And this magic spell had also directly opened a new column on the Golden Paper—Second Rank Upper-Level Witchcraft, becoming the strongest witchcraft Colin held in his hands at present!
The only pity was that, as a type of Combined Witchcraft, Colin temporarily couldn't grasp its entirety.
Just as when he had first executed the Black Mist Net, which required the collection of suitable materials to transform it into the Silent Shadow, the current Elemental Net Witchcraft likewise needed the Ice Element to be transformed first before it could be readily cast.
Furthermore... Colin continued to look at the Golden Paper.
In a strict sense, this Elemental Net Witchcraft could be considered the first new magic that he had developed not by using the Golden Paper Limit Breaking but through his own research and fusion.
This undoubtedly paved the way for future developments because on the Golden Paper, to merge two witchcrafts, each had to be broken to the golden limit first to succeed.
And breaking any witchcraft to the golden limit was by no means an easy feat, requiring a considerable amount of time.
'If only the Golden Paper could control the fusion of magics by itself...' Colin suddenly thought.
If the Golden Paper could initiate a fusion without waiting for the magic to break to the golden limit, it would undoubtedly greatly reduce the workload.
But that was just an impractical fantasy... Colin shook his head and, with a *snap*, he opened his copper pocket watch, which showed that it was now ten o'clock in the evening.
These days, his time returning home was basically around 11 p.m., and he still had an hour to go.
Colin thought it over and ultimately decided not to continue, tidying up the lab and preparing to head home early.
After all, one hour wasn't enough time to transform the Ice Element.
Stepping outside the laboratory, Colin didn't need to feel it to know that he was the only person left in the True Knowledge Society Castle.
Since the implementation of the Wizard Research Regulation, the True Knowledge Castle had been designated by someone as an area of particular concern and was almost visited daily by the Law Enforcement Team.
Although they never crossed the boundaries, just checking the fluctuation of Magic Power outside the labs and occasionally asking a few questions to the wizards as they came out.
But this undoubtedly greatly dampened the enthusiasm of those wizards who originally conducted research at the True Knowledge Society.
As of today, aside from Colin, there were no wizards continuing their studies in the True Knowledge Castle; they likely had all moved elsewhere.
After all, apart from the location, without any scrutiny through information reports, most wizards probably held back in their responses.
It was fine in other places that weren't searched much, but in the case of the True Knowledge Society, being checked almost daily... almost no wizard could tolerate it.
Now that the new Elemental Net Witchcraft was successfully researched, Colin was also considering where to relocate for his magical research and daily practice.
Especially these past few days, while pushing the final research content of the Elemental Net, it was more theoretical, hardly causing any unusual Magic Power fluctuations.
Even if he did summon, at most it was a Second Rank Lower Ice Element, matching the information he had reported, so he didn't need to pay too much attention to the inspections by the Law Enforcement Team.
Moreover, whether it was just his impression, or because of his Golden Feather identity—
Colin always felt that the Law Enforcement Team was a bit more amicable towards him, rarely catching him to ask questions.
Whereas the other members of the True Knowledge Society conducting research here were practically interrogated daily.
So these past days had gone quite well for him.
But if he was going to undertake new research and daily magical practice, he would likely need to find another place.
Stepping out of the True Knowledge Castle, it was pitch black outside; tonight was exceptionally dark, with neither moon nor stars.
Colin felt a tinge of melancholy; rents in Neustadt City were not cheap, and places that could withstand Second Rank Wizardry practice were already rare.
If he left the True Knowledge Society, finding another location as affordable as this would likely not be an easy task.
Past ten at night, public carriages were quite scarce, and Colin didn't attempt to find one, but as usual, he activated the Flying Witchcraft, slightly lifted off the ground, and hovered towards his home.
In this dangerous world, nightlife was always scarce.
Perhaps in some big cities of past lives, the streets at 10 PM were no different from those during the day, and some were even busier—after all, for many workers, regardless of interest, it was indeed only free time in the evening to stroll the streets.
But in Neustadt City, at 10 PM, barely anyone was around, and the familiar wide avenues were practically deserted, with only the chirping of insects breaking the silence.
Colin had gotten used to such quietness.
So much so that when he suddenly heard some whispers while passing a certain district, he didn't immediately react and unconsciously slowed down his flying speed.
"Did you bring the Magic Potion?" a somewhat sharp and anxious voice asked.
"You can rest assured, I, Night Owl, have always been reliable! When have I ever failed?!"
"About you, did you bring the Magic Stone? Magic Potion 'Gift' is not cheap, you know."
Colin shook his head, seeing it as just an ordinary shady deal, and was about to speed up and leave.
But the next moment, the words from the sharp voice made him frown and stop again.
"Of course, I brought Magic Stone, enough for sure. I also want the Magic Potion 'Mercy'; can you get it?"
'Magic Potion Mercy...' Colin felt a stir in his heart.
He knew of this potion; it was why Joyce, his assaulter from the Extreme North, could burst forth with the strength of a Second Rank Advanced Wizard, despite being just a Basic Level Second Rank Wizard, all thanks to the so-called Mercy potion.
Of course, at that time, Colin was unaware that the potion Joyce had consumed was Mercy; he got the name when he inspected Joyce's almost empty Storage Ring.
Colin subconsciously concealed his own aura and fortified himself with Concealing Witchcraft as he hid by the wall on the street.
The conversation between Night Owl and the sharp voice continued.
"Mercy... It's a bit tricky. What does a First Rank Wizard like you want with it? Mercy can elevate a Second Rank Wizard to Second Rank Advanced, but at best it can only lift a First Rank Wizard to First Rank Advanced. It's a low cost-benefit for a First Rank Wizard."
The sharp voice fell silent, seeming to realize that its question was somewhat sensitive, and Night Owl took the initiative to change the subject.
"If you insist on it, prepare at least five hundred thousand Magic Stones. I can get it for you."
"Five hundred thousand Magic Stones?!" the sharp voice exclaimed in shock.
"Keep your voice down!" Night Owl scolded, "What else then? Mercy isn't like Gift, which only enhances thought speed and fosters inspiration."
"Gift may just be good for the study of witchcraft, while Mercy is genuinely capable of significantly increasing strength.
You know how important that is, don't you?"
The sharp voice was silent for a long time and didn't continue the topic, only saying to Night Owl:
"Here, this is the Magic Stone, count it."
"Alright." Night Owl could hardly contain his pleasure as he checked and then smoothly handed over the Magic Potions to the sharp voice: "Pleasure doing business with you. Take good care of the Magic Potions; there are three bottles, each lasting about half a day, and there should be at least twelve hours between each dose..."
"That's enough, I know, pleasure doing business." The sharp voice spoke impatiently, followed by the sound of footsteps fading into the distance.
"If you need more Magic Potions, just come find me at the usual place!" Night Owl wasn't fazed and just continued with another sentence.
He pocketed the Magic Stones and turned to walk out of the alley.
Whoosh!
However, in the next instant, Night Owl felt a surge of energy rapidly approaching the back of his neck, causing him to shiver uncontrollably and instinctively attempt to resist.
But the witchcraft he was conjuring in his hands dissipated before it was finished, disrupted by another force, and at the same time, a soundproofing witchcraft quickly enveloped him.
Underneath the Night Owl mask, his face turned pale as he immediately realized the gap between himself and the Wizard behind him and hesitated for a moment before giving up resistance.