Wizard: Start with Biological Transformation to Grind Experience novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23: 023: Attack

So... so powerful!

Lynch couldn't help but open his mouth slightly. Although he'd known about the effects of the Soul Crystal beforehand, actually experiencing its wonders at this moment still filled him with astonishment.

One of the precious uses of the Soul Crystal is that a Wizard can absorb its soul energy directly to enhance their Soul Power and spiritual power.

Regular soul materials certainly don't have such abilities. However, the Soul Crystal is quite unique—its crystalline exterior has an extraordinary filtering effect, allowing impurities in the soul to be removed, leaving only the purest soul energy. That's why Wizards can directly absorb it, and it's also one reason why Soul Crystals are so valuable.

This increase... it's too much!

In just a single moment, his Spirit Coefficient increased by 0.1. To put this in perspective, such an increase would take Lynch several weeks of regular cultivation under normal circumstances. Consider his Spirit Coefficient—he's been in the Tower for over two and a half years and only barely exceeded 2.

Yet he had absorbed just a fraction of the energy contained within this Soul Crystal. Who knows how much he could improve if he absorbed the entire thing?

So this is the allure of resources?

At this moment, Lynch finally understood why the apprentices in Wizard Families seemed to have extraordinary talents, achieving realms within a few years or decades that others couldn't reach in their entire lives. It's truly...

Just as this thought crossed his mind, an abrupt stabbing pain shot through Lynch's head.

The pain came without warning and was exceptionally intense, as if someone had thrust a Magic Wand into his brain and stirred it into a chaotic mess.

Immediately, fragmented and unfamiliar images appeared in his mind. In these pictures, he was alternately a gardener, a beggar, a knight, a lovesick girl.

At the same time, various voices echoed in his ears.

"Will Knight Edward really come tonight? Will he... will he like me? I... I just can't wait."

"Please, pity me—a crippled old beggar."

"For the family, charge!"

These chaotic images and voices overwhelmed Lynch's brain as if it might explode. Shyness, sorrow, fervor—emotions cycled rapidly, leaving Lynch completely unable to discern who he truly was.

This state persisted for several minutes before slowly easing.

Huff... huff! Huff... huff! Loud, ragged breaths filled the air.

By this time, Lynch had curled up entirely on the ground, drenched in sweat, his face pale as though he had just survived a lethal disease.

Parker stopped playing, anxiously tapping Lynch's cheek with his paw.

Several minutes passed before Lynch regained control of his body, gradually struggling to his feet.

I'm fine... he rasped out to reassure Parker first.

Then he looked once again at the Soul Crystal in his hands. Gone was the earlier excitement and envy; only raw terror remained in his eyes.

What... what is this thing...

He hadn't expected the side effects of this item to be so intense. If every energy absorption involved an experience like this... it's better to avoid it entirely. He'd rather cultivate slowly and honestly—even if it takes him his entire life.

Are those Wizard Family apprentices all monsters?

Fearful, Lynch couldn't help but wonder if he'd been using the Soul Crystal incorrectly. Otherwise, he didn't believe any apprentice could endure what he'd just experienced. A few more times of this, and mental collapse would be almost inevitable.

Indeed, the truth is that soul energy is inherently an exceptionally mysterious substance. Even though the Soul Crystal's energy has been filtered to make it absorbable, the absorption process cannot be as crude and direct as Lynch's method.

The correct usage involves absorbing the energy bit by bit and entering a meditation state immediately afterward to refine it. Doing it recklessly—like Lynch just did—is almost guaranteed to result in problems.

Soul Crystals are not meant for directly enhancing power but rather for supporting cultivation.

Even so, overuse of Soul Crystals or similar items can still lead to soul fragmentation, spiritual distortion, and other conditions. Throughout history, there have been countless apprentices and Wizards who suffered mental collapse from such causes.

In the Wizard World, there is no gain without sacrifice. Some sacrifices are visible efforts, while others are invisible costs...

Free rides don't exist in this world.

How reckless, Lynch thought self-reproachfully.

It wasn't entirely his fault, though. After all, materials like Soul Crystals are considered Wizard-level substances. In the past, Lynch hadn't had access to detailed information about them and only had very limited understanding.

Rustle-rustle!

Suddenly, the figure emerged from the bushes.

The sparse moonlight piercing the dense leaves illuminated the newcomer's face. Large eyes, delicate features, a pure appearance—it was none other than Alice, the green-tea girl Lynch had traveled with briefly a couple of days ago.

She must've just finished her task as well.

Lynch's wariness immediately faded, and he hurriedly stood up, smiling politely to greet her: What a coincidence, Miss Alice.

While speaking, Lynch glanced left and right, searching for Yuri's shadow, thinking to himself that tonight he might get to enjoy another hearty meal. Yet, both left and right yielded no sign of Yuri. How strange—wasn't Yuri supposed to dutifully stick by her side?

Intrigued, Lynch asked Alice curiously, Why isn't Yuri here, Miss Alice?

There was no reply.

Lynch found it peculiar that Alice hadn't spoken a single word, which was uncharacteristic. Someone like her, who cared deeply about her image, should've responded enthusiastically by now. Yet she was oddly silent, her expression taut...

Her face?

Only then did Lynch notice something truly strange about Alice's expression. Her face was utterly cold—not the kind of deliberate composure one might put on, but genuinely ice-like, stiff as the jerky in his hand.

Her eyes were completely vacant, the pupils entirely scattered. Lynch couldn't fathom what kind of person could wear such an expression, because as far as he knew, there was only one kind capable of this—

The dead!

Thud, thud, thud! At that moment, Alice finally stepped out from under the tree canopy and into the clearing, her figure fully exposed in the moonlight. Lynch now saw her current state clearly.

Her cloak was in tatters, stained all over with blood. Her left breast was entirely missing, while her chest bore a gaping hole—her heart had long been shattered to bits.

Parker!

Lynch's scalp tingled as he quickly grabbed his Magic Wand.

Crunch, crunch, crunch! At the same time, a sickening sound of grinding teeth rang out. Alice's body twisted backward, her limbs contorting into unnatural angles. Her head drooped upside down as she bent over, scuttling toward Lynch on all fours like a human-shaped spider.