Chapter 21 Initiation! The Road of the Devil

Genius!

This guy is definitely a genius in magical research!

Duwei has already made an evaluation of the magical prisoner in front of him! If this guy continued to research like this, maybe one day he could become a pioneer in the field of magic!

But for now, Duwei's primary concern was still how to use alchemy to wield magic.

This magician mentioned the results he had achieved through countless efforts, and couldn't help but feel excited. Although he could only secretly hide his achievements before and couldn't share his greatest accomplishment in life with others, there was no reservation in his speech now. The magician's eyes couldn't help but shine, his face full of pride, and even some excited gestures:

"Someone like me, with spiritual power, that is, magic power, is sufficient. But my sensing ability is somewhat lacking. I can't feel the magical elements in the surrounding natural environment. So, I was thinking, it's like someone with poor hearing. If the surrounding sound is low, naturally, they won't hear it... But if the surrounding sound is loud, they might be able to hear it!"

Duwei's eyes also lit up, and he immediately interjected, "So... you want to find a way to increase the concentration of magical elements in the surroundings using alchemy?"

"Yes! The most basic thing in fire magic is 'fire element'. But even the most skilled magician doesn't know what exactly the so-called 'fire element' is because everyone only knows how to use it, but not what it really is. And since those alchemical substances that can burn can do so, it means they contain 'fire element'! I made an assumption: my sensing ability is too weak, so in the same environment, someone with strong sensing ability can feel the magical elements around them, but I can't. So... if we can increase the concentration of magical elements in the surrounding environment to a certain extent, then even someone like me with dull sensing ability should be able to feel it! In this way, wouldn't I be able to use magic?"

"Then... did you succeed?" Duwei sighed.

"Yes!" the magician said solemnly. "I conducted many, many experiments, primarily focusing on fire magic. I hypothesized that those alchemical substances capable of burning contained fire elements. But it took me a lot of time to figure out how to extract these fire elements. I left my teacher and came alone to the southern region. I had a small magic laboratory where I made many refining tools myself. After several years of research, I finally found it."

Duwei couldn't help but feel excited. "You found the fire element... But what exactly is the fire element?"

"...I don't know," the magician said with a hint of helplessness. "I tried at least over a hundred different formulas and more than three hundred refining methods until recently... After completing an experiment, I synthesized a powder from a dozen or so plants using a specific formula, a black powder. Then... suddenly, I felt it!"

"Felt it?" Duwei raised an eyebrow.

"Yes! I felt it! My original magical sensing ability was extremely dull, unable to perceive any surrounding magical elements at all! But, when I created this powder and followed the procedure of my experiment, using a wind machine I made myself to disperse the powder into the air... I finally sensed it! I tried a fire magic spell and found that I could clearly sense the pulsation of natural fire elements! I... I succeeded!"

At this point, the magician became somewhat excited. "I started on the path of magic at the age of thirteen and experienced it for a full twenty years! I finally managed to use magic... even though it's just the most insignificant, lowest-level fireball spell! But when I saw myself casting that fireball, which was only the size of a fist, I was almost happy to death."

Duwei looked at the magician's face and couldn't help but sigh. "So, you mean to say, the fireball you cast during the fight in the tavern that day was also..."

"Yes," the magician nodded. "I carry some sealed bottles with me, containing the powder I refined. When I need to use magic, I gently open a bottle hidden in my sleeve, exposing the powder inside... Then, I can sense the existence of fire elements and use magic."

Strange method... but this guy is indeed a genius!

However... Duwei suddenly thought of another question, his expression somewhat odd. "So, you passed the magician qualification exam using this method?"

The magician blushed. "I know this method is equivalent to cheating. But my desire for the title of magician is something I can't control."

"I understand that," Duwei said. "But I'm curious, why did you only pass as a first-level magician? Since you have magical talent and have now solved the sensing problem, couldn't you qualify for higher-level magician exams?"

"No, I can't," the captive shook his head. "Although my method solved the sensing problem, I immediately faced a new challenge. And that challenge, I've thought about it for a long time but couldn't solve it."

"What problem?" Duwei was very concerned... after all, whether he could learn and use magic depended on this guy.

"I conducted experiments. Although I managed to refine the yellow powder containing abundant fire elements, due to my extremely poor sensing ability, I could only use the most basic fireball spell with such abundant fire elements," the magician sighed. "Do you think I don't want to use higher-level magic? I even fantasized that since I could increase the concentration of fire elements in the surrounding environment using my method... theoretically, I might be able to continuously raise the concentration of fire elements! In the end, I might even be able to use the ultimate forbidden spell of fire magic, 'Inferno Devastation'! Becoming a forbidden spellcaster, what an honor, what an achievement! With that, I could almost instantly rise to the top of the continent's magician ranks!"

His expression was very excited, but unfortunately, as he finished speaking, his tone became somewhat despondent. "Unfortunately, my problem is... my sensing ability is very poor. So, if I want to use higher-level fire magic, I can only do so by means of increasing the concentration of fire elements around me, again and again! The higher the concentration, the higher-level fire magic I can use. However, you should know that the yellow powder I refined already contains a high level of fire elements! I can't think of any other way to further increase the concentration of fire elements... And, I even did a rough calculation... even in an environment with such a high concentration of fire elements, I can only use the most basic fireball spell... So, if I want to use intermediate-level fire magic, at least the concentration of fire elements around me needs to be increased by several tens of times! Several tens of times! What does that concept even mean? Unless I'm thrown into flames directly! Only flames would have such a dense and abundant concentration of fire elements! But if I do that, I'd be burned to death first."

"So... although you've overcome the difficulty of sensing, you can only achieve the level of using the most basic magic," Duwei summarized.

"Yes."

"Then, what about your instantaneous spell?" Duwei was still interested in this guy's method of continuously launching fireballs without reciting an incantation.

"That's just a trickery in alchemy," the magician said somewhat embarrassedly. "My magic is not used by manipulating the natural magic elements but by using the magic elements I've created... Ordinary magicians need to use spells to summon and locate magic elements in the air when casting spells... but me, I don't need to summon or locate because the fire elements were already in my sleeve at that time..."

This time, Duwei's expression finally changed!

If it's like this... then... if... suppose!

Suppose that he could overcome the current problem, allowing this guy to successfully use higher-level magic... he could still use instant spells!!

Imagine, a magician who can unleash advanced fire magic... while also being able to cast spells without chanting incantations... what a powerful individual he would be!

Afterward, Duwei patiently talked with the magician for a long time. Duwei deliberately shifted the topic to magical alchemy, much to the magician's surprise. Although the magician didn't know Duwei's exact identity at first, now, seeing this young nobleman owning such a large castle on the Rolin Plain, he probably belonged to the prestigious Rolin family!

A nobleman with such a prestigious background, yet so knowledgeable in magical alchemy, which is often looked down upon by those of high status... that was quite unusual.

However, this young nobleman was indeed very knowledgeable about magical alchemy! His erudition even secretly impressed the magician. Later, after the atmosphere of their conversation became slightly more relaxed, Duwei finally revealed his own experience: his initial aspiration to become a magician, only to be deemed untalented and fail...

Such encounters immediately evoked sympathy from the captive!

This young nobleman had experienced similar circumstances! Equally filled with aspirations and desires for magic, both had discovered their lack of innate talent, despite possessing exceptional magical potential. Yet, both struggled with poor sensitivity to magic.

In such a situation, despite some prior unpleasantness and being currently held as a captive, the magician's disdain towards the young nobleman had significantly diminished.

After all, the nobleman's desire to become a magician stemmed from the same longing for magic.

"Solskjaer," Duwei gently called the magician's name (in their earlier conversation, Duwei had already learned the name of this talented magician), giving him a glance. "Let me ask you a question... What do you hope to achieve by becoming a magician? What do you seek after attaining the status of a magician?"

"Well..." Solskjaer pondered for a moment. "The duty of a magician seems to involve unraveling the ultimate mysteries of magic, delving into its secrets, and becoming immersed in its mysteries for a lifetime. But I am destined never to become an advanced magician. Therefore, delving into the ultimate mysteries of magic holds little relevance for me... So, I simply wish to obtain what I desire."

"You mean, the status and treatment of a magician?" Duwei chuckled. "Your answer is quite honest. And you're not wrong. The treatment of magicians has always been high. Wherever one goes, an adept magician is always sought after by influential figures, offering the highest respect and treatment... However, don't forget, you're just a basic level one magician! Few would spend a fortune to recruit a low-level magician with such mediocre skills."

Solskjaer fell silent... He was well aware that what Duwei said was true. Despite being recognized as a magician, as a basic level one magician, he found himself far less welcomed than he had imagined wherever he went.

Initially, people were surprised and respectful upon learning he was a magician. However, as soon as they discovered he was merely a basic level one magician, their enthusiasm diminished tenfold.

This was why Solskjaer reluctantly joined the insignificant little adventure team led by Eolyn! He had wanted to join a larger mercenary group, but others didn't hold him in high regard either.

Seeing Solskjaer's helpless expression, Duwei knew it was time to make his offer. He smiled and spoke, "Solskjaer, since your dream is to obtain the treatment and respect of a magician, why not pledge your loyalty to me? You can become my personal magical advisor. I will provide you with excellent treatment! Whatever respect, status, and necessities you desire, I can fulfill them for you. I believe you also know that I am from the Rolin family. The Rolin family's reputation should not tarnish your own, right?"

Solskjaer's heart pounded!

Joining forces with this young nobleman... It seemed like a good choice as well. Although they had clashed earlier, the other party was only obsessed with magic. Moreover, their conversation just now was pleasant. More importantly, this young nobleman, like himself, had turned to the study of magical alchemy after realizing the hopelessness of the magical path... Such shared experiences made Solskjaer unable to help feeling a sense of camaraderie!

And, as the magical advisor under the Rolin family, he would receive generous treatment... What else was there to hesitate about?

"I..." Solskjaer pondered for a moment. "I am willing to accept your offer, but I need to make a trip back to the south. My laboratory is in the south, and I have many essential tools there. There are also various precious materials and powders I have refined that need to be brought back. These tasks must be done by me... You also know that a magician's laboratory cannot be handled by ordinary people. It's very dangerous."

Duwei thought for a moment: Allowing him to return to the south shouldn't be a problem... But could this guy be planning to escape?

Moreover, this guy, who used cheating methods to obtain the title of magician, was now invaluable to Duwei! There absolutely couldn't be any deviation!

Therefore, Duwei made a decision on the spot: "Alright, I'm also interested in your laboratory. I'll accompany you to the south!" 

From that day on, the journey of the future Roland Devil began.