Chapter 256: The Abandoned High Tower
As the news spread that Ace was preparing to hold an academic report meeting, the Wizard Apprentices were all thrilled upon hearing the topic of the report.
“Report on the results of promoting to Formal Wizard…” Eddie read the words slowly, one by one, his expression growing increasingly excited.
Even the Advanced Wizard Apprentices were incredibly excited. During the last secret meeting, Ace had only told them about his promotion to Quasi-Formal Wizard and the simple division of the spell system.
This time was different. The topic of this report by Ace, the founder of the magic system and the Torch-Bearer, was equivalent to telling all Wizard Apprentices that the subject of the Formal Wizard had been conquered!
Magic Calendar Year 8, September 10th.
In the Magic Castle hall, the autumn sunlight spilled through the transparent dome into every corner of the hall. The spacious castle hall appeared exceptionally crowded today, with nearly a thousand Wizard Apprentices gathered here, waiting for the report meeting of the Torch-Bearer, Ace.
“What will Lord Ace talk about? I’m looking forward to it!”
“About the results of promoting to Formal Wizard, of course. Didn’t the report title say so?”
“I was asking about the specific content of the report. Can you stop being so contrarian?”
“Who’s being contrarian? Why do you have to be so rude?”
Just as a few Lesser Wizard Apprentices were arguing, Ace flew in from the sky and slowly landed on the stage.
With his appearance and landing, an invisible Mental Power pressure and a natural Wizard affinity simultaneously infected everyone present, naturally giving rise to a sense of anticipation within them.
The current Ace might be the future them.
Ace looked at the expectant eyes in the hall and used the Amplification Spell to gently transmit his voice into every apprentice’s ears.
“My apprentices, today I am honored to report to you the research results of promoting to Formal Wizard.
“Here, I will first explain two concepts to everyone present: what is a Formal Wizard, what is a Quasi-Formal Wizard, and what are the similarities and differences between the two.
“First, the similarities. Whether it is a Formal Wizard or a Quasi-Formal Wizard, from the perspective of life level, both have achieved a transition, possessing a lifespan two or even three times that of ordinary people.
“From the perspective of life level, Quasi-Formal Wizards, Formal Wizards, Heroes, and Intermediate Monsters are all on the same level, with no essential difference.
“Then, the differences. Why distinguish between these two concepts? What differentiates us Wizards from other Supernatural beings in this world lies in knowledge. And the most powerful manifestation of this knowledge is spells—specifically, the Spell Models within the Soul Sanctuary .
“Only by constructing three-dimensional Spell Models that we have researched ourselves within the Soul Sanctuary, distinct from the innate Rune structures of other Supernatural beings, can one be called a Formal Wizard.
“Until today, I can finally announce to everyone that we have a new definition for Runes and spells.
“In the past, we said Runes were divided into Lesser Runes and Soul Runes. Now, Soul Runes have also been subdivided, based on the observer’s strength.
“Soul Runes observable by Advanced Wizard Apprentices are collectively referred to as Level 0 Runes. Runes observable by Quasi-Formal Wizards and 1-Ring Wizards are referred to as Level 1 Runes.”
Speaking up to here, Ace paused.
He did not mention the Supernatural knowledge learned from the giant dragon. Although this knowledge came from a truly great existence, it hadn’t been verified. Conclusions that hadn’t been deduced and verified were not suitable for wide dissemination; it didn’t align with the Wizard spirit.
The Wizard Apprentices below the stage discussed in whispers. They were encountering these classifications for the first time and were very interested. Some Advanced Wizard Apprentices whispered about the content Ace had spoken of before. At this moment, Ace continued.
“There must be higher levels of Soul Runes. As our strength continues to improve, we will inevitably be able to observe higher-level Runes. Someday, we might even observe the source of Runes.”
‘Perhaps that is some kind of rule or domain of the world. Maybe then we will have to ask: what is the essence of rules and domains?’ Ace added in his heart.
“Planar Spell Models composed of Level 0 Runes are now defined as 0-Ring Spells. Three-dimensional Spell Models composed of Level 0 Runes are defined as 1-Ring Spells. Three-dimensional Spell Models composed of Level 1 Runes are defined as 2-Ring Spells, and so on.
“Those who can become Wizards of the 1-Ring and above, capable of using spells of the 1-Ring and above, can be called Formal Wizards.
“Starting from the Formal Wizard stage, our choice of Spell Models will affect everyone’s future path. Research in this area is ongoing. Later, I will share the research findings and conjectures in this regard with everyone.
“Next, I will discuss the necessary conditions for promoting to Quasi-Formal Wizard—that is, the life transition.
“As an Advanced Wizard Apprentice, one’s Mental Power scale must reach above 9 unit, until it can rise no further.
“You need a high-frequency mana scouring of your Mental Power, similar to that shaped by a mental network, to loosen the solidified Mental Power scale and allow your spirit to achieve a leap.
“For Mental Power to achieve a leap requires a unique power: the vitality of your body. The greater your physical strength, the more likely the promotion will succeed.
“In other words, we must have a sufficiently strong body, preferably paired with rituals, magical materials, Supernatural food, and other things that can greatly replenish vitality.”
The apprentices listened with rapt attention, especially the Advanced Wizard Apprentices present, whose eyes were shining.
Bayen frowned, muttering to himself with a sigh, ‘I am already over seventy years old. Even with the Youth Potion, my body is inevitably decaying. It seems that for promoting to Formal, the younger one is, the greater the chance.’
Hearing this, Logan pulled down his oversized hat and said in a hoarse voice:
“Just because we are older doesn’t necessarily mean our chances are smaller. The lack of vitality caused by natural physical decay can be solved by magical means, such as Magical Cuisine. Are you interested in researching with me?”
While Bayen was asking Logan in detail about what Magical Cuisine was, Ace continued.
“Everyone knows that the Soul Sanctuary of an Advanced Wizard Apprentice is limited. Therefore, the Level 0 Runes selected and the 0-Ring Spells combined are also limited.
“This is also related to our future path. What path we take in the future depends on which Root Runes we replicate and which spells we combine.
“Therefore, our path of magic cannot be broad but shallow. The path must be clear; we must specialize. We must discard some things to gain more.
“Our magic has developed to this day, the eighth year of the Magic Calendar. I have categorized the magic we created into six major categories: Elemental, Astrology (Prophecy), Life, Soul, Contract Summoning, and Alchemy.
“Here, I suggest everyone specialize in one category, supplemented by one or two other categories. While ensuring specialization, try to ensure the diversity of your means as much as possible.
“Specifically regarding these six categories, Elemental represents more…”
With Ace’s explanation, everyone gradually understood which research directions and spell types each category contained.
Eddie said secretly in his heart, ‘My path is Contract Summoning. Sooner or later, I will possess a powerful army of contracted creatures.’
Ace continued speaking, his expression somewhat excited.
“Everyone knows our territory is called the High Tower. I once said that every Wizard has a high tower in their heart. Today, I will talk about the high tower in my heart.
“When I was young, I heard such a legend.
“Legend has it that in the ancient of ancients, unknown years ago, there was a group of people who wanted to know how high the sky was and wanted to climb to the sky. Therefore, they gathered the power of all mankind and built a high tower.
“People worked together, striving for the same goal. As time passed, day after day, year after year, the first people who wanted to know how high the sky was had long passed away.
“Their descendants continued the construction. This high tower grew higher and higher, getting closer and closer to the sky.
“Just then, the Devil tempted humanity, causing selfishness and rifts to arise among humans. They could no longer work together but indulged in infighting.
“Eventually, the fighting people left the high tower. Without human construction and maintenance, this high tower could never get closer to the sky and was thus abandoned. People could never know how high the sky was.”
Everyone listened to Ace’s story, their faces lost in thought.
“Lord Ace’s words seem to point to something,” Warren whispered, resting his chin on his hand.
‘If we replace the sky with truth and that group of people with our Wizard collective, what would happen then?’
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