My physics masters couldn't possibly be grand mages.

Einstein looked at the crater.

"This thing should output about the same energy as the Hand of Pure Oxygen Combustion, but with a higher peak energy, so its power is also greater," he said calmly, though his eyebrows raised slightly. "What about the mana consumption?"

Char thought for a moment. "The compression used about twice the amount of the Hand of Combustion. Adding the several hundred used in the electrolysis... the total cost is too high."

Tesla crouched down, touched the scorched mud around the edge of the pit with his fingers, then stood up and patted the dust off his hands.

"The cost is high, but the idea is right," he said. "Considering that hydrogen can be produced in advance, from a cost-effectiveness perspective, this is more powerful and has a wider area of ​​effect. And if we increase the amount of hydrogen and oxygen..."

"Second-tier mental power can only be suppressed to this extent," Xia said. "Anything above that would be the third tier."

Tesla nodded. "There are mainly two issues now: projection and... delayed ignition."

Einstein calculated and said, "A direct physical throw, combined with the assistance of gas-manipulated airflow, should be able to project it about forty meters. But delayed ignition..."

The courtyard fell silent. Tesla's brow was furrowed, and he remained silent.

Clearly, they encountered obstacles here...

"Use stability to lock the fire inside a hydrogen-oxygen sphere?" Tesla murmured, but he quickly shook his head in rejection. "Stability only stabilizes the state, but it doesn't change the nature of the substance. It's too dangerous."

"The most important thing is that you can't control the timing of the explosion," Einstein said.

Xia looked at the two old men—Einstein sat back down in his chair, picked up his coffee, and fell into deep thought.

Tesla, meanwhile, was squatting on the ground improving the electrolysis device, while also pondering the consequences.

"Let's go to the library," Xia said, drawing their attention. "Although this world doesn't have a systematic methodology like science, the things they've accumulated over time are still enough for us to learn from."

"I've been there," Einstein said. "Everything there requires integration."

Xia thought for a moment, "If all else fails, how about we use the Burning Hand - Oxygen? Its attack range is only five or six meters at most, while this one is over forty meters, it's overwhelming."

Einstein nodded. "That works too. I've read the Patent Law here; the regulations are comprehensive and trustworthy."

Char pulled the silver medal out of his collar and channeled his mental energy into it.

A semi-transparent holographic interface unfolds before you. It offers a variety of options: course search, points balance, task list, personal center...

He clicked into his personal center and found the "Patent Submission" entry.

The interface redirects. A 3D projection area appears before your eyes, with lines of explanatory text floating around it.

This appears to be a drawing software that can simulate the environment of the sea of ​​consciousness, and there are even models of twenty-four runes next to it.

He took a deep breath, and his consciousness began to carve out a pattern in this three-dimensional space.

Soon, the three-dimensional configuration diagram of the three runes appeared in front of him.

Char gave him a formal name: [Burning Hand - Oxygen].

Then I clicked submit, and after a few minutes, a message popped up.

"Configuration test complete. Estimated price is between 20 and 60 points. Please set a price within this range."

Char typed 20.

"Is it really that cheap?" Einstein said.

"It's something that costs nothing to begin with," Xia said. "Besides, it's just a modification of a second-tier spell, not a truly new spell. If it's too expensive, the cost-effectiveness won't be as good as learning the original one. It's all about small profits and quick turnover."

"If you hand this in, when can we go to that library you mentioned?" Tesla said.

Xia Yagang was about to say something.

A notification immediately popped up on the screen in front of me.

"Your account has been credited with 20 points."

"Someone bought it?" Einstein noticed Char's expression.

"Probably the Golden Family from class," Xia murmured to himself, recalling Viktor's expression when get out of class ended.

"Let's go to the library."

The library of the Tower of Truth is located on the north side of the valley. It is a white stone building, without the towering spire of the Tower of Truth, but with a more imposing presence.

Three arched doors are arranged side by side, the middle one being wider and the two on either side being narrower.

Char pushed open the middle door.

Behind the door was a huge circular hall. The dome was inlaid with stained glass, and sunlight streamed through, casting dappled shadows on the white marble floor.

Along the wall were rows of bookshelves that reached the ceiling, made of dark red wood, each shelf neatly stacked with books. The air was filled with the scent of old paper and leather, and it was so quiet you could hear your own footsteps.

In the center of the hall was a circular service counter, behind which sat a middle-aged woman in a gray robe.

She raised her eyelids slightly, glanced at Xia Ya, and then lowered her head to continue sorting the cards in her hands.

Char walked over and placed the silver badge on the table. The woman picked up a slender crystal rod and tapped it on the badge. The crystal rod flashed and made a soft "ting" sound.

"Identity confirmed: Char. Freshman." Her tone was mechanical, like reading a menu. "Public reading areas are free. The East District Library costs five points per hour. The restricted area is not open to the public. The East District closes at 8 PM and clearing will begin at 7:30 PM. Do not enter the restricted area, and do not linger in the East District."

She pushed the badge back and added, "The bookshelf will move by itself. If you find that the way back has changed, don't panic, it will change again after a while."

The woman looked up at him expressionlessly. "Any other questions?"

"We are looking for information about...configurational delayed startup and the like."

"Five points for book search".

"No need, we'll find it ourselves," Xia Ya interrupted directly.

Tesla didn't speak; his gaze was already fixed on the towering bookshelves in the distance, his eyes shining with the light of a child entering a candy store.

"We've read those books," Einstein said. "Some travelogues, some basic math, physics, chemistry, novels, philosophy... pretty much the same as the books in a regular library. The East Wing is the real focus."

Einstein's voice caught the middle-aged woman's attention. She looked him over carefully and seemed to recognize him. She stood up excitedly.

"Love... Mr. Einstein!"

"Hello." Einstein nodded calmly to her.

He was already very famous in another world, so he was very good at handling these kinds of things.

The middle-aged woman realized what was happening and looked at Xia Ya.

"So this is yours..."

"Students," Einstein said.

The middle-aged woman panicked a little. She patted her head, "Oh dear! Look at my memory, consultations don't require points."

She recalled Char's question from earlier, "Your question likely involves third-order 'conditional judgments.' You can directly look up relevant information about third-order 'conditional judgments' in the fourth section."