Unaware of the approaching danger, the Alchemy Department was still celebrating.

This was especially true for the man behind it all, Rorschach Mage, who was currently reveling in the fruits of his labor.

As the large-scale Collector was turned on and continued to run, the proficiency for [Rorschach’s Divine Exile Technique] on his panel was steadily increasing.

’It increases by about one point every five minutes. If the proficiency log on the panel had an animation, it would probably look like the numbers on a water meter slowly ticking over.’ Rorschach did a quick mental calculation. If the machine could run continuously, he could probably unlock the next stage in about three months.

’If a second, a third... if more units were built, I could speed up my progress even more.’ But the cost was astronomical, enough for Rorschach to temporarily dismiss the idea of installing a similarly-spec’d device in his own future Magic Tower.

’The project’s progress has been frighteningly smooth, and its final implementation was only possible because the Alchemy Department put in a tremendous effort and invested massive resources.’ Rorschach had considered issues like intellectual property and patents before, but his research was built on the foundation of Kano’s work. Plus, without the support of the Tower of Stars and the Guild, this "reactor" before him would have never been born.

’This is good enough. I’ve developed a proven design. If it can be widely adopted, it won’t just increase the proficiency of my peculiar spell, it will change...’

"This will change the entire world!" By a strange coincidence, Snow voiced the very thought in Rorschach’s mind. He held up a Concentrated Purple Potion as if it were Jade Dew, and many others raised their cups with him. "I propose that we have the inventor and designer of this great creation, honorary member of the Alchemy Department, and Middle Level Mage, Rorschach, say a few words!"

After downing the Potion in one go, Snow started to applaud. Rorschach realized Snow truly had what it took to lead the Alchemy Department, like an almost neurotic creative passion that had driven his team of old-timers to whip up Unit One in just twenty days. ’In my past life, that kind of speed would have been unthinkable.’

"Since Department Head Snow has asked me to say a few words, I’ll just say..."

Rorschach hadn’t yet figured out his wording. ’Should I thank everyone for grinding my proficiency score for me?’ He was about to cough to stall for time when he felt the Ether in the environment begin to fluctuate.

’Is something wrong with the machine? No, that’s not it. There’s a spatial fluctuation, too...’

"Intrusion! We have an intruder!" Snow roared. The others reacted as if facing a formidable enemy; some Mages bolted for the door, while others held their positions, terrified that the device’s operation would be affected.

A spatial rift tore open, and a Great Mage with a dark expression stepped out. "No wonder I couldn’t find anyone in the research building. So you’ve all been hiding down here!"

"Master Kano, how did you locate us? Who did you plant a tracker on? This is an invasion of privacy! A violation!" Snow yelled defiantly.

"You didn’t shield this place properly. It’s become an Ether node, plain as day to my [Arcane Vision]," Kano said grouchily, striding toward Rorschach and Snow. Amid the chaos in the basement, the sound of armored footsteps suddenly echoed, growing louder and closer.

A head in a metal helmet peeked through the doorway, saw the glaring Kano, and immediately retracted, heading back toward the basement of the Starlight Torch Tower.

"Remote control... a Demonic Puppet... You lot really spared no expense. The frame must have used a good amount of Mithril, didn’t it?"

Rorschach felt he should step forward at this crucial moment to help the members of the Alchemy Department. He calmly greeted the Great Mage, "Master, you’re here."

"So you do remember you’re my student! You get so busy you don’t even report your progress. I can never even find you!" 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"We’ve been underground for safety..." Rorschach winked at Snow, questioning him via [Communication Skill], "You didn’t tell Kano?"

"You’re his student. I thought you would," Snow replied.

"And I thought you’d already filed a report." ’So, the Alchemy Department has just been digging up the basement without telling the higher-ups.’

Kano’s anger subsided somewhat. He walked over to the running machine and looked it over. "So this is the finished product?"

"Unit One. It can now fully support the Ether demands of the research building and the Starlight Torch Tower..."

The Great Mage nodded. "Progress has been swift. You’ve all worked hard." His gaze landed first on Rorschach, then swept over the members of the Alchemy Department. He patted the railing. "As the Chief Mage of the Tower of Stars, I promise all of you that starting next month, your salaries will increase by ten percent."

"Thanks, Boss!" "Alright!" "I can finally get a new carriage..." The applause was far more enthusiastic than before.

Kano held up his hands to quiet them. "However, whose idea was it to light up the outer walls of the Starlight Torch Tower? That person isn’t getting a raise!"

With that, he turned to leave, calling Rorschach to come with him.

In the corridor leading back to the research building, Kano asked Rorschach for the details about the device. "Regarding the research on the ’Divine Power Dispersal Technique,’ the Elder Council has made a final decision not to publish it. However, your contribution will be remembered, and the related materials will be sealed under the Guild’s highest level of clearance."

Rorschach remembered that the device also used that technology. "But the Magic Array from the ’Divine Power Dispersal Technique’ is a prerequisite for collecting and using Transmuting Dust."

"Deconstructing a Magic Array isn’t so easy. Even a Great Mage, if they aren’t an expert in fields like symbology and magic array architecture, would just be looking at a black box when faced with your Runes."

’If it were really so easy that anyone could learn it at a glance, then Learning Scrolls wouldn’t need to exist. Besides, this Magic already involves a symbolic component that points directly to Rorschach, making it exponentially harder to decipher.’

"So, there are no major obstacles to promoting the Transmuting Dust collection technology. Of course, whether or not to make it public is ultimately up to you."

"I’ll need to consider it carefully..."

"Good. There’s no rush."

They returned to the research building, and at Kano’s signal, Rorschach led him to his personal research lab. The prototype had already served its purpose. The tower-cauldron stood open, its Mithril receiving components having been salvaged long ago.

The most valuable items now were the finished blueprints and design specifications that Rorschach had personally drawn up in his lab.

Master Kano pulled up a chair and sat down. "So, your current project is complete, and you’ve certainly left your mark on the Tower of Stars. What are your plans for the future?"

Before Rorschach could answer, he added, "I’m not trying to chase you away. I’m reminding you that a personal Magic Tower isn’t built in a day. You need to start planning early so the Guild and we at the Tower of Stars can begin the preliminary work."

This led right into what Rorschach had wanted to discuss with Kano. "A classmate of mine is getting married in Bayern this May, and I plan to head to the Bayern Kingdom beforehand to scout locations for my future Magic Tower."

"Have you made up your mind?"

"I’ll decide after I’ve scouted some locations in Bayern," Rorschach replied, careful not to commit completely. "I plan to leave as soon as I’ve wrapped things up here. During that time, would it be okay for Pascal to substitute for me in the High Master’s class?"

"Fine. But you have quite a bit to wrap up. The day after tomorrow, you’ll come with me to the Guild’s Royal Capital Headquarters."

"What for?" ’It’s been a while since I last set foot in the place where Pascal used to work.’

"What I said before about the Guild remembering your contribution wasn’t just empty talk. Based on the quality of your achievements, the Elder Council and the Assessment Council have jointly decided to grant you the title of Tier Five Mage and the Moon-Clutching Stork Medal."

The Moon-Feeding Stork is the highest symbolic totem of art, wisdom, and Magic in the desert regions. Legend tells of the stork flying over the Netherworld to bring the secrets of alchemy and death to this world. The crescent moon it clutches symbolizes the very origin of Magic Power.