Secrets of Rune Arrays, the Silver Ring Reappears

According to Hathaway, she had accumulated knowledge about Rune Array from a very young age, but it had been neglected for a long time.

It wasn't until Ronan gave her a lecture that she seemed to have an epiphany, and the knowledge buried in her memory gradually "awakened." Only then did she realize that she actually had quite a good talent in Rune Array studies.

Magic array science is a more advanced and sophisticated application of runes, like assembling a complete machine from different parts. In addition to accumulating a lot of knowledge in runes and magic array science, it also requires a high level of talent.

Ronan talked with Hathaway for a long time about the magic circle before realizing that the Rune Array was more complex than he had imagined.

Level Five Wizard comprehends the Elemental Spirit True Body, they are qualified to construct their own Inheritance Magic Array.

For Level Five Wizard, the Inheritance Magic Array is equivalent to the Soul Rune for a level 2 or 3 Mist Wizard, greatly enhancing their combat power.

Of all the Level Five Wizard Ronan encountered, aside from Fomingge with his Elemental Magic Ring (Remote Projection Array is also a type of Inheritance Magic Array), he almost never saw another level 5 wizard use Inheritance Magic Array.

Ronan had been wondering about this for a long time.

Only after talking with Hathaway did I realize that my understanding of the Inheritance Magic Array had been distorted all along.

His understanding of Inheritance Magic Array mainly came from Alazan. In the ideas Alazan instilled in him, Inheritance Magic Array were almost standard equipment for Level Five Wizard. However, he overlooked the fact that Alazan's era was too long ago.

The Elemental Pool and Inheritance Magic Array, once standard features for Level Five Wizard, have become exclusive to a very small number of wizards in this era due to the scarcity of inheritance and resources.

Let alone Level Five Wizard, even many Level Six Wizard may not be able to possess Inheritance Magic Array.

Besides the enormous resources required to construct the Elemental Pool and the Inheritance Magic Array, inheriting an array that is compatible with one's own magical style has become extremely difficult.

Especially the latter point: the several changes in the Wizard World's structure since ancient times have led to the extinction of many powerful spell schools. In addition, materials like "Clarity Snake," which were not particularly rare in ancient times but required specific channels to produce, have disappeared due to the ban on World Stone. Inheritance Magic Array have gradually become something that ordinary Dawn Wizard can only dream of. The combat power standard of level five has been continuously lowered. Being on par with the ancient times is not just a slogan. In the current Wizard World, some "simplified versions" with similar effects to Inheritance Magic Array have slowly developed, but are relatively easier to achieve.

This is the same method Ronan had seen before: Hathaway used a unique magic circle constructed by summoning Water Element to amplify her power. This can be considered a product of wisdom from later wizards who "finded a different path".

Having learned the inside story, Ronan's eyes flickered as he fell into thought.

With Alazan around, he shouldn't have to worry about inheriting a complete level 5 magic array; he can always find one or two Inheritance Magic Array that match his spell system.

His main concern was the issue of the various materials and resources needed to construct the Inheritance Magic Array.

When Alazan had just been promoted to Level 4, he brought up the matter intentionally or unintentionally. Now it seems that his words were not unfounded. He should indeed have planned ahead and started preparing early.

"Once Alazan awakens from his slumber, it's time to find an opportunity to formally discuss this matter with him."

Ronan lay half-reclined in the armchair, quietly thinking. Hathaway, being very considerate, didn't make a sound to disturb him. When Ronan wasn't speaking, her attention was entirely focused on Ronan legs, tirelessly rubbing and kneading them, gradually mastering some massage techniques.

"Oh, right."

Ronan suddenly remembered something, and looking at Hathaway, whose pretty face was slightly upturned and who was looking at him expectantly, he asked, "Do you know anything inside information about this competition?"

"Misha might know."

Hathaway thought about it carefully and replied, "After all, he had been preparing for this for a long time."

Ronan remained silent, Hathaway naturally understood that this wasn't the answer Ronan wanted. She tilted her head, thought for a moment, and then continued, "I read in an ancient book that the underground waterway network of the Keldim Wizard Empire was built according to the laws of Star Trajectory and the Continental Energy Tide. It's obviously unrealistic to deduce the layout of the waterways based on these two points, but if we can find the blueprints or maps left by the water conservancy officials or astrologers who oversaw the construction of the waterways, we should be able to find the waterway's exit."

"Finding the exit is not the goal of this competition; the main objective is to locate the Quivada Oasis, located in the heart of the Lost Land."

Ronan spoke slowly.

He had already thought of the two points Hathaway mentioned. Theoretically, the waterway ruins should contain the design drawings and waterway network maps from when the waterways were built, but finding these two things still depends on luck.

After considering it for a moment, Ronan proceeded with the original plan to search the Holy Shrine Altar, while also looking for clues about the Quivada Oasis.

Now that he has Hathaway under his command, his efficiency in exploring the waterways is much higher than before.

"Rustle, rustle—"

Just then, Ronan suddenly felt a slight movement on his feet. He looked up and saw Hathaway "sneaking" off his boots.

"What are you up to?"

Ronan frowned slightly and asked.

Hathaway stood up abruptly, like a child caught in the act.

She stood before Ronan, her eyes darting around, and stammered, "Serve my master until bedtime."

"."

"Call--"

Ronan silently landed on a patch of broken, moss-covered rocks. With a flick of his right finger, a small black arrow, exuding a strong Undead Aura, shot out and disappeared into the darkness with a unique buzzing sound.

Soon, a series of rapid explosions could be heard all around.

After a forceful crackdown, Aihaxia was noticeably more docile and returned to Ronan's control, though Ronan is now consciously controlling its "feeding".

"This is it."

Ronan looked around and his gaze fell on a broken fairy statue with wings on its back, a handsome face, and a harp in its hand.

A semi-transparent black line, visible only to him, plunged straight into the statue.

Ronan raised his hand, and the fairy statue in front of him immediately crumbled into pieces under the influence of his powerful mental energy.

Soon, a dark compartment, half a meter high and several meters deep, appeared behind the statue.

Inside a hidden compartment in the stone wall, a black stone box bearing the distinct aesthetic style of the Keldim Empire period sat quietly.

Ronan's eyes flickered slightly, and he gently beckoned, causing the black stone box to slowly fly out.

Ronan placed his palm on the stone box; the unique material of the Holy Shrine Altar gave him a cool yet soft and smooth feel.

The box lid is also engraved with a picture of a young girl, her arms crossed and her eyelids lowered, giving a sense of fragility and compassion.

Ronan felt like he was winning a prize every time he opened an unopened Holy Shrine.

A faint sense of anticipation flickered in his eyes; he wondered if the prize he would win this time would be the one he wanted.

As I gently ran my fingers over the hidden clasp on the box lid, a click-like sound like a mechanism turning was heard, and a faint fluctuation of runes emanated from it. The girl carved on the lid seemed to come alive, and her originally crossed hands began to slowly open outwards.

At the same time, the black box lid opened, and wisps of green light quickly shone through the gap, accompanied by some strange power.

Ronan reached out to touch it, and the green light seeped into his body like water. Immediately afterward, the Vitality Orb within him trembled slightly, and a subtle "crack" sound, like plants growing, seemed to emanate from his flesh and bones.

Ronan closed the lid, the expectation in his eyes vanished, and his expression returned to its original calm.

That's not what he's looking for.

But it wasn't entirely fruitless.

The power of the Holy Shrine sealed within the box seemed to possess an extremely potent healing effect, surpassing any healing potion he had ever taken.

The box itself was a gain in itself. The method used by the wizards of the Keldim Empire to seal the Holy Shrine Power seemed to be simpler and more effective than the Ronan had been using.

"It's only just begun."

Ronan consoled himself, "Next one."

There are many Holy Shrine Altar within the Ancient Waterway ruins. Although they are scattered here and there, if you take your time, you will eventually find the one you are looking for.

Ronan recalled Aihaxia and, incidentally, used the Communication Crystal to contact Hathaway.

After the connection was established, Hathaway's slightly rapid breathing could be heard from the other end of the crystal, indicating that she was probably in the middle of a battle.

"So far... there haven't been any significant results."

"Then be careful."

"Yes, Master."

Over time, Ronan and Hathaway's relationship as master and Master and Servant grew increasingly harmonious, and both began to fully immerse themselves in their roles.

After unlocking her "hidden attributes," Hathaway, who strives solely to please Ronan, unleashes extraordinary potential. She now possesses the qualities of an "elite" or even a "genius" wizard of the same level, a stark contrast to her former spoiled and willful nature.

I wonder if Madam Mel would be grateful to me or kill me if she knew about Hathaway's change. Clatter—clatter—

Ronan strolled along the abandoned waterway, occasionally hearing strange noises from wandering monsters.

After moving the Elemental Pool into the Mist Space, exploration became much more free. During this time, he and Hathaway explored separately, and the monsters they killed increased the energy accumulated in the Elemental Pool considerably.

"Buzz—"

Ronan found an abandoned spell node and tried to activate it, but unfortunately it was completely damaged, and no reaction was detected after he injected his mental energy.

Ronan shook his head, preparing to continue forward.

Just then, he heard the sound of something rapidly flapping its wings as it flew closer to him.

Ronan raised his hand and grabbed a delicate little Black Bat, which struggled violently as soon as it was in his hand.

Ronan's eyes flickered slightly, and he opened his mouth to utter a short syllable.

The Black Bat stopped struggling and instead opened its mouth to spit out a shimmering silver substance.

Ronan picked up the silver object, his brows immediately furrowing tightly.

This is a silver ring with a rather unique design, resembling two corners of a piece of silver satin tied into a beautiful knot in the middle.

Ronan was very familiar with this ring; it was the very one that had passed through his hands before— the Treasure-Stealing Goblin's Linked Ring, the key to unlocking the Silver Ear Goblin's private treasure!

But Ronan had already given this ring to someone else a long time ago!