My "Bubble" (Part 2)

The arcane energy within the bubble was pure, yet "dry and cold," and contact with it left his mind feeling rough and astringent.

Once the drawing was complete, an arcanist had to use their own mind to accomplish three tasks: cast down something like an iron anchor to stabilize the space, leave behind a beacon, and assimilate the arcane energy affinity.

If the core knowledge had not recorded it, Shane would not have known that arcane energy possessed affinities. Every arcanist's arcane energy affinity was different, just as everyone had a different voice.

"When Sylvanas said I smelled good, was she referring to my arcane energy affinity?"

The moment his attention wandered, the fluctuations in his mind widened, and the bubble seized the chance to "eat" part of his mental energy. That portion of his mind merged into the arcane energy, leaving behind his aura. Shane gathered his thoughts and released them slowly, not allowing the bubble to eat too quickly. If his mind snapped, the consequences would be dire.

He slowly colored and stabilized the space while observing it. The arcane energy within the bubble remained motionless, like clear water held in a bottle. Unless it was shaken, it would not flow, remaining in a state of balance. The bubble's outer wall isolated all void radiation except arcane energy, gradually increasing its total reserves. Had it not encountered Shane, it would most likely have burst in the future once it could no longer contain the excess arcane energy, returning to the cosmic cycle.

The space was not large, and its appetite was small as well. After giving up half his mental energy, Shane finished coloring it and carved in a beacon.

What did his own arcane energy affinity taste like? Warm, nourishing, faintly sweet, and fresh. Shane felt the bubble filled with these four sensations. Soaking his mind within it was immensely comfortable, even more comfortable than a hot bath.

After lingering for a while, his mind withdrew from the outer space. Even after returning to the Red Sun White Tower, he could sense a fluctuation responding to him. Projecting his mind into the outer space again, he connected it to that fluctuation and leaped into the bubble. Observing the void with his mind from within the bubble consumed far less energy. Matter and energy flowed endlessly, surging toward the end. Beneath that torrent, the bubble remained firmly attached to the original black dot, utterly unmoved.

The first step in establishing a space had succeeded. After that, he could slowly reshape it according to his strength and needs, following his own aesthetics. The meaning of Cultivating Taste, Establishing Your Own Space was to tell arcanists that creating a space did not mean collecting everything or trying to capture everything. One needed aesthetics for sustainable development.

His mental energy was nearly exhausted. Shane completely withdrew from the outer space and returned to his body. His mental fatigue manifested physically; he felt weak all over, as though he had been hollowed out.

"I wonder how many days have passed." When he opened his eyes, he felt a layer of dust on his face.

"Four days."

"Sylvanas?" His room had no defenses against her. The female elf sat at his bedside, reading.

"When I saw your condition, I thought you'd gone to another world. I fetched that lecher Firehawk, and only then did I learn you were carrying out some important spell experiment. Now I finally understand why Vereesa was so anxious to improve her strength. You bastard, couldn't you stop and wait for us?"

Sylvanas closed her book and lightly tapped Shane on the chest with it. The corner of the book pressed painfully against him.

"This is your punishment."

"Grrr~~~" Shane's stomach growled. He tried to move and sit up, but he had no strength. Sylvanas tossed aside the book, supported him by the sides, and helped him sit up against the headboard.

"You weren't guarding me this whole time, were you?" Shane asked.

"Don't flatter yourself. I only came to check on you while taking a break after patrol. I'll get you something to eat."

Sylvanas rose and left the living room.

Before long, the female elf returned with milk and bread. "Here. Don't even think about making me feed you."

After he finished eating, Sylvanas stayed with him for a while before leaving. Shane lay back down to meditate and train, his mental energy gradually recovering and filling the enormous emptiness within him. The next morning, he woke naturally to the sound of birds. After washing up, he saw in the mirror that he had grown considerably thinner. Indeed, he had never seen a fat high-ranking mage.

"What are those two apprentices doing?"

Remembering the two new apprentices he had left unattended for several days, Shane decided to see what they were doing. With his mental senses, everything in the outpost was projected into his mind.

The dark-skinned Sashana was in the magic item crafting area, assisting Firehawk. Kallinda was in the library, reading with Solarian.

"At least they aren't idling around."

Shane used magical voice transmission to summon them to the study. He assigned learning tasks to the two of them, fulfilling his responsibilities as their mentor.

"How many spells do you two know?"

The two apprentices reported the number of spells they knew. Kallinda knew six first-circle spells, while Sashana knew five. They were close to the limit for ordinary first-circle mages.

"Before advancing to the second circle, I do not want either of you learning any more spells. Understood?"

"Understood, Mentor," they said in unison.

"You need more practical experience. Hmm..." Shane considered the path he had taken. At lower circles, cultivating habits was far more important than advancement.

"The two of you will each open a nursery in the Mage District and plant whatever plants you like. I'll inspect the results in three months. Those with good results will receive rewards."

"Take the funding." Shane gave each of them fifty gold coins. "Do you have magic pouches?"

"We have one," they said, showing him small pouches—one knitted, the other silk.

"I'll have Mage Solarian make several pouches for each of you. Go on. Don't think it is tiring. Ordinary people believe arcanists gain their power with a wave of the hand, never realizing that it must also be earned through hard work."

The two apprentices left the study. Thinking they had gone far enough away, their voices grew louder as they spoke.

Kallinda said, "I knew it. Mentor and Ranger Sylvanas are having an affair. Did you see the bow on the wall? Did you smell the female elf's scent? No wonder Sylvanas was so worried about Mentor. Can you remember how panicked she looked when she went looking for Mister Firehawk? They are definitely, definitely having an affair!"

Sashana said, "You're too loud. Shut up."

Shane was very satisfied with his apprentices' temperaments. Even beneath Kallinda's liveliness was a steadiness. Neither had complained about being left alone for several days. They obediently accepted their tasks, and neither possessed the restlessness of elves born in Silvermoon City or feared the hardship of training. If they could also consciously absorb knowledge, then even if their talent was not especially good, they would still be promising material.

The second step in building a private space was to capture a region rich in void matter, but Shane had his own arcane aesthetics. For now, this was best.

Everyone was busy with their own affairs, leaving Shane alone in the study. Compared to the crowds of apprentices in the mentor towers of Silvermoon City, his mage tower was practically deserted, but everything was improving. A few more civilian households had appeared in the outpost, setting up stalls to sell food, weapons, potions, and other goods to the rangers. Before long, the outpost would develop into a small town.

What Shane had learned from Cultivating Taste was not merely how to cultivate a personal space, but other important insights as well.

Leaning back in his chair, he began practicing Conjuration School: Planar Creature Summoning. Shane intended to use his own "taste" to attract creatures. He released mental messages into the outer space, seeking to communicate with wills that could respond.

Hostile wills, excessively powerful wills, and wills carrying destruction were all dangers that had to be avoided. He also needed to distinguish disguises from deception.

Each time he released three wills into the void, he would withdraw his mind.

Following his aesthetics, Shane conveyed part of his will to the void: pure balance.