After the promotion match, Wu Zhangkong granted Anping and his comrades a few days of respite. Officially termed as a holiday, it essentially translated to a reprieve from nocturnal training.
This development brought a sense of relief to Anping. With his new status as an official wizard, a plethora of spells demanding diligent study awaited him. Yet, his primary excitement stemmed from the prospect of delving into space magic patterns in alchemy. Mastery of these patterns could pave the way for him to construct a portable alchemy laboratory.
The weekend, a rare day off, prompted Anping to retrieve his bank card, intending to explore the auction house for potentially suitable materials.
As he approached the school gate, a soul communicator interrupted his plans. Gu Yuena's voice echoed, "Hello? Anping, where have you been? Xie Xie mentioned you weren't in the dormitory."
Anping replied, "Just out for a walk. I'm already at the academy gate."
"Stay where you are," Gu Yuena commanded before abruptly ending the call.
Resigned, Anping waited, and soon enough, Gu Yuena, clad in a white dress rather than the typical school uniform, appeared. Her attire radiated a charming innocence.
Anping gestured to his location, prompting Gu Yuena to approach with a smile. "Where are you heading for an outing? I was thinking of going out too. Let's go together."
Anping explained, "Planning to visit the auction house and buy something."
Intrigued, Gu Yuena inquired, "Why the sudden urge to go to the auction house? What do you want to buy?"
Shrugging, Anping admitted, "I don't know yet. Let's take a look."
The soul guide bus efficiently transported them to the Eastsea Museum, a shared establishment with the auction house. Bypassing the museum's exhibits, they swiftly reached the auction house's preview area.
Anping directed himself toward the soul guidance material section, prompting Gu Yuena's curiosity. "Soul guidance materials? Are you buying them to make soul guidance tools? You know how to craft them?"
Anping nodded, "I've picked up a bit."
Surveying the array of materials, including forged metals like blue copper and immersed silver, Anping's attention fixated on the mithril display. His spiritual power reached out, analyzing the materials' characteristics required for carrying space magic patterns—ductility, energy carrying, and energy conduction capabilities.
Engrossed by the mithril display, Anping drew Gu Yuena's thoughtful inquiry, "Running short on funds? Want me to buy it for you?"
Touched but practical, Anping declined. The quantity he needed surpassed immediate affordability. Gu Yuena, with a pat on his shoulder, playfully remarked, "Why so hesitant? Your sister is well-off. What do you need? No need to repay, just promise to help me with a soul guide in the future."
"Soul guide?" Anping whispered, intrigued by the term.
After a series of debates, Anping reluctantly acceded to Gu Yuena's proposition. The duo summoned the service staff, specifying their requirements. Before long, the materials Anping sought arrived at their table.
Gu Yuena settled the payment and handed Anping the space soul guide containing the acquired materials. "Everything bought? Any other items on your list?" she inquired.
Anping confirmed, "All purchased. Thank you very much. I'll ensure to craft a soul guide tailored just for you."
Gu Yuena playfully cautioned, "Remember, if it doesn't meet my expectations, it doesn't count. Now that we're done here, let's move on to the next destination." She smiled at Anping, who nodded in agreement.
"Your call on where to go next," Anping said.
"Let's start with the amusement park," suggested Gu Yuena.
"Sounds good."
Subsequently, Gu Yuena guided Anping through the amusement park, ventured into the snack street, and only returned to the college by evening.
Back in the dormitory, Anping eagerly retrieved a small piece of mithril. The material, light yet incredibly sturdy, held the key to his alchemical aspirations.
Recalling the process of crafting the magic pattern pen, Anping initiated the hot melt technique to transform the mithril into a radiant silver liquid. Gradually shaping the molten material into a quill using the shaping technique, he meticulously carved magic patterns onto the pen barrel with his mental power. Each stroke contributed to the creation of sharp, solid, energy-gathering, stable, and flexible magic patterns, adorning the pen barrel with ornate lines.
These magic patterns, familiar from his alchemical studies, included basic patterns intertwined with connecting ones. The carving process unfolded seamlessly.
With the pen's shape established, Anping maintained magic output for the shaping technique while gradually withdrawing it for the thermal melting technique. As time ticked away, the magic pattern pen reached completion. Anping, holding the now-cooled quill, infused it with magic power and delicately drew a fire attribute magic pattern on paper. The final stroke elicited a subtle fluctuation in fire element energy. Subsequent tests with water and wind elements proved successful, reassuring Anping.
The narrative then shifted to the pursuit of crafting a portable alchemy laboratory—a term that, despite suggesting portability, involved expanding the space within an item. Anping recognized that other tools still needed separate fabrication.
Anping spread out a dozen sheets of paper, embarking on the intricate task of sketching various magic patterns. From space magic patterns to extended ones, stable designs, and beyond—the array of patterns sprawled across the parchment.
The rigorous practice spanned a week, constrained by the demands of daytime classes, leaving only the limited windows of noon and evening for Anping to refine his skills.
As the days passed, Anping sensed a newfound proficiency emerging. The breakthrough coincided with the arrival of yet another weekend.
He commenced his weekend endeavors by crafting a mithril suitcase, setting it aside for what lay ahead. Retrieving carefully analyzed soul beast blood and spiritual objects, Anping meticulously processed them in a specific manner, blending them into an ink that softly shimmered.
Assured of the ink's quality through testing with a quill, Anping delved into the intricate process of carving magic patterns inside the suitcase. Beginning with the energy-gathering array pattern, followed by the energy storage array pattern, and then progressing through the space extension array pattern, the space reinforcement array pattern, and more.
A dedicated day of carving unfolded, culminating in the completion of a complex pattern with the fall of the last stroke.
Only one step remained—infusing magic power to activate the formation. Prioritizing safety, Anping enveloped himself in multiple magic barriers before meticulously injecting magic power into the intricate patterns.
Dull silver light flickered, prompting violent fluctuations in the surrounding space elements. The radiance intensified, enveloping the entire suitcase.
After about a quarter of an hour, the silver luminescence receded, and the spatial fluctuations were successfully contained within the confines of the suitcase.
Anping released a relieved sigh, marking the triumph of his efforts. Controlling his mental power, he reached into the suitcase, mentally calculating the achieved spatial expansion—roughly a hundred square meters and five meters in height.
Employing his magic-imbued hand, Anping carefully placed recently crafted tools into the portable alchemy laboratory. With this, his endeavor to create a convenient space for alchemical pursuits was fulfilled.