Chapter 802: Prototype Self-Generated Mana?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 802: Prototype Self-Generated Mana?
Hearing the girl's description, I was momentarily stunned.
Then I recalled the information my clone back in the laboratory had gathered. Although I had heard them discussing potions, I hadn't expected their execution to be so swift.
Besides, regarding the inspiration for potions and alchemy items, I had only briefly mentioned it to them. I didn't expect them to have already started implementing it.
"So, you're just getting started?"
"That's right, we're just giving it a try! I studied Potions under my mentor. I didn't learn much, but if I run into something I don't know, I can just ask her!"
"Well, good luck then. I haven't studied Potions much myself, so I won't be of much help," I said with a hint of regret.
In fact, long ago, I had planned to study various crafts, and Potions was one of them. Ultimately, for various reasons, I only ended up with a half-baked mastery of Alchemy.
I was at a level where I could produce some basic alchemy items—like my reverse-summoning business cards, which I refined myself—though I didn't seem to hand those out much anymore.
After Millian finished handing over the potion materials, she lingered for a while, chatting with a few of the sisters who weren't too busy.
It was clear that Millian, despite not being an academic student, got along quite well with everyone in the laboratory.
I took this time to check on the progress of the resonance mana source limit within the Demonized Body Cultivation Method.
As the number of mana sources increased, the Tenfold Base Resonance Method required an overwhelming amount of mana sources to resonate, which led to another problem.
A problem of precision.
However, they anticipated that the Micro-Operation Resonance Method would solve this issue. Thus, they planned to push the limit to twenty thousand sources before making periodic adjustments.
After that, they would focus all their efforts on overcoming the difficulties of the Micro-Operation Resonance Method.
I had to admit that the problems Yi Rui and the others were currently tackling were reaching a level where I could barely intervene.
The Micro-Operation Resonance Method was a technique Yi Rui's group had summarized on their own to deal with the difficulty of manipulating mana sources via the resonance method; I hadn't participated in its development at all.
Therefore, I was merely a passive recipient of their results.
This included their upcoming attempt to transcribe the Demonized Reshaping Rebirth Art into the potion ritual system—all of this had already exceeded my scope of knowledge.
From this moment on, I could truly feel the support they provided me.
They had transformed from the "guinea pigs" of the past into members of the same laboratory, and now, they were irreplaceable.
It was a subtle feeling, but I felt very fortunate.
Because of this, I intended to hand over all research related to the Self-Generated Mana Shaping Ritual to Yi Rui and her team.
After all, the Shaping Ritual already had a solid foundation; no matter how much they experimented, there wouldn't be any irreversible consequences.
What I needed to do now was summarize the gestation and birth process of self-generated mana that I observed during April's advancement to Transcendent.
I would list the general plan and the research direction and hand it all to Yi Rui. I believed she would understand my intent.
As for myself, after handing over the Shaping Ritual, I planned to focus solely on summarizing the Self-Generated Mana Perfecting Ritual. After all, there was only one Tan Han. Conducting one-on-one specialized experiments with her would be more controllable and flexible.
Having made this decision, I walked into an empty experimental cubicle and began drafting the task book for perfecting the Shaping Ritual.
Of course, while I called it a task book, it contained a vast amount of my own understanding of the Shaping Ritual.
While this was an assessment for Yi Rui and the others, it was, more importantly, a goal that needed to be perfected as soon as possible. I wouldn't intentionally make things difficult for them; I made sure to include notes and reminders wherever necessary.
I stayed busy with this for an entire day.
The task book wasn't even printed on paper; I recorded it directly as text within the Tree of Great Knowledge.
By evening, I was actually yawning.
After all, I hadn't slept for several days.
April's advancement to Transcendent had been the most taxing event on my energy. I hadn't slept from that night until morning, and then I spent the entire day today reviewing the key nodes of the Shaping Ritual.
This workload was equivalent to me personally going over all the important points first.
My body was indeed reaching its limit; I really needed a good night's sleep tonight.
But before that, I had to give this task book to Yi Rui and the others.
When I stepped out of the experimental cubicle, the laboratory had grown quite quiet.
After all, not everyone in the lab was a "mad scientist." Many witches kept a schedule similar to ordinary people.
Even those with active night lives would usually catch some sleep in the early hours of the morning.
However, Yi Rui was the type who became obsessed once she started working. Though many had left the lab, I could still see her busy figure.
"Hmm? Xiao Han, you're out. You don't look so good. Why don't you go get some rest?" Seeing me emerge, Yi Rui showed a mix of surprise and concern.
"Oh? Is it that obvious? I was actually planning to head back for a good rest. I've been busy all day, but I wanted to give this to you first." As I spoke, I condensed a rune for the Great Knowledge Sharing Spell.
"This is..."
"I left the academy for a while recently and had some good harvests. This is a higher-level insight and a path toward perfecting the Self-Generated Mana Shaping Ritual. I want to leave the task of perfecting it entirely to you."
"Higher-level insights and a path toward perfection?" Hearing my words, Yi Rui's eyes widened visibly. "By the way, what exactly did you do? I heard Millian mention what you were up to this morning. Was it really related to self-generated mana?"
"Yes. I observed a Transcendent advancement ritual and gained a much deeper understanding of the gestation and birth of self-generated mana. Trust me, once you perfect this Shaping Ritual, you'll have a better foundation. It will significantly increase the probability of you all constructing self-generated mana upon your own life levels."
"An advancement ritual... but I heard that this Transcendent advancement ritual was orchestrated by you..."
"I just provided some guidance, and it happened to succeed. No need to be so surprised. If you want to know something, go do it. It's a simple principle."
"But this is too incredible! You managed to influence the ritual of a witch advancing to Transcendent!" Yi Rui was still far too shocked by the news.
After all, that was a Transcendent advancement!
"Mm-hmm. But so what? It's just a threshold we all need to cross. No need to make a fuss. Let's not talk about that. Take this sharing rune. I'm heading back. I trust you won't let me down, right?" I forcibly steered the conversation back to the main topic. I wasn't particularly fond of exclamations and praise; avoiding them had almost become an instinct.
"Don't worry! Since you're willing to entrust this to me, then I—we—will give our all to complete it!"
"Then I'll leave it to you. I'm heading back now." I waved a hand to Yi Rui, signaling my departure.
However, I wasn't going back to Sister Bai's villa, but to the small wooden cabin on the Lake Heart Island within the Dungeon World!
Just as I was about to leave, I thought of something else. I pulled up the contact list on the Tree of Great Knowledge.
"Xiao Han, is there something else?"
"Yes, just preparing for tomorrow. You all are responsible for the Shaping Ritual, while I'll be responsible for the Perfecting Ritual. That requires Tan Han's cooperation, so I'm sending her a message tonight to see if she can come to the lab tomorrow if she's free."
"Tan Han? It really has been a few days since I last saw her," Yi Rui remarked.
"Oh? She hasn't come to the lab to hang out with you all? She's probably busy practicing her Body-Transformation Spells." I finished editing the message and sent it.
Of course, I didn't set a strict time. After all, it had only been a few days; if Tan Han had her own schedule, she could adjust accordingly.
After sending that, I also sent a message to Sister Bai, telling her I'd be waiting for her in the Dungeon World.
Naturally, this wasn't for a sleepless night with Sister Bai. I simply wanted to hold her, or have her hold me, to ensure a perfect night's sleep.
After saying goodbye to Yi Rui, I stepped into the Dungeon World.
Currently, the Dungeon World's day-night cycle was synchronized with reality, so it was night.
Although the moon and stars above were simulated, they looked exceptionally romantic. The stars were reflected on the lake's surface, making the Lake Heart Island feel like a small boat drifting upon a sea of stars.
The Tree of Herya had grown quite massive by now. Ling Yi, the plant spirit, was already asleep on one of the branches, so I didn't have the heart to disturb her.
I gently pushed open the cozy little cabin that Sister Bai and I had built together. The interior had been decorated slightly and was starting to take shape; all it lacked now was the seasoning of time.
I gently unbuttoned my clothes, letting them slide off my left shoulder and exposing a large area of skin. The falling garments dissipated into a spell effect.
Then, as per my routine, I used a Cleaning Spell to keep myself fresh, which was essentially my version of a bath.
The facilities here were simple, and such magical means naturally lacked the relaxation brought by a real bath.
Right at that moment, an arm wrapped around my waist from the side.
"Eek... Sister Bai, you didn't make a sound when you arrived." In an instant, I knew it was her.
"Calling me here so late... is there something you need?"
"Aww, don't tease. I really just want to sleep tonight. Yawn... I'm truly exhausted. So, can I get some 'sleep accompaniment' service?"
"Of course," Sister Bai said dotingly, stroking my long silver hair.
"Mmm... thank you, Sister Bai. Don't do anything weird to me while I'm asleep... and even if you do, don't wake me up... mmm..."
...
The night passed in silence.
I slept very comfortably, especially since I woke up naturally, feeling full of energy.
After performing my routine Witch Meditation Method, body arts training, and Enlightenment Meditation Art, a beautiful day began with the breakfast Sister Bai had meticulously prepared for me!
* * *
The Laboratory.
When I arrived, I found that Yi Rui had already begun leading the sisters to work on the materials I had given her last night.
Their efficiency was impressive.
Upon seeing me, they greeted me warmly.
If not for my task book, Yi Rui and the others might still be attempting to construct a self-generated mana ritual.
After all, every one of them wanted to be the second person, like Tan Han, to possess self-generated mana.
Even though they knew that if they succeeded, they would likely become research subjects, they didn't care.
Currently, Yi Rui had divided everyone into three groups. Besides the group perfecting the Shaping Ritual, there were two others.
One group continued to push the mana source limit for the resonance of the Demonized Reshaping Rebirth Art and refined the Micro-Operation Resonance Method.
The other group consisted of those who had mastered Potions; they were attempting to transcribe the Demonized Reshaping Rebirth Art into a potion ritual.
My task was equally important.
However, I ran into a problem: Tan Han hadn't arrived yet.
I checked Tan Han's messages. She had received and replied to my message last night, but since I had entered the Dungeon World, I hadn't received the information carried by the academy network system.
Looking at it now, I saw that Tan Han was indeed doing exactly what I expected—practicing Body-Transformation Spells under the guidance of the witch sister I had recommended.
She had a scheduled lesson today that was hard to decline, but she had communicated with her mentor and could come over in the afternoon.
So, for the entire morning, I was on my own.
This wasn't a problem for me; I was long used to this mode of working.
After all, with the Self-Generated Mana Perfecting Ritual, Tan Han's cooperation was only needed for real-time observation of the ritual's effects. If all else failed, I could spend the morning pre-setting multiple plans and have Tan Han try them all in the afternoon.
The essence of the Perfecting Ritual for self-generated mana was to increase the efficiency of this physique's mana production.
In other words, making it trend toward being "complete."
Before advancing to Transcendent, self-generated mana is inherently incomplete—myself included.
This is because the true self-generated mana body talent belonging to a Transcendent Witch is like the Witch Racial Concept; it involves construction at the Transcendent level.
Coincidentally, self-generated mana is something constructed upon the Witch Racial Concept.
Therefore, only upon advancing to Transcendent, when the Witch Racial Concept is fully perfected, does self-generated mana earn the right to be called "perfect."
However, even before Transcendent, I had the right to define "perfection" at a non-Transcendent level.
To bring Tan Han's level of self-generated mana toward perfection, rather than calling it a "Perfecting Ritual," it was more like a special "gestation," similar to how a Transcendent gestates the Witch Racial Concept.
But while pondering Tan Han's self-generated mana, I subconsciously thought of my own path.
Since "perfection" is a human-defined stage, what exactly is the gap between the self-generated mana exclusive to a Transcendent Witch and the self-generated mana I possessed from my self-awakened Body Cultivation framework?
Is it a difference in level?
Then... if this non-Transcendent self-generated mana is defined by me as a "Prototype Ability," can the Transcendent-level self-generated mana be considered a derivation of that prototype?
This gave birth to another question:
Can the "Prototype Self-Generated Mana" born from self-awakened Body Cultivation undergo non-standard derivation?
This was truly worth my deep research.
And the first thing I had to do was... see if the self-generated mana from self-awakened Body Cultivation could truly be defined as a "Prototype."
After all, I was certain that the self-generated mana constructed by self-awakened Body Cultivation was complete.
The self-generated mana born from a witch's advancement to Transcendent was also complete.
But it was simply different from my self-generated mana!