The Wizard Has A Biochip

The small hole left by the Light Arrow was still releasing a faint wisp of smoke.

However, it was time to test the second spell.

Unlike the first, this one didn’t rely on speed or a devastating explosion.

Its purpose was entirely different.

Control.

Capture.

Precise execution.

I slowly extended my right hand.

My fingers remained open, aimed at the augite mannequin.

Then I began the incantation.

— Hand of Light...

I immediately felt my mana respond.

— Hands of Light... seize my enemies.

My palm began radiating an intense golden glow.

The light spread across my fingers.

Then completely enveloped my hand.

It was like wearing a glove made of liquid light.

A pleasant warmth flowed through my arm.

My mana moved with remarkable smoothness.

Then...

The energy began condensing in front of me.

At first, only an outline appeared.

Then fingers.

A palm.

A wrist.

Within a few seconds...

A massive ethereal hand took shape in the air.

It was almost translucent.

Yet its presence was overwhelming.

Every finger possessed details strikingly similar to those of a human hand.

Only much larger.

Far more powerful.

I observed it for a brief moment.

With a simple mental impulse...

The hand vanished.

FWOOSH!

The very next instant...

It reappeared directly above the target.

It was so fast that it seemed to have crossed space itself.

Without the slightest hesitation...

Its enormous fingers violently closed around the mannequin’s neck.

POW!

The impact reverberated throughout the training chamber.

The augite structure visibly trembled.

The target’s joints groaned under the pressure.

I watched closely.

The stone remained intact.

Naturally.

Augite was extraordinarily durable.

Even so...

If that had been an ordinary creature...

Its throat would have been crushed instantly.

I looked at the glowing hand.

Then imagined another possibility.

If I had grabbed someone’s head...

It would probably...

Explode like an overripe fruit.

The luminous hand slowly dissolved into countless golden particles.

At the same time...

The biochip began its analysis.

[Classification: Magical Attack]

[Damage Inflicted]

[Physical Damage: 3]

[Light Damage: 8]

[Spell Parameters]

[Maximum Range: 10 Meters]

[Area of Effect: 2 Meters]

[Category: Hand of Light]

[Classification: Level 0 Magic]

[Casting Time: 3 Seconds]

[Spiritual Energy Cost: 1 Point]

I carefully read every line.

Then mentally compared the two spells.

The conclusion was inevitable.

The Light Bow and Arrow possessed far greater offensive power.

Its range was tremendous.

Its explosion could eliminate multiple nearby enemies.

But...

It also had limitations.

It was a projectile.

A sufficiently fast enemy could dodge it.

Furthermore...

Its trajectory depended on maintaining continuous control of the mana until the moment of impact.

The Hand of Light...

Was a different story.

Its range was shorter.

Its damage was lower as well.

However...

Its manifestation speed was terrifying.

The hand simply appeared above the target.

Without traveling through the space between us.

It was perfect for capturing.

Immobilizing.

Or quickly eliminating an unsuspecting opponent.

The two spells complemented each other.

One for long-range destruction.

The other for control and execution at close range.

Moreover...

Both belonged to the Light element.

My natural affinity.

And neither required catalysts, magical powders, gemstones, or consumable components.

Only mana.

Then another idea occurred to me.

I stared into the empty air.

— Biochip.

— Is it possible to optimize these two spells?

There was a brief silence.

Then...

[Bip!]

[Initiating calculations.]

Several windows appeared before my eyes.

After a few seconds...

The answer arrived.

[Spiritual Energy Required for Complete Optimization: 19 Points.]

I blinked several times.

Nineteen?

Another prompt appeared beneath it.

[Would you like to proceed?]

My expression immediately twisted.

— Of course not.

I shook my head.

— I’d completely exhaust myself before it was even finished.

— Why does it cost so much?

The biochip answered immediately.

[Spell Optimization: Light Bow and Arrow]

[Cost: 9 Spiritual Energy Points.]

[Additional Requirements: Comprehensive studies on mana compression and stabilization. Runic diagrams of magical ballistics. Models for acceleration and piercing enchantments. Research on resonance between different frequencies of light. Experimental data from offensive Level 1 magic or higher.]

Another window appeared.

[Spell Optimization: Hand of Light]

[Cost: 10 Spiritual Energy Points.]

[Additional Requirements: Advanced studies on magical summoning and manifestation. Advanced models for remote mana manipulation. Theory of spiritual limb construction. Specialized containment and immobilization spells. Research on synchronization between consciousness and magical constructs. Experimental data from Level 1 or higher control magic.]

I read everything in silence.

Then slowly rubbed my temples.

So that’s how it works...

I sighed.

It made sense.

The biochip didn’t perform miracles.

It needed information.

The more knowledge I acquired...

The more efficiently it could optimize any technique. Without that information, it had to rely on its own processing power to deduce a viable path.

And that required mana.

Looks like there’s no hope for that for now.

I let out a long sigh.

With a simple wave of my hand, I dismissed the glowing interface floating before my eyes.

I remained motionless for several seconds.

Then I gave a new command.

— Biochip, show me my status.

[STATUS]

[Name: George Gil]

[Gender: Male]

[Age: 16]

[Race: Human]

[Level: Acolyte II]

[ATTRIBUTES]

[Strength: 3.0]

[Agility: 3.0]

[Vitality: 3.0]

[Mana: 4.1 (2.1 Available)]

I stared at those numbers for several moments.

Just two more castings...

After that, my available reserve would be completely depleted.

The faint dizziness caused by the two spells still lingered.

Almost imperceptibly.

I may be more efficient than practically any Acolyte at my level...

But efficiency doesn’t create energy out of thin air.

If my reserve runs dry...

I’d be in an extremely bad situation.

It was that simple.

That made my decision even more obvious.

If I truly intended to survive outside the Tower...

I needed to expand my arsenal.

More ways to kill without spending my precious spiritual energy.

As I organized those thoughts...

Something caught my attention.

I looked at my status screen again.

I frowned.

— Biochip...

— Why has my mana increased?

I looked at the value once more.

Before, it had been exactly four points.

Now...

Four point one.

A small increase.

But a real one.

I had believed that the Meditation Technique only served to engrave magical codes into my bones and accelerate the recovery of spent mana.

So... why had my maximum capacity increased?

The biochip answered immediately.

[Bip!]

[By maintaining the daily circulation of magical energy through the Meditation Technique, the spiritual channels are gradually strengthened, resulting in a passive increase in mana production.]

Another line appeared.

[Recommendation: Practice meditation daily.]

I blinked several times.

Then...

A faint smile appeared on my face.

I understand...

So this was how Acolytes naturally strengthened their reserves.

Not merely by recovering energy.

But by slowly increasing their maximum capacity.

It was practically passive training.

— Biochip.

— If I meditate every day...

— How long will it take me to reach the average mana reserve of a Level III Acolyte?

A few seconds of processing followed.

Then...

[Bip!]

[Current estimate: approximately ten years.]

...

I stared at that answer for several seconds.

Then my eyes widened.

— Ten years?

My voice came out louder than I intended.

That’s ridiculously slow.

I shook my head.

There was no way I could wait an entire decade just to increase my mana reserve.

I took a deep breath.

— Is there any way to shorten that time?

[Bip!]

[Known methods: continuous use of Ultra-Refined Mana Potions, high-level magical purification resources, and superior meditation techniques.]

I immediately focused on the first option.

Ultra-Refined Mana Potions.

My excitement faded almost instantly.

I had already heard of them.

Extremely rare items.

Used primarily by wealthy mages.

Their price...

Was outrageous.

Some could easily cost more than ten thousand magic crystals.

I let out a weary laugh.

Then forget it.

For now...

Daily meditation will be enough.

I closed the interface.

There was still a long road ahead.

But complaining wasn’t going to increase my mana.

I left the Spell Practice Hall shortly afterward.

I calmly walked toward the elevator.

My focus returned to what truly set me apart from everyone else.

Engineering.

A few minutes later...

I arrived at my laboratory.

I took the key from my pocket.

The metal mechanism slowly turned.

Clack...

I pushed the door open.

My eyes naturally drifted toward the corner of the laboratory.

There she was.

My armor.

Mounted on the massive metal support.

The central engine was perfectly fitted into its chest.

I slowly approached it.

I ran my hand across the breastplate.

It would increase my strength.

My speed.

My endurance.

My chances of survival.

But...

It was still missing something.

Something very important.

Firepower.

I looked once more at the massive mechanical arm.

Then imagined different combat scenarios.

A sword?

Too limited.

A spear?

Not versatile enough.

A mechanical bow?

It would still rely too heavily on physical strength.

No.

I needed something far more efficient.

Something capable of taking advantage of what I already produced in abundance.

Explosive Fire Crystals.

My eyes lit up.

I had finally found the right direction.

I looked into the empty air.

— Biochip...

— Design a weapon integrated into the armor...

I paused briefly before finishing.

— One that uses Explosive Fire Crystals as ammunition.

[Bip!]

[Command received.]

[Initiating ballistic analysis.]

[Researching structural compatibility with the powered armor.]

[Calculating material heat resistance.]

[Designing an automatic crystal feeding mechanism.]

[Designing a runic ignition chamber.]

[Designing a recoil stabilization system.]

[Estimated time to complete the design: 37 minutes.]

...

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