Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2546: Chapter 2547: Deciphering

This alchemy blueprint appears only as a thin layer from a naked eye perspective. But through the eyes of wizards familiar with magic patterns, one can see two layers of different nature magic patterns intertwined.

The two layers of magic patterns are interwoven, sometimes surfacing, sometimes concealing.

One layer of magic patterns is the actual alchemical design; while the other layer of magic patterns is a "lock".

In order to see the true face of this alchemy blueprint, one must unlock this intertwined "lock".

Such "locks" were common on ancient alchemy blueprints, serving as a protective measure by alchemists for their original works.

Nowadays, the alchemy circle in Sky Mechanical City has taken over most of the copyright protection, causing these "locks" to gradually fade away.

Angel has previously only read about such "locks" in books, this is the first time he’s seeing one with his own eyes.

This "lock" uses the enchantment system’s alchemy magic pattern, so having an alchemist from the enchantment system to unlock it is best. Of course, with the magic pattern mastery of Lord Esos, it’s also possible that he could unlock this "lock". However, this "lock" is somewhat special; if the decryption sequence is incorrect at any point, the alchemy blueprint will self-destruct. Therefore, Lord Esos did not recklessly proceed, leading to Angel’s task today.

Before starting the decryption, Angel already surveyed the entire situation, yet when he truly began to work on it, his actions were still extremely cautious.

Initially, the decryption wasn’t too difficult, but as time went on, areas needing the engraving pen for finishing started exhibiting multiple tangles. That means the alchemy pattern and decryption pattern are interwoven, often presenting multiple paths.

Simply distinguishing between the alchemy pattern and decryption pattern isn’t quite difficult. The hardest part is that the decryption pattern also gets tangled, presenting multiple paths for each, requiring Angel to determine which decryption pattern comes first and which one follows.

It sounds like merely a matter of determining order, seeming only mildly challenging. In reality, it requires Angel to conduct considerable complex calculations in his mind, then proceed through multiple simulations, ultimately ensuring accuracy before making a move.

The expenditure of mental effort and heart power involved is not something that can be described in a sentence or two.

From the amount of sweat pouring from Angel’s forehead, one can discern the difficulty of the decryption.

...

"It’s been three hours already." At this time, Kaier, in the adjacent area, looked toward the direction of Angel’s cavern, expressing concern.

"Why, do you think the Transcendental Wizard can’t complete the decryption?" Dox, lounging on a comfy sofa with legs crossed, glanced at Kaier.

Kaier shook his head: "No, the command from the Research and Development Institute, the alchemical prowess of the Transcendental Supreme is no doubt unquestionable. It’s just... I worry about the mental attack on that blueprint."

Even Lord Esos managed to persist for only half an hour, whereas Angel has faced that alchemy blueprint for three hours; one wonders if it will pose any issues.

Dox pondered for a moment: "That is indeed worth worrying about. However, previously, when he faced that alchemy blueprint, he remained entirely composed, suggesting he has strategies for handling it."

"Moreover, this task for him is just trivial. If he truly encounters something insurmountable, couldn’t he just give up? Even if the alchemy blueprint is destroyed, would you dare ask him for compensation?"

Kaier expressed embarrassment: "The Lord speaks truth..."

If it’s really ruined, there’s no other option. He wouldn’t even dare utter a word against it.

Nonetheless, Dox’s words indeed instilled some confidence in Kaier—the thought that Angel certainly wouldn’t undertake anything beyond his capability consoling him. If there’s a real burden, he can abandon it. Now, three hours have passed; Angel has yet to appear, indicating that at least currently, everything remains under Angel’s control.

...

Their speculations were correct; indeed, presently, the pure decryption remains under Angel’s grasp.

Only, the decryption itself isn’t difficult, but what Angel hadn’t anticipated was the blueprint’s layered decryption—the designer surely had a thick streak of twisted humor. Merely glancing at the whole might make one think it can be solved in just a few hours, or even as quickly as within half an hour.

But once the decryption began, one realizes the designer’s malicious intent—the traps were numerous, and many riddles lurked beneath the alchemy magic patterns, making observations at times impossible, with awareness of the intricacies only emerging during decryption.

Long durations of decryption depleted Angel greatly, forcing him to rely on the Hand of Magic, continuously administering energy-restoring potions.

Though these potions aren’t costly individually, collectively, they accumulate into significant consumption.

Observing the increasingly piled empty potion bottles, Angel’s ire escalated.

Decryption tasks and alchemical tasks should clearly be separate; besides, a decryption task seems more challenging than an alchemical task!

Ultimately, Esos issued only an alchemical task, casually brushing over the decryption as if it posed no difficulty, representing a significant informational disparity leading to substantial loss!

A resolution seized Angel’s mind—to request reimbursement from Esos upon his return!

While silently cursing with gritted teeth, Angel maintained control over the stability of his hands, persistently continuing the decryption.

Time passed in this condition, incessantly slipping away.

...

Twelve hours later, Kaier was already feeling drowsy when suddenly, an anomaly arose at the space node beside him.

At the same time, through the space node, a voice laden with intense dissatisfaction erupted: "Get in here!"

Kaier shivered all over, stiffly turning his neck to look at Dox.

Dox merely shrugged, signaling it was unrelated to him, while his face adorned a gleeful expression as if enjoying the unfolding drama.

Thinking it through, the spatial node anomaly alone could remind Kaier; yet Angel specially conveyed a voice, indicating that Angel was simmering with extensive irritation.

It was the first time Dox notably sensed Angel’s emotional fluctuation since knowing him.

Evidently, Angel is genuinely quite agitated this time.

Nevertheless, Dox also felt bewildered—what’s so infuriating about the decryption? Or perhaps, is there a trap in it?

Considering this, Dox nudged Kaier: "Hurry up, get in, we’re summoned."

Dox’s countenance openly betraying the sentiment of spectator amusement, yet Kaier was faint with fear; seldom did he directly confront the wrath of an Official Wizard.

Judging by Angel’s tone, the emotions were off-balance, rendering his feet immobile.

"You have to go, sooner or later. You can’t dodge; besides, it might not necessarily be something bad."

Kaier gazed silently at Dox: You’re speaking dishonestly, do you not feel guilt?! Not something bad—perhaps it’s good?!

Seeing Kaier still trembling, Dox was too eager to uncover what transpired, ultimately resorting: "How about this, if he plans to harm you, I’ll hinder him, ensuring your survival."

Kaier: "Really?"

Dox: "Trust in my integrity."

Kaier truly wanted to retort—that Dox’s integrity is worthless. However, he was helpless because, as Dox articulated, eventually he must go.

Kaier sighed, tremblingly stepping toward the Earth Cavern.

Dox promptly followed along. As for his assurance to protect Kaier from harm, it was just rhetoric. He keenly understood that even if Angel was irate, he wouldn’t kill Kaier; after all, Esos was behind him, and Esos was a close friend of the Barbarian Cave’s Controller Reinmut.

Hence, Kaier wouldn’t face death—the real question was whether Angel harbors a penchant for torment?

To witness the spectacle in the Princess’s chamber—that concept was too tantalizing to resist. With such thoughts, Dox couldn’t help but smirk, feeling a growing itch to offer a few suggestions to Angel later.

Soon, Kaier and Dox arrived at the entrance of the Earth Cavern.

"Come in." Angel’s voice called from within.

Compared to earlier, this voice was markedly calmer, akin to his usual demeanor, absent any emotion. This allowed Kaier to slightly lower his apprehension.

However, at that moment, Dox stoked the flames: "Kaier, you know some people, the calmer they appear, the more suppressed their anger surges. Conversely, those who express their anger candidly are easier to soothe."

Listening to these words, Kaier’s legs, previously steadied, resumed trembling.

Dox was secretly delighted.

No matter what, now that they’re here, they must push the door open and enter.

Kaier, with the mindset of facing death, pushed open the grand door. As soon as he stepped in, before he could spot Angel’s location, he felt a gentle breeze caress his face.

This breeze wasn’t ordinary; merely brushing past his body, all his mental fatigue miraculously vanished.

Along with the breeze was a soft glow shining on his body, and a subtle fragrance lingering in the air.

Whether it was the breeze, the glow, or the fragrance, they all felt incredibly comfortable, like basking in a sea of moonlight, with every part of the body being massaged by gentle hands...

As Kaier was indulging in this sudden comfort, a voice echoed in his ears: "How is it, quite comfortable, isn’t it?"

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Kaier immediately shivered, lifting his head to look across.

He saw Angel, with a weary face, standing under the soft glow. The interplay of light and shadow revealed a kind of decadent beauty.

"Tsk tsk tsk, Moonlight Hymn, huh," Dox’s voice sounded, accompanied by the clinking of glass bottles, "How many bottles of Moonlight Hymn have been used here? Judging by the bottles, some of these are intermediate top-tier potions."

Kaier followed the sound, only to see Dox already near the table.

Beneath the table, a heap of various potion bottles lay scattered. Some looked ordinary, while others were quite lavish, even etched with magic patterns on the bottles.

Moonlight Hymn... Kaier recalled Dox mentioning this name.

For someone who frequently mingles in various Wizard Markets, how could he not know the renowned name of Moonlight Hymn?

Although it’s a low-tier potion, it’s the pinnacle among low-tier ones, extremely valuable, even surpassing some regular intermediate-tier potions. Its effect is to eliminate fatigue and restore heart power. For ordinary people, even just bathing under this moonlight can enhance physical strength.

With Kaier’s finances, he could afford one bottle of Moonlight Hymn, but... looking at the floor full of potion bottles, he felt that even if he sold himself, he couldn’t afford so many bottles of Moonlight Hymn.

Moreover, there were mixed bottles of unknown intermediate top-tier potions, their prices astronomical.

"M-M-Master, these potion bottles..." Kaier stammered, trying to say something.

Angel, with a calm expression, replied, "For the purpose of decryption."

A simple sentence, yet it made Kaier’s throat tighten. The worst outcome had arrived; indeed, these precious potions were used for solving a puzzle.

This meant... he would have to reimburse all of them.

Kaier felt dizzy, and in the next second, he collapsed onto the ground.

Dox, still amused on the side, said, "Let me count how many Magic Crystals were used for these potions—one, ten, a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand..."

It seemed intentionally for Kaier to hear. With each increase in magnitude, Dox would pause, and Kaier’s expression went from despair to ultimate blankness.

Seeing Kaier, whose soul seemed almost scared to death, numb and unresponsive, Dox shook his head, remarking, "Academy Faction is just Academy Faction, their mental resilience is so poor."

After speaking, Dox moved next to Angel, "Did you really use that much potion for decryption this time?"

Even while still basking in the Moonlight Hymn, Angel’s face showed evident fatigue, a result of mental exhaustion: "Got scammed by Esos."

With just one sentence, Dox understood.

"Compared to Alchemy, this decryption was the hardest task, right?" Dox asked, though his tone was certain.

Angel only responded with one sentence: "In the whole Southern Domain, no one else can solve it but me."

Perhaps it was an exaggeration, but Dox believed it because even Esos himself couldn’t bear looking at that blueprint for half an hour, let alone anyone else.

And Angel not only stared at the blueprint for over ten hours but also exhausted his mind in calculations for the decryption; it was far from a simple task.

Just thinking about it made Dox feel that the task was too hard. Even those seasoned elders at the Research and Development Institute couldn’t achieve it.

As far as Dox knew, the task given to Angel by Esos was just "Alchemy."

The most difficult decryption was completely omitted by Esos.

Angel went in thinking he was solving a simple puzzle, only for it to turn into hell mode. No wonder Angel would be so upset.

If it were Dox, he might have exploded by now. Perhaps, he might not even bother with the Alchemy Blueprint.

Wait! Speaking of the Alchemy Blueprint, did Angel really not decipher it out of impulsiveness?

Dox quickly inquired about it.

Angel: "After spending so many bottles of potion, would I dare not solve it?"

Having said that, Angel casually spread out the Alchemy Blueprint, "See for yourself, it’s already been deciphered."

Dox quickly turned away; he didn’t want to endure any spiritual power impact.

"After solving the external puzzle, it no longer impacts spiritual power."

Hearing this, Dox turned his head and indeed saw that the Alchemy Blueprint no longer had any spiritual power impact and was revealing its true form.

An extremely unique dagger blueprint, with a large amount of magic pattern guidance beside it.

Anyway, Dox couldn’t understand it.

"So what are you planning to do now? After using so many potions, are you planning to take Kaier’s life, or perhaps torment him like Modia did before taking his life?"

Though Kaier was already dazed, he could still hear Dox’s words. He only felt the world around him spinning; either way seemed like Dox wanted Angel to take his life!

Angel didn’t immediately respond but instead fell into silence for a moment of contemplation.

Angel’s contemplation wasn’t about how to take Kaier’s life; he was pondering his gains this time.

Yes, gains.

This time, his efforts weren’t entirely fruitless. Although solving the puzzle had consumed a vast amount of potions, the puzzle itself became a boon for Angel.

By solving this puzzle, he’d unlocked this external Magical Energy Array. Angel discovered it was quite a special Magical Energy Array, one not even recorded in his "Enchantment Compendium - Perfect Chapter."

The effect of this Magical Energy Array wasn’t limited to serving as a "lock"; it continuously delivered spiritual power impact.

This was a very interesting and potentially threatening Magical Energy Array.

Angel believed that the walls within the Nightmare Realm likely had similar Magical Energy Array effects.

The only drawback was that this Magical Energy Array wasn’t perfect; it didn’t allow for the adjustment of the strength of spiritual power impact.

If it could adjust the intensity of the spiritual power impact to rival that wall in the Nightmare Realm, Angel could wear this Magical Energy Array like a spiritually propelled cannon, knocking down anyone he met. Even a True Knowledge Wizard or someone at Rein’s level might be affected.

Sadly, a flaw is a flaw, and it can only be imagined.

However, it’s possible the walls in Nightmare Abyss City have clues on adjusting the intensity. If there’s ever an opportunity, Angel would love to witness it.

"Thinking for so long, are you contemplating how to deal with Kaier? How about I give you some advice that ensures it’s more amusing than Modia’s methods?" Dox said, looking enthusiastic.

Kaier, sitting slumped on the ground, had already lost all will to live.