Chapter 201 - 200: Arcane Sword
Zelir roughly estimated that nearly a third of his total Magic Power reserves had been depleted.
And this was just for Level Two Magic.
It was hard to imagine how much Magic Power it would consume to inscribe a Level Four Magic like Fog Flowing Gauze.
’Even with my Magic Power completely full, I could probably only manage it once.’
"Of course. Making money this way is hardly easy," Mage Haddley said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"You probably know this already, but a Mage’s expenses are huge. Magic Wands, Magic Robes, accessories, materials... every single one is a money pit."
Zelir nodded in full agreement. "Exactly."
"The bolder Mages become Adventurers, killing Demons for bounties."
"The more cautious ones, well... they live off the guild stipend, inscribing Scrolls from time to time and taking on other jobs."
Mage Haddley counted on her fingers as she explained.
"For example, those proficient in Fire Magic will sometimes go help out at high-end Blacksmith Shops."
"Their Elemental Fire is hotter and more stable, allowing them to process Magic Metals with extremely high melting points."
"Those proficient in Water Magic go to drought-stricken areas to provide a continuous supply of water, which also pays quite well."
"Some ships also bring a Water Mage along for long voyages."
"Mages proficient in Earth Magic are master builders, and a favorite of the lords. They can rapidly erect city walls, bridges, or foundations for houses, their efficiency far surpassing that of ordinary craftsmen."
"What’s more, some Earth Mages with high Perception can even locate underground ore veins."
"They really do all sorts of things..." Zelir marveled.
’No wonder Mages hold such a high status.’
’Beyond combat, they also drive progress in every aspect of society’s production.’
"Alright, I’ve taught you how to make Magic Scrolls. Now it’s time for you to do something for me."
Mage Haddley took out a fresh sheet of parchment.
"I’m really quite eager to see if your speed at memorizing Spell Structures is as incredible as Bev claimed."
"Speaking of which... I’m only a Junior Mage. Why didn’t you ask one of the Middle Level Mages to help with your experiment?" Zelir asked, curious.
"Because... it would be expensive."
Mage Haddley pushed up her glasses, her answer brutally honest.
"Even though I’m a Middle Level Mage myself, hiring another one to help with an experiment still costs money..."
"Otherwise, they’d rather spend their time in Meditation to increase their power."
"Alright..." ’That did make a lot of sense.’
Mage Haddley began the inscription process.
Even though this was just an inscription for a quick test—one that didn’t require the immense infusion of Spiritual Power needed for a commercial Scroll—Zelir could still clearly see that the process took a significant toll on Mage Haddley.
In just a matter of seconds, fine beads of sweat had already formed on her forehead.
’The Magic Level for this one must be pretty high...’
A moment later, the inscription was complete.
Zelir took the Scroll. "Mage Haddley, what... kind of Magic is this?"
"It’s Arcane Magic. As for its effect, it basically coalesces a one-time-use Magic Sword, which then slashes out... I call it Arcane Sword."
Noticing the flicker of worry on Zelir’s face, Mage Haddley quickly added,
"Don’t worry. I’ve perfected the Rune Circuits for stable Magic Power output. It won’t go out of control."
Zelir’s Spiritual Power seeped into the Scroll, scanning it rapidly.
The Rune Circuits within immediately triggered his Technique Celestial Calculation.
With the accelerated analysis from Technique Celestial Calculation, the complete Spell Structure soon became clear in his mind.
’Hmm...’
’The Spell Structure is indeed far more complex and refined than the Fireworks Magic that Bev created.’
’It’s definitely at the standard of Level Four Magic.’
’As expected of a Middle Level Mage who specializes in researching and creating new Magic.’
"So... how long will it take you to memorize it?" Mage Haddley asked, peeking over at him.
"I’m already done," Zelir said, setting down the Scroll.
"Are you serious...?" Mage Haddley’s eyes went wide.
’The whole process didn’t even take three minutes, did it? How could he be that fast?’
"We’ll know once I try it," Zelir said with a smile.
"Wait... don’t try it in here."
Mage Haddley opened a door at the back of the room. "I have a dedicated space for this."
The door opened into a spacious, open-air field. Towering walls surrounded it, completely isolating the area from the rest of the guild.
"This is where I test my Magic."
Hedley explained.
"The surrounding walls are mixed with a stone powder that has a Magic-suppressing effect. It absorbs most of the stray Magic Energy to keep from making too much of a disturbance."
Zelir first cast the Stone Wall Skill.
With a rumbling sound, a thick earthen wall shot up from the ground, serving as a target for the test.
Then, Zelir recalled the Magic Mage Haddley had given him, and his Magic Power began to trace the Spell Structure.
A moment later, the charge was complete.
The air in front of Zelir began to distort slightly.
Magic Power surged forth, forcibly compressed, condensed, and shaped by his will!
A translucent Longsword, crystal-clear and emitting a faint blue glow, materialized from thin air.
It floated silently in mid-air, with visible lines of Magic Power flowing across its blade.
With a mere thought from Zelir, the Longsword shot forward, whistling through the air as it slashed viciously at the stone wall!
BOOM!!!
The colossal bang was deafening!
Unlike an ordinary Longsword’s strike, the destructive power of this Arcane Sword, made of Magic Power, was clearly far greater.
Upon striking the stone wall, in addition to the damage from the blade’s sharp edge, the volatile Arcane Energy contained within the sword’s body triggered a massive explosion.
In a single strike, the heavy stone wall looked as if it had taken a direct hit from a cannonball. More than half of it was instantly obliterated, sending shards of rock flying everywhere!
"You actually learned it on the first try!"
Hedley exclaimed, even more excited than Zelir himself as she stared at the ruined stone wall.
"So? What did you think? How was the spell’s effect? Do you think there’s any room for improvement?"
"Hmm... its power is quite impressive."
Zelir carefully replayed every detail of the casting in his mind.
"But... I’m wondering if the shape could be changed?"
"The shape?" Mage Haddley asked, puzzled.
"Yes. While I was Casting, I could clearly sense a few issues."
Zelir explained.
"The Arcane Longsword that this Magic coalesces... its internal energy properties are actually closer to wide-area concussive force and explosive power, rather than sharp, cutting Attributes."
"And if it’s based on concussive force, then wouldn’t a hammer be a more suitable weapon than a Longsword, which is designed for piercing and cutting?"