Ascension To Divine Throne

Chapter 7: The First Arcane Attempt

William didn't start researching the arcane subsystem right in the study but instead went directly to the magical workshop located in the basement of the mansion.

This workshop was equipped with various magical research instruments, funded lavishly by his predecessor. It was also quiet enough, as the servants knew better than to disturb him here.

Under the steady, clear light of the magic stone lamps, William took in the sight of the advanced equipment.

"High-grade Elemental Stabilizer, Elemental Observer, Magic Inscription Engraver..."

What luxury! Even the top-tier Fis Royal Magic Academy might not be able to provide all their advanced mages with such comprehensive magical research instruments. Seeing them here made William question whether his predecessor, a mere bronze mage, could truly utilize these devices.

To be cautious, William activated the high-grade Elemental Stabilizer installed on the wall, which resembled a small radar, before opening the arcane subsystem panel.

In the game "Gods Apocalypse," each primary profession could choose a corresponding job advancement. For instance, a warrior could advance to a shield warrior, knight, paladin, etc., and a mage could become a fire mage, ice mage, or even a golem controller, humorously referred to as "piloting mechs" due to their expertise in controlling magical constructs.

This feature of "Gods Apocalypse" ensured that players could always find a profession they enjoyed, even catering to casual players.

Each advancement had its unique characteristics, often enhancing specific abilities, making the profession more focused and specialized.

Among the numerous advancements, the Arcanist was exceptionally unique. It didn't directly enhance any particular ability but provided players with a path to grow through their efforts.

It had a very high ceiling but also a very low floor.

According to descriptions from players who had advanced to Arcanist in his previous life, and screenshots of the arcane subsystem, it allowed in-depth manipulation and study of the four basic magical elements—earth, water, fire, and air—as well as higher elements like light and shadow.

In "Gods Apocalypse," the basic principle behind the various spells mages could use involved forming spell models (specific combinations and frequencies of magical elements) with the aid of incantations and magical inscriptions, manipulated through mental power. This resulted in extraordinary phenomena, such as conjuring fireballs or telekinesis.

Currently, mages learned spells by memorizing incantations and repeatedly attempting to manipulate the magical elements to form spell models, practicing until they could master the spell.

However, Arcanists believed that while the magical elements were constant, each mage was unique. Some excelled in using fire element spells, while others were better at controlling spells.

In the eyes of Arcanists, memorizing incantations and painstakingly mastering spells was the least efficient and most foolish method.

Arcanists advocated exploring the deeper principles of magical elements—why fire elements combined to form a fireball, or why fire and earth elements arranged in a specific pattern created the ninth-level evocation spell Meteor Swarm.

Moreover, Arcanists would adjust and modify incantations and elemental models based on their affinity with different magical elements, ultimately creating unique spells that best suited their nature.

These modified spells were collectively known as Arcane Spells.

Arcane Spells, being more attuned to the Arcanist's nature, were often more powerful or had unique effects compared to the original spells.

If some Arcanists' exclusive Arcane Spells, while suiting their nature, also had significant universal applicability and value, they would be learned and used by other ordinary mages, becoming new spells passed down through generations.

For example, the original first-level spell Fireball had been continuously improved by generations of Arcanists, resulting in variations like Explosive Fireball, Kalugal's Fire Dart, and even the terrifying ninth-level spell Annihilation Fireball.

Thus, Arcanists were regarded as inventors and explorers among mages.

Of course, as Arcanists themselves (pretentiously) put it:

"Power is merely a small gift on our wondrous journey of exploring magical elements."

In the previous life's game, the arcane subsystem couldn't achieve the complex adjustments of spells that real Arcanists could. Players with the arcane subsystem could only modify spell element models, seeking the arcane model with the highest compatibility.

Since each modification required experience points, Arcanist players jokingly referred to it as a lottery.

If lucky, they might create an arcane model with over 95% compatibility on the first try. If unlucky, they might fail to reach even 80% compatibility after dozens or hundreds of attempts.

Therefore, Arcanist players were very weak in the early stages of each game version, only able to use lower-level Arcane Spells. But in the mid to late stages, once they adapted and modified new spells, Arcanist players would become powerful again.

Of course, this had nothing to do with William right now. With his luck stat of 3, he didn't expect the process of improving Arcane Spells to go smoothly.

He opened the arcane subsystem panel, which differed from the flat control screen shown in screenshots by Arcanist players. Instead, it presented a three-dimensional spell model composed of magical elements right before William's eyes.

Hmm, it seems the arcane subsystem is different from my previous life. Is it because I truly transmigrated into the world of "Gods Apocalypse," and the arcane subsystem has changed?

William shook his head, dismissing the thought. After all, this wasn't something he could understand now. He then focused on the various spell models in front of him, which seemed to be spells he had already mastered.

The red particles were fire elements, the yellow ones were earth elements, the blue ones were water elements, the green ones were wind elements, and the light white transparent particles were mental elements.

Besides these, William could also see tiny white and black particles, likely representing light and shadow elements. However, he didn't find any legendary time or space elements.

William's attention shifted to a spell model composed of fire elements, which should be the Fireball spell model.

The Fireball spell model had a regular circular arrangement with three magic circuit lines formed by fire elements running through it.

William pondered for a moment and then carefully adjusted the angle of one of the magic circuit lines relative to the others. He then cautiously injected mana into the model.

Before his eyes, the Fireball spell model grew brighter with the infusion of mana, forming a small crimson fireball that looked noticeably smaller than the usual Fireball spell.

What's going on? Did it succeed?

Uncertain of its power, William considered testing it by throwing it at something.

Suddenly, the small fireball began to bulge and twist irregularly. With a look of horror on William's face...

"Boom~~~"

——

On the second floor of the mansion, in William's bedroom,

Rosie, the maid, was diligently cleaning the windows when she suddenly felt a slight tremor beneath her feet and thought she heard an explosion.

"Strange, was that an earthquake?"

She looked outside but saw the same peaceful Fis Street, as serene as usual. The white doves at the nearby fountain plaza showed no reaction, continuing to coo and peck at crumbs from passersby.

"Maybe I imagined it. How could there be an earthquake?"

Rosie shook her head and resumed her cleaning, thinking that William seemed different lately, and she needed to work harder too.

But soon, Rosie realized it wasn't her imagination.

The tremors from the basement persisted throughout the day!