After slipping the black box into his storage ring, Ray followed Alfred into a taxi.

"Are you planning to use the spirit items as soon as we return?" Alfred asked.

"Mn." Ray nodded, though his expression was still turbulent. So much money… I really burned through it. Every seal feels like tossing coins into a furnace.

The only thing soothing his aching heart was the tangible surge in strength after each unsealing. Without that, he truly would have gone mad.

Three full years of blacksmithing commissions had been exchanged for just four spirit items. If not for them, he could have afforded to learn the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track long ago.

Aside from Controlling Crane and Capturing Dragon, he had also spent contribution points on grappling techniques and the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer. The former bolstered his close-combat prowess, while the latter enhanced his forging.

The hammer technique, said to originate from an ancient great clan, was rumored to be passed down from the lineage of the Immortal Guild's founder, Azrael, whose ancestral family was the Sky Clan.

Though the Sky Clan had long since faded into history, the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer endured as its final legacy. It was a technique usable both in battle and in forging, perfectly suited to Ray's frightening physical strength.

Even so, the Immortal Guild still held many arts he yearned for. Among them, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and the Soft Bone Eight Stage Drop tempted him the most, the latter being a terrifying close-combat technique.

To be blunt, Ray's body was abnormal. Overwhelming strength paired with astonishing flexibility meant he met all the requirements to cultivate it.

Unfortunately, his coin pouch was painfully light. Accumulating enough contribution points would take ages.

Unless he reached Spirit Refinement.

Ray didn't like pinching pennies, but he had no choice. Everything required money. Spirit Refinement, seal breaking, cultivation, battle armor… none of it was cheap.

Becoming a battle armor master wasn't about having spare change tucked away. It required mountains of gold, rivers of coins, and even that was only the beginning. If he didn't learn frugality now, reality would crush him later.

"How long do you estimate it'll take?" Alfred asked.

Ray shook his head helplessly.

Alfred frowned. "If you don't even know how long it will take, then why did you insist on bidding for the vine?"

Ray's lips twitched. Teacher… must you salt the wound? I'm already bleeding coins here.

"I… I wanted to save some money," he muttered.

Alfred continued mercilessly, "And how much did you save?"

Ray ground his teeth. "Nothing."

Alfred said coldly, "If you rush to refine your bloodline now, you may miss the Central Academy's entrance exam. So you have two choices. Refine your bloodline and risk missing the test, or take the exam as you are. Think carefully."

Ray's brows knitted together. The dilemma weighed heavily on him. I don't know how long the unsealing will take. If it drags on…

But can I pass the exam without it?

This is Central Academy.

"Teacher," Ray asked quietly, "with my current strength… what are my chances of passing the Central exam?"

Alfred examined him carefully. "It will be tough."

Tough.

Was that good or bad?

Ray pressed on. "How tough?"

"Very tough." Alfred turned to face the window, clearly done with the topic.

Ray felt a headache blooming. Can't you elaborate just a little? Help me analyze this! Isn't that part of being a teacher?

He swallowed his complaints. "If that's the case, then I can't gamble. Teacher… if you knew this, why didn't you tell me to buy the vine three days ago? I would've had more time."

Alfred replied calmly, "You're grown now. It's your money. Every decision is your responsibility."

Harsh, but true.

Ray sighed inwardly. He had expected this answer, yet still asked. He lost the moment the words left his mouth.

"I choose to refine my bloodline." He inhaled deeply, resolve blazing in his eyes.

If passing the exam is difficult without breaking the seal, then I'll risk it. At least my odds will be higher.

"Alright." Alfred nodded and said no more.

Back at the inn, Alfred pointed toward his room. "You'll break through here. I'll guard you." He opened the door and walked inside.

Watching his teacher's tall, composed figure, warmth flickered in Ray's chest. He understood Alfred's hands-off approach now. It wasn't indifference. It was trust, and a push toward independence.

Ray followed him in.

Alfred gestured to the bed and pulled a stool over, sitting beside it.

Ray placed the four spirit items neatly on the desk.

Is it time?

Three years since the first seal… and now the second.

What will I gain this time?

His heartbeat thundered in his ears.

But I must finish within four days. If I succeed, I'll face the exam at my peak.

Time waited for no one. Ray crossed his legs on the bed and closed his eyes, calling out to Grandpa Miel.

Since Grandpa Miel had saved him from spirit energy overload, he hadn't appeared once. Ray only realized this absence now, and anxiety stirred. What if he doesn't come?

Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long.

His consciousness sank into that familiar, mystical world.

"You're ready?" Grandpa Miel's voice echoed.

"Grandpa Miel!" Relief washed over Ray. Golden light flared, and Grandpa Miel appeared, unchanged from before.

"Mn. Long time no see, little rascal," Grandpa Miel said with faint nostalgia. "You've done well tempering your body. Breaking the second seal shouldn't be a problem. Have you prepared the four spirit items?"

"I have," Ray replied, though bitterness lingered in his tone.

"Good. This time, the method is different," Grandpa Miel explained. "You'll eat the Dragonscale Fruit directly. The other three must be crushed into juice, diluted with hot water, and used for a medicinal bath while you meditate."

"Simultaneously," he emphasized. "Do not eat the fruit until the bath is ready. Understand?"

"Yes." Troublesome, but manageable.

"Good. Prepare yourself. Begin when your body is at its peak."

"Alright."

The four items were the Dragonscale Fruit, Land Dragon Tendon, Azure-veined Vine, and Sea Dragon Marrow.

To avoid arousing suspicion, Ray meditated first, calming his body and spirit. Half an hour later, he stood.

"Teacher, I'm starting."

Alfred nodded, remaining seated beside the bed, his senses already extended.

"I'll need to eat the Dragonscale Fruit," Ray explained, "but the other three must be crushed into juice. I'll dilute them with hot water and soak in it. Could you help?"

Alfred stared at him. "You're absorbing them by soaking?"

"Yes. Is there a problem?"

"No," Alfred replied slowly. "But it's inefficient. You won't absorb everything."

"That's fine," Ray said. "Please help."

Alfred stood up. As he did, he muttered, "What a waste of money."

Ray's face twitched violently. Please… stop talking about money.

The inn wasn't luxurious, but it had a bathtub. Ray opened the tap, letting scalding water fill the tub halfway. Alfred returned with the four spirit items, and the moment of unsealing drew near.

Alfred opened the case containing the thousand-year Azure-veined Vine and lifted it out.

True to its name, the vine shimmered with a deep azure hue. It was only as long as a forearm, yet it gleamed like crystal. Faint light pulsed within its translucent stalk as liquid flowed through vein-like patterns. A sweet, refreshing fragrance drifted from it, light enough to clear the mind with a single breath.

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