Chapter 140 140
The arcane technique "Foresight" sounded quite formidable, but for a First Ring like him, it was too dangerous—the benefits did not proportionally offset the risks:
"I want to hear the remaining two."
Shard was very cautious.
"The second arcane technique is 'Echo of the Past,' where you can randomly hear sounds that occurred within a 24-hour period in a certain area. The extent of time you can reach back to and the clarity still depend on your level and understanding of runes, but the exact moment you hear is completely up to luck."
"Randomly hear?"
"Yes, but the technique itself has been refined so that the likelihood of hearing human voices is quite high. That is to say, if human voices were heard only once in that area within the last 24 hours, then it's very likely that you would hear that specific voice."
Professor Garcia explained, then added:
"Because looking into the past is easier than looking into the future, even for a First Ring, using this technique can be very effective. This is much more useful than divination, which can't provide results as clear and distinct as this."
Professor Garcia seemed to have some opinions about the Astronomy College, which made Shard remember the last meeting and the blood-related prophecy brought by Professor Sanchez. Now, it seemed that whether it was the Roder Card or distance from blood, the prophecy was incredibly accurate.
"Is this technique harmful to hearing?"
Shard asked.
"You can look at the catalogue in your hands, it has a detailed introduction. The answer is no harm, as long as it's not used continuously for a long time. So, even if you're unlucky at first, you can try multiple times."
Shard nodded again, this arcane technique was quite appealing. It was useful for both detective work and the adventures of a Circle Sorcerer, it was just a pity it wasn't an offensive ability and was too reliant on luck.
"But why would I need so many offensive abilities? Silvermoon Slash is already more than sufficient for now, and there is also an arcane technique among the rewards for the 'Father of the Infinite Tree' mission."
He quietly said to himself.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
"Then there's the last one, 'Lalleg's Leap.' The effect is quite simple, it's a spatial leap."
Professor Garcia spoke lightly, but Shard was instantly excited—this was truly appealing.
But the professor shook his head, asking him not to get excited yet:
"The material world is relatively safe, but in the crevices of space and time, danger lurks almost everywhere. The reason abilities involving time and space are riskier than other arcane techniques is because of this.
'Lalleg's Leap' can only be used by holders of 'Space' or runes conceptualizing something beyond, and regardless of who uses it, they can only move within a range of 10 feet (about 3.04 meters) and must have direct line of sight to the destination."
"That's still not bad."
A smile appeared on Shard's face.
"Using the technique is very energy-consuming, and to avoid attracting strange entities, users must strictly adhere to using it no more than once per hour. This ability was not originally available to Correspondence Circle Mages; it appears in your catalogue as a combined reward of two items, which I advocated for."
Despite repeatedly explaining the risk, Professor Garcia clearly also recommended this sorcery, as he was almost undisguised in his attitude toward 'Foresight.' Find more to read at empire
So actually, Shard didn't need to choose; the answer was already clear.
But he still pretended to think for a moment before making a determined expression:
"Professor Garcia, I think 'Echo of the Past' and 'Lagre's Leap' suit me better."
Professor Garcia smiled and nodded:
"Just as I thought. Additionally, the learning materials for your 'Time Perception' arcane technique are also prepared."
He pointed to the doctor's sheet of poetry paper on the table, and after a shimmering glow, a large collection of glass bottles containing various potions and materials appeared.
The learning materials for 'Time Perception' comprised a hundred-year-old pocket watch and a specimen of a rare plant called the Four-Leaf Clock Flower, which is only found in the New World, where the flower's pistil strictly changes with time.
Shard immediately learned the arcane technique, placing the Clock Flower specimen on his left chest and the pocket watch on his right chest. He closed his eyes to listen to the ticking of the watch for a moment; the antique watch rapidly corroded, and the specimen turned into a pinch of black ash.
From then on, the pocket watch became more of a decorative item for Shard, and he no longer needed to reach for it on his bedside table as soon as he woke up.
The learning materials required for 'Echo of the Past' included two live insects named 'Stone Bell Bugs,' one was entirely black and the other entirely white. Shard needed to insert the two live insects into his own ears...
"Are you sure you really want to do this?"
Shard held the small glass jar with the insects, watched the insects wriggling, their small legs shaking densely, and then incredulously turned to the professor, not even wanting to touch them.
"Quite sure."
The professor nodded his head, signaling that Shard could continue.
Shard did not want to recall what happened and how he felt in the next few seconds, but he still learned the arcane technique.
He could use the technique immediately because it required no spellcasting materials.
Elemental factors attracted the spirit to flow in the Ring of Fate, with the 'Space-Time' rune's spiritual light flickering, Shard felt a buzzing sensation by his ears, followed by Dr. Schneider's clear voice, who sounded very agitated as he spoke:
"I will spend my lifetime guarding you."
"Hmm?"
Shard raised an eyebrow as he listened to the sound of the past.
He did not stop using the arcane technique, therefore the voice continued. The next sentence was still spoken by the doctor, but unbelievably, it was not in the common language. The language sounded like a knife scraping against bone, like maggots squirming on a corpse, and even like the magma in the deepest abyss bubbling.
Shard believed that if not for the 'Divine Afterglow' state protecting him, he could never have remained composed in front of Professor Garcia:
"Schneider, the world is destined for destruction! Your soul is destined to be mine!"
A severe headache made Shard instinctively shut off the arcane technique. His breathing quickened, and he could even smell sulfur in his nostrils.
Just listening to that strange and terrifying language through the arcane technique caused him such discomfort; the language itself must be a power within a mysterious system.
"As of now, you can't help him."
"Yes, I can't help now."
He responded in his mind, and the woman, seemingly perceiving his resolve, simply laughed lightly. Her laughter soothed the trauma within his heart caused by listening to the unknown and terrifying language, and Shard really liked her laugh.
Professor Garcia did not know what Shard had just heard; he was talking about the arcane technique 'Lagre's Leap.' This arcane technique, created by a Circle Sorcerer at the Xerxes Higher Medical Academy at the end of the Fifth Era, was a rare ability that allowed Circle Sorcerers to perform low-risk spatial leaps themselves.
Its strength lay not in the short distance of movement but in 'low risk.' The name of the sorcerer who invented the technique was directly entered into the history of the Three Great Magics Academies.
The core materials needed to learn 'Lagre's Leap' included three types, among which 'Obsidian situated at the spatial rift' and 'ground bone powder of Haas Hound's leg' were available at the academy and had also been sent. However, the last component, namely three 'Wind Vane Bluegrass,' was temporarily unavailable.
What do you think?
Total Responses: 0