Wizards: Starting with Synthetic Gems

Chapter 559 Reencounter with Rashid Tahrir
Albert stepped aside, and there stood before him, Anglu and Aisie, whom he hadn't seen for over two years, communicating through images.

Although it had been more than two years since they last met, the two looked the same as before, as if they had only parted yesterday, and time had not left any trace on them.

In fact, for a first-class wizard apprentice, the normal lifespan of a first-class wizard apprentice who has developed a magical pressure structure is two hundred years, and it is not a problem to extend it by more than ten years by using some special magical potions.

The normal lifespan of a formal wizard is five hundred years, but formal wizards have too many means to modify themselves, so living several decades longer is not a problem.

This meant that even a mere two years seemed far too short to them.

For Anglu and Aisie, Locke was no different from those high-ranking wizards in Lilith's Hut, going out to do an academy mission or a long-term experiment.

When they met again, Locke was a first-ring crystallized wizard, while the two of them were still first-class wizard apprentices with a magic power of over 500. For a moment, they felt both sighs and awe.

Locke glanced at the two of them and chuckled, "Anglu, Aisha, long time no see. Your mana growth rate is pretty good. You've both increased your magic pressure by several dozen points."

“Especially Anglu, your mana is almost at six hundred. It seems you have a chance to compete for the apprentice-level honor at Lilith's Hut.”

Anglu and Aisie's lips twitched slightly; their rate of progress was indeed quite good within their respective circles.

But compared to Locke, it's as if he's stuck in the same place, making no progress.

Anglu bowed slightly to Locke and said, "Locke, it's been a long time. I've missed you quite a bit these past two years. Aisie and I both miss the days we worked with you in the treatment center."

"But then you and Teacher Sophia left, and that annoying Angron was imprisoned. Only Aisie and I remained in the treatment center, continuing our lives as before. But every time I use Lesser Emerald Elixir and Bear Spirit Emerald Elixir, I think of you."

Aisie thanked Locke, saying, "I also want to thank you for helping us publish many C-level articles over the past two years, which laid a good foundation for us. And you and Mrs. Irina are partners."

"Therefore, Lady Irina gave us special care, which is why Anglu and I have progressed so quickly. In fact, we've started to feel that we have a chance to try and become full-fledged wizards before we turn forty."

Locke nodded.

Anglu said, "Teacher Harlan told us that you were helping Senior Albert advance to become a full-fledged wizard, so we had more contact with Senior Albert at Lilith Hut."

“After a few visits, we became friends with the senior.”

Albert seemed to have become much more cheerful because of the two friends he had made. He smiled at Locke and said, "Locke, thank you. You not only found out the cause of my illness, but you also brought me two friends."

Locke nodded and said, "It's good to see that you can cheer up."

Locke said, "By the way, I have two friends at Lilith's Cottage. One is Laun, and the other is Pierre. How are they doing now? Has Laun become a second-class wizard apprentice?"

On the other end of the video call, the three of them exchanged an awkward glance.

The three knew almost nothing about the two friends Locke had made during his third-level wizard apprenticeship, so they hadn't paid any attention to them before, and now they had no idea whether the friends were alive or dead.

Albert suddenly said, "I don't know much about that Laun, but I do know Pierre. He's a second-class wizard apprentice with mediocre talent, but he has a special magic-free physique, so he's quite well-known in the academy."

“He should still be alive. If Locke needs them, we can invite them to our next video call.”

Locke said, "Well... whatever, I was just asking casually."

“These two are my old friends. After you become a full-fledged wizard, Albert, you can look after them a little. Of course, don’t take it too seriously.”

Hearing Locke's tone, which seemed quite certain that he would become a full-fledged wizard, Albert said cheerfully, "If I do become a full-fledged wizard, I won't be able to leave Lilith's Hut. I'll definitely take care of your two friends."

"However, I've failed three times already."

Locke nodded slightly.

"Then let's begin. Your invitation to Anglu and Aisie has saved me some trouble."

"Albert, did the Academy upgrade the Gray Mist Slate I received to a Gold Membership?"

Albert said, "Yes."

Gold members have to pay 10,000 magic stones every month. Originally, Locke was reluctant to recharge, but for the Myster Power project, Lilith House gave him a quota of one million magic stones.

Then I didn't need to make myself suffer, so I just asked Albert to give me a gold membership.

At this moment, Locke pointed at the image in the illusory dialogue in mid-air, and his own image appeared between Anglu, Aisie, and Albert.

Albert and the others looked in surprise at the illusory Locke standing among them.

Locke explained, "Gold members of the Gray Mist Slab have a privilege: they can use the astrological system to teleport my spiritual clone over. The spiritual clone can directly touch objects and has some attack power, but it is relatively weak."

"It's only around 200 magic pressure, which is completely useless for anything."

Anglu and Aisie's lips twitched slightly.

Two hundred magic pressure is equivalent to that of a first-class wizard apprentice. Although he is only a newly promoted first-class wizard apprentice, two hundred magic pressure is considered very high in the eyes of these wizard apprentices.

They discovered that Locke's perspective was completely different from theirs.

At this moment, Locke suddenly chanted a spell, using the technique of "connecting the branches of the same breath." At the same time, his physical body connected his aura with the "spiritual projection" created by his astrological system.

A magical pressure belonging to a formal wizard gradually descended into this small space.

The immense demonic pressure, as heavy as a mountain, surged forth like a tidal wave.

The next moment, Locke's spiritual avatar shattered and vanished without a trace.

Albert, Anglu, and Aisie were sweating profusely, their hearts pounding, and then they collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.

At this moment, Locke's spiritual projection disappeared, and they breathed a sigh of relief.

But soon, Locke's magical pressure appeared in the small room a second time, only this time he quickly suppressed it.

"Even if we use the principle of 'shared destiny' to exploit a loophole, can this avatar formed from a spiritual projection only withstand a maximum of 999 magic pressure?"

Moreover, during this power transfer process, he lost only one-tenth of his power, resulting in a significant waste. Furthermore, if it weren't for his recent rapid progress in botany magic, he would not have been able to successfully use the "Synergy Link" technique on his spiritual projection.

Locke quickly realized that this was a limit to his soul, restricting him from further increasing the magical pressure of this clone to a level exceeding that of a formal wizard.

After all, this spiritual clone, lacking a permanent defensive force field to protect its soul, could not withstand a magical pressure exceeding 1000, thus exhibiting the limits of its racial soul.

"Back then, Edgar's natural clone was successful because he used the special ability of the Tree of Life, and the clone even used the Tree of Life!" Locke suddenly realized.

From this perspective, it seems that for a formal wizard, creating a clone with a magic pressure exceeding 1000 is not an easy task.

In order to create this spiritual clone with 999 magic pressure, the original body had already used all its strength.

Albert and the others looked at Locke in astonishment. They hadn't expected Locke to be able to use the Gray Mist Slab to teleport over such a long distance.

A longing gleamed in Albert's eyes. "Is this the power of a formal wizard?"

Locke replied, "I only used a clever trick from the astrological system of the White Wizard Association in the southeast corner of the region, which is why I was able to do this. After all, ten thousand magic stones a month isn't spent for nothing. As long as you close the Gray Mist Slab, this clone of mine will disappear immediately."

Conversely, not all first-ring wizards can achieve this level.

As a first-circle crystallized wizard, Locke made many preparations beforehand, using a combination of the botanical magic of "Sympathy" and the first-circle magic "Spiritual Projection" that comes with Gold Membership to achieve this.

Locke said, "Therefore, for you first-class wizard apprentices, using the Gray Mist Slab inherently carries a certain risk. That's why the Association hasn't opened it up to you apprentices."

"Imagine the Blood Curse Tribunal packaging curse magic into a data package and sending it to you via the Gray Mist Slate, or even to the group within the Gray Mist Slate. What would happen then?"

The three wizard apprentices imagined the scene and were immediately terrified. Anglu said, "That's horrible."

Locke said calmly, "Let's begin. Anglu and Aisie, you two lend a hand; there might be some minor trouble later."

“Albert, you must activate the Gray Mist Slab at any time, otherwise this clone of mine will be forced to collapse.”

"If your soul reaches the first ring level, the disc-shaped creature [Gromdal]'s control over you will become very weak, or even non-existent."

"It will not stand idly by and watch this happen."

Locke looked calmly at Albert. In fact, the soul of a formal wizard possesses a permanent defensive field. Once a permanent defensive field appears, many of Gromdal's methods that were originally overwhelming to wizard apprentices will completely lose their effectiveness.

The formalization of wizarding is definitely a dividing line.

The emergence of the permanent defensive field has elevated wizards to a whole new level, allowing the strength of their souls to reach an incredible level.

The four walked through the corridor and arrived at the constant temperature breeding room. Inside this constant temperature room in the Mister Power Research Center, three red holly plants, as well as some shrubs and herbaceous plants, had already been planted.

Because it gathers the power of Lilith's Hut, this forest sanctuary appears to be even more complete than the forest Locke originally encountered.

Moreover, it looks very exquisite, like a small garden.

At this moment, Albert drank a bottle of Holy Spring Dew potion and a set of Star Soul Elixir (three bottles) as Locke had requested.

Star Soul Elixir can effectively reduce the side effects of advancement potions, while Holy Spring Dew potion can restore one's condition to its peak.

Locke himself used Star Soul Elixir back then; he bought it at the potion auction at Lilith's Hut for 15,000 magic stones.

Although I used more resources to advance, Albert's situation is different; he already has enough accumulated experience.

He should have become a full-fledged wizard long ago.

However, he was parasitized by a disc-shaped creature, which caused him to develop a soul alienation disorder, preventing him from breaking through to become a formal wizard.

Therefore, the advancement strategy I designed for him was to use Star Soul Elixir and Holy Spring Dew potions to minimize the side effects of the advancement potions he would have to drink next.

This was the fourth time he had drunk the advancement potion.

If it weren't for his good talent, he would have been unable to drink any more advancement potions long ago.

However, drinking this advancement potion still carries great risk for him. If he fails to break through, he may very well burn out his lifespan and die.

If you don't have enough potential during the breakthrough process and can only burn through your lifespan, that's just as dangerous.

Locke asked Albert, "Did you find the mirror I asked you to find on the territory of the Blood Curse Court?"

Albert gave Locke a complicated look. "Yes, I found it. It took a lot of effort. Fortunately, our academy was at war with the Blood Curse Court, so I took advantage of the war to go to the Blood Raven Wasteland with the wizarding legion and successfully found the mirror you asked me to find."

Albert took out a broken mirror from his astral ring; the mirror looked quite ordinary.

But Locke recognized the mirror as the very same one that was once the location of Rashid Tahrir's curse research institute, the site of the Mirror Blood Curse, and the location of Rashid Tahrir's echo.

Even after many years, Locke can still sense the residual magical pressure of Rashid Taril from within this mirror.

Then, he couldn't help but sigh, realizing that Rashid Tahrir, who had seemed so powerful in his eyes back then, was actually so weak.

If he were to appear before me now, I could kill him with one hand.

In the end, he was just a minor wizard at the vaporization stage.

Albert said to Locke, "But I don't know, Locke, what is your purpose in making me take such a great risk to find it..."

"Andy died because he went into this place. It was filled with only my pain."

Locke reached out, and ripples immediately spread across the surface of the mirror. Streams of completely chaotic curse energy leaked out from inside the mirror, causing the surrounding temperature to drop by tens of degrees.

In an instant, a layer of frost formed on the ground.

Locke snapped his fingers with his left hand, and the temperature that had dropped instantly returned to normal.

At this moment, the echoes of the death of the formal wizard who had once posed an immense danger to Locke seemed utterly insignificant to him.

"What are the characteristics of the advancement potion? It doesn't burn your lifespan, but your potential. Only when your potential is exhausted will it start burning your lifespan, and that's when your lifespan loss is the greatest."

“Albert, your lifespan can’t be shortened any longer. The potion and special resources you’ve consumed also represent your potential. So there’s another way to minimize the side effects of the sacrifice potion.”

“In that response, I left at least one-third of the spinal fluid of the Tartarus burrow worm. Back then, we couldn’t take it all away, so we could only seal it inside, but today everything has changed.”

Locke's spiritual clone entered directly into it. Even with only 999 magic pressure, his understanding of first-circle magic remained unchanged, and his strength was far beyond that of a first-class wizard apprentice.

Locke charged straight into Echo, using a nature spell to temporarily stabilize the space. He quickly entered the research institute of cursed spells that he knew so well, found the large warehouse inside, and broke the magical seal that he had personally set.

Locke waved his hand, and the plant magic seal formed by the iron wire goosegrass was immediately released. A large number of iron wire goosegrass plants began to degenerate and turned back into seeds.

“Nothing has changed.” Locke waved his hand, and the imported iron-wire goosegrass that sealed Tartarus’ spinal fluid quickly degenerated into seeds. “Indeed, these special resources are relatively well preserved. I was truly prescient back then.”

Locke removed the Tattertalos spinal fluid.

At the same time, just as he turned to leave, an unexpected figure appeared in front of him. It was none other than Rashid Tahrir, who appeared behind him with only one eye on his forehead, but that eye contained many pupils.

Rashid Tahrir's eyes narrowed into a fierce glint. "You are... the wizarding apprentice who entered my territory with the witch Sophia back then! Where is the witch Sophia?! I'll find her and take my revenge!"

"I've figured out a way to defeat her. If I can do it all over again, I'm sure I can beat her. Behold my fear blood..."

The next moment, in Locke's eyes, Rashid Tahrir's figure shattered.

Locke just transformed his magical pressure into dragon's might.

Dragon's Might has the greatest suppressive power over things in the mental realm within the echoes.

Rashid Tahrir is dead; this is merely a fragment of his echoing memories forming a past illusion.

Locke didn't even want to talk about such things, about that wizard from the past; it was an insult to a wizard.

Locke stepped out of the Blood Mirror space, then casually pointed and sealed the mirror again. He then threw a large number of containers filled with Tartarus spinal fluid onto the ground.

"Drink these resources. This will greatly increase your chances of becoming a full-fledged wizard."

“The burrowing insect is a treasure trove; I remember it’s a major product of the underground rye region in the far western border.”

For me, the Tartarus Burrow Worm is very useful.

Putting aside other things, when making nutrient soil, various types of nutrient soil may use materials from different parts of the Tartarus burrowing worm's body.

The Rye Underground is also where the three magical categories of the Summoning School (summoning insect creatures), the Conjuration School (insect manipulation), and the Necromancy School (insect spell magic) are most developed.

The Rye Underground has a well-developed industrial chain for livestock, insects, and magical creatures.

It is renowned for providing biomass materials for breeding science, livestock feed for wizards of the summoning school, and clean new energy sources for alchemists and enchanters.

(End of this chapter)