Chapter 11: Chapter 11
Darius assented to this as he pondered over the difference in costs. Changing a leaf to an iron dagger had cost 2 whole points but changing the same type of leaf to a leather flask for storing water cost less than a quarter of the former.
From this, Darius could ascertain that the organic development of the final item had to play an important role in calculating the cost. Organic development in this case referred to the precise process an item underwent before it was formed.
In the case of the dagger, it was formed through blacksmithing. The iron ore would have grown in the mines, before it would be extracted then purified into an ingot through smelting, then forged carefully into its current shape.
As for the flask, it would be made from good quality animal hide which had to be carefully cured, then crafted into its current shape. According to his understanding, what his ability did was artificially simulate the organic process of these items and implement it instantly.
Of course, the base of the item would be changed in order to simulate the process.
As such, Darius identified three main factors that should decide the cost of the conversion. The first was the difference between the base item (leaf) and the base version of the final item (iron ore). Converting across this chasm was likely what made up the majority of the cost.
The second was the simulation of the organic development. From what Darius could tell based on the description of the dagger and the quality of the flask he now held, the simulation was done with the best possible techniques based on the item he wanted.
So the simple iron dagger he wanted had been made as if it had been crafted by a Supreme Blacksmith with a perfect forging skill. It was quite the elitist approach, but Darius would not have wanted it any other way.
The third factor was the actual transmutation, where the item was instantly changed from one form to the other. From what Darius could tell, this stage should not consume that much in terms of cost compared to the first two.
Well, what was important was that he had ascertained some criteria he felt he had to watch out for. He would have to always be mindful of these three factors when converting items, otherwise he could end up spending his precious Conversion Points foolishly.
As of now, he had 7.7 conversion points left for the day. He still wanted to experiment and understand the limitations of his skill as well as draw a true subjective value for the Conversion Points he had.
Darius took another leaf and concentrated.
[Would you like to change the conifer leaf into an empty book? This will cost 0.01 Conversion Points.]
'Hmm… since the properties of a leaf are not as distant from papyrus as it is from iron, the Conversion Points are far fewer. Not to mention the fact that it shouldn't be as hard to make as a dagger, so the other two factors are much simpler as well.' Darius noted calmly.
[Would you like to change the conifer leaf into a blank sheet? This will cost 0.0001 Conversion Points.]
Darius nodded. The difference between an empty book and a single sheet was was big enough for such a great price reduction. However, he was not interested in making a book like this yet.
No, Darius' true goal was…
[Would you like to change the conifer leaf into a fireball spell manual? This will cost 30 Conversion Points.]
Darius breathed out lightly. To say he wasn't disappointed would be a lie. He had expected a high cost, but not so high he would be unable to pay for it even with his entire daily allowance.
However, he had learned something valuable from this experiment.
Firstly, the world of Faust indeed had something like spell manuals that mages used to pass on their knowledge to each other. This might sound obvious, but Darius didn't like to blindly assume too much when he could gain hard evidence through his own hands instead.
Secondly, he could actually spawn such items on his own. After all, it would be a waste to purchase one for exorbitant prices at a shop for mages when he could simply get a few of them free.
Finally, there was hope for him to acquire this one day. Either he had to climb above the Amateur stage and become a Journeyman to have his Conversion Point cap increased or he could acquire items and convert them into points for his usage.
Darius tried to convert the iron dagger back into a conifer leaf.
[Would you like to change the iron dagger into a conifer leaf? This will cost ??? Conversion Points.]
[ERROR, items changed through Transmutation cannot be changed back to previous states.]
Darius sighed. So many limitations!
But still, it was manageable. Such a powerful ability needed many rules to keep it sensible and within reason, otherwise it could easily be abused to cause great harm to the entire world.
Darius performed one more general test for the day.
[Would you like to change the iron dagger into an iron sword? This will cost 0.05 Conversion Points.]
Darius smiled. Finally, a small loophole that was beneficial to him! With this, he could progressively upgrade an item over time. Since he had a limit of 10 points that refreshed every day, he could convert… say, a rock… all the way into a house as long as he made the transformation slow and steady.
With that, he was pleased. Immediately, he tried something else.
[Would you like to change the conifer leaf into an empty spell manual? This will cost 9.6 Conversion Points.]
Darius smiled.
[Would you like to change the conifer leaf into an empty book? This will cost 0.01 Conversion Points.]
Darius assented and watched the leaf shift into a thick book that looked fresh from production. Darius could swear he could even smell the hot glue that was used to stick the pages together.
[Would you like to change the empty book into an empty spell manual? This will cost 5.9 Conversion Points.]
Darius smiled even wider. This loophole was truly useful and quite logical in the end. By splitting the changes into stages, it lowered the absurdity of the transformation and the complexity of a Transmutation.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Kotario
Kotario In this chapter, the basic loopholes and rules of Transmutation are shown.
Of course, there are many of you out there who feel you are clever than I, and that's honestly fine.
But before calling me or Darius an idiot, please make sure you actually READ the details shown, or you'd only disgrace yourself.
Firstly, pay attention to the 5 listed rules. Secondly, never forget the 3 factors that decided Transmutation cost/possibility.
Chapter 12: Chapter 12
Darius made the conversion and watched as the book changed significantly. It became a large tome with many markings on its spine and covers, while the pages glowed with a soft blue light.
Darius inspected it.
[Unused Spell Manual - Material
Durability: 200/200
Description: An empty spell manual of the highest quality, any type of spell can be safely stored within and will never drop in quality. All users who read this have an extra 50% chance to perfectly comprehend the spell within.]
Darius clicked his tongue. As was to be expected from this elitist ability, it made the best possible spell manual for the situation. He wasn't sure what exactly the value of this would be among mages, but Darius could hazard a guess and say it would have to be extremely valuable.
Darius sighed. He could easily make a huge merchant association in this world with his Transmutation ability alone, but that would bring more problems than solutions.
Where did he get his raw materials from? Which craftsmen did he hire to make such high-quality goods? In that hypothetical scenario, if answered that he himself made everything he sold, the next reasonable question would be where did he learn such skills?
Of course, one could choose not to answer, but that would raise suspicions. Once that happened, the ensuing events could be easily pictured, Darius would be harassed until he spilled the beans.
As such, he decided to go about this from a different angle. Darius gazed at the System Brand on his finger. This tool would be his path to success, enabling him to raise cannon fodder to the Grandmaster level in different aspects of life.
[Would you like to change the empty spell manual into a fireball spell manual? This will cost 18 Conversion Points.]
Darius sighed. It seemed like the jump was still too high for him at the moment. He would have to accumulate enough points for a one-time conversion, or he could try to partially convert it and see.
[Would you like to change the empty spell manual into a 1/10th completed fireball spell manual? This will cost ??? Conversion Points.]
[Sorry, partial conversion is not available at your current stage.]
He grimaced slightly. At least he had been told that it wasn't completely impossible, so it wasn't completely off the table. Darius put the spell manual into his Inventory and rose to his feet.
He had rested enough and the carcass of the Wild Boar was beginning to smell. Flies had also converged on the corpse for their daily bread, and Darius was sure that sharp-nosed predators were not far off.
He quickly left the clearing and resumed his trek through the thickets. He was not interested in fighting any more wild beasts compared to reaching his destination.
However, Darius had to pause when he noticed a large python crossing between two trees. He could not even see its head, but only the length of its body as it slowly snaked along.
Darius was not too knowledgeable on animals in the wild, but his perception warned him of imminent danger. This should be one of the traits of the Intellect stat showing itself.
It was a faint feeling that tingled at the back of his mind, and interestingly it had nothing to do with the serpentine torso moving along stately in front of him but… something to his left?
Darius didn't turn his whole head, but only moved his eyes to the corner of his vision on the left. Had he not been a grown man who had experienced the vicissitudes of old age, he would have flinched and screamed.
The head of the python in question was lowering itself from a nearby branch towards his body. It was moving slowly and gently so as not to alert its prey - him. While he was distracted by the moving torso, the head would strike and subdue him quickly.
The body length needed to achieve this was too scary to consider. Darius began to sweat as the fear surged through him, but he forcibly calmed his mind, which had always been his forte, and began moving his right hand slowly.
It was a strange period of silence where Darius was getting his hand into position for casting while the python got its upper body into a firm spot for lunging. The only difference was the fact that the snake was unaware that Darius had spotted it.
Unfortunately for the snake in this case, Darius only needed to point a single finger in its direction, not move his whole arm that way. Immediately, he cast the Sparks spell and jumped back.
At that same moment, the python, which had a faster reaction speed than a human boy of age 13, lunged at him with fangs bared. However, it came into contact with the electrical sparks from the spell Darius cast, much of which entered its mouth and eyes.
It froze and fell limp for a few seconds, twitching violently as its eyes and mouth smoked slightly. Darius quickly Inspected the snake to assess his fighting chances.
[Reticulated Python - Level 2 Beast
HP: 5/8 MP: 0/0]
It was a monster one level higher than he was, and its health was greater than the boar from before for obvious reasons. Still, Darius was surprised to see that his Sparks spell appeared to have done 3 points of damage instead of 1.
Unless the snake had entered this fight with some sort of hidden injury, he reasoned that his own attack must have benefitted from a multiplier of some sorts, whether an elemental weakness – which was a bit far-fetched –, an improvement technique – which was unlikely for a level 1 spell he had learned just today –, or a critical hit. According to the principle of exclusion, the last option seemed to be the most likely one.
Darius recalled that the Sparks had entered the Reticulated Python's eyes and mouth, before dealing its damage. Since those could be considered weak spots on any living organism, it was reasonable for such an attack to become a critical hit.
Going by the damage caused, critical hits seemed to make attacks 3x as effective. At Darius' current stage, that was marginally useful, but at the higher levels where his damage was bound to increase, this would be an important mechanic for him.
Darius didn't waste this chance. He quickly ran up to the still dazed Reticulated Python and opened its lower jaw, pointing his finger inside.
Many would call him foolish, but once the Sparks spell spread out within the beast, taking away another 3 points of health, all such fellows would be forced into silence.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
6 Power
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