Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2582: Chapter 2583: Replication

The simplest way to solve the Solid Magic Pattern is to locate one of the energy nodes and attach an Array Plate engraved with energy guidance at this node to perform a sleight of hand.

The core of this method is not to break but to deceive. It makes the Solid Magic Pattern temporarily ineffective, giving you room to either break through the Magical Energy Array with force or sneakily open a door to infiltrate the array.

However, this method is clearly not applicable in the current situation.

Because what Angel is facing is not a tangible object, but an illusion he created himself.

So, you can’t use deceit then break method, only forcibly break it, making it much more difficult. Dox and the Black Earl, who have a deep understanding of this, still don’t think Angel can crack it even now.

What Angel said within the contract light shield, ”I have a way, give me some time,” wasn’t exactly a confident answer. As long as Angel believes he has a way, the power of the contract will deem it true and won’t retaliate; but is Angel’s supposed method really effective? That’s another matter altogether.

Because this possibility exists, even though they hope Angel can crack it, there is still some doubt in their hearts.

Rather than cracking the magic patterns on the illusion, it might be more useful to find some Solid Magic Patterns in this underground building. After all, if real Solid Magic Patterns are found, there would be tangible objects rather than Angel attempting to break Magic Patterns out of thin air.

However, neither Dox nor the Black Earl knows Angel well enough. Since he said ”I have a way,” then naturally it’s ”a useful way.” As for ways full of variables, he wouldn’t directly say ”there is a way,” but rather use ”can try,” which leaves room for ambiguity.

As for why Angel has a way, the answer is quite simple.

What he showed everyone was just the table illusion seen from the Magic Craftsman, but in reality, the Magic Craftsman finally divided the table into eight parts. As the table was disassembled, some hidden magic patterns underneath emerged. Some significant Magic Tattoo Horn happened to be cut out, and inferencing from these Magic Tattoo Horns, cracking it was no longer hopeless.

Angel didn’t showcase these memories, not intentionally hiding them, but because there was no need. Based on the current team setup, ultimately, he still has to be the one cracking the magic patterns, so doing it his way is natural. If displayed, it might trigger a bunch of ”curious babies” questions, which is simply a waste of time.

An hour quietly passed.

The fireworks atmosphere in the Underground Church gradually dissipated, and after eating, the logistics personnel of the Hero Squad were led by the Endless Old Man to wait in the corridor outside the Underground Church to avoid disturbing the Transcendent present.

Without disturbances, there was more room to maneuver and they could unrestrainedly use various tricks and spell techniques.

But even with the assistance of various transcendent techniques, they still didn’t find any suspected Solid Magic Pattern locations.

”Is it hidden too deep?” Dox muttered in the Mind Ribbon: ”It’s a pity that spiritual power can’t penetrate walls, otherwise it wouldn’t be such a hassle.”

This wasn’t the first time Dox complained in the Mind Ribbon, he would complain every time after searching a place.

Kaier didn’t dare to answer, the Black Earl was too lazy to respond, and Angel was directly shielding the Mind Ribbon while cracking the magic patterns, so the only one who could talk to Dox was Vay.

However, Vay’s patience was also limited. Initially willing to respond a few times was due to shared feelings; but Dox complained so frequently that even shared feelings couldn’t stand it, resulting in Vay being unwilling to bother with Dox anymore.

However, Dox didn’t mind at all and continued to complain and grumble at every location.

After a precedent was set, Dox didn’t expect anyone to respond after venting this time, so he prepared to search the next location.

But at this moment, Angel, who had been blocking the Mind Ribbon, suddenly spoke up and answered his question: ”It’s not hidden too deep, it’s just that without the main control magic pattern, without continuous power supply, those magic patterns unable to function have slowly concealed themselves.”

”This concealment is not transcendent in nature, but a concealment brought about by time and age.”

Long stretches of time eroded the newness of the original patterns. Endless years erased the last transcendent traces of the hidden magic patterns.

The combination of the two makes it difficult to discover their existence.

The naked eye can hardly detect them, and without any transcendent reactions from these concealed magic patterns, finding them is like fishing blind.

”Since they’re concealed by time and age, can they be reactivated?” asked the Black Earl. As soon as Angel spoke, everyone paid attention, and naturally, so did the Black Earl.

Angel: ”It’s just concealment and hiding, not complete erosion. As long as the main control magic pattern is present, using magic power to activate the energy channels should allow them to restore their transcendent nature.”

”Then where is the main control magic pattern?” This time, Dox jumped in.

The Black Earl, though typically annoyed by being interrupted while speaking, didn’t pursue it this time since Dox’s question was precisely what puzzled him, so he waited silently for Angel’s answer.

Angel didn’t respond immediately but sighed softly.

Hearing the sigh, Dox felt a bad premonition: ”Don’t tell me the main control magic pattern is engraved on the lecture table surface?”

Angel didn’t answer directly but tactfully said, ”Your intuition proved right once again.”

Hearing Angel’s answer, how could Dox not understand what Angel meant? Realizing the result was so dramatic, he couldn’t help but swear, throwing his head back and covering his face with his hands, ”This damn thing isn’t inspiration.”

”I also hope it’s not your inspiration, but you were right. Yes, the main control magic pattern is this table surface.”

Vay then quietly murmured, ”I believe this isn’t your intuition, it’s just your crow’s mouth.”

Dox couldn’t be bothered to argue with Vay at this point, still immersed in his feelings of helplessness.

After a busy half a day, discovering everything was for naught was hard for Dox to accept. Moreover, there were two aspects of this matter that irritated him the most: firstly, the lecture table was originally fine sitting here, but the mentor of the Crow didn’t recognize it, and neither did the Crow, who disassembled and sold it; secondly, the Magic Craftsman, despite his grand reputation, was utterly clueless, didn’t recognize anything, but still wrecked the table surface.

These two matters left him feeling anything but untroubled.

However, as Dox was caught up in his emotions, Angel quietly watched him.

It was Dox who discovered the concave spot on the lecture table, suspected the recess could be a clue, and finally confirmed the lecture table was the main control magic pattern. This once again proved that Dox’s intuition was incredibly powerful.

”What are you looking at?” This time, it wasn’t from the Mind Ribbon, but a voice sounded by his ear.

This was the Technique of Sound Transmission.

Upon turning around, it was the Black Earl controlling the stone slab, flying to his side.

”I’m pondering, what exactly is Dox’s inspiration about. Is the mechanism here related to the Wheel of Destiny, or purely favored by the World Will? Much like the Baiyuan Clan back then.”

”I thought you were pondering how to find the entrance, but it turns out you’re more concerned with Dox’s inspiration than the entrance. So, do you actually have a way?”

Angel smiled: ”Having no way doesn’t mean we can’t create a way. I’m currently more curious about Dox’s inspiration than finding the entrance.”

”You want to research him?” The Black Earl’s tone rose, if he were present, he might be raising an eyebrow.

”I’m curious about everything, not only do I want to research this, but also the mechanism of Black Earl’s avatar.” Angel made a detour.

He wasn’t particularly interested in researching Dox himself, the curiosity about Dox purely stemmed from wondering whether Dororo and Dox were the same type, favored by fortune. If Dororo could research Dox’s inspiration, it might enhance his own abilities.

Dox is an outsider, Dororo is one of their own. If Dororo becomes stronger, it also benefits Angel.

”Want to research my avatar mechanism, eh, certainly no problem as long as you want... but let me tell you in advance, if you truly want to research it, you can ask that old man Rhein, I’m sure he’ll use every means possible to dissuade you,” the Black Earl finished with a sinister laugh.

From his words, Angel could roughly guess that the Black Earl’s avatar mechanism was probably an extremely unconventional path, maybe even a foreboding path with no future.

Yet even so, if there’s an opportunity for research, he wouldn’t refuse. Acquired knowledge isn’t necessarily for application, but for use when needed, leading to other insights.

”If you want to research Dox, once this affair is settled, I can help you by directly packaging him to the Barbarian Cave.”

The Black Earl continued with his sinister laugh, louder than before, attracting the attention of those nearby.

”What is the Black Earl laughing about, were you talking just now?” Dox peered over suspiciously.

Black Earl: ”Angel and I are researching how to dismantle you into eight pieces and package you to the Barbarian Cave.”

Dox glanced at Angel, instinctively responding with a slick comment: ”I understand your sentiment, but you know, compared to being constrained, I relish freedom more.”

Those unaware of the situation might think these words to be the rhetoric of a scoundrel.

But in reality, Dox merely thought Angel wanted to lure him to the Barbarian Cave, changing him from a Wandering Wizard to an Organized Wizard. For Dox, who cherishes freedom, this is utterly unbearable.

Angel also understood Dox’s meaning, irrespective of whether Dox was right or wrong, judging his words alone, Angel wanted to retort a bit. Freedom, freedom, yet always encountering obstacles.

In Angel’s view, Dox suffers from a phobia of constraint. If Witcher Organization truly restricts people so much, why does Sumishe go out for fifty years, and Madeline, who just joined the Barbarian Cave, goes off to Abyss for her own wanderlust.

Moreover, countless predecessors have left the Southern Domain, like the ”Loli Witch” Marisa, who left the Southern Domain two thousand years ago, without interference, never returning.

These are not isolated cases, Witcher Organization’s constraints essentially boil down to three things: sense of belonging, sense of honor, and equivalent exchange.

The sense of belonging and honor don’t need explanation, as for equivalent exchange, it’s very fair, you get something, then you pay for it. That’s the default rule of the Wizards’ Realm.

Of course, the above is just Angel’s personal opinion. He also knows there might be bias, so he just pondered it privately without trying to change Dox’s mind.

Retorting? In other areas, maybe, but with ideologies, better not.

The ideological confrontation in the Wizards’ Realm is already very serious, whether it’s academic, factional, between Extraordinary Cities, even between genders, humans, and humanoids. Each ideological opposition has many supporters, engaging in debates would be endless. Instead, maintain a ”Harmony in Diversity” outwardly, but think your own thoughts internally.

”I’m not interested in binding your freedom, but I reckon the Black Earl truly wants to dismantle you into eight pieces.” Angel replied casually, and without waiting for Dox’s response, continued: ”Back to the main topic, even though the primary Magic Pattern has disappeared, I just exchanged words with the Black Earl, if there’s no way, there’s still a way to create one.”

”Originally, there wasn’t a Magical Energy Array here, it was later engraved by others. If they can engrave it, why can’t I replicate it?”

Dox initially wanted to discuss the ”dismantling into eight pieces” matter, but hearing Angel’s words, he abandoned all other thoughts and hurriedly asked: ”You mean... you can redraw a primary Magic Pattern for the concealed Magical Energy Array here?”

Angel nodded: ”As for the Pattern on that desk, I can only know it’s a primary Magic Pattern after cracking it. And the Magic Pattern I’ve completely deciphered, why can’t I continue it?”

Truth be told, Angel’s words here were exaggerated, not every cracked Magical Energy Array can be reverse-engineered. A Magical Energy Array isn’t a math answer with a unique solution; it’s technology that can be encrypted and hidden by complex methods.

Just like previously at the Devil’s Sea Mist Belt, the Magical Energy Array at Snook Base, Angel could crack it and even utilize it in reverse, but to replicate it entirely? Impossible.

Angel himself knew he was overstating, but as the leader, with the team in such a low spirits, these words could serve as a morale boost.

Moreover, Angel left himself some leeway, only ”completely cracked Magic Patterns,” he could continue with.

Though it seems like wordplay, if in the future Dox or the Black Earl uses this to have him replicate an impossible Magic Pattern, he would have to rely on wordplay for precaution.

”Do you need us for anything?” Learning there was still a way, Dox’s expression became invigorated again.

Angel: ”Just wait on the side, no need to find those concealed Magic Patterns anymore. Once the primary Magic Pattern is engraved, they will naturally appear.”

With that said, Angel walked to the side, took out materials, and started refining according to the size of the table.

Since it’s a replication, of course, the whole set needs to be created.