Chapter 227: Reveal everything you know, or suffer the consequences!!

—Can I help you with something?

The voice came from behind the counter.

I stopped in front of the shop and raised my eyes.

The old female acolyte who used to stand behind that counter had disappeared. In her place was an elderly man with gray hair, a wrinkled face, and a rather friendly expression.

I looked at him for a few seconds.

—Where is the woman who used to be here?

The old man immediately seemed to understand who I was talking about.

—Brunilda?

He sighed.

—She's already dead.

—Killed by whom?

—I heard that she was dismembered by a group of acolytes from the Black Bull Tower.

For a moment, I remained silent.

Hearing that she had died in such a manner, a strange feeling arose within me.

But I soon put those thoughts aside.

—Give me the spell model catalog.

The old man nodded.

—Of course.

He bent down and took out a thick booklet made of parchment paper.

—Here.

I took the catalog.

As soon as I opened the first page, I found a list of Level 0 spell models of the fire element.

The page number glowed with a faint reddish light, clearly indicating the elemental category.

I ran my finger through the pages.

Fire, then Water, Earth....

There were models related to practically every common element used by acolytes.

When I reached the light-element models, I quickly went through them.

I had already obtained almost every Level 0 spell of this element that could be useful to me.

The prices of the spell models had fallen to less than half their original value.

Some were so cheap that the shop was probably already selling them practically at a loss. It was like buying things online in my old world with a 75% discount and free shipping.

—I'll take all of these.

The old man blinked.

—All of them?

—Yes.

After separating the models I wanted, I took out a huge bag of magic crystals and placed it on the counter.

The sound of the crystals inside immediately caught the old man's attention.

While he checked the payment, I gestured toward Raticati.

My brown-furred rat slave immediately approached.

—Raticati, carry the books.

He obeyed.

After finishing the purchase, there was still one question I needed to ask.

—Are there any first-level spell models here?

The old man raised his eyebrows.

Then he shook his head.

—My apologies.

—Our counter only sells Level 0 spell models intended for acolytes.

It was exactly the answer I expected.

Even so, I couldn't help but ask.

—I understand.

I left the shop without showing any disappointment.

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.

.

.

.

.

Some time later, I finally returned to my dormitory.

The key to my room entered the lock.

I turned it.

Click.

The door opened with a creak.

—We're here.

I entered first.

—Raticati, put the things on the floor.

My rat entered right behind me, carrying the books and other materials.

There really hadn't been any changes here.

However, there was a lot of dust. It had accumulated on some surfaces during my absence.

I snapped my fingers.

The next instant, a small burst of golden energy appeared inside the room.

Whoosh!

A golden vortex began to spin.

The air was violently pulled toward the center.

Sheets and towels began to float.

Particles of dust were ripped from the surfaces and sucked into the current of air.

The vortex swept through the entire room.

It passed through the corners, and even underneath the bed.

A short while later, the vortex began to change color. The accumulated dust particles had taken on a dark golden hue within the magical current.

Then...

Puff.

All that dirt was deposited directly into the trash bin.

I nodded in satisfaction.

—Much more comfortable and clean.

I then began organizing the materials I had bought.

After finishing everything, I turned toward Raticati.

—You can rent a room for yourself.

Raticati nodded and left.

I was finally alone.

Silence filled the dormitory.

I sat down.

I took some magical meat from my Storage Belt and began eating while analyzing the first model.

I picked up the red book.

—Fireball...

I ran my eyes over the inscriptions.

—Biochip. Register.

[Beep!]

[Scanning in progress.]

Hours passed.

Finally, the voice returned.

[Beep!]

[The Fireball spell model has been registered.]

My eyes narrowed.

After my advancement to Level 3 acolyte, the Biochip, which was connected to my soul, had also undergone a considerable evolution.

Its processing power was much greater than before.

For other acolytes, mastering a spell model required continuously memorizing every detail.

It was an extremely time-consuming process. And if they made a mistake while constructing the model, they could waste days, weeks, or even months of training.

In the future, I would only need to use my magical power to completely fill the structure.

It was like digging a swimming pool. The Biochip did all the heavy lifting. This was also one of the main reasons why my learning speed was far superior to that of ordinary acolytes.

Suddenly, an idea came to my mind.

—Biochip.

—Establish primary mission!

—With all Level 0 spell models as a foundation, begin simulating a Level 1 spell model.

[Beep!]

[Mission established.]

[Insufficient information regarding Level 1 spell models.]

[Beginning simulation.]

[Estimated time required to complete simulation:]

[Unable to estimate.]

Although it was impossible to determine how much time would be required, the Biochip could indeed simulate a Level 1 spell model.

This was an extremely valuable possibility.

Now I only needed the necessary amount of Black Rainbow Crystallized Aura and to meet the magical power requirement needed to advance. With that, I would have a real chance of reaching the next level.

The problem was the Black Rainbow Crystallized Aura.

It was an intermediate potion whose formula was strictly controlled by the major magical corporations.

The recipe was never disclosed to outsiders.

Many of its ingredients were also monopolized by the major guilds.

Even if I possessed enough knowledge, I couldn't simply buy all the ingredients and produce it myself.

Therefore, my main objective in the total massacre had become extremely clear.

Survive and accumulate as many contribution points as possible.

I would exchange those points for Black Rainbow Crystallized Aura.

If I also wanted to purchase a Level 1 spell model using contribution points, the pressure would increase far too much. I would have to kill an absurd number of enemies, and that would undoubtedly cause me to be marked by the Official Mages of the enemy factions, which would be extremely detrimental to my future growth.

But if I only needed to obtain one of the two...

The difficulty would be cut in half.

Besides... I needed to complete the Life Shield Cube. I picked it up and stared at it in my hand.

—If I can complete the Life Shield Cube, my chances of surviving in that secret world will certainly increase.

I stood up.

I walked toward the experimental laboratory, an experimental laboratory.

I pushed the door open and entered, then closed it behind me. Then I carefully took out the imprisoned Spirit Sphere.

The crystal sphere initially appeared opaque.

But when I injected spiritual force into it...

Buzz...

A light began to emerge from within.

Gradually, a human figure appeared inside.

I had imprisoned him when I arrived at the abandoned laboratory in Far Wind City, after encountering that brown snake and discovering that it was merely a creature that had escaped from that laboratory.

I looked at the soul trapped inside the sphere.

—I need more information, but I'm in a complicated situation.

The figure inside the sphere trembled.

Then his eyes changed.

The crazed and bloodthirsty expression disappeared.

In its place appeared intelligence and a great deal of fear.

I placed the cube beside the Spirit Restraint Sphere.

Then I began preparing the table.

I took a quill, various alchemical instruments, and other materials, and began drawing runes.

When I finished the formation, I began reciting the incantation.

My voice echoed throughout the laboratory.

At the same time, I began adding the necessary ingredients.

Vuuuum...

The temperature of the surroundings seemed to drop.

The spirit inside the sphere began trembling violently.

—No...

I stopped for a moment.

He stared at me.

—You can't do this...

His voice was trembling.

I knew exactly the reason for that fear.

The final synthesis stage of the Life Shield Cube required a sealed spirit filled with spiritual energy.

And it would only be released when the Cube itself was destroyed.

Until then... that soul would continue to exist inside it.

I then approached the sphere.

—You're in quite an unpleasant situation.

—But perhaps you still have something you can offer me.

I tilted my head.

A curious smile appeared on my face.

—Tell me...

—Do you have anything else to negotiate with me?

The spirit remained silent for several seconds.

Then he spoke quickly:

—I... I'm an excellent engineer and alchemist!

His voice was desperate.

—I have mastered many secrets and special skills! If you let me go, I can give all of them to you!

I continued looking at him.

He began pouring out everything he knew.

Alchemy knowledge, techniques, methods, secrets.

I listened to everything in silence.

When he finished, I slowly shook my head.

—Insufficient.

The spirit's face turned pale.

—Most of these things were already recorded in that engineering book I took from the abandoned laboratory.

—Those benefits aren't enough to compensate for the loss of my Life Shield Cube.

The spirit trembled.

—I...

He seemed to desperately search for something.

Then his eyes lit up.

—I also know a secret!

—A secret about Mages who advance to the Official Mage realm!

My expression immediately changed.

The spirit noticed.

And continued, almost tripping over his own words:

—If you swear that you'll let me go, I'll tell you!

—And this secret is something that all the higher-ups of the major magical guilds have done everything in their power to hide!

....

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