouded in mystery. What criteria they used, Lynch had no clue. He had applied several times before but never got approved. Eventually, he gave up, deciding to wait until he achieved Inner Ring Apprentice status before trying again.

However, this time, with certain materials he needed to consult in the library and the results of the Tower Apprenticeship Exam still not announced, Lynch submitted an application on a whim—and to his surprise, it got approved.

"Too early, they won’t approve. Too late, they won’t approve. But when I’m almost done needing it, they choose to approve—seriously..."

"No, wait."

"I bet they already know I passed the exam, which is why they approved it. Damn it!"

Lynch was left speechless.

Passing through the residential area, Lynch arrived at the eastern side of the Inner Ring, where a small forest sprawled. It felt like an urban park designed to give people a retreat from the bustling city.

In the heart of the forest lay a tranquil lake. At its center stood a small island, crowned by an enormous ancient oak tree. Its sprawling branches and leaves covered the entire island, resembling a magical realm straight out of a fantasy novel where treasure might be hidden.

As Lynch approached the lakeside, he removed a brass key tied around his neck with a thin cord. The key was as long as an index finger.

He dipped the key into the lake and gave it a few swirls.

"Whoosh!"

The tranquil lake surface swirled into a vortex, and a square stone slab, barely big enough for one person to stand on, rose up from the lakebed.

Lynch stepped forward to stand on the slab.

"Splish splash!"

The water surrounding the slab began to boil. A group of tiny, palm-sized creatures with human bodies and fish tails swam up to the slab, their delicate tails fluttering vigorously as they propelled the slab toward the library.

These were Mermaid Lake Demons, a type of Fairy Species. Don’t be deceived by their adorable appearances; they were far from being pushovers like Corrupted Tree Demons. Their power rivaled that of mid- to high-level apprentices. When enraged, they could rip apart an entire cow in seconds.

The library, after all, was a core sanctum of the Tower. To guard such a treasure trove of knowledge, the Tower had implemented numerous safeguards.

The floating stone slab and Mermaid Lake Demons were merely the visible protections. Hidden defenses, such as magic arrays placed throughout the forest, ensured that no unauthorized stranger could step even a single foot toward the lake’s center.

Carried forward by the Mermaid Lake Demons, the floating slab glided across the lake and soon reached the heart of the island.

The scene that greeted Lynch’s eyes was a lush green field speckled with vibrant, otherworldly flowers of various hues. A series of oval-shaped stone slabs formed a pathway leading from the lakeside to the base of the massive tree in the distance.

At the center of the tree’s immense trunk, which required several people to encircle, was a large, round oak door. The door was covered in intricate magical engravings. As it detected someone approaching, the heavy, solid door slowly swung inward.

"Did the wizards finally fix this door?"

Previously, the door used to open outward—and with considerable speed. If you weren’t careful, you could be smacked into the air. Lynch had barely dodged it on his last visit. A solid oak door... getting hit? Yeah...

No one would want to experience that.

Stepping through the door felt like crossing the boundary between realms—from the nature-infused forest into a grand temple of knowledge.

The space inside was vast, with towering bookshelves arranged like a mighty labyrinth. Countless tiny points of light drifted through the air, casting a gentle glow over the dark interior.