Warlock of the Magus World – Redux

Leylin examined the crystal ball. His eyes gradually turned hazy, and his nostrils flared.

'The ball itself shows nothing, and it does not project anything either. This only leaves direct mind interaction... Magi in this world employ magical pendrives able to tap into the user's consciousness and deposit information without an ordinary learning process, huh... Aralis, have you finished with your scans?'

[Yes, Doctor. I've detected a data interface ready for uplink, so your assumption was correct. Do you want me to start transmitting?] -The A.I.'s slightly digitized voice sounded.

Leylin's brows furrowed in determination.

'Begin.' -At his command, an acute pain entered his brain, as if someone had suddenly filled it with lead.

Leylin grabbed his head and discovered that many images and words appeared in his brain along with the pain, and the first line was: 'Elementary Meditation Technique'.

This information appeared out of nowhere and was firmly imprinted in Leylin's mind.

After several minutes went by, Leylin belatedly recovered from the pain, but he was still a bit feeling groggy.

[Doctor, are you okay?] -Aralis asked with moderate worry in her tone.

'I'm fine. This is pain still nothing compared to reincarnation. Aralis, defragment the data for the Elementary Meditation Technique.'

[Task established. Beginning defragmentation...]

A translucent vision started to flicker in front of Leylin's eyes.

[The data has been defragmented. 21.3% of miscellaneous information has been removed. Do I begin to transmit?]

Leylin agreed wordlessly.

With the continuous knowledge transmission flooding his brain at that instant, Leylin began to understand more about what this meditation did, as well as the experience ranking for acolytes.

Elementary Meditation Techniques were given to new acolytes so they could develop their spiritual awareness and were the most basic of magic techniques in every academy. After many years of modification, they had already reached a near-perfect stage, and the content of the techniques from the various academies did not differ by much.

They were very similar to the visualization mantras from Leylin's previous world. An acolyte draws mind runes inside their mind to increase their Spiritual Force, and as they draw more mind runes, their Spiritual Force grows stronger.

After years of deliberations, the Magi had finally measured and divided the expertise levels of acolytes into three ranks: level 1, level 2, and level 3. As for the division between levels, it is seen through the progression of the Elementary Meditation Technique.

When one has the ability to meditate with 8 runes, they have passed the criteria for a level 1 acolyte. Being able to meditate with 24 runes is the sign of a level 2 acolyte. As for level 3 acolytes, there seemed to be other conditions needed.

Regarding the meditation progress, it was closely related to a Magus' aptitude. The superiority of a fifth-grade acolyte was extremely obvious since they could become a level 1 acolyte in only five to six days.

'No wonder how Jayden, who was a regular human before boarding the dirigible, was able to use a magic artifact in just half a month...' -Leylin surmised.

For someone with a fourth-grade aptitude, the time needed to become a level 1 acolyte was approximately fifteen to twenty days. Third-grade acolytes would need a month, second-grade acolytes would need half a year, and first-grade acolytes would need up to more than one year.

The difficulty in progressing in the path of the Magus would only increase when ascending to level 2 acolyte and level 3 acolyte, hence is it indisputable that professors tended to favor acolytes with high aptitudes.

[I've created an independent file for the meditation technique data. Beginning analysis. Estimated time for completion: 90 minutes.] -The A.I. dutifully let her Master know.

'Excellent. Meanwhile, I'll go over this new information in my mind with more care. Tell me as soon as you're done.' -Leylin told with an icy tone.

[Roger that, Doctor.]

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The hands of the bronze clock in the room swiveled around once more, as another hour passed.

[The first mind rune has been analyzed!] -Aralis prompted eagerly.

'Finally. Commence transmission at once.' -Leylin ordered.

In this period of time, he had also been studying the general blueprints of the meditation technique he had received from his assistant, but to no avail. He needed the mind rune so he could get on with his cultivation.

The mind rune appeared as a 3D image and the patterns inside were extremely complicated, with no room for errors.

Leylin estimated that regular acolytes would need to spend a good number of days to even begin to understand a single mind rune, before starting to construct them in their brains. However, with the help of the A.I. he had created, it was done in a matter of hours.

'Just as I predicted, my cultivation rate may very well be comparable to a fourth or even a fifth-grade acolyte. With you taking care of most of the tedium, the amount of sheer work and time I need to invest is minimal.' -Leylin thought with a content smirk.

[I'm glad to be of use to you, Doctor.] -The A.I. admitted sincerely to her Master.

After the direct neural transmission, Leylin had already fully comprehended the structure of the first mind rune. It was in the shape of the letter lambda (Λ), and each line was filled with patterns and helixes.

'I shall begin my meditation. Let nothing disturb me, Aralis.'

[Certainly.]

Leylin slowly closed his eyes. In the dimly lit room, the youth sat cross-legged and closed his eyes, as if he was in a slumber.

After an unknown period of time, there were a few spots of lights flickering in the youth's surroundings. They entered his body, and very soon they disappeared.

Leylin's eyelids fluttered, and he opened his eyes.

'*Sigh* It seems like the Elementary Meditation Technique and a Knight's breathing technique are similar in the sense that there is a limit for its practice, and they manage to rapidly drain your stamina out as you circulate it.'

[I've completed a scan of your body. Your brain cells have been stimulated, and all of your body's cells have increased in their activity as a whole. The positive effects of the meditation technique are quite noticeable, and your Vitality has been increased by 0.05!]

'After practicing the meditation technique my Vitality has actually started to exceed my previous limit... That is good for an advantageous side effect.'

[What do you mean; side effect?]

'The key purpose of this meditation technique is to strengthen the acolyte's Spiritual Force and his ability to distinguish and manipulate small traces of mana. The increase in Vitality is only an added benefit, given how the Spiritual Force of my soul influences my stats.' -Leylin's expression was complex, and there was no obvious emotion on his countenance.

[Well, according to the data, sleeping right after meditation will provide the most optimal effects.]

'Then I'm wasting my time if I'm still awake.'

Leylin stripped his outer robes, laid on the bed, and then quickly entered into a deep sleep.

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[Doctor, wake up! It's 5:30 already!] -The A.I.'s voice rang and brought Leylin out from his sleep.

Leylin stretched lazily and saw that the clock on his holo display showed the time was 5:31.

'I'd better hurry up. I still need to see Kroft at his lab and I don't want to get out of my room smelling like this. I'll have to get me something to eat from the mess hall too.' -Leylin washed up quickly, went to the Dining Hall and gobbled down a loaf of bread for his breakfast, and then rushed to the experiment lab from yesterday.

"Good morning. I have come as you instructed, Professor." -Leylin addressed his mentor.

He then noticed a female acolyte was beside the white-haired Kroft. She had fine curves and looked like yet another beautiful girl from this world, but as usual, he couldn't care less.

'Another apprentice of the professor. My senior, most likely.' -Leylin deducted.

"Hmm? You attempted the meditation technique?" -Kroft furrowed his brows: "How did it feel?"

"My head ached, and I felt a little dizzy. But nothing too bad." -Leylin shrugged.

"This is a common aftereffect of the transmission from the memory crystal ball; you just need to get more rest during this initial period. Oh, and good morning!" -Kroft said apologetically.

'Memory crystal ball. Just as I imagined, they are literal magic pendrives.'

"Come, let me introduce you. Bicky, this is the new acolyte from yesterday. Leylin, she is one of my apprentices."

"Hi, nice to meet you!" -Bicky bowed, giving a virtuous greeting.

"It is a pleasure to meet my peer." -Leylin placed his right arm on his chest and displayed the elegance of a noble.

"Bicky is actually your senior. Other than her, you also have another senior called Merlin." -Kroft said to Leylin with a proud tone.

[Did he just say, Merlin...?] -Aralis felt like doing a facepalm.

"Merlin has been called a once-in-a-century genius of Potioneering, and is regarded as the most likely successor of our mentor!" -Bicky added with enthusiasm.

"Indeed; Merlin has shown outstanding talent all throughout his studies. His Potioneering skills are excellent if I may say so myself... Anyway, if there is anything you don't understand, you may seek his help." -Once he mentioned Merlin, Kroft's face revealed a bright smile.

[He sure is satisfied with that student of his. With 'Merlin'...]

'Lady Luck continues to smile on me. Another prodigy who will keep most of the unwanted attention away from me as I grow in power has appeared. Perfect.' -Leylin mused in contentment.

"So Leylin, are you familiar with my mentoring rules?"

"I have read them when going through your requirements during the selection of professors." -Leylin nodded.

"Then you know that from now on, you'll have to come here every day and help with the lab work. But don't worry, you may take some of the free lessons during breaks. As for the benefit of being under me, which is receiving information on a topic, you can choose and ask me after learning the basics." -Kroft said.

"Thank you, sir." -Leylin replied gently.

'Right now, I have almost no inkling whatsoever about the real Magus world. Thus, even if Kroft wanted me to choose, I could not know which alternative would be the best. Choosing at a later time when I can reap the most benefits only makes sense.' -Leylin approved of the teacher's decision.

"Right now, I will give both of you half a day's break. Let Bicky accompany and show you around the academy. Bicky, do not forget to tell him about the few restrictions, please."

Leylin and Bicky nodded their heads and left the laboratory.

'I'll take this chance and have this girl provide me with the details you need to finish the map of the academy.' -The Farlier heir inwardly told his assistant.

[Thank you, Doctor. I'll deliver you the best map I can compose with that data.]

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"This is the residence of the professors. Acolytes usually aren't allowed to enter (...)"

"This is the Trading Post, where acolytes can make deals and transactions with others (...)"

"Here, we have the Quest Hall. The different missions and their respective levels will be written on this stone wall. Acolytes can complete these missions and obtain contribution points and magic crystals in doing so (...)"

And so, the two of them strolled through the academy. It was mostly Bicky leading Leylin around, as she spoke of a few places and restrictions along the way.

Unknowingly, the two of them eventually walked into a garden.

"Fayle, well done...!"

"Good, once more...!"

The sound of these voices caught Leylin's attention. In the middle of the garden, a group of acolytes was standing around a large, sturdily-built youth and chatting continuously.

In the center of the crowd was a youth with bright silver hair, dark green eyes, and he seemed to have some sort of strange charisma.

"That is senior Fayle! He's such a genius! He became a level 2 acolyte just half a year after entering the academy!" -Bicky's eyes were widened, and her face shone radiantly as she passionately muttered.

[The pretty girl is infatuated with the popular boy. How original.] -Aralis said with a hint of sarcasm.

'What is it with all of these geniuses in my close proximity...' -Leylin smirked under his mask.

[What are you thinking, Doctor? I would recognize that manner of speaking anywhere.] -She probed, curious.

'Nothing... Just some fun ideas that keep popping in my head as I meet these so-called prodigies...'

[Are you planning to tell me?]

'No. It may never even come to fruition. In any case, let's get going.'

"Bicky. Bicky... Bicky!" -Leylin's eyebrow twitched in mild annoyance.

"Ah, what is it?" -Only after Leylin called out to her several times did she avert her gaze. At this moment, her face was a little flushed.

'This airhead is getting on my nerves. Why can't she do her 'teen crush' thing whenever I am not in need of her knowledge?' -Leylin silently complained.

"Before we leave, I wanted to ask: how can there be so many plants growing healthily underground?" -Leylin slightly inhaled the scent of a red flower. The strong fragrance reminded him of a certain time of his past life.

"Well that's because there are huge patches of sunlight moss on the roof of the whole academy, and here in the garden, there's an even higher concentration. These mosses can emit a light similar to sun rays, hence plants can also grow underground in here." -Bicky explained.

'Interesting... Artificial sunlight by the means of using a special type of vegetation... If plants can emulate solar energies, could there be a living being out there capable of emulating other, more powerful kinds? Like spiritual energies?'

[Note added in the to-research list.]

While Leylin let Aralis record and analyze everything she could, Bicky would glance at Fayle secretly. Nonetheless, she did not muster any courage to walk up to greet him even after such a long while. This made Leylin roll his eyes, and then he quickly realized something.

'It is quite useful for me to know this airhead's weakness. She's stupid, gullible, and narrow-minded. I can bend her to my will easily if it should come to that. Although, blackmailing people is something I'd rather avoid doing for now. I can have more fun once my power level is higher than an insect's.'

After leaving the garden, Bicky brought Leylin to the academic area and pointed to a large wooden board. In front of it were many other acolytes who were taking down notes.

"The Academic Hall will often post the following day's class schedule, and there are many free public lessons to choose from. As a newbie, you cannot afford to miss these!"

Leylin waited for her to resume her explanation.

"Some lessons have fees one must pay to enter the lecture room. Most professors charge 1 magic crystal for 10 lessons on advanced topics. Even though they're much better than public lessons, they are still somewhat inferior to the knowledge given by our own mentors."

Bicky smiled a little bitterly: "I'm afraid their only advantage is being less expensive..."

Leylin nodded. On one side, there was a professor teaching dozens of students, while the other was an individual lesson, catering to the acolyte's personal status and abilities. The differences between the two would be like day and night.

'With this method of taking free classes, I can definitely save some magic crystals. Not to mention, I possess the ultimate cheat in regards to learning stuff.' -Leylin stroked his chin, as he mentally conversed with his assistant.

Earlier, when he was in the mission area, he saw that the missions that rewarded magic crystals generally had more troublesome tasks and required one to be a level 1 acolyte at least. Right now, Leylin naturally did not meet any of the requirements.

'I have nineteen magic crystals left; enough to start with my alchemy experiments and keep me going until reach level 1 acolyte. In the meantime, I'll consider other ways of profiting since I want to save at least 6 crystals in case of emergency, and any extra income would be welcomed. After I reach level 1, I'll consider taking up missions.' -Leylin resolved.

'By the way, Aralis, how goes the mapping of the academy?'

[I'm happy to inform you that 66.7% has already been fully mapped.] -She replied.

'Show it to me.'

In front of Leylin was a blue image, each layer of the buildings was displayed and divided into multiple parts, and it looked like a beehive. Some areas even had names attached, with Bicky's explanation for them on the side.

The halls that could be entered freely were marked in green, while the dangerous areas were in yellow. As for the areas that even Bicky did not dare enter, the map indicated them in red, signifying extreme risk. For those danger zones, Leylin decided he would simply walk around them for now.

'Transfer the map to my memory. Add the rest when you're done.'

[Already done, Doctor.]

"Bicky, thank you for accompanying me for today. I remember most of the important areas of the academy now." -Leylin said his goodbye.

"That's great!" -Bicky played with the little white flower in her hands: "If there are any things that you don't understand, you can always ask me."

"Of course..." -Leylin gave a small smile.

'Spending the afternoon with this dull woman has made me want to crush her face with a hammer... Damn, it's been too long since I sated my thirst for blood, and these idiots don't make it any easier for me to bear it.' -Complained the Farlier heir with some frustration.

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After bidding farewell to Bicky, Leylin served himself a light dinner and once he finished it he went back into his room.

He began to practice the meditation technique again. After cultivating, Leylin felt his Spiritual Force increase by another tiny sliver. He took his grey robes and then climbed on his bed wearing only a pair of brown cotton breeches.

'A Magus's rise to power is a perpetual and arduous journey. Only with daily commitment and perseverance, can I gain enough Spiritual Force to become a being that can control mysterious powers.'

[You're doing great, Doctor. At this pace, you'll be casting spells in no time.] -The A.I. encouraged him.

'But that would be only the beginning. I crave a lot more power than that, and I shall stop at nothing to get it...' -A devilish grin painted itself on the face of one fourteen-year-old youngster, and then it quickly disappeared as he fell into a deep slumber.