Chapter 252: Upgrade Plan and Apprenticeship

Chapter 252: Upgrade Plan and Apprenticeship

October 24, 2024

The Dark Wizard Tower was a standard small wizard tower.

Both the elemental pool, the mystic lock defensive energy field, and the floating rings were of the lowest small size, with no reinforcement or modifications.

The long-range attack systems were also minimal, consisting of only a hundred spell towers and a single disintegration cannon.

If there was anything of research value, it would be the tower spirit and the black-striped winged bone claws.

The Dark Throne was an expert in soul research, specializing in creating various puppets and magical items using souls.

The planes under their control annually provided a large number of intelligent beings' flesh and souls for the experiments and creations of wizards (apprentices), making the process exceptionally brutal.

This expertise in soul manipulation made many wizards of the Dark Throne skilled in crafting souls.

As a result, while ordinary wizards used soul crystals to create tower spirits, the wizards of the Dark Throne preferred to use a larger number of higher-quality souls, bypassing the soul crystallization process and directly creating tower spirits.

This method produced tower spirits with superior computational and data analysis capabilities.

Otherwise, the Dark Wizard Tower would not have just one tower spirit.

Although this was partly due to the tower being built for combat, with minimal needs for experimentation and living quarters, it still highlighted the strength of the tower spirits created by the Dark Throne.

After studying the fragments of the tower spirit's container, Su Nan gained some insights and planned to apply them when upgrading the tower spirit, enhancing its computational and data analysis abilities.

As for the black-striped winged bone claws, Su Nan kept a couple for research.

Although he had no intention of replicating them, these wizard-level puppets offered valuable insights.

After his research, Su Nan dismantled the entire Dark Wizard Tower, sorting out the materials.

As for the Starfall City, it had already been decomposed into various materials.

Now, he could use them all to upgrade and transform the Starlight Wizard Tower.

Su Nan had a clear plan for the upgrades.

First, he needed to enhance the energy supply, specifically the central crystal energy transmission system and the elemental pool.

The central crystal energy transmission system was the core hardware of the wizard tower.

To upgrade the tower to a medium standard, this system had to be the first to be reinforced and modified.

The elemental pool already exceeded the standards of a medium wizard tower, but Su Nan planned to further enhance it to improve the efficiency of filling it with mental energy.

Originally, the floating rings were also to be modified, but the Star Alliance was currently short on mithril, and the floating rings had already been synthesized and reinforced once. Su Nan decided not to include them in the upgrade list this time.

Secondly, he needed to re-plan the space.

This was relatively straightforward, expanding the internal spaces of various areas.

Lastly, he needed to upgrade the combat systems, including the mystic lock defensive energy field, long-range attack systems, and the internal army.

The mystic lock defensive energy field, like the elemental pool, had already been reinforced to a large size, far exceeding the standards of a medium wizard tower.

However, Su Nan still planned to continue synthesizing and reinforcing it, as no one ever complained about too much defense.

For the long-range attack systems, the Spell Tower II and Disintegration Cannon II provided sufficient firepower for now.

Although it lacked the standard plasma cannons of a medium wizard tower, the Disintegration Cannon II was just as powerful, if not more so.

Not to mention the three hundred Spell Tower II units.

In terms of long-range firepower, the Starlight Wizard Tower already surpassed a medium wizard tower.

As long as the energy supply was adequate, there was no need to increase the long-range firepower for now.

Of course, the improvements to the Spell Tower II and Disintegration Cannon II would continue, focusing on reducing energy consumption.

For the internal army, the five thousand adamantine golems were sufficient, and Su Nan did not plan to increase their number.

However, the number of wizard-level puppets was only twenty-five, which was quite low. Su Nan planned to increase this to one hundred.

After all the calculations, excluding the upgrades to the elemental pool and the mystic lock defensive energy field, upgrading the Starlight Wizard Tower to a medium level would cost over a billion gold coins.

Of course, this was a rough estimate. At this level, many materials could not be bought purely with gold coins, especially when purchasing on a large scale.

So, in the wizard world, transactions were often made using magic stones.

"If I use magic stones, it would be much simpler. I can use gold coins to buy lower-grade magic stones and then synthesize them into higher-grade magic stones to purchase other materials, which would actually cost less gold."

This was the reason Su Nan was eagerly hoping for the plane lockdown to be lifted, so he could trade with other wizard factions. Many of the resources he possessed were far below market value, making trades with other factions incredibly advantageous.

For example, magic stones, magic crystals, magic stone essences, elemental cores, and soul crystals.

Once free trade was possible, the substantial profits from these resources would undoubtedly propel the Star Alliance to a new level of development!

However, due to the current resource limitations, the upgrades to the wizard tower had to be carried out slowly.

Especially the upgrades to the elemental pool and the labyrinth’s protective energy field.

After formulating a detailed upgrade plan for the wizard tower, Su Nan sent it to Liz through his secret puppet, instructing her to coordinate the resource supply according to the plan. He then returned to the elemental pool to continue his cultivation.

"Another busy period ahead."

Time slipped through his fingers like sand, unnoticed and ungraspable.

Before he knew it, over a decade had passed.

In the year 1999 of the Starlight Calendar, during the month of Firestream (July).

The scorching sun hung high in the sky, its intense rays baking the earth.

A short walk down the street was enough to drench one’s clothes in sweat.

Under the high temperatures, the bustling and lively central avenue of Flashlight City, usually teeming with people, was unusually quiet today, with only a few pedestrians around.

Clippity-clop!

A peculiar vehicle approached from the distance.

The vehicle looked similar to the luxurious carriages commonly used by nobles, except it was entirely made of metal and had no horses pulling it. The four wheels rolled forward rapidly, driven by some invisible force.

The sound of the wheels drew the attention of many passersby.

As their gazes fell on the metallic vehicle, envy shone in their eyes.

"It’s the latest model of a magic-powered vehicle!"

"I heard these magic-powered vehicles use magic stones as fuel, which is why they can pull a fully metal-built body."

"I’m so envious, I wish I had one!"

"Stop daydreaming. Do you know how rare and valuable these magic-powered vehicles are? Even ordinary nobles can’t afford them. See the emblem on the side of the carriage? That’s the royal emblem!"

"Wow, really? Who’s inside, a prince or princess?"

The magic-powered vehicle continued forward, leaving the murmurs of the crowd far behind.

Inside the spacious carriage, Hailin held a thick book, engrossed in its pages, oblivious to the sounds outside.

The young boy and girl sitting on either side of the carriage heard the outside chatter but remained silent, not wanting to disturb Hailin.

The magic-powered vehicle passed through the central avenue and arrived directly at the palace gates.

The boy opened the window, stuck his head out, and said something, and the guards immediately let them through without any inspection.

The vehicle continued to drive, eventually stopping at a luxurious pavilion.

A group of people were already waiting inside the pavilion, led by the current empire’s Second Prince, Jerry Anastas.

Standing behind him were his wife and children.

Seeing Hailin and the two others get out of the vehicle, Jerry immediately greeted them with a warm smile.

"Thank you for taking the time to visit, Lord Hailin."

The others hurriedly bowed.

A few young boys and girls couldn’t help but steal glances at Hailin, their curiosity piqued.

By lineage, the young man in front of them, who looked no more than twenty, should be their father’s great-great-uncle.

However, wizards rarely discussed bloodlines and generational differences, which was why their father addressed him as Lord.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the group headed toward the hall.

During the walk, Hailin did not introduce the two young people behind him, and Jerry didn’t ask, guessing they were Hailin’s disciples.

For centuries since the founding emperor’s death, the royal family, supported by the Star Alliance, had seen a surge in wizard apprentices.

To this day, over three hundred registered wizard apprentices from the royal family were still alive.

Among them was one wizard.

Hailin Anastas!

As a result, Hailin Anastas held an exalted position in the empire, even the emperor would greet him with respect.

Jerry had to go to great lengths to invite Hailin over.

Hailin and the two others entered the hall with Jerry, while the others left, except for a teenage boy who followed them inside.

After they were seated, Hailin got straight to the point before Jerry could think of how to start the conversation.

"Out with it, what’s the reason for all this effort to bring me here?"

Jerry knew that most wizards disliked beating around the bush, so he steeled himself and stated his purpose.

"I beg you to take my youngest son, Guy, as your disciple!"

Hailin raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to the anxious and uneasy young man standing behind Jerry.

A faint energy particle fluctuation radiated from him.

From the intensity, he was likely a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice.

"Is he a student at the Starlight Academy?"

"Yes."

"Considering we are of the same clan, I will take him as my disciple if he passes the Morning Star Examination."

Jerry's expression froze.

Any Second-Class Wizard Apprentice under thirty could take the Morning Star Examination. While Guy met the age requirement, he was too young and lacked the necessary experience. His chances of passing were slim to none.

Otherwise, Jerry wouldn't have come to Hailin for help.

Studying at the Wizard Academy, every step forward made subsequent steps easier. If Guy could become Hailin's disciple early on, with a wizard mentor guiding him and the family's resources, he could grow much faster than other students. Perhaps one day, he could become a wizard like Hailin!

Hailin, who had observed Jerry's shifting expressions, knew exactly what he was thinking.

This wasn't the first time he had encountered such a situation.

Since becoming a wizard, countless members of the Ernest family had begged him to take their children as disciples.

However, he glanced at Guy, a Second-Class Wizard Apprentice at sixteen or seventeen, who showed considerable potential, not far behind what he himself had possessed at that age.

"Sir, I implore you to take Guy as your disciple."

Jerry made his request again, this time offering a spatial ring.

"Here are a thousand lower-grade mana stones as Guy's initiation fee. I will provide the same amount every year. Please consider it."

The young man and woman standing behind Hailin were visibly startled, their eyes lighting up as they looked at the spatial ring.

Secondary mana technology had spread throughout the continent, but due to the limited production of mana stones, it had only been widely adopted in the Golden Rock Province.

Nobles and the royal family residing in the Golden Rock Province naturally had the advantage, collecting mana stones to trade with wizards and apprentices.

A thousand mana stones were a significant amount!

At the Starlight Academy, it would cover a Third-Class Wizard Apprentice's expenses for several years.

Jerry, the Second Prince, indeed lived up to his reputation for generosity.

Hailin's expression softened. He looked at Guy, pondered for a moment, and finally agreed.

Besides the mana stones, he also valued Guy's potential.

"Very well, from today on, he is my disciple."

Seeing Hailin's agreement, Jerry was overjoyed, quickly urging his youngest son, "Hurry, go and greet your teacher!"

Guy's face flushed with excitement as he hurriedly approached Hailin and bowed.

"Teacher!"

Hailin nodded calmly, "Wait with me to return to the academy."

He then turned to Jerry, "If there's nothing else, I will take my leave."

Jerry, having achieved his goal, dared not delay Hailin any longer. He smiled and escorted Hailin to the door, watching as the four of them boarded the vehicle.

The mana-powered car immediately left the palace, heading out of the city.

Inside the carriage, Guy sat somewhat awkwardly.

Hailin glanced at him, then pointed to the two young people, "This is Raymond and Alisha, your senior disciples. They are both Third-Class Wizard Apprentices. If I'm not around and you have any questions, ask them."

"Hello, Senior Disciples!" Guy greeted them quickly.

Raymond and Alisha smiled warmly at Guy, their attitudes friendly.

Even without considering their shared Ernest family ties, Guy's potential alone was enough to earn their respect.

Just then, Hailin's expression changed. He flipped his wrist, and a book appeared out of nowhere.

He quickly opened the book, and a thin beam of light emerged from the pages, forming a somewhat ethereal human figure.

"What is it?" Hailin asked.

The figure spoke in a deep voice, "About 120 kilometers north of Flash City, there has been an unrecorded energy particle fluctuation. Thirteen in total. The Witch Hunter Corps has already been dispatched, and you are to provide support."

He paused, then added, "This is an order from Lord Starfall!"

Hailin's expression grew serious, and he nodded, "Understood."

The figure of light dissipated, and Hailin closed the book. He then turned to the three stunned young people and said, "Return to the academy on your own."

With that, Hailin vanished, leaving Guy and the others staring at each other in the carriage.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end