As Zack flipped through the pages of the book, his mind was blown. So, this is what they mean by "fast".

Over the years, Zack, like any other spell master, had delved deep into the theory behind spell patterns. In Zack’s book, the golden rule for crafting a spell was its casting speed – if he couldn't cast it in a snap, it wasn't worth his time.

Following this mantra, Zack meticulously structured his spell patterns to be the epitome of efficiency. He figured out that it made more sense to create symbol A before symbol B, or to link symbols B and C together for smoother casting. And so, he went on, tweaking and refining his patterns.

Here's the kicker: in his quest for speed, Zack inadvertently or inevitably stumbled upon a hidden method or pattern within his spell patterns. It was subtle, like a whisper in the wind, but after countless repetitions, he had unknowingly mastered it.

To outsiders, like those who glanced at his level 3 spell pattern, the arrangement seemed like a jumbled mess. It didn't adhere to the conventional structure of level 2 spells, leaving them scratching their heads in confusion.

But as Zack read over the level 3 spell pattern in his hands, he had a gut feeling that the arrangement wasn't just for show – in fact it was all about efficiency. And boy, did the author take it to the next level of insanity, prioritizing efficiency while still packing a punch.

And there it was, Zack simply flicked his hand and bam! A spell pattern spanning a hundred meters materialized in an instant. Despite its quick casting time, Zack sensed that its power was at most on par with a level 2 spell – at least, if anyone else cast it.

He infused mana into the pattern to activate it, summoning forth a majestic lightning bird. This spell was a level 3 spin-off of the top-tier level 2 spell known as [Thunderbird]. Zack couldn't help but notice how the lightning within the bird flowed with such efficiency, surpassing its original counterpart by leaps and bounds.

Controlling the lightning bird felt like an extension of himself; it zipped from one corner of the room to another in the blink of an eye. Its speed almost rivaled even Zack's own when he used [Triple Enhancement].

Yep, this bird was freakin' fast. In fact, it was so speedy that its firepower soared beyond the confines of a mere level 2 spell, reaching what Zack deemed as level 3-worthy intensity.

This part of the spell, the one that ramped up its speed, was a bit tricky for Zack to pinpoint. After all, he wasn't in the habit of creating spells solely for speed – he preferred a balanced approach such as explosion, stability, etc. But with his peak understanding and solid foundation, he managed to catch onto it, unlocking the spell's full potential.

In Zack’s eyes, this spell was flawless, the epitome of the concept of “fast”. His mind was buzzing with enlightenment, but he knew he couldn't afford to lose this newfound understanding. So, without hesitation, he cracked open another spell book.

For the next week, he was holed up in his room like a mad scientist. His hair was a mess, plastered with sweat and dust. His face was greasy, and he sported deep panda eyes, bloodshot from endless nights of reading and practice. He even forgot to cast [Clean] on himself.

But instead of wearing the signs of exhaustion, Zack's eyes grew brighter with each passing day. And finally, on the seventh day, he shattered the veil that had been obscuring him from the next level of spell patterns.

As the final piece of the puzzle fell into place, time seemed to slow down in Zack’s perception. Closing his eyes, he felt his soul and mana cores resonating, sending ripples through the fabric of reality.

When he opened his eyes again, the world looked different. Everywhere he looked, he saw intricate connections of "concepts" woven together, like an endless ocean surrounding him. Feeling the concepts dance and collide around him, Zack let himself be swept away by the flow.

And with that realization, Zack found himself floating in mid-air, his hair and robe billowing around him. It was a feeling of absolute freedom, as if a veil had been lifted from his eyes, revealing the unseen forces that governed his movements. He could now control those forces – the very concepts themselves – or allow his body to be guided by them.

This sensation was unlike anything he'd experienced before. Unlike merely sensing concept fluctuations, Zack now directly saw the concepts themselves. While he and other level 2 powerhouses could "feel" a concept, they couldn't see it. But now, with his newfound enlightenment, he could perceive them with his own eyes, it was like a whole new world opening up before him.

He experimented with this newfound ability, reaching out to the only concept he could grasp, the concept of "fast". Instantly, he felt a surge of power coursing through him, and everything within a one-meter radius obeyed his command, including the mana itself.

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Little did Zack realize, his manipulation of concepts and creation of a domain sent ripples through the very fabric of reality, extending beyond the confines of mana. These ripples penetrated the concealment formation he had set up, which could only hide fluctuations of mana or disturbances in the air, sound, and physical vibrations – but not concepts.

As the ripple of concept stirred the fabric of reality, it reverberated throughout the entire tower. Sir Cedric, dozing at his desk, snapped awake with a start. Lady Evangeline, engrossed in her paperwork, dropped her pen in surprise.

Both Sir Cedric and Lady Evangeline shared the same thought as they bolted out of their respective rooms: "Fluctuation of concepts nearby?!" Racing through the corridors, they tracked the source until they stood in front of the door leading to Zack’s floor, where they bumped into each other. In that brief moment, their eyes spoke volumes, conveying a mix of confusion and anticipation.

Entering the hallway, they hesitated, not because they were unsure where to go – they could easily follow the fluctuation of concepts to its origin – but because of a sign on the door. "Please Wait Here After Entering, Someone Will Come to Guide You," it read, with an added caveat written in a smaller size: "If No One Arrives Within 15 Minutes, Please Return Another Time."

Speechless, they exchanged incredulous glances. Who treated guests like this? What if they were important figures? But then again, in this tower, Sir Zack reigned supreme.

Disobeying rules set by a level 3 powerhouse? That was practically a death sentence! Evangeline and Cedric valued their lives too much for that. After enduring a tense five minutes, their relief was palpable when an apprentice finally arrived to usher them in. And who else but Fannie, her hair and eyes now tinted brown from magical dye, greeted them at the door.

Evangeline and Cedric quickly reined in their mana and aura. They recognized the girl – the only assistant Zack allowed on his floor. Who would believe Zack had no special relationship with her? Intimidating a girl connected to a level 3 powerhouse? That was practically a death sentence! So, they plastered on smiles, though they probably looked more constipated than cheerful, much to Fannie's dismay.

But Fannie, bless her soul, still greeted them with a smile, ever polite. "Can I assist you with something?" she asked.

"We were hoping to speak with Sir Zack, if possible," they replied.

"Unfortunately, he's been in seclusion for the past week and hasn't emerged yet. Is it urgent? I can pass along any message right away," Fannie offered.

Evangeline and Cedric exchanged knowing looks. "I knew it, he must've experienced some sort of enlightenment or something." they thought, but their blood ran cold when they caught the rest of Fannie's sentence.

"No, no, it's not urgent at all," they hurriedly assured her, their tone practically dripping with deference. "Just tell Sir Zack we'd like to meet whenever he's available."

Politely excusing themselves, they scurried out of the floor, leaving Fannie utterly puzzled. "Aren't they on equal footing with Sir Zack? Why do they act like he's their master and they're the slaves?" she wondered, shaking her head. "Ah well, I have to go back to making dinner, just in case the teacher decides to leave his practice room today and needs something to eat."

Yes, Fannie was busy cooking. If she was practicing or studying spells, she wouldn't have left to greet guests. Zack had assigned her the task of receiving temporary visitors to the floor, as he was still searching for another apprentice to handle the job. However, Zack often forgot about this task since it wasn't very urgent, given the rarity of visitors to his floor.

So, Fannie had held onto this job for quite a while now, but Zack always made it clear that she should only entertain guests when it suited her schedule.

Meanwhile, inside Zack's practice room, the young wizard with silver hair floated, slowly rotating as he delved into his thoughts. "Is this the Domain that only level 3 powerhouses could possess? But why is it so small?" he mused, feeling a pang of disappointment as he remembered the vast domains of the saintess and the grand paladin – 500 meters and 800 meters in radius, respectively.

Still, he tried to look on the bright side. At least he had a domain of his own now. It meant he wouldn't be completely at the mercy of level 3 powerhouses if he ever found himself in their domains. And he refused to believe he had already entered the realm of a level 3 wizard.

"Hmm... what's the secret sauce that sets level 3 powerhouses apart from us level 2 folks?" he pondered, reflecting on his encounters with the saintess and the grand paladin. The thought of the saintess stirred a twinge of discomfort in his mind and a slight upset stomach, but he managed to push the feeling aside.

"Ah, the sigil!" Zack exclaimed inwardly. Trying to recall its appearance, he found he couldn't quite grasp its shape. It was like a manifestation of destruction, yet there was an underlying sense of harmony and beauty to it. Reflecting on it, he realized that back then, as a "normal" level 2 wizard, he lacked the ability to see the sigil's true form – the concept eluded him. Now, he was confident he could perceive it if it were presented before him.

"Oh well, there must be some record of it in the library," he thought to himself. "I just haven't read enough level 3 books yet."

Shifting his focus back to his domain, he pondered its limitations. "Are there any restrictions on this thing? Like how long it can last?" he wondered. He sensed there might be other uses for the domain, but decided to explore them later. Right now, he was starving.

Deactivating his domain, Zack became acutely aware of his body's needs. His stomach rumbled loudly, reminding him of his hunger. He cast [Clean] on himself and made his way to the kitchen.

Sure, he could survive without food by sustaining himself with mana. But hunger was a natural sensation, even for wizards. Ignore it for a couple of weeks and it would fade away, allowing him to go without food for months. Level 1 wizards could even endure a month-long fast, a practice commonly adopted to maximize practice time.

"At least, that's what the fun fact book claimed," Zack thought wryly. Who in their right mind would sacrifice food for the sake of practice? But then, he sighed, realizing he couldn't blame those who did. Not everyone was blessed with the same level of talent he and Fannie possessed. For some, every moment counted in their pursuit of magic. He couldn't help but respect their dedication.

Shaking off those thoughts, Zack's attention was drawn to a delicious aroma wafting through the air. "Hmm... smells delicious. Did Fannie cook something?" he mused, a cheerful tune on his lips as he skipped his way to the kitchen.