NOVEL NEXT Chapter 184: Usage Options
"Good... Let's see what we can do, Lens." He muttered.
Just learning the flower's benefits regarding Soul Resonance, Spirit Nourishment, and Aura Infusion, he already felt excited.
He was looking forward to what kind of things he could make with these flowers.
Then, the Ocularis Lens projected three distinct options that he could possibly use in his collection of Spiritual Kiss Flowers.
[ Option 1: Petal Infusion Ritual – Aura Resonance Bath
[ Risk Level: Low
Effect Duration: Temporary, Cumulative
Main Outcome: Gradual increase in aura purity and recovery speed. ]
"Interesting…" Van mused.
Then, the Lens further explained that this method involved creating a soaking bath infused with crushed Spiritual Kiss petals, mixed with water that had been boiled using a mana flame or enchanted source. Van would then bathe in the solution over the course of seven consecutive days, each day using the essence of a single flower.
"Wow… That might be very refreshing. But where can I even do that?" Van wryly smiled at this thought. After all, he was still a slave and he didn't even have any access to a bathtub.
Even if he dared to do that in his quarters, the scent and the remnant mana from the Spiritual Kiss Flower would surely attract attention, especially if done in the Rukh Tower.
In any case, he still wanted to learn more about it, so he continued reading through it.
The Lens further discussed that during the bath, his aura channels would naturally resonate with the flower's spiritual essence, slowly purging lingering impurities and increasing aura flow efficiency.
'Sounds good..' He mused.
Additionally, the Lens noted that the ritual would enhance his aura recovery rate, improve meditative clarity, and may even soothe the strain imposed by low-tier slave seals, weakening their hold slightly.
However, this method offered only incremental gains. It would make reaching Level 3 easier, but not dramatically so.
According to the Lens' estimate, it might take him just two years to reach Level 3 of his Aura! That's already impressive if asked by others.
However, Van just considered it as it felt too slow for what he needed.
[ Option 2: The Soul-Spirit Harmony Brew – Dual Infusion Pill
Risk Level: Moderate
Effect Duration: Semi-permanent boost
Main Outcome: Small increase in spirit sense, slight enhancement in aura-related resonance. ]
This was a more intricate option—one that required basic alchemical brewing knowledge, which, fortunately, Van possessed.
He had read dozens of ancient alchemy journals in the archives back when he was still a scribe-slave. Though he had never tried to brew anything himself, his theoretical knowledge was surprisingly thorough.
The Soul-Spirit Harmony Brew required three Spiritual Kiss Flowers, a drop of beast blood (preferably from a magic creature with spiritual alignment), dried Moonshade Grass, and powdered Lifestone Crystal as a stabilizer.
"Ohhh… I know all of these." Van mused as he calculated that the expenses wouldn't exceed more than 3,000 gold. After all, the most expensive item, the Spiritual Kiss Flower, was already in his possession.
The result would be a single pill, infused with both soul-calming, spiritual, and slight aura amplification effects. It would not directly strengthen his aura, but it would improve his soul and spirit, something crucial if he wanted to eventually use the Aura Void Method.
The Lens also noted a few matters.
[ Ingestion of the brew will refine your mental focus, temporarily enhance soul and spiritual energy perception, and improve sensitivity to forbidden Aura patterns by 7–12%. Ideal for approaching the conceptual threshold of the Aura Void Method. ]
Thankfully, the Lens had a full record of the Aura Void Method, even if he couldn't practice it yet. Thanks to that, he was able to easily recognize what to do.
Still, it was risky. If brewed improperly, it could damage his soul sense or leave him temporarily disoriented.
Of course, there was also a bigger problem of finding a place to create the brew but still, Van knew that whatever option he chose, he would do something about it.
But then came the third option—and Van's eyes widened slightly.
[ Option 3: Condensation of the Spiral Core – Aura Advancement Pill
Risk Level: High
Effect Duration: Permanent advancement catalyst
Main Outcome: Rapid enhancement of Aura density, increases success rate of Level 3 breakthrough. ]
"Seriously?" Van muttered.
He was only a Level 1 Aura User after all. He couldn't help but feel confused about how the Lens calculated that it could already assist him in reaching Level 3.
Still, he wasn't doubting his A.I. assistant.
This was what he had been hoping for, and he wanted to see if it was actually true.
Van then continued to read his Lens' research.
Apparently, it was a forbidden method, likely lost in most common alchemy circles.
It required six of the Spiritual Kiss Flowers, as well as a rare catalyst—either a drop of Tier-3 Beast Core essence or, as an alternative, a splinter of Refined Eternal Mana Stone, which was exceptionally hard to obtain.
"No wonder… I actually need a Beast Core Essence. That's not something I could get so easily." Van shook his head at this.
"Where could I even get that?
Thankfully, the Ocularis Lens also suggested other items that could replace the essence but the efficiency could drop by about 10% to 30% depending on the essence he decided to use.
Anyway, the process involved grinding the flowers into a mana-reactive paste, combining it with the Core essence, and refining the mixture under a controlled mana flame… It must be constant or same level of heat for at least four hours.
If successful, the result would be a Pill of Spiral Core Condensation. It was a mystical catalyst that would supercharge his aura pathways, unlock stagnant nodes in his body, and drastically raise his chances of becoming a Level 3 Aura Knight…
Furthermore, once ingested, the Lens projected a 26% chance of awakening a "Second Aura Thread," a rare condition that allowed the simultaneous flow of two aura disciplines—a trait found only in some Blessed Aura Users.
"Second Aura Thread…" Van muttered to himself. He couldn't help but imagine it. Still, he swiftly shook his head as he had to think whether he could even create this pill.
After all, he had to become a Level 3 Aura Knight so he could attempt to master and use the Aura Void Method to sever the bindings that still shackled his body...
[ Warning: The refinement process must be uninterrupted. Failing mid-brew may result in Aura backlash, flower desynchronization, or resource combustion. ]
Van gently nodded at the final warning from his Lens. It was certainly true since even if he had gotten all the ingredients he needed, he must make sure that he'd succeed at the first attempt since he could only do it once with his current number of Spiritual Kiss Flowers.
"Alright…"
This… was exactly what he needed. Dangerous, yes. But it had the best result if he succeeded. He could take a massive step forward—not just as an Aura Knight, but as a free man.
Van sat in silence as he considered his next move.
"I'll need to prepare… quietly," He whispered.
He wasn't sure how much time he needed but he knew that he had to do it as quickly as possible. After all, the satchel's mystical effect to preserve the efficacy of ingredients wasn't perfect.
It could only contain the medicinal efficacy of the ingredients for a period of time.
***
Afternoon came slowly and at this point, Van and Julia decided not to find more Mission Items as they believed that they already had enough.
"Van, I'm ready… It's time. Let's go." Julia said as she saw Van waiting for him outside the wooden house.
Van then looked at Julia and confirmed that she was fresh and ready to travel. Then, he grabbed his satchel as he was also prepared to return to the main relay station.
Together, they stepped out into the early afternoon sun and made their way toward the station through the forest's outskirts.
Indeed, they decided to take the long route instead of passing through the forest and encountering various Magic Beasts, swamps, insects, and others.
Well, this was mainly Julia's suggestion as she felt that the Whistler Forest had become more dangerous with the appearance of that Azure Serpent.
Still, even if they were traveling through the outskirts of the forest, Van still managed to locate various mission items and stored them in his mystical satchel provided by Julia.
Soon, they found the familiar structure with banners of the Rukh Tower fluttering at the entrance…
Other groups were already there.
Van spotted the four other student leaders and their slaves gathered at one end of the courtyard.
Some looked cocky perhaps due to their haul while others looked cautious, unsure whether they had obtained the amount they needed enough to get good grades.
Each of them held boxes or containers—proof of their harvested goods.
Julia, leading Van toward them, wore her usual composed expression.
Though tired, she walked to them calmly and nodded politely to the others but said nothing.
Van realized that the atmosphere was tense.
Everyone was wondering the same thing.
Who had the most mission items?