Chapter 135: New Assignment

"Academic seminar?" 

Anna and Chucks were momentarily taken aback, then glanced at Jolord.

"Is this seminar what I think it is?" Anna asked uncertainly.

"It is and it isn't," Jolord replied nonchalantly. "You're all my students, not far off from my level. This seminar will be more like a lecture, with the difference being that you can express your own ideas without being thrown out of the classroom like in the apprentice days."

Hearing this, both students felt reassured.

"A lecture sounds good," Chucks said casually. "I've been studying the Spider Knights too, so I'd love to hear your thoughts, Teacher, thanks to our junior."

Anna, however, expressed some doubts. "Teacher, I specialize in alchemical machinery. I'm not sure how useful I'll be in a discussion about chimeric beasts."

"Oh, senior sister, don't say that," Richard interjected, moving to Anna's side. "We're all wizards now, and time isn't as tight as it was as apprentices. Learning more can give us more tools for future challenges.

Like in this war, the recovered Spider Knight corpses are often incomplete. But those with systematic training in anatomy and chimeric beasts could identify a critical weakness in the Spider Knight's waist, enabling them to capture one alive."

Anna was slightly taken aback, realizing the logic in Richard's words.

"Besides, we're all students of the Teacher. Learning more means we can teach more to our apprentices in the future, perhaps even expanding the knowledge further," Richard added enthusiastically.

"…Alright, but I doubt I'll be much help."

With both students agreeing, Jolord led them into his private room.

Activating the revealing crystal ball, the detailed Spider Knight anatomical diagram reappeared in the air.

"I've been studying the Spider Knights for some time and have discovered some interesting things," Jolord began, pointing to the neural center at the waist of the Spider Knight. "This neural center is a key vulnerability. Disrupting it can paralyze the lower body and induce muscle paralysis. Anna, you might want to note this."

Anna nodded, taking out a notebook from her magic pocket and jotting it down.

"Moreover, this neural center also serves as an energy cycle node, connected with…" Jolord pointed to a tumor-like structure below the neural center, "…this. They manage the energy transfer from the spider's lower body to the upper body, allowing the Black Crystal Insectoid to use it."

Chucks nodded, raising his hand to speak. "Teacher, how much have you studied this transfer? I examined that tumor…" Chucks paused, wizard instincts halting his disclosure of research findings.

"Go on, Chucks, we're all friends here," Jolord encouraged with a nod. An academic seminar wasn't meant to be a monologue.

"Alright, I'll continue," Chucks decided. "The tumor has a weak internal energy cycle resembling the Type III life-death energy conversion. However, time was short, and I haven't delved deeply. Here's the energy cycle diagram I developed."

Chucks produced a revealing crystal ball, projecting an abstract energy cycle diagram.

"It does resemble the Type III life-death conversion," Anna interjected. "I've researched this, and your diagram has a few issues."

Anna pointed to several energy nodes in the diagram. "These nodes are likely incorrect. If the cycle followed this path, the tumor would have exploded. It should be more like this…"

Anna traced new energy lines with her finger.

Watching the students engage in discussion, Jolord, initially the central figure, felt a bit lost but soon smiled with pride.

Seeing his students shine brought joy to the teacher.

He quickly joined the discussion.

"Anna, you're overlooking biological differences from alchemical machinery. Energy cycles in biology undergo modifications…"

...

The academic seminar was a resounding success—a perfect trial.

During the seminar, Richard realized that seemingly unrelated disciplines could intersect; a longstanding problem in one field might be a beginner's problem in another.

Richard learned a great deal, including some progress on the Black Crystal Insectoid's neural connection technology.

He also discovered an answer to a long-standing question.

Why was he able to extract skills from the Mother Insect Guards?

The answer was simple: the guards' blade arms were no longer body organs but external tools, akin to prosthetics.

As an analogy, if Anna's mechanical arm broke, Richard might extract some skill from it.

Though this answer was slightly disappointing, it aligned with his previous findings.

Moreover, Richard sensed a faint standard for the Miracle Furnace's extraction process.

Skill extraction might relate to difficulty and time.

According to Jolord, the older the Mother Insect Guards, the brighter their gold. The one Richard encountered was indeed bright gold.

A skill could require years of use on a tool for the furnace to extract the "usage marks."

More complex skills leave fewer marks.

The late Duke Blackwood, a mere mortal, left behind basic swordsmanship, so it took decades to leave marks. The Mother Insect Guards, potentially centuries old, used skills involving energy cycles and muscle control, requiring centuries to leave marks.

This was an immature hypothesis, as some skills, like spell inscription extracted from wizard robes, didn't fit.

Yet, all theories start flawed. Richard believed he'd eventually understand the extraction principles.

The seminar lasted nearly ten days. Wizards don't require food or drink, so ten days felt insignificant.

Afterward, everyone left satisfied, even Anna gaining much.

As they departed, Jolord patted Richard's shoulder, saying:

"Richard, your idea is great. We should do this more often."

"I'm glad you think so."

Undoubtedly, it was a promising beginning.

...

Upon returning from Jolord's, Richard began applying theories practically.

Jolord had shared muscle structure and energy cycle diagrams of the Mother Insect Guards during the seminar. With these, Richard could utilize the skills extracted from the guards.

Wizards excel at adopting the strengths of foes to augment themselves.

After some adjustments, Richard began practical trials.

Muscle structure morphed under flesh control, and magic simulated the Mother Insect Guard's energy cycle under mental manipulation.

With conditions met, Richard found himself unable to control his arm, which suddenly swung forward.

Boom!

A sonic boom echoed.

Richard, looking at his dislocated arm, scratched his head.

The skill, applied to humans, resembled whip-hand technique, with an impact around 400 power units.

Weaker than the original.

But that made sense; Richard's muscles weren't the guards', and his energy was the more peaceful magic.

Achieving such power was impressive.

Yet, for Richard, the power wasn't enough.

The knowledge and inspiration gained were more valuable than sheer force.

He could merge knowledge with inspiration, tailoring the Black Crystal Insectoid skill for wizards.

Learn from enemies and adapt for oneself.

That's how wizards grow stronger.

...

The respite quickly passed.

Having received mission items, Richard found Ellie and Lawrence in the residential zone.

"Penetrate Hive 12, disrupt or gather intelligence. Rewards based on intelligence significance," Richard stated his mission, to which the others nodded.

"Same here."

"Me too."

Richard raised an eyebrow. "All in Hive 12?"

Ellie coughed awkwardly.

"I asked the teacher to adjust my position. Since we're all infiltrating a hive, it's better to be in one where we can help each other."

Hive infiltration couldn't be team-based; hives were large, and grouping black wizards increased target size and decreased efficiency.

However, familiar wizards could operate in adjacent areas, offering mutual support if needed.

"Nice, Ellie," Richard remarked, surprised. "If you find any less risky, high-reward missions, I'll leave my tasks to you."

Ellie rolled her eyes. "There's no such thing. It's not even mid-war, so no mission is low-risk."

"Near war's end, those tasks appear, but they're rewards for outstanding wizards. We'd be lucky to get low-risk, low-reward missions."

"The command isn't run by the teacher alone."

Lawrence, listening, felt grateful. He had connections now.

Ties reaching the command.

After exchanging mission details, they headed to their target.

Hive 12 wasn't a primary target of the White Wizard Corps, so its defenses were relatively weaker.

Main forces gathered at primary targets to prevent the White Wizard Corps from breaking through and capturing another insect kingdom.

Depth of Black Mirror Insect strategy wasn't limitless.

Richard's role was to disrupt hive order as much as possible.

As for intelligence gathering… first-circle black wizards had slim chances.

...

Under eternal night, countless black-robed wizards assembled at the front line, gazing at the mountain-like hive, preparing to enter.

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