164 Spirit Forging Magic

Wallace read the introduction of this mysterious method of forging an artifact. He was fully absorbed in learning this Spirit Forging Magic as he forgot to even eat his meals.

Anyway, he was aware that it wouldn't be a problem to skip meals for several days with his Mana Body.

'It heavily relies on magician's constitution. I should be able to learn it if given time but two days might be too tough.' Wallace surmised after he fully comprehended the method. Now, he only had to practice this magic to achieve at least a beginner level. This would allow him to create the most basic 6th generation Mana Artifact included in the memory crystal they consumed.

With all the information he received, he compiled the information and provided it to Avalon as a back up. He even added his own understanding in the matter.

[ Spirit Forging Magic for Sixth Generation ]

[ This magic allows the user to create predetermined items that was perfectly envisioned. This is done by entwining their mana with their aura or life-force turning themselves into a living forge or even a furnace with the correct condition and generally focusing it through the magician's hands for direction so it can easily combine and shape materials into the item envisioned.

Though it seems to be possible to focus it from any point of the magician's body, such as through the mouth for smaller items to leave both hands free, it requires years of practice.

Slaine Allusia's prohibition in this magic is that it is to never be used on a living thing. This does not include things that are long since dead.

It is against the government law for a user of this magic to make counterfeit money made of gold. (Does not count for making an item with gold.) If found out, the Grand Arcanist would act himself against the violator.

Like all the Magic Engineers, the user of Spirit Forging Magic cannot create material for use. They will still require raw materials or whatever they have on hand to produce an item. Spirit Forging Magic only helps in the creation of products but could not create items from nothing.

Spirit Forging Magic is not limited to solid matter alone, other elements such as fire or water can be used as well. ]

[ The magic's appearance is like that of a blue fire but it is not hot once touched so it can't be used for offensive attacks. Spirit Forging is only meant to forge materials and not harm the living. ]

This is the introduction that Wallace placed to record in Avalon's database. Though the full content was still quite long and might take at least 10 pages of standard books.

'I should start now...'

Wallace closed his eyes as he concentrated for a while to begin the first step of learning the magic.

After confirming his stable 'natural' state of AOTL, he started to imprint the magic formula of the spirit forging method to his Mana Body.

Imprinting magic formula to the Mana Body wasn't permanent and if left untouched for several days, it will naturally vanish. This also meant that if they forgot the memories of imprinting method due to the memory crystal losing it's effects, the secret method would remain tightly held by the Cloud Hawk Manor.

It took him half a day to imprint one of the spells required for spirit forging.

'Tsk... this is taking too long. I won't reach the deadline.'

Wallace frowned after realizing his slow progress. At this rate, he might be the one eliminated in this examination.

'I wonder how they're progressing now.' Wallace thought but immediately shook his head.

'I don't have time to worry about them. I have to complete this.'

Apparently, they were required to imprint several magic formulas on their Mana Body before they can begin the forging process. He reviewed the spells to see if there are other options he could use.

[ Mana Spells ]

[ Material Appraisal - spell that was normally used to identify any materials that the magician touched. It will allow the user to determine the material's valuable informations like quality, components, weight, etc. This is not a visual technique but a sensing technique. If mastered to the peak, the user would have limited range when executing the spell allowing the user to use the spell even without touching the material. ]

[ Mage Cover - spell that allows the user to touch materials without being harmed. The protection of the spell has limited power depending on the mastery level of the user. ]

[ Spirit Flame - spell that creates forging flame. ]

[ Living Furnace's Touch - spell that combines materials into the envisioned item of the magician. The spell requires beginner mastery level of the Spirit Flame as activation of the Living Furnace's Touch would make the user's hand be engulfed by the Spirit Flame. ]

[ Living Furnace's Breath -  a spell variation of the Living Furnace's Touch that allows the mage to blow the "Spirit Flames" from their mouth. The spell helps in freeing up the hands of the magician to allow better hold on materials and used in unison with Mage Cover when handling dangerous materials. ]

[ Weapon Artifact Forge - is a specific spell for creating predetermined weapons quickly with many variations to the spell. Such as; - Artifact Forge: Sword - Artifact Forge: Axe - Artifact Forge: Spear. Further advancement of the spell is adding of unique materials into making the weapon. An example would be Fire; Weapon Artifact Forge: Fire Elemental Sword. This would give the blade the elemental power to produce fire to a certain extent depending on the magicians method of forging. ]

[ Soul Imprinting - a Soul Art to imprint mysterious connection to the artifact and the forger. The connection allows the magician to control the Artifact they made. Optional during artifact forging process. ]

[ Spirit Channelling - a Spirit Art that allows the magician to control their aura or life-force to be placed in the artifact. This will allow the artifact to "remember" their structure. As long as the artifact has an aura supplied to their structure, it will rebuild itself even if it was destroyed once given some time. Optional during artifact forging process. ]

Wallace had already analyzed all the information noted to Avalon. The last two spells, Soul Imprinting and Spirit Channelling  were the main reasons that this Spirit Forging Magic was called as 6th generation Mana Artifact's method of creation.

'They perfectly combined Soul Arts of those Idols and Spirit Arts of Mage Doctors...'

Sigh~

Wallace was truly impressed upon seeing the spell in the first time. Soul Arts has mysterious power in terms of magic related to perception, attraction, and manipulation. Spirit Arts has this ability that allows the Mage Doctors to heal or repair any living things. Wallace and Avalon were only aware of  superficial information so he couldn't fully understand but he was fully aware that this Spirit Arts have a lot more secrets just like the Soul Arts.

***

While Wallace was having trouble to comprehend the master the Sprit Forging Magic. The other five were also experiencing the same issue.

Rhine Wimbledon looked exhausted. His meals were left untouched as he doesn't have any mood or leisure to eat due to his crawling progress in achieving the natural state of AOTL.

"Why is this so hard?! I can probably reach that state but I need at least three weeks for that, not three days. There's also this spirit forging method, I wouldn't reach the deadline with this..."

Ren Tao, the foreigner from Maja was also struggling.

"Awakening of Thunder and Lightning, huh. This is tougher than I expected. Sigh... I might have a better chance in convincing the Grand Arcanist at home than to pass this test."

Merlin Hermes, the 13 years old successor of Skywalker Academy's Headmaster was also frowning at this AOTL.

Jared Faust III was also stressing out during this time as he was thinking that all his opponents had probably started learning the Spirit Forging Magic.

It was the same for Tristan White but his mood wasn't that depressing or sad. In his mind, he was still young and have lots of opportunity. He was also aware that the 18 years old magicians he was competing against were all powerful so he doesn't feel so conflicted when he was stucked at learning the natural state of the breathing method. He didn't waste any meal as everytime that it was delivered, he'll immediately eat them to avoid it from getting spoiled.

After the second day of the examination, as they couldn't find a way to reach the natural state in the remaining, their train of thoughts changed.

"Maybe... the exam wasn't to complete the weapon it was asking us. Maybe... we only need to learn as much as we can."

"Hmm... What if the real test was our patience and how to handle the impossible situation?"

"That's right. Sir Slaine must be fully aware that we can't accomplish this. This must be his secret test to us."

"Anyway, I shouldn't be the only one experiencing this problem. Everyone might actually be unable to progress. If that was the case, then the one who will be eliminated would be the one with lesser progress."

As they were backed into the corner. Their thoughts trained to were it was convenient.