Modifying is Too Satisfying

Thor was stunned, his first thought being: how much can I sell it for without making a loss?

But Byron knew that a successful, universal modification formula was a cornerstone sufficient to establish a small wizard faction.

Yet, Byron could only bully Thor for being a first-level newcomer, taking the opportunity to buy it at a low price.

Although it couldn't be a buyout, Byron still felt extremely ashamed.

This was not an equivalent exchange, because he currently had nothing of equivalent value to offer.

After serious consideration, Thor refused Byron.

"Sorry, senior, it's not that I don't want to give it to you. It's just that this modification formula, I'm afraid, only I can succeed with it."

This modification was actually extremely dangerous.

Under normal circumstances, a first-level apprentice wouldn't even know what a locator was; they could only wait for their consciousness to gradually collapse and death to slowly descend amidst the false happiness gained from Wizard Body Modification.

But Thor possessed an item naturally suited to act as a locator—the Death Wizard Diary.

Although Thor still didn't understand the specific meaning of a locator, after this experiment, he had his guesses.

It was something that allowed a wizard or apprentice to fix their perception of the world.

With the Death Wizard Diary in existence—how troublesome, let's just call it the Diary from now on.

Even if Byron hadn't appeared, Thor wouldn't have died.

Once Thor was on the verge of death, the Diary would pop out to assert its presence. Upon seeing the Diary, Thor would fix his consciousness, preventing it from collapsing and dissipating.

But looking back now, that feeling of cognitive collapse, mental disorder, and the spiritual body gradually breaking down and dying was truly terrifying!

"A modification formula with unique targeting?" To his surprise, Byron felt relieved after hearing Thor's words. "Then I can afford it. I don't intend to perform the modification, I just want to understand the design logic behind your formula."

"I still owe you a condition... and now I owe you at least the equivalent of one hundred credits." Byron suddenly felt very poor. "Is there anything you want right now?"

Thor was dumbfounded. He hadn't even said anything yet, and Senior Byron had already signed a contract of servitude?

"Senior, how about you help me check my physical condition first?"

Although Byron felt this matter wasn't worth Thor mentioning as payment, he still happily pulled a pile of things out from his stomach.

With the help of the experienced—at least having been a second-level apprentice for over a dozen years—Senior Byron, Thor finally gained a certain understanding of his current situation.

His magic power was temporarily at 11 joules, and based on the energy dissipating from his left hand, it could still raise his magic power to 13 joules before the left hand completely stabilized.

Thor's mental power had also improved slightly.

This was very rare; it was likely that the fantastical experience of losing control had exercised Thor's mental power.

The improvement of mental power was not like magic power, which could be accumulated bit by bit through meditation, even if slowly.

Mental power was more like a person's basic attribute; apart from a few types of Wizard Body Modification, rare potions, ability advancements, and other special circumstances, it was difficult to increase significantly.

It was still the same example of fetching water with a container.

An apprentice with low magic talent could eventually change their bowl for a larger one.

But the speed of running to fetch water, no matter how fast, would only reach nine seconds per hundred meters.

Additionally, although Thor's left hand was a bit ugly and looked very much like a prosthetic, it did not affect his movements and remained flexible.

The modification to his hand was safer than those formulas that modified eyes, mouths, or internal organs, and the sequelae would be much smaller.

However, what the specific sequelae were would be something Thor would have to slowly explore for himself in the future.

"Hold onto your consciousness."

This was what Byron repeatedly warned Thor.

"Otherwise, one day, you will no longer be you."

Thor felt this sentence could be understood as maintaining one's self, always knowing who one was.

He recalled the animations, novels, games he had played, tests he had taken, and the life of a corporate slave he had lived in his past life...

Hmm, there was no problem with that for now.

Byron also explained the "locator" to Thor.

This knowledge shouldn't have been something the current Thor should grasp, but who told him he had already used a locator to complete the Wizard Body Modification?

Now, as long as Thor raised his own magic power to 50 joules and constructed a 1st-circle spell model within his spiritual body, he could successfully become a second-level apprentice.

And after becoming a second-level apprentice, as long as Thor continued to increase his magic power and learn sorcery, he could become a third-level apprentice.

After all, he already possessed the locator essential for becoming a third-level apprentice.

During his newcomer stage, Thor had already conquered the most difficult barrier others faced before reaching the third level.

Now, Thor finally understood why there was a hint of envy and grievance in the way Byron looked at him.

He had just entered kindergarten, yet he had already received an admission offer for university.

The rest was just waiting for the person to grow up.

Byron did not ask how Thor had done it, nor did he ask what Thor's locator was.

"Before becoming an official wizard, do not tell anyone any information about your locator, and do not go prying into others' locators. If someone uses the characteristics of your locator to target you, there is almost only one outcome: death."

Thor nodded.

This was like the vital point of a martial artist; if struck by someone else, all their energy would leak out.

Finally, Byron told Thor how to test the abilities of his left hand to determine its specific attributes.

The original intention of Wizard Body Modification was not just to increase an apprentice's mana; that was merely the most basic part.

Truly powerful Wizard Body Modifications, like those of Byron or Kongsha, were areas of modification that could serve as their trump cards.

Speaking of which, the wounds on Byron's body healed once again.

He swayed unsteadily.

Byron had already slashed himself over a dozen times today.

His brain was already suffering from a lack of blood supply.

Byron refused Thor's offer to help him back, leaving the second floor of the East Tower while swaying on his feet.

When Thor checked the time, he found it was only five-thirty.

He sat back down at the lab bench, looking at the messy tabletop, feeling as if over a dozen days had already passed.

His gaze gradually drifted to his left shoulder.

His mouth split into a grin.

"Modification, it's just so damn satisfying!"

Jenna clutched the collar of her clothes tightly, her face pale with panic as she huddled on her small dormitory bed.

The school dormitory was the safest place.

That was what she had always believed.

So, no matter how grueling her studies were during the day, or how terrifying the mentors and seniors she encountered were, she could always sleep soundly after returning at night.

But today, she truly could not sleep.

She pulled open her collar again, her pupils shifting downward to stare at her own chest.

Jenna came from a decent background and had developed early; her figure was already beginning to take shape.

Occasionally, she would secretly admire her own body while bathing.

But today, she saw a worm in the center of her chest.

The worm had crawled out from her sternum; it was about the length of an index finger and looked harmless enough.

The terrifying part was that the worm actually had Jenna's own face!

"Senior Sid was right; we really have been controlled." Jenna dared not look again, burying her head in her pillow. "In this world, where could there ever be a truly selfless organization?"

"Why would the Mutual Aid Society target a group of newcomers like us?"

Jenna could not understand why the kind Senior Luokai and the companions she discussed problems with would place such a terrifying curse upon her.

"If it weren't for Senior Sid warning me..." A trace of infatuation flashed in the young girl's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by terror. "I fear I would be like the others, unaware of the danger. But now that I am cursed, what should I do?"

Jenna's toes curled repeatedly, wrinkling the bedsheets.

"It's a pity that Senior Sid isn't skilled at breaking curses, and he doesn't dare to openly oppose Luokai." Jenna's brows furrowed again. "As a newcomer, what way do I have to escape the control of the Mutual Aid Society?"

Suddenly, something flashed through Jenna's mind.

"That's right, Keli. Keli only attended the Mutual Aid Society once and never came back. Could it be that she discovered the problem long ago?"

"Damn it, why didn't she warn us?"