Ian had always been puzzled by one thing.

He’d noticed that for both the Nolan brothers and the gloomy man he’d just encountered, the majority of their Witchcraft Tools were shield-based.

Yet in battle, their Shields hadn’t seemed particularly effective. Their only advantage was that they could be cast instantly.

As he mulled it over, he slowly began to understand.

The prerequisite for any battle was to first ensure your own defense. Even if a Shield only lasted for a moment, it could buy enough time to counterattack.

’My own preparations in that area are still too lacking. I’m relying entirely on my strong Physique to dodge. If I ever run into some kind of tracking Witchcraft, I’ll be a sitting duck!’

He couldn’t assume that none of his opponents had Instantaneous Witchcraft; he’d just been lucky enough not to encounter one so far.

’My Shield Witchcraft is still a ways from Limit-Breaking. Should I just keep strengthening my Physique?’

Ian took a vial of Rock Bear Potion from the Constant Temperature Box, but after a moment’s thought, he put it back.

’Forget it. I can’t disrupt my plan.’

The only problem was that his Bloodline Purification Technique was progressing slowly. Over the past two months, he had spent a large amount of Magic Stones buying Demonized Ferocious Beast Essence Blood.

This one Witchcraft had devoured most of the Magic Stones he earned.

’It had better not disappoint me!’

[Bloodline Purification Technique: Skilled (286/400)]

That afternoon, news of the carriage attack reached Nightfall Town, causing another stir.

Meanwhile, Kenna and the others arrived at Ian’s residence.

This time, their expressions were even more solemn than the night before, a clear sign that something extremely important had happened.

"Ian, something terrible has happened," Kenna said grimly the moment he walked in.

"The High Tower has just issued a conscription order. All apprentices of Middle Level and above must accept the draft and participate in the war against the Deep Red Royal Court."

Ian’s heart sank. ’So, it’s finally here.’

Robert took out a more detailed map, spread it across the table, and pointed to a region in the south.

"The Deep Red Royal Court is over a thousand miles from Shadow Moon Tower. That sounds far, but in reality, our territories share many borders, and there’s constant friction."

"Especially here, here, and here..." Robert’s finger tapped on several marked locations on the map.

"The points of contention between both sides are these large and medium-sized Magic Stone mines, habitats for important potion ingredients, and ownership of at least five disputed ruins."

Wade picked up the thread, "There have been constant conflicts for decades, even centuries. It looks like this time, they’re getting serious."

Monica added quietly, "The Deep Red Royal Court is a classic Black Wizard organization. They’re bloodthirsty and cruel. In the kingdoms under their control, mortals live in misery, treated like livestock to be used in blood sacrifices whenever they please."

Kenna nodded. "While we at Shadow Moon Tower can’t be called merciful, we do forbid the large-scale blood sacrifice of commoners. Ideologically, we’re as incompatible as fire and water."

...

Ian listened in silence, gaining a deeper understanding of the context behind this war.

This wasn’t just a fight over resources; it was a clash of ideologies—Order versus Chaos, White Wizards versus Black Wizards.

"After the conscription order was issued, the High Tower posted a massive number of missions."

Kenna took out a piece of parchment. Densely packed text listed various missions and their corresponding Contribution Points.

"Take a look. The missions suitable for Middle Level Apprentices like us fall into a few main categories."

Ian took the parchment and examined it carefully, item by item:

Rear-Echelon Support:

1. Mass Refinement of Designated War Potions—Requirements: Stable daily production of at least thirty vials of Secondary Healing Potion or twenty vials of Basic Antidote Potion. Contribution Points are calculated per ten potions.

Mission briefing emphasizes a required minimum success rate of 60%. Failure to meet this standard for three consecutive days will result in a deduction of Contribution Points and removal from the post.

2. Maintenance of Underground Water Filtration Runes: Travel to several major water sources under the High Tower’s control to inspect and repair large-scale Purification Rune Arrays.

Mission Note: Potential exposure to trace amounts of magical radiation. Acceptance recommended for Defensive Rune Apprentices or Rune Masters...

3. Forging Standardized Witchcraft Tool Components: Report to the logistics Workshop and mass-produce components by inscribing Low Level Sharp Runes or Solid Runes according to a fixed schematic...

...

Garrison and Patrol:

1. Guard Magic Stone Mine No. 7. This mine is located on the fringe of controlled territory where a permanent outpost has been established.

Requirements: A team of at least three Middle Level Apprentices to conduct daily patrols of the mining area and prevent small-scale infiltration...

2. Guard the Southeast Granary of Redwood Town: Ensure food security during the war...

3. Patrol the Ashen Path...

...

Frontline Auxiliary:

1. Pharmacist’s Assistant, Falling Star Plain Frontline Camp: Travel to the most recent combat zone and assist the camp’s Official Wizards with processing potion ingredients...

Mission Note: This region is at Level One combat readiness. Occasional area-of-effect Witchcraft may be experienced. Contribution Points are high...

2. War Zone Logistics Courier: Follow an armed transport convoy to deliver vital supplies such as Potions and Magic Stones to the front lines.

Mission Note: Apprentices must possess a certain degree of self-preservation capability or...

...

Combat and Reconnaissance: 1. Reconnoiter enemy activity in the Blood Vine Swamp. A Deep Red Royal Court stronghold is suspected to be in the area...

...

Ian’s gaze lingered for a long time on the "Mass Refinement of Designated War Potions" mission.

He had refined these same potions before at the Star Leaf Magic Pharmacy, but only in small quantities. His Skill Level was only at the Beginner stage.

However, with the advantages granted by his panel, completing these missions would be effortless. His speed would far surpass that of an ordinary apprentice, allowing him to earn a massive amount of Contribution Points. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The High Tower had clear regulations: Contribution Points could not be transferred. They could be exchanged for Magic Stones at the quartermaster’s office at a one-to-one ratio, but Magic Stones could not be used to purchase Contribution Points.

Most importantly, they could be exchanged for all sorts of High Tier Knowledge, High Level Magic Potions, High Level Potions, and their recipes.

Ian’s eyes lit up when he noticed that several items he had been desperately wanting were on the list.

’The Concentration Potion recipe... the Star Moon Middle Level Meditation Method... and a complete shed skin from a Snake of the Retired Qilin...’

Shadow Moon Tower was putting all these rare treasures on the table this time!

But...

He quickly calmed down.

’The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.’ He lowered his gaze, silently looking away from the list.

’A Middle Level Apprentice demonstrating efficiency and quality in Magic Potion Refining that far surpasses the norm.’

’In peacetime, he might be hailed as a genius. But during a war, he would become a "precious resource to be tightly controlled and endlessly exploited."’

’It could even attract special attention from the Deep Red Royal Court, leading to assassination attempts.’

’He couldn’t afford either of those outcomes!’

’I can’t choose that one.’ Ian decisively rejected the mission that suited him best.

Accepting it and then deliberately suppressing his success rate with the Magic Potions would be pointless—a complete waste of his time.

He didn’t know how long the war would last, but he knew he had to get stronger, and fast!

Ian’s gaze swept over the other missions.

’Pure patrol missions or guarding existing strongholds? The contribution points are too low, and the growth would be too slow. Pass.’

’Combat and reconnaissance missions... He wasn’t looking to get himself killed. Pass.’

...

Finally, his gaze landed on a mission that involved both garrisoning a frontline logistics camp and providing Magic Potion Refining support.

This type of mission required traveling to a logistics point in the war zone. There, one would take on some camp defense duties while also using local equipment and resources to refine urgently needed potions for the front lines.

The Contribution Points were higher than for missions that only involved refining potions, but lower than for pure combat missions, placing it in a reasonable middle ground.

More importantly, it would grant him access to the frontline quartermaster’s exchange system.

That system was sure to have Witchcraft and resources more suited for the battlefield, things unavailable in the rear. It was on the front lines, but not *the* front line.

There would be danger and pressure, but it would be manageable. He wouldn’t be thrown immediately into a large-scale battle.

’I’ll choose this one!’