The ventilation slit in the confinement room was tiny, allowing only a sliver of daylight to seep in.
But for Robb, that was enough.
The stone cell, barely ten square meters in size, contained only a crude wooden bed, a waste bucket, and a lopsided table with one leg missing.
Yet the simplicity of the environment helped him focus more on his training.
"A perfect place for quiet training," Robb muttered to himself with a wry smile.
The Enforcement Squad's management of confined individuals was surprisingly lenient—possibly due to Hugo pulling some strings behind the scenes.
Meals were delivered punctually each day and were reasonably nourishing. Inmates were even allowed to keep certain personal items—after a thorough inspection to ensure nothing posed a threat.
Robb took out Darude's notebook and studied it carefully under the dim light.
By now, he had developed a much deeper understanding of the sonic spell concept.
Especially through his recent insights into "rhythm," he had begun to notice many previously overlooked details.
[Sonic Resonance (Prototype) EXP +3]
[Current Progress: Sonic Resonance (Prototype) 87/100]
"This part is the key..."
He finally understood why Darude hit a wall in his research.
Initially, Darude's idea of using musical notes to refine the sonic spell was absolutely correct—but it was a slow, meticulous process.
Pressed for time and frustrated by repeated failures, he had tried to enhance his mental output using external forces.
By abandoning his original, sound approach and chasing shortcuts, he had set himself on a path to disaster.
Just as Coronal Breathing mimicked the sun's movements, this sonic spell needed to find its own natural rhythm.
Putting the notebook aside, Robb began his daily meditation.
Isolated from the outside world, his mind reached a level of focus he had never achieved before.
[Basic Meditation started]
[Special Effect Triggered: Extreme Focus — Meditation effectiveness increased]
[Basic Meditation EXP +1]
[Basic Meditation EXP +1]
[Basic Meditation EXP +1]
...
[Current Progress: Basic Meditation (Beginner 93/100)]
In his mental space, the rune formed by three curved lines was becoming increasingly distinct.
Unlike the previous rigidness, it now pulsed with a kind of rhythmic vitality.
Mental energy flowed with surprising ease, as if it had found its perfect path.
Robb could feel that the breakthrough was near.
On the second-to-last day of his confinement, Robb completed his morning meditation as usual.
Nearly two weeks of isolation had taken his mental energy to new heights.
This enclosed, austere environment had paradoxically allowed him to delve deeper into his inner world.
As he sank into his consciousness, the tri-curve rune was now vividly clear, almost tangible.
Each arc trembled softly. Every node radiated a gentle glow.
He stood at the edge of something—one final step would push him past the barrier.
Taking a deep breath, he focused all his attention on the rune.
This time, instead of mechanically controlling it, he tried to resonate with it—blending his consciousness into the form itself.
At that moment, Robb understood:
The essence of Basic Meditation wasn't about controlling the rune—it was about becoming the rune.
With this realization, the rune began to pulse violently, emitting brilliant light.
Mental energy, as if it had found its true course, surged forward like a breaking flood.
[Basic Meditation Breakthrough!]
[Basic Meditation EXP +1]
[Basic Meditation (Beginner 99/100) → Basic Meditation (Adept - max)]
[New Trait Unlocked:
Mental Flow (When learning higher-tier meditation techniques, retain experience up to Adept level)]
It seemed that "Adept" was the cap for Basic Meditation—somewhat regretful.
But the transformation didn't stop there. Robb felt a profound qualitative change occurring in his mental energy.
What had once been scattered particles were now reorganizing, forming a more stable and refined energy structure.
In his mental space, streams of light flowed from the rune, weaving together a brand-new mental energy field.
This change wasn't just internal—his perception also sharpened drastically.
Every detail of the confinement room, even faint energy fluctuations outside the walls, became crystal clear in his awareness.
[Mental Energy Transformation Complete]
[Spirit: 1.6 → 2.0]
Crossing the 2.0 threshold in Spirit marked his formal entry into the rank of a Basic Apprentice.
This wasn't just a numerical upgrade—it was a true leap in capability.
His mind became exceptionally clear. His thoughts were faster and broader. His perception reached a whole new level.
Then came a startling discovery—Robb realized he could now feel a completely new ability:
His mental energy wasn't just circulating internally—it could now ripple outward in waves, exerting real, tangible effects on living beings.
Was this the same mental interference Marcus used on him before?
Robb cautiously released a thread of mental energy, feeling how it flowed through the air.
It felt both strange and instinctual—like breathing, effortless yet new.
Under his control, the mental energy formed a weak interference wave and radiated outward.
"So that's how it works…"
Robb murmured. This wasn't a learned skill—it was a natural ability unlocked once one's mental energy reached a certain threshold.
Just as babies don't need to be taught how to swallow, apprentice witches instinctively learned how to project their mental power.
This innate mental interference was terrifying to most transcendent classes that didn't cultivate Spirit—it could easily disrupt their thinking.
But when facing other apprentices, its effectiveness depended on whose Spirit was stronger.
At that moment, a translucent information panel appeared in midair:
[Spirit ≥ 2.0 √]
[Basic Meditation = Adept √]
[Unlocked Combat Class – Wizard Apprentice (★½ ) Advancement Info]
[Wizard Apprentice (★½)]
Advancement Requirements:
Spirit ≥ 2.0 √
Basic Meditation at Adept level √
Mastery of at least one Adept-level spell ✘ (incomplete)
After Advancing:
Attribute Growth:
Mana Growth: ★★
Constitution Growth: ★
Spirit Growth: ★★½
Unlocks Core Class Abilities:
Spell Construction
Mental Interference
Special Perks:
Slight increase in spell experience gain rate
Slight increase in Spirit growth rate
Slight increase in mana capacity and regeneration speed