Chapter 295: Memory "Blind Box"

Chapter 295: Memory "Blind Box"

The building before them appeared unremarkable on the outside, yet Luo En keenly sensed at least three concealed protective layers veiling its surface—far more elaborate than the safeguards in ordinary areas.

At the entrance stood two colossus automata, their carved silver-gray eyes unnaturally luminous from advanced enchantments.

"Archmage Reynolds, welcome", one automaton intoned, its mechanical voice resonating. "Standard inspection protocol—please present your credentials."

Reynolds retrieved a silver badge from his chest and pressed it against the automaton's armored frame.

After a thorough scan, the automaton shifted its gaze to Luo En. "Your guest?"

"Indeed. Luo En, Lalf Archmage and Crystal Spire's newest Mentor. I vouch for his conduct."

The automaton hesitated briefly before extending a portable Mana Detector for a quick scan. The device emitted a soft chime as green text flickered across its screen.

"Verification complete. Please note—any actions by Lalfmage will be recorded under your account", it intoned toward Reynolds, then rigidly gestured with its arm. "Proceed."

Stepping inside, the air turned cool and dry. The corridor walls radiated sterile white, embedded with countless tiny blue lights creating a soft, uniform glow.

"What is this place?" Luo En asked quietly, sensing the unnaturally pure mana permeating the air.

"Observatory's 'Special Containment Center,'" Reynolds murmured. "Artifacts retrieved from the Abyss—those defying classification or holding potential research value—are temporarily stored here pending further study."

They passed sealed doors marked with color-coded tags. "Most rooms follow Abyss layer classification—colors deepen with source depth and corresponding danger levels", Reynolds explained, gesturing toward a violet-tagged door. "Our destination houses the 'Memory Crystals.'"

At the violet threshold, Reynolds pressed his badge against the lock and input a complex code on the control panel. The door clicked rhythmically before sliding open.

Inside, the hexagonal chamber centered around a circular display platform surrounded by rows of precision containment cabinets. Each cabinet held dozens of transparent vessels—crystals of varying shapes and hues suspended in glowing stasis like miniature stars.

"Memory Crystals", Reynolds whispered with reverence. "Among the Abyss's most enigmatic and perilous discoveries."

Luo En approached, observing unique energy fluctuations—some tranquil as still water, others turbulent as molten magma. Through his Transcendent Perception, the crystals revealed intricate mana structures resembling frozen shards of thought.

"What are they?" he asked, entranced.

"Beyond the Fourth Layer", Reynolds explained, "the Abyss begins affecting explorers' spirits. Intense thoughts, profound memories, or strong emotional surges interact with Abyss-mana in ways we barely understand—manifesting these crystals as physical remnants."

He carefully lifted a pale blue specimen. "Original researchers called them 'Solidified Thoughts' or 'Memory Fossils.' 'Memory Crystals' became the standard term."

As Luo En studied the crystal, he detected faint spiritual fluctuations—distinct from ordinary mana. It pulsed with a complexity bordering on consciousness.

"They preserve memories?"

"Not merely memories", Reynolds' voice darkened. "Entire experiential fragments—perceptions, emotions, even cognitive processes. Some contain echoes of skills or fragments of lost knowledge."

He returned the crystal cautiously. "Interpreting them is extremely hazardous. Without proper training and safeguards, contact risks spiritual contamination or mental collapse."

Suddenly, air pressure shifted. A voice resonated behind them: "Luo En, seems you've taken quite an interest in our collection."

Reynolds spun around, face paling. "You... Professor Eutel! What brings you here?"

A semi-transparent figure of silver light hovered in the doorway—Professor Eutel's Phantom Husk projection. Though indistinct, its oppressive presence thickened the atmosphere.

"You forget already, my boy?" Uther's voice carried amusement. "These trinkets fall under my jurisdiction. My projections patrol this sector routinely."

The projection glided closer, its mountainous aura making Reynolds visibly tense. Yet when Uther's gaze fell on Luo En, the pressure miraculously eased.

"Reynolds is talented, but his understanding remains superficial", Uther continued. "To truly grasp Memory Crystals requires a Historian's expertise."

Reynolds flushed—not with anger, but the familiar embarrassment of being gently corrected by a mentor.

"Coincidentally", Uther's projection clapped hands, sending ripples through the air, "Memory Crystals make ideal research subjects for historians."

Leading Luo En to the display's far side, he gestured toward uniquely massive crystals with deep hues and swirling mana patterns.

"Newly retrieved from the Fifth Layer", Uther explained. "Their mana characteristics suggest invaluable information fragments."

Through Transcendent Perception, Luo En observed distinct mana flow patterns—each representing different memory types.

"Their core value", Uther elaborated, "lies not just in preserving explorers' experiences, but sometimes even capturing the Abyss's own 'memories.' Some crystals contain secrets never witnessed by human eyes."

"Yet interpretation carries risks", Luo En noted.

"Precisely!" Uther nodded, eyes gleaming. "Hence we classify them as 'Decoded' and 'Undecoded.'"

Unprocessed Memory Crystals are like sealed boxes containing unknown contents and unpredictable dangers.

Processed Memory Crystals, on the other hand, have been professionally treated by Historians to remove hazardous components while preserving valuable information."

He gestured toward another set of crystals on the display platform:

"These green-marked samples are confirmed safe after processing, while the red-marked ones contain high-risk spiritual contamination. Even seasoned Historians are advised to avoid direct contact."

Reynolds cautiously interjected, "Professor, you mentioned earlier about that Memory Crystal from the Seventh Layer..."

Uther's silver hologram flickered slightly, as if smiling.

"Ah, that's quite a tale. Decades ago, Cassandra, right after completing her Archmage ascension in the Abyss, brought back an anomalous Memory Crystal."

His tone grew heavier.

"That Memory Crystal contained fragments of consciousness from a 'Supreme Apostle'—a Preservation so rare that during the analysis process, two of the three participating Historians permanently lost their rationality. Only I retained enough Clarity to complete the extraction."

"Supreme Apostle" was one of the most mysterious and powerful entities in the Abyss, with legends claiming only top-tier Archmages could confront them.

Extracting memories from such a being was like dancing on the edge of a volcano.

"Where is that Memory Crystal now?" Luo En couldn't help asking.

Uther's hologram drifted to the center of the room.

"It's been securely sealed in the core archives of the Truth Pavilion. However, the extracted information became a breakthrough point for understanding Abyss essence."

Turning toward Luo En, his eyes glowed with profound light.

"The reason I 'coincidentally' appear here today is to share good news: Considering your potential in historical research and Eve's strong recommendation, the School Alliance has approved your qualification for the Memory Crystal Preliminary Analysis Project."

"This is a rare opportunity, young man", Uther continued.

"Memory Crystal analysis will not only substantially enhance your historical research skills but might also grant access to invaluable knowledge otherwise unobtainable."

Luo En considered this unexpected development.

Participating in the Memory Crystal analysis project was indeed a precious chance. It offered skill enhancement and potential discoveries beneficial to his research. Yet, it also meant greater time investment and potential risks.

"I'm truly grateful for this opportunity, Professor", he replied cautiously. "Could you provide specific details about the project schedule and tasks?"

"Biweekly concentrated analysis sessions lasting half a day. As a novice, you'll directly study foundational analysis attempts under my guidance, primarily handling low-risk samples that have undergone preliminary screening."

He added, "As your skills improve, you'll gradually progress to more complex samples. The project cycle is three months, after which your continued involvement will depend on performance."

Three months, one half-day session every two weeks—that schedule was manageable for Luo En's current capacity. Plus, having Uther's direct mentorship was an invaluable resource, especially for a newcomer to historical research.

"I accept your invitation, Professor", Luo En nodded. "Thank you sincerely for your recommendation and Eve Prince's support."

"Excellent, very sensible!" Uther's hologram subtly fluctuated with satisfaction.

"Your first analysis session will begin in half a month. Before then, you're encouraged to purchase unprocessed Memory Crystals for practice."

As he mentioned this, Uther gestured toward a corner of the display platform where several unprocessed Memory Crystals rested.

"By the way, the trading district has many unprocessed Memory Crystals priced around one Mana Stone unit. That's reasonable for most low-risk samples."

"As you suggested, I do plan to purchase some for practice", Luo En said. "Any recommended suppliers?"

"The 'Wisdom Collection' shop at the southeast corner of the trading district is a good choice", Uther advised.

"The owner is a retired explorer with extensive experience handling Memory Crystals. He won't deliberately sell you high-risk samples."

Then Uther led Luo En through the entire containment chamber, explaining classification methods, storage techniques, and foundational analysis theory. Reynolds maintained a respectful demeanor throughout, occasionally supplementing professional details.

During the tour, Luo En's "Transcendent Perception" skill continuously detected subtle energy fluctuations and structural features within the Memory Crystals.

【Transcendent Perception（mastery）experience points+ 1】
【Transcendent Perception（mastery）experience points+ 1】
【Transcendent Perception（mastery）experience points+ 1】
【Current Progress: Transcendent Perception（mastery 45/300）】

Since "Transcendent Perception" had nearly become his passive skill, even at mastery level, experience accumulation remained swift.

Before leaving the containment chamber, Luo En suddenly asked, "Professor, I noticed some Memory Crystals seem to emit a special... malice? It feels distinct from ordinary energy fluctuations."

Uther's hologram froze briefly before nodding slowly.

"Extremely sharp observation, Luo En. Indeed, certain Memory Crystals contain more than mere memories or knowledge—they crystallize what we call 'cognitive viruses.' This typically occurs in Memory Crystals that recorded Abyssal Creature feeding scenes or Apostle activity traces."

"You seem naturally attuned to detecting these consciousness-level 'viruses'", Uther observed, his gaze meaningful. "This innate sensitivity is invaluable for Historians."

Luo En realized this might relate to his "Hunting Evil" skill. Although rarely useful in daily life, this skill appeared to enhance perception abilities when confronting Abyss contamination in Memory Crystals.

【Synergy Detected: Transcendent Perception+Hunting Evil】
1. Transcendent Perception gains increased precision detecting evil mana
2. Hunting Evil reacts to non-physical evil mana

This unexpected discovery excited Luo En. With the synergy active, he could safely identify and avoid dangerous samples more effectively than ordinary Historians during Memory Crystal processing.

Additionally, since these "Memory Crystals" were highly concentrated information carriers, could he load them into his simulation device? Such integration might help decipher lost techniques lineages and accelerate skill experience accumulation.

He'd recently struggled with limited simulation samples available for loading. After neutralization, these malicious "cognitive virus" Memory Crystals might find new applications in the simulation device—transmuting virtual Abyss environments to simulate monster predation or Apostle encounters.

"I'll purchase two Memory Crystals for initial practice", Luo En decided. "I'll start with your recommended 'Wisdom Collection' store."

Uther nodded approvingly.

"Excellent choice. Remember, for beginners, progressive learning is safest. Begin with the most foundational samples, accumulating experience before attempting more complex analyses."

As they exited the containment chamber, Luo En couldn't shake a lingering sense of dissonance, as if some crucial memory had vanished completely from his mind.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end