The youth climbed the stairs leading to the second floor, his expression gradually turning serious. Valerian noticed this and put his paws around Adam's neck, fondly rubbing his cheek against the latter's.
Brother, are you afraid of the pain?
Adam glanced at the little guy and patted his head with a doting smile. "I'm not afraid of it… but I don't like it either."
"Myuu…" Valerian's hold around the youth's neck tightened ever so slightly.
Ever since Berger found out that Adam had advanced to the Neural Stage, he had been making the latter take a medicinal bath every few days. Although this was very beneficial to the youth, at the same time it was also highly painful.
This unique medicinal bath was something that the old gnome had created himself. The main ingredient for this solution was a type of mushroom called the Blood Fungus.
It was an exotic ingredient and extremely rare. Even if one found it, they would never give it away. That's why it was rarely found on the market.
Blood Fungus supplemented the mana in one's body and blood. It would make a Magus' blood more and more vigorous, increasing their strength.
Adam was deeply grateful to Berger for this. People rarely got to even take a single glance at such a medicinal herb, but here the gnome was using it on the youth as if it was nothing.
Having a renowned Herbalist as a Teacher is really a blessing. The youth couldn't help but smile appreciatively.
When he reached the second floor, Adam saw that the adamantine golem was waiting for him beside a large wooden barrel.
The golem first pointed at the youth and then at the barrel.
"Haa… I get it." The youth waved his hand. He then glanced at the magical beasts sitting atop his shoulders and smiled nervously. "Pray for me, you guys."
Valerian and Blackie responded, seemingly encouraging him. The next moment, they jumped down and ran toward the barrel, sitting down beside it.
Adam took deep breaths to calm his apprehensive heart. At the same time, he kept repeating in his mind. No pain, no gain!
He walked toward the barrel and glanced at the crimson solution inside. It was deeper than the color of blood, causing anyone who glanced at it to have a chill crawl up their spines.
Adam couldn't help but involuntarily gulp. But the next moment, he resolved himself. He took off his robes and inner garments. Then, without another shred of hesitation, he got inside the barrel.
The moment the solution came in contact with his skin, it produced an intense reaction. The solution started to produce steam and began bubbling. Meanwhile, Adam's flesh started trembling.
If one looked closely, they'd be surprised to see that the crimson solution was actually drilling its way inside Adam's body!
"Arrrggghhhh!" Adam's eyes turned bloodshot as he grit his teeth and grunted in pain.
This was the second time he was taking this medicinal bath, however, the potency of this solution was countless times more than the first one.
If it wasn't, then the solution would have no effect on him. After all, Adam's physique gained a certain amount of immunity to it every time he took the medicinal bath.
The crimson solution entered his body through his pores and scrubbed his flesh and bones, vitalizing them. Adam felt as if his insides were being torn asunder.
However, just as quickly as the pain had come, it receded, replaced by a soothing warmth that spread throughout his body. Adam gasped as he lowered his head and glanced at his hands.
His torn and mangled skin was regenerating at a visible speed!
However, this was only the beginning. The youth went through a vicious cycle where the crimson solution destroyed his flesh, muscles, and bones only to heal them stronger than before.
This is how the Blood Fungus worked. When brewed into a medicinal solution, it would destroy the user's body and then immediately heal it afterward. This cycle would continue until the effects of this wonderful ingredient had been completely drawn out.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Adam opened his weary eyes. He glanced down and saw that the solution was no longer crimson, but had now turned nigh-transparent.
He clenched his fists and could feel great strength and vigor coursing through his body. Although the process was extremely agonizing, the results were equally spectacular.
The youth raised his head and saw that the old gnome was standing in the distance glancing at him while smoking from his pipe.
"I feel… amazing!" Adam grinned from ear to ear.
"Hmm, good." The gnome nodded.
Suddenly, Adam's expression darkened and he couldn't help but ask, "Old man, just how many more times do I have to go through with this? It really hurts, you know?"
Berger rolled his eyes as he scoffed, "If you're already cowering in the face of such meager amounts of pain, then you'll never get far in life. Hmph, Magi these days are so weak-willed."
Adam's eyes twitched and he felt the intense urge to beat this grumpy gnome in front of him.
Meager pain? Weak-willed? Are you kidding me?!
The gnome continued, "You have to keep doing this until you reach Rank 2."
"That long?!" Adam gulped in nervousness. "Will I even be able to withstand it?"
"Don't overreact," Berger replied as he cleaned the pipe bowl and put fresh tobacco leaves in it. He lit it and started smoking before continuing. "The number of times you do it will gradually decrease in the future since your body will grow a resistance toward it."
Adam patted his chest and breathed a sigh of relief.
"However, the Blood Fungus that I use will only become more potent and robust," the gnome added.
Hearing him say that, Adam couldn't help but lifelessly lean back inside the barrel with a suicidal expression on his face. "Just kill me."
Berger didn't comfort him, however. Instead, he motivated him. "During Mana Foundation, a Magus is a bowl in the making. Only after one has crossed this rank can they fill the bowl."
He paused for a moment before speaking, "No matter how much you pour into a bowl that's weak and incomplete, it will simply leak out and waste your efforts. Now that you know how important this is, do you still wish to back down?"
Adam's expression turned solemn. He always knew the importance of having a solid foundation. Listening to the old gnome further reinforced this idea within him.
He glanced at Beger, his eyes gleaming with resolve.
"I understand, old man. We'll do it your way."