Chapter 497: A New Finishing Move
Chapter 497: A New Finishing Move
The elite soldiers who accompanied Ren and the others immediately followed Helm into the small campground.
However, Ren, Tyrion, and Hernandez did not enter right away but paused, looking at each other.
"Let's go in first and get an update on the situation from Helm," Hernandez suggested, seeking the others' opinions.
"Makes sense," Ren agreed after a moment's thought, nodding.
Hearing this, Tyrion, who had been about to suggest taking out the mechanical trash, held back his words and nodded in agreement.
The three of them entered the campground, and the mirror-like air around them quickly disappeared.
As soon as Ren stepped into the campground, he felt as if he had been instantly separated from the outside world.
He could no longer hear the sounds of the mechanical creatures, which should have been getting louder, nor could he sense any energy fluctuations from outside.
Ren scanned the area and noticed four cylindrical metal objects placed around the campground.
It was clear that these devices were the reason for the isolation.
"Jammer and Isolation Magic Array, Helm. It seems you've come well-prepared," Hernandez observed with a smile.
"Forgive me, Your Highness Hernandez. Our team doesn't have many members as strong as you three. Without the jammer, we wouldn't have lasted this long," Helm replied.
Despite having the jammer and the isolation array, everyone remained vigilant.
After several minutes, when they were sure the mechanical creatures couldn't detect them, the group finally relaxed.
It was then that the elite soldiers accompanying them proved their worth.
They quickly took out supplies from their bulging backpacks, surprising Helm and the other six wizards in his squad.
"Wonderful! I haven't had water in three days," a Level 2 Liquidization Wizard exclaimed, gulping down water from a water bag.
The ancient ruins seemed to severely suppress the power of water-based magic.
Normally, a Liquidization or Crystallization Wizard, even if not specializing in water magic, could easily create water to drink using water-based spells. But this place was different.
Even Hernandez, a Dawn Wizard, had his water-based magic suppressed.
"Hmm? You also brought a power device. With this, the jammer can last for at least half a month more," another wizard exclaimed upon seeing the small power device taken out by the soldiers.
Although the elite soldiers hadn't contributed much in the recent battle, they now provided a much-needed boost to Helm and the others.
The atmosphere instantly became livelier.
Helm, stroking his goatee, turned to Ren and the others, smiling, and said, "Your Highnesses, I have an idea. With ample water, food, and energy supplies, this small campground can sustain us for at least half a month."
"Now, with the three of you here, we can consider exploring this place thoroughly," he suggested.
"I'm almost certain this is the site of the ancient Goblin Empire's capital. Although there are those strange Dryad Goblins, the mechanical devices and information here could significantly advance our technology if we can safely retrieve them.
"It will be of great benefit in dealing with the awakening of the giant beasts and the descent of the gods," Helm added, his gaze shifting to Ren and the others.
"It's not impossible, but exploring ruins isn't my forte. Let's follow the lead of Your Highnesses Hernandez and Ren," Tyrion, the Swordsaint, spoke first after a brief thought.
"What's your opinion, Ren?"
To Helm's surprise, Hernandez didn't express her opinion but politely asked for Ren's input.
"I suggest we find a way out, or a method of leaving," Ren replied.
"I don't think it's wise to explore recklessly."
Ren's response, after some thought, surprised everyone.
Logically, Ren's metal-based magic should have been enhanced within the ruins, perhaps even more so due to his youthful enthusiasm.
But to everyone's surprise, Ren, despite his youth, was remarkably cautious.
The others' gazes towards Ren became even more complex.
No wonder Ren had managed to thrive in the Empire's environment.
After all, there are many geniuses in this world, but not many who can grow up smoothly.
"I agree with Lord Ren's opinion," Hernandez smiled at Ren and agreed.
"A very cautious and prudent arrangement! Then let's take a break, leave the jammer and these supplies here. Whether it's successful or not, this can serve as a resting point."
Helm also smiled, following the conversation.
With Hernandez and Tyrion present, the team's decision-making naturally shifted to these two.
Since both of them agreed with Ren's opinion, even if he had any thoughts, he could only keep them to himself.
As if struck by a thought, Ren smiled at Helm and took out a document from his pocket, handing it over as he said, "Lord Helm, I have the Federation's permission to learn a metal-based magic."
"But I heard that the magic is with you."
"Hmm?"
Helm took it and quickly flipped through it, finding it to be a special memory crystal.
But when he looked at Hernandez, he saw him smiling and nodding, and he immediately understood that this matter was true.
However, Helm's thoughts turned, and he immediately guessed that Lord Ren was about to join the Federation.
If so, he would soon be on their side.
Only then would the Federation's consent not be strange.
After a moment's thought, Helm became more convinced of his judgment.
He smiled and took out a strange-looking, key-shaped semi-transparent crystal from his pocket and handed it to Ren, saying, "Lord Ren, the magic you need is in this crystal. However, this crystal has a special purpose for me, so I hope you can return it to me after you've memorized the magic."
"Of course, no problem." Ren suppressed his excitement and calmly accepted it, immediately examining it.
"Lord Helm, why are you carrying this memory crystal that records such a precious Dawnlight Spell?" At this moment, Hernandez, standing beside him, asked with a puzzled expression.
After all, carrying such an important Level 4 Dawnlight Spell with you is not a prudent thing.
Moreover, he had also heard that the Level 4 Metal-based Magic inside couldn't be copied.
Otherwise, this time, they might not have come here.
"Your Majesty Hernandez, it's like this. This memory crystal is special. With my strength, I can review and copy the Level 1 to 3 spells inside without issue, but I still can't copy the Level 4 spell 'Shard Disk.'"
"As for me, you know, I've been striving to become a Dawn Mage recently, and I plan to use this Level 4 spell 'Shard Disk' as my Level 4 Affinity Spell."
Helm paused, as if considering whether to continue, but he quickly made a decision. "Moreover, more importantly, this memory crystal seems to be the key to unlocking a door or secret room."
"This special memory crystal was discovered in synchronization with the prototype machine at another Gnomish ruins. I speculate that there might be related clues to be found in this ruin."
"I see." Hernandez glanced at the key-shaped crystal in Ren's hand, understanding dawning on his face.
Unable to copy and with a special purpose, no wonder Helm carried it with him.
Just as the two were talking, Ren had already focused most of his attention on the Level 4 Metal-based Spell 'Shard Disk.'
About half an hour later.
Ren seemed to have an epiphany, and the system prompt followed:
[You have learned the Shard Disk and gained related insights!]
[You have understood the new skill - Shard Disk]
[Your skill Shard Disk has improved, +4 experience points]
Ren quickly found a new icon on the Dragon Vein Mage (Legend) profession panel.
The icon's pattern was a round metal disk, and the most striking feature was a small, curved, sharp dagger at the top, bottom, left, and right of the metal disk.
Below the icon was a line of small text with the following content:
Shard Disk lv1 (1/100)
Shard Disk lv1 effect: Consumes a certain amount of mental energy to form a spinning disk by manipulating surrounding metal-based energy particles with a specific magic model, attacking enemies at high speed.
(Note: Casting time 3 seconds.)
At this moment, seeing Ren seemingly immersed in the new magic, Helm couldn't help but smile inwardly, "Lord Ren is indeed young, and his heart is a bit too impatient."
"Even for a Dawn Wizard, mastering a Level 4 Dawnlight Spell of the same level would take at least ten days or even half a month, and that's just for the basics."
"To become proficient and apply it in actual combat would require at least several years, or even a decade or more."
Of course, Helm didn't say these words aloud.
Ren, unaware of Helm's thoughts, had already accumulated enough skill points. Without hesitation, he invested 11 skill points and an additional 8 golden skill points into the new Level 4 Magic, 'Shard Disk'.
In an instant, the Level 4 attack spell 'Shard Disk' skyrocketed from level 1 to level 20. Simultaneously, a vast flood of memories about the spell 'Shard Disk' rushed into Ren's mind.
For a moment, Ren felt as if he were in a mysterious space, constantly practicing the Level 4 Dawnlight Spell 'Shard Disk' for decades, and various insights flooded his mind! When Ren regained his senses, a glimmer of brilliance flashed in his eyes.
Ren's aura fluctuated, immediately catching the attention of Swordsaint Tillio.
Tillio glanced at Ren with surprise, as he had just sensed a sudden fluctuation in Ren's aura.
Could it be that Ren had already gained some insight so quickly?
On Ren's side, after mastering the new Level 4 Magic 'Shard Disk', he naturally connected it with the three spells he had already become familiar with.
"Level 1 Metal-based Wizardry, 'Metal Morph'."
"Level 2 Metal-based Wizardry, 'Cutting Net'."
"Level 3 Metal-based Wizardry, 'Toothed Ring'."
"And the Level 4 Metal-based Wizardry, 'Shard Disk'."
"These four spells can be combined to create an extremely powerful Dawn Finishing Move, 'Vortex Disk'!"
Ren's thoughts raced as he contemplated the casting techniques of these four spells, his heart filled with excitement! As various ideas swirled in his mind, a system prompt sounded:
[Ding! Host has comprehended the outline of a Dawn Finishing Move. Consume 312 golden skill points to optimize and perfect it?]
"Huh? It actually requires 312 points."
"It's even more than the previous Dawn Finishing Move, 'Steel Forest'," Ren couldn't help but widen his eyes, surprised.
However, after a moment's thought, he felt a surge of joy.
Based on his experience, the more golden skill points consumed, the stronger the spell or Dawn Finishing Move would be.
This made Ren even more eager to discover the power of the new Dawn Finishing Move.
Without hesitation, Ren quickly chose 'Yes'. Just like before, the system's description of optimization and perfection was, in essence, adapting the Dawn Finishing Move to Ren's personal preferences.
This allowed the Dawn Finishing Move to be more suitable for Ren's casting style, such as increasing the casting speed and slightly enhancing its power.
As Ren selected 'Yes', a surge of spell training memories flooded his mind.
[Ding! Optimization successful! Host has comprehended the Metal-based Dawn Finishing Move, 'Vortex Disk'!]
"Vortex Disk?!"
A noticeable smile appeared on Ren's lips.
"Huh? Ren, have you already memorized the new spell model so quickly?" Hernandez noticed the smile on Ren's face and asked in surprise.
After all, in his opinion, it was already impressive to memorize the intricate Level 4 Dawnlight Spell model within just half an hour.
As for the basics...
"Hehe, that's right," Ren nodded and smiled.
"Impressive!" Helm gave a thumbs up in praise.
"As expected of the Empire's rare genius. By the way, Ren, since we're ready, shall we begin now?" Swordsaint Tillio smiled and stood up.
He had actually wanted to take action long ago, but he didn't want to disturb Ren, who had been deeply immersed.
"Of course."
"Sorry for the wait earlier," Ren apologized.
"Ren, you're too kind. We've just finished resting as well."
This time, they were heading out to find a way back, and to avoid unnecessary sacrifices, only Ren and the three others would go, while the rest of the team would stay behind and rest at the campground.
Once everything was ready, Helm quickly began chanting a spell.
The next second, a mirror portal appeared in front of them, and Swordsaint Tillio led the way, stepping through first.
As Ren followed Tillio through the portal, he heard a muffled grunt from the Swordsaint.
(End of Chapter)
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