Three days later.

With disheveled hair and bloodshot eyes, Grim let out a sigh and closed the book in his hands.

Finally, the long-awaited chime from the chip resonated in his mind.

Beep—Flame Arrow data model construction complete.

"It wasn’t easy. Not easy at all," Grim muttered.

Unlike the first construction, where Flame Hand was a spell Grim had already fully mastered, allowing him to replicate it with a single cast, this time was different. The chip had effortlessly simulated the model within Grim's mental world by analyzing the precise fluctuations in his spiritual energy. It had been a straightforward process.

However, the Flame Arrow was another story. Not only had Grim failed to master the spell, but he couldn’t even cast it successfully once. As a result, the chip's mimicry and recording functions were useless in this instance.

Grim had no choice but to take an alternative approach. He meticulously imprinted the principles and casting techniques related to Flame Arrow in his mind and relied on the chip to synthesize and analyze the data. This allowed the chip to devise a casting method most compatible with him.

This data model, though helpful, could not substitute for a true spiritual energy model. It was merely a specialized form of magical experimentation.

Pressing his fingers to his temple to steady his thoughts, Grim spoke in a low voice, "Begin the simulation."

With a crisp ding, a virtual projection of Grim’s own form materialized in his mind. Following the data model’s requirements, the projection began to chant the incantation for Flame Arrow with resolute precision.

Through the chip's linkage, Grim’s consciousness merged with the projection. As the chant continued, he meticulously adjusted his spiritual energy frequencies. Meanwhile, the projection’s hands moved gracefully, channeling elemental energy into the shape of a fiery arrow.

Unfortunately, due to his inexperience, the projection faltered on the 14th syllable, its hand gestures half a beat too slow. In Grim’s mental world, the half-formed flame arrow suddenly exploded, and the resulting surge of elemental fire engulfed the projection.

If this had been reality, Grim’s room would have been obliterated. But within this simulated spiritual space, the vivid explosion dissipated as quickly as it had appeared, leaving the scene restored to its initial state.

Although Grim knew everything here was illusory, he couldn’t help but let the projection wipe imaginary sweat from its brow. Witnessing a fireball detonate mere inches from his face was enough to make even Grim’s steely heart skip a beat.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

To fully immerse himself in the casting process, Grim had poured his entire focus into the simulation. Thus, while the events were technically unreal, they carried a surreal authenticity.

Grim did not rush into a second attempt. Instead, he closed his eyes, replayed the failed sequence in his mind, and carefully identified the root of the error. Only then did he snap his eyes open and begin the next simulation.

Unfortunately, the second attempt also ended in failure—this time at the 17th syllable, where he failed to synchronize his spiritual energy vibrations. The half-formed spiritual model collapsed once more, and the projection was consumed by roaring flames.

Light flickered, the scene reset, and Grim’s mental world returned to its original state.

Letting out a bitter chuckle, Grim steadied himself. Soon, his resolute chanting echoed once again through the empty mental space.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Endless explosions.

Every failure stemmed from similar mistakes—either his hand gestures lagged behind the incantation, or his spiritual energy coordination faltered. Regardless of the misstep, the result was the same: unrelenting explosions.

Had this been the real world, Grim’s fragile body would have been reduced to ashes long ago. Instead, he sat motionless at his wooden desk, staring blankly into space.

After countless attempts, Grim’s limited spiritual energy was utterly depleted.

Each time he exhausted his spiritual reserves, he would crawl to bed, collapse into a deep sleep, and awaken to devour a hearty meal in the dining hall. Once replenished, he would return to his quarters to resume the grueling simulations.

Through sheer grit and determination, Grim finally succeeded during a moment of perfect alignment between mind and spirit.

When the Flame Arrow’s elemental flames coalesced into a single magical arrow, hovering steadily between his hands, Grim nearly wept with joy. But the very next moment, the arrow detonated, and the elemental fire consumed him once again.

This time, however, he wasn’t disheartened. Instead, he burst into uproarious laughter, unbothered by the projection's destruction.

Sitting upright at his desk, Grim abruptly opened his eyes, brimming with uncontainable elation.

"Chip, did you record the successful sequence?"

The sequence has been recorded and archived. Ready for playback at any time.

Grim forced himself to nod calmly, but his clenched fists betrayed his excitement.

The chip’s new function was proving to be invaluable.

Without it, Grim would have been forced to endlessly practice the Flame Arrow in the tower’s spellcasting chamber. Each failure would bring spiritual and physical backlash, requiring time-consuming recovery and significantly slowing his progress.

This was why most novice apprentices in the tower only mastered one or two spells—any more, and the cost became insurmountable.

With the chip, Grim felt his days of mediocrity were over.

"Chip, replay the successful sequence."

A stream of data flowed, and the image of Grim casting Flame Arrow reappeared in his mind. Immersing himself in the projection, Grim meticulously reviewed every detail of the process, down to the subtlest spiritual fluctuations.

Even though it was only a simulation, Grim’s consciousness had fully adhered to the natural casting rhythm. Aside from the lack of real elemental infusion, it was indistinguishable from actual spellcasting.

This breakthrough would save Grim months, if not years, of painstaking effort. It would also spare him the endless cycle of injuries and recoveries.

With repeated success now achievable, Grim knew he had crossed the threshold for mastering Flame Arrow. The only thing left was to refine his proficiency. And that, fortunately, was the chip’s forte.

After countless reviews of the successful sequence, Grim sprang to his feet and hurried to the tower’s spellcasting chamber.

----------------------------------------