A mage? A spell engineer!

Chapter 161 A Joy of Harvest

Unaware of the impending danger, the Alchemy Department was still celebrating.

Especially the instigator, Master Rorschach, is now immersed in the joy of a bountiful harvest.

As the large collector is powered on and continues to operate, the proficiency of [Rorschach's God Exile] on the panel is steadily increasing.

It increases by a little bit every five minutes. If the proficiency record on the panel has an animation, it will probably tick slowly like a water clock. Luo Xia mentally calculated that if the machine can keep running, he can probably unlock the next stage in about three months.

If a second, third, or even more units were manufactured, the progress could be accelerated. However, the cost was too high, which at least temporarily dissuaded Rorschach from installing a device of the same specifications in his future magic tower.

The entire project progressed incredibly smoothly, and its final implementation was largely due to the Alchemy Department's significant efforts and resource investment. Rorschach had previously considered issues like "intellectual property rights" and "patents," but firstly, his research was based on Cano's findings, and secondly, without the support of the Tower of Stars and the Guild, the "reactor" in front of him would not have been possible.

That's good. We've accumulated a mature solution, and if we can promote it, it will not only increase our proficiency in these unusual spells, but it will also bring about change.

"This will change the whole world!" Coincidentally, Snow stole Rorschach's line from his inner monologue. Holding up the concentrated gentian violet as if it were some kind of elixir, and with many others raising their glasses in unison, he declared, "I propose that we invite Rorschach, the inventor, designer, and honorary member of the Alchemy Department—a mid-level mage—to say a few words!"

After Snow finished the potion, he led the applause. Rorschach realized that Snow had certain qualities that made him the head of the alchemy department, such as an almost neurotic creative passion, leading his colleagues to create Unit 1 in just twenty days. Such speed was unimaginable in his previous life.

"Since Minister Snow has asked me to say a few words, I will."

Luo Xia hadn't thought of a word yet, like "Thank you all for helping me improve my proficiency?" He was about to cough to calm himself down when he felt the ether in the environment fluctuating.

Is there a problem with the machine? No, there's also spatial fluctuation.

"Intrusion! Intrusion!" Snow roared, and the others were also on high alert. Some mages quickly ran to the door to escape, while others stayed at their posts, fearing that the operation of the device would be affected.

A spatial rift was torn open, and a grim-faced archmage emerged: "So that's why I couldn't find anyone in the research building; they were all hiding underground!"

"Master Kano, how did you locate us? Who did you mark? This is an invasion of privacy! An invasion!" Snow continued to shout.

"You didn't take proper cover. This place has become an ether node, which is obvious under Arcane Vision." Kano walked towards Rorschach and Snow step by step with annoyance. Amid the chaos in the basement, the sound of armored footsteps suddenly rang out from afar.

A head peeked into the doorway, but upon seeing the angry glare from Kano, it retreated and headed back down into the Starlight Torch Tower.

"Remote-controlled puppets, you guys really went all out! The skeleton inside must have used a lot of mithril, right?"

Rorschach felt it was time to step forward and help the Alchemy Department at this crucial moment, so he calmly greeted the Archmage: "Teacher, you've arrived."

"You still know you're my student, yet when you're busy you don't report your progress, I never even see you!"

"For safety, we're all underground." Rorschach blinked at Snow, then questioned him through [communication spell], "You didn't tell Kano?"

"You're his student, I thought you would say that."

"I also thought you had reported it." So the Alchemy Department was digging randomly underground without reporting to the leadership.

Carno's anger subsided somewhat. He walked over to the operating unit and looked at it: "Is this the finished product?"

"Unit One is now fully capable of supporting the Aether needs of the Research Building and the Starlight Torch Tower."

The Archmage nodded: "Progress is rapid, you've all worked hard." His gaze first fell on Luo Xia, then on the alchemy department, and he patted the railing: "As the chief mage of the Tower of Stars, I promise you all that your salaries will increase by 10% starting next month."

"Thank you, boss!" "Good, good, good!" "We can change to a carriage now." The applause was much louder than before.

Kano gestured with his hands: "But whose idea was it to light up the outer wall of the Starlight Torch Tower? That guy won't get a raise!"

After saying that, he turned and left, calling Luo Xia out with him before he left.

In the corridor leading back to the research building, Cano inquired in detail about the Rorschach device. "Regarding the research on the 'Divine Power Dissipation Technique,' the Senate has ultimately decided not to publish it, but we will remember your contribution, and the relevant data will be sealed according to the guild's highest authority."

Rorschach realized that the device also used related technology: "However, the 'Divine Power Dissipation Technique' array is a prerequisite for the collection and utilization of transmutation dust."

"Analyzing magic arrays isn't that easy. Even for archmages, if they aren't proficient in semiotics and magic array structure, your runes are a black box to them."

If it were that easy to learn just by glancing at it, then there would be no need to learn scrolls. And this spell already involves the issue of pointing to Rorschach's symbol, making it even more difficult to decipher.

"Therefore, there are not many obstacles to the widespread adoption of transmutation dust collection technology. Of course, whether or not to open it up is up to you."

"I need to think about it carefully."

"Okay, there's no rush."

They returned to the research building, and at Cano's suggestion, Rorschach led him to his own research room. By this time, the prototype had completed its historical mission, the cauldron was open, and the mithril receiving components inside had long been recovered.

The most valuable resource now is the interior design drawings and specifications hand-drawn by Rorschach himself.

Archmage Kano pulled up a chair for himself and sat down: "So, your project is finished, and you've left quite a bit behind in the Tower of Stars. What are your plans for the future?"

Before Rorschach could answer, he added, "I'm not trying to get rid of you, but rather reminding you that building a personal magic tower isn't something that can be accomplished in a day or two. You need to plan ahead so that the guild and our Star Tower can prepare for the initial work."

This brings us to what Rorschach wanted to discuss with Cano: "My classmate is getting married in Bain in May, and I plan to go to the Kingdom of Bain in advance to check out the site selection for the future magic tower."

"Have you made up your mind?"

"Let's do an on-site inspection in Byrne first," Rorschach said, not wanting to make any absolute statements. "I plan to leave after finishing up the remaining work. In the meantime, is it alright if Senior Brother Pascal covers the classes at the Higher Instructor's Office?"

"Alright, but you have a lot of cleanup work to do. You'll be coming with me to the guild's capital headquarters the day after tomorrow."

"What's the matter?" It had been quite a while since he had stepped into the place where his senior brother used to work.

"What I just said about the guild remembering your contributions is not just empty talk. Based on the quality of your achievements, our Senate and Council have jointly decided to award you the title of Fifth-Order Mage and the Moonlit Medal."

The crescent moon bird is the highest symbolic totem of art, wisdom, and magic in the desert region. Legend has it that the crescent moon bird, which flies over the underworld, brings the secrets of alchemy and death to this world, and the crescent moon it carries symbolizes the starting point of magical power.

I need to post this before 12 o'clock, so I don't have time to write the acknowledgments. It will be postponed until tomorrow's update.

Exams over, updates will resume as normal starting tomorrow! Thank you for reading.

(End of this chapter)