Chapter 44: Waiting by the Tree

Transformation Spell: 【Consumes 1 Mana Unit. Casting Material is a part of a specific creature. Can transform the target into that creature, lasting for about three days.】

Permanent Transformation Spell: 【Composed of the Transformation Rune and the Solidification Rune. Consumes 1 Mana Unit. Casting Material is a part of a specific creature. Has a high probability of failure and a low probability of permanently transforming the target into that creature, which is irreversible.】

Blessing Spell: 【Categorized by core: Strength Blessing, Agility Blessing, Wisdom Blessing, Perception Blessing.】 【Consumes 1 Mana Unit. When cast without Casting Materials, it can enhance the target’s ability by an equivalent of half that of an ordinary adult. When cast with Casting Materials, the ability enhancement is determined by the quality of the Casting Material.】

Blessing Rune Array: 【A Rune Array combined with the Solidification Rune, which is inscribed onto the body to permanently enhance Strength, Agility, Wisdom, and Perception. There is a certain probability of the Rune Array replication failing. Casting Materials are required, and the enhancement effect depends on the quality of the Casting Material.】 【A specific ability can only be enhanced once. After enhancement with the Blessing Rune Array, the Blessing Spell will be ineffective on that ability.】

“This harvest has been massive, but the danger is also approaching. I am a ‘blessed individual’ in the eyes of the public and will likely be targeted. I must take the initiative and uncover the secrets hidden here,” Ace thought to himself.

A few days later, he observed Locke, who, apart from his outward appearance, had completely transformed into a Merfolk, and discharged him from the hospital.

With Locke continuously expressing gratitude, Ace escorted him back to his residence.

Locke was a bait for Ace set by the blessed individuals, and he was also a bait set by Ace for the blessed individuals.

Ace had implanted a Charm Rune structure on Locke, which contained Ace’s mental power and allowed him to perceive it from a distance.

Ma’er had a high probability of having also transformed into a Merfolk. He would definitely seek out Locke. By keeping a close watch on Locke, Ace could contact the other missing blessed individuals and uncover the secrets hidden among them.

After leaving Locke’s residence, Ace activated his Ultrasound Perception, scanned the area, avoided the rainbow-colored blessed individuals in his perception, and took a roundabout route.

At a civilian house not far from Locke’s home, Ace cast a spell, causing the family inside to fall into an illusory slumber. He then took out Emberlight. This Magic Short Sword contained Sharp’s heart powder, which should be viable as a Casting Material for transformation.

Ace took off his outer robe and changed into a loose Cimali costume. As the Transformation Spell activated, Mana gathered.

He held the short sword with both hands, and his body began to change. His height increased, and he transformed into a ferocious-looking, fully bearded middle-aged man.

“Now, I am Sharp Eric! I came here to check the situation ashore, and unintentionally got caught up in a massive conspiracy. May the gods protect me.”

The middle-aged man held Emberlight in both hands and spoke in a deep, hoarse voice.

He sensed his transformed body. His heart was already beating like fire, and a vague Soul Rune instantly formed. He had not only become Sharp but was also more powerful than Sharp was at the time.

Ace sat down to meditate, sensing his new body. He found his Soul Sanctuary was still present, and as powerful mental power surged into his heart, the beats grew stronger.

This is a Pseudo-Authority. Ace looked at the warm flames burning on his hand and extinguished them with a flick.

The powerful strength rooted in the bloodline was surprisingly stolen by him at the moment of transformation. No Spell Model was needed. Whatever he thought and believed in his heart could be achieved.

The scorching heat, intense warmth, and light of fire were his to manipulate spontaneously.

Ace subconsciously used Emberlight to cut his wrist. His blood was absorbed by the short sword, which quickly changed the sword. The Lesser Rune Array was upgraded to a Soul Rune Array.

After a long while, Ace felt the Pseudo-Authority greatly diminish. He found that Emberlight had evolved into a more powerful Magic Weapon.

Is this how Heroes create Wonders?

No knowledge, no rune replication, no rune combination—just having the bloodline is enough to create miracles.

“It is truly miraculous. The bloodline is divinely ordained, and Authority stems from the bloodline. This is a world that drives mortals to despair.”

Ace’s determination grew even stronger. He re-entered meditation and felt the Pseudo-Authority slowly recovering.

Opening his eyes, he saw that the night was deep.

Ace released his Ultrasound Perception and found the surroundings silent. Locke was still asleep in his home, and no one had come looking for him.

The people at the hospital were mentally suggested by Ace’s spells, so no one noticed his departure.

Late at night, five days later, Ace was scanning the area as usual when he discovered several rainbow-colored figures quietly approaching Locke’s home. He stopped his observation and stealthily approached Locke’s house.

The several figures, wearing black cloaks, entered Locke’s house and spoke for a while. Locke packed his belongings and followed them out.

Ace used the mental power trace on Locke to follow them from a distance.

Sensing the Mana accumulation level of the few individuals, Ace could confirm that their degree of “magification” was relatively low, similar to the level of a Divine Awakened.

However, this was a very important discovery, as they were originally mortals, yet they showed signs of the supernatural.

This seemed out of place in a world where the official narrative claimed Heroes were the sole saviors. Perhaps they were not necessarily enemies. Son of the Sea Pontos had surprisingly imbued his followers with Mana. Maybe cooperation was possible in the future.

Thoughts swirled in Ace’s mind. He grew increasingly eager to figure out what all this meant.

The group walked to the center of Cimali, near the gigantic idol of Pontos. Even at night, the area was brightly lit and heavily guarded.

They showed the guards some kind of item and smoothly entered the temple behind the idol.

Ace sensed the massive Mana and mental power accumulation of the idol and did not continue to follow, turning to leave.

Forcing his way in was the worst possible method. Charm Spells were also unsuitable for use here. This involved a real, existing Deity. No amount of caution was too much.

If he were detected, his path as a Wizard in this world could end right there.

A few days later, Ace treated patients during the day as usual, and in the evening, he joined the crowd to worship the idol in the square. Gradually, he became acquainted with the priests of the temple. As a blessed individual, the priests had a favorable impression of him.

Ace figured out the priests’ routines for going out. They took turns leaving the city to preach. Most of these priests showed no signs of the supernatural, but a few showed signs of magification.

Priest Mulen was walking on foot toward a village. He was a typical ascetic priest, his skin dry like an old tree, his demeanor miserable, and his face full of compassion.

He was from a poor fishing family and had become extremely devout since converting to the Son of the Sea. After undergoing various trials, he finally became a glorious priest who could spread the glory of the Son of the Sea.

Ace had been observing Mulen for a long time. Mulen went out to preach in the surrounding villages every few days, and he showed signs of magification, making him an excellent target for transformation.

Ace set up an Illusion Barrier on Mulen’s inevitable path. The Mana pulsated rhythmically, like natural breathing. The barrier unfolded naturally within this breath.

Mulen walked barefoot, steadily along the dirt road. He suddenly felt a sense of unease, nausea, and dizziness. It seemed someone was whispering in his ear.

He immediately stopped and began to pray.

“Great Son of the Sea, You are the master of the Salia Sea, the savior of Merfolk and fishermen. May You protect me, may You forgive me. I will always follow Your teachings and abide by Your commandments…”

Ace observed everything with great interest. The temple of Pontos was different from the Goddess of Elegance. His priests had already formed a simple organization, which could perhaps be called a Priesthood.

The Priesthood had tenets and sacred objects. The separation of the sacred and the secular had already emerged, and the basic doctrines or commandments were well-established.

The Goddess of Elegance did not have a Priesthood in the strict sense. Her faith was implemented more through a model of one god, one bloodline, one city-state. Her blood descendants were the main pillar, and priests were merely dispensable embellishments.

A passage from Myths flashed through Ace’s mind: “Nadaya, Lord of the Ocean, united with Phos, Goddess of the Waves, to give birth to the seven sons of the sea. The youngest of them was named Pontos. Pontos was born without an associated divine authority and is considered a Demigod.”