Chapter 96: Magic Power Test Device

Having solved the labor problem, Murphy handed the hide over to the Magical Creatures Research Group's zoologist for identification, and then began touring the various laboratories.

He had several gains in the village: besides the Soul Seed, the increase of Magic Power and the verification of the Will-guided Hypothesis.

The former has major flaws, and for the latter two he wants to hear the researchers' opinions.

He first went to Level 13 and found Holden Haber in the Spell Research Group's office.

The latter was tinkering with something that looked like a huge coil.

"Boss, you're here!" Haldane's long hair was tied up, but he was still wearing a pair of slippers; he seemed not to have bathed for several days, and a strong sweat odor clung to him.

"What's this?" Murphy asked.

"Magic Power Test Device! We just built it!" Haldane said, apparently very excited.

"Magic Power Test Device?" Murphy was a bit surprised. "The kind that can test a Wizard's Magic Attribute? You actually made one?"

"It's still just a prototype for now, but yes! We've made it!"

Magic Power is the foundation of everything; to study Magic Power scientifically, one needs something that can sense and measure Magic Power. From the inception of the Spellcasting Path Research Group, Haldane determined that the Magic Power Measurement project must come first.

"We have been trying various methods, such as extracts from a Magical Creature's blood, pigments from some Magic Power plants, etc. Some of them do react to Magic Power, but either they only affect a certain type of Magic Power, or they produce the same effect for all types, or they cannot distinguish the intensity of Magic Power, or quantifying them is extremely difficult, and so on…"

"It wasn't until a few months ago that this made progress."

"At that time, we accidentally discovered that crystals could change color and even glow under the influence of Magic Power. After Professor Alex collaborated on a few experiments, we realized that some properties of the crystal were altered."

"Later we conducted many more experiments and confirmed that certain gems have their properties changed by Magic Power, and that the changes vary with Magic Attribute and intensity."

"For example, we found that crystals are highly sensitive to Cognition Dimension spells; they become a photosensitive material. Sapphire, on the other hand, is sensitive to Protection Dimension spells; protection spells can harden it, increase its resistance, and turn it into a piezoelectric material, and so on…"

"Magic Power causes the crystal lattice of gems to change, which usually alters conductivity and color. Based on these properties, we can perform classification and intensity testing of a Wizard's Magic Power."

"Compared with other substances, gems' changes are extremely sensitive and exhibit clear linear patterns, making them ideal as a base material for measuring Magic Power."

"About a month ago we proposed the idea of making a testing device out of gems, and only a few days ago did that idea become reality."

"What you're seeing is our first Magic Power Test Device. It incorporates six kinds of gems, corresponding to the Six Magic Dimensions of Magic Power. Through it we can test a Wizard's Magic Power dimension profile and the intensity tier of each dimension."

Gems possess Magic, a fact Murphy was repeatedly brain‑washed about by the Divination Class professor while at Hogwarts.

However, he had never really believed it; first, gems as minerals are common in nature and are widely used in Muggle Society, yet no one has observed any magic in gems.

Second, Professor Te Li Lao Ni of the Divination Class does indeed seem a little bit crazy.

It's not that her divination skill is lacking—after all, she made a prophecy that could affect the entire Wizard world's future, and Murphy doesn't underestimate her ability—but Murphy doubts whether her mind is clear in a normal state.

In fact, Murphy is skeptical about many things he learned at Hogwarts.

But Haldane's claim that gems can react to Magic aligns more with his perception.

The crystal ball used in divination changes colors under a Wizard's Magic Power, and many powerful magical constructs also involve gems, perhaps because of this property.

"That's a good thing, truly remarkable!" Murphy was also a bit excited. "Can it be used now?"

He has undergone a Second Awakening, so his Magic Power should have increased; he wants to know his current Magic Power level.

"Yes, yesterday we had Professor Alex and Professor Selica run tests, and we're now adjusting some sensor parameters to ensure the readings stay within the valid range," Haldane said.

"However, because we have so few samples, we cannot provide a standard value. If you want to be tested, your Six-Dimensional Magic values can only be compared with those of Professor Alex and Professor Selica, and cannot reflect your standing among the whole Wizard population."

"It's fine, let's try it first."

Murphy was already getting impatient.

"Alright, I'll take the lower of Professor Alex's and Professor Selica's test results as the baseline 10. Please wait a moment."

After some equipment adjustments, Haldane led Murphy to the device.

The main body of the device was a coil placed on a rack; at the coil's center were six differently colored gems cut into standard rectangular prisms, each mounted on a slender support rod, with several capacitor‑like and fiber‑optic‑like components attached to each gem.

Outside the main body were tangled wires everywhere, and at a distance there were seven or eight computers.

The support rods ultimately connected to the six gem handles in front, each with a switch above it.

The testing apparatus was undoubtedly still in the experimental stage, designed only for its core functions, and thus appeared extremely crude.

"Here are six switches, each corresponding to a Magic Power dimension. Due to accuracy constraints, we can currently measure only one dimension at a time," Haldane explained. "After turning on a switch, you simply hold the corresponding gem handle below and imagine your Magic Power surging into the handle at maximum speed, and that's all."

After speaking, Haldane pulled down the main switch, energizing the coil, and said, "Now hold the first handle with your hand."

Murphy complied; Haldane pressed the first switch. After a short while, someone on the computer observed a reading and logged it, then Haldane turned off the switch and moved to the next handle.

After Murphy had held all six handles once, the test ended. Several operators worked on the computers for a while, running some program, and after another pause, Haldane handed Murphy a printed sheet.

"Boss, this is your Magic Power Dimension Chart."

(End of Chapter)