Micro Magic Arrays and Magic Weapons

Jonathan waited until fewer and fewer people were bidding before he spoke. "I'll offer two hundred and fifty thousand gold coins!"

Many people turned to look.

He had raised the bid by fifty thousand in one go. Anyone who wasn't genuinely interested wouldn't have done that.

"Two hundred and fifty thousand gold coins, once. Two hundred and fifty thousand gold coins, twice."

"Are there any other bids?"

The auctioneer surveyed the room, then brought down the gavel. "Two hundred and fifty thousand gold coins, three times! Congratulations to Guest Number Sixty-Six for purchasing First's research manuscripts for two hundred and fifty thousand gold coins."

After that, Jonathan didn't speak again.

Whether it was a powerful war blade or precious mineral ores, he stayed quiet.

The auction finally ended half a day later.

Jonathan collected his money and the manuscripts, then prepared to leave. Before he did, he spotted Charles.

"Given his status, he must be in the VIP seats. Maybe he was the one who bought my Evil Eye Spider magic crystal core."

He shook his head slightly and left.

Back at Ulada Magic Academy, he began studying First's manuscripts.

"These are the ideas of a genius. He uses magic arrays to convert the power of magic crystal cores. If it works, it could increase the speed of magic power cultivation by more than ten times."

"It could also accelerate the cultivation of spiritual power."

"What an outstanding idea. It's a pity he didn't finish it. I wonder if I can complete it."

Next, he began studying the micro magic arrays.

This was a more complete achievement. The main reason was that it started from a more advanced point. After reading it, Jonathan could hardly wait to buy a few weapons and test it out.

This section of the manuscripts contained numerous micro magic arrays. They were the most precious part of the collection.

Finally, there was the section on improving magic.

It consisted mostly of theories and conjectures, and also involved magic arrays.

By modifying the elemental sequence of a spell and then drawing on the power of a magic array, a mage could use more advanced spells ahead of time, or even spells from other branches of magic. There was a drawback, though: once the array had been set up, the mage couldn't freely change its position.

It also consumed quite a lot of magic crystals or magic crystal cores.

Jonathan had done plenty of research on altering the elements of heaven and earth. His anti-gravity spell had come from that work. Now, after reading First's research on the subject, he felt as if a door to a whole new world had opened before him.

Jonathan had once envied seventh-level Wind Element mages immensely, because below the Saint Realm, they were the only ones who could fly.

Now, if he used a magic weapon with a magic array imprinted with the Wind Element Levitation spell, then used a Wind Element magic crystal or magic crystal core as a material to inscribe a miniature array that automatically absorbed the elements of heaven and earth—

His dream of flying would come true ahead of schedule. He would also have a much better chance of venturing deeper into the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

To focus on his research, Jonathan bought a mansion in Black Phoenix City. He kept mostly to himself, barely sleeping or eating as he immersed himself in his work.

As for the materials, he had Hilton, the butler he'd hired, buy them.

Jonathan paid him handsomely, so Hilton was naturally happy to devote himself wholeheartedly to the job.

Two months later, Jonathan had become highly proficient at controlling micro magic arrays. His spiritual power had also increased by one or two times, an unexpected bonus.

Inscribing a micro magic array required complete concentration. The principle was the same as Linley's stone carving.

Thus, even without deliberately cultivating, Jonathan progressed much faster than before.

At this rate, he might become an eighth-level mage in the second half of the year.

Magical research was an expensive undertaking. The auction had previously earned him nearly two million gold coins, but between the house and his expenses over the past two months, he had already spent a million.

Now he had only about 1.4 million left.

"Research really is expensive. Looks like I'll have to keep taking assassination jobs. Once I've made a few magic weapons, I'll have to auction some off, too."

Besides researching micro magic arrays and magic weapons, Jonathan planned to start studying magic arrays that converted magic crystal cores after some time. That would require him to buy quite a few magic crystal cores.

"Even making magic weapons requires magic crystal cores."

If he couldn't find suitable magic crystal cores for sale in the future, Jonathan planned to search for them himself in the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

Jonathan didn't know how to forge weapons, so he could only buy finished ones. Weapons that cost a few dozen gold coins were made from fairly ordinary materials.

At most, he could imprint one micro magic array on a weapon like that. If he added more than one, the weapon would shatter as soon as the arrays were activated, causing considerable harm to him and those nearby.

The manuscripts contained quite a few magic arrays, including Sharpness, Sturdiness, Flame, Freeze, Gale, and Armor-Piercing.

It was easy to imagine how much effort Master First had put into converting spells into magic arrays.

The more Jonathan studied them, the more he understood. He had tried to analyze the Gravity Spell, but it was at least a fifth-level spell. Analyzing it would take a great deal of work and wouldn't be easy.

He had tried for half a day before deciding to set it aside.

"Hilton."

"I'm here, young master. What do you need?"

"Buy me ten weapons costing between five or six hundred and a thousand gold coins each. Any styles will do. Be quick—I want them within an hour or two."

Jonathan transferred money to Hilton's Magic Crystal Card every so often. He had also arranged for the card himself.

It was more convenient that way.

"Yes, young master."

While Hilton was out, he heard many people discussing the Bred Family.

He listened carefully and learned that someone from the Bred Family's main line had been killed by a person from a remote little town, and not even a body had been left behind.

He didn't hear much about who had done it.

"Finishing the young master's errand is more important."

He hurried off and returned to Rhode Mansion an hour later, handing everything over to Jonathan.

"Thanks for your efforts, Butler Hilton. You can leave now. Don't disturb me unless I ask for you."

Hilton didn't dare interrupt him and quickly withdrew.

In the Bred Family, a beautiful woman stood before Canina, weeping bitterly. Tears streamed down her face as if they cost her nothing.

"My lord, you have to avenge our son!"

"Not just that Jonathan fellow, either. Bring back that adulterous couple as well and make them join our son in death!"

"What would you know, you foolish woman?!"

"Crying, crying, all you ever do is cry! Forget Jonathan for now. Abraham and Sanita left two months ago. They must have left the Dark Alliance already."

"The Yulan Continent is so vast. Where do you expect me to look? Even searching the Dark Alliance alone would take an unknown amount of manpower, resources, and money."

"So we're just going to let it go? What about Jonathan? Didn't you say he was studying at Ulada Magic Academy?"

"Capture him, then spread the news. I refuse to believe they won't come back."

"You think I don't want to? But do you know what kind of place Ulada Magic Academy is? Even His Majesty wouldn't dare simply go in and seize someone. We have no direct evidence. If we barged in, His Majesty would surely punish us severely."

"Two months ago, His Majesty already began watching me because of the assassination of Cland. If we stir up trouble at Ulada Magic Academy over this, our Bred Family will be in for a world of hurt!"