Electrum Segment

In a lavishly furnished office, two figures engaged in a conversation that held the weight of power and influence. Allister Sergin, the chairman of the Seven Towers Institute of Magic, an esteemed tier 4 grandmaster mage, leaned back in his ornate chair. His age was evident in his white hair, though the absence of a beard accentuated his distinguished look. Opposite him, Ezril Habrin, the vice chairman and a tier 3 mage, exuded a mixture of competence and experience, his face bearing the scars of battles long past.

"The institute seems to be progressing smoothly," Allister mused, his gaze fixed on Ezril.

Ezril nodded, his voice carrying an air of assurance. "Indeed, the recent introductions have invigorated the learning environment."

Allister leaned forward, his eyes penetrating. "And what about our plan to integrate alchemy into our curriculum?"

Ezril maintained his composure as he responded. "The addition of Mage Laraz has proven beneficial. He has been instrumental in mentoring our in-house alchemists, also in helping Mage Alice and Mage Zion prepare to advance to adept alchemists. Furthermore, the availability of Grade 3 Potions and alchemical items in our inventory has increased."

Allister's expression remained neutral, though his curiosity was palpable. "But I hear some dissatisfaction regarding his recent pursuits."

Ezril sighed, his gaze shifting. "It's true. His current focus on the Mad Mage's work has raised some concerns among the faculty."

Allister's brows furrowed slightly, but he pressed on. "Is this affecting his productivity and the agreed-upon quotas?"

Ezril shook his head. "No, his deliveries remain timely. In fact, his guidance has accelerated Alice's and Zion's progress significantly. They believe they can achieve adept alchemist status within a year."

Satisfied with this response, Allister leaned back again. "And what about his research? Is it yielding any noteworthy results?"

Ezril's expression turned slightly rueful. "Unfortunately, nothing groundbreaking as of now. Some minor creations have emerged from his laboratory, mostly props that his assistants have begun selling in the market."

As if to demonstrate, Ezril retrieved a table clock and a fan from his desk. These seemingly ordinary items bore intricate glyph arrays that gave them a magical aura. He briefly explained their functions and the magic at work within them.

Allister took the clock in hand, his fingers tracing the arrays thoughtfully. "It seems Laraz has found a way to incorporate the Electrum Segment. Impressive."

The mention of the Electrum Segment brought the legacy of the Mad Mage to the forefront. It was a fact universally acknowledged that every mage of substance had read the Mad Mage's books. For those aspiring to the fabled Epic Rank, his works were a guiding light in a path seemingly untrodden since his enigmatic demise. The book "Magitech for Dummies," while seemingly simplified, held within its pages a wealth of complex knowledge. In Mage Laraz's lab, where a grand array adorned a silver block. The assistants and Laraz watched with bated breath, their anticipation tangible. The glyphs on the array began to emit a radiant glow, growing brighter by the moment. Suddenly, the silver block exploded, but a shimmering force field contained the devastation.

Leona, let out an exasperated sigh. "Well, at least it's better than last time."

Laraz nodded, his tone tinged with both disappointment and determination. "Yes, the mana funneling is still too rapid, and the sequence of glyphs isn't merging the electrum effectively with the force array."

Turning to Seth, who had been instrumental in their progress, Laraz asked for his thoughts. The young apprentice mage had made a significant discovery regarding the viability of the electrum segment and had actively assisted in applying it to the project.Seth pondered for a moment before offering his insight. "Perhaps the issue lies in the material itself. While silver is known for its mana conductivity, the introduction of the electrum segment might require a new perspective. Its similarity to the lightning element could serve as a guiding direction."

Impressed by Seth's thoughtful analysis, Laraz considered his words carefully. Without hesitation, he produced two blocks from his space ring – one made of mithril, renowned for its mana conductivity, and the other of lorium metal, favored by lightning mages for crafting spellcasting artifacts. Greed and shock flashed across the assistants' faces as they recognized the value of the blocks.Laraz manipulated the blocks with his magika, melting them into liquid form and blending them together. As they cooled and solidified, he infused them with magika to create a circular, glossy metallic plate. Glyphs formed in the air, dancing in an intricate sequence before merging into a single, magnificent array. The array descended onto the circular plate, drawing mana from the surroundings. Unlike previous attempts, it emitted a gentle, pulsating light, indicating its successful activation. As the array's glow dimmed, the assistants were left awestruck by the display of an expert alchemist's prowess then the weight of what had occurred kicked in.