Microscope Spell Breakthrough, the Path Revealed

"Panel, break the limit of the Consciousness-Sea Microscope!"

Unable to see any problems, Lohr finally made up his mind to break the microscope's limit once.

[Consciousness-Sea Microscope (0.9 Circle) → Consciousness-Sea Microscope (0.9+0.1 Circle) (Can break limit; no First-Circle element slot; cannot advance)]

[Charge Points 21522, 52% → 11210, 11%]

In that instant, the Consciousness-Sea Microscope began to tremble and restructure continuously, its original structure undergoing a tremendous change.

Even the elemental domain rippled, with earth and fire elements churning restlessly.

About three minutes later, his consciousness sea calmed down. Lohr directed his spiritual power toward the rune model of the Consciousness-Sea Microscope.

The microscope model had now changed drastically.

Its formerly bloated and crude structure had become streamlined and intricate.

An aura entirely different from that of the other models spread from the microscope model.

This was the aura emitted only after rune power rose to the First Circle. Its essence was still apprentice-level now, so it had no effect on Lohr.

"Now I should be able to see the operational structure of elemental molecules completely."

Lohr poured his spiritual power into the microscope model. This time, the molecular structure of the elements was laid bare before his eyes.

"The elemental molecules in the Fireball Spell rune model are extremely active, moving violently at every moment."

He looked toward the Fireball Spell model and found that the trajectories of its elemental molecules were both exquisite and violent.

"The molecules in the Earthfire Attraction Spell rune model are somewhat different. They seem to contain some kind of pattern."

As he compared the differences between the molecular trajectories of the two spell models, a realization rose within him.

"My previous adjustments were still too crude. I merely forced the two spells together. No wonder it failed," Lohr thought.

"In fact, I should start with the pattern of molecular movement in the Earthfire Attraction Spell and incorporate it into the Fireball Spell model. Only by coordinating the two can I draw in magma."

"The microscopic world truly is wondrous. I should have broken the microscope model's limit ten days ago, but it's not too late now."

Letting out a soft breath, Lohr began observing and comparing the patterns of the Earthfire Attraction Spell and Fireball Spell, trying to find where they intersected.

Whenever he discovered an opportunity, he made a note on parchment.

Before he knew it, he had filled more than a dozen sheets of parchment with points of intersection.

The clock on the wall had quietly ticked over to seven in the morning.

"Finally finished."

After working through the night, Lohr withdrew his spiritual power from his consciousness sea. Looking at the parchments spread across the table, he was indescribably exhilarated.

His excitement was not merely because he had found the main elemental molecular intersections of the two spells, but because the road ahead had become clear.

In his previous life as a player, even with the aid of the Microscope Spell, he could see the bloodline witch markings within his body, yet he could not understand them at all. It was as though a barrier of understanding stood in his way, leaving him able to rely only on intuition to slightly increase the success rate of Spell Fusion.

But things were different now. He could already completely understand the mysteries behind these molecular trajectories.

"Next, I only need to merge the intersection points recorded on these parchments. There's a ninety percent chance I can guide the fusion and produce the Small Magma Eruption Spell." Lohr smiled.

As for the remaining ten percent, that would have to be left to Xiao Bai... and the other apprentices to verify.

After all, without absolute certainty, he would never perform the fusion himself.

Stretching, Lohr glanced at the clock on the wall.

"It's already seven. Kateya should be bringing someone over in an hour. I need to hurry and finish the final preparations."

Without time to rest, Lohr got busy again, integrating the scattered elemental molecular intersections from the dozen or so parchments into a unified fusion sequence that others could understand.

Knock, knock, knock~

An hour later, a knock came from outside the laboratory.

Lohr put down his pen, walked to the laboratory door, and opened it.

Kateya stood before him holding a tray, with a middle-aged woman whose face bore a few freckles standing behind her.

"Lord Lohr, I've brought her." Kateya handed over the tray and pointed to the middle-aged woman. "Xielis, Second-Level Apprentice, spiritual power 12.5."

"A... Second-Level Apprentice?"

Seeing the two horizontal lines on Lohr's collar, Xielis could not help but feel stunned.

And from the words of the Third-Level Apprentice who had brought her here, she could tell that the Second-Level Apprentice before her was definitely the owner of this laboratory.

But she had always heard that the owners of laboratories were generally great wizards. How could she have imagined that, when she actually came here, the door would be opened by a Second-Level Apprentice?

"Mhm, come in." Lohr nodded, unconcerned by Xielis's shock. He took the tray and led the two women into the laboratory.

After placing the tray on the desk, he picked up a strict contract and handed it to Xielis. "Take a look. If there's no problem, sign it."

The contract stipulated: 1. The contractor must never use the learned spell to attack the one who taught it.

2. The contractor must never teach the acquired spell model to anyone else by any means.

3. The contractor must never record the spell model by any means.

4. Within (9) years, the contractor may not cast the taught spell without the permission of the one who taught it.

Those who violated it would have their souls self-destruct.

This contract was made by a First-Circle Bloodline Wizard proficient in soul-related studies. Each copy cost 100 contribution points and could bind wizard apprentices.

Moreover, they could only be purchased with laboratory funds. The destination of every contract was strictly monitored, and they were meant exclusively for experimental spells. Apart from the fourth clause, none of the others could be altered.

This was both a restriction imposed by those above on lower-level apprentices and a form of protection.

The fourth clause could be set for up to fifty years. Lohr had only filled in nine years, which counted as a small kindness on his part.

"Alright." Xielis accepted the contract, gave it only a cursory glance, and signed it.

She had known about this kind of contract for a long time and understood the rules.

"Good. Take a look at these three parchments."

Lohr picked up three parchments from the table and handed them to Xielis. "Memorize the two spells, then fuse them according to the sequence."

The three parchments recorded the Fireball Spell model, the Earthfire Attraction Spell model, and the fusion sequence for the two spells, respectively.

"L-Lord Lohr," Xielis said timidly, "I've already learned the Fireball Spell."

"That's a good thing." Lohr smiled. "Now you only need to memorize the Earthfire Attraction Spell and fuse them."

He did not mention reducing the payment or anything of the sort, because fusing spells did indeed consume two spell slots.

And the Wizard Alliance had long established that those participating in experimental spell fusion had to be paid 500 contribution points.

"Yes." Xielis nodded and stood to one side, about to begin memorizing the Earthfire Attraction Spell model.

"Sit while you memorize it. It's inconvenient to do so standing up." Lohr pointed to the stone chair opposite the desk.

"Thank you, Lord Lohr." Xielis thanked him and sat down.

"This person is really too restrained. The one from two days ago was the same," Lohr muttered inwardly. "She can't even compare to that First-Level Apprentice from when I tested the microscope."

In truth, he had only considered the difference in rank between them and had not considered the difference in location.

Apprentice dormitories and private laboratories were two entirely different concepts.