[The knowledge category "Blood and Fire Hymn" has been discovered and loaded.]

[Blood and Fire Hymn lv0: 0/10000] 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

This is a spell combining fire elements and sacrificial types. It enhances one’s affinity for fire elemental attributes temporarily by sacrificing part of one’s own blood to alter their physical constitution, leading to an overall increase in fire element control.

To put it simply, it’s a buff spell that trades HP for increased fire attribute attack power.

"Sacrificial type?"

Sacrificial spells are a relatively niche area of knowledge because they involve highly diverse and fragmented learning. Generally, only wizard-level individuals study them, while apprentice levels typically touch upon them only in high-level apprentice magic.

The last time Lynch encountered this type of magic model was shortly after he met Avery, during an interaction with the wizard organization called Blood Origin Cult under the Black Tower Alliance, specifically their "Blood Beast."

However, the side effects of that spell were extreme—it required fusion with cultivated transcendent beings... The mere thought of merging with Parker’s body was unbearable, so Lynch had always avoided using it and kept the spell solely as a library entry.

Unexpectedly, now he had another opportunity to explore such knowledge. And this time, while it did come with some side effects, they weren’t as outrageous as those of the Blood Beast. He definitely needed to give it a proper try.

"Sacrificial spells, haven’t used them yet."

Lynch curled his lips. No matter how many spells he had learned, encountering a new spell always brought him immense joy. The world of magic was like an unfamiliar forest, brimming with surprises and the unknown.

["Blood and Fire Hymn" Skill Level +16]

...

In the afternoon, Blair came to find Lynch, saying he was inviting him to a small wizard gathering attended by wizards who got along well in private.

Initially, Lynch wasn’t planning to go, as gatherings sounded utterly boring.

Just as he was about to decline, Blair offered a reason that Lynch simply couldn’t reject.

"I recently got my hands on some handwriting from the Acadica Era. I’ve invited some friends to study it together at the gathering. Are you sure you’re not interested?"

The Shadow Land, Rose Manor.

Rose Manor was an estate owned by the Jomans family in the Shadow Land. Most of the time, it remained unused, occupied only when Jomans family members had business at the Shadow Tower. Located in the eastern portion of the Inner Ring.

For Muggle apprentices, the Inner Ring was undoubtedly a lifelong aspiration. But for these pureblood wizard families, it was something intrinsically theirs by birth.

Regardless of whether they were apprentices of the Shadow Tower, gaining residence rights and an identity here was as simple as saying a single word.

At this moment, inside Rose Manor.

Lynch and Blair walked through a long corridor wrapped in stinging nettles, Lynch turning his head to admire the picturesque scenery.

While Lynch had visited many luxurious establishments, especially after advancing to wizard level, being inside this manor still left him somewhat awestruck.

To put it frankly, the place looked like a lavish hot spring hotel, with multiple soaking pools scattered along the way. These weren’t ordinary pools; the water inside was blended with rare magical materials, providing immense cultivation benefits.

If an apprentice could soak in such pools daily, regardless of their talent—even the most inferior among them—they would have no problem advancing to high-level apprentices.

Yet faced with places like these, which Subaru would desperately jump into without hesitation, Blair displayed utter disdain.

Noticing Lynch’s intrigued expression, Blair said with a laugh, "Don’t stare at those pools, old buddy. If you want to soak, do it inside later. Those outside ones are for servants and my family’s dogs to bathe in."

Lynch: "......"

He really wanted to ask, "Are you joking?" But upon seeing Blair’s expression, Lynch knew the joke would be on him if he voiced the question.

He could only admit... his horizons were too narrow.

They traversed the hallway until Blair led Lynch to an opulent palace adorned with jade-like railings and golden decorations. Even the randomly placed suits of armor were crafted from rare magical materials.

Blair hadn’t lied. Within the palace were pools similar to those outside, except their medicinal properties were a hundredfold more potent.

"Friends, we’re here..."

Several individuals had already gathered in the palace. All were young wizards around Lynch’s age. While their identities were unknown, their inherent demeanor suggested they were most likely from wizard families.

Unlike the banquet yesterday, the wizards present showed no hostility upon learning about Lynch’s background; their attitudes remained friendly.

To consider them genuine friends might be a stretch, but they appeared indifferent to Lynch’s identity—or even Lynch himself. It seemed like they cared only about having fun together.

Overall, their attitudes were relatively amicable.

Upon Lynch’s arrival, servants began delivering elaborate dishes and exquisite wines crafted from rare ingredients. Even if just for the food, the trip was worthwhile.

Believing he was likely the last guest, Lynch noticed the food was served after his arrival and that the earlier guests began eating right away, even inviting Lynch to join them.

At this point, Lynch asked Blair about the handwriting.

Unexpectedly, Blair casually replied, "Don’t rush; we’re still waiting for others."

"More guests?" Lynch paused, instinctively putting down his utensils.

Blair said, "It’s fine; we can eat first. If others arrive, the servants can prepare food again or let them eat whatever’s left. They’re not that important; they’re just toys."

Lynch was puzzled.

"They’ve arrived."

Just then, Blair set his food down, giving Lynch a mysterious smile. "You’ll understand in a moment."

With that, he left the room.

After a short while, Blair returned, and Lynch gradually realized the meaning behind Blair’s previous words.

"Oh my, oh my! Look who’s here!"

"So many beauties—let me see... are they angels?"

"Giggles, greetings, Master Wizards!"

A burst of laughter echoed as a group of giggling young girls followed Blair into the room. They were a dozen fresh-faced young apprentices, all stunningly beautiful.

None of them bore family emblems—they were all Muggles.

Lynch froze for a moment.

Magical harps played haunting melodies. With the arrival of these witches, the atmosphere inside came alive. Crisp laughter and playful chatter filled the space as girls indulged in the luxurious banquet while encircling the wizards.

"Soaking in a hot spring infused with Eternal Youth Spring water can rejuvenate someone by 20 years. Who wouldn’t want to try?" a fat man bellowed near the pool.

Several girls instantly lit up with eager excitement—those kinds of resources were utterly beyond their reach even in ten lifetimes.

"Ha ha ha, let me help you!"

The fat man laughed heartily, tearing the cloaks off the girls’ shoulders with brutish force before throwing them, unclothed, into the pool like sacks of grain, his actions crude and wanton, treating them as things rather than people.

Yet the girls didn’t take this as humiliation; they instead giggled bashfully, frolicking with the man.

Well...

Lynch finally understood what Blair meant by "toys."

"Lynch, old buddy, this one’s yours!"

As Lynch stood there dazed, Blair’s voice rang out. The playful tone in his words was clear as he pushed a girl toward Lynch.

Lynch glanced down—it was Julia, the girl he and Graham had caught sight of yesterday.

She was still as pure and flawless as ever. As Blair nudged her forward, her cheeks turned a shy rosy hue, her expression nervous and hesitant, genuinely seeming out of sorts.

From a nearby pool, a wizard laughed mockingly, "Ha ha ha, that chick’s still a virgin!"

Perhaps noticing the girl’s unease, Blair raised an eyebrow and asked, "What’s wrong, Julia? Not enjoying yourself here? If you’re uncomfortable, I’ll arrange for someone to escort you back."

Lynch couldn’t tell if Blair genuinely cared or was hinting at something.

But he could be sure of one thing—a normal person could never relish a situation where dignity was trampled upon, leaving them stripped and toyed with.

The girl before him clearly resented it too.

Yet she immediately took a deep breath, as if making up her mind to do something, and firmly shook her head: "No!"

With that, she began removing her clothes...