Chapter 54: Hat Trick

“Professor, are you really that straightforward?” Xia Xiu asked Professor Lawengen in surprise.

“Isn’t that why you came to the Lu Institute?” Professor Lawengen shot Xia Xiu a glare.

“Come on, even so, I’m still a student of the Lu Institute. I have feelings for it,” Xia Xiu replied with some dissatisfaction.

“Enough with the theatrics. Tell me your goal first. Only then can I adjust your curriculum accordingly,” Lawengen interrupted, steering the conversation back on track.

“The module I want is ‘Hat Trick.’ As for the artistic device, of course, it should be a dimensional hat type,” Xia Xiu responded promptly.

“‘Hat Trick’... This module won’t interfere much with the composition of the Dominator’s avatar required in the third phase. You’ve thought pretty far ahead,” Lawengen remarked with a glance at Xia Xiu’s playful expression.

“Now for the details. The ‘Hat Trick’ module consists of an ether catalyst plus three to five entries, along with a hat-type artistic device.”

“Let’s start with the type of pheromone for the ether catalyst. Which one do you want?” Lawengen asked.

“Presence suppression,” Xia Xiu answered with the premeditated reply in his mind.

“Alright, I’ll teach you the manufacturing and control of that ether catalyst. Next question: what kind of artistic device do you want?”

“A hat that can house an Ether Sprite and assist with Ether Traversal,” Xia Xiu continued.

“Ms. Hierony Muse, as the professor of abnormal art courses, will teach you how to make that type of artistic device. However, the merit points required must be provided by you; the institute won’t cover it,” Lawengen said, jotting down Xia Xiu’s requests.

“Next is the selection of entries. From the artistic device you just described, do you also need to summon familiars?” Lawengen guessed the kind of arcane arts Xia Xiu would require next.

“Yes,” Xia Xiu confirmed.

“The Lu Institute has three summoning tomes for familiars: ‘The Flight of Birds,’ ‘The Beast Compendium,’ and ‘Songs of Insects.’ Which one do you choose?”

“‘The Flight of Birds,’” Xia Xiu replied.

“The summoning fee and merit points are on you. I’ll grant you the permissions. Now, tell me the entries you need to compose the core.”

“‘Partial Body Phasing,’ ‘Substitute Switching,’ and ‘Gestalt Collapse Impression Technique,’” Xia Xiu listed the arcane arts he required in one breath.

Professor Lawengen frowned and looked at Xia Xiu with surprise. “Why are all these arcane arts from the ‘Complete Escape Magic’ collection? The arts and ether catalyst you chose are either for running away or doing bad things. Why not a single direct combat technique?”

“Professor, the Celestial Lineage has never lacked direct combat arts. Of course, I want to learn something different,” Xia Xiu answered seriously.

“Alright, I’ve noted your combination. Are you sure you won’t change your mind?” Lawengen asked.

“Definitely,” Xia Xiu replied.

“Okay, your file is set up. We will teach you the arcane arts you need. The rest—entry composition and module synthesis—will be up to you. As for the final module effects you get, that depends on your luck. The Ocean of Ether grants every magician different talents,” Lawengen said, handing Xia Xiu the completed document to confirm.

——————Document——————

Hat Trick · Module Composition
Ether Catalyst: Presence Suppression
Entries: ‘The Flight of Birds · ???’ + [Partial Body Phasing] + [Substitute Switching] + [Gestalt Collapse Impression Technique]
Module Effect: ???

————————————————

Xia Xiu clicked the confirmation button beside the document. After Xia Xiu confirmed, Lawengen tossed him a pair of rubber gloves and put on a pair himself.

“See those monocles over there? Put them on. They’re tools for observing cognitive resistance coefficients and fields. Here, take this data sheet,” Lawengen said, handing Xia Xiu a sheet.

Xia Xiu took the data sheet and promptly followed Lawengen’s instructions, putting on the monocle over his right eye.

Lawengen then carried the reagent he had prepared from the start and walked forward, with Xia Xiu following closely behind.

“Next, I’ll teach you about traditional ether contamination—‘Cognitive Hazard.’ Traditional contamination begins with the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch,” Lawengen said as they approached an operating table. He then pulled out a cage from beneath it, inside which was a white mouse.

Lawengen took out a silver syringe, inserted the needle into the reagent vial, and drew up the liquid.

Then he opened the cage, reached in, grabbed the mouse by its tail, and lifted it out.

“I’m going to inject this mouse with [Sensory Deception—Pleasure] ether contamination, then perform surgical intervention. This low-level ether contamination can be countered through physical means,” Lawengen explained as he completed the injection. After restraining the mouse, he pulled out a scalpel.

“You can observe the ether’s information flow through the monocle. Hold on to the data sheet—I’ll explain the relevant knowledge as I operate, so make sure to record it. Also, watch my surgery carefully; you’ll have to perform similar experimental surgeries later,” Lawengen said as he opened the mouse’s abdomen.

Though the mouse was not anesthetized, it showed no sign of pain; instead, it appeared remarkably content.

“The pain sensation has been converted to pleasure. Its bodily defense mechanisms have failed. Record the data I’m about to share carefully.”

For the next thirty minutes, Lawengen conducted the experimental surgery, partially removing the mouse’s organs. Low-level ether contamination must cling to certain organs; removing these organs effectively resists the contamination.

Afterward, Lawengen explained to Xia Xiu some techniques to resist ether contamination and the manipulation of ether catalysts that Xia Xiu would encounter in the future.

“That’s all for today. After I finish teaching contamination of the five senses, you’ll personally perform a surgery of this type. Practice is the best teacher,” Lawengen said to Xia Xiu before class ended.