The Wizard's Pursuit of Truth

Wang Ya had previously taken the opportunity to perform a preliminary analysis of the Witchcraft known as the Eye of Dreams with his Eye of Truth.

It wasn't very difficult, falling into the category of basic Witchcraft, but it was quite special. It was somewhat similar to Sensory Deprivation Witchcraft, cast by consuming only Spiritual Power.

But its unique qualities didn't end there. The Witchcraft itself had no offensive capabilities; it simply allowed one to see, granting an additional perspective from which to observe the world.

He had tried to learn it, but his progress was so fast it felt unreal. After careful consideration, he decided not to continue.

Kelan Wizard's question, however, gave him a suitable pretext.

Wang Ya went along with her and said, "I haven't fully mastered it yet."

Surprise flickered in Kelan Wizard's eyes. In her view, the young man should have been able to master it very quickly.

Of course, she wouldn't second-guess her previous judgment. Teacher Illusory Dream had said that Wang Ya Harak's intuition was exceptionally high, so there must have been other reasons why he chose not to master the Eye of Dreams.

"It seems you have quite a few questions!"

"Yes, Kelan Wizard. I want to know the specific details about the Illusory Dream Garden Secret Realm, and how the Eye of Dreams Witchcraft relates to it."

Wang Ya left more unsaid. 'Her attitude and support are too good, almost as if she's certain I'll place in the top three of the Secret Realm competition without any chance of an accident.'

This was support offered without a Wizard Contract, but there had to be some expected return for her to offer it.

This was what puzzled Wang Ya. 'Isn't Kelan Wizard afraid I might fail?'

"The Illusory Dream Secret Realm is not among the Secret Realm resources belonging to the Dark Land Headquarters, but its value is perhaps higher than any other. It holds infinite possibilities, but also contains unknown dangers."

Kelan Wizard spoke in a leisurely tone, explaining things to Wang Ya as if they were friends.

"Opportunity and danger coexist—I'm sure you understand that. The Eye of Dreams is the very tool needed to discern those dangers. It is an absurd and bizarre world, and without a special pair of eyes, you can't see it for what it truly is."

"Besides, not everyone can enter the Illusory Dream Secret Realm or master the Eye of Dreams. It requires a certain special Potential."

Kelan Wizard's words were pointed. She stared intently at Wang Ya's fair face, as if trying to see something in his expression.

Wang Ya frowned. 'Is she saying I have this Potential?'

Kelan Wizard stood up and said with a light chuckle, "Don't worry, just go and master the Eye of Dreams. It can bring you unexpected rewards. Even Official Wizards long to enter and explore the Illusory Dream Garden Secret Realm."

Back in his Wizard's Residence, Wang Ya continued to ponder the things she had revealed.

He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more going on than he knew.

Deciding not to dwell on it, he went to the mission administration office the next day and received the Advanced Wizard Instruments from Kelan Wizard.

They cost a total of one thousand four hundred Dark Points, which was the equivalent of fourteen thousand Magic Stones.

It was a staggering figure, an astronomical price for a Lower House Wizard.

In the laboratory.

As energy was supplied, the piece of Wizard Technology—a particle bearing instrument—began to activate, emitting waves of Particle Energy that grew from weak to strong.

Finally, all the instrument's indicator lights lit up.

Since he planned to intervene on a more microscopic level, he first needed to understand the cellular structure of the filamentous flesh granules. When they entered the flesh and blood of other organisms, did they directly devour the host's cells? Or did they trick the immune system and bypass cellular self-destruction mechanisms, disguising themselves as native cells to achieve absorption and influence?

Once he figured that out, he could then extract the Extraordinary Properties from within the cells. Through a process of enrichment, cultivation, and implantation, he would introduce them into Harak's flesh and blood to complete a new round of transformation.

Wang Ya had a premonition. This time, he was on the right track and would be able to grasp this particular aspect of Gundas' Dog's Extraordinary Traits.

He no longer needed a balance between the illusory and the real; he just wanted its trait of infinite proliferation and consumption.

Wang Ya's eyes shone with anticipation. 'If this really works, what will Harak become? I can't wait to find out.'

...

「Three more months passed in the blink of an eye.」

Only eleven months remained until the Secret Realm competition.

During this time, Wang Ya also completed his analysis of the sixth Wizard Rune of the Vast Sea Meditation Method, successfully elevating his Spiritual Power and Particle Energy Units to a new level.

He had the distinct feeling that the quality of his Particle Energy was gradually improving. It seemed the full potential of the Vast Sea Meditation Method was finally being unleashed.

[Target: Wang Ya]

[Spiritual Power: 16 (Level 1 Wizard Apprentice)]

[Physique: 12.1]

[Particle Energy: 13.3 Units]

[Wizard Meditation Method: Basic (Nine Runes), Advanced (Six Runes)]

Wang Ya hadn't used any Extraordinary Potions; all this progress came solely from the changes brought about by constructing the Wizard Meditation Method's runes.

This was a good sign. With six Wizard Runes remaining, plus numerous Extraordinary Potions, advancing to Level 2 Wizard Apprentice within eleven months wouldn't be too difficult.

As long as nothing unexpected happened, it was practically a sure thing.

Witchcraft Testing Ground.

A figure in a black Wizard Robe radiated powerful Particle Energy. The surrounding air seemed to ripple as if through an invisible medium, starting to blur and distort.

This was, in fact, Wang Ya using his Extraordinary Spiritual Power and absolute control to shape the Particle Energy.