Chapter 641 - 540: Parting

Chapter 641: Chapter 540: Parting

"So, those scumbags saw you walk out of the Mercenary Guild and figured you were an easy target since you’re a new face? They wanted to rob you of the reward you just collected?"

After hearing Allen’s explanation, Holland grinned and clapped the young blond man on the shoulder, a blow so forceful it made him sway slightly.

"Nice one, kid! With scum like that, you gotta break their legs and teach them a lesson they won’t forget!"

Ellis stood a little farther off, a slight frown on his face. His gray-blue eyes swept over the mouth of the alley, watching the figures of the men as they helped each other up. They shot one last venomous glare over their shoulders before scrambling away. He then calmly added.

"Holland is right, but next time you find yourself in a similar situation... perhaps you could be more cautious."

"Choose a spot that’s better for a retreat or for calling for help. Or at least check if they have accomplices nearby first. In Gray Rock City, getting ambushed for revenge when you’re alone is often a bigger problem than a head-on fight."

His tone wasn’t one of blame, but of rational advice born from experience.

Roland nodded, his gaze sweeping over the fresh blood on the plain longsword in Allen’s hand.

"Ellis is right. You should be thorough when you deal with evil, but preserving your own life comes first."

"That follow-up move, after you changed direction and lunged forward... your center of gravity was a little unstable. If there had been a fourth person launching a surprise attack, you would have been in serious danger."

Listening to the three of them, Allen sheepishly scratched his signature short, bright-blond hair, his face breaking into a smile that was a mix of gratitude and embarrassment.

"I... I wasn’t really thinking. They blocked my way and just attacked. Thank you for the advice, Mr. Rudolph, Mr. Ellis, Mr. Holland. I’ll be more careful next time."

His smile was sincere and bright, full of the earnestness unique to youth, one not yet tainted by the world’s cynicism.

The group continued on their way, talking as they went, and soon arrived back at the relatively secluded end of the alley.

The inconspicuous, heavy wooden door of the Silver Star Potion Shop came into view.

Pushing open the wooden door, a familiar scent wafted out—a mixture of herbs and alchemical preparations.

At the workbench, Vanessa was completely absorbed, staring at a slowly rotating crystal ball with a silvery mist swirling inside. Her purple eyes didn’t blink once.

She snapped back to reality at the sound of the door opening. Flustered, she quickly covered the crystal ball with a black velvet cloth and turned around, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"M-Mr. Rudolph! You’re back!"

Her gaze fell first on Roland, and her purple eyes instantly brightened with an eagerness to share, a feeling that temporarily overcame her usual timidity.

"That method you taught me... using specific Meditation to repeatedly refine my spiritual focal point and using Visualization Defense against intangible pressure... it’s really working!"

Her words tumbled out, like a student eager to report her progress.

"I haven’t been able to ’ignite the Spark’ like you said, but I can clearly feel the ’tentacles’ of my Spiritual Power becoming sharper and more ’solid’!"

"Sometimes, during deep Meditation, I can even ’touch’ a very, very thin... ’membrane’? Or maybe a boundary? It feels like there’s something huge and really special behind it... but I can’t get through it or see it clearly yet."

She gestured unconsciously with her hands, trying to describe the profound sensation. Her face was radiant with the pure joy of curiosity and of exploring an unknown realm.

"So... so what should I do next? Should I keep practicing this ’Visualization Defense’? Or do I need to try another way to ’touch’ that boundary?"

Vanessa tilted her head back, her violet eyes filled with a thirst for knowledge, gazing intently at Roland as she awaited his next instruction.

The others watched this exchange unfold.

Holland crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. A mischievous, "I-knew-it" expression crossed his face as he muttered to Ellis.

"See? Another one completely won over by the boss."

Ellis’s gaze shifted between Roland and Vanessa. He looked thoughtful but said nothing.

Allen, meanwhile, watched Vanessa and Roland with curiosity, clearly unfamiliar with—but intrigued by—topics like "Spiritual Refinement" and "Spark."

Roland met Vanessa’s expectant gaze.

He could clearly sense the vibrations of her soul; they were far more solid and active than when they had first met.

The speed of her progress was truly remarkable.

"You’ve done very well, Vanessa."

Roland began slowly.

"To have refined your Spiritual Power to the point where you can clearly perceive and begin to touch your own ’Talent Barrier’ in such a short time... that rate of progress is far from ordinary. It is a testament to your potential."

However, his tone then shifted. Though he remained as calm as ever, his words made the radiant light on Vanessa’s face freeze.

"But I’ve now taught you everything I can about basic Spiritual Refinement and strengthening your will. The path forward is one you must walk on your own, using your own insights and combining them with your path as a ’Witch’ to continue exploring and seeking a breakthrough. As for Holland, Ellis, and I..."

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over his two companions in the room.

"Our business in Gray Rock City is concluded. We will soon be setting out to continue our journey."

At these words, the sparkle in Vanessa’s excited purple eyes visibly dimmed, as if she were a star that had its light suddenly snuffed out.

Her mouth hung slightly open. She looked as if she wanted to say something, but for a moment, she was at a loss for words.