Kapitel 25: Teacher's Advice!
The rhythmic jostling of the carriage over uneven ground provided a steady backdrop as Alfonso gazed out of the window. His voice, when it came, was calm yet introspective. "If I had been as cautious as you are now, perhaps those... events might have turned out differently."
Leonard, seated across from him, looked up, intrigued by the rare hint of regret in his teacher's tone.
"You're about to explore the gains from an alchemy laboratory," Alfonso continued, his voice returning to its usual measured cadence. "There will undoubtedly be books and knowledge within. But let me remind you; human energy is finite. Even if you are not entirely human, your capacity has its limits. Focus is essential. Master one or two disciplines before spreading yourself too thin."
Alfonso leaned back, closing his eyes briefly. "This discipline will serve you well in the future."
Leonard nodded earnestly, though the full weight of Alfonso's words eluded him. He knew enough to trust his teacher's wisdom. Whatever Alfonso said, no matter how cryptic, always had its purpose.
As the carriage rolled deeper into the Sage Flitwick Mountains, the road grew more treacherous. The once-gentle slopes gave way to rocky inclines, and the trees on either side towered higher, their dense canopies casting long, black shadows across the path. The world outside seemed to close in, the thick forest turning the road into a tunnel of twilight.
Kenny, ever watchful, pulled the carriage to a halt in a small clearing. The horses snorted and stomped nervously, their breath misting in the cool mountain air. Kenneth climbed down, stretching his stiff limbs before wrapping himself in the threadbare blanket he kept under his seat. He gathered some dry wood from the roadside and, with practiced efficiency, lit a small fire.
Glancing nervously at the carriage, Kenneth called out, "Sir, would you like to come and warm yourself by the fire?"
No response came from within. The carriage remained still and silent, its windows dark.
Kenneth hesitated, then turned back to his fire. He rubbed his hands together over the flickering flames, muttering under his breath. He didn't dare press the matter further. The mysterious wizard in the carriage controlled his fate, and Kenneth knew better than to overstep.
Inside the carriage, all seemed empty; save for a peculiar object resting on the seat. A metal Rubik's Cube, its intricate etchings gleaming faintly in the dim light, sat undisturbed. In truth, the carriage was not as empty as it appeared.
---
The alchemy laboratory, concealed within the folding space of the Rubik's Cube, was cramped and chaotic. Experimental equipment lay scattered across tables, and loose drafts covered nearly every available surface. Leonard stood amidst the clutter, feeling a mix of awe and exasperation. He hadn't had the chance to clean up after last night's hurried exploration.
In one corner, Alfonso sat on a narrow bed, engrossed in a book. The elder wizard's calm presence seemed out of place in the disordered lab.
Leonard had politely asked earlier if Alfonso wanted to enter the folding space, half-expecting his aloof teacher to decline. To his surprise, Alfonso had agreed without hesitation. Now, as the man read in silence, Leonard couldn't help but wonder why such a seasoned wizard showed no particular interest in the space itself.
'Does the teacher lack such a tool? Or is it simply too mundane for him?' Leonard mused.
Turning his attention to the mess, Leonard began organizing the lab. He arranged the equipment methodically, wiping down surfaces and stacking papers. It took hours of labor, but finally, the space was clean and orderly.
As he finished, a faint notification flashed in the corner of his vision:
"Daily Task Completed: Clean the Laboratory (II).
Keep the laboratory tidy. Completion: Pass.
Reward: 10 general experience points."
Leonard blinked at the message. 'Why (II)?' he wondered. 'Before, it was always (I).' Perhaps it was because this lab was now truly his, or maybe its advanced nature made it distinct from the temporary setups he had used in the past.
The reward brought his total experience points to 100. Leonard paused, considering his options. Upgrading his level seemed the most logical choice. Increased levels improved physical stamina, mental strength, and most importantly; meditation efficiency. Even a modest 10% boost to meditation could yield exponential benefits over time.
Still, a part of him itched with curiosity. The alchemy texts in the lab promised knowledge beyond what he had studied so far. Alchemy, after all, had produced marvels like the iron earthworm, a creature he could only dream of creating. But Leonard tempered his ambitions. He hadn't even finished his studies in mutation yet. The thought of building monstrous constructs like a "Hulk" assembly line amused him, but such projects could wait. The knowledge wasn't going anywhere.
Leonard glanced at Alfonso, who coughed softly and turned a page in his book. The teacher's presence was both a comfort and a reminder: discipline first, indulgence later.
---
Outside, the fire crackled quietly, and Kenny huddled close, still uneasy from the day's events. As the mountain winds whispered through the trees, the wizard's calm voice drifted out of the carriage.
"Keep moving," Leonard instructed.
Kenneth gulped and nodded, hastily dousing the fire. As he climbed back onto the driver's seat, a single thought dominated his mind: 'Survive tonight, Kenny. Just survive.'
---
High on a nearby ridge, a figure emerged from the shadows. Lauren watched the carriage roll away, the faint glow of its lanterns disappearing into the dense forest. He muttered to himself, "Always cleaning up after others…" Then, dragging the bodies of the fallen sheriffs into the woods, he continued his grim task, listening for the faintest sound of approaching footsteps.
Back in the folding space, Leonard's thoughts lingered on Alfonso's earlier remark. 'If I had been as cautious as you…' The words carried weight, a glimpse into the enigmatic teacher's past.
"Teacher," Leonard began cautiously, "I wanted to tell you about what happened last night."
Alfonso closed his book and regarded Leonard with a knowing expression. "I already know," he said simply. "I was curious if you'd admit it."
Leonard's heart skipped a beat. "Then… you're not angry?"
Alfonso's lips curved faintly. "An alchemy lab is indeed a valuable find. What you gain from it is yours to keep. Use it wisely."
Leonard lowered his head in acknowledgment. "Yes, Teacher."
Though his face was calm, Leonard's mind buzzed with possibilities. Whatever lay ahead, he would be ready.
The Laboratory was quiet, the only sound being the occasional rustle of a turning page. Leonard sat at his desk, trying his best to focus, but his thoughts wandered as he glanced at his teacher, Alfonso, sitting nearby. Alfonso's sharp gaze, even when directed at his book, felt like it could pierce through any pretense. Leonard sighed inwardly. Despite having Alfonso close by, watching over his progress, he hadn't dared to improve his level right under the teacher's nose.
After all, there were risks. Sudden bursts of mental power that came with leveling up might manifest in strange ways, and the rapid improvement in physical abilities could lead to anomalies difficult to explain. No one had experimented with these effects in such conditions before, and Leonard wasn't confident he could hide anything from Alfonso's watchful eyes.
Once the lesson ended, Leonard set about tidying the cluttered laboratory. With a bit of effort, the space looked considerably better. As he arranged books on the shelf, something caught his attention: a small, unassuming notebook. Intrigued, he opened it and discovered it contained the writings of the laboratory's second owner. Self-reflective notes, musings, and observations filled its pages.
Leonard smirked. It seemed almost every wizard he encountered had a penchant for writing diaries or journals. Was it the nature of their profession? Or perhaps something else entirely?
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein