Chapter 16

After bidding farewell to the High Priest, Sigma first went to the logistics department of the College of Nature and asked a Druid in charge of supplies for some seeds. The Druid readily gave him a variety of seeds, including Iron Thorn, Carnivorous Flower, Sun Vine, Burst Grass, Icebound Tree, and more. There were also seeds for food crops and cash crops, all neatly packed in a large box. Each small compartment of seeds was labeled appropriately, showing a considerate and professional attitude. Sigma felt very grateful and wanted to give something in return as a gift.

However, the Druid looked troubled and firmly declined. He explained that in the past, necromancers had also come to ask for some Druid-exclusive supplies and, following the principle of equivalent exchange, had given something in return. For example, one necromancer had given a few thigh bones polished smooth and translucent by the power of death. These bones could be used as consumable spell materials, providing a significant boost when casting bone-related spells, but they were clearly of little use to Druids. Indeed, the Druid instructor faced the thigh bones for a long time, unable to think of any use for them, and ended up feeding them to the dogs, which, unsurprisingly, refused to eat the bones filled with the power of death...

Seeing the Druid's firm refusal, Sigma decided not to give a gift after all. After all, each of those little yellow books was quite expensive, and if they didn't want them, so be it.

After uploading these precious seeds to the cloud... I mean, putting them back in his suitcase in the dormitory, Sigma looked at the simple and peaceful room and sighed enviously. Druids were practical and down-to-earth, using neither gold or silver decorations nor famous paintings to decorate. The interior of the Stone Castle was adorned with simple handicrafts and naturally growing ornamental plants. Apart from that, there were various wooden items emitting a faint fragrance, such as wooden boards, beds, tables, and chairs. The materials used were carefully selected, like various types of sandalwood that emitted a scent with insect-repelling and mind-calming effects, and the Heart of the Moon, which had a natural starry pattern. These were all extremely valuable woods that couldn't be bought for less than a dozen gold coins, and it was said that they were abundant in the depths of the Maya Great Forest.

So, compared to necromancers, Sigma greatly appreciated the Druids' low-key way of showing off.

He then began to feel sorry for the Druids who were on a friendly visit to the Atlas College, because he had been to the necromancer college's guest hotel once, and it had a strong, ridiculous, and terrifying atmosphere. The Druids wouldn't boast about the valuable woods used in their wooden items, but the necromancers would actively tell you that the specimen in the corner of your room came from a battle many years ago, where a certain unfortunate person had offended a necromancer and was burned to a crisp by the Necrotic Flame. They would invite you to admire the flame runes etched on his bones and the desperate screams of his final moments...

I hope you can get a good night's sleep in such an environment...

After admiring the Druids' taste, Sigma decided to go out for some fresh air. Young people can't sit still for long.

After a brief welcoming ceremony in the morning, the practical necromancers began to integrate into the College of Nature to complete their inspection tasks. Sigma was also invited by the High Priest for a pleasant exchange. This vibrant place made Sigma very happy, and the small techniques taught by the High Priest opened a new door for him. No wonder mages enjoyed exchanging knowledge; the path of magic was lonely and profound, and indeed required mutual support and discussion.

So, what could he learn from the Druids?

They knew how to harness the power of elements like storms, earth, and fire, and could command spiritual plants and animals to fight for them. They could even transform into fierce beasts and fight with claws and teeth. Their all-around development made their role quite versatile or, perhaps, awkward. They could be summarized as "the best spellcasters among warriors and the best fighters among mages," and they could even take on the role of healers. The sarcastic saying "jack of all trades, master of none" was often used to mock them.

Druids had unique skills in both elemental power and martial arts. One of Sigma's main subjects was the Frost School, and his family was a martial noble house. In terms of martial arts, he was also one of the best in the Atlas College. Therefore, he should focus on developing in this area. Moreover, he had heard that Druids were very skilled in biomimicry, having observed the behaviors of many animals for many years and developed a set of movements imitating bears, wolves, deer, eagles, and other creatures. These movements could help ordinary people stretch their muscles, improve blood circulation, and extend their lifespan. When performed by a Druid who had transformed into a beast, they were unstoppable and incredibly powerful, even capable of matching a berserker.

Although Sigma couldn't learn any beast spirit transformations, he was very interested in this "beast style" because he knew its importance. While mages also practiced defensive martial arts, physical training was still a weak point for them. This method of strengthening the body was actually very meaningful. Among the many spellcasting professions in the Noren Continent, Druids lived the longest for a reason—Sigma, of course, also wanted to live longer. Therefore, since he had learned to walk after his rebirth, he had been thinking about whether he had practiced any physical exercises or techniques in his previous life. In fact, he had, and there were two sets.

The first was the famous Tai Chi. In novels, it was said that Tai Chi would undergo various mutations in a different world, becoming incredibly powerful and capable of both magic and martial arts. Unfortunately, the Tai Chi Sigma practiced was the simplified 24-form Tai Chi from his middle school days, which was a watered-down version. How much could a middle school student learn from it as an extracurricular activity? It was not only lacking in spirit but also in form, and after practicing for a few years, it was almost useless, even less effective than the body-strengthening techniques summarized by the Sword God.

The second was equally famous, especially its name, "The Times Are Calling." Its official name was the Second National Middle School Radio Gymnastics. Its practical effects... were directly categorized under "Are you kidding me?"

In summary, Sigma was very eager to learn the Druids' beast style, as Coach Arno had said, a mage's survival in dire situations depended on their most critical weakness.

After making his decision, he hurried out and unexpectedly ran into someone he knew but wasn't very familiar with.

Sandro, whom he had called a "damn dog" in the morning.

...Was this guy looking for a fight?

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PS: Yes, it's the new book period, so I'm asking for recommendations, clicks, and collections. It's fine to wait and see, but could you occasionally vote during this period?