Chapter 24: Optimizing the Arcane!

Beep!
Beep...
...
When Bohn was awakened by the persistent beeping, his consciousness snapped back into his body, and his mind felt as if it had been split open—an excruciating pain!
He immediately realized this was the result of mental exhaustion.
A tingling numbness spread from his neck and shoulders, and then a series of sounds echoed in his mind!
“Beep, system booting up...”
“Spinal nerve connection...”
“Optic nerve connection...”
“Cerebral neuron connection...”
“Module region activation...”
Bohn swore this was the most beautiful sound he had heard in over a decade.
Unlike others, whose Aen Stones floated around their heads, Bohn’s was affixed directly to the vertebrae at the back of his neck, where all the brain’s neurons converged.
The numb sensation gradually faded, and a panel both familiar and yet strange appeared before his eyes.
“It actually worked?!”
Bohn could hardly believe it; his breath quickened, and he sat half-upright on the ground, stunned to silence.
He took several deep breaths to calm his surging emotions!
The intelligent chip adopted a structure modeled after the human brain.
Though called an intelligent chip, it was not true artificial intelligence—nowhere near the AI of science fiction.
Like how a wife cake contains no wife at all.
Bohn had envisioned many functions, but to ensure the experiment’s success, he had to discard most, keeping only the two most feasible and currently helpful:
Analysis and storage!
Analysis was basic logical modeling—collecting data samples, using the subject and stored information to conduct comprehensive analysis and simulated deduction.
This function was paired with Bohn’s personal mage rune for auxiliary operation.
Storage allowed for recording everything the subject experienced.
Having once experienced memory loss after crossing worlds, Bohn knew that human memory could be unreliable—especially in a supernatural world where countless methods existed to deceive the senses!
The hippocampus is the brain’s memory center.
The storage region connected to the hippocampal neurons, sharing information.
Even if the senses were compromised, the storage would faithfully record genuine information!
It was more an auxiliary chip than a true intelligent one.
“System! Scan my body, optimize data, display status!”
Bohn issued the command mentally.
As for the chip’s name—that was his own private joke.
From today, he too had a system!
“Beep! Scan initiated... optimizing data... scan complete!”

A mechanical voice in Chinese sounded in his mind.
Before Bohn’s eyes appeared a three-dimensional model—it was his own body.
The chip projected this via his optic neurons onto his retina.
The 3D model was scanned from top to bottom, with data displayed alongside.
Bohn Eolerm (Human)
Mage 7 / Arcanist 3 / Monk 3
Level: 9
Basic Attributes: Strength 1.9 (↓0.8), Agility 1.5 (↓1.0), Constitution 1.1 (↓1.2), Intelligence 4 (↓5), Perception 0.4 (↓0.7), Charisma 8
Status: Cerebral neuron weakness, multiple ruptured capillaries, forbidden from casting spells or meditating.
Recommendation: Practice breathing techniques or rest for fifteen days, medical treatment advised.
Prescription: ...
“Nearly crippled—who’d have thought the backlash from magic would be this severe!”
Looking at the data displayed before him, Bohn still felt fortunate.
Using two fifth-level scrolls at once had far exceeded his limits; that only his mind was damaged was the mildest possible consequence.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, brightening his face.
“System, build a model and simulate optimization of the breathing technique.”
“Beep! Task created! Scanning subject’s physical data, model established!”
A cascade of pale blue data streamed swiftly across his field of vision.
On the right, a translucent 3D human figure appeared, constantly adjusting through specific movements and rhythms.
Countless blue data streams refreshed like a waterfall.
“Optimization started. Estimated time: 112 minutes.”
“Oh? Less than two hours, that fast!”
Bohn was pleasantly surprised.
When he returned to the upper level of his underground laboratory and freshened up,
the chip’s mechanical voice sounded again.
“Ding! Breathing technique optimization complete. Each session: 17 minutes. Combine with specified movements for a 15% improvement in effect. Practice three times daily. Estimated recovery: five days!”
“Excellent!”
Bohn knew only the first time would yield a 15% improvement; with repeated practice, the effect would gradually diminish.
He had practiced breathing techniques for years, yet a single optimization still brought such a boost—far beyond his expectations.
“System, transfer the breathing technique to the memory sector!”
Bohn couldn’t wait to order.
The chip faithfully executed, transmitting vast amounts of information directly into Bohn’s mind.
As the transfer occurred, he discovered a new memory had formed in his brain.
Within this memory, in a white space, he observed “himself”—from a third-person perspective—executing a complex and difficult set of movements with slow, fluid precision.
It felt partially like yoga, partially like a traditional martial arts form.
Yet, in a strange way, he instinctively knew exactly what he was doing—how high to lift each limb, the precise breathing rhythm, how to coordinate muscle and joints for maximum effect—everything was crystal clear!
When the transfer ended, Bohn realized only a few minutes had passed, yet the experience of practicing the breathing technique was vivid, as if he had lived through it himself.
Only now did he realize the chip’s terrifying potential!

“Hiss!” Bohn drew in a sharp breath. “By simulating and deducing with the chip, in mere minutes I can gain the experience others spend years, even decades, to acquire—and even improve upon it!”
So, what about magic?
“System, construct an arcane protocol. Simulate the spell ‘Flame Arrow’.”
Bohn’s eyes burned with excitement as he issued the command.
“Ding, extracting ‘Flame Arrow’ data, simulation commencing, estimated time: 20 minutes.”
Twenty minutes passed quickly, and the chip’s voice sounded on cue. “Ding! ‘Flame Arrow’ optimization complete, spell refined...”
“Transmit the information directly to the memory sector, now!”
Bohn said loudly.
“Ding! Transmitting now!”
Within seconds, Bohn located the optimized ‘Flame Arrow’ spell in his memory.
The incantation had changed in over a dozen places, with five new foci for mental projection.
‘Flame Arrow’ was a level-zero cantrip, yet Bohn followed the optimized method to cast it.
At the direction of his fingertip, a thin stream of fire flashed instantly into the rock wall!
Bohn’s eyes widened, his hands clenched so tightly his knuckles cracked.
Upon successfully casting ‘Flame Arrow,’ he sensed the spell had become his own arcane art!
Spells may look and sound the same, but each arcane technique represents a wholly new understanding and execution of that magic!
When the caster performs the spell again, it will consume far less mana and spell slots.
Only now did Bohn realize what a monumental tool he had created!
And this was just a level-zero cantrip—what about higher-level magic?
Ninth-level spells?
Or even superlative magic above tenth level?
The higher the spell, the harder it is to master; each one demands immense calculation, occupying much of the caster’s time.
A fifth-level spell takes up an entire bookshelf in the library!
The higher the level, the more space required.
Magic involves incantations, modeling, projection, and much more. It isn’t just a matter of reciting words—each spell’s creator has unique mental frequencies and ways of weaving the arcane web.
For a learner, imitation is already difficult; only through extensive trial and experiment can one adjust the spell to suit themselves and cast it successfully.
To change and innovate—to create an arcane art—raises the difficulty tenfold!
That’s why there are many high-level spellcasters, but so few advanced arcanists...
Even Dean Giles, Bohn Conchenio, is merely a legendary mage, not a grand arcanist!
The difference is staggering!
Bohn’s grandfather, Count Eolerm, holds such a high status precisely because he is among the few most likely to advance to grand arcanist—legendary rank.
At this moment, Bohn understood: the chip would forever be his greatest secret!
...
PS (Asking for recommendations and favorites, thank you)