Chapter 284: Efficiency

Diary of a Dead Wizard

Two days later, Saul finally completed the construction of the Mental Realm Formation in the Black Castle's laboratory, using the experimental tools and a portion of the magic crystals left behind by Mochi Mochi.

Afterward, he walked over to another lab bench on the other side of the room. Bending down, he brought his line of sight parallel with a distillation apparatus on the table.

On one end of the apparatus, a round-bottom flask was bubbling under a magic flame. On the other end, a conical beaker had already accumulated a thin layer of dark gray liquid.

“The dosage is sufficient. But the purification method is fairly primitive, so it might not do much to enhance the potion’s emotion-stabilizing effect.”

“Still, I don’t have many of the fruits left. Using a more aggressive method risks unnecessary losses.”

Unlike the object modification experiment, refining the Grinding Sound Fruit solution didn’t carry the risk of death. The diary wouldn’t offer Saul any help with it either.

Even if Saul threatened the diary—saying he’d hang himself if the experiment failed—it wouldn’t make a difference. The diary knew full well he wouldn't do it.

As for Little Algae, it was no help in this experiment either. Despite being an earth-attribute creature, it was peculiarly more sensitive to spiritual entities.

So after weighing his options, Saul opted for a more conservative experimental approach.

However, to maximize the solution’s purity, he had to extend the duration of the experiment, ensuring every step was executed with precision.

During the two days he waited, Saul kept himself busy. Mochi Mochi’s study still had some magic notes.

While the truly valuable ones had been sealed away with magic—

Since Mochi Mochi had been the original owner of the Black Castle and the study was off-limits to outsiders, he’d left the books that were available for internal borrowing casually on the shelves.

Conveniently, since Mochi Mochi also specialized in dark-attribute magic, the bookshelf held just what Saul needed: a Second Tier Spell.

There were two volumes in total. After a moment of indecision, Saul immediately chose one to begin studying.

Second Tier Magic — Touch of Torment.

It happened to be the upgraded version of the First Tier Spell Frost Touch that Saul already knew.

Saul's second pick was a tentacle type. He didn’t pick the tentacle-type spell because he had any special fondness for tentacles—it was mainly because he had Little Algae with him.

Tentacle-type magic combined with Little Algae made for unpredictable and effective attacks. Just like how he had taken on the disguised Kismet at the Ralph Manor.

So Saul simultaneously studied Touch of Torment, constructed the Mental Realm Formation, and waited for the refined Grinding Sound Fruit solution to fuse.

Now, two of the three tasks were finally complete.

Saul withdrew the magic crystal, extinguished the flame, and disconnected the tube linking the two beakers. Finally, he carefully poured the solution from the conical beaker into a test tube.

Once inside the test tube, the dark gray liquid began to deepen toward black—evidently a sign of excessive purity triggering inevitable oxidation upon exposure to air.

Saul hastened his steps, carrying the test tube into the formation.

Taking a deep breath, he stood at the formation’s center. As usual, he drank a dose of Heart’s Guard before swallowing the Grinding Sound Fruit extract.

The moment it entered his mouth, Saul felt as if he had swallowed a chunk of ice.

The “ice” continuously absorbed heat, freezing his esophagus and stomach completely.

The chill seeped into the walls of his throat, muscle, fat, and blood… then rode the bloodstream all the way to his brain.

All his anxiety and tension dissolved in an instant. He felt like a puppet—utterly devoid of emotion.

Fortunately, Saul's memories remained intact.

“The extracted juice is twice as potent as the raw Grinding Sound Fruit.” But Saul didn’t rush to activate the formation.

He closed his eyes and recalled several names—friends and enemies alike—yet not a single one stirred his emotions.

Moments later, he opened his eyes, adjusted his magic and mental energy, and the entire room instantly froze.

Smoke and dust stopped swirling. Even the faint whisperings within the walls fell silent.

In the next second, the world shattered like a mirror, revealing a bizarre starry sky behind it.

 

Beneath his feet was a gray, rock-like circular platform, inscribed with the formation Saul had drawn himself.

All around was tranquil darkness, twinkling with countless stars.

At first glance, it looked no different from the last time he entered the Mental Realm. But when Saul lifted his right hand, a deep red hardcover book immediately appeared in his palm.

The diary hovered five centimeters above his hand, and flipped open in accordance with his will.

The first page was still gold, but nothing happened.

“As expected, even a Third Rank apprentice can’t use the golden page. From what I’ve seen in the diary’s recorded history, the golden page has never appeared before. But based on the visuals, the diary appears to possess the ability to bring death to all beings. The golden page likely relates to that power.”

With his emotions suppressed, Saul didn’t feel even a trace of disappointment.

Calmly, he had the diary flip to the front half of the white pages. He began comparing the handwriting of past entries he had seen to the unfamiliar ones present on the pages.

Saul didn’t know how long the diary’s writing would persist, but after reviewing dozens of white pages with different handwriting styles, he still found nothing that matched the script in his memory.

“Possibility one: the older texts are overwritten. That would mean the diary functions like surveillance footage—old videos get replaced by new ones. Possibility two: I still lack the qualifications, and the diary refuses to display that text.”

Still unbothered, Saul flipped to the black pages.

Each time he opened a black page, he lightly flicked it with his finger, sending the page flying away.

Three pages landed on the stone platform, transforming into Agu, Morden, and Herman.

“Master!”

“Master.”

“Master.”

Among the three, Herman called out the loudest and most resolutely.

Ever since Saul had replenished Herman’s soul energy during his breakdown, the man had stood firmly by Saul’s side.

Even after regaining his sanity, he hadn’t wavered in the slightest. His unhesitating loyalty only made the slower reactions of Agu and Morden seem lukewarm by comparison.

“Herman is fully under control, Morden seventy percent, Agu just over fifty.” Saul did the math in his head, his expression still devoid of emotion.

He had the three of them wait and turned to the fourth black page.

Last time, this page was still incomplete. But after absorbing the Wraith hidden in Angela’s left hand back in Grind Sail Town, it had become whole.

He didn’t know what kind of soul consciousness this completed page would now summon.

Saul tilted his chin, motioning for the three spirits to stand at his side. Then, with a flick of his hand, he sent the fourth black page flying.

However, when the black page hit the ground, it transformed into someone completely unexpected—

Angela.

The fourteen-year-old girl had lively eyes, a slender frame, and even her small chest had begun to show some shape.

The only thing off about her was the fact that she had six arms.

“Master~”

Perhaps hearing the others call him that, the girl followed suit as soon as she appeared.

Two hands rested under her chin, two twirled a lock of hair, and the last two shyly pinched at the hem of her clothes.

She was the very picture of a bashful, coquettish young girl—executing the entire performance to perfection.

(End of Chapter)