The afternoon sun slanted in through the high windows, casting a geometric patch of light upon the linen tablecloth.

The silver knives and forks rested silently in the brightness, their edges outlined by a soft gleam.

The rich, seared aroma of roast beef and the fragrance of freshly baked herb bread wafted silently through the air.

Murphy sat at the head of the table. His posture seemed casual, but the aura about him was deeper and more reserved than usual.

The effects of the Titan’s Blood Crystal he had consumed several days prior were gradually becoming apparent.

It had not only boosted his Essence from 2.2 to an astonishing 3.0, but this sharp increase had, in turn, nourished his Spirit.

His Spirit, originally around 2.2, had now begun to shift, steadily rising to 2.3.

Moreover, this upward trend hadn’t stopped, suggesting there was still room for future growth.

Of course, Murphy knew full well that this didn’t mean he was already an Official Wizard.

In the world of Wizards, the Spiritual Power of an apprentice typically capped out around 2.0. Breaking past 2.1 was considered almost impossible, as it meant hitting an invisible ceiling.

His Spirit’s current strength far surpassed the norm, which was, of course, because he walked the Path of Qi Refining.

But the true threshold for becoming an Official Wizard was far higher.

According to the Wizard’s Scripture, an Official Wizard’s Spirit had to reach at least 4.0—a qualitative leap in one’s very essence of life, far beyond his current reach.

More importantly, to Murphy, on the Path of Qi Refining, Essence, Qi, and Spirit were three parts of a whole, interdependent and inter-transforming.

’Essence is the foundation, the crucible, the fuel.’

’Spirit is the sovereign, the control of the flame, the fuse.’

’Qi is the nexus, the true power, the fruit.’

’Now, my Essence has grown vast, like a great furnace, and my Spirit has become as vigorous as a bright flame.’

’And Qi, the core where the other two converged and transformed, naturally rose as well.’

’My Qi value has also risen to 1.9.’

’But while everything rose in tandem, the boost to my Essence was like swapping a teacup for a water cistern.’

’Even though the increase in my Spirit had greatly raised my daily limit for refining Spiritual Qi, the fundamental situation remained unchanged.’

’The time needed to fill this expanded "container" with Qi and finally achieve Perfection in the Qi Refining Realm wouldn’t be drastically reduced, despite the growth in my Qi and my increased efficiency.’

’By my rough estimate, I will likely still need ten years of painstaking effort to reach my goal.’

"Father," Kaiden’s voice suddenly rang out, breaking the silence at the dining table. "Since you’ve come back from the South... you seem a little different."

He tilted his head, his black eyes blinking, and curiously sized up Murphy. "I can’t quite put my finger on it. I just feel... you’re more..."

"More what?" Aurora smoothly took over the conversation, placing a muffin spread with honey onto her son’s plate. "Do you mean Father seems more composed because of the hard journey? Long travels always have a way of settling a person."

Her tone was natural, her azure eyes smiling as she looked at Kaiden. "Go on, try it. The muffins are baked just right today."

Kaiden said, "Oh," his attention indeed drawn by the fragrant muffin. He took a big bite, his eyes squinting in satisfaction, and temporarily set aside his earlier question.

But he quickly remembered something else and, after swallowing his food, asked, "Father, was the celebration in the South fun? Was it really grand? I heard the banquet hall in Taymer Palace is even more magnificent than the great hall in our castle!"

Sitting opposite him, Annie Peric also looked up at his words. Her red hair was particularly striking in the sunlight, and her eyes showed unconcealed curiosity and a faint trace of regret. "I also heard the celebration at Taymer Palace is one of the grandest events in the Southern Territory. It’s a shame my family didn’t let me go this time."

She added with a hint of complaint, "My father said I’m still too young, and there’s a lot going on in the Eastern Territory lately."

Murphy’s gaze swept over his son and Annie. "It was adequate. There were banquets, a circus, fireworks, and an astrological demonstration."

"An astrological demonstration?" Kaiden’s eyes lit up, and he almost dropped his knife and fork. "Did they use Magic to project the stars into the hall? Alina said last time that the Astrologers in the South are amazing! Oh, right..."

At the mention of Alina, the boy’s tone naturally filled with a hint of anticipation. "Father, when can Alina and Sofia... visit Monte Castle again? They said they really like the Snowball Flowers here."

Murphy said flatly, "Their travel plans are not set. The Laura Clan and the Douglas Clan each have their own affairs. If you wish to know about recent events in the South, or to converse with your friends, you may write a letter. The messenger service is reasonably convenient." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Kaiden nodded, a little embarrassed. "Yes, Father. I understand."

Aurora smiled and added some vegetable soup to her son’s bowl. "We could perhaps extend another invitation during the summer hunt, or on Harvest Day. The scenery in the Northern Territory will be beautiful then. They should like it."

As soon as she finished speaking, Annie set down her silver fork, lightly dabbed the corners of her mouth with her napkin, and then sat up straight. Her expression was more formal and less lively than usual. She first looked at Aurora, then turned to Murphy.

"Your Excellency, my lady," she began, her voice clear and respectful. "Speaking of visitors, I just received a letter from my family in the Eastern Territory this morning."

She paused for a moment, seeming to choose her words carefully. "The letter mentions my uncle, Sir Harold. He is primarily responsible for the family’s mining trade and some external relations. Due to some recent business dealings, he may need to make a trip to the Northern Territory. If his journey goes smoothly, he might visit Monte Castle to consult with you in person, Your Excellency, regarding some new potential collaborations."