’I can finally squeeze out a mid-term report...’ Rorschach was both satisfied and dissatisfied with his current results. Writing it up as a paper presented a tricky problem.

If he directly published his findings, especially the core Magic Array, it would be tantamount to giving the Guild the manufacturing technology. The upside was that his Magic proficiency would shoot up, but Rorschach believed that even if he did make it public, he should use it as a bargaining chip to vie for greater benefits.

Outside of Istani, the patent laws of the various countries on the continent were not very well-established. Besides, for Mages, patents were a joke. ’I’ll just use it in secret. What are you gonna do about it?’

So, Rorschach had three paths he could take with his current results:

One, keep it all to himself. He could tinker with it, build it, and use it on his own. But that would make it difficult to report back to the Magic Guild, which was funding him. Moreover, to grind proficiency and raise his Level, he would eventually need to promote his Magic Array and Runes.

Two, he could publicize the device’s design but keep the Magic Array design secret. Even when producing a prototype, he would deliver it with the inner core sealed. This was a viable option. Currently, Rorschach’s Blue Light Barrier was licensed to an Alchemy Workshop for sealed manufacturing. One could only purchase the Crystal Core, not the Scroll. It was mass-produced yet a limited release, and claiming the relevant rights would be highly dependent on the Guild.

Three was the opposite of two. He would only publish the Exile Skill Magic and Magic Array. As long as he could prove it was effective against the Church’s Divine Arts, it would definitely attract a great deal of attention from the Mages—no one would pass up a chance to put the boot to those clerics. In theory, every time the Guild and its subordinate workshops produced a Scroll and inscribed the Magic Array, Rorschach would earn a profit.

The project had gone off-topic since its inception anyway, so he might as well sprint even further in that direction. As for something as significant as developing a "magical version of petroleum," since these Mages who had never experienced an industrial society couldn’t see its immense value, ’I’ll just have to prove it to you all in my own Magic Tower.’

Therefore, Rorschach leaned toward the third option, but he still planned to discuss it with his mentor, Kano. After all, the research would be absolutely impossible without the support of the Tower of Stars. More importantly, as a chief professor and a Great Mage, Kano had a better grasp of the Guild’s political climate. Perhaps he could propose a plan to maximize the benefits. So far, Rorschach’s experience had affirmed his mentor’s character; he probably wouldn’t screw him over.

’Probably not... right?’

"As the foundation of your research, you first need to learn the structure of the Blue Light Barrier Magic Array, and then you can work on optimizing it." Rorschach showed the two Apprentices the Crystal Core before it was sealed. "A standard Crystal Core should be able to be fully activated twelve times. If you exceed that number of uses, the fine cracks around the circuit will greatly diminish its effect or even cause it to shatter."

Simon asked, "Can’t we just learn the Magic directly?"

"If you protect the environment, plant more trees, and that sort of thing, maybe one day you’ll be able to learn the corresponding Magic." Rorschach’s words left the two of them scratching their heads. "In any case, no. From the very beginning, it was developed based on Runes passed down from the Black Forest Elves."

In truth, Rorschach could. It was, after all, a variation of Deryats Forest, just with the form of its "Mapping" altered and the effects of other properties fine-tuned. But just as others needed a blood sacrifice to use it before the "Forest Maiden" was revived, while Rorschach could cast it directly, others could now only activate the Magic Array. Only Rorschach could directly use the corresponding "Magic."

’I wonder if the Mages of the Tower of Forest can use this Magic...’ Rorschach now had a vague feeling that every time the Blue Light Barrier was cast, Deryats must receive some feedback, just as he gained proficiency when his Exile Skill was activated on the device.

"Yes, this part of the circuit has a similar structure to the standard circuit model for the Force Wall Technique. Their function is to deploy a barrier... If you want to buy a Learning Scroll for the Force Wall Technique, you can have me or Master Kano reimburse you, but for no more than two of them..." Rorschach explained to Simon and Philippe.

Fortunately, both of them had taken Professor Poincaré’s class, so they were a little lost, but not completely.

"So, you have two tasks ahead of you. First, study this paper. Read it, digest it, understand it inside and out. Second, learn the Force Wall Technique, then use it as a reference to deconstruct how the Blue Light Barrier’s Magic circuit is drawn. Only when you’ve figured that out can you begin to adjust its deployment method and find the optimal solution for specific needs.

"If you run into problems, go to the Library and consult the materials there first. You need to supplement your knowledge on Magic Arrays and the Shaping Power Energy System. Although both have protective functions, they are fundamentally applications of Energy Bodies."

"Understood. Thank you for your guidance." Philippe was finally convinced. At least this young man from the Empire had a clear thought process and didn’t prattle on about abstruse concepts, instead pointing out exactly how to proceed with the research.

The somewhat impatient Philippe quite liked this straightforward style, which was the opposite of his father, who preferred to plan before acting, with every fiber of his being involved in his calculations.

The next morning, Rorschach found his teacher at the Starlight Torch Tower.

"You haven’t been here in a while," Kano said. As usual, he was enjoying his brunch in a high-end restaurant. Rorschach had already eaten breakfast in the Magic Tower’s cafeteria and only asked the waiter for a cup of tea.

"Well, I can’t afford to eat here often unless you’re treating," Rorschach replied. The previous night, he had reported his current results to Kano and shared his thoughts.

"Sigh. Things don’t always go as planned. It’s good enough that you’ve produced results. As for the utilization of Transmuting Dust... if you want to keep working on it, go ahead. The Guild will probably be more interested in a ’Divine Power Dispersal Technique,’ provided it actually works."

When reporting to Kano, Rorschach hadn’t used the overly intimidating name from his status panel. Instead, he named it "Divine Power Dispersal Technique" based on its current effects. He shook his head and admitted, "I’ve only confirmed that it’s effective against the mixed Divine Power within the Transmuting Dust. We can’t very well go ask the Order Church to verify it for us, can we?" ’That would probably push a Divine Benefactor over the edge.’

"If we’re discreet about it, there might actually be a chance to test it... Are you aware that a large number of Paladins have recently gathered in Valuva?"

"You mentioned it in the report you gave me when I first joined," Rorschach said. ’Is he planning to use the Paladins as guinea pigs?’

Kano sliced the fried egg on his plate into several pieces and pushed the largest one to the side. "The Valuva East Suburb. It’s the largest slum, and it’s still expanding because more and more outsiders are coming looking for work." He drizzled a creamy green sauce over the egg. "The Church suspects that Evil God worship is breeding in that filthy place, so they’re gathering their forces to ’proclaim the Lord’s radiance.’" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"This... isn’t it too risky to test it directly on Paladins?" Rorschach asked. "They’re in the middle of purging a Cult’s forces. If a Mage hides in the shadows and zaps them, disabling their blessed equipment and Divine Arts, and gets discovered? All hell would break loose."

Kano stuck his fork into the egg and waggled it. "Where is your imagination running off to? When the time comes, the blessed armaments the Church mass-produces will definitely flow into the black market. It’s been a tradition since the first Holy Crusade. Those low-level acolytes, and even Priests who are tight on cash, will take the opportunity to make a quick buck. We can just buy a few pieces, can’t we? If you’re lucky, you might even be able to buy a Holy Artifact, though of course, the price will be steep."

The buyers for this kind of stuff were generally only the Nobility. During the Holy Crusades, in order to arm secular forces to fight the Formless God, the Church turned a blind eye. Although the initial intention was good, once that door was opened, it could never be closed. Kano was confident he could find the channels to get his hands on a few of those shiny, golden toys to play with.

"How dare you traffic in blessed armaments?" envoys of justice within the Church had once accused.

The parasites would just snap back, "The Bishop sold them when he was still a Cultivator. If he could sell them, why can’t I? Do you know who’s taking a cut? You’re better off not knowing!" Their tone was threatening, as if to say anyone who got in the way of the Abbot’s business wouldn’t be walking away.

"In an age where the Divine Spirits have fallen silent, even the Church is degenerating..." Rorschach mused, sipping his tea.

"Hah," Kano said with a wave of his hand. "You say that as if those gods were any better. It’s all the same, with or without them."