Knowledge Moor

The moment Bernadette saw the "Arrow of Flames," she sensed that this weapon was far from ordinary. Otherwise, why would a High-Sequence Beyonder like her spend her energy studying such a low-end weapon?

When she saw the Magic Formation inside the "Arrow of Flames," Bernadette, who possessed much advanced occult knowledge, noticed the key to it: those unfamiliar Occult Symbols and a new application of a classic Magic Formation.

Relying only on her own abilities and vast learning, she could deduce the functions of those Occult Symbols, yet she could not understand their underlying meanings or principles.

That was why she had initiated that 3,000-pound deal with Odys. On one hand, the combat strength of Dawn of Elements' Sequence 9 was basically on par with that of geese, so they truly needed weapons like this.

On the other hand, Bernadette had been concealing her true purpose: she wanted to understand the underlying theory behind those Occult Symbols.

Yet what Bernadette had not expected was that the young-looking herbal shop owner not only possessed several new Occult Symbols, but had actually derived an entire batch of new ones.

After reporting what she had learned today, Aria hesitated briefly before saying, "Your Majesty, I also noticed something else. Odys' research into certain aspects of mysticism is exceptionally profound."

Bernadette's voice came through the air again. "Explain in detail."

"He has actually researched 'the essence of spirituality.'"

"What?"

"The essence of spirituality!"

Only after two or three seconds did Bernadette's voice come from the air. "I understand."

Aria hurriedly added, "Your Majesty, I also discovered today that someone was following me. They are probably still those same 'tails.'"

"Everything is proceeding according to my plan." Bernadette had been planning for a long time, preparing to eliminate the core members of the Moses Ascetic Order in Backlund in one stroke.

Aria explained, "I am worried that Odys Gall might be harmed."

Any Beyonder of the Mystery Pryer Pathway was half a scholar. As long as one was an occult scholar, one would sincerely admire Odys' research.

"This may be an opportunity." After Bernadette said this, her "messenger" returned to the fireplace. The flames turned emerald green again and surged out of the hearth. In an instant, the messenger departed, and the flames returned to normal.

Aria froze for a moment before asking herself, "What opportunity?"

Of course, Bernadette would not explain that it was an opportunity to use the danger brought by the enemy to coerce Odys into joining Dawn of Elements.

Influenced by her father, Bernadette had an exceptionally unique perspective. In Odys' research, she saw the universal applicability of Beyonder Weapons, and more importantly, the possibility of mass production.

She knew full well that the "Arrow of Flames" was only the beginning. Mass production would give rise to a new era!

Odys, however, seemed not to have realized this. Bernadette intended to make a subtle, long-term investment in him. Ideally, both he and his research results would be brought into Dawn of Elements.

The conversation that had just ended gave Bernadette another surprise.

As a Sequence 3 of the Mystery Pryer Pathway, Bernadette had conducted many profound studies in mysticism. Naturally, she had also contemplated questions such as "the essence of spirituality."

When she heard Aria's report just now, she was somewhat astonished. She had not expected that Odys, so young and only a Sequence 9, was already researching such profound questions.

"Interesting." Bernadette decided that after the recent battle was over, she would send her "servants" to keep a close eye on this herbal shop owner.

"Achoo~"

Inside Gall Herbal Shop at 51 Henry Street, Odys let out a huge sneeze.

The young, energetic clerk Kainer smiled. "Mr. Gall, you are not catching a cold, are you?"

"It was just one sneeze. Someone is probably thinking about me." Odys made the joke casually.

He worked until late into the night again. After Kainer finished cleaning, Odys had him check the mailbox. Sure enough, there was a thick letter inside.

Odys glanced at the wax seal and confirmed that it had been sent by Miss Mandy. This woman, whom Odys had once saved, was currently helping him manage his gray-market business.

He opened the letter. It was filled with elegant handwriting, an observation report on that group of noble-born youths.

Mandy had already compiled everything. Without exception, the observations showed that none of them had displayed any unusual behavior recently.

Odys then took out some stationery, wrote down the investigation results, and had Kainer deliver the letter overnight to the Backlund Mechanical Research Society, the base of the Machinery Hivemind.

"You can come in at ten tomorrow," Odys said to the clerk who had to run errands overtime.

Kainer smiled sincerely. "All right, Mr. Gall."

As usual, Odys lay in his armchair and rested for a while. He had not received any surprising visitors today, but once he stepped outside, his spirituality told him that someone seemed to be watching the herbal shop.

He was slightly startled, but he still locked the door as usual and headed to the public carriage stop.

While waiting for the carriage, Odys discreetly observed his surroundings, but did not find anyone suspicious.

After boarding the carriage, he did not sense anyone following him either.

Still, out of caution, he went to the nearby Leverage Church, put on a show of praying to the God of Steam and Machinery, then left again after making a simple disguise.

Only after confirming once more that no one was following him did he return home at ease.

Since it was already too late and there were no more public carriages, Aston could only painfully hire a taxi carriage and return to his residence at 75 Hailin Avenue.

The entire left side of the avenue was lined with townhouses, and the surroundings were quite pleasant.

Since he had not returned home for two days, the house felt somewhat deserted.

Odys boiled a kettle of water, drank a cup of hot water, and thought again about who might be watching Gall Herbal Shop, but came up with no constructive guesses.

It was nearly midnight before he returned to his bedroom, put out the lights, and went to rest.

Today was Sunday. As usual, after Odys fell asleep, he arrived once more at that wilderness filled with illusory light, as though it had no definite form.

Only after arriving here did many memories suddenly emerge in Odys' mind. For instance, he guessed that this place should be the Sefirah known as Knowledge Moor.

In the outside world, he would lose his memories of this knowledge. In truth, this was a form of protection from Knowledge Moor, because that knowledge was highly contaminating and, without protection, would inflict a tremendous Impact on the Spirit Body.

Deep within the wilderness stood a towering structure made up of spheres of faintly glowing light.

Odys entered the tower with practiced ease. Inside was an enormous illusory space.

There were some tools he had conjured here, most of them experimental equipment. He had also conjured a computer for research and Record-keeping.

Occult tools, Common Era technological products, and faint illusory light made the room seem rather unreal.

However, Odys had long grown accustomed to this place. He strode to the center of the spacious room, where there was an illusory sphere of light larger than all the others.

Odys placed his left hand on the sphere and said, "Today's topic is research into the principles behind the Sequence 6 Scribe of the Apprentice Pathway and the Beyonder Ability, Record."