CHAPTER 45: 045 VISIT

Divine Domain Fragment.

Once back here, absolute reason instantly took over. The surprise of obtaining the Exotic Beast Meat and the expectations for future growth all turned into a calm and light expression.

Setting down the box containing the Exotic Beast Meat and crafts, Carl rolled up his sleeves and looked at the Fire Mark pattern on his arm. Through his spellcasting and insights during this period, he was confident he could carve the Magic Model of the Fire Mark.

Given this, "Let’s give it a try!"

He sat cross-legged, silently practiced the Deep Sea Meditation Technique, submerged his consciousness in the Spiritual Inner Sea, and began constructing the Magic Model. The Magic Model for the Fire Mark was far less complex than the Lesser Spell Force Field. Having built two Magic Models before, this time went very smoothly, and he succeeded in less than two days.

By now, Carl had three Magic Models in his Spiritual Inner Sea: Lesser Spell Force Field! Fire Mark! Light Spell!

Two Zero-Circle Magics and one trick. He just needed to build one more Zero-Circle Magic to advance to an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice.

Building a Magic Model, although it occupies spiritual power, acts like ballast in the Spiritual Inner Sea, making the spiritual power more cohesive and meditation practices easier to delve into the Spiritual Inner Sea. It can even speed up magical practice.

Quietly sensing the changes in the Spiritual Inner Sea, Carl was contemplative.

No wonder the levels of Wizard Apprentices are defined by the number of witchcrafts constructed. Given the current circumstances, constructing three Zero-Circle Magics would drastically boost spiritual power. Once there are three Zero-Circle Magics, even without practicing meditation, spiritual power would likely slowly increase over time.

Name: Carl (Master of the Divine Domain Fragment)

Constitution: 0.82

spiritual power: 1.45

Source Material: 0

Occupation: Knight Attendant, Basic-level Wizard Apprentice

Building the Lesser Spell Force Field consumed 0.7 spiritual power; constructing the Fire Mark consumed nearly 0.5, plus the 0.1 for the Light Spell. In other words, Carl had as much as 1.4 spiritual power already occupied by these Magic Models. Fortunately, the force field of the Fire Mark’s Magic Model overlapped with the Dharma Seal; otherwise, he might not have had enough spiritual power to construct it.

When the Magic Model is inactive, although it occupies spiritual power, it doesn’t really have an impact. It even helps in increasing spiritual power. But...

Carl’s eyes flickered.

Once activated, it would rapidly consume spiritual power, and right now, I simply don’t have enough remaining spiritual power to use. So, isn’t it useless? No!

He gently shook his head.

This situation must be quite common among Wizard Apprentices. How do others solve it? When in doubt, ask my senior sister.

When Carl arrived at the estate outside the city, Hibell was helping Catherine weed the garden. Both women were like beauties stepped out of a painting; every gesture they made was picturesque.

"Madam, Senior Sister," Carl said as he presented gifts, "May God bless my friends, happy Birthday of the God!"

The gift he prepared for Catherine was a hat. Based on top-grade silk, it was ingeniously tailored and sewn with a circle of white feathers at the edge and a jewel at the center, both noble and elegant. The gift for Hibell was a bottle of wine. Hibell didn’t drink, but she believed that brewing was similar to refining Potions, and good wine was worth cherishing.

"Thank you." Catherine smiled as she received it, clearly very pleased, then chuckled, "But the gift is a bit late."

"Yes," Hibell nodded. "The Birthday of the God has long passed."

"The thought behind the gift matters, not the timing," Carl replied. Both were joking, so Carl didn’t take it seriously and instead inquired, "Senior Sister, can I switch one Zero-Circle Magic?"

He planned to use this as an excuse to see if he could acquire a witchcraft from her.

"Finding it difficult now?" Hibell shook her head. "I’ve told you before, the Lesser Spell Force Field is one of the more challenging types among Zero-Circle Magics and isn’t suitable as an introductory witchcraft."

"Hmm..." Carl pondered.

"How is your Light Spell coming along?" Hibell asked.

"It’s done." Carl extended his hand and gently snapped his fingers, a sliver of light appearing at his fingertips.

"That’s truly magical," Catherine exclaimed from the side. "Too bad I don’t have that talent."

She was surrounded by Wizard Apprentices, and lacking the talent herself, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of emotion every time she witnessed such displays. However, having seen it often, she had grown accustomed.

"Not bad at all," Hibell said, somewhat surprised. "Although the Magic Model for the Light trick isn’t difficult, for someone with your level-four talent, that’s already pretty fast."

If she knew that Carl had not only constructed the Magic Model for the Light trick but had also mastered two Zero-Circle Magics, she would likely be astounded.

"The Tutor said that once you construct a Magic Model, whether it’s a Zero-Circle Magic or not, you can formally become his apprentice. However, there’s a rather troublesome matter now."

Hibell shrugged. "The Tutor isn’t home."

"He hasn’t returned yet?" Carl frowned. "Has Teacher Adolf been gone for several months now?"

Hibell addressed Adolf as "Tutor," while Carl could only call him "Teacher"; the difference in address denoted whether one had officially become an apprentice. Only by officially becoming an apprentice could one learn new witchcraft from Adolf. Of course, it would cost money.

"Now that you’ve constructed the Magic Model, you are truly initiated. I might as well tell you," Hibell began. "Grey Robed Wizard Adison, together with two other Official Wizards, are planning to establish a Wizard camp in the Black Swamp. The Tutor, being one of the invitees, is participating."

"Hmm?" Carl was puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean is," Hibell said, "the Tutor is very likely not coming back, and it’s quite probable that we will be moving there, settling in the Black Swamp. Honestly, I’m quite excited. The Black Swamp is rich in various Magic Materials, and there are many Wizard Apprentices to interact with, making it more convenient to learn witchcraft."

"I’m not excited at all." Catherine shook her head. "I’ve heard it’s either muddy or miasmic there, and there’s no city nearby, making it very unfriendly to ordinary people like me."

"Don’t worry," Hibell reassured. "Am I not with you? Besides, Wizards also need attendants, and surely a city will be built near the Black Swamp in the future."

Carl understood. Many of the Wizards of the Gando Kingdom were scattered across the land. Grey Robed Wizard Adison’s action could unite them. When the time comes, anything they want to do will become easier. Moreover, with so many Wizards and Wizard Apprentices, this force could likely influence some decisions of the kingdom. Overall, there are many benefits.

"Carl." Hibell motioned. "Come with me."

"Yes." Carl complied and took the opportunity to voice the doubt in his mind, "Senior Sister, if all spiritual power is used to construct a Magic Model, then won’t there be insufficient spiritual power after activation? How can one continue casting spells?"

"Use Potions!" Hibell stated matter-of-factly. "Some Potions can restore or increase spiritual power for a short period. After taking them, you won’t have to worry about running out of spiritual power."

Carl was dumbfounded; he hadn’t thought it would be so simple.

But it was also normal. Wizards differ from Knights, relying more on external forces such as Potions and Demonized Items.

"These are all basic common knowledge in the Wizard World. You only feel puzzled because you haven’t been exposed to them yet," Hibell went on. "I’ll write to the Tutor to tell him that you’ve constructed the Light Spell. As for new witchcraft... if you can’t wait, you might only be able to choose from what I know. My knowledge of witchcraft is far less extensive than the Tutor’s."

"No problem." Carl was thrilled inside. Learning new witchcraft is enough for me.

"And one more thing..." Hibell made a common hand gesture. "One hundred Gold Coins per Zero-Circle Magic. You can put it on credit for now and pay later with the Potions you refine."

One hundred Gold Coins? Carl’s smile stiffened on his face.