Chapter 117: CH121 -CH122
CH121
The spell Shadow Corner was also good for escaping. It allowed Helag to instantly hide, making it hard for enemies to find him if he ran out of their mana detection range.
Next, Helag bought Dark Imprisonment and Dark Energy Burst.
Dark Imprisonment was a control spell that could restrict an enemy's movements, with effectiveness depending on the enemy's strength.
Dark Energy Burst was an enhancement spell that absorbed a large amount of dark energy particles from the surroundings, providing a temporary boost in power.
In total, Helag bought fourteen spells, spending fifty-seven magic stones.
Additionally, he bought twenty vials of Blood Bull's blood for four magic stones. Each vial could be used about ten times, enough for Helag for a while.
The apprentice at the checkout was shocked, not by Helag's ability to spend sixty-one magic stones, but by his intention to learn so many spells at once.
Helag didn't care about the apprentice's opinion. He was determined to quickly enhance his strength.
If Moonlight Forest assigned him a task, he needed to ensure he had enough combat ability to handle various situations.
As a third-level apprentice, buying several spells wouldn't draw too much attention.
Anyone observant would know he was Larry's student, which would help avoid many troubles.
"Deep Blue, record all the spells I bought."
Back home, Helag immediately had Deep Blue start recording the spells.
[Recording…]
A few minutes later, Deep Blue finished.
Helag picked up Fatigue Hand first. "Deep Blue, construct the spell model for Fatigue Hand."
[Task created, starting execution.
Estimated time: eight minutes.
Estimated mana consumption: 2%.]
Helag thought, "It takes less time than before."
Reduced mana consumption was normal, as his mental power had significantly increased.
Now, 1% of his mana was much more than it used to be.
With his strength growing, especially after advancing to a third-level apprentice, Deep Blue's data analysis and calculation abilities had greatly improved. Additionally, recording all the second-floor books boosted Deep Blue's efficiency.
In Helag's mind, Deep Blue quickly and accurately constructed the spell model for Fatigue Hand.
Helag could construct the model himself, but not as quickly or precisely as Deep Blue.
Eight minutes later.
[Fatigue Hand spell model construction complete.]
Helag extended his right hand, muttering two simple syllables. His right hand quickly gathered many energy particles.
Fatigue Hand was cast. His right hand looked normal but would induce fatigue upon contact with a target.
Helag dispelled the spell and continued constructing the models for Mana Armor and Fleet Foot.
Twenty minutes later.
Helag tested Fleet Foot, which increased his agility by four points. The Blessing of the Wind Spirit only increased it by two points.
However, Fleet Foot's effect lasted only one second, making it unsuitable for long durations.
Helag spent the afternoon constructing the remaining spell models.
Even formal wizards couldn't master so many zero-level spells in such a short time.
Each spell could take other apprentices months to study and learn.
Deep Blue saved Helag a lot of learning time.
"I need to test the specific data for each spell," Helag thought after constructing all the spell models.
He took out a vial of blood-red liquid, containing Blood Bull's blood.
Helag placed the vial in his palm, applying a bit of blood to his hand.
He muttered strange syllables, channeling mana into the spell model for Rage of the Blood Bull.
The blood in his palm sank and disappeared, seemingly merging into his body.
A warm current spread from his left hand throughout his body, rapidly increasing his strength and speed, filling him with explosive power.
"Deep Blue, check my current body data," he said, needing precise data to judge the spell's effect.
[Helag Merlin:
Strength 8.0 (2.8),
Agility 7.1 (1.7),
Constitution 8.8 (3.4),
Mental Power 16.3,
Mana 72%.]
The numbers in parentheses showed the boost from Rage of the Blood Bull, a significant improvement.
"Deep Blue, how long will this last?" Helag asked.
[Estimated duration: forty-seven minutes,] Deep Blue replied.
"Forty-seven minutes…" Helag was satisfied. This duration was enough for many situations.
Next, he cast another spell.
Blessing of the Mountain Spirit.
A green spirit, eyes closed and arms crossed, appeared on Helag's body, merging with him.
Helag felt something immerse into his body, followed by a gentle warm current spreading from his stomach.
[Helag Merlin:
Strength 8.0 (2.8) (2.3),
Agility 7.1 (1.7) (1.2),
Constitution 8.8 (3.4) (3.5),
Mental Power 16.3,
Mana 52%.]
With both Rage of the Blood Bull and Blessing of the Mountain Spirit, Helag's physical stats reached a terrifying level.
Helag felt that with these stats, most third-level apprentices wouldn't withstand a punch from him.
Additionally, Helag learned many shield spells.
In combat, he could stack eight or nine shields and charge into enemies with enhancement spells, making it hard for non-formal wizards to resist him.
The only issue was the high mana consumption of these spells combined.
"Deep Blue, how much mana do all the shield and enhancement spells consume together?"
[Estimated mana consumption: 98%,] Deep Blue answered.
98%
Ordinary apprentices wouldn't choose Helag's combat style, as having only 2% mana left was too risky.
However, they didn't have the time or energy to learn so many spells.
Helag was dissatisfied with the mana consumption. Even with 50% mana stored in his formation diagram, it was still too high.
"Optimization is necessary."
"Deep Blue, start optimizing Mana Armor, Rage of the Blood Bull… Focus on reducing mana consumption."
[Task created, starting execution…]
***
Late at night.
[Task complete. Estimated mana consumption: 67%.]
Deep Blue spent a few hours reducing the mana consumption of these spells.
CH122
Helag was quite satisfied with a 31% reduction in mana consumption.
The current issue was that he had nine shield spells.
Even if each spell took only one second to cast, it would still take nine seconds to cast all nine shields.
In actual combat, there wouldn't be enough time to slowly cast shields due to various unexpected situations.
He pondered for a while and asked, "Deep Blue, is there a way to cast all nine shield spells at once?"
Helag asked with a hopeful mindset, thinking that Deep Blue might have a solution after absorbing a lot of knowledge from the second floor of the library.
[Analyzing and calculating…]
Ten minutes later.
Deep Blue: [Through analysis and calculation, it is possible to construct a central spell model that connects the nine shield spell models, allowing for simultaneous casting.]
Helag was surprised that it was indeed possible.
According to Deep Blue's information, he could derive a spell model to act as a bridge, connecting the nine spells.
"Deep Blue, start deriving this spell model."
[Task created,
Estimated time: 72 hours,
Estimated mana consumption: 73%.]
The task required a long time, which was expected since Deep Blue was essentially creating a new spell.
"All that knowledge wasn't for nothing."
Helag knew how vast that knowledge was. For ordinary people, even reading it all wouldn't have the same effect as Deep Blue.
Deep Blue's data analysis and calculation abilities were terrifying. When the stored data reached a certain amount, it would cause a qualitative change.
For the next few days, Helag informed Larry that he was doing research and then focused on studying, meditating, and waiting for Deep Blue to finish the derivation.
***
Three days later.
[Derivation complete. The spell model is as follows.]
Upon hearing Deep Blue's prompt, a spell model appeared before Helag.
The spell model was simpler than he had imagined, with a straightforward structure and few formulas and parameters.
"So simple."
Helag couldn't help but admire it. This was the charm of data calculation, eliminating all unnecessary structures.
"Deep Blue, simulate the operation of this spell model to check for issues."
To be safe, Helag didn't rush to construct the spell model.
[Starting simulation.]
Deep Blue quickly began simulating the spell model's operation, checking for hidden issues.
Ten minutes later.
[Simulation complete. No issues found.]
Helag felt relieved. "Deep Blue, start constructing the spell model."
[Task created,
Estimated time: three minutes,
Estimated mana consumption: 1%.]
Since Deep Blue derived the spell model, its structure was already the simplest, making construction quick.
In Helag's mind, a spell model quickly took shape.
Unlike other spell models, this one had a line connecting the spell models of Mana Shield, Dark Energy Shield, and other shield spells.
Three minutes later,
Helag looked at the strange spell model in his mind and thought, "Did I create something extraordinary…"
In his current understanding, he had never seen such a spell model, nor heard of one that could connect other spell models.
For wizards, spell models were independent, each having its own model.
"Let's test it."
Helag thought for a moment and input some mana into the central spell model.
The mana quickly spread to the other nine spell models.
At that moment, a strange shield appeared on Helag's body.
The shield looked thin, with a colorful surface resembling a child's scribbles.
"This…"
Helag didn't expect the spell to produce such an effect, making the shield look anything but serious.
"How to get specific data?"
Without testing, he couldn't know the shield's strength, but he had no means to test it.
He thought for a moment and went to the backyard, casting a Small Fireball at an empty spot.
"Deep Blue, use this Small Fireball as a standard to create a new measurement unit, 'du.' Use 'du' to quantify the attack strength of spells and the defense strength of shields."
(du = defense unit)
[Recording relevant data…]
Deep Blue used Helag's current mental power and the strength of Small Fireball as the standard to create the unit 'du.'
Helag then cast Magic Missile, Corrosive Arrow, Ice Spike, and Ice Arrow, with Deep Blue quickly providing their strengths.
[Magic Missile: 0.6 du.]
[Corrosive Arrow: 0.2 du.]
[Ice Spike: 1.2 du.]
[Ice Arrow: 0.4 du.]
Magic Missile's strength surprised Helag, but he quickly understood.
As a dark energy specialist, his Magic Missile was naturally stronger.
Attack spells were easy to test, but shield strength was harder to measure.
With few people in the northern forest area, it would be odd to ask someone to attack him.
"Deep Blue, can you estimate the shield's defense strength?" Helag thought, relying on Deep Blue's calculations.
[Estimation possible,] Deep Blue replied.
Helag: "Estimate the strength of my current shield."
[Calculating…]
[Estimated strength: 18 du.]
Helag's eyebrows twitched. "18 du, that's quite high."
He had expected the shield to be strong but not this strong.
18 du meant it would take eighteen consecutive Small Fireballs to break his shield.
Most third-level apprentices couldn't cast eighteen consecutive Small Fireballs. If their mental power was lower than Helag's, it might take over twenty Small Fireballs to break the shield.
"Very good." Helag was very satisfied with the shield's effect.
"Deep Blue, name this spell… Absolute Defense."
[Naming complete.]
Helag felt the name was fitting. He observed the Absolute Defense spell model and saw it could be expanded, making it a scalable spell model.
This meant that if Helag learned more shield spells, he could further enhance Absolute Defense's strength.
Despite having Absolute Defense, Helag remained cautious.
He knew that while the shield was hard for apprentices to break, formal wizards might shatter it with a single touch.
When undertaking tasks outside, he would face more than just apprentices, so he needed to stay vigilant.
TL/n -
Wishing you a Diwali that's lit! Love, light, and happiness to you and yours!
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