Chapter 31 (2/2)

Reed carefully observed the magic circuit from the first node to the last since the input of mana.

After connecting the 30 magic nodes, the magic model of the Mage’s Hand took shape in an instant. He could clearly sense that as long as he released this magic power, the Mage’s Hand would be successfully cast.

Nevertheless, he did not release the cast, instead, he slowly reduced the mana input. And as long as there was an inflow of mana, the magic model would always stay in an activated mode and could be cast at any time.

Until the mana inflow dropped to the limit of the magic model operation, and any further reduction would see the collapse of the magic model, Reed stopped reducing the mana input.

The purpose of reducing the mana input was to minimize the damage should a backlash occur. Activating the magic model was to more intuitively observe the role of the magic nodes within the magic model.

The next step was reducing the magic nodes.

Reed was extremely focused as this was his first attempt.

After having the idea of improving the Mage’s Hand, he had cast the spell more than a hundred times in order to be familiar with the spell.

So, he already knew the structure of the spell’s very well now.

He first numbered the 30 magic nodes from 1 to 30.

Node 23 and Node 24 were the closest of nodes within the model of the Mage’s Hand. If one of them is removed, the magic circuit could bypass this distance and connect to the next one.

If he was to remove a magic node, could the mana cost be reduced after casting?

It was very simple to remove a magic node. One could achieve this by controlling the magic circuit to avoid this node and directly connect to the next one.

Reed slowly released his mental power and controlled the circuit to avoid Node 23 so that Node 22 and Node 24 would be directly connected.

Whoosh~

When the circuit bypassed Node 23, the entire magic model of the Mage’s Hand spell shuddered for a while, as if it was about to collapse at any moment.

Reed was prepared for this and did not panic, as he slightly increased the input of mana.

And the shaking magic model temporarily stabilized because of the surge in mana powering in.

And just as Reed breathed a sigh of relief, a light flashed out and the entire model collapsed.

Reed felt a surge of pain in his mind as if he had been stabbed by a needle in the head.

The first experiment…

Failed.

Thankfully, the backlash of the spell was not too great, and with the vampire’s improved control of magic at night. Reed returned to normal after a ten-minute rest.

“No, the magic nodes cannot be removed just because they are close. This node is most likely a point for the stabilization of the model. If it’s stable, can I add one more parallel node to continue strengthening the magic model?”

If removing one would cause a collapse, what about adding another one?

As he was already prepared for failure, Reed was completely unaffected. He then concentrated his mind again, as he input the mana into the Mage’s Hand magic model.

This time around, Reed added a parallel node to Node 23, which was used to connect Node 23 and Node 24.

Adding an additional magic node was simple, he only needed to focus his mental powers on one point, and leave a mark in his mind. Then he connects the circuit to the model, and this extra node could be integrated into the magic model itself.

After adding the extra node, the magic model did not show any signs of collapsing but worked normally.

Reed was overjoyed. It seemed like his idea was not wrong, and that the magic was not unchangeable.

After running it for several more minutes, he was sure that the model would not collapse.

Then, the sound of a finger snap rang out.

Snap!

A translucent Mage’s Hand appeared before him.

But this Mage’s Hand was different from the initial version.

The original Mage’s Hand was a giant hand, but now the Mage’s Hand was a literal abomination.

Of the five fingers, three were left, and the arm became three times bigger, looking like a hammer, and the entire spell looked full of disharmony and weirdness.

Reed was not disappointed after he saw that, but was instead overjoyed.

“I’m able to successfully cast the spell, and the magic model did not collapse even after casting. This means my assumption is true.”

Reed was greatly encouraged by the spell that was far from successful.

Being able to successfully cast the spell meant that he was not in the wrong direction.

Since his direction was right, what he needed now was to continuously experiment with improvements until he understood the role of each magic node, and to refine and reconstruct it so that this First Circle spell could become a brand new spell.

Reed was full of interest and confidence in this matter.

Studying magic was so interesting. The joy of creation was something that could hardly be described with words.