Chapter 122: Advanced Wizard Apprentice Promotion Experiment (Part One)

Betty leaped out of the window with Donna in her arms, then quickly and nimbly sped away. Shortly after they left, an elderly black cat followed them closely.

They entered an underground area through a hidden door. The black cat immediately followed them down.

“You are late, Betty! Why did you bring a stranger?” A tall, robust man asked in a low, booming voice.

“This is a sensitive time. The gathering does not welcome uninvited newcomers,” another woman, holding a crackling, flickering short sword, said with an unfriendly expression.

Betty was somewhat bewildered. She said, “Donna is my junior. I told you I would bring her to the gathering.”

“Look behind you. You brought a tail!” Several Wizard Apprentices held various enchanted weapons, standing guard. Their silent Grimoires had alerted them that the person behind them was also a contractor.

Guided by their trust in the Grimoire and the Torch-Bearer, they did not attack immediately. They only stood up in alarm.

Betty and Donna turned around and saw a black cat radiating Mana fluctuations. At the same time, their silent Grimoires also alerted them that they had encountered a new contractor.

“Hello, fellow Wizard Apprentices. My name is Bayen, and I am also a Wizard Apprentice. I have always wanted to communicate with other Wizard Apprentices. I happened to discover you two ladies and have intruded without permission. Please forgive me.”

The black cat, seeing their wary expressions, continued: “I am a Mid-level Apprentice with a decent foundation in mathematics and experience in creating Spell Models. The Heavy Water Missile series of spells was invented by me.”

The Wizard Apprentices listened to the black cat and checked their spell lists with a mix of belief and doubt. They found that the Heavy Water Missile series of spells had indeed been recently added, and the inventor was listed as Mid-level Wizard Apprentice Bayen.

Seeing this, their expressions gradually softened. Bayen pressed his advantage, immediately discussing the mathematics problems they had just mentioned. The atmosphere instantly became cheerful and harmonious, leaving only Betty and Donna staring at each other in confusion.

In the underground magic laboratory, the mirror image observed Bayen’s actions and switched views to check the various research groups the Wizard Apprentices had spontaneously formed. A smile appeared on his lips.

“The seeds have sprouted. It is time to uncover the movements of the dark worshipers. Once the host body has recovered, we will move the laboratory, organize the apprentices for migration, and simultaneously put them to the test. The apprentices who pass the test will explore the secrets of the supernatural under my leadership.”

He took the mechanical magic lift up to the surface, emerging into the hospital courtyard.

The mirror image had learned Bayen’s Lesser Mana Sensitivity. He transformed into a sharp-eyed eagle, flew out of the hospital, and activated Lesser Mana Sensitivity.

In the night sky, under the eagle’s eyes, the entire fortress was filled with various colors. The residence of Great Hero Moore Rona glowed deep red.

Several locations in the fortress showed a distinct black-blood color. Undeniably, these were the gathering spots of the dark worshipers.

The eagle transformed by the mirror image sensed the few dark worshiper gathering points. He flew over one of them and quietly observed from above. The eagle emitted a strange, hoarse cadence: “Snake’s Heat Sense!”

His eyes were immediately imbued with thermal perception. He used this form, which produced no magical fluctuations, to monitor the dark worshipers’ movements. Ace cautiously observed for several days, confirming that the dark worshipers were preparing a ritual—a ritual that was exceptionally evil and bizarre.

After remotely monitoring them for a few days, he chose not to act rashly.

“My current strength is higher than a Mid-level Apprentice but lower than an Advanced Apprentice. The dark worshipers use evil and unpredictable methods. They might even have Demon projections or Great Demon projections. Infiltrating now is too dangerous. I must wait.”

“The trial for the apprentices should not involve the dark worshipers, lest I set myself on fire. Daina is leading the surviving Enchanted Wizard Apprentices in a difficult guerrilla war. The trial for the apprentices in the fortress will be to evacuate the fortress and meet up with the Enchanted Wizard Apprentices within a limited time.”

“I lack a leader figure. Considering all factors, Bayen is the best choice. I must meet with him before the evacuation.”

The mirror image confirmed his plan. He continued monitoring the dark worshipers’ movements, remotely observing their deployment of the bizarre and complex ritual.

“I wish I could go observe the dark worshipers setting up the ritual up close right now! Such a complex ritual would greatly supplement my understanding of forbidden rituals and advance my knowledge in that area.”

The bizarre ritual, which was full of danger to others, was immensely tempting to Ace. It was the lure of knowledge, the mystery of the supernatural.

A few days later, in the underground magic laboratory.

The host body Ace’s soul and Soul Sanctuary injuries were finally recovered. He and the mirror image walked together to an empty room on Sub-Level 2, preparing to set up the promotion experiment.

“The first step is to create an environment of high Mana concentration and high activity. We need to set up a Magic Array that creates a high-concentration, highly active Mana environment. It is best to convert the Mana into Mana Particles using the Mana-Crystal Rune’s effect.”

Ace began creating a new Magic Array on the specialized flooring based on this concept. Another difference between a Magic Array and a Spell Model/Rune Array is that a Magic Array can utilize multiple runes of the same rank and category.

Ace incorporated all the Soul Runes he had collected—Mana #1, Mana #2, up to Mana #15—into this Magic Array. He then duplicated several Mana-Crystal Runes and auxiliary runes. These dozens of small rune arrays were linked together by magical patterns to form a single Magic Array.

Mana Stones, pre-converted by Ace and holding a high concentration of Mana, were placed at every junction point.

“By utilizing the different frequencies of Mana #N resonance, we can create a high-concentration, highly active Mana Particle environment. Now, let’s activate the Magic Array for testing.”

Ace muttered to himself. He and the mirror image activated the Magic Array. Buzz!

With the gathering and disturbance of Mana, Mana began to accumulate throughout the room. The different frequencies caused the Mana to become somewhat chaotic and restless.

Ace immediately terminated the Magic Array. He and the mirror image went up to check the situation.

“The basic concept is sound. The frequency and direction of the pulsation still need continuous testing. We must find the optimal combination effect of these 15 different Mana frequencies.”

Subsequently, the Aces performed repeated tests. A few days later.

“This is the rhythm! A high-concentration Mana Particle environment with alternating, ordered Mana frequency pulsations—it is like a grand symphony! Let’s call this Magic Array the High-Energy Rhythm Magic Array. We truly are geniuses in Magic Array development.” The mirror image bragged, pleased with the results.

“Now, let’s begin the second step: creating an environment similar to devout worship and a unique spiritual field. We can try a different approach. We don’t necessarily need many people. I myself am a much stronger mental entity than you. Perhaps I can directly create such a spiritual field.” The host body Ace analyzed.