Inside Fortress No. 13, Lynn's figure appeared in a spacious room.
While the room wasn't exactly luxurious, within the confines of this massive war machine, possessing such a private space was already a rare privilege.
The space measured several dozen square meters not particularly large, but complete in every aspect.
A bedroom, a bathroom, a study, a laboratory… everything one might need was there. Each area was arranged with a clear sense of practicality and precision, balancing both daily life and academic research.
In an environment like the war fortress, where resources were tight, it was unthinkable for an ordinary First-level Wizard to have a room like this. Accommodations of this level were typically reserved for mid-level managers or above.
Most First-level Wizards, while not necessarily crammed into communal barracks, could only dream of enjoying such a space alone.
Lynn's current treatment far exceeded his actual rank.
There was no doubt his intel had paid off!
Lynn walked over to his desk and lightly pressed a button on the wall.
Instantly, a vivid projection of a cerulean sky came into view. Gentle sunlight spilled in, and drifting clouds slowly moved across the scene, as if it were a bright and clear day in some distant world.
Deep within the war fortress, there was no way to see the real sky but the illusion was so lifelike that it could easily fool the mind, making one feel as though they were truly standing beneath a vast open sky.
Lynn squinted slightly, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint smile as he murmured to himself:
"Looks like… my intel did fetch some real value."
His gaze deepened as he recalled how, not long ago, he had handed over that fragment of stone infused with the power of the shattered Azure Sky Spirit.
After undergoing multiple levels of verification, his theories had proven to be of great value so much so that his status had undergone a dramatic transformation.
Vincent and Millie, the two mechanical engineers, had immediately "poached" him from the combat unit and reassigned him to the technical department.
In other words
He was no longer a "warrior" pushed onto the front lines, but now a "technician" stationed within the war fortress!
When the next full-scale war broke out, he wouldn't need to charge into battle and gamble his survival on luck!
At the thought of this, Lynn's smile grew a little wider.
However, his expression quickly returned to calm.
"But… whether they can develop something useful from it I wouldn't bet on it."
A flicker of thought passed through Lynn's eyes.
There was no doubt that the intel he'd provided was highly valuable but the way he had presented it was also carefully calculated.
He had emphasized that the fragment imbued with mysterious power was something he had obtained under extraordinarily complex battlefield conditions.
On that battlefield…
There had been powerful spells cast by the Goddess of the Weave, lingering energy from divine artifacts, and chaotic energy currents caused by the self-destruction of the Otherworld Purification Device…
All those chaotic elements intertwined to form a completely unrepeatable environment.
In other words, even if Vincent and Millie threw themselves into the research with everything they had, they might never be able to recreate the phenomenon.
And for Lynn, that was the best possible outcome.
Regardless of whether they succeeded in producing any results, his goal had already been achieved.
He had temporarily escaped the dangers of the battlefield and secured a safer place to stand.
Letting out a soft breath, Lynn leaned back in his chair, finally allowing himself a moment of relief.
At least for now, he no longer had to worry about the threats outside…
And he finally had the chance to calm his mind and think about matters that truly belonged to him.
"How great is the gap between a First-level and a Second-level Wizard?
If we use our influence over the Azure Sky Spirit… could we perhaps turn that otherworldly creature, 'Qi', to our site and use it to absorb spiritual power, breaking through to become a Second-level Wizard… or even ascend to a higher realm?"
Lynn narrowed his eyes slightly, his fingers lightly tapping the desk, his expression pensive as he murmured inwardly.
It seemed like he was talking to himself, but in truth, he was communicating with the "Will of the Maple Tree" within the Azure Sky Spirit.
The true level of the Maple Tree remains a mystery to this day.
It had never revealed it of its own accord, and Lynn had yet to glimpse its full depth.
But one thing was certain: it was at least at the Morning Star level.
When it came to the classification of wizard ranks especially in the early stages of advancement the Maple Tree possessed profound understanding.
Just as Lynn was deep in thought, a calm voice echoed in his mind. It was, unmistakably, the Maple Tree responding.
"Previously, through that golden scale, we completed a trade. You obtained knowledge from me regarding the difference between First- and Second-level Wizards…"
"But there are some truths that were not included in that transaction yet they have a profound influence on your cultivation…"
Upon hearing this, Lynn's gaze shifted slightly. Before he could reply, the Maple Tree asked a question of its own:
"Based on what you currently know, how many levels do you believe the 'Morning Star Wizard' realm consists of?"
The sudden question caught Lynn slightly off guard.
But he quickly gathered his thoughts and answered:
"There should be three levels, right? Fourth-level Morning Star, Fifth-level Morning Star, and Sixth-level Morning Star Wizards."
His guess wasn't without reason.
The Apprentice stage was divided into three levels: First-, Second-, and Third-level Apprentice.
The Official Wizard stage followed the same pattern: First-, Second-, and Third-level Wizard.
Following this logic, the Morning Star level was likely also divided into three ranks.
Hearing Lynn's response, the Maple Tree's voice stirred slightly, as if with a trace of approval.
"Correct."
"The Morning Star realm is indeed divided into three stages."
"In the wizard world's power hierarchy, every third step marks a qualitative transformation."
"For example, breaking through from Third-level Apprentice makes one an Official Wizard."
"And breaking through from Third-level Grand Wizard brings one into the Morning Star level…"
"In other words, the true metamorphosis occurs after every third level!"
"Each time a three-level cycle is completed, it signals the beginning of a brand new phase triggering a profound change."
"Within the same major realm, each small advancement does strengthen you but the degree of improvement is nothing compared to stepping into a new realm."
Lynn fell into thought, a clear path rapidly forming in his mind.
So, while the gap between First- and Second-level Wizards was real, it was nothing like the chasm between a Third-level Grand Wizard and a Morning Star Wizard.
It was similar to the apprentice stage First-, Second-, and Third-level Apprentices differed, but they were all within the same category.
However, the jump from a Third-level Apprentice to an Official Wizard was a leap in lifeform, a qualitative evolution almost a transformation at the species level.
"I see…"
Lynn's gaze grew deeper. His fingers tapped lightly on the table as he murmured with a thoughtful smile at the corners of his lips.
If that was truly the case, then he no longer needed to worry about the danger of advancing too quickly and destabilizing his foundation.
That said, when it came to seizing the Goddess's faith, Lynn could only be patient and wait.
Even though he was fully prepared, that operation still depended on the otherworldly creature taking the initiative to reach out. Only then could he take action.
Until then, the only thing he could do… was focus on cultivating and growing stronger.
....
Time flowed quietly as a month passed by in silence.
During this period, Vincent and Millie became frequent visitors of Lynn's. The two often sought him out to discuss matters related to mechanical science.
Both of them held high-ranking positions in the war fortress figures of considerable status.
Under normal circumstances, people of their standing would never bother to engage so regularly with an "ordinary" wizard scholar.
But the problem was… what Lynn had offered was simply too astonishing an irresistible temptation!
If they could mass-produce that special substance he had provided, it could completely nullify the greatest weapon of the Goddess of the Weave: the Weave itself!
For mages who relied on the Weave to cast spells, this would be nothing short of a death sentence.
However, the real issue lay in the limited quantity of the substance.
Currently, all they had was a tiny piece, no larger than a fingernail.
Although repeated experiments had confirmed its effectiveness, achieving mass production let alone widespread use on the battlefield remained an extremely difficult challenge.
It was precisely because of this that Millie and Vincent, despite their long-standing disagreements, made the unprecedented decision to set aside their conflicts and join forces to fully devote themselves to unlocking the material's secrets.
And Lynn, quite naturally, became the third member of the research team.
Of course, when it came to the knowledge of mechanical science, Lynn was worlds apart from these two master-level engineers.
If Millie and Vincent were like learned university professors, then Lynn was at best a beginner he hadn't even constructed a complete theoretical framework yet.
Every time they discussed something, the complex theories and jargon made Lynn feel like he was listening to an alien language.
Fortunately, Lynn wasn't an ordinary person.
With his "Heaven Rewards Diligence" talent, he could rapidly make up for his shortcomings, no matter how far behind he started.
At first, he could barely follow the conversation and could only listen silently from the side.
But as time went on, his understanding and ability to learn began to shine through.
Gradually, he even started to offer unique insights at critical moments.
To Millie and Vincent's surprise, Lynn's ideas often sparked inspiration just when they were stuck in a dead end.
On several key occasions, his input was so eye-opening that both masters couldn't help but applaud, and began to truly look at him in a new light.
They had to admit: this young man truly was a genius in the field of mechanical science!
Perhaps Lynn didn't have the age or centuries of research experience that they, as two- to three-hundred-year-old wizards, possessed.
But his keen observation, sharp thinking, and extraordinary intuition were rare and incredibly valuable talents.
These qualities were far more important than simple textbook knowledge of mechanics.
As long as he had enough time to fully absorb and internalize the theoretical foundations, Lynn was bound to become a major figure in the field one day.
At first, Vincent and Millie might have only intended to involve Lynn in discussions related to the "Weave-blocking" project against the goddess.
But as time passed, they came to realize that Lynn's unique way of thinking often led to unexpected breakthroughs.
As a result, they began to include him in discussions beyond just the project, bringing him into broader mechanical research as well.
And through this continuous exchange, Lynn also gained immensely.
After all, he wasn't just interacting with any random mechanical scholar these were two master-level figures who had immersed themselves in the field for over a century!
Through this frequent intellectual exchange, Lynn's understanding of mechanical science improved by leaps and bounds.
It was, without a doubt, a win-win situation.
With Lynn's "Heaven Rewards Diligence" talent, Vincent and Millie were able to approach several previously stubborn problems from entirely new angles.
At the same time, Lynn was rapidly absorbing the experience and wisdom of the two mechanical masters through his unique gift!
One day, in the laboratory
Lynn, Millie, and Vincent were gathered around a massive data model, deep in discussion.
Even though the model had already been scaled down over a hundred times, it still appeared colossal.
If it were at full scale, it would probably be even taller than an adult dragon!
The name of this mechanical construct was boldly displayed: Titan-Class Automaton, also known as the Titan Giant.
It was one of the core creations of the "Self-Enhancement" school one of the two major development paths among mechanical mages.
Wizards could directly enter and operate the Titan Giant from within.
Even the most basic model possessed combat capabilities far surpassing a third-level Grand Mage.
Although it was still no match for a Morning Star-level wizard, on the battlefield, it was undoubtedly a weapon of mass destruction!
At the highest strategic meeting of War Fortress No. 13, it was ultimately decided that the upcoming war plan would center around the approach led by Wizard Vincent.
This wasn't because Millie's mechanical swarm strategy had any major flaws rather, it was due to the game-changing effect of the mysterious material Lynn had brought.
Millie's mechanical swarm was certainly threatening on the battlefield, but it couldn't fully utilize that small piece of extraordinary material.
In contrast, if the substance were embedded into a Titan Giant, the effect it could unleash would far exceed expectations!
Thus, the Titan Giant became the centerpiece of Fortress No. 13's next phase of tactical deployment.
Back in the lab, the discussion continued.
In the distance, several scholar-type wizards moved back and forth, adjusting parameters on the Titan Giant's model to ensure optimal combat readiness.
But then
The entire laboratory was suddenly bathed in a blinding red light!
An urgent broadcast rang out across the space:
"Enemy movement detected! High alert! Enemy movement detected! High alert! All departments prepare for combat! For the next 24 hours, full maximum alert status!"
The sudden turn of events instantly darkened the expressions of both Vincent and Millie.
Without hesitation, they immediately dismissed the research team and hurried toward the command room at the top of the war fortress.
Lynn also exited the lab, moving through the interior of the fortress. Wizards rushed past in all directions, their faces grim and focused.
All manner of mechanical golems were also moving through the corridors, transporting various combat supplies.
War was imminent. The entire fortress had suddenly come alive, like a massive beast preparing to open its eyes and bare its savage fangs, ready to devour all in its path!
Feeling the tension in the air, Lynn couldn't help but feel a touch of relief:
"Good thing I'm not a combatant right now…"
But just as that thought crossed his mind, a hooded, fully cloaked figure came straight at him.
Lynn frowned slightly and moved to step aside, but the figure deliberately lunged toward him pressing directly into his arms.
"A… woman?"
Lynn was startled by the soft, delicate body against him only to hear a calm, emotionless voice:
"Tonight. Be ready."
That voice was unmistakably Qi's.
Lynn's eyes lit up instantly. It was finally time to harvest more faith energy! And this time, with Maple Tree acting as an insider…
Could he break through to a second-level wizard in one go?
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