Chapter 135: Compatibility

The room was filled with glass vessels, creating an atmosphere of organized chaos. This small, cramped space served as Merlin's makeshift laboratory.

Every mage requires a laboratory—whether it's for potion brewing, rune study, or spell model construction, a quiet, secure place is essential. Merlin's lab was rudimentary, far from the ideal conditions. Mages of the fourth level and above could construct personal towers in the Dark Spirit Realm, with a dedicated floor serving as a laboratory.

Mage Leo, for instance, spent most of his time in his lab at the top of his tower—a space that took him over a decade to fully equip. But for now, Merlin's basic setup sufficed for potion brewing.

"Matrix, initiate the preparation for Illusion Potion," Merlin instructed, taking a steadying breath.

"Task initiated. Beginning inventory check for Illusion Potion ingredients…"

The Matrix systematically proceeded through each stage, verifying the presence of each ingredient in sequence. This Illusion Potion was complex, requiring no less than eighty-nine ingredients—quite a leap from the eleven components of the simple Coagulant Potion. The richness and rarity of the ingredients alone set them worlds apart.

Merlin had familiarized himself with the materials thanks to Mage Hall's guidance, yet the number and variety made the task incredibly tedious. It took him several hours to lay out everything on the workbench and begin initial preparations. Some ingredients required only a small portion; others needed juicing, while a few required drying.

Half a day passed by the time Merlin had everything prepared, carefully following each of the Matrix's instructions, ensuring precision at every stage.

"Finally ready," he murmured, taking a deep breath. Even the initial preparations had been painstakingly complex. If not for the Matrix, it would have taken him months to complete each step so accurately.

Potion making relies heavily on precision. The smallest details—a second too long on the flame, a single extra drop of liquid—can alter the entire outcome, turning a successful brew into something dangerous.

With everything in place, Merlin began the actual potion-making process. The Matrix guided him through heating, grinding, adding water, and drying. Finally, he held what appeared to be a completed Illusion Potion. But to know for sure, he'd need to perform a test.

"Matrix, verify the potion against the Illusion Potion specifications."

Merlin had pre-recorded the expected color and composition of the Illusion Potion in the Matrix, allowing it to cross-reference for accuracy.

"Analysis completed: color deviation detected at six percent. Uncertain chemical changes may have occurred. Usage not recommended."

The mechanical voice of the Matrix spoke, and Merlin stared at the potion in his hand, momentarily at a loss. Potion-making was a delicate process. Even a slight deviation in color could mean unperceived chemical changes, potentially turning a beneficial potion into a poison. A skilled potion-maker must be able to both create and verify their potions, aware of the inherent dangers.

His first attempt at brewing the Illusion Potion had ended in failure.

Yet, Merlin wasn't discouraged. Instead, he systematically reviewed each step, meticulously replaying the Matrix's record of his process to identify the issue. After hours of painstaking analysis, he identified one minor oversight. While adding a specific ingredient, he hadn't dried it thoroughly, causing the failure.

"Let's try again," he muttered.

Once more, he plunged into the process. His second attempt failed, as did his third. He spent two full days in the lab before finally, on his fourth attempt, the Matrix confirmed he'd successfully brewed a usable Illusion Potion.

Exhausted, Merlin exhaled deeply, setting the potion aside for a moment as he meditated to restore his strength.

When he finished his meditation, he noticed that his mental energy had grown slightly. It was a subtle improvement, yet distinct.

"Who would have thought that potion-making could also enhance mental resilience?" Merlin smiled, examining the dark green Illusion Potion contained within the glass. It had taken four tries, but he finally held a potion that the Matrix deemed safe for use.

The records left by the silver-haired old man had warned of the potion's challenging nature, describing the months of fruitless attempts he'd endured. Unlike Merlin, the old man lacked the Matrix's precision. Even so, with all his knowledge, Mage Hall would likely manage a success rate of only around ten percent with this potion. Merlin's success rate, by contrast, was remarkably high.

"Now, the Illusion Potion needs to be consumed only in a fully rested mental state," Merlin reminded himself. He decided to wait a few more days, ensuring he was in peak condition.

---

Five days later, feeling his mental state at its peak, Merlin decided to take the Illusion Potion. The silver-haired old man's notes had suggested the potion could nearly triple his mental energy—a testament to its potency. Such potions, however, came with a risk of disorientation, so Merlin proceeded cautiously.

Swallowing the potion, he was quickly overcome by a dizzying sensation. A surge of warmth spread through his mind, creating a throbbing pressure. Hours passed as he quietly endured the side effects, unable to even meditate to alleviate them.

Gradually, the discomfort subsided, and when he checked his mental strength, he was overjoyed to discover it had increased by nearly thirty percent.

"That's equivalent to six months of meditation in just one dose," he marveled, though he knew the potion's ingredients were far too rare to use frequently. His remaining ingredients only allowed for two more brews, and he was determined not to waste them.

The significant boost to his mental strength rekindled his desire to construct a first-level spell. Until now, his energy had fallen short, but this increase meant he was nearing the level of a second-tier mage, making it feasible to attempt the "Blazing Fury" spell model.

"Matrix, begin the analysis of the 'Blazing Fury' spell model," Merlin commanded.

The spell, an advanced version of his fireball spell, was his chosen first-level spell model. Through his studies, Merlin had learned the importance of compatibility between spells. To transition from a zero-level to a first-level spell, compatibility between models was critical.

The concept of "spell compatibility" was complex, often requiring extensive calculations and analysis. Many novice mages fell short of advancing to the first level precisely because their chosen spells lacked compatibility, resulting in instability and failure.

Lorinka had failed to reach the first level partly due to the low compatibility between her "Blazing Fury" spell and her other models, ultimately leading to her departure from the Dark Spirit Realm.

However, Merlin was confident in his advantage. The Matrix could simulate and calculate compatibility between spell models with unmatched precision, allowing him to choose the safest, most compatible option.

"Analysis complete. A total of 113,650 potential spell models constructed."

Merlin's heart pounded with anticipation as the Matrix presented a range of models. For this critical decision, he needed to select a model with both high stability and maximum compatibility with his fireball spell.

Each option brought him closer to unlocking his true potential, a first-level mage with compatibility that could revolutionize his mastery.