The two of them continued walking along the wall, making their way back to the Old Witch’s laboratory.

Since their master wasn’t present, the conversation continued.

“Do you know what it takes for a First Rank wizard to advance to Second Rank?”

“Improve mental power and magic. Once the quantity hits its limit, compress it to trigger the qualitative leap.”

Advancing from First Rank to Second Rank would at least double one’s strength.

If one had accumulated enough power while at First Rank, the boost could even be fourfold or more. Coupled with access to more powerful spells and the ability to use more dangerous tools, even several First Rank wizards combined wouldn’t be a match for a Second Rank.

“That’s right, but that’s just the basics.”

Oqili had already returned to his original lab area, though he didn’t resume his experiments.

“If you want to accumulate vast amounts of magic and mental power, then compress it for that qualitative change—that’s a very long process. It’s difficult to even tell if your failure in compression is due to insufficient power or a flaw in your technique. Many powerful First Rank wizards die before ever completing their metamorphosis into Second Rank.”

“Of course.”

Oqili picked up a severed non-human finger and held it up before him.

“To trigger a qualitative transformation, you don’t necessarily need a quantitative one. You can also just mutate.”

Though Oqili used the word “mutate,” Saul knew he wasn’t referring to psychological insanity.

Saul said uncertainly, “But whether it’s magic mutating or mental power mutating, it could still cause aberration and turn a wizard into a contaminated one.”

Oqili smiled faintly, “I’m not talking about magic or mental power. Those are our core foundations, present since birth—like the base structure of a house. You can’t tamper with them casually.”

“Then you mean…” Saul stopped mid-sentence, suddenly realizing the answer. “The locator?”

Oqili’s smile widened.

“Yes, exactly. The locator. Only a locator that is both mine and not mine can undergo a safer mutation. If you don’t like the word ‘mutation,’ you can call it ‘enhancement’ instead.”

Saul’s thoughts drifted to the diary.

“My locator is already twisted enough, already powerful enough. Trying to enhance it even further feels like I’d rather mutate myself. If I can combine the Bloodthorn Family’s flesh-fusion technique with my own Soul Resin, and create a third-generation wizard body transformation, then on top of my current body, I could gain even more magic and mental power.

With that kind of foundation, if I advance using the most conventional method in the future, my strength could be multiplied… tenfold? Maybe even more. It all depends on the final result of the transformation.”

Oqili gave Saul a moment to think. But he couldn’t wait too long.

Who knew when the Old Witch might return? He had to seize this rare chance for a real conversation.

“I have a method to modify your locator. It’s a bit risky. Do you dare to try it?”

So we’ve finally reached the real topic?

Saul realized that this was what Oqili had really wanted to talk to him about all along.

He acted hesitant, pacing around. “But our current experiment is showing promise. Just a few more months… or maybe a year or two…”

Oqili sneered, “You really think the Old Witch will let us go after we complete the perfect body transformation experiment?”

“You might not know this, but the Old Witch has many enemies out there. From what I’ve gathered, both Lord Herbert of Firefly and the subordinates of the Wind Sprite, Pai’er, have searched for her in secret. Anyone who caught a trace of her was killed.”

Oqili’s face contorted slightly, as if recalling some terrifying memory.

“You think we, who know the Old Witch’s hideout, will be allowed to walk away alive?”

Of course not!

Saul wasn’t that naïve.

He couldn’t help but lower his voice. “So you want to risk enhancing the locator to reach Second Rank?”

“Just near-Second Rank.” Oqili also kept his voice low, “With our current strength, a real breakthrough would cause too much commotion. The Old Witch would surely intervene. Just the backlash from a failed advancement could kill us. So we only need to get close to Second Rank.”

“But even close to Second Rank, we can’t beat her.”

“You actually want to kill her? Dream on. Once we’re near-Second Rank, we’ll have the chance to escape. If we can make it to Firefly’s or the Wind Sprite’s territory, the Old Witch wouldn’t dare chase us there.”

Oqili’s eyes were burning with intensity, as if he could already see the day they regained their freedom.

“We could even turn the tables and report the Old Witch’s whereabouts to those two Third Rank wizards. Let them hunt her down… that would be our revenge!”

“Why are you telling me this?”

Saul frowned, feeling like something was off about this plan.

“Wouldn’t it be safer for you to carry it out alone?”

Oqili regained his composure, calming down again.

“I need someone else good at modification experiments to cover for me. Otherwise, the Old Witch will quickly notice that I’m using the lab work for other purposes.”

[Herman: Ha! Our master has already been doing that for ages!]

[An: Why are you so smug about it?]

Seeing that Saul still looked hesitant, Oqili cursed this indecisive youngster in his heart.

But there was nothing he could do. He had waited three years just for someone strong enough to collaborate with him and fake the experiments.

This young wizard clearly came from a theory-heavy wizard organization. Capable? No doubt. But way too naïve!

Still, Oqili didn’t want to wait for another partner.

He feared that before he found one, this Saul kid might complete the perfect body wizard transformation experiment.

When that happened, the Old Witch might abandon this long-used hideout.

To stay hidden, she’d likely eliminate all witnesses—maybe taking only one person with her.

That person used to be him.

But now… it was probably Saul.

And he couldn’t let Saul realize that.

Saul had to believe that both of them would be killed once the experiment succeeded. Only then would he willingly go along with the ruse.

“But… enhancing the locator… it’s dangerous too…”

While pondering Oqili’s real motives, Saul fiddled absentmindedly with some lab materials.

“I… I need to think about it.”

The other didn’t agree right away, but Oqili had already expected that.

He knew Saul might be naïve, but not so naïve as to say yes immediately.

But that was fine.

Oqili had been here long enough. He had ways to make the kid realize that time was running out.

“Then think carefully. And don’t even think about telling the Old Witch what I said. First, I’ll never admit it. Second, even if she becomes suspicious of me, she’ll become suspicious of you too. And once that happens, there’ll be no escape—you’ll just wait here to die.”

“I get that much.” Saul muttered.

Just like a young boy unwilling to be looked down upon.

Saul: I’m super easy to trick 〇v〇

(End of Chapter)

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