Chapter 333: Two New Sorceries (Part 2)

Chapter 333: Two New Sorceries (Part 2)



At that moment, everyone began to search their bodies in horror.

Soon, the members of the 'Black Sword' squad realized that, except for the squad's deputy leader, the sorcerer Antoine, who seemed to be protected by his innate spell, no one else had been infected by this mysterious fungal disease.

Even the most powerful squad leader, 'Black Sword' Graylor, a Peak Knight, had white, fluffy fungal spores on his body.

The other three squad members, whose strength was inferior to Graylor's, had even less resistance. By now, they had fully-grown white fungi on their bodies, like flat mushrooms.

"Quick! Let's get out of here first!" Graylor immediately commanded, while the unsettling feeling in his heart grew stronger.

Just as the squad was about to turn back, they suddenly felt the ground beneath the tunnel shake violently! Following that, a low roar, unfamiliar yet carrying a powerful intimidation, echoed from within the Sealed Gateway.

Medros's words rang in Luca's mind like thunder, "What?! How is this possible?"

[You have learned Levitation and gained related insights!]



"What kind of monster is this?"

At the same time, below the Warhammer Wizard (Legendary) panel, next to the Steel Heart Advanced Meditation Technique, a brand new icon appeared.

The putrid stench grew stronger.

The one who had been affected by the breath, his body now covered in various fungi, began to grow rapidly.

"Intelligence Level?"

"Black Glow!"

After a moment's thought, Ren glanced at the remaining five points and couldn't resist the curiosity in his heart. He invested one point into the Steel Heart Advanced Meditation Technique.

In no time, he was delighted to discover that the process of visualizing and outlining in the Mental Sea was much smoother than before, almost twice as fast! What did this mean? It represented that within the daily limit of about half an hour of meditation time, he could now visualize and outline four times instead of just twice.

When he opened his eyes again, it was as if he had spent years in a mysterious space, dedicated to the arduous practice of the Steel Heart Advanced Meditation Technique.

Their task was to stand guard and maintain communication, not to engage in combat. This was the clear instruction from Captain Graylor before their departure.

Ren placed it on the ground and began to cast the Activation Spell he had recently learned.

"It's been two hours and ten minutes. Why haven't the captain and the others sent any messages? Could something have happened to them?" The Sword Shield Paladin checked his pocket watch and frowned.

Although the creature had been sealed for thousands of years, its residual aura was still incredibly powerful. Graylor immediately sensed that this was a monster that only the Empire's Guardians could handle, far beyond the capabilities of the Black Sword Squad.

"I hear it, but is it just the wind?" Medros, holding a short staff, listened intently for a while, unable to pinpoint the source of the sound.

Ren's face lit up with joy.

As the rhythmic vibrations shook the ground, the two lights drew closer.

It wasn't the Corrupted Dragon from behind catching up.

After a moment of daze, Medros began to mumble to himself while quickly pulling out a piece of paper from his pocket, and with a "swish swish" sound, he started writing with a quill.

But then, Ren remembered the Bloodplume Eaglewyrm that had just entered its maturity.

At the same time, perhaps due to his high affinity with metal elements, he barely felt any mental energy consumption.

Perhaps, 'stagger' would be a more fitting description.

"If LV3 is three times faster, then LV4 would be four times faster?"

After a while, the system prompt appeared, "Initially, it was twice, now it's six times, three times the original speed!"

The two of them quickly hid behind a hill several dozen meters away from the mine entrance.

For Ren, the metal puppet was highly compatible with him.

Ren thought for a moment and realized he genuinely didn't know.

Ren focused his attention on the new icon and noticed a line of small text below it.

"It's over! The captain and the others are done for!"

But it was too late.

(Note: This sorcery is a guiding type, and the casting time depends on the complexity and size of the target.)



"Success!"

Although he was running, in the eyes of others.

"Currently, it's twice as fast, but it can definitely go faster!"

[Your Activation Spell has improved, +1 experience]



"The only inconvenience is carrying it."

It didn't take long for Ren to find information about the Activation Spell in the final pages of the puppetry principles.

Within the narrow tunnel, it was almost impossible to dodge the attack. The last member of the squad was the first to be hit by the dense breath, and the fungi on his body started to grow wildly. In just a few seconds, various colorful fungi in shades of gray and green covered the victim's face and body.

Ren immediately noticed several key terms.

As the Steel Heart Advanced Meditation Technique advanced from LV1 to LV2, a flood of memories about the Steel Heart cultivation rushed into Ren's mind.

"This set is essentially a magic-resistant armor, with enchanted silver and basic defensive runes. It can reduce the damage from enemy magic by at least half."

"It seems to be coming from the mine." The Sword Shield Paladin Luca turned around alertly, signaling his companion to listen.

The massive Corrupted Dragon before them must be the ancient creature that was originally sealed within the Sealed Gateway.

"Are there any drugs that can enhance the speed of Mental Energy Condensation?" There might be, but Ren hasn't heard of any yet.

However, for Ren, a wizard with a Mental Attribute of sixty points, almost at the level of a mid to late-stage wizard, it wasn't difficult.

In an instant, everyone felt a sudden chill in their hearts, as if they had fallen into an ice cellar. Even moving their legs felt clumsier than usual! Instinctively, the members of the Black Sword Squad stiffly turned their necks towards the Sealed Gateway behind them.

"A guided magic?"

However, when Ren's gaze fell upon the enchanted silver, he suddenly furrowed his brows, as if remembering something.

All it required was to transform an arbitrary metal ingot, such as an iron or copper ingot, into a humanoid-shaped metal block.

Both of them were new members who had just joined the Black Sword Squad, so Graylor assigned them to guard and communicate at the mine entrance.

"Quick, hide behind the hill!" Medros immediately called out.

Although Ren possessed the Innate Spell 'Metal Transformation', if it was just a breastplate, it wouldn't be a problem. He could cover his chest with it in a short amount of time.

"Perhaps, it's time to put finding strength-enhancing drugs on the agenda."

But the next second! "Boom!"

[You have learned a new skill - Reanimation Technique]



Medros stood there, staring blankly at the scene, motionless.

A huge and sharp claw struck down from above, turning Black Sword Graylor into a meat paste! "Captain!!!"

After allocating points, Ren tried to activate the Steel Heart Advanced Meditation again, and indeed, his visualization process became faster. In about half an hour, he could complete six visualization cycles!

"Hmm?"

"Also, when I defeated the third-level wizard apprentice Adams in Flashing Gold Town, I obtained a Spirit Script Book, which detailed the production method of a potion called Mystic Potion. This potion can enhance Mental Energy."

"Does this mean that I can only achieve three times the speed with Steel Heart Advanced Meditation at the first level?"

The second... the third... Wizard Antoine's innate defensive spell shattered, and mushrooms began to grow on his body. Black Sword Graylor was no exception.

Most wizards, from the beginning of the Mental Energy Condensation process, even if they could smoothly break through bottlenecks without any setbacks, would still need about two to three decades.

A third-level wizard apprentice in a gray robe and a Sword Shield Paladin were chatting idly.

However, if it were a potion to enhance Mental Energy, he could consider making it himself.

"I also have this item. I exchanged it at the Division Exchange Hall." Medros pulled out the rhombus-shaped crystal amulet from his chest and showed it to Luca.

As the incantation sounded, Ren lightly pointed, and the yellowish-brown little thumb shone on the metal puppet.

At the same time, a new icon appeared below the Warhammer Wizard (Legendary) panel: Magic Array.

Within ten years, if a first-level wizard could complete the Mental Energy Condensation process, they could be called a wizard genius.

At this moment, they were at Dragon Tooth Pass, where strong winds blew throughout the year. This was why they chose to ride Dwarf Ponies, which were suitable for mountainous terrain, instead of the Imperial Flying Ship.

In an instant, a half-man-high metal puppet appeared in Ren's hand.

This was the standard procedure for the Swordsmen Squad's exploration missions.

As Ren was considering whether to add points to Levitation or practice on his own, he suddenly noticed the Advanced Meditation icon, Steel Heart, beside him.

"Antoine!!!"

"It can't be carried around, but it can be placed on Bloodplume. Before the battle, you can always switch to the plate armor set."

"We must report this to the Division immediately!"

Although he heard his captain's almost hoarse shout, at this moment, the crowd seemed to be stuck in a swamp, running at a speed of less than a third of their usual pace.

"Really, did you notice the amulet on his neck? I'm very familiar with that amulet. It's a magic item that seals the Water Membrane Technique."

"Medros?" This made Luca a little puzzled. Logically, Medros should have rich combat experience, as he was once a formal member of a Gold-rank squad and shouldn't be so scared by a monster.

Black Sword Graylor thought that perhaps he could hold out a little longer, and there might even be a slim chance of escaping with his life.

His high affinity for metal elements could also fully bring out the combat power of the metal puppet.

Below the icon was a line of small text: Levitation Level 1 (1/100) Levitation Level 1 Effect: Consumes a certain amount of Mental Energy to activate a specific magic model, attracting wind energy particles, allowing the host to float in the air for one minute.

Ren took out the thick book on puppetry principles that Mogaro had given him from the drawer and carefully examined it.

The dragon before them was extremely ugly, its body devoid of the sleek scales typically found on normal dragons.

Graylor finally understood the source of his unsettling feeling.

"Hmm, a humanoid or beast-like puppet?" he wondered.

After completing the task, Ren focused his attention on the newly acquired scroll of 'Levitation' that he had just exchanged.

"Should I go through Jennifer's auction house channel or the Royal Apothecary Association's Minster branch?" Ren immediately thought of two possible options.

Suddenly, two brown lamps appeared within the Sealed Gateway.

[You have learned a new skill - Levitation]



"Hmm, it seems the academy places great importance on the content of this puppetry principles book, as they've made numerous revisions to it," Ren noted.

"The Control Core is related to intermediate and advanced puppets, I'll put that aside for now and focus on the Reanimation Technique," Ren quickly made a decision.

As the entity approached the area illuminated by the Light spell, the Black Sword Squad members could finally see that these were not lamps but a pair of enormous dragon eyes.

"Impossible! Captain Graylor's strength has reached the semi-legendary level, and Deputy Captain Antoine is a full-fledged wizard. How could anything go wrong on a mere investigation mission?" The Gray Robe Apprentice shook his head in disbelief.

"Wait, Medros, did you hear that sound?"

Just like when he learned Levitation, after a short while, the system prompt sounded:

".For puppets with low intelligence requirements, the Reanimation Technique can be used to achieve the desired effect."

At this moment, Ren was organizing the three rare metals—Enchanted Silver, Hardened Mithril, and Radiant Ingots—that he had obtained from the division the previous day.

"Ah~"

Creating a knight's plate armor with inscriptions and complex components wasn't something that could be done in an instant.

"Boom~ Boom~"

It was rare to find such a creature within the Dragonguard Empire, let alone within five years.

After all, for Ren, with his 'Deadly Poison Master' profession, he was already a top-tier apothecary.

Luca, as a Knight, had never encountered such a peculiar humanoid monster covered in fungi.

The two exchanged glances and immediately became alert.

According to the agreement before their departure, the team inside the cave would send a message to the two of them every two hours.

Minster, Ren's new study in his mansion.

Near the entrance of the Adaghi Mine.

"However, this isn't urgent. Perhaps I should research puppetry first."

Reanimation Technique Level 1 Effect: Consumes a certain amount of mental energy to activate mysterious side energy particles, granting a humanoid or beast-like dead object with basic intelligence and simple abilities for half an hour.

At this moment, a loud scream came from within the mine.

The creature's skin was wrinkled, pitted, and even oozing yellowish-green pus, as if its body was emitting a strong, corrosive energy from within.

Ren pondered over this information, deep in thought.

Ren's eyes lit up as he decided to try allocating points to Steel Heart Advanced Meditation again. This time, the system prompt suddenly appeared: [Point allocation failed! The limit for Steel Heart Advanced Meditation (Incomplete) has been reached.]



Ren frowned slightly.

"Hmm, that's right, what's the effect of this Advanced Meditation skill?"

"Control Core?"

After pacing and pondering in the room for a while, Ren decided to continue allocating points to Advanced Meditation.

"Alright, if it's three times faster, then it's three years for others, but only one year for me?"

Luca paused, recalling that there was indeed something reflective on the humanoid monster's neck.

"It's over!" Medros exclaimed, his face pale with despair.

Read the correct version on BookBar 69! 6=9 Book_Bar's exclusive release!

For beginners, it's crucial to avoid biting off more than you can chew.

"Although it still feels a bit slow, I can accept it," Ren thought to himself, a bit greedy.

Just half a minute later, a Bloodplume Eaglewyrm soared into the sky.

"Faster, faster! I must survive and deliver the message!" Antoine, the wizard, was in a state of panic, his face contorted with desperation.

This was a simple task for other metal-type wizards, usually taking no more than a minute, but for Ren, who had chosen 'Metal Transformation' as his innate spell, it was a matter of a single second.

"Reanimation Technique?"

The reason he hadn't made it at the time was the difficulty in finding the necessary materials.

As he witnessed the Black Sword Squad on the verge of annihilation, Graylor halted and turned back, using his black greatsword to slash at the dragon's breath! Simultaneously, a deep roar echoed towards his companions: "Antoine, try to get the message out!"

A black arc of light flashed, and the Corrupted Dragon's thick front claw was slashed open by Graylor's 'Black Sword', creating a gash several dozen centimeters long.

(Note: The casting time for the technique is 3 seconds.) "Not bad, when riding the Bloodplume, there's no need to worry about accidents!" Ren nodded in approval, feeling pleased.

".For intermediate and advanced puppets with higher intelligence requirements, it's necessary to use the Control Core method."

Reanimation Technique Level 1 (1/100)



After a few minutes, a humanoid monster stumbled towards the cave entrance, let out a roar, and then turned back, returning to the depths of the mine.

【You have gained insight into the Reanimation Technique, improving your understanding!】

Ren immediately began to cultivate the Steel Heart Advanced Meditation.

The icon depicted a person floating in mid-air, standing on a cotton-like cloud, seemingly representing the act of being lifted by the cloud.

He first separated a portion of the Enchanted Silver and transformed it into two kite-shaped shields. Then, he quickly reshaped the remaining metal into various parts of the Mithril Plate Armor, following the design of the Runic Silver Filigree Plate Armor.

【Your Levitation skill has improved, gaining 1 experience point.】

Previously, Ren had not considered making potions himself because, for him, it was more worthwhile to invest time in improving his Extraordinary Combat Skills.

As for other types of puppets, such as Clay Puppets, Rock Puppets, and Flesh Puppets, he could take his time to learn about them after mastering the creation of Metal Puppets.

Even a Level 1 Wizard, no matter how talented and exceptional, would require years of cultivation to achieve a Levitation degree of 90% or higher.

A yellowish-green pus erupted.

Regarding the enhancement of Mental Energy, Ren had the advantage of being able to increase it through allocation. Therefore, he wasn't in a rush. Instead, he was quite interested in the Puppet Technique taught by Mentor Mogaro.

"A duration of half an hour?"

Ren spent some time reading the overview and then, following Mentor Mogaro's instructions, turned directly to the chapter on Metal Puppets.

The Corrupted Dragon roared angrily!

"Run!!!

Ren closed his eyes, standing still, carefully sensing the memories of his cultivation of the Steel Heart Advanced Meditation.

At this moment, Wizard Antoine, having just finished casting his spell, was enveloped in a light cyan cyclone, propelling him forward. But to his horror, he witnessed his captain's tragic death before his eyes.

"Luca, that thing just now wasn't a monster; it was Deputy Captain Antoine, a Wizard!"

"Indeed, this book is probably as significant to our school as the New Dictionary was in our previous world. Although it's a foundational text, its importance is extraordinary."

"However, the materials are quite rare. Jennifer can try to find them through the Auction House." Ren recalled.

After some thought, Ren referred to the Metal Puppet principles and decided to create the simplest entry-level puppet, or rather, not even a puppet, but according to the book, it was called an Active Metal Dummy.

This couldn't help but excite Ren.

The icon depicted a staff gently tapping a clay doll, seemingly bestowing some form of intelligence upon it.

Mastering the Level 1 Wizardry Reanimation Technique was not an easy task.

Flipping to the next page, Ren saw that almost the entire page was filled with notes on the revision number, date, and content.

Since he didn't need to consider this issue while learning Basic Meditation, he had successfully cultivated Basic Meditation through his Mental Energy allocation.

As soon as he finished speaking, Ren's entire body radiated a glow of Essence intertwined with Will. He brandished the black two-handed greatsword in his hand, and like an arrow released from a bow, he charged towards the Corrupted Dragon.

What did this signify? It meant that Ren's Mental Energy Condensation could be greatly accelerated! Ren had some understanding of the time required for Mental Energy Condensation.

"Still, a three-second casting time is a bit too long."

Steel Heart Advanced Meditation (Incomplete) lv1 (1/100), with the additional effect 'Metal Control lv1'.

This is why, for most Wizards, various drugs that enhance Mental Energy are extremely valuable.

Looking at the slightly lustrous silver plate armor before him, Ren nodded in satisfaction.

This piqued Ren's curiosity.

This made Luca believe Medros' words instantly.

Upon receiving the "Stand Up" command, the metal dummy slowly rose and started walking on its own. "Hiss~ Interesting!" Ren raised his eyebrows and said.

With the Armoring Master's 'Armoring Mastery (Passive)' and the Great Armorer's 'Runic Mastery (Passive)', Ren took less than half an hour to create a set of Enchanted Silver Plate Armor engraved with 'Basic Defensive Runes'.

After about three seconds, Ren realized that a small point of light had appeared in his Mental Sea.

Immediately, a cylindrical breath of yellowish-green fog erupted from its mouth.

"Wait. I can still allocate points to the Mental Attribute. Previously, I proved that a stronger Mental Energy would further accelerate this condensation process." Ren's eyes lit up as he instantly realized something.

As a Level 1 Wizardry spell, Levitation is not particularly challenging to learn.

This also meant that he could attempt to animate larger Active Metal Dummies.

"Knock knock knock!"

A knock on the door suddenly echoed.

This made Ren think of something. He gave the command 'Open the Door' to the Active Metal Dummy.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end