Chapter 25: The Wizard’s Law of Attraction

With AI chip's assistance, Hutson could bypass the grueling process of constructing a spell model manually. Instead of painstakingly building it himself, he could simply let AI chip handle the intricate calculations. All he had to do was wait for the result and use it.

"This is the first time AI chip has ever required time to complete a task since I arrived in this world."

Every prior request had yielded instantaneous results.

Within his mind, a spell model was forming—an intricate construct woven from pure mental energy.

Normally, this was a feat that demanded intense mental control, requiring constant recalibration of parameters, formulaic adjustments, and extreme intellectual precision. According to "Zero-Rank Spells: A Detailed Guide to Partial Petrification," most apprentices took anywhere from one to three months to complete such a model.

The human brain was prone to errors. A single miscalculation would require the entire process to be scrapped and rebuilt from scratch.

But AI chip? Flawless. Precise. Efficient.

Twenty-five minutes later.

"Zero-Rank Spell: Partial Petrification—Spell Model Constructed."

In that instant, Hutson felt a new presence in his mind—the spell model was fully formed and integrated into his consciousness.

Now, all he needed to do was channel his mana into the model and recite the activation incantation to cast the spell.

Some spells required casting materials—like the Blood Curse Malcom had used. But Partial Petrification was self-sustaining. No external components were needed.

"Partial Petrification!"

Mana surged through the newly formed spell model as Hutson uttered the incantation.

Immediately, the skin of his right hand darkened, its color shifting to a stone-like gray-white hue.

Hutson flexed his fingers. His hand was still dexterous, flexible, and retained full sensation—yet, when he tapped his palm against the wooden table, a dull thud echoed.

"Enhanced defense, but no impact on mobility or function… this is a solid enhancement."

From his test, Hutson concluded that Partial Petrification didn't actually turn a limb into solid rock. Rather, it reinforced the surface layer, making it impervious to physical damage.

However, maintaining the spell required a steady flow of mana. As soon as he ceased channeling energy into the model, the petrification effect dissipated instantly.

"AI chip, how much mana does Partial Petrification consume?"

"At your current mana levels, the spell consumes 1% per second."

Hutson frowned. Less than two minutes of full-body petrification before mana depletion. No wonder the red-haired apprentice had cast it in bursts—sustained use was not viable.

The thought of the red-haired boy made Hutson glance at the ring he had taken. There was someone he needed to speak with.

He had kept his enchanted items a secret up until now. When he first met Claude, trust was still tentative. Their master-student relationship was a transaction, an investment on Claude's part. Hutson had no intention of revealing his hand too soon.

But now? The library held no real knowledge of wizardry. If he wanted answers, he had to ask Claude.

Norsent Academy

Claude held the ring between his fingers, inspecting it carefully through a magnifying lens.

"This looks like a sigil."

Hutson's thoughts stirred. His pocket watch was also a sigil, granting access to the Six-Ring Tower.

Claude set down the lens. "Sigils are commonly used by wizard organizations as recruitment tools. They are given to individuals who have contributed to the group. Their descendants, if they possess talent, can use the sigil to join without undergoing testing."

"Only descendants?" Hutson questioned.

Claude smirked. "That was the original intention. But after centuries of circulation, who can still verify lineage? These days, as long as someone has a sigil and the necessary talent, they can claim entry."

Hutson narrowed his eyes. "So without a sigil, joining a wizard organization is impossible?"

Claude chuckled. "Not at all. The standard method is to board a ship carrying talented individuals and undergo trials at sea. Representatives from various organizations then select apprentices from the candidates."

He continued, "If you have a sigil, you bypass the selection. The ship takes you directly to the affiliated wizard organization."

Hutson considered the implications. "It's a guaranteed entry."

Claude nodded. "Yes. But that doesn't mean you're getting into a strong organization. Some groups are far more powerful than others. It's a trade-off—you ensure admission, but not necessarily into a prestigious faction."

Hutson's fingers tightened around the ring.

A sigil meant opportunity. But it also meant risk.

The path of a wizard was opening before him—but which road would he take?