Chapter 154: The Forge Concept

Chapter 154: The Forge Concept

Outside, the wind howled ominously, but inside the workshop, Luo En had been immersed in relentless research for days, feeling both exhausted and fulfilled.

In this supernatural world, true security could only be achieved through mastering power.

As dawn broke, a wisp of morning sunlight filtered through the window, casting golden streaks across the workshop laboratory's floor. Luo En finally set down his alchemy tools and rubbed his aching shoulders after six consecutive hours of work.

Before him, the workbench was neatly lined with dozens of metal fragments, each etched with different rune patterns. Some had oxidized and darkened, while others retained their original metallic sheen.

"After so many attempts, we finally have progress", Luo En murmured, carefully picking up the final fragment.

This special alloy's rune configuration differed subtly from the dozens of previous trials.

In earlier experiments, Luo En had tested countless rune combinations, but none achieved the desired insulation effect. Some runes caused the metal to overheat and melt, others made it extremely brittle, and a few failed to create a stable mana field altogether.

But this last one—labeled Ψ-23—displayed promising traits during testing.

When Luo En channeled two mutually repelling mana streams into the fragment, it successfully isolated them into two completely separate regions without leakage or interference.

He picked up a specialized glass rod and gently touched the left rune pattern on the metal fragment.

The metal immediately emitted a faint blue glow, but the light remained confined to the left half—the runes on the right remained entirely inert.

"A mana insulation layer is theoretically feasible."

Luo En meticulously recorded his observations in his notebook:

"However, the duration needs improvement."

He glanced at the hourglass hanging on the wall. The insulation effect could only last approximately five minutes after activation—far too short for practical applications.

Luo En opened the thick notebook on the table, its pages packed with detailed records of previous experiments and failure analyses. Every failure had yielded new insights; every mistake had paved the way for eventual success.

"The key lies in the rune arrangement, not the runes themselves", he murmured, his fingers tracing the handwritten notes.

"It's like building a dam—the way stones are placed matters more than the stones themselves."

This metal insulation research originated from Luo En's recent studies in the School Library's archives about black mages.

Ancient texts mentioned that during Awakening, black mages gradually had their souls corrupted by polluted mana, leading to personality degeneration.

Yet Luo En had noticed a critical detail:

A few black mages managed to retain their rationality for extended periods, even growing stronger. They often wore special talismans or employed unique techniques to create a "buffer zone", slowing the pollution's direct impact on their souls.

"If we could create a perfect insulation layer..."

Luo En's eyes gleamed with cautious excitement.

"Theoretically, it should be possible to completely separate two mana fields, eliminating all interference."

This realization had sparked his interest in insulation research.

The pursuit of power must always be tempered with calmness and rationality. Luo En had never considered directly walking the black mage path—it represented irreversible corruption and madness.

"Power only holds value when under control." This creed was etched into his consciousness library.

After double-checking Ψ-23's parameters, Luo En carefully placed the fragment into a specialized wooden box. Then he retrieved another notebook from the shelf, its cover marked with "Soul Steel Data."

During the school's week-long lockdown, he had simultaneously pursued two research lines: experimenting with mana insulation and analyzing the precious Soul Steel.

Though seemingly unrelated, these studies would eventually converge in Luo En's grand plan.

Analyzing Soul Steel's traits proved exceptionally complex.

This mysterious metal possessed extraordinary malleability and magical conductivity, yet it was also highly discerning—it seemed capable of "perceiving" the operator's intent and capabilities.

Luo En had spent dozens of hours attempting to establish initial "communication" with the metal, helping it gradually adapt to his spiritual energy signature.

"If we successfully apply insulation principles to Soul Steel..."

He gently stroked the rare metal's silvery-gray surface.

"We might create an entirely new alchemy item with unprecedented properties."

The specific application remained unclear—he would not decide until further research determined its feasibility.

Luo En wasn't one to act on instinct alone. Every step required thorough research and rigorous experimental foundations.

Closing his eyes, he let his weary mind rest momentarily. His thoughts drifted back to the records he'd read in the School Library:

"The Awakening process itself is essentially merging with polluted mana. As Awakening deepens, they gain increasingly powerful corrosive abilities while paying the price of their own rationality."

Recalling these words, he pondered a question most mages would consider heresy:

Could one harness a black mage's power while completely avoiding its negative consequences?

Theoretically, if the Awakening process could be contained within an external vessel rather than one's own soul, direct personality corruption might be avoided.

This would require a soul fragment carrier—a container capable of coexisting safely with polluted mana.

Luo En's gaze unconsciously shifted to the Soul Steel on the shelf. A bold, almost reckless idea began taking shape:

What if he forged a specialized "Vitalization" magic sword from Soul Steel, channeling part of his soul fragment into it? Let the sword—not himself—undergo Awakening...

And since it would be soul-linked, could he channel all the spiritual pollution from his meditation into the blade? Finally solving the spiritual pollution problem permanently?

Even better—could the pollution nourish the sword's growth, transforming it into a "forge" that purified pollution and converted it into pure power?

Instead of relying on the pocket watch's Reset Ability for repeated purification—a temporary solution at best.

"Still too risky at this stage", Luo En shook his head, interrupting his thoughts.

"Proceed carefully. More research and preparation are needed."

This concept was too radical—soul manipulation carried grave risks of irreversible soul damage. He needed more information, more experimental data, before considering such possibilities.

Standing up, Luo En walked to the window, watching the gradually brightening sky.

The mana insulation experiment had achieved preliminary progress, but practical application remained distant.

"One step at a time. Steady progress." He repeatedly warned himself.

Meanwhile, the Black Mist Jungle grew unusually oppressive.

The school's central plaza, once bustling with activity, now stood eerily silent. Patrol teams from the Enforcement Team replaced the usual crowd, their eyes scanning every passing apprentice with sharp vigilance.

"Don't look around. Keep your head down", an older Elementary Apprentice muttered, tugging his companion's sleeve.

They quickened their pace down the main road, walking straight ahead until turning into a secluded side path before finally relaxing.

"All field assignments are canceled. My monthly Mana Shard Fragment quota dropped to a third", the older apprentice cursed.

"At this rate, we won't even afford basic necessities."

"You're still better off", his companion sighed.

"Randall got it worse. He was caught trying to sneak out the school's collection point to gather rare herbs two days ago. Now he's stuck in the Solitary Confinement Room."

Since Aolifu's defection triggered the school's crackdown on the "Eye of the Abyss", the entire campus had become like a pot reaching boiling point—calm on the surface, churning with tension beneath.

Everyone could feel the unprecedented suffocating atmosphere.

The situation worsened with the drastic reduction in mana stone rations.

No field assignments meant no extra income from completing missions;

No collection permits meant apprentices couldn't gather and sell valuable materials themselves.

Most Elementary Apprentices suddenly lost their primary income source, their lives rapidly deteriorating.

The Central Hall had received dozens of apprentices seeking loans recently, but assistance remained limited.

Market conditions were even worse.

Once-thriving shops now stood empty, many vendors simply closing their doors. Those who remained raised prices by over 100%.

"Bread prices quintupled! Why not just rob us?" a thin candidate apprentice shouted angrily.

The bread seller shrugged.

"Not my fault. Material costs went up. I can't run a business at a loss."

"All because of that damned Aolifu!" the apprentice spat.

"If he hadn't defected, none of this would've happened!"

Aolifu had become the scapegoat for countless apprentices' hardships. To many, he wasn't just a traitor—he was the direct cause of their suffering.

If he were here now, he'd likely be torn apart by the furious apprentices.

The tension grew even more intense at the Enforcement Team's temporary camp outside Edge Forest.

"Did the Third Squad notice any abnormalities?" Enforcement Team Leader Rein Coster asked, frowning as he addressed a scout who had just returned.

"No signs of Aolifu or any other Awakening individuals, sir", the young Intermediate Apprentice replied respectfully. "However, we discovered some strange black mucus near a stream in the northeast quadrant. Samples have been collected."

Rein nodded. "Send the samples to the Alchemy Department for analysis. Also, strengthen night patrols and report every two hours."

"Yes, Captain."

As Rein turned toward the depths of the Edge Forest, unease flickered across his face. Since Aolifu's defection, more than five Enforcement Team members had vanished, including several Intermediate Apprentices like Nuo Li Si. This wasn't just a personnel loss—it was a direct challenge to the School's authority.

"The defector must be captured", Rein muttered under his breath, his gaze hardening. This was an ironclad order from the School's upper echelons.

...

In the days that followed, Luo En's research entered a new phase.

No longer content with basic metal insulation layers, he began experimenting with replicating the effect on different materials to find the optimal medium. He tested wood, crystal, fabric, and even certain biological tissues, each yielding unique reactions. Some materials sustained the insulation effect longer, while others could channel diverse mana types or adjust insulation strength under specific conditions.

"Materials themselves are like a language", Luo En wrote in his notes. "Each has its own 'grammar.' Understanding their traits allows you to use them to 'speak' complex mana 'vocabulary.'"

During this phase, he found that crystals with strong affinity for magical energy performed exceptionally well with isolating runes, often maintaining the insulation effect for hours. However, these crystals were fragile and difficult to shape. Luo En meticulously refined the rune designs, adjusted mana input methods, and recorded every subtle transformation. This work demanded extraordinary patience and precision.

"There are no shortcuts", he often reminded himself. "Only sufficient experimentation and data can support true theory."

After countless trials and failures, Luo En finally succeeded in engraving a complete isolating rune system onto specially treated crystal. This crystal could simultaneously contain three distinct mana fields, isolating them perfectly for up to a week.

【Alchemy Experience Points +1】
【Alchemy Experience Points +1】
【Alchemy Experience Points +1】
...
【Current Progress: Alchemy (Proficient 36/100)】

For Luo En, researching Soul Steel traits and mana insulation layers was the best way to improve his Alchemy skill. If this insulation technology could be applied to more complex alchemical items, it might create a "safety container" to store and isolate dangerous mana or substances.

According to Mana and Steel, crafting a Master Sword required an Arcane Swordsman to seal part of their soul into the blade—a process fraught with danger. Improper handling could ruin the sword's quality or inflict irreversible soul damage on the artisan.

"What if I added an insulation layer to the Mageblade?" Luo En pondered, sketching a complex blade structure in his notebook. "Theoretically, it could control the soul-infusion process more precisely, reducing backlash risks to the user."

In the following days, he devoted more time to studying Soul Steel. Unlike ordinary metals, Soul Steel exhibited exceptional affinity for mana and souls. Under sustained spiritual energy guidance, Luo En gradually understood its "personality."

Indeed, it seemed almost alive—a trait reflected in its name. Soul Steel responded differently to various mana types, sometimes cooperating, sometimes resisting.

"It's like taming a wild beast", he thought. "It requires patience, respect, and unwavering willpower."

During experiments "conversing" with Soul Steel, he realized the metal could "remember" mana types and patterns it had encountered. If he infused the same spiritual energy for three consecutive days, the metal became noticeably more compliant on the fourth.

"This 'memory' trait might be why Soul Steel is used in Mageblades", Luo En theorized. "It could remember the user's spiritual signature, creating a unique resonance."

【Alchemy Experience Points +1】

Research on Soul Steel steadily improved Luo En's Alchemy skill. His Spiritual Energy Control became sharper, detecting energy fluctuations he'd previously overlooked. This growth spilled over into other projects, including potion research and spell practice.

Yet as his studies deepened, Luo En realized alchemy alone couldn't solve every problem—especially when confronting the perilous realm of soul manipulation. He needed expert guidance.

"It's time to consult my other 'expert,'" he decided.

He entered a secluded containment array in his workshop, ensuring privacy. Concentrating, he touched his arm, activating the mysterious presence covering his skin—Shapeshifter's Skin.

A wisp of silver liquid separated from his body, coalescing into a hazy humanoid form.

"What does Master require?" the Shapeshifter's voice rasped, metallic and cold.

"I need details about your insulation capabilities", Luo En said directly. "Specifically, how do you completely block external spiritual detection? Does this insulation work both ways, preventing internal mana leakage?"

The Shapeshifter paused, as if organizing data. "My insulation ability stems from my material structure. I'm composed of a unique metamorphic substance that forms a perfect mana barrier at the microscopic level, blocking all mana exchange or information transfer."

Nodding, Luo En pressed further: "Can this barrier work bidirectionally—preventing both external intrusion and internal leakage?"

"Yes, Master", the Shapeshifter confirmed. "My barrier is bidirectional, completely isolating internal and external mana interactions. This allows perfect concealment of the host's true presence, even enabling deception against beings below the Archmage level."

This revelation excited Luo En. If Shapeshifter's Skin could provide bidirectional insulation, it might be the key to safely separating soul fragments.

"If I wanted to use your ability to insulate two independent soul spaces, preventing mutual interference, would that be theoretically feasible?" he asked cautiously, eyes gleaming.

The Shapeshifter's outline rippled slightly as it considered. "Theoretically feasible, but practically limited. My current mana reserves only sustain foundational concealment and mimicry functions. Achieving complete insulation—especially long-term stability—requires greater mana reserves and higher Vitality."

"You mean advancing to 'Glorious Legacy'?" Luo En seized the implication.

"Correct, Master. Only after fully evolving into 'Glorious Legacy' can I provide sufficient power and stability for high-level soul operations."

Luo En pondered. "Then what conditions are needed for this evolution?"

"Soul mana", the Shapeshifter replied bluntly. "Pure, high-quality soul mana. My current charge has reached 99%, but the final 1% requires exceptionally pure soul mana. Ordinary souls no longer suffice."

Nodding, Luo En opened his profession interface to review Shapeshifter's Skin details:

[Rare Relic: Shapeshifter's Skin (Vitalization, 99% Charge)]
[Effects:
1. Replenish charge by consuming living souls.
2. Mimic target appearances and partial abilities by expending mana.
3. Insulate spiritual energy detection, enabling seamless camouflage.]
[Special Note:
At 100% charge, "Shapeshifter's Skin" evolves into "Glorious Legacy", unlocking enhanced capabilities including complete insulation, multi-layered mana barriers, and high-level mimicry.]

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end