Chapter 230: Chapter 224: A Pleasant Surprise
Rays of light intertwined, swiftly sketching a clear human figure in mid-air.
Master Mercer’s signature Wizard Robe appeared before Allen, along with his pair of emotionless, blue crystal eyes.
"Allen, have you run into some trouble?" Mercer’s voice was as flat as ever.
Allen bowed slightly in greeting and got straight to the point. "Master, I’ve cleared the Dream-Weaving Demon Spiders from the Crystalized Forest and discovered a very peculiar mineral in the forest’s core."
He stepped aside, revealing the ore sealed in the alchemy cabinet behind him.
"Within its range of influence, my Golems suffered large-scale non-combat damage. Their metal structures were forcibly converted, becoming as fragile as glass," Allen reported concisely, describing the bizarre scene from the battlefield.
Mercer’s gaze fixed on the crystal.
"Discovered in Zone 18?" A rare flicker of emotion entered Mercer’s voice.
"Affirmative."
"What is its area of effect?"
"A single crystal has a radius of five to ten meters. The extent of what lies deep underground has yet to be determined."
Mercer fell silent for a few seconds, seemingly searching through his vast ocean of knowledge.
"Zoom in on the image. Let me see its details."
Allen did as instructed.
As the crystal was magnified to its limit, a blue light flashed in Mercer’s crystal eyes.
"I see..." he began slowly. "Its scientific name is Crystallization Seed."
"Crystallization Seed?" Allen repeated.
"A special crystal that exists somewhere between matter and concept."
Mercer began to explain. "It’s said to continuously emit a low-intensity, reality-interfering wave that forces matter within its range of influence to convert into a stable crystalline state. The overlapping field formed by a concentrated vein is called a Crystallization Field."
"It converts the target’s structure into a crystal lattice on a structural level, which is why your Golems became brittle."
Mercer’s explanation perfectly corroborated Allen’s analysis report.
"This ore... has been discovered for the first time on this plane. However, there are sporadic records of it in some ancient texts."
Mercer’s gaze seemed to pierce through the image to the dangerous forest itself. "If the Crystalized Forest was formed because of this, it means a vein has already formed deep underground."
He looked at Allen. "You are very lucky, Allen. Neither you nor your Golems were directly converted into crystal statues."
A thought struck Allen, and he asked tentatively, "Master, this ’Crystallization Field’... is there any way to block or neutralize it?"
This was the crucial question.
Mercer shook his head.
"I don’t know."
He admitted frankly, "Public research on it is extremely rare. As far as I know, operating within an area covered by a Crystallization Field is highly risky. A ’crystallization zone’ will gradually form around any mining site, affecting Mining Golems and all sorts of equipment. Even using expensive materials only slows down the conversion process."
Allen’s heart skipped a beat.
’Does this mean... there’s no established method for development?’
He clearly caught the gap in his master’s words—Mercer didn’t know of any technology that could directly "neutralize" this Force Field!
’This means...’
’The AT Field, this "gift" from my senior, might be far more valuable than I ever imagined!’
’It’s not just a shield, it’s a key! A key that can unlock the treasure trove of the ’Crystallization Seed,’ a key that even a powerhouse like Mercer knows nothing about!’
’Senior... what an incredible gift you’ve given me!’
He quickly suppressed the wild joy in his heart.
"So, you’re saying there’s currently no solution for mining this mineral?"
"With conventional methods, yes."
Mercer nodded. "But this is also your opportunity. Study it, analyze it, try to tame it. If you can find a low-cost method to counter the Crystallization Field, or develop a unique use for the Crystallization Seed, its value could far exceed your imagination."
"I understand, Master," Allen replied with a nod.
For the time being, he said nothing about the AT Field.
"Good." Mercer seemed to consider the topic closed, changing the subject. "There is one more thing. You need to be on high alert."
"The outpost’s Detection Array has recently picked up several faint energy fluctuations, very similar to the traces left by those Black Wizards." Mercer’s tone turned cold. "After being quiet for so long, those rats hiding in the gutters might be plotting something again."
Allen’s gaze sharpened.
’Black Wizards! Are those freeloaders trying to stir up trouble again?’
"I have a feeling they might launch another attack, perhaps even an all-out war, but they certainly won’t act in the short term."
Allen’s reflection appeared in Mercer’s blue eyes. "Your Zone 18 is in a rather remote location. If you become a target, it will be difficult to get timely assistance."
"I will strengthen our defenses," Allen said in a low voice.
"Defenses are not enough," Mercer said. "Your growth rate is faster than I anticipated. I can teach you the third Witchcraft ahead of schedule."
He paused before issuing a new directive.
"Make preparations soon and come to Forged Fire Fortress. I intend to prematurely bestow upon you the third Core Witchcraft of the Wizard phase. You’ll get started with it, and once your Magic Power level catches up, you can practice it on your own. This way, I won’t be caught without time to teach you should hostilities suddenly break out."
The third Core Witchcraft!
Every Core Witchcraft represented a qualitative leap in a Wizard’s power. The first gave him Jarvis, and the second increased his available Magic Power a thousandfold.
What would the third one be?
According to the normal learning progression, the third Core Witchcraft should have been taught during the later stages of a First-level Wizard.
His master was teaching him ahead of schedule for only one reason: the situation was more grim than he had imagined.
"Understood," Allen said. "I’ll set out in three days."
With a flicker of light and shadow, Mercer’s figure slowly dissipated within the Array.
Allen stood rooted to the spot for a long time.
Crystallization Seed, Black Wizards, the third Core Witchcraft...
A stream of information intertwined and collided in his mind, sketching out a grander and more dangerous vision of the future.
He turned, his gaze falling upon the area named the "Crystalized Forest," his expression growing incredibly profound.
"Jarvis," Allen said, his voice calm and powerful.
"At your service, sir."
"First, designate the ’Crystallization Seed’ as a top-priority research project. Also, construct a new underground laboratory. I will inscribe a large-scale AT Field on its inner walls."
"Second, prepare a batch of Exploration Golems, Mining Golems, and tunnel boring machines. I will install reinforced AT Fields on them, and you will then direct them to open up underground passages."
"Third, plan my trip to Forged Fire Fortress and notify all combat units to raise their operational readiness to the highest level."
The clouds of war were gathering silently on the horizon. Perhaps in a year, perhaps in ten.
And before that storm arrived, he needed to accumulate enough power.
