Dark wasn't too surprised by Professor Kazel's sudden interruption.
He showed the professor his results and took the opportunity to ask about the issues he encountered during the process.
Professor Kazel was shocked that Dark could successfully create a [Precision Emotion Card] on his own.
He casually provided various answers while examining the emotion card Dark made, finally exclaiming, "Demon, your research into emotions is unexpectedly deep."
"Is it?"
Dark was bewildered.
Because he truly didn't know he had delved into emotions...
"Sometimes, being too modest isn't good," Professor Kazel winked, "You should be proud of yourself. When I was your age, I was still playing in the mud underground."
Then he turned and said, "If you want to continue, remember to return the key to my office by 5 PM."
Dark: "Okay, Professor!"
...
"Two blank Magic Cards left."
Dark's gaze swept over the last two blank Magic Cards, then summoned the little demon beast.
"Magic Summon!"
Before the little demon beast could react, a light ball from the [Happiness Card] hit the back of its head.
Its naturally fierce expression instantly became light and airy.
"Happy?" Dark asked.
The little demon beast nodded foolishly, "Happy."
"That's good."
Dark smiled and put the [Happiness Card] into his card pack. He finally had his first self-made Magic Card!
...
After instructing the little demon beast to stand guard, Dark's expression turned serious.
The [Happiness Card] was just a trial; the real experiment was next.
He didn't bother with the "Voice of Joy" potion but directly moved to the second step, boiling the materials into a paste and setting it aside.
This "paste" acted as a "sealing liquid," like a gasket between a screw and a hole.
With this layer of "paste," the "emotion" sealed inside wouldn't leak, reducing conflicts between the refining array, materials, and the Magic Card, and preserving the nature of the infused emotion.
If refined, it could also serve as a "protective film."
Dark sat down, took out the magic brain dropper, and slightly heated it with an alcohol lamp to activate it.
Then, using the "dragonfly touch method," he pressed the dropper's tip against his temple, gently squeezing and releasing the "magic brain" repeatedly.
No need for fine control, as only [Pride] was overflowing from the brain.
As fine black lines were absorbed into the magic brain, [Pride] finally dropped to 0!
"Eek—"
The magic brain dropper let out a sharp scream!
Dark immediately stopped pressing and immersed its tip in water.
The dropper calmed down as soon as it touched the water.
Dark then took it out, shook off the water, and the dropper stopped screaming.
Afterward, he pressed the dropper's tip against a blank Magic Card and squeezed the magic brain hard!
The stored [Pride] in the magic brain was all expelled!
Soon, the blank Magic Card was dyed a rich dark gold.
Once the dark gold on the Magic Card became even and smooth, Dark applied the pre-boiled paste to its surface.
...
The subsequent steps were as usual.
With one successful experience, Dark's technique became much more proficient.
He quickly completed the creation of this [Pride I]!
From the appearance, this [Pride I] only had an extra protective film compared to the previous one.
But its actual effect remained to be tested.
Moreover, he didn't plan to conduct the experiment here.
...
"It's about time to return the key to Professor Kazel."
Dark cleared the experiment traces and left the lab.
...
5 PM.
He returned to his room and summoned the little demon beast to prepare for the experiment.
He had done everything he could; this was almost a make-or-break experiment!
The clever little demon beast immediately realized the suffering it was about to endure, folded its wings, and covered its head, "Protest, protest, a familiar's life is a life too!"
Dark showed a kind smile, "Don't be afraid, it won't hurt."
Little demon beast: "No, no, o(>﹏<)o no!"
"Magic Summon!"
Dark pinched the [Pride] Magic Card with his index and middle fingers and activated the [Summoning Spell]!
In an instant.
The Magic Card activated!
As expected of a [Pride I] made using the [Precision Emotion Card] method.
Even the black light emitted upon activation felt more advanced.
The dark golden light ball flying out of the Magic Card was also rounder, more stable, and faster in flight.
Before the little demon beast could react, it was hit by the light ball.
It was momentarily dazed, as if its brain circuits were switching from "mischievous" mode to "pride" mode.
?(?*ˊ?ˋ)?
In that instant, its "aggrieved" expression immediately transformed into one of arrogance and haughtiness!
The entire aura of the little demon beast changed dramatically!
It raised its head and said, "To force me against my will, do you know your crime!"
Dark: "Huh?"
The little demon beast arrogantly said, "I grant you the grace of a pat as atonement!"
Dark, bewildered, reached out and patted its head until it was satisfied, closing its eyes and letting out a comfortable moan.
Then, Dark wrote in his notebook:
"Excessive pride may damage the brain."
...
Card Name: Pride I
Type: Magic Card
Effect: Makes one arrogant.
...
Undoubtedly, this [Pride I] had a better effect and lasted longer.
The little demon beast didn't return to normal until the twenty-first minute.
Moreover, the [Pride I] card didn't shatter after activation.
A very dim light ball even flew from the little demon beast's brain back into [Pride I].
Infusing magic revealed that the black light emitted by [Pride I] was weak but continuously recovering.
This meant that this [Pride I] was now a reusable Magic Card!
Although its practical significance was limited.
But from a research perspective, this was undoubtedly a significant breakthrough!
It proved the sustainable development potential of the [Pride] series Magic Cards and laid a solid foundation for the development of [Pride II].
Emotion is a form of power.
The desires of the seven sins are a power with immense potential!
...
After another fifty-nine minutes, the light emitted by [Pride I] returned to normal strength.
"Estimated cooldown: 59 minutes."
To test if the effect would weaken upon second use, Dark activated [Pride I] again.
Little demon beast: ???!!!
...
The final experiment results showed.
[Pride I] remained relatively stable, with no signs of weakening for now.
From the Magic Card assessment, this card was almost a finished product!
Dark thought so too.
He looked at the last remaining blank Magic Card.
He planned to test the carrying limit of this 0-credit blank Magic Card for [Pride] next!
For this, he needed to borrow a [Thought Bottle] from Professor Kazel, capable of storing emotions and worth hundreds of credits.
—Perhaps, this is the composure of an exemplary student!
...