Wizard: Start with Biological Transformation to Grind Experience Chapter 141 - 016: Re-entering the Tower

A few days later, Lynch’s official entry into the Tower finally arrived.

Early in the morning, Lynch rose from his bed, donned the standard cloak of a Netta Apprentice, and pinned the apprentice badge to his chest before heading to the Shadow Tower.

At last, I’m here!

Standing beneath the Tower and gazing up at the ancient structure looming under the shadow, Lynch felt a myriad of emotions. The last ti he was here was years ago. For an ordinary apprentice, stepping foot here was already a pinnacle dream realized.

"You can do this!"

Silently encouraging himself, Lynch ascended the aged stone steps, moving step by step toward the ancient rune-covered door.

Before the door stood the stone statue guards that still remained motionless as always. When Lynch approached, he could distinctly feel two majestic gazes falling upon him, though unlike last ti, their stance did not seem as rigorously defensive.

Books fluttering about in mid-air, intricate constellation diagrams, scattered scrolls, and peculiar ornants—all exuding an air of mystery.

He drew in a deep breath.

It was as if even the air filling his lungs was imbued with the taste of the elents.

"Tap, tap, tap!"

In that mont, the sound of footsteps echoed clearly through the spacious hall.

To Lynch’s surprise, the figure walking not far away was soone familiar.

Hurriedly stepping forward, he called out, "Wizard Leonard!"

The figure in front wasn’t anyone else—it was Leonard, the one who had once awarded him the Warrior Feather as an apprentice... Except now, Leonard should be addressed as Wizard Leonard. Not long ago, Leonard had successfully ascended to wizard status, and the news had already spread throughout the Tower.

Leonard turned his head, noticing Lynch in the distance. He waved him over imdiately.

Lynch approached and bowed in respect, saying, "It’s an honor to see you here."

Leonard smiled, "It’s you!"

Pausing for a mont, he gave an approving remark, "I’ve heard your story. It’s truly impressive that you’ve achieved such accomplishnts within just two or three short years. Indeed, the Judges’ eye for talent did not fail."

Lynch said, "It was just luck."

Leonard replied, "Luck is often determined by one’s own efforts. Without your determination and hard work, such good fortune wouldn’t have co your way. You’re remarkable."

Lynch, feeling a bit embarrassed by the praise, replied, "Thank you."

After a brief pause, he added with a touch of flattery, "Also, congratulations on successfully ascending to wizard status."

Oddly enough, Leonard didn’t seem particularly thrilled about the achievent. Lynch even detected an expression of regret and lancholy on his face?

Leonard sighed, "Yes... But it couldn’t be helped... There were so issues with my cultivation that left no choice but to ascend."

Confused, Lynch thought—what? Ascending to wizard status as if it were so sort of compulsion?

Leonard continued vaguely, "I missed out... The future of this land can only rest in your hands now. Keep pushing forward."

The future? What did that even an?

Leonard noticed the perplexity written across Lynch’s face but didn’t elaborate further. Instead, he shook his head and remarked ambiguously, "You’ll understand in a few years. For now, it’s not the ti for this news to be revealed."

With that, he ended the conversation and shifted topics, asking, "Are you here to report to your ntor? Who is your ntor? I can guide you there."

Lynch nodded, "Yes, my ntor is Wizard Somda."

Leonard paused, "Somda, is it?"

He nodded, comnting, "An erudite scholar. Don’t let certain criticisms or negative opinions about him cloud your judgnt. Perhaps there are areas where he could improve, but every ntor has their own life and priorities—they can’t always address everything perfectly. Mutual understanding is key."

"A ntor’s role in an apprentice’s Wizard’s Road is rely to serve as a guide. How far you can go, and where you’ll ultimately end up, largely depends on yourself as the apprentice."

Lynch responded earnestly, "I’ll bear your words in mind."

Leonard nodded, "Let’s go. I’ll take you there."

Stepping onto the Jumping Stone Plate, Lynch’s vision blurred for a mont before he quickly arrived at an unfamiliar corridor.

Leonard pointed ahead, "This is as far as I’ll take you. Continue following this corridor straight ahead. After passing through a garden, you’ll co to a rather unique corridor—it’ll appear sowhat old. At the end of that corridor is your ntor, Wizard Somda’s laboratory."

Lynch nodded, "Got it. Thank you."

Leonard clapped him on the shoulder, "You’re welco. Hurry up now; Wizard Somda is very particular about ti. Punctuality is the most basic and essential trait for his apprentices."

Parting with Leonard, Lynch quickly headed in the direction he was instructed.

The last ti he entered the Tower, he had only stepped into Leonard’s office, which didn’t fully convey the Tower’s true interior. This ti, however, he was able to truly experience the magical essence of the Tower’s landscapes.

First, there was the spatial depth.

The interior dinsions of the Tower far surpassed what its exterior suggested—it was countless tis more expansive than it appeared. While the exterior looked like rely a single tower, inside was an entirely different world, a realm impressive enough to be considered its own universe.

Walking through it, Lynch first passed by a corridor, which eventually led him to a garden. Within the garden lay pools, pavilions, and even a small wood that resembled a classic estate.

These were rely the public areas of the Tower. Lynch had heard that the environnts within wizards’ true laboratories were even more extraordinary—rumors spoke of laboratories that opened into forests, snow mountains, seas, or even entirely other worlds.

Lynch wasn’t sure if these rumors were true, but based on what he had seen so far, the Tower was undeniably imnse.

After traversing the garden, Lynch ca upon a corridor area.

Among the dozen or so corridors, Lynch imdiately spotted the one he was looking for with a single characteristic.

Old.

It was extraordinarily old, appearing as though it had withstood endless tides of ti.

The corridor’s walls were lightly coated with dust, their paint cracked and yellowed. An indescribable aura of antiquity exuded from the weathered surfaces.

Faded portraits hung on the walls, their subjects’ faces barely recognizable. A worn-out carpet lay on the ground, its color long drained, leaving irregular gray patches. Brass wall lamps mounted along the corridor appeared dim and lifeless.

Lynch couldn’t help but wonder aloud, "What happened here?"

It seed unlikely that the Tower would skimp on facilities for its wizards. Considering that this corridor’s design matched the adjacent ones, it was clear they were constructed as part of the sa project.

Yet, while the surrounding corridors remained well-maintained, this particular one seed like it had endured centuries of erosion.

"I guess I’ll just go in and see for myself."

Checking the ti, Lynch realized it was late and decided to stop dwelling on the matter, venturing forward.

"Hmm?"

Just as he stepped onto the corridor, Lynch’s pace faltered. He glanced around, startled.

For a fleeting instant upon entering, he felt sothing peculiar—though whatever it was remained elusive to pinpoint.

After attempting to perceive further but finding no clues, Lynch dismissed the thought and continued on.

Perhaps it was rely a montary illusion.

The corridor felt paradoxical—both endlessly long and fleetingly short. Had Lynch walked through it for ages, or rely a mont?

Regardless, he soon arrived at the corridor’s end.

At its terminal, a half-ajar wooden door stood quietly. Its paint had peeled away, revealing a mottled wooden texture, and small beams of dim yellow light seeped through its cracks, like dawn’s first light or the lingering glow of dusk.

"Drip, drip!"

The sharp sound of dripping water resonated from within—the sound of ti trickling past.

Taking a step forward, Lynch rapped on the door.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

"Creak~!"—a sound of decay.

The door slowly swung open...