Lynn was wholly focused, striving to vacate the air surrounding the red phosphorus as much as feasible while utilizing the principle of accelerating molecular motion to raise the temperature.

After a period of over ten seconds, a wisp of white vapour diffused and, under the yoke of magic, coalesced together and swiftly cooled and congealed into a semi-transparent, yellow powder.

This is white phosphorus! Lynn, cognizant of the frightfulness of this substance, did not dare to touch it with his hand in the least. He held his breath and sustained [Mage's Hand] throughout, depositing the garnered white phosphorus in a bag that had originally been utilized to contain [Embers of Red Fire].

This type of storage bag, specifically intended for housing magical materials, possesses a highly effective insulating effect and can effectively forestall white phosphorus from self-igniting...

After all this, Lynn's forehead was already beaded with delicate sweat pearls.

For Lynn, who was still a wizard apprentice, completing such a tedious process was somewhat of a struggle. Had it not been for the spiritual fusion he experienced during his transmigration, which greatly enhanced his control over magic, this attempt would likely have ended in failure.

Fortunately, everything transpired as he had anticipated.

Lynn placed the storage bag in its proper place and, recalling the terrifying scene of the raging white phosphorus fire consuming the earth in his memories, couldn't help but shudder.

He just hoped he wouldn't have to use it...

As someone who had grown up in the peaceful era of the Common Era, Lynn still held a great reverence for life, but he was also aware that in this world where life is as fleeting as grass, in order to protect himself, he had to "die with honor rather than live in disgrace."

"071!" After all this, Lynn silently called out in his heart.

Ever since the AI was forcibly shut down five days ago, this has become his daily routine.

It was evident that this time, too, he received no response.

If not for the magic within him slowly dissipating to provide energy to the auxiliary intelligence, Lynn would have suspected that 071 had completely vanished.

071 is a crucial means of survival in this unfamiliar world. Just the ability to significantly increase cognitive processing capabilities by connecting to the neural network alone is enough to extricate oneself from many a predicament.

Not to mention that, in that special state, he was able to transmute magic into elements, enabling him to cast spells without prior preparation of materials.

Recalling the image of his mentor, Kelu, unleashing the Second Ring Magic [Mass Frost Blades], Lynn had a faint suspicion that the ability to transmute magic into elements could be the key to distinguishing a wizard apprentice from a full-fledged wizard.

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Lynn was certain that Karl, as an apprentice, could not possibly have done this feat. There were no relevant memories in his mind to suggest otherwise. It was likely that the spiritual fusion after transmigration, aided by 071, had briefly enabled him to break free of these constraints...

Lynn entered a state of meditation and the miraculous world of elements once again manifested before his "eyes."

But at this moment, Lynn's focus was fixed upon the strange rune floating within his mind's eye.

The interior of the strange rune was composed of countless tiny points and lines arranged in an intricate and aesthetically pleasing manner.

Lynn tentatively probed the rune with his mental energy, causing it to instantly brighten.

In the next instant, Lynn felt his inner magic diminish by a tenth. When he opened his eyes, a diamond-shaped [Frost Blade] had materialized in his palm.

"This seems to be akin to a... spell slot?"

Lynn rubbed his chin, quickly drawing a connection to the concept of spell slots as mentioned in Element Analysis.

This ability is exclusively possessed by formal wizards, allowing for a drastic increase in casting speed.

In essence, creating a spell slot is somewhat reminiscent of programming in one's previous life. By setting various parameters in advance and activating them upon necessity through the press of a confirmation button, the desired outcome can be promptly produced.

Therefore, this arrangement of runes likely signifies: one portion of oxygen + two portions of hydrogen + a decrease in molecular velocity + a specialized configuration = Frost Blade?

Indeed, it must be acknowledged that this is quite scientific! Lynn experimented with several other spells with enthusiasm, yet was disappointed to find no new spell slots being formed.

Lynn's thoughts were proven correct when he reflected on the circumstances. To build a spell slot, it seemed that he would need to complete a full performance of a first-ring magic without the aid of any casting materials.

This realization prompted Lynn to reluctantly abandon his plan to further solidify the spell slot. Without the assistance of 071, he knew that he still lagged far behind formal wizards.

Lynn glanced at the sky and realized that it was probably time to meet with the other wizard apprentices. After all, today was Monday and the agreed upon final day.

...

The Drunkard Tavern was located in the busiest part of Uer Town. Without the secret markers to guide him, Lynn never would have guessed that Aubrey would choose this bustling place as the meeting spot.

"Seventeen copper coins amount to but the cost of a single draught of ancient Ruan wine! Is this tavern even makes a proper business?" Lynn muttered to himself as he pushed open the door, but his brow couldn't help but furrow in consternation.

As a haven for the lower echelon of society, the interior of the Drunkard Tavern was bustling with activity. The flames of the furnace rose high, banishing the chill of the night, and the space, measuring less than a hundred square meters, was densely packed... The wooden floor was besmirched with wine stains and vomit, and the pungent odour of rot almost suffocated Lynn.

At the long table situated at the entrance of the tavern, a drunken half-human espied Lynn as he entered. Seeing that he was relatively youthful and unfamiliar to the establishment, he bellowed impolitely, "Boy, why not come over and join us for a drink?" Lynn turned his head and regarded the drunken half-human with a quizzical expression.

Half-humans are a peculiar species peculiar to this landmass. They are not named as such for having only a halved body, but rather because of their diminutive size, standing at roughly half the height of an adult, akin to a dwarf.

Yet these individuals are not the product of a genetic flaw, but rather a distinct group in their own right. Each half-human is powerfully built, with muscles seemingly innate to their very being, somewhat akin to dwarves in fantastical works of yore.

It is simply unknown what the anatomies and genetic makeups of these half-humans are and how they differ from those of humankind.

Lynn, a data clerk officer, felt a natural desire to learn more...

The inebriated half-human involuntarily shuddered under Lynn's inquisitive gaze, feeling a chill run down his spine.

Five years prior, in Nordland, he had encountered the infamous skull-cutter, Luke.

He was a depraved and malevolent ruffian, delighting in the mutilation of human bodies into shards.

Lynn's gaze was reminiscent of that of Luke at the time, as if he himself was but a cadaver waiting to be dissected in the other's eyes...