Chapter 117: Bayen’s Resolve

The host body Ace was recuperating in the meditation room on Sub-Level 2. He leaned back in a wooden armchair, rocking gently, and reading the copied books of the former civilization with his Grimoire.

He was currently reading a travelogue about the continent, which mentioned a kind of Monster that piqued his interest.

“This wolf-like Monster has snow-white fur and clever minds. They prefer to act collectively and possess good tactical discipline. I suspect they even have a pseudo-social structure, as they gather every full moon and howl at the sky.

With their prolonged howling, they actually draw down a mysterious power from the moon, enveloping their bodies. The effect only dissipates much later.

I call them Moon-Worship Wolves, because they truly possess the power of the moon and can unleash blades as bright as moonlight…”

Ace quietly read, his mind filled with thought. According to the book’s description, this Moon-Worship Wolf could siphon and utilize the power of the moon through some method.

“In this world, the power of the moon is not a metaphor. It is the flip side of the powerful chief goddess, the Goddess Artemis of the Bright Moon! A common powerful low-level Monster can actually siphon the power of the moon. Incredible.”

“According to the travelogue, this wolf must inhabit the Salia Jungle in the northern Salia Peninsula. Once my body recovers, perhaps I should go north and observe them. They might offer some inspiration.”

As Ace was talking to himself, the mirror image Ace opened the door to the meditation room using the incantation “Open Door.”

The two exchanged glances, then immediately looked away. The host body’s soul, particularly the Soul Sanctuary, was wounded and unsuitable for synchronization.

“Host, Bayen has discovered a very potent rune. It can greatly accelerate both physical and mental recovery. I have already combined a powerful Lesser Spell and plan to use purified soul powder as a Casting Material to test it on you.” The mirror image Ace said, looking down.

The host body Ace took out a small pouch of purified soul powder from a powerful low-level Monster from his Monster stomach pouch, handed it to the mirror image, and said, “Be cautious. Test the effect on a few Monsters first.”

The mirror image Ace complied, grabbing a few Monsters from Sub-Level 3. He immediately cursed one of the low-level Monsters with a degraded version of the Lesser Soul Pulverization spell, causing it to die instantly.

Subsequently, he tried debugging the Spell Model a few times. Finally, using a degraded version of the Lesser Soul Pulverization spell, he cursed one Monster’s soul until it was barely alive.

The mirror image Ace looked at the dying Monster, its soul flickering like a candle in the wind. He solemnly activated the Lesser Potent Nourishment spell. Accompanied by the pulse of Mana, he systematically sprinkled the purified soul powder of the powerful low-level Monster in his hand.

As the spell formed, it condensed into a pool of pure, life-infused water, which nourished the Monster’s body and soul.

With the nourishment of this pure water, which materialized from thin air, the Monster gradually recovered its spirit. In the mirror image Ace’s perception, the Monster’s soul slowly transitioned from a residual candle flame to a vibrant fire.

“Although it didn’t immediately restore full health, the effect is quite good.” The mirror image Ace muttered to himself.

He experimented with several different types of Monsters. After confirming the method was effective, he went to cast the spell on the host body.

The effect was minimal. The host body Ace felt a slight recovery in his soul, but it was too weak to be effective.

“The effect of a Lesser Rune is limited. I must reverse-engineer the Soul Rune of the Water Element Rune series for this to be truly effective.” The host body Ace concluded.

“Then lend me the Spirit of the Book.” Snap. The mirror image Ace plucked the cowlick from the host body Ace’s head and stuck it onto his own.

While the mirror image Ace, aided by the Spirit of the Book, was deducing the Soul Runes of the Water Element Rune series from scratch, Bayen was also in action.

During the day, he mimicked Yorick the Slacker, wandering the streets and alleys of the fortress, searching for potential Wizard Apprentices.

At night, he meditated calmly. Bayen had long completed the initial magification. He was exceptionally gifted in magical meditation, having nearly reached the limit of a Mid-level Wizard Apprentice, with a mental power of 91 units.

The closer he got to the limit, the more confused he became. He vaguely sensed he was close to a higher level but couldn’t find the way in.

“I truly wish for a guide to show me the way forward. Where is Ace? Is he observing us, testing us, from somewhere?” Bayen thought silently. Even with the aid of the Grimoire, exploring the path of Wizardry alone was too difficult.

“I need to gather people. I must have the wisdom of many! Perhaps the Torch-Bearer is testing us to see who can truly become a fellow traveler on his path of Magic.”

“If I were the Torch-Bearer, what kind of person would I need? Certainly not the dozens of Enchanted Wizard Apprentices being hanged outside the city. They are merely tools. They are focused only on collecting runes and are useless for research.”

“The Torch-Bearer needs people who can research runes with him, combine Spell Models, improve Spell Models, and even improve or create new runes. No, it is likely more than that. The Torch-Bearer primarily seeks people who can answer the four questions mentioned in the Introduction to Wizardry!”

“What is the essence of Magic? What is the essence of Mana? Why do runes exist? What is the essence of a rune?”

Bayen’s expression was solemn. With a sense of pilgrimage, he reverently raised his hands and softly repeated the four questions in the dilapidated darkness of his residence.

After a long time, he continued muttering to himself.

“These four questions are likely the ultimate destination of the path of Wizardry. They are the final interrogation, the most authentic strike at the core truth! We are currently stuck at the surface level, the initial stage of collecting runes, studying the nature of each rune, and classifying them.”

“In the future, a group of people should, and must, jointly explore these secrets. What I need to do now is prove that my intellect, ability, and thinking are sufficient to join that group!”

“I will definitely become the Torch-Bearer’s Fellow Traveler!”

Having concluded his inner struggle, Bayen calmed down and began researching Anazir’s Dice. The miraculous dice, with its complex, star-like three-dimensional rune structure, captivated Bayen.

He was absorbed in his research, just as he had once been engrossed in Elementary Mathematics, almost unable to pull himself away.

The sky gradually turned pale gray. Bayen looked haggard and suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood onto the floor.

“I was too immersed in research! I didn’t even realize my mental power was almost completely drained!”

He looked up at the rising sun, adjusted himself, and began to meditate using his unique meditation method that followed the Mana fluctuations. It was nearly noon before Bayen’s spirit was gradually replenished.

“No matter what, I must never completely exhaust my mental power!”

He muttered to himself with a lingering fear. Then, his wrinkled eyelids beneath his white hair suddenly opened wide, revealing a startlingly intense vigor!