Imperial Onmyo Academy, Grand Library.
The afternoon sunlight shines through the glazed windows onto the ancient bookshelf. Ian closed the last ancient book in his hand and breathed a long sigh of relief.
For a whole week, he was like a tireless sponge, frantically absorbing every drop of ink in this the Library. With his gift of photographic memory and extremely high reading speed, he finally swept away the country's public Onmyodo knowledge system.
"Interesting. The Onmyodo here is essentially a hodgepodge."
Ian closed his eyes and built a knowledge model in his mind. "Summoning (Shikigami), incantation (mantra), ritual (sacrifice), physical skills (warrior), and formation (talisman). The five are integrated and complement each other."
This system reminded him of the Arcane Empire who was far away in the Western Continent. As the ruler of the Empire, Ian has been committed to collecting and Fusion magic systems in various dimensions. In the Empire's archives, research on "regional magic" has already been fruitful:
China Region: Since the discovery of the existence of "Qi", martial arts have flourished. With the addition of Alkahestry brought back by Ian, the original Potions system has been transformed into a more efficient "elixir" system, and the style of cultivating immortals has begun to take shape.
India Region: Based on Buddhism and India religious mythology, unique mantras and dharma magic have been developed.
Northern Europe Region (Scandinavia): This is one of the most proud masterpieces of Ian. The combination of the local Viking Berserker and Arcane Runes gave birth to a brutal system called [Flesh Inscription]. They tattoo the magic circuits directly on their muscles and bones, and can fight like Beast at ordinary times. At critical moments, they can activate [Berserk Mode] - shielding pain and Infinity physical strength. Today's "Viking Legion" is the most elite "Star Warriors" team under the Empire.
Africa and Caribbean areas: The Loa spirit magic here is the most ambitious. The local wizards were not satisfied with the ordinary summoning of ancestral spirits. They combined the Druid natural magic of Lily in an attempt to create "Artificial Nature Gods". By collecting Faith Power, give these artificial spirits "Godhead". Although it is currently stopped by Ian due to immature technology, this is definitely the core of the future Empire God-Making Project.
In comparison, Land of the Sun Onmyodo in this dimension is more like some unfinished variant. "They are still looking for the so-called 'divine dimension', rather than trying to create their own gods like me." Ian shook his head, with a playful smile on his lips.
Putting down the books about Magical Theory, Ian ran his fingers across the bookshelf and pulled out a dusty black diary. <Onizuka Diary>.
Turning to the first page, Ian's pupils shrank slightly.
"The school uniforms need to be changed to sailor uniforms and suits to look good..." "Establish an academy system and break the monopoly of private schools..." "It would be great if we could build a Gundam, but it's a pity that we don't have the materials..."
Looking at these familiar modern words, Ian is convinced: this person named Onizuka is also a time traveler from Primordial Earth.
According to historical records, Onizuka lived in the war-torn era before Yamato Dynasty unified the continent. He was born as a commoner and had no magical talent - he could neither be a warrior nor an onmyoji. But he was honored as a "wise man" by later generations.
The "devil style" school uniform that Ian is wearing now, as well as the entire college's education system, were all made by this person. He relied on the knowledge and inventions in his previous life to promote the rise of the Yamato Clan. It can even be said that Yamato Dynasty is able to achieve today's glory, and Onizuka is indispensable.
However, the second half of the diary is full of despair. In his later years, Onizuka began to advocate the Utopia idea of "everyone is equal" and tried to promote democracy in this feudal totalitarian world. The result is predictable - the diary ended abruptly, and the history books said that he "died suddenly due to illness."
"Idiot." Ian closed the diary and sighed, "Without the support of strength, thoughts are like castles in the air. After being exploited by those in power, they are thrown away like rags. This is the end."
At the same time, he also felt a little sad for Onizuka. According to the statistics of Merlin, 99.99% of the time travelers from Primordial Earth will receive the gift of "Planar Will", which is also commonly known as the golden finger. Some change their fate against the will of heaven, and some are useless but still useful.
And Onizuka happens to be the unlucky 0.01%. He has nothing but the memories in his mind. In this Wizarding World that has become more cruel due to his arrival, he is just a somewhat smart mortal.
"In contrast, I was indeed favored by fate." Ian put the diary back on the bookshelf. After absorbing all the knowledge, he adjusted the magic frequency in his body to perfectly simulate the fluctuations of this continent. Now, he can avoid those annoying detection barriers in the academy and start doing business.
Walking out of the Library, the sun was setting. A beautiful figure was standing quietly at the foot of the steps, as if she had been waiting for a long time.
Princess Matsumoto.
According to the "arrogant commoner genius" character that Ian created for himself, he should have dismissed such decadent Imperial Family members and simply ignored them and left. But he keenly captured the strange light flashing in the princess's eyes.
"It's interesting." Ian stopped and looked at her coldly.
"Senior Akimitsu." Princess Matsumoto lifted up her skirt and bowed gracefully.
"Your Highness, it seems we are not that familiar, right?" Ian said in an indifferent tone, "Please call me by my last name."
Princess Matsumoto's expression stiffened for a moment, but he quickly restored his perfect social mask. "Sorry, I was rude, Guangyue-senpai."
"It doesn't matter. As long as you don't do it again." Ian put his hands in his pockets and looked at her condescendingly, "So, what's the matter with you being stuck here?"
Princess Matsumoto looked around, lowered his voice, and said with sincerity and concern, "I'm here to give you a warning. In three months, the college will hold [Spirit Calamity Purification Exercise] for first-year students. It will be very dangerous. Please be careful of those nobles and Imperial Family members."
She looked at Ian, her eyes filled with gentle concern, as if she really cared about the safety of a civilian genius.
Ian looked at that delicate face and sneered in his heart. His acting skills are good. This is just Imperial Family's usual wooing method - showing goodwill first, selling personal favors, and then extending a helping hand when the crisis comes, thus making him, a genius, have to rely on the Yamato Clan.
"Really? Thanks for reminding me. I borrowed it." Ian said casually, gave a perfunctory salute, and walked directly around her to leave.
But the moment the two of them passed each other, Ian's fingers flicked imperceptibly. An invisible spiritual imprint quietly attached to the back of the princess's neck.
Since you want to play Liaozhai, then I will turn you into my eyes.
Looking at Ian's retreating back, the gentleness on Princess Matsumoto's face disappeared in an instant, replaced by calmness and a trace of imperceptible ruthlessness.
Late at night, in the boys' dormitory.
After confirming that no one was watching around, Ian took out a talisman cut into the shape of a paper man from his arms.
"Get up." With the injection of spiritual power, the paper man grew up in the wind and transformed into a ninja with a blurry face wearing night clothes.
In this country, ninja is also one of the regular professions. As long as you awaken the short sword or shuriken Martial Soul, you can become a killer in the shadows through special training. However, this training method is strictly monopolized by the Imperial Family and a few nobles, and ordinary people have no access to it.
Ian looked at the puppet in front of him and drew with his fingers.
[Composite Rune·Invisibility]
He combined the rune technology he learned from Dwarves with the Eastern Continent's "Chinese Character Runes" to create a brand new Disillusionment Charm.
"Go ahead."
The ninja puppet instantly disappeared into the air, turning into an invisible ghost and crawling out of the window.
Relying on the improved invisibility charm, the puppet cleverly avoided the dense detection barriers and patrols in the academy Shikigami, and sneaked all the way down, deep underground.
Three floors underground... Five floors underground...
Finally, after going hundreds of meters underground, the puppet stopped. Through the vision shared by the puppet, Ian saw a shocking scene.
In a huge underground cavity, stands a giant bronze door that is tens of meters high. The giant door is densely covered with at least a thousand powerful talismans. These talismans are connected end to end, forming an extremely complicated [Sealing Array].
"Sealing Arts... This is a second-year course." The body of Ian was sitting on the bed in the dormitory, closing his eyes and analyzing the images sent back, "It is usually used to seal the big demon or protect the top secret treasure. But the seal level on the door..."
It's too exaggerated. This is not just a seal, it is more like a hub. Ian is keenly aware that this door is the core of the entire Imperial Capital defense system - it connects the three power centers of the palace, the academy and Yin-Yang Guardian Hall.
More importantly, the smell that seeped out from the crack in the door was cold, majestic, and ruthless. That was the smell of [Heavenly Dao Will].
"In order to protect a copy of Origin Grimoire, such a level of formation was used?" Ian remembered the map that Wizard Sage left for him, and the marked end point was behind this door.
"It seems that what is locked behind this door is not just a book." All the clues were connected at this moment. Ian opened his eyes, and the golden light flashed in the dark dormitory.
The truth is very close at hand.