CH25

With Deep Blue's assistance, Helag could save a lot of time constructing spell models. He let Deep Blue handle it and waited for the results.

"This is the first time Deep Blue has needed time for a task," Helag thought. Usually, Deep Blue completes tasks instantly.

In his mind, a spell model constructed from mental power was taking shape.

Ordinarily, this process required Helag to complete it himself, demanding high mental control and constant calculations of parameters and formulas, which required significant intelligence.

According to "Level 0 Spell: Detailed Explanation of Partial Petrification," it took ordinary people one to three months to construct a spell model. Human brains make mistakes, and a single error means starting over.

Deep Blue, however, needed only twenty-five minutes, with zero errors and 100% precision.

Twenty-five minutes later.

[The Level 0 spell Partial Petrification model is complete.]

In Helag's mind, the spell model for Partial Petrification was ready. He just needed to channel magic into the model and recite the incantation to activate it.

Some spells required casting materials, like Malcolm's Bloodline Curse.

Partial Petrification directly affected the caster and didn't need additional materials.

"Partial Petrification!"

Helag channeled magic into the model while reciting the incantation.

His right hand's skin turned stone-gray.

Helag touched it; it was very hard.

He flexed his fingers, finding them still mobile and sensitive.

"It significantly boosts defense without affecting functionality," Helag concluded after testing.

Partial Petrification didn't turn the body part into actual stone; it merely enhanced surface defense.

Maintaining Partial Petrification required continuous magic input. When Helag stopped, the spell deactivated.

"Deep Blue, how much magic does Partial Petrification consume?"

[At current magic levels, Partial Petrification consumes 1% magic per second.]

The consumption was higher than Helag expected. His total magic wouldn't last two minutes, explaining why the red-haired boy used it sparingly.

Thinking of the red-haired boy, Helag picked up the ring again, feeling the need to consult Claude.

He hadn't mentioned his enchanted items before because he didn't fully trust Claude initially.

Though they were teacher and student, they both knew it was a mutually beneficial relationship, an investment for Claude.

Helag didn't want to risk someone coveting his enchanted items and causing unnecessary trouble.

But now, he needed answers. The library had no information on wizards, so he had to ask Claude.

***

At Northon Academy.

"This ring looks like a token," Claude said, examining it with a magnifying glass.

"A token?" Helag thought of his pocket watch, also a token for joining the Six-Ring Tower.

Claude put down the magnifying glass and explained, "Tokens are commonly used by wizard organizations for recruitment. They give tokens to those who contribute to the organization. If these people have descendants with potential, they can join the organization directly with the token, bypassing tests."

"Must it be descendants?" Helag asked.

"No, that's the original intent. But over time, tokens have circulated for centuries. Eventually, anyone with potential can use a token to join a wizard organization," Claude said.

"Can someone join a wizard organization without a token?" Helag continued.

"Of course," Claude replied. "Normally, those with potential are transported by ship to undergo tests, where various organizations select them. With a token, you skip this step, and the ship takes you directly to the corresponding organization."

"There are pros and cons. The advantage is guaranteed entry into an organization. The downside is the organization might not be strong. It's a trade-off."

Helag hesitated, then asked, "Teacher, have you heard of the Six-Ring Tower?"

Claude stroked his beard, thinking. "I've never heard of a wizard organization called the Six-Ring Tower. It might be deeper in the Karag Continent. You'll have to find out when you get there."

"I understand. Teacher, have you heard of the Glorious Calendar?" Helag asked.

Claude was surprised. "You know about the Glorious Calendar? It's a lost history, with only unverifiable records in some books. No one can confirm its existence."

Helag's heart sank. As he suspected, Nicholas's era was long gone, and information about the Six-Ring Tower was likely unattainable.

For now, the ring was his best bet to join a wizard organization, skipping a test was advantageous.

He recalled the red-haired boy mentioning a teacher and asked, "Do ships frequently transport wizard apprentices? Are there many on the Carlson Continent?"

Claude shook his head. "Very few on Carlson. Maybe one every few years, or none for ten years."

"Many who leave on ships never become official wizards and return to Carlson in their old age."

"These old apprentices often take on students with potential, training them for years before sending them on a ship."

"Others, like you, find enchanted items and have potential, often ending up on that ship."

"There is an invisible attraction among wizards. Those with potential and enchanted items are drawn to the wizard's path. Like you, with this ring, meeting me, and me guiding you to the ship. It's all fate."

"Even without knowing me, you'd eventually find a way to a wizard organization."

"That's the purpose of tokens; they always bring new blood to wizard organizations."

"This is what I know as the Wizard's Law of Attraction."

Helag was hearing this concept for the first time. Wizards were drawn to each other.

He thought of the red-haired boy. There were few wizard apprentices on Carlson, yet they had met.

According to this Law of Attraction, places with more wizards would attract even more, while places with fewer would have even less.

TL/n - 

You can read up to Chapter 35 for free at p@treon.com/inkbound

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