"Who is it?" Ron did not turn around, still focused on stabilizing the shield wall.
"Prince Andre." Lilia answered, "He says he has an urgent message for you."
Andre’s visit was indeed unexpected, but Ron knew his old friend would not interrupt his research without reason.
It must be something important.
"Ask him to wait a moment, I’ll be there shortly."
Ron cautiously dispelled the magic, letting the grains of sand slowly fall back to the ground before turning to face Lilia.
The girl was curiously staring at the sand, clearly intrigued by the magic just performed.
"What kind of magic is that, teacher? It doesn’t look like an ordinary shield."
"Flowing Shield Wall, a more advanced form of protective magic."
Ron briefly explained, "At your current level, it’s too early to deal with this kind of magic. For now, let’s go meet Andre."
In the reception room, Andre, dressed in a simple robe, was sipping tea in small sips.
Seeing Ron enter, he immediately put down his cup, his face displaying a rare serious expression.
"Ron, I’ve looked into the matter you asked about." He got straight to the point:
"Lady Allen’s shop is indeed closed, but strangely, there are no official records of her departure within the school."
Ron frowned slightly.
Lady Allen’s departure was evidently more complicated than he had imagined.
"And there’s something even stranger."
Andre lowered his voice, "A protective barrier was set around the herb store to block spying. Ordinary apprentices passing by don’t even sense the shop’s existence, as if it has always been an empty lot."
Ron and Lilia exchanged a glance, reading the same confusion and concern in each other’s eyes.
"Do you need me to investigate further?"
Ron thought for a moment and shook his head:
"Not for now. Since Lady Allen is being so cautious, there must be a reason. Our interference might bring her unnecessary trouble."
He turned to Lilia, smiling slightly:
"Could you prepare some refreshments for us? Andre and I have some matters to discuss."
The two conversed for a while longer, mainly about their respective progress.
Andre also mentioned an important piece of news, that his father, the king, has been increasingly unwell recently.
It would be best if he remained in this state of illness, making it easier for Andre to seize the throne...
Sending off the Thirteenth Prince, Ron thought with some malice.
He then returned to the training ground, deciding to continue practicing the "Flowing Shield Wall."
This time, he did not use ordinary sand but retrieved a specially composed powder from the laboratory:
Mixed from particles of various attributes, theoretically forming a more comprehensive protective barrier.
"Let’s test this new medium..."
Ron poured a small handful of compound powder into his palm, beginning to channel spiritual power into it.
Unlike ordinary sand, this compound powder was more sensitive to spiritual power, yet harder to control.
Every different component required precise energy ratios, like playing a complex concerto, ensuring every part harmonized perfectly.
The synergy of multiple professions showcased its astonishing effects at this moment.
He could perceive and adjust every minor energy fluctuation with unprecedented precision.
Slowly and steadily, a translucent shield with a rainbow hue formed before him.
Unlike the monotonous transparency of a regular shield, this shield displayed flowing rainbow colors, each representing the energy fluctuations of different elements.
Once the entire shield stabilized, Ron began shaping it—a key feature of the Flowing Shield Wall.
Under the guidance of spiritual power, the shield transformed from a flat shield to a spherical encasement, then into a hexagonal prism, each shift smooth and natural without the slightest stiffness.
For the time being, Ron devoted a significant amount of time to practicing the Flowing Shield Wall.
He experimented with various mediums, from simple sand and water to complex metal powders, crystal stone powder, and even herbal extracts containing special energy.
Each medium required different spiritual control techniques, granting the shield different traits.
Water formed a flexible and elastic shield;
Metal powder structured a firm and rigid barrier;
Crystal stone powder offered specific energy resistance;
Herbal extracts bestowed the shield with certain healing or boosting effects.
During a joint training session with Dale and Lilia, Ron tried to use the Flowing Shield Wall to defend against Dale’s Water Arrow attack.
"Ready, Dale?"
Ron held a specially made handful of iron sand, prepared for casting.
"Anytime, Master!"
Dale excitedly waved her small hands, increasing the humidity around them as water molecules began to gather.
"Let’s begin!"
The Little Sea Siren suddenly waved her hand, dozens of crystal-clear water arrows attacking Ron from all directions.
Meanwhile, Ron rapidly crafted magic, a circular shield with a metallic sheen forming around him.
Water arrows struck the shield, making a series of crisp sounds, but none could penetrate the metal defense.
Ron sensed every impact, subtly adjusting the energy density of different shield sections to maintain its overall stability.
"Hit harder, Dale!"
Ron encouraged, while evaluating the shield’s durability in his mind.
The Little Sea Siren bit her lip, a mischievous glint in her eyes: "Be careful, Master!"
She clasped her hands together, then suddenly parted them, making the air around them instantly dry.
All water condensed into a gigantic water spear, over ten times larger than ordinary water arrows.
The spearhead crystallized into a thick layer of ice, glinting coldly in the sunlight.
"Amazing!" Lilia exclaimed from the side, never having seen Dale unleash such a powerful attack.
Ron was also taken aback but reacted swiftly.
He quickly reinforced the area of the shield where the water spear would hit, shaping the entire structure into an arc to better disperse the impact force.
"---Go!" Dale shouted, launching the giant water spear like a projectile, crashing into the shield heavily.
Boom!
A muffled sound echoed as energy ripples resonated across the shield, yet it remained intact.
The water spear ricocheted off, shattering into countless water drops in the air, scattering everywhere.
"Success!" Ron beamed with satisfaction.
It was then he noticed something peculiar:
The shield’s surface began to automatically adjust, becoming more solid, especially in the area that the water spear had struck.
"Strange... I didn’t actively adjust it..."
Ron closely observed this alteration, suddenly realizing what had occurred.
The shield seemed to have "remembered" the attack pattern and automatically reinforced the relevant area, preparing for a similar future assault.
[Tier One·Flowing Shield Wall (Novice) Experience Points +1]
[Breakthrough! Tier One·Flowing Shield Wall (Novice 50/50) → Tier One·Flowing Shield Wall (Proficient 1/100)]
[Additional Trait Acquired: Memory (The shield can have limited memory, actively defending against previously dealt attack types)]