Chapter 52: Chapter 52: First Circle, Positioning
As Fley spoke, the group of wizards, either familiar or unfamiliar to Lor, and the apprentices behind him also chimed in:
"Congratulations, Lord Lor."
"Lor, you’re truly impressive."
"It’s remarkable that Lord Lor could perform so outstandingly in the Divine Kingdom’s trial tournament!"
"I admire you..."
...
"Thank you, everyone." Lor replied with a perfunctory smile, "I was just lucky. Actually, there are many in the Divine Kingdom much stronger than me."
Standing behind Lor, Levan’s mouth twitched, with a bit of disbelief in his eyes as he looked at his mentor.
This statement from his mentor was somewhat overturning the image left in his mind before.
When facing Legislator Nelson, he could understand his mentor saying, ’The Tower Master overpraises.’
It was normal for his mentor to be truthful when facing his own mentor.
But why would his mentor attribute it to luck when dealing with these First-Ring wizards and apprentices?
"The mentor must be right. I have to be like this in the future too." Unable to comprehend, Levan simply decided not to, and just to learn.
Ahead, after some flattery, Lor was sent to the laboratory, surrounded like the center of attention.
It wasn’t until he opened the laboratory door, called Kateya and Levan inside, and closed the door that the crowd dispersed.
Inside the door, Lor sighed in relief, patted Levan on the shoulder, and introduced him to Kateya, "This is my student Levan from the Divine Kingdom."
He didn’t elaborate on Levan’s identity to Kateya because it wasn’t necessary.
"Greetings, Sir Levan. I am Kateya, Lord Lor’s experimental assistant. If you ever need help, feel free to come to me." Kateya bowed to Levan with a smile.
She couldn’t see through Levan’s Spiritual Power, indicating that Levan himself was stronger than her.
And being so young yet a Third-Level apprentice, his background must be extraordinary, plus being Lor’s only disciple, she wouldn’t disrespect Levan from any aspect.
"And hello to you, sister Kateya." Levan beamed a big smile, "I’ll be depending on you in the future."
Experimental assistants are generally trusted individuals by wizards.
He naturally wouldn’t put on airs to someone Lor trusted.
"It’s only right." Kateya laughed.
The two exchanged words harmoniously.
"Kateya, after I break through the First Ring as a wizard, I’m planning to travel to other continents. Would you like to come along?" After the two got to know each other, Lor suddenly asked.
"To other continents?" Kateya looked at Lor, somewhat bewildered, caught off guard by the sudden question.
"Yes, I’m planning to travel to the Betula Continent." Lor nodded, "I might return, or I might not come back."
He couldn’t reveal the true reason for going to another continent to anyone, so he tried to guide her toward choosing to leave with them.
If in the end, she chose to stay, he would have to give up taking her along.
"I want to go. Please ensure to take me when you leave, Lord Lor." Kateya didn’t hesitate at all and immediately chose to follow.
Becoming Lor’s experimental assistant was already the greatest opportunity of her life.
After Lor became the brightest presence in the Divine Kingdom’s trial, this opportunity became even more precious.
She wasn’t stupid, how could she let it slip away?
"Alright." Lor smiled, "You don’t have to save your contribution points anymore, just spend them as needed."
He had already decided to buy a spaceship, so he naturally wouldn’t let Kateya pay for the tickets.
Having previously recommended she save her contribution points, now there would be no further restrictions.
"Understood, Lord Lor." Kateya responded happily.
Being able to spend contribution points meant she could purchase the Earth-Fire Rune integration method she had long constructed and break through to the First Ring wizard, which was her lifelong pursuit before.
"Alright, Kateya, take Levan around for a tour first, and then find him a place to stay. Next, I’m going to prepare to break through to the First Ring." Lor waved them out of the laboratory, then entered the bedroom, letting his Spiritual Power sink into the Sea of Consciousness.
At this time, the Sea of Consciousness had some slight changes compared to before; there was a faint strand between the Earth-Fire Meditation Rune and the small Magma Eruption Rune.
In this line, Earth and Fire Elements continuously flowed back and forth between the two rune models, constantly maintaining the uniformity of their elemental properties.
"My advancement to the First Ring is fairly simple, it just requires continuously infusing the Earth and Fire Elements from the Meditation Rune into the small Magma Eruption Rune, letting the latter passively change its level." Lor used his Spiritual Power to stabilize the line between the two rune models and block the Earth and Fire Elements’ backflow in the small Magma Eruption Rune.
Only the Earth and Fire Elements within the Earth-Fire Meditation Rune flowed gently into the small Magma Eruption Rune.
Unnoticed, the special aura belonging to the First Ring level within the small Magma Eruption Rune grew stronger.
...
In Aguilar Manor.
Agular placed a pot of wine and two glasses on the table, poured the wine, and sat quietly in the center chair of the manor, seemingly waiting for something.
"Knock, knock, knock—"
A moment later, a knocking sound echoed.
"Come in." Agular said indifferently.
"Squeak—"
The manor door was pushed open, and a pale-faced Gu Lei walked in slowly.
"Want some?" Agular asked, pointing to the poured wine opposite him.
"Alright." Gu Lei nodded, picking up the glass and drinking its contents in one go.
"I won’t involve myself in your affair, nor am I capable of doing so." Agular’s aged voice rang out again, "After all, it won’t be long before my life ends."
"Lor’s future is unimaginable. I advise against offending him again, and as for other matters, that depends on you."
"Thanks." Gu Lei put down the glass, gave Agular a deep look, then turned and left the manor.
...
Night.
In the bedroom of Gu Lei’s laboratory.
"What should I do?" Gu Lei pondered everything that happened during the day, feeling undecided.
There was a high risk in apologizing now.
Agular had already said he wouldn’t involve himself, suggesting Lor was unaware of his previous voice transmission.
Apologizing would undoubtedly mean confessing.
If Lor chose not to forgive and had His Highness speak, the consequences would be dire.
And if not, maybe this matter could just be glossed over?
"Forget it, let’s just leave it at that." After much tossing and turning, Gu Lei sighed deeply and decided to just let it slide.
...
Fifteen days later.
In Lor’s laboratory.
The small Magma Eruption Rune in Lor’s Sea of Consciousness became extremely brilliant and seemed to be undergoing a transformation.
"Buzz—"
This transformation also prompted the expansion of the Elemental Domain, accompanying a buzz that resounded, expanding it by more than tenfold in an instant.
"Creak—creak—"
Simultaneously, Lor’s body underwent a wondrous change.
The Elemental Energy previously only existing in the Sea of Consciousness began seeping into his flesh, continually strengthening his physique.
"Hiss—it hurts." Feeling the pain emanating from various parts of his body, Lor drew in a sharp breath, "Advancing on one’s own is quite tough, but it’s also an opportunity."
In his previous life as a player, once the advancement conditions were met, a simple click on the panel sufficed.
Although the hanging time of fifteen days wouldn’t decrease, there was definitely no pain or similar sensations.
But now, advancing on his own, though painful, it was also a chance to peek into the essence at the end of the rune’s sublimation and display various subsequent basic rune properties.
If fortunate enough, he could directly capture that Spatial Positioning Rune rather than waiting for the Microscope Witchcraft to advance to the Third Ring to explore slowly.
He exerted great effort to suppress the discomfort in his body, tightly surrounding the small Magma Eruption Rune model nearing the end of its sublimation with his Spiritual Power.
"Creak—creak—creak—"
Suddenly, the small Magma Eruption Rune model’s structure began to shake violently.
At this moment, countless basic runes sprang forth from within.
"Spatial Positioning..."
Lor’s Spiritual Power swiftly swept through the countless basic runes, with only the Spatial Positioning Rune as his target.
Time seemed to drag forever, or perhaps it was just a fleeting moment, as Lor’s Spiritual Power landed on a pitch-black basic rune, a surge of joy welled up inside him.
"Found it!"
Wasting no time, he immediately began memorizing, attempting to imprint that basic rune firmly in his mind.
Two seconds later.
"Rustle—rustle—"
All the basic runes flowed back into the small Magma Eruption Rune model.
At this moment, the small Magma Eruption Rune model and the Earth-Fire Meditation Rune model simultaneously advanced to the First Ring.
"It’s a success." Lor opened his eyes, his heart pounding wildly with joy written all over.
Becoming a First Ring was expected and not worth such extra delight.
But capturing a basic Space Rune truly brought immense surprise.
This foundational Spatial Positioning Rune is sufficient to support his entire offensive Witchcraft System from the First to the Third Ring.