Chapter 181: Dawn
“After reflecting on the questions that cannot be answered at this stage, we will attempt to define the various phenomena discovered in this research. First, we can confirm that collective consciousness exists—at least, it was generated when the Wizard collective mentally interconnected.
Second, consciousness can be divided into surface consciousness and subconsciousness, and collective consciousness can be divided into the surface-level mental network and the Subconscious Sea.
Through experiments, we found that when maintaining all network nodes in a state of wakefulness or lucid dreaming, every node consciousness composing the network is awake and capable of autonomous decision-making.
However, when all node consciousnesses are asleep, except for the ‘Root Consciousness,’ the other node consciousnesses are neither awake nor autonomous. This state is somewhat similar to the embryonic Subconscious Sea, yet distinct.
The embryonic Subconscious Sea has unique characteristics beyond these commonalities. It truly exists in an unknown dimension—according to the Spirit of the Book, the ‘Sea of Illusion and Reality’—and is watched over by some great power, possibly even granted certain Authorities.
The principles and covenants established in the Subconscious Sea affect not only all current individuals but will also influence newly born individuals in the future.
This is a hint given to me by the Subconscious Sea, pending verification.”
Under the steady, bright light of the Controllable Light Orb, Ace, wholly absorbed in his thesis, was thinking earnestly. On the other side, the rational mirror image continued his experiments.
As a purely rational research clone, he possessed almost no emotions, only pure rationality, a thirst for truth, and loyalty to the host body and the Ace collective.
He was attempting to inscribe a Rune Array onto composite magical paper. Since the Magic Item to resist whispering needed to be carried at all times, it might as well be integrated into a Grimoire—specifically, the seventh page of Ace’s Grimoire.
This page should possess the following functions: First, positive thinking and self-interest suggestion, achieving a win-win for self-interest and the Wizard collective without harming oneself. Second, an emotion valve system, forcibly reducing emotional fluctuations to a certain range when emotions reach a threshold susceptible to whispering influence. Third, will reinforcement, resisting whispering influence by enhancing one’s own will resistance.
“The first and second are easy to solve and are basically complete, barring a few minor issues. However, the fundamental third step is too difficult.
Relying solely on the Will Rune and Suggestion Rune is insufficient to achieve this goal.
Perhaps I should thoroughly research the Knights’ mental journey and structure. Their will resistance is simply outstanding. By imitating their Creed-Heart Force path, I might find the secret within and strengthen my self-will resistance.”
The mirror image continued to ponder. He tried activating the combined Rune Array on the composite magical paper. Mana pulsed, and he felt some reinforcement of his will, but the effect was not as expected.
Under the light orb, the host body Ace continued writing in his thesis:
“The mental link network in a sleep state might be called the Virtual Subconscious Sea. In this case, there are three differences from the true Subconscious Sea: first, the absence of power from a great existence; second, it does not truly exist somewhere in the world; third, the dreamscape is not unified.
Reaching the true Subconscious Sea again may be very difficult. Currently, there are no clues. We can later delve into how to unify dreamscapes, researching the Virtual Subconscious Sea first.
After attempting to analyze surface consciousness and subconsciousness, we must note that the above are all hypotheses, not conclusions. We need a long time and extensive research to reach final conclusions.
Now, let us focus on the characteristics of the surface consciousness network. The surface network has extremely high practical value. Based on the records of several experiments, we can draw the following inferences:
First, the efficacy of the mental link network increases with the quantity and quality of participants.
Second, the mental link network in a lucid dream state is currently the optimal form. It can be said to possess all the functions of surface consciousness and some functions of the subconscious.
Third, soul resonance frequency, information flow volume, and speed are correlated with mental power enhancement. Collective meditation produces a certain field effect, which is also positively correlated with quantity and quality.”
Ace stretched, the cowlick on his head twitching once before falling limp again. Tonight was quiet. There was no sound around, everything was so tranquil. He continued writing.
“The mental link network can be called the ‘Collective Wisdom Network.’ Individuals within it maintain independent thinking and personality while engaging in high-speed thought exchange and information synchronization.
At the current stage, due to the level of the Wizard Apprentices, the effect on deducing Soul Runes and Soul Spells is not significant. However, in the future, a rapidly developing magical society will inevitably give birth to a large number of Wizard Apprentices.
And a certain base of Wizard Apprentices will inevitably produce a large number of Advanced Wizard Apprentices. By then, this ‘Collective Wisdom Network’ will surely make great strides in deducing Soul Runes and Soul Spells.
We might massively improve Soul Runes, discover optimal effects, and even modify their nature. Through researching their commonalities and individualities, we could create a large batch of ‘Artificial Runes.’
The road ahead is long, but the future is promising!”
Ace continued to ponder. Under the illumination of the Controllable Light Orb, his gaze was piercing. Almost all his muscles tensed simultaneously as he wrote with high spirits:
“Regarding the application of the Mental Imprint Network and the virtual dream space, I also have some ideas.
We can try to fix this virtual space. Perhaps we need to use the unresearched Dream Crystal. Using rune methods, we can create a large-scale Magic Item.
It can store and solidify our dreamscapes. Everyone will leave their own mental imprint within it, allowing the dreamscape to merge with the mental imprint.
Contributing a portion of the dreamscape to combine with the ‘Root Consciousness’ dreamscape will form a Public Dreamscape, while the rest will be Private Dreamscapes.
And using the mental imprints within the Magic Item, we can form a mental imprint network existing within it.
This Magic Item should be a super-large signal transmission, storage, relay, and reception facility. Within its radiation range, all Wizards can link to it and enter the Mental Imprint Network.
A mirror image clone will be dedicated to acting as the fixed ‘Root Consciousness.’ As long as more than a certain number of Wizard Apprentices are linking to the network, this imprint network will automatically upgrade to a mental link network, possessing all the efficacy of a Wisdom Network!”
“Finally, it has been confirmed that collective meditation through the mental link network is effective. Both Lesser and Mid-level Wizard Apprentices have seen good improvement.
If their resources are concentrated on me, it can even loosen my stagnant mental power degree, though it is still far from true promotion.
I hypothesize that when the number of Wizard Apprentices is sufficient, and the network formed is powerful enough, collective meditation focusing resources on the ‘Root Consciousness’ will likely allow me to achieve the leap of life and advance to Formal Wizard.
Therefore, the current task is to build and develop the territory, educate existing apprentices, and cultivate future magic teachers, hoping to achieve a continuous increase in the magical population in the future. While developing the Wizard collective, I will realize a leap in my personal strength!”
Advance chapters at Nightjar Reads · nightjarreads.com