Ascension: Strongest Fateless Mage

After buying a tier-4 defense-type magic spell for Vernisia, they both returned to their abode and started training.

Zevien started learning the spell concept of <Ruination Mist Cannon> while Vernisia started learning the spell concept of <Roving Aegis Guard>.

They continued their training until it was time for the magic occupation classes. However, the progress they made was barely 10%. After all, the spell concept of tier-4 spells is not that easy to comprehend.

…

In the magic occupation class, Zevien learned about ingredients and the introduction of three methods to bring out the essence power of the ingredients.

"You all managed to bring out the essence of those ingredients in the previous class, but it was still not perfect," teacher Raina said as she looked at students with her arms crossed. "There are different levels of essence you can bring out; First level: Motes, Second level: Golden River, and Third level: Dream Flow.

"The essence power you all brought out in previous classes didn't even reach the first level. The ingredients just glowed, that's all. Glowing indicates that you barely succeeded, and you can use it for an official mystic chef cooking. But…" Raina paused before picking up an ingredient from her table and showing it to everyone.

The ingredient looked like a tomato with green stripes and was surrounded by light blue motes.

"As you can see, this tier-3 magic ingredient is surrounded by light blue motes because I have brought out 100% of its potential," Raina smiled as she controlled the ingredient and showed it to every student up close. "Any dish cooked with this ingredient as the main ingredient will have its effects increased. Not to mention, its signature taste will be extremely delicious. People will not even look at the temporary effects after tasting its deliciousness."

The students were surprised. Just how delicious would it be?

"Keep in mind that you won't graduate if you can't reach the first level when bringing out the essence power of ingredients. There will be a progress check every three months, and if you can't reach our expected progress, we will expel you."

"Just first level? Teacher, you said that there are two more. What about them?" A student asked curiously.

"You think it's so easy to reach 1st level: Motes?" Raina snorted. "Even I haven't reached 2nd level: Golden River despite being a 1st class magician."

"What about methods of extraction?" Another student asked.

"I was going to tell you that," Raina nodded as she consumed her mana and waved her hand before creating a mystical tiny whirlpool in front of her. "This is the first extraction method I am going to teach you, Whirlpool Needle Extract."

The students looked at the watermelon-sized whirlpool with focus and noticed that it was entirely made of liquified mana with many tiny shining needles inside.

"In the whirlpool extract method, one needs to create a whirlpool of mana filled with extremely slim and tiny needles of mana in them before putting ingredients in the whirlpool," Raina said as she picked up an ingredient from her table that looked like a purple apple with orange hues on it and put it inside the whirlpool.

"You must have absolute control over the whirlpool as you slowly let those needles insert inside the ingredient and extract its essence."

The students were dumbfounded because it looked extremely hard to do!

After a minute, the ingredient started oozing out light blue motes! Raina took out the ingredient and showed it to the students while diffusing the whirlpool. "Done!"

"Ohh!"

The students looked amazed. She finished it so quickly!

Raina put the ingredient on her table before smiling. "There are two more methods of extracting, but you should focus on one method and master it first. Open the drawer in your tables, and you will see a book with three extracting methods. Aside from the one I just showed you, the other two are Fire Wave Extract and Pressure Extract."

Zevien also started reading as the book had a detailed explanation of how to learn these extract methods.

"For Fire Wave Extract, you will need to learn a talent for fire magic like those alchemists and Magic Smiths. We have fire magic crystals, so you can use them to learn fire magic talent. It will be free. For the next seven hours, you all will practice these three methods and find which one is suitable for you. You can ask me if you need help or if you don't understand anything."

…

After seven hours, Zevien returned to the abode since he was a bit tired of constantly practicing. Vernisia was also like that after she learned some new knowledge regarding the jewelist magic occupation.

"How was today's class? Mine was really exhausting," Vernisia said as she released a tiresome and heavy sigh.

"Same," Zevien said as he lay on the bed. "There were three ways of extracting essence power from ingredients, and after fiddling with all three methods for hours, I decided to go with the Whirlpool Needle extraction method."

"The Jewelist teacher also introduced us to three methods of accessory and gemstone crafting," Vernisia wryly smiled. "The method I focused on is called Symphony Engrave crafting method."

Both of them talked for ten minutes before dozing off on the bed.

On the other hand, the Gray Swamp clan in Astral Land had become chaotic because the little brother of the clan master was killed.

"Find me the culprit as soon as possible!" The clan master of the Gray Swamp clan angrily shouted before he sat down on his elevated seat in the main hall of the clan. "Hmph, just because I recently became clan head doesn't mean anyone can take me lightly!"

The members of the clan were standing in the hall as they trembled with fear from Fragard's thundering roar.

Two men were standing on the right and left of Fragard on the platform. They were protectors of the clan.

"Clan head, your little brother was fiddling around in the Gaia continent's dark organization. After investigating, I found that he hasn't returned from there." A middle-aged man wearing a gray robe spoke. He was one of the senior Adepta Mages of the clan.