Chapter 227: Death and the Sprint
The first Magic Stone Essence Mother had nearly depleted the Star Alliance's Sub Magestone reserves.
To synthesize more Magic Stone Essence Mother in the future, they would have to wait for new Sub Magestone to be produced. Given that Sub Magestone was also required for other purposes, only a portion of the production could be allocated to this task.
To address this, Lize increased the short-term purchase price of Sub Magestone in order to boost production and alleviate the recent tight supply.
Once Su Nan manufactured enough Magic Stone Essence Mother without needing additional Sub Magestone, the purchase price would revert to normal.
With Lize overseeing the cultivation of the Sub Magic Stone Mine, Su Nan continued to focus his energy on cultivating and constructing the Wizard Tower.
As of now, the spatial design for the Wizard Tower was complete. In terms of energy supply, only the Levitation Ring remained unfinished. However, there was still much work to be done regarding combat devices.
The Mystic Lock Defense Energy Field was completed, but only at the Small level, requiring further synthesis. Initially, Su Nan intended to synthesize a Medium Mystic Lock Defense Energy Field, concerned that the energy for a Large version wouldn't suffice to support the consumption of the Elemental Pool. Yet, since he planned to create a Large Elemental Pool, he could also upgrade the Mystic Lock Defense Energy Field to the Large level concurrently.
The same applied to the Spell Turret Type II, which could be increased to two hundred units. The Disintegration Cannon had yet to be manufactured and would need to be synthesized and upgraded later.
Lastly, Su Nan considered the Golem Legion. He planned to deploy a Small Golem Legion within the Wizard Tower—though it would be a deluxe version. This included five thousand Mithril Golems, twenty Tentacle Puppets, and five Secret Puppets.
"In another fifty or sixty years, the Wizard Tower should be finished."
Just as Su Nan immersed himself in cultivating and building the Wizard Tower, he suddenly received some news.
The Russell Family, a Level Three Wizard Apprentice named Bask, has passed away of old age.
In the Northwest Region, on the continent of Starlight City.
Once an autonomous city belonging to the Russell Family, it had been a neutral zone independent of many nations. However, that was in the past, and now Starlight City has long since been absorbed into one of the territories of the Star Alliance.
Inside the Russell Family cemetery, the once-empty grounds were now crowded with mourners.
Fakado, Innocent, Tulio, Scepter, Rose, Traveler, and Sheman Cole were present. Looking around, it was clear that nearly all the Mentors had gathered.
They came together to pay their respects to their deceased colleague.
"Bask had foreseen this day for a long time," Fakado remarked, his expression devoid of sadness or grief, merely a deep sigh escaping his lips.
"He understood that his talent wasn't exceptional, that reaching the rank of Level Three Wizard Apprentice was his limit, and that he would never break through to become a full Wizard in his lifetime. He was fully aware of his fate and passed away peacefully."
Scepter sighed and added, "Having no hope… is not necessarily a bad thing."
At this, the expressions of the Level Three Wizard Apprentices around them grew complex.
It was precisely because they still clung to a glimmer of hope for themselves that they relentlessly pursued breakthroughs, facing walls and enduring setbacks. Perhaps it was only at the end of their lives that they would find themselves in complete despair.
In contrast, not harboring any hope from the outset might actually be a form of fortune.
After the memorial service, the crowd gradually dispersed.
Scepter approached Fakado, saying, "I've submitted my application to the Starfall Lord. Starting tomorrow, I will temporarily resign from my position as an Academy Mentor."
In Scepter's words, the Starfall Lord referred to the newly appointed acting Controller.
Their identity and background remained unknown, and they had never met anyone face to face.
All that was known was their deep trust from Master Sunan and that their code name was Starfall.
Fakado paused for a moment and then asked, "Why?"
Scepter sighed with a wry smile, "I can sense that my time is running short—at most another ten or twenty years. If I don’t break through by then, I will also find myself lying in a grave."
"In fact, if it weren't for the Dawn Potion and Elemental Pool extending his lifespan, he would likely have already reached the end of his natural life.
Fortunately, he had successfully constructed the Talent Crystal Model and begun filling it with Spiritual Power.
With a bit of luck, it wasn’t entirely impossible for him to break through and become a Wizard.
For the time being, he was going into seclusion to make a final push for Wizard, either succeeding or perishing in the attempt.
The Contribution Points he had earned over the years were enough to exchange for twenty years of access to a Cultivation room near the Elemental Pool within the Wizard Tower of Master Sunan.
“Me too,” Rose said, walking over with a serious expression. “I’m also preparing to go into seclusion.”
“It seems we’re all sharing the same goal,” Traveler said with a slight smile. “I’m also preparing to isolate myself for a breakthrough. Speaking of which, it’s all thanks to Master Sunan for creating the Construct Potion, which saved me time in constructing the Talent Crystal. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even have the qualifications to attempt becoming a Wizard.”
As he looked at the three of them, their determined expressions tinged with a hint of resoluteness, Fakado's heart was filled with complex emotions.
He understood very well how difficult it was to advance to Wizard.
Over the past millennium, countless geniuses had fallen before this hurdle.
The Level Three Wizard Apprentices of the Russell Family who had died throughout the years were innumerable, each filled with regret and reluctance.
If he hadn't joined the Star Alliance and received support from resources he had never imagined, he would likely have followed in the footsteps of his family's ancestors.
Now, he finally had a glimmer of hope for advancing to Wizard.
But it was just a glimmer.
Fakado knew that, of the three before him, perhaps only one would eventually succeed in advancing to Wizard, or perhaps all three would fail, leaving behind nothing but dust.
Just as he was sighing inwardly, Fakado suddenly noticed that the faces of the Scepter Three showed surprise. Following their gazes, he discovered that Master Sunan had also appeared in the cemetery at some point.
“Master Sunan,” Fakado hurriedly bowed slightly.
The Scepter and the others also quickly paid their respects.
Master Sunan waved his hand, glanced at the gravestone, and said, “My condolences.”
Fakado shook his head. “Thank you, sir. Bask passed away peacefully.”
Master Sunan nodded and didn’t say anything more, turning his gaze to Rose and the other two.
“I heard from Starfall that you’re planning to go into seclusion for a breakthrough?”
"Yes, sir,"
Su Nan smiled slightly upon hearing this and said, "You three are quite fortunate; you've arrived at an opportune moment."
He had recently been planning to further strengthen the Elemental Pool and improve the efficiency of filling Spiritual Power. The arrival of Rose and the others was fortuitous. With the assistance of the Large Elemental Pool, their chances of advancing to Wizard would significantly increase.
Even during the prosperous era of Wizards, very few Level Three Wizard Apprentices had the privilege of benefiting from a Large Elemental Pool.
The three of Rose exchanged bewildered glances upon hearing Su Nan's words.
It wasn’t until Su Nan elaborated on the details of the Large Elemental Pool that their faces lit up with immense joy.
The surrounding Wizards also regarded the three with a hint of envy.
However, after further contemplation, they realized that as long as they accumulated enough Contribution Points, they could enjoy the same benefits when they attempted to reach Wizard in the future. This thought made them feel hopeful.
"I wish you all a smooth breakthrough," Su Nan said.
If one or two more Wizards emerged, it would also be a boon for the Star Alliance.
The improvement in the Academy's teaching quality was one advantage. Additionally, he could delegate many tasks and lighten his own load.
For instance, refining enchanted strengthening-grade Mithril Golems, crafting fourth-tier potions, and gathering Elemental Crystal Dust from the Elemental Plane could all be distributed among the other Wizards.
This would allow him to devote more energy to cultivation and the construction of the Wizard Tower.
A qualified Wizard faction, besides having a large number of Wizard Apprentices as a foundation, also required a significant number of formal Wizards as its backbone.
After offering a few words of encouragement, Su Nan turned his attention to Sheman, Cole, and Artier, who were waiting nearby.
The three had come today to participate in the memorial for Bask.
Reflecting on it, they were part of his first batch of students and the ones who embodied the true essence of what it meant to be a disciple.
The Wizard Apprentices he had recruited after them felt more like students of the Academy rather than true pupils.
Thus, Su Nan held a different sentiment toward Sheman and the others. He periodically offered them special attention and guidance.
As he looked at the three of them, now mature and seasoned, an overwhelming sense of nostalgia washed over his heart.
Back when they first arrived at Base, the three of them were just kids, around twelve or thirteen years old. Now, however, they were nearing a hundred. It was only because of their special physique that they appeared no different from those in their twenties.
"I heard you've been researching Biological Modification lately?" Su Nan asked Coley. "Are you preparing for future semi-elementalization or bloodline fusion?"
Among all the production methods of the Star Alliance, the application of Biological Modification was the most limited. If the goal was to earn Contribution Points, it would be wiser to choose one of the other three areas.
Coley's focus on Biological Modification seemed mainly aimed at extending his lifespan in the future.
"That's part of the reason, Teacher," Coley readily admitted. "But I am also genuinely interested in Biological Modification."
Su Nan nodded and retrieved several books from his Space Ring, handing them to Coley.
"These are books on Biological Modification. They should be useful to you."
These books were all copies made by Lize, containing the knowledge possessed by the Starfall Society. The Starfall Society was skilled in refining War Creation and was naturally involved in the field of Biological Modification as well. For instance, the Tentacle Puppet could not have been created without extensive dissection and study of the Golden Tentacle Lord.
The books provided by Lize aimed to bolster Starlight Academy's deficiencies in Biological Modification knowledge.
"Thank you, Teacher!" Coley exclaimed, filled with joy.
Su Nan then turned to Sheman and Artier, saying, "Starfall is currently looking to recruit assistants. They will be recruiting from Starlight Academy soon. You two should consider applying. Becoming Starfall's assistant could be very beneficial for you. She is also a wizard."
Though Coley was an exception due to his eccentricity, Sheman and Artier were meticulous and thoughtful, making them well-suited for the role of assistants. Additionally, serving as an assistant to a wizard would be a remarkable opportunity for a Level Three Wizard Apprentice.
The three of them were taken aback upon hearing this. They had never imagined that the mysterious Starfall Lord was also a wizard, just like their teacher!
Recovering from their surprise, Sheman and Artier felt a surge of excitement. Working closely with a wizard was indeed very appealing. Setting everything else aside, even occasional guidance from such a wizard would provide them with immense benefits.
Not to mention the position of assistant to the agent Controller, with the benefits and influence it could bring.
The two exchanged a glance, immediately deciding they must seize the opportunity when the time came.
Coley, on the other hand, recognized his own limitations; he wasn’t suited to be an assistant, so he decisively dismissed the unrealistic idea.
When it came to cultivation efficiency, the synthesis and enhancement of the Elemental Pool naturally took first priority.
However, due to the high cost of the Elemental Pool, with one Small Element Pool priced over ten million Gold Coins, Star Alliance's income, despite increasing steadily each year, was hindered by other significant expenses. Therefore, they couldn’t produce multiple Small Element Pools in a short time.
After much deliberation, Su Nan decided to synthesize and enhance one Small Element Pool every two years until a Large Elemental Pool was created.
This way, every two years, the speed at which he could accumulate Spiritual Power would also increase significantly.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, more than three years had passed.
Lize was efficient; the first Sub Magic Stone Mine had been successfully opened in the Southeast Region, less than five hundred kilometers from Flash City.
According to Lize's estimates, it would take about one hundred and eighty years for this Small Sub Magic Stone Mine to fully mature, at which point it could be mined, with an estimated reserve of at least two hundred million Sub Magestone.
This extended maturation time was still due to the scarcity of energy on Starlight Continent; otherwise, it could have been significantly shortened.
The second Magic Stone Essence Mother had also been synthesized, and development of the second Medium Sub Magic Stone Mine had already begun.
More large Medium Sub Magic Stone Mines would be opened in succession, ensuring that Star Alliance could obtain a new mine periodically over the next one hundred and eighty years, thus greatly increasing the output of Sub Magestone.
"One hundred and eighty years is a long time, but if it leads to the widespread adoption of Sub-mana technology, it will be worth it."
Su Nan set down the documents and smiled at Lize, who was seated behind his desk.
What he didn’t mention was that once the output of Sub Magestone increased, they would be able to manufacture more Magic Stones, enabling the small-scale popularization of Magic Technology.
The large-scale development of Magic Technology would ultimately depend on the recovery of the Starlight Continent Dimensional Barrier and the ability to import significant quantities of Magic Stones from the outside world.
However, while full development was not feasible at the current stage, small-scale promotion was certainly within reach.
“How’s the construction of the Transmission Network coming along?”
“The deployment of the Teleportation Array requires a Wizard Apprentice to function, but the Academy doesn’t have many people to spare. Coupled with the issue of materials, progress isn’t particularly fast. So far, only the Southeast Region and the City State, the smaller Rainbow Sea, have completed the construction of a full Transmission Network. The Northwest Region has just gotten started, and as for the Underworld, that’s still a long way off.”
Su Nan nodded in understanding. “That can’t be rushed. As the number of Academy Apprentices increases, progress will naturally speed up.”
“I know.”
Lize gestured toward the documents on the table. “One more thing: once the Transmission Networks are built, we need to consider how to reduce the usage costs.”
“I’ve already assigned a task at the Academy to improve the Teleportation Array. By the time the Transmission Network is completed, there should be some results from that improvement.”
Su Nan laughed. “Lize, I’m increasingly convinced that choosing you as my assistant was the smartest decision I made. You always manage to arrange things perfectly.”
Lize shot him a mild glare and replied with an annoyed tone, “That’s because I ended up with a hands-off boss.”
“The capable should do more.”
“Heh, I feel like you’re exploiting me like a laborer.”
“How could I? You’re a rare Wizard Ghost, a valuable asset.”
“Don’t make me sound like some kind of rare animal.”
Carolina and Red Widow, who had just arrived at the entrance of the study to give a report, exchanged glances, speechless at the sight of the two bickering.
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