Chapter 433: The Fourth Level 2 Life
After this, Logan and Bayen organized their experiments into the papers “Combustion, Respiration, Air, and Heat Release” and “Underwater Burning Flame” respectively. Together with Betty, the three co-authored the comprehensive theoretical outline “Phlogiston Theory”.
When Betty finished the last word, the aura of the Great Source brushed past. Her somewhat damaged Soul Sanctuary was rapidly repaired. Illusory images of brand-new spell models appeared within her Soul Sanctuary. Based on the Phlogiston Theory, entirely new series of spell model phantoms and related rune phantoms emerged just like that.
Betty, Logan, and Bayen recorded the latest runes hungrily. They re-cognized the world, and the world gave them new feedback. Even the runes representing rules changed accordingly, and the foundation of the Elemental School shifted once again.
Consequently, Logan and Bayen’s mental and physical scales approached Level 2 Life infinitely, reaching the peak of Level 1 Life.
Betty absorbed nearly half of the Great Source’s gift. Her Soul Sanctuary expanded rapidly. The brand-new combustion spell model representing the Phlogiston Theory quickly diffused and reconstructed within her Soul Sanctuary.
Betty’s aura rose rapidly. Excessive mana gathered at high speed. As naturally as water flows into a canal, Betty instantly broke through the limit of Level 1 Life and became a Level 2 Life.
Her Soul Sanctuary also transformed into a mental imagery world. The brand-new spell model was constructed bit by bit using Level 2 runes. With the assistance of the Great Source aura, her path solidified rapidly. The foundational spell model was like a nascent sun, radiating heat and light in her mental imagery world.
The entire mental imagery world turned into a world of flames. Betty achieved the status of a 3-Ring Wizard, becoming the fourth Level 2 Life in the High Tower Territory after Ace, Ancestar, and Arno.
In the West Tower of the Magic Castle, Ace was concentrating on writing a monograph on mathematics. His pen flew across the paper, detailing how to use this mathematical tool and the significance of this mathematical research, when he suddenly sensed the gathering of excessive mana.
Ace immediately stopped writing. With two consecutive Blinks, he appeared at the location where the mana was gathering. The Eye of Truth in his eyes flickered, observing the sudden excessive energy accumulation, that petite figure, and the explosive, burning mana.
Ace blinked into the High Tower and looked at Betty in surprise. Her state was undeniable; she had broken through the limit of life and achieved Level 2 Life!
“Congratulations, Lord Betty. To think you achieved construction after destruction and became a Level 2 Life. It seems your theoretical research has made a major breakthrough.”
Betty nodded with joy. She tried hard to suppress the outwardly radiating flame mana, bowed to Ace, and said, “Yes, Lord Ace. Logan, Bayen, and I discovered a new theory and were fortunate enough to receive feedback from the world—brand-new runes and spell models. We will share the theory and new runes with all wizards in the latest issue of Magic!”
Ace looked at Bayen and Logan, who had already reached the peak of Level 1, and praised with gratification, “Your progress makes me very happy. I look forward to the brand-new theory and runes.”
A month passed quickly. The latest issue of the Magic journal featured a new term, “Phlogiston,” announcing the arrival of a new era.
This included not only experimental verification but also runes and rune structures fed back by the Great Source. Betty and the other two selflessly shared the runes bestowed by the Great Source with all High Tower wizards.
Ace looked at the latest issue of Magic delivered to his hand. Listening to the research experiences of the three and the incredible Great Source feedback, a thought flashed through his mind: “Strong Observer Effect”!
This kind of real feedback could actually be understood as the deepening of the observer’s cognition of the world. Although the complete secrets of the world hadn’t been peered into, the discovered parts had given timely feedback to the observer.
Ace tapped his index finger unconsciously and read carefully:
“Phlogiston is ‘fire quality and fire element, not fire itself.’ It escapes from burning objects in a rapid motion. It is contained in all combustible objects and also in metals (that can be burned into calx). Burnt products can be restored to the original substance simply by providing it with phlogiston from any substance containing phlogiston, such as oil, wax, charcoal, etc.
“When Zinc is heated and turns red, it burns with a bright flame; thus phlogiston escapes, and the white residue is zinc calx. If it is heated together with charcoal (rich in phlogiston), Zinc is distilled out. Therefore: Zinc Calx + Phlogiston = Zinc. The same applies to other metals.
“If Phosphorus is burned, an acidic substance is produced, releasing a large amount of heat and light. Therefore: Phosphorus = Acid + Phlogiston. If the acid is heated together with charcoal, the acid absorbs phlogiston, and Phosphorus is produced again.
“We call the reaction process of phlogiston entering and escaping an object ‘Combination,’ and the resulting object is a Compound.
“Sulfur is a compound of Sulfuric Acid (Element) and Phlogiston: Sulfur burns with a flame because phlogiston escapes, producing Sulfuric Acid. The formula is: Sulfur = Sulfuric Acid + Phlogiston.
“If we can put phlogiston back into Sulfuric Acid, we can obtain Sulfur.
“To prevent the acid from volatilizing when heated, first ‘fix’ the potash alkali. The obtained salt (Potassium Sulfate) is heated with charcoal (rich in phlogiston) to generate a dark brown substance, which is exactly the same as ‘Liver of Sulfur’ (hepar sulphuris) prepared by fusing potash alkali and sulfur.
“(Sulfur + Potash Alkali) + Phlogiston = Liver of Sulfur
“Sulfur + Potash Alkali = Liver of Sulfur
“From this experiment, we can derive: Sulfuric Acid + Phlogiston = Sulfur
“…”
Ace closed the paper and closed his eyes, remaining silent for a long time. After a long while, he opened his eyes and said to the somewhat exhausted Betty and the others, “A very interesting theory. It is a possibility of understanding the world and has experimental support. I am a bit tired; you may go back first.”
Betty, Bayen, and Logan looked at each other, finally bowed slightly to Ace, and slowly left.
Once the three had left, Ace sighed, stood up, and looked out the window, feeling somewhat in a difficult position.
“The Phlogiston Theory is very interesting. It connects with a large number of facts to form a consistent, orderly, yet misguided doctrine. But this erroneous doctrine can actually guide experiments and lead to new discoveries.
“Although wrong, this is huge progress in the academic research of the High Tower Territory. Without academic self-awareness under my guidance, I cannot brutally intervene and interrupt this thriving research craze and research confidence!
“Although there is no concrete proof yet, if the research results of the Phlogiston Theory hold true, adding phlogiston should mean removing oxygen; removing phlogiston should mean adding oxygen.
“This theory and the related runes have definitely been read and attempted by wizards. Some wizards may have even used it as the foundation for constructing their foundational spell models. Even if I want to propose a new viewpoint, I need to propose it slowly to reduce the impact.
“If I act with undue haste, I’m afraid what awaits the High Tower won’t just be a theoretical explosion and magical innovation, but more likely a large number of headless corpses and chaotic thinking.”
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