The Wizard's Pursuit of Truth

[Notification: In-depth analysis of improvements for the Flame Demon Witchcraft School is complete. Based on the ’Fury of Hephaestus’ Witchcraft, potential development paths are as follows: ...]

In the laboratory, a smile touched Wang Ya’s lips beneath his Face Armor. A vast amount of knowledge flooded his mind—all of it detailing the most correct and suitable path forward for his Flame Demon Witchcraft School.

What had once been confusing was now perfectly clear.

Wang Ya only needed to master those disciplines of High-tier Extraordinary Knowledge to create and refine his own High-tier Witchcraft.

This process wouldn’t take too long.

Wang Ya returned to the laboratory to check on the progress of his Magic Plant Fusion experiment. He was momentarily stunned when he saw the magical plant’s vine, which was now covered in grooves and a variety of bumpy, black spots.

The mutation was progressing far faster than he had anticipated.

Much faster.

He had originally predicted that cultivating the mutation would take a year and a half.

At this rate, it would be complete in a year at most.

After refilling the nutrient tank, which was nearly two-thirds empty, Wang Ya lightly tapped the wall of the chamber. Enveloped by Teleportation Fluctuations, he vanished from the experiment room.

The mutated magical plant swayed slightly, absorbing the nutrient fluid. The Energy it absorbed fueled the process of its cell walls breaking down and repairing themselves.

Each breakdown was another round of reinforcement.

As was his routine, Wang Ya went to check on the scarlet, fleshy sludge that was the result of his consciousness co-existence experiment. The process of absorbing Harak’s blood was swift, and to the naked eye, there appeared to be no change.

However, under the perception of his Extraordinary Spiritual Power, he could clearly tell that the consciousness fragments within it—its Spirit—had become much more stable.

Wang Ya nodded. The experiment was on the right track. He just needed to complete the other two pieces of the puzzle: the analysis of the Black Core and the cultivation of the Dream Infinite Genome embryo. Then, he could proceed with Harak’s Dream Realm fusion experiment.

’Two analysis slots for the Eye of Truth are still too few.’

Wang Ya was unsatisfied. ’If I had three or four analysis slots, my Wizard Experiments would progress much faster.’

’Perhaps the Eye of Truth will change as my Power increases,’ he mused. ’It’s certainly possible.’

After all, the last time the Eye of Truth’s analysis slots increased, it was related to a rise in his Power.

Holding on to this hope, Wang Ya teleported into his study. Both of his analysis slots were now free.

’Time to break through and form the eighth Wizard Rune. Today.’

He held a glass vial filled with an azure liquid. Removing the stopper, he downed it in a single gulp. The fluid streamed down his throat and into his stomach.

The Potion’s effects began to take hold. Blue markings gradually appeared on the surface of Wang Ya’s skin, squirming about as if they were alive.

Eventually, the markings converged on Wang Ya’s face, forming a strange, tentacle-like tattoo.

This was the Deep Sea Potion. Its main ingredient was an Extraordinary Creature from the Endless Sea known as the Joyful Blue Plate Corrosive Octopus. The Potion’s effect was to accelerate the time it took to scribe a Wizard Rune and to maintain the vitality of one’s Spiritual Power.

.....

「Lower House, Second Floor of the Dark Library.」

Slate Wizard sat in his chair behind the counter, still engrossed in a book. He held a monocle to the page, magnifying the text.

The past few years had left few marks on his face. He wore a brown Wizard Robe, and the inside of the Library was utterly silent.

Wang Ya unbuttoned a pocket of his Wizard Robe and slipped his right hand inside. With his left, he placed a book on the counter.

To his surprise, among the rows of desks beneath the revolving bookshelves, a dozen unfamiliar faces were seated. They were reading books and simultaneously writing something with incredible speed.

Slate Wizard looked up, a smile on his face. ”Long time no see, Wizard Wang Ya. It’s been nearly half a year since you last came to immerse yourself in the ocean of knowledge.”

”Well, I’m here now, aren’t I?” Wang Ya pushed the book on the counter toward Slate Wizard, then asked with curiosity, ”And who are they...?”

”Do you remember when I invited you to help with the chronicles? I’ve officially begun the project. These are Wizards I’ve handpicked, individuals who, like us, are dedicated to the ocean of knowledge.”

Slate Wizard sighed. ”Of course, it would be best if you could help me. We could probably finish the Dark Chronicles a quarter faster.”

”So, what books have you come to consult this time?”

Slate Wizard sensed the fluctuations in Wang Ya’s aura. He had clearly just had a breakthrough; his Particle Energy and Extraordinary Spiritual Power were still in the process of settling.

He was inwardly surprised. ’Judging by that aura, Wang Ya’s Power is far from weak, even among Level 2 Wizard Apprentices. He could be considered a senior in the Lower House now, and his Power places him among the strongest of them. His progress is simply too fast. How long has it even been?’

”I need to consult a lot of books this time. It will probably take a while.” Wang Ya’s finger gently brushed against his red metal ring, which glinted with a crimson light. He placed his Wizard Card on the counter and added, ”As for the cost in Magic Stones, just have Wizard Tirles deduct it as per the rules.”

Slate Wizard paused for a moment, then chuckled.

Watching Wang Ya’s back as he walked toward the research rooms, Slate Wizard thought to himself, ’He’s changed so much, in both Power and wealth. What a mysterious young fellow he is.’

No one had ever counted how many books were on the second floor of the Lower House Library.