Wizard: I Have a Cultivation System

Three months later, on a spring day in April, the air still carried a chill, but it was no longer as bone-piercing as the dead of winter. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Outside the window, the tips of the white maple trees sprouted tender green buds, and the soil, its snow melted, gave off a damp scent.

Inside the study, Murphy sat upright in his oak chair with his eyes closed.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes. A sharp glint flashed within them as he slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

"It’s done."

He thought to himself.

The so-called Wizard Meditation Technique involved adjusting one’s Spiritual Power frequency to absorb Dimensional Energy while simultaneously merging one’s consciousness with the Source Sea.

Most Wizards choose one of the four basic elemental energies—earth, water, fire, or air—based on their talent to temper their Spiritual Power. But the real key is how to merge more deeply with that sea of Dimensional Energy known as the Source Sea.

Once a Wizard’s Spiritual Power has completely merged with the Source Sea, the Energy of the Source Sea will seep into every corner of their Spiritual Power like spring rain nourishing the earth.

This fusion makes the Dimensional Energy unprecedentedly docile, as if it were an innate part of oneself that can be leveraged and used at will.

However, because it is so highly integrated with one’s Spiritual Power, the Dimensional Energy becomes too easily converted into an observable form.

It radiates uncontrollably outward in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, neutron particles, and the like.

These high-energy particles are extremely destructive to the surrounding environment, eroding life and twisting matter.

Of course, this was all Murphy’s understanding; whether they were truly these specific high-energy rays had yet to be confirmed by experiment.

Simply put, every Wizard, even a Low-tier apprentice, is like a walking source of radiation.

The higher a Wizard’s rank, the more intense this radiation becomes.

In the ancient era before the Dawn War, Wizards were forced to stay far away from populated areas, building their Mage Towers in wastelands, deep mountains, or on deserted islands.

As recorded in a Wizard’s Scripture: "Where a Wizard dwells, the grass withers and trees turn yellow, birds and beasts vanish, and mortals cannot long survive."

In other words, normal people cannot survive where a Wizard lives.

Over time, these radiation-contaminated areas became gathering places for Wizards and other Extraordinary life forms that had adapted to the environment, forming mysterious, isolated domains.

But this situation changed fundamentally after the Dawn War.

There is a famous prophecy in the Holy Scripture of Truth: "Seize the dragon... bind him for a thousand years... until the thousand years are ended."

Here, the "dragon" was a veiled reference to Wizards and the radiation they carried.

Sure enough, in the first millennium after the end of the dark ages, with the establishment of the Truth Church Court’s rule, even Official Wizards no longer emitted lethal radiation when merging with the Source Sea.

From this perspective, the existence of the Truth Church Court was indeed progressive. They had found a way to suppress the radiation, allowing Extraordinary Power and the mortal world to coexist.

Of course, this came at a price. The price was that the path of the Wizard in this world became a dead end.

The order established by the Truth Church Court was like an invisible shackle, restricting the growth of a Wizard’s power.

To break through this limit, Wizards had to leave this world and seek possibilities for further development in other planes, beyond the reach of the Church Court’s power.

However, none of this had anything to do with Murphy.

He had not used the Meditation Method to merge his spirit with the Source Sea. This was partly because he was already on the path of Cultivation, and partly because he could not yet be sure what unknown consequences such a fusion might bring.

Although this would affect his Spell Power to some extent, Murphy had long since devised a countermeasure.

He would use high-quality Mana as the energy source for his Magic Models.

Not only would this avoid the restrictions, but it might even produce an unexpected enhancement.

At this thought, Murphy closed his eyes again, sinking his consciousness into the depths of his Spiritual World.

In this space, an intricate and complex Magic Model was slowly rotating.

Countless fine, silver lines wove together into a web, forming a constantly shifting, multi-faceted crystal.

At the core of the multi-faceted crystal floated a speck of dark purple light.

It resembled a profound eye, contracting and expanding, emitting a heart-palpitating spiritual fluctuation.

This was the Magic Model for [Control Human].

Murphy stared at the slowly rotating silver crystal in his spiritual sea.

’Maybe I should find someone to test this spell’s effect on?’

He gently shook the Silver Bell by his desk, and its clear ring echoed through the study.

A short while later, the sound of steady footsteps came from outside the door. The old butler, Bernard, pushed the door open and stood respectfully before the desk.

"What are your orders, my lord?"

For the past three months, aside from his necessary Cultivation and research on Magic Models, Murphy had been summoning the core officials of his domain, his Knight’s Attendants, and his butler, Bernard, almost daily.

This included the technicians who operated the difference and analytical engines, as well as some administrative officials, all of whom had received his "guidance" in this very study.

Even Lawrence and the other three old followers had been summoned repeatedly.

All of this was done to strengthen his control over the domain.

With the arrival of the spring planting season, Murphy was preparing to implement a series of reforms, including the promotion of new crops and improvements in farming techniques.

To ensure these changes were implemented smoothly, the domain’s management class had to maintain a high degree of unity in execution, as well as the necessary loyalty.

Of course, this daily "guidance" was all based on subtly steering their existing inclinations.

Only when the target already possessed a corresponding thought could the mental suggestion take effect perfectly and be maintained long-term.

If one tried to forcibly twist a person’s fundamental nature, it would not only be extremely difficult but would also leave unnatural traces, and even if a change was made, it would rarely last.

But [Control Human] was completely different.

This magic could directly reshape a target’s will. As long as the spell’s effect was not dispelled by a stronger power, the dominated individual would remain loyal forever.

"Go and bring Edgar here," Murphy said to Bernard.

The old butler bowed slightly. "As you command, my lord."

A moment later, the study door opened again.

Edgar stood in the doorway, a somewhat constrained look on his face. "You summoned me, my lord?"

Murphy sized up the blond man—Miss Lawrence’s lover and Aurora’s husband in name only.

He asked in an even tone, "Have you grown accustomed to living in the castle? Is everything well at home? How are things between you and Miss Lawrence?"

Edgar bowed slightly and replied respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, my lord. Everything is well. My father has been in good health recently, and Miss Lawrence often comes to visit."

Murphy nodded lightly, his fingertips tapping the desk. "You and Miss Lawrence should consider having a child. And that child should, by right, inherit your family’s bloodline."

Edgar looked up in surprise. "My lord, you would permit this? But what about Miss Aurora...?"

Murphy said flatly, "This is a necessary arrangement. You should know that ever since Aurora gave birth, there has been some unavoidable gossip. I have given it much thought and believe this is the best solution."

Edgar understood immediately and bowed solemnly. "I understand, my lord. I will complete this task."

"Very good." Murphy stood up and walked slowly closer. "Now, look into my eyes."

When Edgar raised his head, he saw a faint blue light emerge in Murphy’s eyes, as if a river of stars was slowly swirling within them.

The light grew brighter and brighter, eventually enveloping his consciousness completely.

Murphy’s voice seemed to come from a great distance, carrying an undeniable power. "Remember, you are to take good care of Miss Lawrence, but you must maintain a proper distance from Aurora. Your child will inherit the Lawrence Family’s estate. This is my promise to you."

"Yes..." Edgar responded unconsciously. "I will keep my distance from Miss Aurora..."

Next, Murphy issued a series of other instructions related to Aurora.

Even if Edgar was incapable of following them in reality, he had to be made incapable of doing so in his heart.

Finally, he said, "Now, forget our conversation. Remember only what you must do."

After that, the blue light in Murphy’s eyes gradually faded.

Edgar blinked, his expression returning to normal as if nothing had just happened.

"Go," Murphy said, sitting back down behind his desk. "Remember what you promised."

Edgar bowed respectfully. "I will not disappoint you, my lord."

The study door closed softly. Murphy sat alone in the candlelight, reaching for a heavy Wizard’s Scripture to begin studying the next spell...

Just then, a soft knock sounded at the door.

"Come in." Murphy’s gaze did not leave the page.

The old butler, Bernard, entered and respectfully handed him a letter. "A letter for you, my lord."

The letter looked unremarkable. The only thing special about it was the Monte Clan’s family crest imprinted on the wax seal.