Elemental sorcerers are recognized as the most powerful system in the wizarding world. This isn't to say elemental sorcerers possess overwhelming power, but rather that they have the most comprehensive and systematic energy control division. Every level of elemental sorcerer develops corresponding abilities. Other systems of sorcery, and even interdimensional creatures, might match the combat power of certain levels of elemental sorcerers or control energy akin to their power levels, but they lack standardized power control divisions.

For example, Nidhogg once encountered a star-like creature in the dark well of Zelato Harbor, calling itself a fourth-tier star spirit from the Realm Star World, which could control energy between a second and third-tier sorcerer. This "between" indicates their power advancement method is akin to passive evolution infinitely enhancing physical attributes, relying on physical power to fight sorcerers. They lack the unique capabilities that different levels bring to elemental sorcerers, and the strict level division like a first-tier is a first-tier, a second-tier is a second-tier as in elemental sorcery.

Perhaps a fourth and fifth-tier star spirit might only differ in a few points of strength, with no actual difference in combat power. According to the Wizard Continent's standards, such beings are equivalent to a second or third-tier sorcerer in combat power.

For half a year, Nidhogg spent most of his time in Mentor Peran Ornos’s lab. During this time, he didn’t solely focus on the knowledge of Mixed Venom Body Refinement Sorcery; Nidhogg also immersed himself in elemental sorcery, making noticeable progress. He was confident that within a year, he could upgrade his Firebird Elemental Magic Array to the Firebat Elemental Magic Array, increasing the leverage of elemental magic from about ninefold to tenfold.

Furthermore, Nidhogg had made considerable progress in Elemental Animation Sorcery, though he still lacked a catalyst to activate elemental animation. This catalyst varies for each sorcerer, influenced by their physicality, thoughts, inspirations, and opportunities. Just like how every sorcerer draws the basic circular six-star elemental magic array with 1024 runes, yet with slight personal variations.

Elemental animation is essentially the summoning of elemental creatures by a sorcerer. A witch apprentice had once summoned an earth elemental bear, and Bell had summoned an earth elemental mouse.

Additionally, Nidhogg repeatedly attempted to integrate the rare indestructible fire elemental rune in his soul into his basic elemental magic array, replacing certain auxiliary runes without disrupting the array’s leverage characteristics, to fully harness the rune’s indestructible power.

This required extensive trial and error, but since Nidhogg prioritized this task over all others, progress was swift. Within at most half a year, Nidhogg would fully integrate the fire elemental rare rune into the basic elemental magic array, exploiting its indestructible properties.

At that point, Nidhogg would possess an attack strength comparable to Biblionna's golden iris talent.

Gurgling...

Feeling hungry, Nidhogg sighed and set his book aside. Mentor Peran Ornos had gone to the Seventh Ring Holy Tower for business, a round trip taking at least two months. By then, Nidhogg’s live humanoid experimental subjects could be brought back. With these subjects, Nidhogg’s research into the mysterious life code barrier would advance, possibly allowing him to use this knowledge for self-enhancement.

This life code sorcery knowledge is unique to Nidhogg, an unprecedented and undeveloped field.

“It’s time to check on Nina and gather the profits from the microscope and magic stones from the Fatty.” Thinking about Nina, whom he hadn’t seen in half a year, Nidhogg couldn’t help but feel excited, akin to the adage that absence makes the heart grow fonder.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Knock, knock, knock...

The lab’s door sounded; Nidhogg knew who it was. He opened the door, and a neatly dressed girl holding a lunchbox appeared in his view.

"I’ve already delivered Lord Gahae’s meal. This one’s for you, Nidhogg." The girl's sweet smile was as warm and bright as summer sunshine, her short black hair, healthy tan skin, legs straight, and body slightly leaning back, presenting the lunchbox to Nidhogg with a playful and expectant expression.

Looking at the lively girl and smelling the aroma from the lunchbox, Nidhogg quickly said, "Smells delicious."

"Hmph, of course, look who made it," the girl said proudly, then hopped over to Nidhogg, wrapping an arm around his neck in a friendly manner, laughing like a brother, "With Master Peran Ornos away, and Lord Gahae taken care of, I’m sneaking into the library. You won’t tell the Master, right?"

The girl’s knowing expression implied that if Nidhogg dared to demand a bribe like Varona, it would be unbecoming.

Nidhogg smiled.

This girl, named Leona, was an apprentice from the class before Nidhogg. Her task of delivering meals daily to the 79th floor of the Black Tower wasn’t just for the generous pay of 20 magic stones a month; it also granted her occasional free access to Peran Ornos’ library.

On the Wizard Continent, where knowledge is as precious as magic stones, acquiring knowledge outside of personal research and mentorship always costs a significant sum, something Nidhogg understood well.

Nidhogg subtly shifted aside, solemnly saying, "Mentor Peran Ornos will not return for a month, so Sister Leona won’t need to deliver the meals. Additionally, Mistress will likely visit in seven days, so remember to bring an extra portion."

His meaning was clear, reminding Leona to mind the timing.

"Pfft..."

Leona couldn’t help but chuckle, then, with a mischievous grin, said, "Thank you. But why do you always keep your distance from me. Could it be you’re a—"

"Uh! I have a girlfriend!" Nidhogg's face changed, urgently and assertively emphasizing, fearing she would mention the word "virgin."

"Hmph, why so nervous? What about having a girlfriend? Wanna try something thrilling? I promise not to tell your girlfriend," Leona teased, winking at Nidhogg with her long lashes, an inexplicable wildness showing.

"I’ll think about it when I’m suicidal," Nidhogg said, blushing as he made his escape.

If Nina knew about this wild senior delivering meals to Nidhogg, something utterly brutal would unfold, surely resulting in a bloody scene.

"Haha, what a cutie."

Leona watched Nidhogg’s shy retreat. Though she knew nothing would happen between them, she couldn’t resist teasing him. Had it been a seasoned male apprentice, she wouldn’t bother. Shaking her head lightly, seeing Nidhogg always lifted her spirits, Leona happily entered Peran Ornos’ private library.

...

The next day, after chatting casually with Brother Varona on the seventh floor of the Black Tower, Nidhogg went to see Fatty on the first floor. Once the Fatty was done, they went to his private warehouse.

"Look, this is the highest-grade microscope available in the Seventh Ring Holy Tower, only the finest alchemists have these. It's worth two high-level magic stones. These magic stones are your share after deducting the cost of this microscope over the past six months," Fatty said, handing a bag to Nidhogg.

Nidhogg didn't check the magic stones and eagerly approached the microscope.

Moments later, Nidhogg's expression soured, "Is this really the highest-grade microscope the Seventh Ring Holy Tower offers?"

Fatty’s eyes, squeezed into slits by his cheeks, widened in surprise, "Why, isn’t this advanced equipment enough for your experiments? If not, the Wizarding World might only have better microscopes in the legendary Sky City Holy Tower, though chances are slim, as it's focused on battle machinery."

Nidhogg frowned.

This microscope's magnification was identical to the one in Mentor Peran Ornos’s lab. Thus, further exploration into the life code barrier must rely on Salmacis...

After a while, Nidhogg returned to his room, ensuring everything was in order before taking out his crystal ball. A moment later, he paused, "Nina isn’t at the Wizard Academy? Yorkris, Binhanson, and the others aren’t here either? The crystal ball can’t even sense approximate locations."

Disappointed, Nidhogg decided to head to the academy's library.

The academy library differed from Mentor Peran Ornos’s private collection. While his collection reflected personal tastes, the academy’s library curated books based on foundational, systematic, stable, and public relevance. Nidhogg's next step in life code research would involve basic curse sorcery knowledge to validate certain hypotheses.