Fusion Magic

[Darkness], transmutation, creates an area of darkness that cannot be dispelled by natural light.

When Rigel had turned into a monster and teleported down from the treetops to attack him, he had used this spell as well.

Unfortunately, when it came to the knowledge of Darkness, Lynn only felt as if everything were hazy and indistinct; no matter what, he could not make sense of it.

When he forced himself to touch upon it, he only felt his spirituality suddenly stabbed with pain.

It seemed he had to study magic books step by step and raise his understanding of magical knowledge before he could digest this knowledge.

This could also be considered the path every spellcaster had to walk. If one wanted to learn higher-circle magic in a short period of time, one first had to obtain guidance from those experienced predecessors, and magic books contained this important guiding knowledge.

Of course, depending on their quality, the related knowledge that could be written into magic books differed as vastly as heaven and earth.

If one's own comprehension was insufficient, or if the person who made the magic book was too poor at the craft, it would increase the difficulty of learning.

This was also one major reason Lynn was willing to accept old Barton's commission.

After all, that was a magic book personally made by an experienced old mage. It was bound to contain profound magical knowledge!

This had nothing to do with professional level. If Lynn were asked to choose between magic books of the same circle made by a young Elite Mage and an old, veteran mage, he would definitely choose the latter.

Because the former was certainly far more gifted, but not necessarily good at passing on their experience to others. They might even casually make a first-circle magic book so complicated and abstruse it was like a book from heaven, enough to make a person read themselves into isolation.

The latter, however, had spent many years deeply cultivating the field of magic and understood how to explain profound things in simple terms. The experience they had accumulated beyond the former was not just a star and a speck.

So the magical world truly respected the old and cherished the young; young geniuses and old mediocrities could both shine in different fields.

Lynn's thoughts wandered.

At that moment, the Codex of Origin before him suddenly flipped open, and a line of twisted text appeared.

[Fusion Magic · Illusionary Aura unlock progress 3/4]

[Fusion materials: Dancing Lights; Faerie Fire; Darkness; Day and Night Obscurity]

[Effect: Freely manipulate light within a certain range]

Lynn blinked in both surprise and delight, then carefully read the contents of the text.

Fusion Magic? What is this? This is the first time I've ever heard of such a thing!

Based on the original owner's memories, there was no information at all regarding "Fusion Magic." Could this be something exclusive to the Codex of Origin?

Lynn suppressed the joy in his heart. He suddenly discovered that the surprises hidden within this wondrous grimoire were far greater than he had imagined!

As for the [Day and Night Obscurity] it had just mentioned, Lynn happened to know about it as well. That was also a second-circle spell recorded in the Compendium of Spells Below Third Circle!

He immediately decided that after reporting the contents of this investigation to old Barton, he would request a magic book for [Day and Night Obscurity] from him!

After daybreak, the group packed up their belongings and set off back to the town.

With Charlotte's Magic Wolf pack escorting them, they no longer needed to hide themselves and advance cautiously as they had on the way in. Together with the assistance of Elaine's "Longstrider," it took them only half a day to return to Colin Town.

"You're going to the Magic Association first, right?" On Lucky Street, Liam narrowed his eyes and said to Lynn, "I don't like those high-and-mighty fellows. Forget it, I'll leave the report to you. The three of us will take this girl home first."

He pointed at the blond girl they had rescued, whose mind had remained in a dazed state the entire time.

The three of them clearly did not want to waste time on something like a report. As he spoke, he looked at Elaine with a cheerful smile.

"Hmm?" Elaine tilted her head, not understanding why this Halfling was staring at her.

Lynn immediately reminded her in a low voice, "Um... the reward for this commission..."

Elaine came to a sudden realization and quickly took out four exquisite little pouches from her staff, distributing them one by one to Lynn, Liam, and the others.

Lynn thanked her with a smile and calmly put away the money pouch. The pale-faced Ulshi behaved more or less the same.

The remaining two teammates were not so dignified. They impatiently opened their pouches one after another, and after confirming that there were indeed 10 gold coins inside, they were so happy their mouths could hardly close.

This money was enough for them to enjoy themselves for quite some time.

After the three of them left, Charlotte gave her friend a meaningful look and secretly sighed, saying nothing.

Elaine had not inherited her family's property yet, and her funds were not exactly abundant. She must have had to save that 40 gold for quite some time too.

The three of them entered the Magic Association together and met old Barton very smoothly.

According to what they had discussed beforehand, Lynn was responsible for recounting their previous encounter. He truthfully described all the abnormalities they had encountered in the Whispering Forest, but did not mention that the Dark Elf Rigel and Charlotte seemed to have a closer relationship. He was worried this would bring Charlotte unnecessary trouble.

Barton's expression grew increasingly grave as he listened. At the end, he looked at Charlotte with a strange expression and said, "You wouldn't happen to be that fellow Farino's student, would you?"

Seeing Charlotte nod, his back molars made a burst of "grrk, grrk" sounds. He paced around the room twice, then finally swept his sleeve.

"Forget it. Since he sent you here, it means this matter has quite a lot to do with your Green Tower." He pointed at Charlotte and jabbed the air heavily twice. "Tell Farino this matter must be handled properly. It cannot affect Colin Town's safety."

Lynn looked thoughtful. Judging from old Barton's tone, did he intend to hand the follow-up of this matter over to the Green Tower?

That made sense too. Rigel clearly could not be separated from the Green Tower, and the cause of his mutation had yet to be uncovered...

But as a member of the Magic Association, Barton had official authority and responsibilities. This swift change in attitude left Lynn somewhat unable to grasp what was going on.

Fortunately, Elaine quietly pulled Lynn to the side and explained in a low voice, "Teacher Charlotte's temper is very bad. No, I should say, extremely, extremely bad."

So Barton doesn't want to provoke the Green Tower by wading into these muddy waters?

Looks like working for the Magic Association really isn't easy. If it's just ordinary little matters, that's fine, but if they run into incidents related to the major mage towers, managing them becomes quite troublesome.

At that moment, Barton smiled at Lynn and said, "Lynn, you did very well this time. Have you thought about what magic book you want?"

Does this directly count as me completing the mission to investigate the Corruption Cult? Lynn felt somewhat pleasantly surprised.

Old Barton, however, had thoughts of his own.

Entrusting Lynn with the mission to investigate the Corruption Cult had been a test to begin with, but Lynn had not only brought back information, he had also turned the tide and resolved a crisis that could have endangered the Whispering Forest and threatened Colin Town. That had far exceeded his expectations.

But in front of a young member of the Green Tower, he did not show too much appreciation.

That fellow Farino, aside from his explosive temper, was also a disciple-collecting fiend. If he saw anyone with decent aptitude on the road, he wanted to fish them back to the Green Tower. Fortunately, the man had been in Roan City all this time... Barton silently calculated in his heart.

He had long since made up his mind. Once Lynn learned second-circle magic, he would immediately arrange the Initiate Mage assessment for him. With his talent, it would naturally be no problem. After that, he could pull him into the White Tower Society as a matter of course.

As he was thinking this, he heard Lynn say, "Mr. Barton, I'd like a copy of 'Day and Night Obscurity.' Would that be all right?"

"'Day and Night Obscurity'?" Barton's expression froze slightly. "Mental type? Heh, that isn't exactly my field of expertise. If you want protective magic, I could give you a high-quality second-circle magic book instead."

But he did not dwell on it for long, and nodded easily. "No problem. Within a week, I'll send someone to notify you."

Lynn immediately smiled and thanked him. After chatting idly for a few more words, the three of them left the Magic Association together.

When Elaine and Charlotte had first arrived in Colin Town, they had found someone to reserve a carriage, and now the carriage was already waiting by the street.

The two of them were preparing to return to Roan City.

A sweet smile appeared on Elaine's face, and she said with graceful ease, "Lynn, I'll write to you. Will you still be staying at the Iris Inn for a while?"

"Yes," Lynn sighed inwardly. He still had more than ten days left on his lease. "I'll be staying there until the end of this month."

"All right, then goodbye for now." Her green eyes blinked, and she nodded lightly before hopping into the carriage with light steps.

Charlotte followed behind her, her gaze shifting between the two of them. At the moment of parting, she said to Lynn meaningfully:

"Lynn, I believe we'll be seeing each other again very soon."

Lynn took the chance to take out the letter Carlisle had given him and handed it to Charlotte. "Someone asked me to pass this to you."

He did not say anything more. As for the matter between the two of them, he had no intention of getting involved. He had only agreed because of the reward of that bottle of Fate Potion.

Charlotte swept a glance over it, accepted it without a change in expression, nodded slightly to Lynn, then ducked into the carriage compartment.

Amid the clatter of horse hooves, the carriage drove off into the distance.