Chapter 38: Spell Testing

The testing area, the largest section of the academy, is mostly enclosed. The enclosed areas are the paid sections, equipped with comprehensive safety measures and testing facilities. The open areas allow apprentices to test for free, but using targets requires a fee.

Richard headed to the testing area's rental hall to choose a suitable venue to test the power of the Lesser Fireball spell.

The rental hall was Romanesque in style, featuring a massive vaulted ceiling, thick walls, and external buttresses. Inside, numerous counters were staffed by responsible apprentices.

To accurately measure the original version of the Fireball spell's power, Richard chose a testing ground costing one magic stone per hour, equipped with targets for both physical and elemental power tests.

After paying, the apprentice at the counter handed him a crystal card.

"Please proceed to Area Three, Type Four Testing Room."

Following the paths within the testing area, Richard soon found his designated room. The door had a slot for the crystal card; inserting it opened the door automatically.

"Quite modern."

The testing room was spacious, about the size of a basketball court.

Immediately upon entering, Richard noticed two humanoid targets at the far end. These targets, crafted by wizards, could withstand up to fifty energy levels of elemental damage on the black target and the same level of physical damage on the white target.

The room also featured a white stone platform with two crystal balls, each corresponding to a target.

Casting a spell on a target would automatically transmit the spell's power to the crystal balls.

"Convenient," Richard remarked, appreciating how even in a world driven by magic, wizards sought convenience much like anyone else.

Standing before the platform, Richard willed his magic to coalesce in his hand, forming a palm-sized red fireball. With a casual flick, the fireball shot toward the target like a meteor.

Boom!

[Elemental Damage: Fire]

[Damage Level: 20]

Richard was satisfied with the results. The Lesser Fireball consumed nearly a quarter of his magic, about fifty points, yet delivered twenty energy levels of damage. Although less powerful than the modified Lesser Fireball from a wizard's staff, it far exceeded the damage of a Magic Missile for the same magic cost.

"No wonder wizards say tricks waste magic. The application of magic in spells is indeed terrifying."

Next, Richard tested the power of a Lesser Fireball from a staff.

Boom!

[Elemental Damage: Fire]

[Damage Level: 49]

The staff's fireball power amazed Richard. Knowledge truly is power; the wizard-modified fireball more than doubled in strength.

"Let's try Ice Spike."

Richard aimed at the target and launched an Ice Spike.

[Elemental Damage: Ice]

[Damage Level: 0.1]

[Warning: Do not test physical attacks on elemental targets.]

Richard chuckled at the warning, confirming his suspicions.

Ice Spike was essentially an elemental facade, relying on kinetic energy for damage.

Redirecting his aim, Richard launched another Ice Spike.

[Damage Type: Piercing]

[Damage Level: 5]

"Piercing damage?" Richard mused, then moved to the physical target and struck it with a sword.

Returning to the platform, he found the damage type had changed to cutting.

"I didn't expect wizards to categorize physical damage so precisely. No wonder they conquer realms."

To avoid waste, Richard tested his Wind Crow Slash on the physical target, achieving five energy levels of cutting damage. With his bloodline activated, the result was six energy levels.

"One energy level boost, not bad," Richard noted, satisfied. His bloodline formula's first stage emphasized defense over offense, offering minimal strength enhancement.

This would change in the second stage.

However, the beast required for the second stage didn't exist within the academy's territory, necessitating a costly purchase from the wizard guild.

But Richard wasn't in a rush for the second stage of bloodline alchemy. Firstly, he didn't need to take on missions, spending his days within the academy, reducing the urgency for strength enhancement. Secondly, he coveted Jolord's knowledge more.

Jolord's teachings included not just theory but also magical gear designs, potion formulas, and higher-level meditation methods—each a potential goldmine of magic stones.

Exiting the testing room, Richard was greeted by bright sunlight.

Shielding his eyes, he considered acquiring more materials to craft another batch of Focus Potions.

He had many uses for magic stones, and the demand for Focus Potions was high, motivating him to work diligently for greater earnings.

Just as he stepped outside, the sound of flapping wings caught his attention. Looking up, he saw an owl flying toward him. Examining it closely, he recognized it as the messenger owl used by Chaxes.

"Junior, come to the central Black Tower," the owl said, unexpectedly speaking.

It seemed certain.

"Understood, senior. I'll head there now," Richard responded.

The owl flapped its wings and flew toward the Black Tower.

"Curious, why would Chaxes suddenly summon me to the Black Tower?" Richard pondered, slightly puzzled.

Arriving at the 56th floor of the central Black Tower, Richard knocked on the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Junior, you're finally here," Chaxes greeted, ushering Richard inside.

Besides Chaxes, another person was in the room. This individual appeared unremarkable, but the instant Richard entered, his instincts screamed danger.

An extremely dangerous individual!

Richard mentally tagged the person.

"Eric, this is my mentor's new apprentice, Richard," Chaxes introduced Richard to the man.

Eric rose, extending his right hand with a friendly smile.

"Richard, you were hard to find."

Richard shook his hand, immediately sensing the overwhelming vitality within Eric.

That vitality seemed less human and more like a magical beast in human skin.

"I'm not good at socializing; sorry for the trouble, senior."

"Not good at socializing? That won't do," Eric replied, patting Richard's shoulder like an older brother. "We're all academy wizards, and on the battlefield, we'll be brothers."

"Without social skills, you might suffer on the battlefield."

Richard's mind raced, suspecting Eric's intent—to invite him to some party or gathering. He nodded in agreement, "You're right, senior, but I'm new here and don't know many people. Even if I wanted to socialize, I wouldn't know where to start."

Eric, hearing this, glanced at Chaxes and produced an intricately sealed invitation from his sleeve.

"No problem, junior. I'm hosting a gathering tonight. Would you honor us with your presence?"