The Wizard's Pursuit of Truth

The heavy laboratory doors parted slowly, and a figure in a black Wizard Robe strode out. Powerful Extraordinary Fluctuations emanated from him uncontrollably, sending small objects in the vicinity skittering across the floor.

The figure paused, stunned for a moment. Then, he gradually reined in his Spiritual Power, and his surging aura settled back to normal.

Yet, he now possessed a certain quality—a powerful presence. No matter his appearance, anyone’s gaze would be drawn to him the moment they saw him. As long as he was standing there, it was inevitable.

His eyes, next to the mole beneath one of them, were bright and full of life, and the corners of his mouth curved into a faint smile.

”It’s been three months!”

Wang Ya couldn’t help but sigh. Time was like water slipping through his fingers, but it had also brought about his current transformation.

[Target: Wang Ya]

[Spiritual Power: 10.1 (Level 1 Wizard Apprentice)]

[Physique: 9]

[Particle Energy: 6.1 units]

[Wizard Meditation Method: Vast Sea (Eight Runes)]

[Extraordinary Cultivated Creatures: Harak]

[Mastered Witchcraft: Fear-Burning Fire, Crimson Heat, Fire Elemental Particle Energy Shield, Sensory Deprivation.]

[Witchcraft Artifacts: Shadow Slayer Blade, Silver Bracelet, Face of Residual Dreams, Force Field Gemstone]

Just as he had predicted, upon successfully forming his eighth Wizard Rune, he had naturally advanced to become a Level 1 Wizard Apprentice.

The Particle Energy within him had also ascended to another level, becoming stronger and denser. When he cast Witchcraft now, its power—measured by Witchcraft Level—would be significantly amplified compared to before.

And it wasn’t just that. His Extraordinary Spiritual Power and Physique had also undergone a quantum leap, improving in both quality and quantity.

A close look at Wang Ya’s skin and muscle tissue would reveal that they were now incredibly dense. The fibrous elasticity was exceptionally strong, allowing him to exert the power of a Fierce Beast.

Of course, engaging in hand-to-hand combat with an Extraordinary Creature specializing in strength would still be suicide.

Leaving the Ancient Castle, Wang Ya made his way to the Witchcraft Testing Ground. The interior was spacious, offering a selection of test puppets for calculating Witchcraft data.

The feeling of abundant power coursing through him made him eager to gauge his new capabilities.

’I wonder if my Witchcraft has also changed in subtle ways.’

For one, the world Wang Ya now saw was vastly different from before, a change likely brought on by the increase in his Spiritual Power.

Previously, the world had been rendered in a fixed and distinct palette. But now, Wang Ya could perceive more colors than ever before. Within the hazy glow of light, if he focused his Spiritual Power, he could even see the light itself wavering and distorting into a spectrum of new hues.

’I don’t really understand the nature of this phenomenon, and I can’t seem to affect it with anything tangible. Perhaps it’s just a special kind of light from the natural world being refracted in my eyes.’

”Simulated Memory Metal Puppet Number One. Witchcraft Resistance: 10. Physical Resistance: 10.”

A cold, mechanical voice echoed through the testing ground.

Wang Ya stood on the casting platform. Not far off, a metal puppet rose slowly from an opening in the floor. Its entire body was made of Memory Metal, which was highly malleable and laced with various materials designed to insulate and resist Particle Energy.

Any Witchcraft with a Level of ten or less would be unable to damage the Memory Metal Puppet.

The Runes in his Sea of Spirit glowed brightly as he channeled his Spiritual Power, consuming Particle Energy from the physical world.

FWOOSH!

A faint flame sparked to life in his right palm, then swelled violently to the size of a fist. Its color deepened to crimson, its high-intensity Particle Energy condensed and extremely restrained within.

But he wasn’t finished. With a gesture of his other hand, the flame split in two, and a new Energy Flame bloomed in his left palm.

This was an improvement he had devised for the Fear-Burning Fire Witchcraft, born from his own understanding and his systematic study of Extraordinary Knowledge.

Its power might be much lower than the original Fear-Burning Fire, but it offered far greater control, and he could maintain it for up to ten seconds.

The next moment, Wang Ya clapped his hands together. The highly active Fire Elemental Particles collided violently. His expression changed as he abruptly flung the combined Energy Flame forward.

BOOM!

A deafening explosion ripped through the air as flames seared everything in their path. The shockwave blasted the metal puppet to pieces, and a wave of heat washed over Wang Ya, forcing him to squint.

When the chaos subsided, the area was scorched black. The puppet was completely destroyed; its Memory Metal was struggling to piece itself back together, but it would clearly be unusable for at least the next few days.

”Witchcraft Test Results. Level: 18. Casting Time: 1 second. Duration: ten seconds.”

The cold, mechanical voice announced once more.

A satisfied look appeared on Wang Ya’s face. His preliminarily modified Fear-Burning Fire Witchcraft had shown outstanding results, both in its power level and its ease of use.

Splitting the flame and then recombining it created an explosive collision of Fire Elemental Particles, which also increased the Witchcraft’s overall power level.

It was a small insight he’d gained from his research.

Wang Ya hadn’t modified the Fire Elemental Particle Shield, as its energy form was already extremely stable.

He had, however, improved Sensory Deprivation and Crimson Heat, integrating them so thoroughly that they had become almost instinctual, activating with a mere thought.

The Flame Demon Fear Witchcraft truly lived up to its reputation as a fusion of three spells. Even among Middle-tier Witchcraft, it was likely one of the most complex and powerful, and its difficulty was immense.

After two months of effort, his progress on it was hampered by his limited foundational knowledge. He hadn’t made any major breakthroughs and would need more time to master it.

’And my assigned mission should be coming any day now.’

He had already prepared in advance, carrying the necessary Extraordinary Potions and Witchcraft Scrolls in his Silver Bracelet.

「The next day.」

Wang Ya received a message from the Dark Land Headquarters, and the Wizard Mark on his palm tingled slightly.

[Student of the Dark Wizard Lower House ’Wang Ya Harak’, as a member of the Dark Land, you are responsible for completing assigned missions. Your mission has been issued.]

[Vengeful Spirit Incident]

[Level: D-Level]

[Location: A report has been filed by the Mortal Realm known as the ’Maya Kingdom,’ which is administered by Zhen Dan Wizard City in the Demon Dragon Territory, southwest of the Dark Land. Report details: Shrill, mournful screams are heard in the Capital City at midnight. At dawn, fragmented body parts are found on the streets. A Vengeful Spirit is the suspected cause.]

[Objectives: 1. Investigate the incident and determine its cause. If confirmed to be a Vengeful Spirit, you are granted enforcement authority. 2. If it is not a Vengeful Spirit, record all details, withdraw, and submit a report.]

[Reward: 20 Dark Points, 50 Magic Stones, and credit for one D-Level Wizard mission.]

[Note: All recorded information will be reviewed. Any discrepancies with the actual situation will result in severe punishment for the operative.]

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