The Wizard's Biological Chip Can Process Everything-Chapter 53: Spiritual poison
As the pickaxe echoed its metallic sound against the mine walls, my thoughts were elsewhere.
I reflected on everything I had learned since joining the Sun Mountain Tower.
A Level 1 Acolyte, someone with enough spiritual strength to move energy particles and store them within their body.
It is the beginning of mastery over magical power.
To cast complete spells, one must go further, reaching Level 2, where the creation of spiritual power begins to tangibly improve physical and spiritual stats...
These ideas began to connect as I pondered the information accumulated in the virtual laboratory.
The creation of the first code within my heart seemed to have brought more clarity to these concepts.
—Biochip, run an analysis! I thought, while continuing to dig, my movements automatic, almost mechanical, from repeating the gesture so many times.
["Beep! Analysis complete."]
The biochip’s voice sounded in my mind.
["The entire area around the tower is contaminated with traces of spiritual energy."]
["Just as you saw when you used the enchantment to view magical particles in your room."]
["These particles do not harm a Level 0 Acolyte, but... the highest concentrations of spiritual energy come from Magi and certain experimental materials."]
["Excessive exposure to this energy within the body of a Level 0 Acolyte can be dangerous, causing slow and prolonged poisoning."]
["This is a disease that will overwhelm the weak who lack resistance."]
I swallowed hard as a chill ran down my spine.
My hands trembled and I nearly dropped the pickaxe.
—What are you doing? Did you find something? Charlotte’s voice pulled me back to reality. She was behind me, her expression slightly curious.
I took a deep breath to compose myself before answering.
—Unfortunately, I didn’t find anything. I’m just a little tired of this mining routine.
She shrugged, muttering something about me being soft, before returning to mining without paying much attention to my reply.
When she went back to work, I raised my hand and wiped the sweat from my forehead with the back of it.
Just as I expected!
There are no ordinary humans in this entire academy...
My eyes scanned the rocky mine walls, but my mind was focused on other thoughts.
First, the location of this tower—it is so high that it stands above the common blue sky.
Second, the spiritual effects emitted by Magi and Acolytes.
For an ordinary human being, living here would be the equivalent of breathing poison every day.
They would not last more than a few years in this corrosive environment.
Miguel’s face came to mind, followed by Marcelina’s.
They are constantly immersed in spiritual energy.
Their bodies endure it because they are already beyond the level of a common Acolyte.
But for us, Level 0 Acolytes, it is like living beneath a blade that cuts slowly.
I frowned as I made a connection.
According to the energy readings I received from the biochip, a Mage is literally a mobile source of spiritual poison.
Each of them is like a generator of corrosive energy.
So... did they use controlled spiritual poison to advance?
Is that what separates Magi from Acolytes?
The idea was disturbing, but not dismissible.
No matter what it takes.
I need to hurry.
Becoming a Level 1 Acolyte is no longer just a goal; it is a necessity. The longer I take, the greater the accumulated damage to my body.
With that thought, my determination solidified.
I swung the pickaxe with greater force.
.
.
.
.
The past few days have been a mixture of exhausting labor, intense learning, and discreetly seized opportunities.
Every day, I reported to Miguel’s laboratory for the grueling mining routine, spending hours breaking rocks and collecting fragments that, most of the time, did not even contain ore.
However, even during that mechanical work, I kept my mind active, planning my next steps.
It was during this period that I met Mateo, Miguel’s genius apprentice.
He was a peculiar figure—short, chubby, and almost entirely introverted.
His dedication to engineering was evident, but his interaction with other acolytes was minimal.
Perhaps that is what makes him so efficient.
Mateo’s discipline and focus were something I admired.
However, my method was different—learn, teach, and, whenever possible, profit from it.
After the mornings in the mine, the rest of my time was spent attending the free public classes in the tower.
That was where I absorbed as much knowledge as possible.
Even so, the instructors were... disappointing.
They all seemed bitter, as if teaching were a burden to them.
At least I have the biochip, I consoled myself more than once.
The ability to record and review lessons whenever I wanted was my greatest advantage.
While other Acolytes struggled to keep up, I was already refining and replicating every concept in the comfort of my dormitory.
One of those classes, about the basic principles of enchanted steam as an energy source, sparked complaints from William, a fellow freshman.
—Today’s topic was really difficult! I hate having to understand all this stuff about heat, pressure, and how they convert into motion, he muttered, clearly frustrated.
I shrugged, keeping my tone casual.
—There’s no choice. Engineering is a broad field, full of details. If we don’t learn the basics, we won’t be able to move on to the more interesting parts.
He sighed, but seemed to accept my answer.
—How do you do it, Eduard? he asked, half-joking. —It’s like you have a machine in your head. Ever since I met you, I feel like I’m very slow compared to you. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖
—Oh, not at all, I replied, hiding my secret behind a smile. —I used to read a lot when I still lived with my parents. In my father’s homeland, reading was something I valued. Maybe that helped me memorize things easily.
He laughed and, without wasting time, made me an offer.
—Could you teach me after class? I’ll pay you with a magic crystal!
I smiled inwardly.
—Sure. We can schedule one hour a day, right after dinner. That’s the only time I have left; the other slots are already taken by students I’m helping. How about a week of lessons?
He agreed immediately, and that was how I began my tutoring sessions with William.
After dinner, I went to William’s dormitory, where we reviewed the engineering concepts covered in class.
My approach was straightforward, patiently explaining and answering his questions.
When we finished, he seemed satisfied—and I was even more satisfied.
The magic crystal he handed me felt light in my palm, but I knew the value it held.
Then I returned to my room.
Sitting on my bed, I played with the magic crystal between my fingers as I reflected.
Helena was the only woman who accepted my teachings.
That is why I had to use a different method with her.
The others, like William, follow a more traditional approach, without physical contact.
I poured the contents of the pouch hanging at my waist onto the bed.
Ten magic crystals rolled out, faintly glowing under the room’s light.
A smile spread across my face.
In just half a month, I had already gathered ten crystals.
It isn’t much, but considering I’m new here, it’s a good start—and enough to buy the materials I need to make Pleasure Powder.
I carefully stored the magic crystals back into the pouch and tied it securely.
Looking around my room, I took a deep breath and smiled.
—Time to shine!
I told myself before stepping out, walking firmly with an ambitious gleam in my eyes. My destination?
The trading post.
When I arrived, the sight that greeted me was one of organized chaos.
The trading outpost was enormous, occupying the entire area beside the mission zone.
Acolytes of various levels and ages moved between the stalls, negotiating fervently.
Some argued over prices, others enthusiastically displayed their products, and a few simply observed, silently calculating their next moves.
A nearby group caught my attention.
—You’ve got to be kidding! a tall, skinny Acolyte shouted, holding a small vial of greenish liquid. —Seven magic crystals for this potion? Do you think we’re idiots? That thing’s worth five at most!
The stall owner, an Acolyte with scars across his face, let out a dry laugh.
—Five crystals? Do you think I’m selling river water? This is a high-purity vigor potion, friend. If you want something cheaper, go take a look at that filthy stall in the corner!
Another Acolyte, shorter and sturdier, stepped in.
—If it’s really high purity, then prove it! Take a sip and show us you’re not cheating us!
The vendor narrowed his eyes.
—Do I look stupid? This potion is far too potent to drink just like that. Besides, I don’t need to prove anything to you. Seven crystals or walk away!
The skinny Acolyte scoffed and tossed the vial back onto the stall.
—Forget it! I’ll find someone more reasonable.
He stormed off, clearly frustrated, while the vendor crossed his arms, unconcerned.
I continued walking through the market, observing every detail.
Despite the chaos, one thing became clear—there were no Magi present.
Everyone there was an Acolyte like me, struggling to survive and advance.
....
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