One month later, on a certain day.
Randall was invited to his apprentice’s dormitory.
“Please take a look, Mentor.”
After greeting him, Ivan led the mentor into his apothecary lab and pointed him towards a mulberry wood cabinet on one side, where a mulberry-colored cocoon hung at one corner.
Once the Silkworm Queen had grown to a certain extent, it unprecedentedly began to spin silk, and within half an hour, it formed a fist-sized cocoon, wrapping itself inside.
“I feared disturbing the Silkworm Queen and could only ask you to come, hoping you could take a look for me.”
“Cut the nonsense, kid. Just how far has it grown? Don’t tell me you have no clue.” Randall’s expression was serious as he scrutinized the cocoon in the corner.
“I know, I know, I’ve been watching the whole time. Based on my estimates, its strength is at 5.3 graduated degrees, agility 5.7, body constitution 5.5. The error won’t exceed 0.05 degrees, I guarantee it.”
Ivan replied, not without worry. He had originally thought that the rapid wood silkworm, like humans, would undergo a metamorphosis when some aspect of its dataset approached or exceeded 6 degrees, but the Silkworm Queen had suddenly started spinning a cocoon.
He had sensed something and hurried back from the enchantment workshop. By the time he returned to the dormitory, the Silkworm Queen had already begun cocooning, not giving him the chance for detailed communication.
Facing such a situation for the first time, he felt truly uncertain, thus he invited Randall, the academy’s top Insect Control Master, for assistance.
“It’s quite normal; their limits aren’t the same as ours,” Randall remarked, finding nothing amiss.
“Do I need to do anything?” asked Ivan.
“What you did just now was correct. At such times, one mustn’t disturb the little one. As for the rest, it has to get through on its own. You’ve already done what’s needed.”
Randall withdrew his gaze, dismissing any other ideas he might have had.
Unlike humans, insects’ metamorphosis tends to end one of two ways: they either progress further or die during the process. Outsiders cannot intervene.
“You may as well keep it company. Having you nearby will help the little one feel secure during its transformation.”
“That’s all we can do then.”
After Randall left, Ivan didn’t return to the enchantment workshop and stayed in the apothecary lab as suggested.
The entire colony depended on the Silkworm Queen; should anything happen to it, the rapid wood silkworm population might face extinction—it was no wonder he was so cautious.
“Listen up, no one is to disturb the Silkworm Queen, or I’ll make sure you go hungry.”
“Also, keep a good watch and don’t let anything come and mess around.”
Ivan issued a strict order to the other rapid wood silkworms. By now, many of these little creatures had grown considerably. Apart from those born recently, nearly three hundred had gradually learned the Insect Breathing Method.
Within the rapid wood silkworm colony, the Silkworm Queen undoubtedly had the best potential and grew the fastest. Next were the five that had first grasped the Insect Breathing Method, their agility nearly reaching 5 degrees.
It was unclear whether their limits were the same as the Silkworm Queen’s. Ivan surmised that they might be slightly less exceptional since the Silkworm Queen was truly unique.
[Knight Breathing Skill Experience Point +3]
[Knight Breathing Skill: lv6(506/2000)]
[Biology Expertise Experience Point +1]
[Biology Expertise: lv4(65/1000)]
Throughout the process of the rapid wood silkworms learning the Insect Breathing Method, Ivan, who had been closely observing their growth, also benefited greatly. His Knight Breathing Skill had reached level 6, and Biology Expertise had reached level 4.
Besides the Small Light of Wisdom, he had acquired another level 6 Light of Wisdom and a level 4 Light of Great Wisdom.
Currently, his Academic Prodigy panel still has Light of Wisdom: two level 5, two level 6, and three Light of Great Wisdom.
Meanwhile, he had observed each of the three Raw Stone Array Discs in rotation, researching more deeply step by step. His rune line completion had risen from 96% to 97%, and this progress was without using any Light of Wisdom.
With the preliminary accumulation nearly complete, he was just about to start using the Light of Wisdom to accelerate the comprehension process.
However, this had to wait until after the Silkworm Queen’s metamorphosis.
…
Days and nights alternated; the Silkworm Queen’s emergence from the cocoon took longer than Ivan had anticipated, with Randall visiting almost every two days during this time.
Heidi, concerned about potential problems on his end, also found time to drop by in the evening.
“Ivan, why haven’t you gone to the enchantment workshop? Did my mother say something?”
“You’re overthinking, Sorceress Madeline is busy all day; she has no time to bother with an apprentice like me.” Seeing a nervous Carmel, Ivan took him straight into the apothecary lab, pointed to a group of rapid wood silkworms, and said:
“Look here, one of these little guys is about to undergo metamorphosis into a Level 1 creature. This period is crucial; I need to stay here to guard in case of any changes.”
“Silkworms?” Carmel blinked in disbelief.
“Correct, a special type of silkworm. Don’t be fooled by their size; in terms of speed, you might not keep up with them,” Ivan said earnestly.
“Really?” Carmel’s eyes widened.
“Yes, but remember to keep it a secret,” Ivan insisted.
“I—I can’t believe I’m less capable than a worm.” Carmel, convinced Ivan wouldn’t lie to him, looked at the somewhat inactive rapid wood silkworms, and a wave of frustration washed over him.
“Carmel, it’s not just one.”
“No need to remind me.”
Carmel stared at the rapid wood silkworm for a good while, looking at it from all angles, and the more he looked, the more pleasing it became.
It wasn’t until a while later that he reluctantly took his leave.
Back home, while spending time with Heidi, Carmel blurted out absently, “Do you think it’s too late for me to switch to the Black Beard Chapter now?”
“What?”
“Nothing, just thinking out loud.”
“Have you been to Ivan’s and seen the impressive insects he’s bred, and now you’re thinking of raising a bunch yourself?” Heidi knew her brother too well, she could tell what he was thinking with just a glance.
“You think it fits me too?” Carmel’s eyes lit up.
“Pfft, don’t be silly.”
Watching her brother’s befuddled reaction, Heidi couldn’t help but laugh. After a moment, she soberly reminded him, “Carmel, remember that the ‘Frosty Sea Drum’ of our Lidia family is the best, other meditation methods have some issues.”
“Issues?”
“Minor issues, that’s what grandma said. Remember not to let it slip, or you’ll be in trouble.”
Under Heidi’s repeated emphasis, Carmel could only promise to heed her advice, and his thoughts of changing his meditation method dissipated.
Day after day passed, and in Ivan’s perception, the presence of the Silkworm Queen grew fainter, leaving him unsure whether it was a good or bad sign.
Finally, on the twelfth day of cocooning, the mulberry wood-colored cocoon began to change color, as the vitality within was rapidly drawn out.
Accompanied by a soft crack, the entire cocoon trembled, and the silk turned slack in an instant.
A wood-colored silkworm emerged slowly, and it was none other than the Silkworm Queen.
“Doesn’t seem like there’s much change.”
Seeing that the Silkworm Queen was unharmed, Ivan let out a long breath of relief; these days had been more nerve-wracking for him than his own advancement.
Compared to before, the Silkworm Queen had grown an extra three to four centimeters in length and looked a bit more proportionate. Its wooden body gained some light blue rune lines, but other than that, there didn’t appear to be big differences.
“Nnngnnn.”
At these words, the Silkworm Queen immediately became unhappy, opened up its aura, and revealed its full strength; it had been habitually hiding its presence.
After some communication, Ivan discovered the Silkworm Queen had become smarter, its wisdom had increased, making communication much clearer and easier.
Strength: 6.0, Agility: 6.8, Body Constitution: 6.2
The strength had increased, and there were significant changes in the body’s values. Its ability to hide its presence had also improved, making it one to watch.
Ivan thought speechlessly that apart from agility, he was no match for the Silkworm Queen in terms of body constitution, and at that moment, he empathized with Carmel’s feelings.
Looking into the cause, that jar of royal jelly had played a crucial role. Was the mentor being too partial to the rapid wood silkworms?
Setting that aside, the Silkworm Queen had developed a special ability — Power of Crowd Control.
The name was given by Ivan, a curious ability, which allowed other rapid wood silkworms to reintegrate back into the Silkworm Queen’s body, to become one. This way, it could borrow the strength of the other silkworms and even transfer any damage it took onto them.
“Not bad at all, this ability has a lot of potentials.”
In front of the eager Silkworm Queen, Ivan did not skimp on his praises.
It wasn’t just talk; If the other rapid wood silkworms also advanced to level 1 creatures and metamorphosed special abilities, the integration through the Power of Crowd Control would likely result in a substantial combat power.
However, there was one condition: the abilities of the other rapid wood silkworms had to be practical.
Randall came over in a hurry upon hearing the news, and it didn’t take long before he left, thoroughly satisfied.
Two days later, the first five rapid wood silkworms that comprehended the Insect Breathing Method cocooned themselves, entering the phase of metamorphosis, and Ivan could only continue to keep watch in the apothecary lab.
As expected, these five rapid wood silkworms hadn’t reached the threshold of the Silkworm Queen, with the highest agility value being only 5.2 on the scale; it was uncertain whether they would overcome the current challenge.
Fortunately, they didn’t disappoint Ivan. Ten days later, they all emerged from their cocoons on the same day.
After testing, the intelligence of the five rapid wood silkworms had also increased.
The five silkworms birthed three abilities: two with Simulated Shape Skill, two with Simulated Breath Skill—all simulating abilities of other living beings—and the last one transformed with a peculiar ability, akin to photosynthesis.
None of the abilities were combat-oriented, which, admittedly, was in line with the nature of the rapid wood silkworm species.
Ivan had anticipated this scenario and wasn’t disappointed. In his view, their success in surviving the metamorphosis was already remarkable; one couldn’t be too demanding.
“These little guys are now Level 1 creatures, their physical quality on par with mine. The energy they emanate should meet the requirements. It’s time to expand the Blackbeard Crown mark.”
With one, came two, and with two, three; six Level 1 rapid wood silkworms had been brought into existence at this point, and there would surely be more to come. This path to increasing chances of promotion was well-worn by him.
Ivan believed that mentor Randall’s calculations were correct; thus far, his chances of successful advancement had reached seventy percent.