If we were to liken the connection devices of a natural Heart of the Magic Puppet and an artificial one to plants.

The former would be wild plants, resilient enough to grow even on cliffs despite harsh conditions, needing just a bit of water to survive.

The latter would be like greenhouse flowers, which wither if neglected, overwatered, or fertilized improperly, displaying their withering immediately.

The natural Heart of the Magic Puppet operates similarly; you can casually draw runes, and as long as you can extract, I’ll give you 100% performance, provided you can use it.

The artificial Heart of the Magic Puppet is like a delicate little princess; the connection device can’t be too weak or too forceful, or it will faint on you.

Once the Heart of the Magic Puppet is created, its performance is set, but whether you can utilize 100% of it depends on the performance of the connection device.

"I remember the book saying that the connection device for an artificial Heart of the Magic Puppet needs to consider the stability, computational capacity, chaos value, stability and load limits of Magic Power input..."

Hilia knocked on the table, closing her eyes.

While Hilia was contemplating how to draw the runes for the connection device, the invigilating instructor spoke again: "There is no limitation on using spell rings for this exam, and Maria Commerce has publicly provided mechanical engraving runes for this product. You are free to use their specialized mechanical engraving runes or design your own based on your knowledge."

Hilia opened her eyes to see a light screen projection in front of her, displaying the extraction runes for this model of the artificial Heart of the Magic Puppet by Maria Commerce.

Not very complicated.

But upon simulating it in her mind, Hilia discovered that this set of runes could only achieve 50% efficiency with the current Arcane Furnace. To overclock, additional runes need to be added by oneself.

50% is just 10% away from the exam requirement of 60%, but that 10% is not easy to achieve.

Hilia decided to relegate this set of runes to the cold palace.

But suddenly, she had a bold idea.

"What if I modify this set of runes to increase efficiency while minimizing the wear on the Heart of the Magic Puppet? Could it lead to a higher score?"

Hilia felt that this exam topic specifically pointed out the use of a standardized rune, which was definitely not without reason.

"Let’s do it!"

Hilia began to study the principles of this standardized rune.

The principle is quite simple, reserving Magic Power in the rune to activate the Heart of the Magic Puppet, with power following specific patterns to activate the pre-programs of the Heart of the Magic Puppet and recharge it.

The pre-program sends a Magic Power supply request to the Arcane Furnace through the runes of the connection device. A large amount of Magic Power is weakened by the runes and enters the Heart of the Magic Puppet, which continues to send requests to the Arcane Furnace to enhance efficiency, forming a cycle that eventually reaches the rune’s carrying limit.

Hilia couldn’t help but complain, "The artificial Heart of the Magic Puppet is too delicate; even the Empire’s Princess isn’t this fragile."

Upon hearing her complaint, Rose couldn’t help but think of Benovia.

Benovia wasn’t delicate at all.

"Those who dare to create an artificial Heart of the Magic Puppet are already incredible; it’s just that the technology isn’t mature yet. When it matures enough to replace the natural Heart of the Magic Puppet, perhaps, we could reach for the stars."

Elsewhere, Rose has always looked down on modern technology.

But in Magic Puppet technology, he had high regard.

An artificial Heart of the Magic Puppet, or an artificial Divine Format, is a beneficial thing for the ages.

If an artificial Divine Format could reach the capabilities of a Divine Format, it would be a wonderful sight.

Rose had only one concern.

These artificial Hearts of the Magic Puppet, just hope they’re not made from materials extracted from the reborn Star Spirit Tree.

As long as they’re not, he fully supports them.

After carefully studying the standardized runes, Hilia began sketching out rune drafts on scratch paper.

About half an hour later, she picked up the engraving knife.

She started carving almost at the last moment.

By then, some had already finished the exam.

Hilia specifically focused on the first student to submit, discovering he hadn’t altered anything, merely copying the standardized runes directly onto the connection device.

And yet he came to this specialized exam?

Hilia gave him a thumbs-up.

She then ceased to regard other situations.

Except for Doris, who had been observing Hilia’s situation.

She hadn’t utilized the standardized runes, referencing various connection device runes to rewrite instead.

Now, she was halfway done.

She wasn’t fazed by the challenge so much that she could observe Hilia’s situation as she worked.

Witnessing her initial dismay transform into concentration on studying the standardized runes, and eventually sketching them onto scratch paper, Doris furrowed her brow.

"This standardized rune was clearly intended to yield poor scores for those inexperienced. Could it be that Hilia is here just to scrape points?"

But seeing Hilia modify it rather than copy it down, she felt reassured.

"So that’s the plan, modifying the existing runes. But altering an established rune isn’t that easy; those runes from Maria Commerce were refined across generations, each aspect optimized. Instead of risking issues from modifications, why not create your own?"

Doris understood that altering existing runes was feasible, as Maria Commerce had reserved areas specifically for mages who enjoy modifications to enhance the Heart of the Magic Puppet’s performance.

However, modifications have limits, up to 80% efficacy. Achieving 90% or more for a high score is nearly impossible.

Doris initially feared Hilia had some miraculous approach, but seeing her altering standardized runes like those who enjoy overclocking reassured her.

"Hmph, if that’s all it is, get ready to be my training partner for three months!"

Doris’s mood lifted cheerfully.

This reminded her of something else.

"Speaking of which, I’ve been engrossed in ancient ruins recently and haven’t kept up with Hilia’s progress. I just know she advanced to Tier Two; nothing more. I must take this three-month training to thoroughly understand her and make her my devoted follower!"

The Magic Puppet exam totaled three hours, with time quietly slipping away. When the exam time ended, the invigilating instructor rang the final bell, and most candidates stopped.

Some looked relieved, others anxious, as engraving knives inadvertently carved wrong patterns, resulting in failures.

Then there were those left scanning the room, clearly having finished their constructions.

Hilia was among the latter.

She stretched lazily upon hearing the bell and slowly stood up.

"Finally, it’s over."