"Panel, break the limits of the Consciousness-Sea Microscope!"
Unable to see any real problem, Lohr finally made up his mind to break the microscope's limits once.
[Consciousness-Sea Microscope (0.9 Circle) → Consciousness-Sea Microscope (0.9+0.1 Circle) (Can break limits; no First-Circle elemental slot; cannot advance)] [Charge Points 21522.52% → 11210.11%]
In that instant, the Consciousness-Sea Microscope began to tremble and reorganize continuously, its original structure undergoing an enormous transformation.
Even the Elemental Domain rippled, while earth and fire elements churned without end.
About three minutes later, the Sea of Consciousness returned to calm. Lohr directed his mental power toward the rune model of the Consciousness-Sea Microscope.
The microscope model had now undergone tremendous changes.
Its formerly bloated and crude structure had become streamlined and refined.
An aura utterly unlike that of the other models spread from the microscope model.
This was the aura emitted only after a rune's power reached the First Circle. Its essence was still apprentice-level now, though, so it had little effect on Lohr.
"Now I should be able to see the operational structure of elemental molecules clearly."
Lohr poured his mental power into the microscope model. This time, the molecular structure of the elements was fully revealed before his eyes.
"The elemental molecules in the Fireball Spell rune model are highly active, moving violently at every moment."
He looked toward the Fireball Spell model and discovered that the trajectories of its elemental molecules were both beautiful and violent.
"The molecules in the Earthfire Attraction rune model are somewhat different. They seem to contain a certain 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 only barely connected the two spells, so no wonder it failed," Lohr thought to himself.
"In truth, 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 forth magma."
"The microscopic world really is marvelous. I should have broken the microscope model's limits ten days ago, but it's not too late now."
Letting out a soft breath, Lohr began observing and comparing the principles of the Earthfire Attraction Spell and the Fireball Spell, attempting to find where they intersected.
Whenever he discovered an opening, he recorded it 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 its way to seven in the morning.
"Finally finished."
After working through the night, Lohr withdrew his mental power from his Sea of Consciousness. Looking at the parchment spread across the table, he felt incomparably exhilarated.
His excitement was not merely because he had found the main elemental molecular intersections between the two spells, but because the road ahead had become clear to him.
In his previous life as a player, even with the aid of the Microscope Spell, he could see the Bloodline witch patterns 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 fully comprehend the mysteries within these molecular trajectories.
"Next, I only need to fuse together the intersection points recorded on these parchments. There's a ninety percent chance I can guide them into forming the Small Magma Eruption Spell." A smile curved Lohr's lips.
As for the remaining ten percent, he would leave that to Xiao Bai... and the other apprentices to verify.
As long as he did not have absolute certainty, he would never perform the fusion himself.
Stretching lazily, 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 once more, integrating the unstructured elemental molecular intersections from the dozen or so parchments and turning them into a fusion sequence others could understand.
"Knock, knock, knock~"
An hour later, knocking sounded outside the laboratory.
Lohr set down his pen, walked to the laboratory door, and opened it.
Kateya stood before him, carrying a tray. Behind her stood a freckled middle-aged woman.
"Lord Lohr, I brought her." Kateya handed him the tray and pointed at the middle-aged woman. "Xielis, Second-Level Apprentice, mental power 12.5."
"A... Second-Level Apprentice?"
Seeing the two horizontal lines on Lohr's collar, Xielis could not help feeling dazed.
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 undoubtedly the owner of this laboratory.
Yet she had always heard that the owners of such laboratories were generally wizard lords. She had never expected that, after actually arriving here, a Second-Level Apprentice would be the one opening the door.
"Mm, come in." Lohr nodded, unconcerned by Xielis's shock. Taking the tray, he led the two women into the laboratory.
After placing the tray on his desk, he picked up a stringent contract and handed it to Xielis. "Take a look. If there are no problems, sign it."
The contract stipulated: 1. The contractor must never use the spell they learned to attack the person 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 permission from the person who taught it.
Those who violated the contract would have their souls self-destruct.
This contract had been made by a First-Circle Bloodline Wizard proficient in soul-related studies. Each one cost 100 Contribution Points and could bind wizard apprentices.
Moreover, they could only be purchased using laboratory funds. The destination of every contract was strictly controlled, and they were intended exclusively for experimental spells. Apart from the fourth clause, the rest could not be altered.
This was both a restraint 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 written 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. Look over these three parchment scrolls."
Lohr picked up three parchment scrolls from the table and handed them to Xielis. "Memorize the two spells and fuse them in the specified order."
The three parchment sheets recorded the Fireball Spell model, the Earthfire Attraction Spell model, and the fusion sequence for the two spells.
"Lord... 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 truly did consume two spell slots.
Moreover, the Wizard Alliance had long established the rule that those testing Fusion Spells had to pay 500 Contribution Points to the test subject.
"Yes." Xielis nodded and stood to one side, preparing to memorize the Earthfire Attraction Spell model.
"Sit while you memorize it. It's inconvenient standing up." Lohr pointed at the stone chair opposite the desk.
"Thank you, Lord Lohr." Xielis thanked him and sat down.
"She's really too reserved. That one from two days ago was the same," Lohr silently muttered to himself. "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 their levels, without considering the difference in the testing location.
Apprentice dormitories and private laboratories were two entirely different concepts.
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