Wizard Lord:I can Extract Anything

Three days later.

"Magical Pet Breeding Handbook, this must be what Chaxes mentioned."

In the library, Richard retrieved the "Magical Pet Breeding Handbook" from the shelf. This book detailed basic knowledge about breeding magical pets, with a borrowing fee of three magic stones for five days.

According to Chaxes, his Death Omen Crow was similar to a typical magical pet, except it couldn't grow naturally.

After handing over academy credits to a suddenly appearing sprite, Richard touched a crystal sphere to the book's code, thus completing the borrowing process.

With the book in hand, Richard returned to his dorm.

On his balcony sat a green-eyed crow, slightly larger than an ordinary crow, its foot tethered with a chain, gazing intently into the distance.

This was the Death Omen Crow crafted by Chaxes.

According to Chaxes, this crow had a physique equivalent to fifteen, allowing it to fly freely at altitudes of six kilometers. Its feathers were incredibly tough, capable of supporting two hundred pounds without breaking, and could even withstand magic missiles.

Chaxes also modified its claws and beak, making them sharp enough to pierce steel plates easily.

Richard placed the book down and retrieved prepared iron pellets from a drawer.

Chaxes had modified the crow's digestive system to be omnivorous, allowing it to digest specific metals to maintain the toughness of its feathers and the sharpness of its claws and beak.

Additionally, the crow required ten pounds of fresh meat daily to sustain its energy.

"Eat up, eat up, have your fill."

Richard opened his hand, letting the crow peck at the iron pellets.

Now, he needed to gradually build a relationship with the crow to ease the implantation of the soul seed.

The soul seed is the core of magical pet technology, enabling pets to obey wizards. Through it, wizards can mentally command pets for complex tasks and share senses.

Some wizards use many pets to construct their combat systems.

However, a wizard apprentice can only allocate two soul seeds, and if a pet dies unexpectedly, the soul seed cannot be recovered. Hence, apprentices often use pets like Richard's for support roles.

After feeding the crow, Richard watered his plants.

He had collected various magical plant seeds and specimens from the Blackstone Mountains, now potted on his balcony.

With watering done, Richard returned to his desk, cluttered with books. Besides the "Magical Pet Breeding Handbook," the rest were alchemy texts from Jolord.

Richard skimmed these books, which contained detailed foundational knowledge of magical gear, potions, synthetic beasts, and even magical arrays.

Borrowing such books from the library would cost a fortune, but now Richard had them for free.

This was the benefit of becoming a formal apprentice; some knowledge couldn't be acquired with magic stones alone.

Classes, feeding, watering, and reading filled Richard's day.

In the evening, Richard left his room, inviting Ellie from next door to join him at a newly opened restaurant near the tower.

Since deciding to cultivate Ellie as a teammate in the Blackstone Mountains, Richard focused on strengthening their relationship.

Eating together, attending classes, visiting the library, and regularly taking on tasks together to build combat rapport all deepened their bond.

Relationships grow step by step this way.

The restaurant's décor was simple, even plain. The walls bore a few landscape paintings and tapestries, with twelve magic stone lamps illuminating twelve tables from the ceiling.

Yet simple décor didn't equate to a simple restaurant.

The owner had somehow hired mortal waiters, all tall, handsome, and impeccably mannered.

A waiter handed Richard a menu and set silverware on the table.

"Charcoal-grilled magical pattern pork ribs, long-term consumption can enhance physique," Richard read, smiling. "The owner has some clout, using magical beasts as ingredients."

"Isn't this a bit too expensive?"

Ellie looked nervously at the menu, where each dish was pricey, with just a couple adding up to three or four magic stones.

Converted to Goldfinch Kingdom coins, this meal would cost a year's taxes.

"It's just a treat, not a habit." Richard selected a few interesting dishes from the menu and handed it to the waiter.

He was intrigued by the supposed physique-enhancing effect.

As the waiter silently retreated, Richard glanced around the room.

The restaurant had only twelve tables, with just four occupied besides theirs.

"Hmm?" Richard noticed a familiar face at another table. "Ellie, isn't that Kevin, the guy we met on the airship?"

Ellie looked in the indicated direction and nodded.

"It is him."

"Great."

Richard approached Kevin's table, greeting him warmly.

"Kevin, long time no see. Have you missed me?"

Kevin was dining with Griffith, who had helped Richard during the exam. Seeing Richard, Griffith paused his meal.

"Richard?" Kevin was startled, quickly catching on to Richard's intent.

"Long time no see, long time no see. How have you been, Richard?"

As he spoke, Kevin discreetly handed Richard a hundred-academy-credit note.

"I'm doing alright, but not as well as you, Master Kevin."

Richard accepted the note with a smile. Kevin's best trait was his tact, both on the airship and now.

"I'm not doing that well, just making a bit from a small business," Kevin replied, shaking his head.

"Small business?" Richard caught a familiar scent upon approaching Kevin.

"The scent of wisteria. Wisteria is useful in crafting magical gear and potions."

Kevin hesitated, then acknowledged. As a noble family built on commerce, business acumen was ingrained in Kevin's family. At the academy, his keen sense quickly found opportunities in alchemical materials.

"Good observation. Are you specializing in the Alchemy School, Richard?"

With Kevin's admission, Richard's interest piqued.

As an alchemy specialist, experiments would become a regular part of his life. While the commercial district had many materials, some niche items were scarce.

Since Kevin was dealing in alchemical materials, he'd certainly frequent the commercial district.

As the saying goes, more friends lead to more opportunities. Richard was keen on building a connection.