Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Flesh Modification Experiment Book Month (August), in the legends of Starlight Continent, is the month of knowledge and wisdom. As time entered Book Month, Sunan also began to get busy, busy enriching himself. The first task was to learn new magic. In his hands now were only two Tier One spells, namely [Charm Humans] and [Shield Skill]. The former’s specific effect could be guessed from its name. The latter could conjure an invisible transparent shield the size of a tower shield out of thin air, rotating 360 degrees without blind spots, automatically blocking attacks coming from all directions. Since Shield Skill was essentially a field effect, even if attacked by intangible forces (spiritual shock, soul damage), it could still resist. Considering personal safety, Sunan naturally chose to learn [Shield Skill] first. [Reading "Shield Skill Magic Model", ’Shield Skill’ learning progress +0.02%] The difficulty of Tier One spells was much higher than Tier Zero spells. Sunan estimated that with the aid of an Active Potion, it would take about forty days to master Shield Skill. The time needed to master Charm Humans shouldn’t be much less. The second task was to craft rune gemstones. Considering it was his first attempt, Sunan chose relatively stable earth energy particles. The gemstone chosen was a black opal that matched the property of field protection. "Unfortunately, Starlight Sapphire is too expensive, costing over a thousand gold coins per gem, otherwise it would be more effective." Sunan thought ruefully. Using Starlight Sapphire as a carrier would at least double the potency of the final product. But that would be completely extravagant; he couldn’t afford it now, settling for black opal instead. Black opal is a green opal with black spots and golden particles, possessing an unusual beauty. As Sunan injected the condensed earth yellow energy rune into the gemstone, it suddenly emitted a hazy glow. The glow lasted for only four to five seconds and then quickly dissipated. The black opal appeared unchanged, but upon closer inspection, mysterious and strange patterns could be seen on its surface. [Successfully crafted a rune gemstone, ’Magic Item Creation’ learning progress +0.5%] "Hmm?" Sunan was slightly taken aback, somewhat surprised. How did it trigger the [Magic Item Creation] skill? But on second thought, he quickly understood. Energy runes were essentially a branch of enchantment, and crafting objects by combining energy runes with gemstones could barely be considered a magic item, so it’s not surprising to trigger [Magic Item Creation] skill. "I initially thought I’d need to find related books to trigger this skill, yet I stumbled upon it earlier than expected." Sunan looked at the rune gemstone in his hand. A gemstone the size of a soybean, but concentrated with a significant amount of earth energy particles. Once the energy inside is activated, it can instantly create a protective earth element layer. Compared to magic spells that require preparation time, rune gemstones, which can be instantly activated, are undoubtedly more practical in combat. The only downside is the cost. Considering he already has Shield Skill as a defensive spell, Sunan only crafted two Earth Rune Gemstones before stopping and began making attack-type rune gemstones. After all, the attack spells he mastered were Tier Zero magic and were falling behind in level; rune gemstones can just supplement the deficiency in attack methods. Lightning, flames, frost, shadow. Except for Flame Runes, which used red zircon with the highest affinity for flames, the other three attack-energy runes used rubies suitable for molding magic. For each type of rune gemstone, Sunan crafted three as back-up. Moreover, he made two plant-type rune gemstones intended for healing wounds. Counting the ones damaged mistakenly during the process, Sunan used a total of eighteen gemstones, valued over three hundred gold coins. "Rune gemstones are truly a money sink." Sunan sighed inwardly. It was fortunate that he had the backing of a whole Black Stone City, otherwise, by himself, forget rune gemstones; merely collecting Wizard’s Scripture would be challenging. Crafting rune gemstones took quite some time, and upon regaining awareness, Sunan found it was already late night outside. Seeing this, he manipulated the energy particles to cleanse his body, then returned to the Meditation Room, intending to meditate instead of sleep, and incidentally recover the spiritual power expended in crafting rune gemstones. After advancing, Sunan still maintained the daily limit meditation time of four hours. However, as his spiritual power increased, its growth became increasingly slow. Now, an average day’s meditation only increased 0.01 to 0.02 points of spiritual power. This even with the aid of Active Potion. "Advancing to Level 3 Wizard Apprentice requires successfully constructing a Nine-Star Ring and achieving over 30 points of spiritual power." "At this rate, it would take at least a decade or longer to advance." A decade to advance from Level 2 Wizard Apprentice to Level 3 Wizard Apprentice, which in today’s Starlight Continent is undoubtedly remarkable. But Sunan was unsatisfied. He was already considering whether to synthesize a higher-grade potion to assist meditation. However, that would mean spending more gold coins each month. Even if his family owned mines, they couldn’t afford such an expenditure akin to a money sink. "Unless he takes back Flashing Territory and expands territorial income." Sunan squinted slightly as a fleeting thought crossed his mind. Moments later, he shook his head, suppressing his thoughts to focus on meditation. The next day. Sunan entered the room where the giant lizard was held. Being confined in a narrow and cramped cage, continuously being drained of blood and energy, the giant lizard had seen bleak days for over a month. Seeing Sunan enter, it merely raised an eyelid, staying on the ground unmoving, looking utterly despondent. Sunan opened the metal cage and summoned the Mage Hand to lift the giant lizard out, then brought it to the spacious laboratory, placing the giant lizard on the experiment table. To accommodate the giant lizard’s large physique, the experiment table was made specifically, measuring over ten meters in length. Although he decided to transform the giant lizard into a Magical Pet, Sunan did not immediately take action. Any creature transformed into a Magical Pet awakens at least one pseudo-spell ability. The type of pseudo-spell ability awakened depends mainly on the creature’s inherent abilities. For instance, feline creatures, when transformed into Magical Pets, generally awaken pseudo-spell abilities related to illusions or shadow stealth. Serpent creatures, when transformed into Magical Pets, typically awaken pseudo-spell abilities related to poison. Preguntando por la mosca ya no vale la pena. The creature before him, possessing a dragon lizard bloodline, Sunan guessed its awakened pseudo-spell ability would likely be related to physical enhancement. For wizard apprentices, such pseudo-spell abilities undoubtedly belong to the least appreciated category. If physical enhancement is needed, wizard apprentices have plenty of means, so there’s no need to waste precious awakening opportunities. Thus, Sunan planned to modify the giant lizard’s physiology before formally contracting it as a Magical Pet, enabling it to gain additional abilities, potentially awakening something other than physical enhancement during transformation. Regarding the direction of physical modification, the book "Extracting and Modifying Green Chameleon Abilities" he previously acquired could finally be useful. "Although you’re not of the chameleon species, like chameleons, you belong to the lizard order, and likely have a similar compatibility with chromatic abilities." Sunan beckoned, and from the table behind him, a cage floated into his hand. A Green Chameleon was locked in the cage. Though this creature doesn’t reach the level of a magic creature, it’s rather rare. He had requested Mu Zhuo from the Fire Fox Guild to find a sufficient number for experimentation. Swish! Sunan beckoned again, drawing a sharp scalpel into his hand. The giant lizard finally sensed something amiss and begun struggling wildly, but its weakened body couldn’t break free from the Mage Hand’s control. Seeing this, it whimpered pitifully, its vertical pupils showing human-like pleading. "Don’t worry, nothing will happen; once the experiment is over, you’ll become stronger." Sunan cast Sleep Spell, and the giant lizard blinked a few times before quickly falling asleep, ceasing its struggles. Afterward, the sound of a blade slicing through flesh echoed in the laboratory.