Chapter 541 - 540: Discussion on the Magic Net

Chapter 541: Chapter 540: Discussion on the Magic Net

"By the way, did Asvir tell you about our research topic?" Morel said. "It’s that... Shadow Magic Net, Casting, something or other..."

"An Inquiry into the Magical Mechanisms and Controllability of the Shadow Magic Net." Colin asked with a frown, "Are you serious? Isn’t this your research project? How can you not even know its name?"

"Of course I know. Relax," Morel said, waving his hand.

Colin watched Morel’s back with a frown, silently following him.

As they continued on, their surroundings began to change.

The Ordinary polished marble floor tiles gave way to black stone slabs etched with strange patterns. The sturdy stone walls underwent a similar transformation, their material now some kind of black stone. Iron bars appeared on the windows that let in sunlight, and the wooden doors on both sides of the corridor had become large, iron-clad double doors.

’It seems we’ve reached a more important area of the Black Tower,’ Colin thought.

Morel glanced at the nameplate beside the door, then pushed it open and led Colin inside.

Inside was a spacious antechamber.

The room was filled with individual workstations, each laden with parchment, quills, and various pieces of experimental equipment. Against the walls stood enormous solid wood shelves, holding an array of experimental materials like Gemstone powders and dried herbs.

Several robed apprentices were busy at their workstations, seemingly working on their own academic projects.

Morel paid the apprentices no mind, leading Colin directly to a large stone door at the far end of the antechamber.

The stone door was inscribed with Dwarf Runes that emitted a faint silver glow. There was also a conspicuous handprint on its surface.

Morel placed his right hand on the handprint, and the light from the Dwarf Runes slowly dimmed.

He said, "Put your hand on it, too."

Colin did as instructed, pressing his hand onto the door. The Dwarf Runes flashed rapidly a few times.

With a gentle push from Morel, the massive stone door in front of them slid open effortlessly.

The room inside was even larger than the antechamber.

The first thing to catch his eye was a massive stone platform. Colin could see a bright Magic Radiance emanating from it, suggesting it was inscribed with numerous Arrays.

Several large tables were set up next to the platform.

On the tables sat precise distillation equipment, various Ritual Magical Artifacts, and a huge crucible.

Aside from that, there were small meditation platforms, bookshelves, material racks, and other such things. The sheer amount of these smaller items made the room look cluttered and messy.

The massive stone door slowly swung shut behind them.

Morel walked to a corner of the room and snapped his fingers.

Instantly, a few glass beakers flew out from the distillation equipment. A small burner on a table lit itself, a drawer slid open, and coffee beans floated out. The beans flew into a medicine pestle on the table and began to be ground.

The whole scene looked as if several invisible servants were preparing a pot of coffee.

Morel stood beside a table, leaning on it with his hands. "This is my private laboratory," he said. "From now on, just come here whenever you need to study Magic. I’ve already registered your handprint on the stone door. That bookshelf has some books on the principles of Magic. Feel free to look through them now if you’re interested."

"I see. But I came here hoping to learn some useful Low-tier Magic," Colin said.

"In that case, I can certainly give you some advice," Morel said. "Would you like some coffee?"

"Yes, a cup please."

"It’ll be a moment. The coffee beans still need a bit more grinding," Morel continued. "I’m a War Mage, capable of casting Tier Eight Magic. I’m much better at engaging enemies in close combat on the battlefield than I am at research. Of course, I’m retired now, so I don’t have to do that sort of thing anymore."

Colin had heard the term War Mage before.

The most famous War Mage unit today was the "Hand of War" from the Southern Moran Kingdom. This army of Mages was wholeheartedly dedicated to serving the king of that nation.

These War Mages were especially skilled at using Magic for close-quarters combat. It was said that they could maintain their focus and keep their Magic active even while being struck by swords and daggers.

"Generally, Mages from the slums grow up to be like me—the so-called ’pragmatists.’ Someone like you, Casting while wearing Armor, is a real exception," Morel said.

"Then what is this Shadow Magic Net research project about? Do I need to participate in your research?"

"Not really. After all, the Master of the Black Tower just wanted you to have a professional place to study..." Morel said, stroking his chin. "But I should still tell you a bit about what we’re researching, just so the mentors from the other groups can’t find anything to use against us."

"Then you’d better be thorough," Colin said.

’It was no secret that Mages were prone to infighting. These people would do anything for research funding. Even with the support of the Master of the Black Tower, it was best to be careful.’

Morel scratched his cheek. "To put it simply, the Master of the Black Tower needs Mages who share her ideals to research certain projects—important ones, but projects that might be opposed by some of the Masked Lords. So, besides our team, there are a few other similar research groups in the Black Tower."

After he finished, Morel gave a couple of light, awkward coughs.

Then he added, "Of course, that’s not to say we aren’t actually researching our topic. How much do you know about the Shadow Magic Net?"

"I remember it’s something similar to the Magic Net, a creation of the ’Dark Lady.’ Several hundred years ago, after the ’Prince of Lies’ killed the Magic Goddess, the Magic Net collapsed. Casters all over the world lost their Casting Ability, and a strange blue fire appeared in the sky, bringing widespread disaster."

"That’s when the Shadow Magic Net began appearing all over the world. It’s said that Casting within it enhances Magic from the Illusion and Necromancy Systems, while Magic from the Evocation and Transmutation Systems are weakened," Colin explained.

This was all from history books he had read. Scholars referred to this period as the "Year of Blue Fire."

Though it could be summarized in a few sentences, the accounts in the books were quite complex. Different historical texts even had contradictory records, making it a very mysterious period in history.

Just then, the coffee finished brewing.

A tray holding sugar cubes, milk, and a coffee pot floated in front of them.

Morel immediately began to fix his coffee.

Colin hadn’t drunk much coffee before, so he just casually added a few things to his cup. After taking a sip, he found it predictably bitter and silently dropped another sugar cube into his cup.

Morel cradled his coffee and asked, "Then what do you know about the Abyssal Magic Net?"