After that, Pei Ze went on to test the variations of the Gale Rune and the Earth Rune.

Unlike the Lightning Rune, which required a weapon to be effective, these two runes could be used on himself or applied to a weapon.

Of course, the latter method wasn’t very effective. At best, it could only reduce a weapon’s weight and the damage it sustained in combat.

It didn’t do much to increase his combat power, but it was better than nothing.

The final test results were more or less the same.

The Gale Rune and Earth Rune could also be stacked on his body, but they similarly placed an immense strain on him.

Even with his constitution attribute of over 150, Pei Ze could only endure a maximum of five Elemental Runes—Wizard Apprentices, having been tempered by Energy Particles over a long period, could accept Elemental Runes more easily than Magic Items. Any more would cause damage to his body.

’Five Elemental Runes... I suppose that’s enough.’

Pei Ze shrugged, put away Silver Star, and concluded the test.

With the improvements to the Elemental Runes complete, another slot opened up in his task list.

Without hesitation, Pei Ze switched to the task of analyzing the Shelter Magic Tattoo.

[Task created. Beginning analysis of the Shelter Magic Tattoo. Estimated time: 158 days.]

Next, he planned to go all-out in accelerating the analysis of the Shelter and Thunder Burst magic tattoos. He wanted to get them tattooed on himself as soon as possible, which would also fulfill his commission from Gu Lin.

After that, it would be time for instant spell-casting.

’There are still eleven days until the competition. I have plenty of time.’

...

It was late at night by the time he walked out of High Tower Academy.

The moon hid behind the clouds, and the starlight was dim.

The streets were nearly deserted.

Just as Pei Ze returned to the street where his apartment was located, a glint of silver light drifting from the distance caught the corner of his eye.

He stopped and took a closer look, only to realize the silver light was a silver butterfly.

A thought struck Pei Ze, and he extended his hand.

As expected, the silver butterfly landed obediently in his palm. It then flashed and transformed into a thick letter.

Specks of silver light on the envelope shimmered, quickly forming a Secret Technique Mark.

Pei Ze immediately recognized it as Mo Weng’s Magic Mark.

Curious, he opened the envelope on the spot, pulled out the thick stack of paper, and began to read.

To his surprise, the letter contained detailed information on the three Wizard Apprentices from Red Lotus City who were participating in the competition.

Just as Pei Ze was feeling surprised, a buzzing sound suddenly reached his ears.

He looked up in the direction of the sound and saw a dark cloud flying toward him at high speed.

Pei Ze’s gaze sharpened, but he quickly relaxed.

As it drew closer, he could see that the dark cloud was composed of countless flies.

Very few people could use such an ability, so the identity of the newcomer was obvious.

Soon, the swarm of insects stopped about ten meters from Pei Ze. They quickly gathered together, and in an instant, transformed into a stunning beauty with a hot figure and charming features.

It was Xiao Xi.

"Pei Ze, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time."

Xiao Xi strode forward.

Pei Ze asked, "What do you need from me this late at night?"

"You must have received the intel on our opponents," Xiao Xi said urgently. "Are you free right now? The three of us—you, me, and Su Shouhai—should get together and discuss the competition."

Pei Ze glanced at the letter, hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

"Alright. Where to?"

"A tavern not far from here. Su Shouhai is already there waiting for us."

Pei Ze nodded, gesturing for Xiao Xi to lead the way.

Before long, the two of them arrived in front of a tavern.

It was called a tavern, but it looked more like a private club.

The entire building had a classical look. A bronze sign hanging on the doorframe bore the three large words ’Black Cat Tavern’.

Pushing the door open, he saw that quite a few people were already inside.

The vast majority were wearing robes, and faint spiritual fluctuations emanated from them. They were clearly all Wizard Apprentices.

Pei Ze understood at once. It seemed this was a tavern that catered exclusively to Wizard Apprentices.

No wonder the atmosphere wasn’t dirty and chaotic like a typical tavern. Everyone was sitting quietly, drinking, and even their conversations were in low voices.

"Welcome. How may I help you two?"

A young, pretty waitress approached them.

"Private Room 6. We have a reservation."

Xiao Xi waved her hand dismissively, bypassed the waitress, and confidently strode through the main hall toward the back.

A short while later, they reached the innermost private room.

Xiao Xi knocked, waited a few seconds, and then pushed the door open.

The room was quite spacious, fully equipped with a small bar, a liquor cabinet, a sofa and coffee table, and a dining table.

Su Shouhai was sitting at the bar, sipping a drink. He heard the door open and turned around, waving with a smile.

"I’ve been waiting a long time for you."

Xiao Xi nodded at him, then walked toward the liquor cabinet while asking Pei Ze, "What do you want to drink?"

"Anything but alcohol," Pei Ze said casually as he went to sit on the sofa.

Most Wizards disliked drinking, as alcohol would dull their minds and affect their efficiency in studying and experimenting—this referred to special types of liquor, of course.

With a Wizard’s constitution and Spirit far surpassing that of an ordinary person, they could drink a ton of regular alcohol without feeling the slightest bit drunk.

Xiao Xi quickly returned with two glasses of a greenish-blue liquid and placed one in front of Pei Ze.

Pei Ze picked it up and took a sip. A cool, mint-like sensation instantly exploded in his mouth, and his mind felt immediately refreshed.

’It has a slight Spiritual Power-enhancing effect, but it’s probably only effective on first and Second-level Wizard Apprentices.’

Pei Ze mused to himself.

A drink like this would cost at least several dozen to a hundred Gold Coins.

But for anyone present, that price was nothing.

After some pleasantries, the three of them quickly got down to business.