Equations, energy pathways, and countless variations unfolded within Ulric's mind as his thoughts accelerated to terrifying speeds.
Streams of calculations intertwined and collapsed repeatedly, only to reconstruct themselves moments later into newer, more refined structures. Circulation routes. Output ratios. Compression thresholds. Instability margins.
Each possibility was simulated relentlessly before being discarded.
At the center of it all lay a single problem.
Energy.
To complete the art, he required a catalyst powerful enough to refine and stabilize the technique during its formation. Under normal circumstances, the solution would have been simple: consume more energy.
Yet Ulric possessed only three drops of aether.
An amount so pitifully small it would vanish the instant refinement began.
Unless...
A faint glint surfaced in his eyes.
What if the aether itself was not consumed?
