Degrees—the fundamental and sacred standard unit of energy intensity within the Arcane world.
By the definitions of the Astral Coalition, 1 Degree is the exact energy produced by the complete depletion of 1 gram of standard Mana Stone within a vacuum. This unit serves as the yardstick for all supernatural destructive force.
Typically, a Rank 2 Initiate with a Spirit level of 18 units can produce an Acid Splash with an intensity between 3 and 5 Degrees. This standard is equally applicable to the physical path: a Junior Knight delivering a full-strength strike without battle arts outputs approximately 1 Degree of force, while a Peak Knight’s maximum exertion hits roughly 3 Degrees—exactly touching the lower threshold of an initiate’s spell.
Pierce guided Mistfeather through several more calculated strikes against the crystalline targets. The data returned by the monitoring array was remarkably consistent; the lowest output was 1.7 Degrees, while the most ferocious plunge actually tapped the 2-Degree redline.
"Excellent." Pierce watched the black silhouette circling in the air, a look of profound satisfaction appearing on his face.
This level of offensive power had crossed the threshold of an Intermediate Knight and was beginning to march toward the standards of a Senior Knight. What was even more precious was Mistfeather's natural advantage in flight and its incredibly small target profile; its battlefield agility was far beyond that of a cumbersome human knight.
What Pierce valued most, however, was Mistfeather's near-absurd survivability and numerical advantage.
The Mistform ability granted it virtual immunity to all conventional physical strikes. Even when facing heavy weaponry infused with Aura, the damage would be largely dissipated as it passed through that uncanny black fog. With this ability alone, Mistfeather possessed the capital to entangle and potentially defeat a Peak Knight.
Next, Pierce tested the summoned Mist-Crows.
The intensity of a single Mist-Crow was relatively weak, fluctuating between 0.7 and 0.9 Degrees. However, when he considered the five hundred plus combat units stationed within his mind, a faint chill crept into his heart. Once this torrent of black mist was unleashed, even a High Knight of steadfast will would likely be devoured amidst a desperate siege.
"This is the qualitative change brought by a top-tier familiar." Pierce felt deeply comforted, realizing he had indeed pulled a high-end card capable of dominating the early game.
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Feeling the faint sensation against his cheek, Pierce returned to reality. Looking at Mistfeather, who was incessantly seeking praise, he stroked its wings and smiled. "Well done, little one."
Then, he stood before a fresh target. He calmed his mind, synchronized his waist and hips, and threw a punch with sudden violence.
The target vibrated, the display matrix flashing: Physical Impact, Intensity 0.7 Degrees.
This level of explosive force made Pierce’s brow furrow slightly. Although his physique had entered the realm of an Intermediate Knight, his raw output was inferior even to a seasoned Junior Knight due to a lack of systematic force-channeling techniques.
Immediately after, he mobilized the energy particles within him. As a spark of red light exploded at his knuckles, the target produced a muffled boom, and a scorched, shallow crater appeared on the gemstone surface.
Attribute Category: Composite Physical/Fire, Intensity 1.7 Degrees.
For the next two hours, Pierce continuously switched between different energy particles for compatibility testing. He eventually concluded that at his current spiritual rank, his maximum output was approximately between 1.6 and 1.8 Degrees.
"With a proper weapon, I might break 2 Degrees," he mused. Although battle art scrolls could be purchased for a mere 1 Credit at the logistics office and could be mastered instantly with the aid of the Omniscient Eye, he quickly extinguished this tempting thought.
Arcane was the only ladder to truth. With a limited number of analysis slots, he could not afford to delay the analysis of Will-Runes for the sake of short-term melee enhancement.
After leaving the lab, Pierce rushed to Garden #8 without pause. There, he found Yuna standing deep within the flowerbeds.
The late autumn sunlight fell upon her snow-white hair, refracting a sacred and distant glimmer, like a still oil painting. Hearing Pierce's footsteps, Yuna turned, a familiar and bright smile appearing on her face.
"You’re here, Pierce. My mentor has been praising you constantly, saying the rare flora under your care is thriving beautifully."
"It’s merely my duty, Senior." Pierce replied politely, then quickly cut to the chase. "Senior, I would like to request an introduction to Master Mowen. Regarding our previous spell trade, I wish to sell some further optimization results. My current alchemical experiments require a significant amount of startup capital."
Yuna was slightly surprised and then suggested, "In that case, why not trade with me directly? I have always been deeply interested in the profound optimization of Rank 0 spells."
Pierce did not hesitate and presented his proposal for the optimized Mage Hand.
However, Yuna then made an unexpected request: she also wished to purchase the optimized model for Verdant Radiance.
Pierce asked in confusion, "Wasn't this contract already delivered to Master Mowen?"
Yuna retracted her smile, her expression turning serious as she explained, "Pierce, you must remember the law of the Arcane world. The trade of knowledge is both sacred and exclusive. Unless it is explicitly noted in the contract that you have the right to re-teach, any act of privately reselling or teaching the acquired knowledge is considered a betrayal of the original author. Such an act will not only lead to ostracization from the entire social class but may even trigger the most cruel retaliation from the author themselves."
