Improvement

In addition to the attribute and Spell Slot bonuses from simply leveling up, Aoko also gained two extra daily Spell preparation slots.

This meant her daily spell pool became larger, and her means of dealing with various situations also increased. It was cause for celebration.

Regarding feats, since she had gained a level in Archmage, she also received an additional Metamagic feat. She subconsciously chose this feat before she withdrew from her link with the Weave.

Aoko felt it carefully and discovered that her second Metamagic feat was Spell Potency.

This Metamagic feat allowed any of her spells with potential power variations to have their power increased by one-half when used with Spell Potency, compared to their original power. Of course, she would need to expend a Spell Slot two levels higher than the original to cast this Metamagic-enhanced spell.

For example, if her Fireball originally required a 3rd-level Spell Slot to deal 10 damage, after being enhanced with the Spell Potency Metamagic, she could expend a 5th-level Spell Slot to cast a Fireball dealing 15 damage.

This brand-new Metamagic feat, combined with the Spell Level Increase Metamagic feat Aoko had previously acquired, could achieve something like this: Fireball would first undergo Spell Potency enhancement, then Spell Level Increase, and be cast using a 6th-level Spell Slot, resulting in a super Fireball with even greater damage and a wider area of effect than the 15 damage from Spell Potency alone...

Of course, the spell after double Metamagic enhancement was still Fireball; its essence hadn't fundamentally changed.

However, using such Metamagic techniques still required caution, as any Metamagic technique represented a greater expenditure. If a strike after Metamagic couldn't destroy the caster's enemy, then subsequent sustained combat capability would become the biggest problem.

Because she had gained a professional level as an Archmage, Aoko also gained a unique ability of that profession.

Based on her current Archmage level of only 1, Aoko received only one Archmage ability.

School Specialization: This ability made Aoko, as an Archmage, give up the possibility of continuing to study Necromancy School spells, but it enhanced her learning ability and speed for other schools. And since Aoko had not chosen a specialized school or an opposing school before becoming an Archmage, only Necromancy was now opposed. Her specialized school was automatically set to Abjuration School, which could be considered a very ideal starting state.

In addition to these quantifiable abilities, Aoko felt that her body had undergone some changes that were difficult to describe. However, after repeated and careful examination, she found no manifestation of these changes.

After thinking about it, she believed that her changes might be due to an increase in some of her other base attributes besides Intelligence. This was because, up to this point, Aoko's Intelligence score had been deduced by her based on professional rules from the number of spells prepared daily and her professional level. However, for other non-primary professional attribute values, Aoko couldn't quantify them.

Could my Perception or Constitution have strengthened? It couldn't possibly be my Strength that increased, right?

With such questions, Aoko began the daily process of preparing her spells.

About twenty minutes later, Aoko walked out of her room and entered the living room on the first floor of the Kuonji Residence.

The moment she looked, she saw Alice sitting on the sofa, drinking black tea, and staring at her with a particularly resentful gaze.

"Did I do anything to wrong Alice?" Aoko's mind raced, recalling which of her secrets, unknown to Alice, might have been exposed.

After a brief, awkward stare-down, Aoko suddenly heard a faint, almost imperceptible sound coming from Alice's direction.

It was a delicate "Gulp."

"I'll go prepare 'break'fast right away!"

Understanding why her housemate was staring at her with such resentment, Aoko immediately turned towards the kitchen, put on her apron, and started preparing food.

After checking the ingredients in the refrigerator, Aoko considered that she was also a bit hungry. If she made something too complicated, it might make Alice even angrier, so she decided to make something simple and delicious as "breakfast."

About half an hour later, a hearty breakfast consisting of coffee, a baked sandwich (fried egg + lettuce + ham + mayonnaise + American cheese), fried Hash Browns, and half a pot of milk was ready.

Although it was an explosion of calories, given that both of them were Magus who weren't afraid of their figures changing, these calories weren't an issue. On the contrary, food that brought such strong satisfaction was more popular with Aoko.

Aoko took off her apron and pushed the meal cart into the dining room on the first floor, finding Alice already seated at her usual spot.

Seeing Aoko arrive, Alice said nothing, merely closing the book in her hand and placing it aside, her face turned towards the window.

It seemed she had starved this young lady, and she was still sulking.

Aoko smiled slightly, not minding Alice's little temper. In fact, compared to when she first met Alice, Alice Kuonji had become much gentler towards her, no longer the cold, hedgehog-like girl she once was.

Of course, achieving the current result hadn't been easy even for Aoko. She had brought out the same dedication she had when serving Touko, and for years, she had conquered this lonely girl who liked to order takeout frequently with her superb cooking skills and a constant stream of delicious food.

Ah, thinking back to those days, it really wasn't easy, she mused to herself.

While lost in thought, Aoko placed the fragrant, steaming "breakfast" on the table and poured a cup of coffee for both Alice and herself. Sugar and milk were placed on the side, allowing Alice to adjust them to her taste.

The two ate in silence, with a strange tacit understanding, beginning to enjoy their respective meals.

Today's breakfast was a bit monotonous... Alice felt slightly dissatisfied.

However, since she and Aoko had gone to bed quite late last night, it was understandable that breakfast would be simpler today... Besides, she had already been very hungry.

It was delicious, so she'd forgive Aoko, Alice decided in her heart as she took small bites of the fried potato.

Aoko's way of eating was always "hearty." This wasn't to say Aoko lacked dining etiquette, but rather that she looked like those elite white-collar workers who operated efficiently every day, achieving a perfect balance between rapid eating and maintaining grace.

When others observed Aoko eating, they would feel a sense of "pleasure to the eyes."

Alice secretly watched Aoko tackling the sandwich in her hand. Her hunger became more pronounced, and she subconsciously sped up her chewing.

Aoko looked a little different today...? Alice wondered while eating. Was there some physical anomaly?

Aoko's every move today seemed a bit more elegant and attractive. Her appearance hadn't changed either; she was still as beautiful...

Alice's expression darkened, and she arrived at a conclusion completely contrary to the truth: Since Aoko was fine, could the problem be with me?

So, she frowned and began a serious self-examination.