Magical Academy: Rise of the Supreme Magic Craftsman

Chapter 163 - Arcane Baptism

Wallace's pure mana was supposedly a good thing. Purer mana implies that the magic spells being cast would be stronger and mightier. This also means that the mana formations and arrays would be more stable or sturdier.

Unfortunately, this also means that the spells which were purposedly made for impure mana would not be possible to use. 

This was what troubling Wallace right now. Although he could do the breathing cycle multiple times, he always had to concentrate or be conscious of it as it's impossible to do it naturally.

This will lessen his effectiveness since the new forging method requires him to be capable of doing the breathing method that has reached the 'Natural' state. 

'Well, it is good that I've found out the problem this quick.' 

He could only view this in a positive way as Wallace wasn't someone who would give up easily. 

With the help of his A.I., they tried to make some changes with the breathing method. The amount of external Mana to be taken in and the amount of internal Mana to be released, the duration of inhalation and exhalation had also been changed. 

The breathing method was supposedly an additional method to further refine Mana, aside from the purpose of allowing the user to control the lightning elements.

The main problem was that this method was made to only refine the mana with the highest percentage of purity known to the continent which is 93%.

That's right, the purest mana ever known could only reach 93%. This was believed to be the limit of all the magicians ever since the level of purities had been discovered. It was accepted by everyone since impurities should be normal. There was even a theory that 100% pure mana would make the magician unable to control them and be useless. 

It was a huge matter before when Magicians were still being called Mana Practitioners. The level of purity of every practitioner was a serious matter to every clan or organizations.

But at the same time of the discovery of the 4th generation mana artifact almost 150 years ago, they have also discovered an advanced method of the magician's body. 

Indeed, the Arcane Link was discovered during the Brain-Boosting Era caused by the 4th generation mana artifacts. During the Arcane Baptism, the Mana Body would be awakened. This Mana Body was capable of absorbing mana that has reached 93% purity. 

It was supposedly the same for everyone. Everyone's Mana Body should awaken with 93% purity.

It was the same to all countries, average, above average, genius or super genius magicians would have the same Mana Body after they were baptized by the Arcane Link until Wallace has appeared. 

During the awakening of Mana Body, it was normal to pass out for a couple of days as there would be some changes within the body. This was what happened to Wallace so he was not able to compete in the following competitions after he won the first event.

But the problem was that instead of the standard two days of body awakening, Wallace had been unconscious for five days. 

No one suspected Wallace about him having Arcane Link baptism because of the Cube of Paradox's intervention. The baptism didn't catch anyone's attention and it was only discovered when he woke up and carelessly activated his Divine Sense. 

During that time, Yumi had felt his refined Mana and Mana Body. He remembered their conversation when he woke up in the hotel after passing out for five days.*

***

After learning about his situation, Wallace tried to use his Divine Sense to have a grasp on his surroundings as he had just woken up. It wasn't like he no longer feel very safe if he doesn't have a good understanding of his environment but it was a habit he had when he was practicing his Divine Sense before. It was supposedly the same undetected ability but something went unexpected when he tried to spread out his Divine Sense. Luckily, no one was harmed.

"You..." Yumi gaped upon sensing that Wallace already had an Arcane Link. 

The whole room was already in a mess as he was not able to control his pure form of mana. The sudden change within his body was a bit unexpected even though he had prepared himself after learning the prowess of an Arcane Link.

"Did you just complete your Arcane Baptism in this bed?!" Yumi asked in surprise. 

"Urgh... Yes?" 

"That's reckless!" 

"Reckless?"

"Of course! If it's not reckless then just call it crazy. During Arcane Baptism, your whole body would be in the most vulnerable state! Are you not aware that you've been targeted in the previous hotel?"

"Arcane Baptism... Vulnerable... That made sense. I'll be careful next time."

"What are you saying? Next time? There's only one Arcane Baptism!"

"Argh... now that you've mentioned. I mean, I'll be more cautious in the future." 

"Sigh~ Now look at this mess. Anyway, before you trigger any spells or arts, be sure to consolidate your mana. I can sense that it's being emitted relentlessly you have to be more... what? Did you just stabilized and retrieved your mana?"

"Ah yes. It seems that I'm good at it. So this is Arcane Link, huh."

"N-no, Arcane Link doesn't help on that." Yumi softly said but her voice faltered a bit. She was obviously surprised to see how fast Wallace managed to gain perfect control over his refined mana.

"Is it surprising?"

"Well, it's not that bad. After all, before Arcane Baptism, the highest purity of Mana that can be controlled was 75%, so it was difficult to control higher than that after the baptism. Remember, once someone finished the Arcane Baptism and established Arcane Link, they'll immediately reach 93% purity."

"It's the same for everyone? Including me?"

"Yes, of course. That is the same purity to everyone who finished the baptism." 

"Then there's no 76-92% purity?"

"There is. Those were magicians who forcefully increased their purity without Arcane Baptism. But it also means that they were no longer allowed to take the baptism."

"I only heard of this now."

"You're only 2nd year. You'll be learning this on your 3rd year." Yumi smiled after answering Wallace. 

"I see. I guess I won't need to check the purity of my Mana?"

"That's right. It would just be the same. I sensed your Mana a while ago. It's definitely pure, I even thought that the purity was higher than mine. But thinking about it, it should be a mistake because you suddenly sent out that a large amount of mana, so my perception was a bit clouded and unable to properly gauge it."

"Ah, that made sense. Right, where would you normally conduct Arcane Baptism?" 

"Mhm... Anywhere isolated, as long as there's abundant Mana in the surroundings. It should be isolated because if you get disturbed, you'll have to restart the baptism after more than five years.

"Five years? That's a harsh condition. Anyway, it seems that the location will not really affect the purity of Mana." Wallace frowned as he absorbed all the information he was hearing from the Adept. He had a lot of questions.

"It won't, but the duration of baptism would be affected and be longer. The longest Arcane Baptism was two and a half days and that's already in a barren desert." Yumi explained patiently. She seems to be enjoying her conversation with Wallace. 

"You've mentioned that I was out for five days, right?" Wallace curiously asked after remembering her previous words before he carelessly activated his Divine Sense and messing the room.

"Hmm... That's right. Did you perhaps woke up on the third day... and only started your Arcane Baptism two days ago?" 

The second part of her words was said in almost a whisper voice as Yumi wasn't sure herself. Anyway, as long as Wallace was alright, everything's fine. She didn't ask too much.

During this time, she was still suspecting Wallace to be that armored being and she even had the courage to reveal that she was also Hani in front of him as she also called him Uncle Nortrom a while ago.

***

After Wallace returned to Zairus, he didn't fully believe Yumi and he had his Mana Purity secretly tested.

Anyway, he could just purchase the tester in Secret's Shop even with a discount due to his multiple bulk purchases. 

There he found out his 99.99% purity of Mana. He was extremely happy about this because he knew the benefits it could give to him. But now, it caused him some trouble. 

After several trials and errors, Wallace together with Avalon created an improved version of the breathing method allowing him to reach the 'Natural' state.

Tsk!

"So a day had already passed..." 

Wallace clicked his tongue as he grumbled after seeing the meals delivered to his rooms. 

"I only have two more days to learn the new forging method... Now, let's see your secrets."

He said to himself before looking over at the method that was already imprinted in his mind.

[ Spirit Forging Magic ] 

[ A magical forging method to create the Sixth Generation Mana Artifacts. ]