Chapter 23. Spell Optimization

Realizing that the potential of his new spell, Veil of Stone Spikes, was far from fully realized, Arthur decided to delve deeper into its study. He knew that the Academy provided only basic spell models, encouraging students to develop their skills through optimization. This was not just a process of learning magic but also a test of their creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities.

Returning to his dormitory after training, Arthur sat at his desk, contemplating his next step. He understood that while the current version of the spell was functional, it had several significant drawbacks: slow activation, high energy consumption, and limited power.

"I need to fix this," he muttered.

The next day, he headed to the Academy's library, an enormous hall filled with countless shelves of books and scrolls detailing every known aspect of magic.

Arthur went to the section dedicated to earth spells and their components. He selected several books and scrolls that provided detailed descriptions of magical principles related to stone formation, energy channeling, and activation optimization.

For several days, he immersed himself in studying the fundamental theory of magic. Some aspects seemed complex, but he patiently took notes on key points:

How to distribute energy within a magical circle to minimize losses.

How to speed up the formation process through more efficient use of magical channels.

How to increase the density of stone to enhance the durability of the spikes.

He was particularly intrigued by a section on acceleration and compression runes. These runes could be integrated into the spell's model to reduce activation time while simultaneously increasing power.

Armed with new knowledge, Arthur returned to his spiritual world. He stood in a clearing next to the tower, carefully studying the magical circle of the Veil of Stone Spikes.

The first step was adding acceleration runes to key points of the circle. These runes would reduce energy transfer delays, allowing the spikes to erupt from the ground faster. The work took several hours, as each rune had to be manually inscribed with precision to maintain the balance of the entire circle.

Next, he worked on compression runes, which were meant to increase the density of the stone spikes, enhancing their destructive power. These runes required precise calculations since excessive compression could destabilize the circle. Arthur dedicated several days to this task.

***

Once the modifications were complete, Arthur began testing.

"Veil of Stone Spikes!" he commanded, focusing on activating the spell.

Magic flowed through the newly optimized circle, and within five seconds, spikes erupted from the ground with a deafening roar. They emerged faster than before, and their edges appeared much sharper. Arthur approached and touched one of the spikes—it was incredibly solid, almost like granite.

"The acceleration worked. And the power has increased too," he said with a satisfied smile.

He checked the spell's energy consumption. It was now slightly lower than in the previous version, allowing him to use it more frequently.

The next day, Arthur went to the training grounds to test the upgraded spell in the real world. He chose the same area as before, activated a barrier, and prepared himself.

"Veil of Stone Spikes!"

The spell worked flawlessly. The spikes appeared faster, their sharpness and durability were exceptional. Arthur activated the spell multiple times to assess its energy demands. He noticed that he could now use it one or two times more than before before depleting his reserves.

Returning to his dormitory, Arthur collapsed onto his bed, exhausted but smiling. He had managed to improve the spell, reducing activation time from eight to five seconds, increasing its power, and slightly lowering its energy cost.

***

Armed with the optimized Veil of Stone Spikes, Arthur set out once again to the border of his spiritual world to continue fighting the gnolls. After a week of training and refining his magic, he felt more confident than ever.

Arthur cautiously approached the border where gnoll territory began. The forest hiding their village looked just as ominous as during their first encounter. However, this time, he decided to take his time and carefully observe.

Hiding on a hill with a good vantage point, he studied the gnolls' movements. To his surprise, their patrol numbers had increased. Where before only small groups of three or four roamed, now full patrols of ten or more creatures were marching.

Arthur frowned as he watched them. He knew he had eliminated a significant number of gnolls over the past weeks, yet their numbers were clearly growing.

"This is strange..." he muttered.

Determined to understand, he focused on the surrounding magical energy. Looking at the sky, he noticed the ever-present pink clouds hovering above his spiritual world. He recalled that this island had originally formed from those same clouds.

After a brief analysis, Arthur sensed a faint but constant flow of energy from the clouds down to the island. The energy was weak, almost imperceptible, but it was continuous. He realized that the island was using this energy to regenerate itself.

"So the pink clouds sustain the island," he realized. "Perhaps they also restore the gnoll village and replenish their numbers."

Arthur theorized that the entire ecosystem of the island, including the gnolls, was closely tied to the energy supplied by these clouds. This explained why the gnolls kept reappearing even after being eliminated.

This revelation made him think. If the gnolls could regenerate through the energy of the clouds, then a simple strategy of gradually wiping out patrols was ineffective in the long run. The island would continue using this energy to maintain balance, ensuring the gnolls always returned.

"I need to change my approach," Arthur decided. "If I don't destroy their village or find a way to disrupt this energy flow, their numbers will keep replenishing."

Arthur retreated to a safe part of his spiritual world to strategize. He understood that, with his current level of power and knowledge, he couldn't destroy the entire village, especially since its population kept restoring itself.

However, he had one advantage—he now knew the source of the island's power, which could help him find a weak point in the system.

He decided to spend several more days scouting, trying to determine exactly how the energy was distributed across the island. Perhaps he could find a way to intercept or harness this energy for himself.

***

Arthur spent the next few days watching the gnolls from his hiding spot at the forest's edge. He carefully recorded all changes in the village. His findings were unexpectedly simple: only one or two new gnolls appeared per day—no more. This was far less than he had initially feared.

At first, he assumed their regeneration followed a specific cycle, possibly linked to the pink clouds or the flow of magical energy. But after further observation, he realized the process was limited by the island's resources.

"It's not an endless cycle," Arthur thought. "If I eliminate them faster than they regenerate, I can gradually reduce their numbers to zero."

This realization gave him hope. It wasn't a perfect plan, but it was achievable.

Arthur returned to his part of the spiritual world to refine his strategy. He knew he could no longer act recklessly or take unnecessary risks. Every attack had to be carefully planned to minimize his own losses and maximize efficiency.

He formulated a plan:

1. Target small groups – Arthur would focus on eliminating small hunting parties to avoid drawing attention.

2. Optimize energy usage – Veil of Stone Spikes was powerful but costly, so he would reserve it for critical moments and finish off enemies with physical attacks.

3. Monitor their numbers – He would track the gnolls' regeneration rate to ensure their population was steadily decreasing.

4. Avoid direct confrontations – Arthur knew he stood little chance against large groups, so he would steer clear of the village and focus on picking off stragglers.

That night, Arthur once again approached the border. Hiding in the shadows, he watched as another gnoll patrol left the village. This time, there were five of them: four armed with clubs and one carrying a spear, likely the leader.

He waited patiently until they strayed far enough from the village, then silently followed them. When they reached a small clearing, Arthur activated Veil of Stone Spikes.

Jagged stone spikes burst through the ground, instantly impaling two gnolls. The remaining three were caught off guard. Seizing the moment, Arthur dashed forward—his plan had begun.

The skirmish lasted only a few minutes. He quickly finished off the remaining enemies, using his dagger and the power of his spell. Despite his success, Arthur felt that he had expended too much energy.

"I need to act even faster," he told himself, breathing heavily.

In the following days, Arthur continued hunting the gnolls, sticking to his strategy. He eliminated small groups of seven to ten gnolls that roamed outside the village, avoiding large-scale confrontations. With each passing day, his attacks became more precise and effective.

He started using the terrain to his advantage, luring the gnolls into narrow ravines where their numerical superiority was useless. He also experimented with using Stone Spike Veil to create barriers and split enemy groups.

After a week, Arthur began to see the first results of his efforts. The gnoll population had noticeably decreased. The area around the village grew quieter, and patrols became less frequent.

His confidence grew. Despite his exhaustion and the strain on his spiritual energy, he knew that his strategy was working.

Arthur understood that this process would take time, but he was prepared for it. Eliminating the gnolls faster than they could recover was not only effective but also provided him with valuable combat training.

He had no intention of stopping. Gradually, he refined his skills, learned to conserve energy, and became more experienced.

I will wipe them all out, he said firmly, gazing toward the village. And one day, this island will become part of my world.