Chapter 44
The Law of Diminishing Marginal Returns (Begging for monthly votes!)
Five days later
Wizard Fernando's study on the top floor of the West Tower.
It was Lucy's first time stepping into this space, her gaze curiously sweeping across the surroundings.
The arched, enormous floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the Western European style solid wood carved bookshelves covering an entire wall, the brass-edged magical energy chandeliers casting warm glows onto the ceiling every piece of decor displayed the owner's refined aesthetic taste.
When Fernando walked out from a side room holding a sheepskin book as thick as an arm, Lucy immediately withdrew her gaze and bowed respectfully.
"Teacher."
Fernando was still wearing his plain black wizard robe without any insignia.
"Wait a moment."
He casually waved his hand, returned the book to the top shelf, and then took down another volume with a dark red cover.
As he turned around, he paused slightly, a glimmer appearing beneath his deep-set brow.
"Your mental strength has broken through the critical threshold?"
Lucy nodded.
"Yes, teacher. I refined a bottle of Mental Strength Enhancement Potion, and now my mental strength has already exceeded 10..."
The bad news was that the meditation efficiency of the Bramble Loop Meditation I had greatly diminished; it now took three days to increase her mental strength by 0.1.
"You never mentioned that you were also proficient in potionology."
Lucy humbly replied, "It was merely by luck, I can hardly be considered proficient."
Fernando was well aware that in the Tower of the Four Sages, there was no potionologist capable of refining the Mental Strength Enhancement Potion.
Self-taught?
He revealed a look of curiosity, realizing that he needed to reassess this disciple’s talent.
"Not bad. Potionology is an excellent secondary discipline. Since you have this talent, you must not let it go to waste."
After speaking, Fernando pointed to the stool beside the desk, while he opened the yellowed pages of the book.
Lucy obediently sat on the stool.
"Tell me about the difficulties you've encountered in your recent studies."
Lucy opened the leather notebook she carried with her. The parchment pages rustled softly, filled with all the questions she had encountered recently.
In the past, she would have had to spend magic stones to purchase answers from higher-ranking apprentices.
"I've been trying to integrate the magical energy storage with the witchcraft model of Screech of Agony, using it as the foundation for my first Tier-1 Witchcraft, but the model always collapses during the final stage of connection..."
The rustling sound of the quill pen on the parchment abruptly stopped. Fernando’s casual expression vanished.
"You said you’re trying to combine witchcraft models?!"
"Yes, teacher."
Fernando had no time to be astonished. Blending witchcraft models required an absolute understanding of the lower-level models to succeed.
Lucy said she was stuck at the final step, which meant she had already practiced at least two lower-level models to a high degree of proficiency.
Seeing the girl nod in confirmation, he closed the tome and solemnly said, "Demonstrate those two witchcrafts."
"Here?"
Lucy hesitantly glanced around at the enormous glass window, the room’s ornaments, and the collection of books. The destructive power of Screech of Agony was enough to shatter everything.
"With me here, go ahead and cast it."
"Alright."
Lucy set aside her worries. The witchcraft model for Screech of Agony was swiftly constructed, and a large amount of magical energy gathered under the traction of her mental strength, ready to be released.
Fernando’s expression changed slightly.
The witchcraft model was so fast!
And the power was quite impressive!
If he could see the system interface, he would have noticed that under the "Witchcraft" section, both "Magical Energy Storage" and "Screech of Agony" were no longer at the basic level.
After spending 12 and 16 Academic Points respectively, the interface now displayed:
"Advanced Magical Energy Storage (Zero Ring)", creating three witchcraft nodes capable of storing magical energy, each increasing the magical energy degree by +3°.
"Advanced Screech of Agony (Zero Ring)", releasing terrifying sound waves and mental shock over a wide area, inflicting increased damage on non-material life forms, with damage increasing the closer the target is; magical energy degree 12°-13°.
In other words, if Lucy connected Magical Energy Storage into Screech of Agony, a Zero Ring witchcraft could unleash 15°-16° of magical energy damage.
Although it did not seem very high, one had to keep in mind that Screech of Agony was only a Zero Ring witchcraft.
Due to its inherent upper limit, lower-tier witchcrafts would experience a law of diminishing marginal returns as more mental strength was invested.
Simply put, investing 8 points of mental strength into a Zero Ring witchcraft might produce around 10° of damage, but investing 12 points might only result in 11° or so.
Therefore, Lucy was eager to construct a Tier-1 Witchcraft with a higher upper limit.
Back to the present.
In just two seconds, the array for Advanced Screech of Agony formed instantly.
One second later, one of the three energy nodes of Advanced Magical Energy Storage was activated.
The 13° magical energy poured into the witchcraft model like streams converging into a river, filling it in an instant.
"Ah—!"
The piercing scream, accompanied by mental shock, swept through every corner of the study. The distorted shockwave spread outwards from her as the center.
The entire study quivered ever so slightly, a few specks of dust falling from the massive magical energy chandelier, but quickly settled again.
"Not bad power."
Fernando lightly tapped his index finger on the desk, quickly identifying the breakthrough point in the problem Lucy had presented. He picked up the quill on the desk, dipped it in ink, and began sketching on the parchment.
"You are already quite proficient with these two witchcraft models. Even on your own, it would take you only a few more days to successfully integrate them. Pay close attention to how these lines connect. I will demonstrate only once."
Lucy stretched her neck and carefully observed the patterns drawn by her teacher, her eyes growing brighter with understanding.
Fernando was not only a powerful intermediate wizard, a learned scholar of the Anatomical School, but also an excellent teacher.
Their first lesson together lasted from morning until nightfall, only ending when Lucy's stomach growled thunderously.
A multitude of questions had been answered, many previously unimagined pieces of knowledge filled in. Though her stomach was empty, her mind was more fulfilled than ever.
"Thank you, teacher. I will review everything we covered today carefully once I return."
Fernando nodded.
"Complete the Tier-1 Witchcraft model as soon as possible and go register as an Official Apprentice. Nine days from now is the day of the enfeoffment ceremony."
"I will remember."
Thanks to Teacher Fernando's guidance, the fusion of Screech of Agony and Magical Energy Storage had nearly reached completion. Only the final adjustments were needed for success.
As for the second Tier-1 Witchcraft, attempting another hybrid model was clearly too late. Lucy planned to directly construct the magical vein on the Degenerated Dragonkin heart.
If her inference was correct, it should serve as an excellent defensive witchcraft model, just enough to make up for the insufficient defense of the Ring of Resistance.
But before that, she needed to go to the cafeteria to get something to eat, then return to the dormitory for a good night’s sleep.
While carrying her notebook filled with annotations and passing through the spiral staircase, Lucy caught sight of a familiar figure behind a pillar on the lower floor.
"Senior Karen."
Her voice made the steward collecting specimens on the lower level tremble.
Only after recognizing Lucy’s face did he relax.
"Lucy!" His gaze flicked toward the staircase Lucy had just descended. "Perhaps I should address you as Lady Lucy now?"
He forced a stiff smile, his fingers unconsciously stroking the glass jar beside him.
Lucy solemnly performed a standard wizard's salute.
"I already know everything you told my teacher. Added to your previous warning, I owe you two favors."
Karen was momentarily stunned, then returned the salute with seriousness.
"Your honesty makes me feel ashamed."
His earlier words carried a hint of bitterness. After all, Lucy had now risen high, and it would be difficult for a low-level apprentice like him to have further ties with her.
But Lucy took the initiative to acknowledge two favors.