Wizard: Start with Biological Transformation to Grind Experience novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7: 007: Study Room

Walking toward him was a male apprentice, with distinctive green hair and a strikingly peculiar eyeball on the back of his right hand. It was none other than Chris Wright, who ranked second in the morning assessment.

Chris placed his eyeball-embellished right hand on Lynch's shoulder. All three eyes stared at Lynch as he spoke in a feigned friendly tone, "You're really surprising. Quietly surpassing everyone—what's the secret? Have you discovered some unique cultivation technique?"

Lynch glanced at the bizarre eyeball, then shook his head and replied honestly, "No, I've just been putting in constant effort every day to cultivate."

"Hahaha!"

Chris burst into laughter, laced with a hint of mockery. "No offense, truly, but this really fits your farmer identity—honest, simple, seeing the world in such a straightforward way."

"But if I may speak frankly, that's not the way. If hard work were enough, wouldn't everyone in this world become a wizard already?"

"The Wizard World thrives on serendipity, resources, and sheer good luck. A single relic, or a fateful encounter, might surpass years—decades—of silent cultivation."

Lynch neither agreed nor disagreed.

In some respects, what Chris said wasn't nonsense. The Wizard World indeed held myriad rare resources that could significantly boost cultivation. Sometimes, months or even years of painstaking effort couldn't match the gains of a single fruit or a potion.

It was also for this reason that legends perpetually circulated—stories of mediocre apprentices stumbling across relics, inheriting the legacies of great wizards, and soaring to unprecedented heights.

In this world, choice often outweighed effort.

That was a truth in the Wizard World.

Lynch scratched his head, appearing as though he didn't quite grasp Chris's meaning.

Chris said, "It's fine if you don't understand now. You will, eventually."

After a pause, he continued, "I came here today because I have a gift for you."

Lynch asked in confusion, "A gift? For me?"

He and Chris couldn't be said to have no interaction at all, but they certainly weren't familiar with one another.

Chris nodded, then got straight to the point. "Yes, that's right. Richard recently stumbled upon a relic while collecting materials near the Red Mushroom Forest. We're planning to form a team to go explore it."

"Your Fire Dragon Lizard will likely come in handy during the exploration, so we'd like to invite you to join us. What do you think? Interested?"

After a pause, he added, "This is a rare opportunity, you know. No one can predict what treasures lie within the ruins. Who knows? Perhaps digging up a random piece of witchcraft could trump years—decades—of silent cultivation."

"A relic?" Carl's eyes lit up. "So the rumors are true?"

The news had already spread. Not long ago, an apprentice had stumbled upon the remains of an ancient relic while collecting materials, and Lynch and the others had even discussed it earlier that morning.

"Of course!" Chris nodded, then turned to Carl and Subaru. "So, how about it? Are either of you interested?"

Carl looked visibly tempted but said he needed to think about it. Subaru, on the other hand, promptly shook his head, explaining that he had no time as he was focusing on cultivating magic plants.

Exploring relics isn't something to be taken lightly, disregarding the risks in favor of potential gains. While there are stories of apprentices finding treasures and reversing their fortunes, far more have lost their lives and been buried in relics forever.

For apprentices like them who hadn't even fully mastered spells, venturing into such peril was too premature.

"That's a shame," Chris remarked, directing his gaze back at Lynch. "What about you, Lynch? Have you made up your mind?"

Subaru's brow furrowed slightly. He was worried Lynch might agree impulsively. He quickly turned to intervene and decline on Lynch's behalf.

Lynch, of course, noticed Subaru's gesture. However, if Subaru were to decline for him, it might annoy Chris and create unnecessary friction. After thinking it over, Lynch decided to refuse personally before Subaru could speak up.

So, he shook his head and said, "I can't go, Chris. I've just taken on a grafting project involving thorny flowers and dragon fruits. I'll be tied up for the next few months."

Lynch was well aware of the risks involved in relic exploration. It wasn't something someone at his current level could afford to dabble in.

"I see..."

Chris looked visibly disappointed, but there was nothing he could say to convince Lynch to abandon his assigned work, risking punishment from the Tower, just to join them on this venture.

So he nodded and said, "Alright, then. We'll have to wait for another opportunity to collaborate in the future."

"Carl, think it over. If you decide to go, you can find me anytime."