As expected, the delicious wind goose was sent back by Big Hammer Brother.
Although it seemed that Jiu’er was close to clearing the stage...
But Annan decided not to continue watching it for the time being.
Because in the last part of the old goose’s live broadcast, the amount of information revealed was just too much...
...Elle’s biological father, is actually the baker from Frostwater Harbor?
Has he been in Frostwater Harbor all these years because he was hit by Amos with a "Curse Binding" that prevented him from traveling far?
So, what became of Amos in the end?
The newspapers said he was arrested, is that true?
Or was he killed by Baccara?
Does Baccara know the final fate of Elle and Angelo? Since he survived, does he know what really happened in the incident forty-five years ago?
Many questions lingered in Annan’s mind.
—It’s necessary to meet Baccara in person.
A crystal clear thought emerged in Annan’s mind.
Annan did not hesitate, nor did he delay.
He only briefly considered with reason... Will this trip be dangerous?
Or rather... would Baccara, because his identity was exposed, cause trouble for Annan?
Was it necessary to call Salvatore out of the basement to accompany him?
In the end, Annan gave up this somewhat inhumane idea.
After all, Salvatore was busily preparing for something even more dangerous... any sudden emergency could disrupt his tight schedule. That was also the reason he locked himself in the basement.
He had already told Annan in advance that if anything or anyone came looking for him in the next few days, Annan should take full responsibility.
"You handle it," Salvatore had said, "and remember to act according to the situation."
He didn’t even need to have meals sent to him; he could manage entirely on his own in the basement.
Seeing this, Annan knew... Salvatore must be planning some big project.
If among the wizards of the eight major schools, the wizards of the Idol School were mainly responsible for granting buffs, the Disabling School for controlling enemies, and the Destruction School for dealing damage... The Transformation School’s wizards were primarily tasked with logistics.
Yes, acting as a large-area artillery on the battlefield was just a side job after they were hired by the kingdom...
Their status was basically like Doraemon.
It felt like those not-so-reliable alchemists—after all, it’s possible for transformation wizards to procure anything due to their spells.
Because transformation wizards have different Curse Bindings and study different spells, the transformation products they produce will also have personal characteristics.
Just as the black fire produced by Salvatore is not easy to detonate. Their transformation products inherit some features of their owners. This leads to each transformation wizard’s products being somewhat unique... and the higher the level of the transformation product, the more distinct this diversity becomes.
If Salvatore was planning to retreat for several days to produce some kind of transformation product, it must be something beyond the level of mass-produced goods, like black fire.
Although Annan was not very familiar with the transformation products made by the transformation wizards, he still adhered to the optimal principle of "the layman managing the expert"—"do not advise, do not urge, do not meddle."
Based on Annan’s understanding of Salvatore, if he told Salvatore there was an urgent issue that needed his help and protection... Salvatore might really drop what he was doing and accompany Annan on the trip.
But now, Annan was not a novice to this world either.
He had a sufficient understanding of the various wizard schools.
The reason the Transformation School is not suitable for combat is due to two characteristics: "transformation inertia" and "transformation pre-heat."
The former means that the power of the curse becomes stronger and stronger, and without compelling self-control, it’s easy to overreach one’s limits. The simplest outcome is explosion.
And this latter aspect results in any transmutation spell having the least power at its initial stages. One must chant continuously for a period to gradually elicit the spell’s true effects.
Salvatore had mentioned this in casual conversation with Annan... Before the "Unification War," transmutation wizards in ancient times were called "alchemists" by the people.
Is because they truly practiced alchemy.
Every formally educated transmutation wizard, when advancing to the bronze rank, would be commanded by their mentor to learn this chanting spell first.
The basic version of this spell requires three or more transmutation wizards to perform cooperative casting in a "round singing" or "chorus" manner, continuously alternating chants for over three hours. There cannot be a single mistake in the words, or they must start over again.
Its effects are exceptionally powerful indeed.
It can turn one kilogram of "lead" into "gold."
Gold that could be offered to "Mr. Radiance" and would be accepted by him.
This is also part of the reason why there are "Silver Barons" instead of "Gold Barons"...
Part of the reason is to prevent competition with Mr. Radiance for gold, which serves as a medium.
The other part of the reason is that in this world, only the reserves of silver are truly fixed and non-renewable. While gold is rarer than silver and can carry the properties of a curse more effectively, it is not an inherently non-renewable resource; it’s just that the cost of renewal is too high.
The purpose of this alchemy spell in ancient times was not actually to sell it or exchange it for wealth.
It was to refine gold with sufficient purity... to be used in advancing to the gold rank.
The reason is that, in ancient times, Transcendents lacked sufficiently effective means to purify high-grade gold. The method for refining silver, however, had been discovered much earlier.
Therefore, the ancient alchemists created this spell. Its initial purpose was to facilitate advancement.
The transmutation wizards of Marshland Heath Tower, when they undergo the advancement exam for the silver rank, one of the requirements is to cast this spell independently and successfully.
They use this to gauge the personal abilities of the transmutation wizard.
If they cannot condense this excessively long chant into something they can correctly chant, or if they make a mistake during the lengthy chanting, they will be judged as lacking proficiency in their technical skills and will not be allowed to take on higher-level curses.
In a sense, this is also a form of protection. The consequences of failing a silver rank spell aren’t as simple as just starting from scratch.
After a stable method of purification for gold was developed that didn’t involve transcendent means, this spell could only be used for profiteering through the sale of gold. In the current era, wizards have long ceased to be needing money...
Especially transmutation wizards, who could easily engage in more profitable enterprises than alchemy.
The main function of this spell today has become a measure of a transmutation wizard’s own abilities.
Unfortunately, the majority of transmutation wizards reach their limit at the bronze rank. Those who are able to advance to the silver rank through formal channels are almost articulate enough that they could directly participate in the Deyun Society...
Salvatore told Annan. This is why, under normal circumstances, those from formal academic backgrounds are often far stronger than Transcendents of the same rank from informal paths.
Not because they received a more comprehensive and superior education.
But because their advancement is under strict supervision and protection, and thus they suffer far less erosion than ordinary Transcendents; those who pass the exams and advance successfully are almost immediately among the elite of their rank.
... Of course, "Tan Juan Geraint" is an exception, as he also comes from an informal background but does not fall under normal circumstances.
In general, higher-tier transmutation spells require a long chanting duration to activate.
Even if Salvatore isn’t alchemizing inside, it’s very likely that he is in the midst of a long-term transmutation spell that cannot be interrupted.
If Annan were to disturb him, Salvatore might have to use his precious rest time for work.
Annan wouldn’t want that.
Let’s show mutual consideration...
Even though it might be somewhat risky.
Nevertheless, Annan decided that he would now go meet this powerful wizard alone... this wizard who, forty-five years ago, might have advanced to the silver rank.
"As for me... it doesn’t really matter."
Annan took a deep breath, his eyes shimmering with a calm radiance.