Chapter 19


    vin hoisted the hefty stone cauldron, delivering goods far and wide, and this time, Odell dared


    not meddle with his tasks. His tardiness in deliveries inevitably led to reprimands and mockery from


    the Senior Protégés. But vin paid them no heed; he dropped off the goods and left in a hurry,


    eager to return to his training.


    Overnight, he had advanced to Stage IV, and his vitality, aura, and spirit all enhanced, showing


    significant growth in strength. However, it was not a normal breakthrough; his core was unstable,


    and the magic within his Channel of Energy was not abundant. The best way to recuperate was, of


    course, to consume some Elixir Herbs or Elixir Fruits.


    Taking advantage of his delivery errands, vin ventured near Botanic Haven again to see if the


    Viper''s Berry was still there.


    The cliff was covered in thick green vines, twisted and chaotic, hiding countless snakes and pythons


    within. At a nce, it was hard to tell the vines from the serpents.


    The Viper''s Berry was well hidden; had it not been for a lucky glimpse the day before, vin might


    have never spotted it.


    "I''lle back tonight to pick it up," vin confirmed the presence of the Viper''s Berry and


    prepared to leave. It was not safe to linger long in this ce.


    Suddenly, the Shadowbringer within his Energetic Core began to tremble, spreading a dark mist


    over the energy above, as if warning of some danger.


    vin quickly hid in the tangled forest.


    What was happening? Was someone nearby?


    The trembling of the Shadowbringer grew more intense, and the dark miasma loomed over.


    Wait, what was that?


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    vin watched in astonishment as a golden serpent slowly poked its head out from the vines where


    the Viper''s Berry grew, flicking its blood-red tongue. Its small eyes swiveled and soon fixed on


    vin''s hiding spot.


    Was that a Magi-Monster?!


    vin was startled. There really was a Magi-Monster. No wonder the myriad of snakes and pythons


    circled the Viper''s Berry but didn''t swallow it directly; a Magi-Monster was guarding it.


    Was the Viper''s Berry not the property of Botanic Haven, and it actually belonged to the monster?


    The Golden Serpent slowly wound around the Viper''s Berry, its gaze iming ownership.


    "So it is," vin muttered, "Advanced Elixir Fruits aren''t just lying around for the taking." He


    hesitated. Should he risk returning tonight? Ordinary snakes could be easily dealt with, allowing him


    to leave unnoticed. But the Golden Serpent was clearly a Magi-Monster, and with his current


    strength, he couldn''t easily defeat it. If a standoff ensued, he might end up surrounded by the


    Protégés of Botanic Haven.


    "Perhaps it''s best to wait. Once I grow stronger, I''lle back for it!"


    Suppressing his desire for the Viper''s Berry, vin left Botanic Haven and returned to the


    warehouse to practice in peace. With magic scarce in his Channel of Energy, he could only slowly


    absorb it from the world around him.


    This minor setback couldn''t dampen vin''s spirits. At least he was certain the Viper''s Berry wasn''t


    owned by Botanic Haven, but by the Magi-Monster, so he bore no guilt and needn''t worry about


    repercussions.


    ...


    The Grand Arcanum of the de and the Dawnedge dey before him. The long-awaited


    Combat Magic, and the weapon he had yearned for!


    vin lifted the ancient sword, pointing it towards the sky, its cold light spilling forth under the sun,


    bright and dazzling. His heart surged with excitement, and with a clear cry, he danced and swung


    the de, casting sword blossoms into the air.


    The ancient sword seemed forged from a single piece of divine metal, seamless and unified. It was


    noble and elegant, and even just resting there, the sword''s energy permeated the air. Once he


    began to wield it, the sharp energy swept through the courtyard, leaving fine marks on stones and


    trees alike.


    What a divine weapon!


    vin gripped it tightly, giving in to his enthusiastic training. But soon, the de grew colder and


    heavier, his right hand and arm bing numb and sore. He was confident in his physical strength,


    but he could only wield it for a short time.


    "The Arcanum! The ancient sword! The Shadowbringer! These are not for me to wield lightly." Far


    from being discouraged, vin''s spirits were lifted, grateful for the old man''s gifts. Such generous


    offerings were almost too much for him to ept.


    "Earthtorrent Greatde! One sword to cleave mountains and rivers asunder!"


    Setting down the Dawnedge de, vin began to focus on understanding the Arcanum. The


    Arcanum was resistant, and to see the text within andprehend the flow of energy, he had to


    concentrate intensely, with not a single stray thought, or the words would blur, and the pathways


    would distort, leading to errors in his understanding.


    vin might not have seen true Combat Magic before. Still, he knew that its practice required


    utmost precision—a single misinterpretation or a forgotten energy channel could lead to grave


    consequences.


    The Grand Arcanum of the de, such miraculous Combat Magic, required even greater respect


    and care.


    vin locked himself in the warehouse, not wanting any distractions. He studied each word and


    each energy channel methodically.


    The Earthtorrent Greatde was only the first technique, yet it had hundreds of annotated words


    and aplex flow of energy.


    From noon to evening, and then deep into the night, vin dedicated himself to understanding the


    Arcanum. The expenditure of mental energy was severe, and vin needed to constantly chant the


    Restoration Mantra to draw in the Restoration Aether and replenish his reserves, ensuring he could


    continue his research.