Chapter 81: Magical Creatures
“Whew—”
Janna exhaled deeply as she exited her transformed state.
In less than a minute of transformation, the magic within Janna’s mana circuits had already dropped below the red line.
“Laura, you can return now.”
“Hiss—”
After dispersing the power of the contract, the Thornflower Sprite was also sent back to the Spirit Realm by Janna.
“Although the mana consumption of [Elementary Transfiguration] is high, if I can make good use of these three minutes, it might serve as a decent trump card...”
Although the Thornflower Sprite was a magical beast sharing the same attribute as Janna, transforming into it didn’t offer much utility for her.
To be honest, the Thornflower Sprite's support abilities far outweighed its combat capabilities.
What Janna needed most at the moment was to compensate for the weak combat power inherent to Summoning and Plant-affinity apprentices.
By utilizing a three-minute transformation, she could significantly boost her combat explosiveness. If a strike failed, she could quickly retreat.
“Perhaps in the Magical Creature Breeding Zone, there might be plant-type magical beasts that meet these criteria. After tomorrow's classes, I can go observe on-site; maybe I'll find a suitable transformation target...”
“Also, the next time I choose a contract summon, it should either possess high burst combat power or be capable of covering my swift escape...”
While contemplating her future combat strategy, Janna glanced up at the mechanical clock, noting the late hour.
She removed her wizard robe and stepped into the washroom to shower.
“If only I had an alchemical bathtub—it would not only quickly relieve fatigue but also allow for meditation within...”
Upon returning from the Nightingale Opera Troupe over the weekend, Janna had seen the latest model of an alchemical bathtub in an alchemical supplies store.
Its body-conforming design not only allowed a weary wizard to rest fully but also featured magic pattern arrays etched onto the tub.
After twelve hours of energy storage, it could provide a mana-rich environment for shallow meditation.
At first glance, Janna had taken a liking to this alchemical bathtub. However, upon seeing the price, which didn't align with her expectations, she chose to leave gracefully.
“Splash—”
As hot water cascaded from the showerhead, the day's fatigue gradually melted away with the sound of flowing water...
...
The next day, on the fifth floor of the Magic Tower, in the First Tier Apprentice's public classroom.
“Say, how old do you think Professor Uta really is?”
On the podium, watching Professor Uta, whose hair and beard were entirely white and whose long beard nearly reached his knees, Vivian whispered in a voice only she and Janna could hear.
“He must be quite old. After all, unless maintained through special means, a wizard's appearance ages with time.”
“But I heard that Professor Uta is actually much younger than the Headmaster... Yet the Headmaster looks only about thirty and doesn't appear... um, as aged.”
At this point, Vivian looked up cautiously at Professor Uta, who was teaching the 《Elvish Language》 class in a chant-like manner. Seeing that he hadn't noticed her, she continued holding her textbook, half-covering her mouth, and whispered.
“The Headmaster is a Necromancer. The Law of Death has the characteristic of [Stasis], so it's normal for him to appear younger than others.”
“Laws? Janna, since when do you know about laws?”
“Just a few days ago.”
Seeing Janna's profound demeanor, Vivian guessed that she must have spent the past few days reading a pile of dry professional books in the library.
It seemed that this time, she had delved into law-related books that were typically explored in the third year.
“Janna, you really don't seem like a wizard of our age...”
“Is that so? But I don't think that's a bad thing.”
“You're really something else.”
...
“This section covers the background of the establishment of the First Tier Wizard gathering place, [Sky City]... Alright, class dismissed.”
“Goodbye, Professor Uta—”
As the clock's hand just pointed to eleven, Professor Uta, who was even more unwilling than the apprentices to extend class time, decisively closed his textbook, shook his beard, and strode out of the classroom.
“Janna, do you have any plans later?”
“I'm planning to visit the Magical Creature Breeding Zone. Are you interested in accompanying me?”
Hearing where Janna was headed next, Vivian shook her head without hesitation.
“I have a banquet tonight. I don't want that dung-filled place to stink up my hair.”
“Alright then, I'll go alone.”
Seeing Vivian's look of disdain, Janna shrugged, picked up her 《Ancient Magic History》 textbook, bid her farewell, and left the classroom alone.
“Ding—”
After leaving the classroom, Janna saw that the elevator had just arrived and took the opportunity to squeeze in.
As the mechanical elevator chimed again, Janna, who hadn't exited with the crowd on the first floor, waited until the others had left before politely addressing the crystal pendant hanging at the elevator entrance:
“Lord Tower Spirit, please take me to the basement level's Magical Creature Breeding Zone.”
“Purpose?”
“I want to observe the magical creatures inside to seek inspiration for practicing witchcraft.”
“Approved.”
The deep male voice was mechanical and stiff.
Although the Tower Spirit was merely an alchemical being, as the Headmaster's private property and the Magic Tower's steward, Janna remained extremely respectful in her demeanor.
“Ding—”
With the third chime of the elevator, Janna, now wearing her wizard's hood, took out her wand from her inner pocket and cautiously stepped out of the elevator.
“Floral Guard—”
With a gentle wave of her wand and the completion of the incantation, a light green oval protective barrier appeared around Janna.
“Although the magical beasts in the breeding zone can't harm apprentices, there's no rule against them playing tricks on us...”
As a sub-dimensional space developed beneath the Magic Tower, the area inside was roughly the size of twenty football fields.
The breeding zone was divided into four areas: Thorny Forest, Swamp Wetlands, Deepwater Lake, and Rocky Terrain.
Janna's goal this time was clear: to find a plant-type magical beast with high burst power in the Thorny Forest for transformation simulation.
Only two magical beasts in the entire breeding zone met Janna's criteria: the Man-eating Demon Flower and the Deceptive Tree Spirit.
The Man-eating Demon Flower stood about three meters tall and possessed two traits: [Devour] and [Paralysis]. Its advantages were strong burst power and extremely fast attack speed. However, its disadvantages included a fear of fire and immobility, making it highly limited.
The Deceptive Tree Spirit ranged from three to four meters in size and had the traits of [Frenzy] and [Regeneration]. Its strengths lay in immense power and defense akin to an iron fortress. Although it could move, its speed was slow, and its combat style involved delivering a head-on blow to crush the enemy into pulp...