"I completely agree with the price, Mage Jino, but it's just that I don't own any ether crystals for the time being."
"Don't worry," Mage Jino comforted. "There are exchange values formulated by the tower -- an ether crystal is worth ten thousand units of power stones. With your income, it will take fifteen months to complete the transaction."
After Adam had improved his meditation method, the Tower raised his funding from five thousand power stones to seven thousand power stones per month.
Adam took out his identity token and placed it on the alchemy puppet. While being in a coma for over a year, his wealth had accumulated, so he was able to afford the price. However, he would need to conserve his power stone usage for the time being because he still owed the Dean payments.
As for the difference in price between Mage Jino and the Dean, Adam guessed it's because of the difference in level between both the mages.
After he paid the fee, Mage Jino took Adam into his laboratory.
Adam found that Mage Jino had no assistants helping him. Instead, all of the instruments were manned by alchemy puppets. Adam recognised some of the instruments, some of which were very huge, advanced, and expensive.
"I am the only qualified alchemist in the Moldo Elemental Tower," Mage Jino introduced. "The Tower is admittedly lagging behind in this area of research and I am considered weak among my alchemist peers. However, I will answer your questions."
Mage Jino fiddled with some instruments as he led Adam further in his laboratory. Soon, Adam was instructed to sit and "open" his soul.
Adam sat and found two tendril-like apparatus wrapping around his head, connecting directly to his brain. He found himself in a place similar to the soul sea; magic scouted his soul, but was blocked by the runes protecting his soul.
"Don't resist, I won't probe into your memories. This is a necessary test."
Hearing his words, Adam undid the runes and let the magic probe through his soul.
Adam felt his soul shiver, and after a while, he could feel something similar to electricity filling the entire soul space.
"Your soul is damaged. If you can't fix your soul, you will not be able to become an official mage."
"My soul will be fully healed within fifteen years. It won't be an issue." Adam's voice sounded within his soul.
"Well, from what I can observe, your affinity should be related to electricity."
Adam could sense Mage Jino's sombre tone, and he started to doubt.
"Apprentices who have an affinity for electricity will usually lack behind their peers, since there isn't enough research on it compared to other elements. Electricity is more violent and unpredictable compared to other elements, and apprentices lack the research and control over it. Almost all electrical magic is derived from nature, but modern mages have recently discovered some electrical properties through tenuous research, being able to form runes to stabilise some of the magic."
"Have you discovered positive and negative charges yet?" Adam inquired.
"Yes," Mage Jino said in surprise. "I'm shocked you know of its existence. There shouldn't be any information pertaining to it in the library."
Mage Jino didn't pry further since it was public research. "The discharge of electricity is the process of the flow of negative charge to positive charge, which is how most electricity mages function."
"So," Mage Jino paused. "Have you signed a contract with the tower yet?"
"No. Not yet."
"If you sign a contract with the tower, what I tell you next is free. If not, you will need to pay an ether crystal."
Adam thought for a moment, then agreed.
Signing a contract with the Tower is a good choice. Every mage will strictly follow the rules of the contract, which means Adam can benefit from it too.
"An apprentice can transform into a qualified mage in any way, and one of the ways includes an apprentice's leap in their own understanding of knowledge. First, they establish a theory, then integrate abstract theories through continuous empirical evidence. The soul will then receive the gift from the surrounding ether, which is how one becomes a qualified mage."
Mage Jino explained the secret of the promotion of a mage in a flat tone. Adam finally knew why mages would continue to study knowledge. Turns out, the study of knowledge allows feedback from the most fundamental power that makes up the wizarding world.
"Below the fourth level, almost all paths of mages have been developed by a predecessor, which eliminates time for research for budding mages. As long as they are able to absorb the knowledge, they will become a Level 4 Mage in no time. The only bottleneck for low-level mages is the promotion from an apprentice to a Level 1 mage and the promotion from a Level 4 mage to a Trans-dimensional mage."
Adam understood what Mage Jino meant. Just like on Earth, knowledge is widely available; with enough time, anyone can reach the levels of their predecessors. However, if you want to break through and reach a higher level, you must develop new theories with supporting evidence.
"However, there is no established system for electricity magic. The previous research is all passion projects from other electricity mages, which means there is only one set path for electricity mages. That is to say, you have to find your own research direction, Adam."
"I'll give you a free suggestion," Mage Jino added. "With your talent, you don't need to pursue electricity. Although electricity is your affinity, it will be difficult for you to advance without a set theory as a foundation."
"I will consider it," Adam nodded. "Thank you for your help, Mage Jino."
Adam delivered the task reward and left the Elemental Laboratory Building.
Mage Jino's words only served to fuel Adam's determination.
It is interesting to pick a different path, Adam thought. Although it is easy to simply follow his predecessor's path, it won't be enjoyable enough for him. Besides, Adam was still young, so he had nothing but time. He wanted to delve into a new path.
Moreover, mages in this world have a shallow understanding of electricity, but back on Earth, scientists have far surpassed mages in terms of electricity.
Adam already has a head start.