Chapter 1048: Milestone (35)

The first attempt to reconstruct Lennok’s left arm into a Celestial Lightning Body, transforming his physique.

However, the outcome of this attempt, even borrowing the Lightning Unraveling Spellcraft, far exceeded Lennok’s expectations.

An ability akin to Dispel, capable of forcibly eroding magic power and deconstructing already completed spellcraft or magic.

Essentially, a power completely different from what Lennok had anticipated had been etched into his left arm.

Wooong…!!!

Lennok’s left arm, enveloped in a dark violet hue, vibrated silently and glowed.

A beautiful sight, shimmering faintly as if holding countless starlight within a purple halo.

An eerie sense of incongruity, as if a piece of the universe had been torn off and transplanted onto Lennok’s arm.

Lennok was not the only one shocked by its unique appearance, which strayed far from the human form.

[Upon contact, it forcibly creates a vacuum of magic power, thereby dismantling existing spellcraft.]

The Lightning Emperor’s will-thought resounded, seemingly dumbfounded.

[Using a living body as material to gain power akin to an innate ability… does that mean he literally modified his own arm into a Forbidden Armament?]

“…”

[I never expected the ‘trial and error’ you mentioned to be a collection of such monstrous ideas.]

Simply by injecting magic into the arm, it forces a loss of magic power upon anything it touches.

This was essentially equivalent to forcing the opponent to experience the effects of a Dispel that deconstructs spellcraft or magic.

The Lightning Emperor realized, through this series of events, that Lennok’s left arm had, in effect, become an artifact.

He had declared the outcome, which used his own body as material, to be a Forbidden Armament itself.

“If it can interfere with this one’s lightning, then it must be able to deconstruct virtually any magic or spellcraft.”

Thorben’s Tower Lord asked with a look of astonishment.

“Just how dangerous is it that such an ability springs forth from within you?”

“I didn’t expect a single attempt to succeed, but this is certainly an unexpected development.”

Lennok said, gazing thoughtfully at his arm, stained purple.

“But I think I understand why this result occurred.”

[You think you understand?]

A bizarre outcome, whose origin neither Thorben’s Tower Lord, who helped in the arm’s reconstruction, nor the Lightning Emperor, who witnessed Lennok’s Kaleidoscope, could fathom.

Yet, Lennok had vaguely sensed the origin of this power the moment he deconstructed Thorben’s Tower Lord’s lightning.

The unpleasant sensation of forcibly tearing apart what is already complete, hindering connections, and binding them.

A contradiction that prevents cause and effect from linking, instead adding even greater power.

Had Lennok not already known of a power that operated in such a way?

The restraint and binding he had been aware of since before he awakened in this world.

The rebound of his talent, which had been raised to the heavens, in exchange for a curse upon his body and life.

Lennok instinctively knew that what now resided in his left arm was the penalty itself that bound him.

Has the power of the penalty grown stronger in reaction to tampering with my body?

Lennok’s gaze, fixed on his arm, sank heavily.

The materialization of the penalty.

As Lennok resorted to an unconventional method to modify his body, the penalty’s power intensified.

As a result, his left arm itself had become a kind of insulator, preventing spellcraft or magic from passing through it.

If the intensified restrictions of the penalty began to affect reality, specifically where Lennok’s body made contact, rather than Lennok himself…

“As Junior Disciple said, this cannot be considered a purely positive outcome.”

Thorben’s Tower Lord, who had been watching Lennok lost in thought, spoke.

“There’s no doubt that a Dispel-like ability has immense value, but having it on your left arm is a matter of a different dimension entirely.”

“…”

“In the process of using that power, it will inevitably affect you as well.”

Thorben’s Tower Lord said, looking at Lennok’s left arm with a stern expression.

“If something goes wrong, it could even hinder your spellcraft capacity or spellcasting ability.”

“There’s no issue with magic manipulation or spellcasting. The problem is rather…”

Lennok slowly rubbed his left arm, deep in thought.

“The problem is that I cannot circulate magic power through my left arm at all.”

Lennok’s transcendent talent and intuition were, from the start, powers not confined to his physical body.

His talent for manipulating and sensing magic always functioned perfectly, regardless of physical changes.

The issue was that the moment magic power was injected into his left arm, the magic itself was consumed and vanished.

Just like the Ouroboros magic system or the actualization of immutability through the Decasing of Myriad Sands Divine Thunder.

The power to deconstruct spellcraft itself or revert it to nothingness before it could be completed already existed within Lennok.

However, if he carried such a powerful Dispel-like ability on his left arm, capable of deconstructing completed spellcraft or magic, it was bound to affect Lennok’s combat capabilities.

Would it be an advantage or a disadvantage if, in exchange for having the power of Dispel etched into his left arm, he had to exclude using magic with his left hand in future battles?

The answer was clear from the start.

“Let’s reverse the process.”

Whoosh!!

While Lennok was deep in thought, Thorben’s Tower Lord walked forward and spoke.

“I will use the backup of the artifact you mentioned, the Phoenix Hall, to recall your biological data and restore your arm to its original state.”

“…”

“This one’s misjudgment. If such a power lies dormant within you, the transformation to a Celestial Lightning Body should have been reconsidered from the start—”

“No.”

Lennok said, raising his hand.

“There’s no need to reconstruct the arm. There’s a way to return it to its original state, even in this condition.”

“What did you say?”

“Since I used an unconventional method to tamper with my arm, I can simply use an unconventional method to reverse it.”

Fwoosh!!

At that moment, the colossal golden Lightning Emperor’s Key, plunged into the Thunderbolt Reliquary, gleamed and shrunk.

The key, instantly reduced to the size of a forearm, rotated rapidly and descended into Lennok’s right hand.

Click!!

Lennok, gripping the Lightning Emperor’s Key in reverse, placed it against the back of his left hand and inserted it.

A sharp golden light exploded, and a loud sound, like a lock clicking shut, reverberated.

Fwaaang!!!

Golden concentric circles were etched onto the back of his hand, spreading over Lennok’s purple-stained arm.

As the golden concentric circles overlaid and transformed the violet glow, Lennok’s left arm gradually began to revert to its ordinary, original form.

“If the Lightning Unraveling Spellcraft can unravel the body, then Decasing can achieve the opposite.”

Lennok said, holding up the Lightning Emperor’s Key with one hand.

“I ‘locked’ and sealed the left arm, which had been modified into a Forbidden Armament. It won’t open unless I use the Lightning Emperor’s power to unlock it.”

“…”

“I’m not sure how valuable this power still is, so for now, I intend to simply set it up as a switch.”

[He used Decasing in reverse, inverting the Lightning Unraveling Spellcraft to lock away the Forbidden Armament’s abilities?]

The Lightning Emperor, finally understanding what Lennok had done, asked with an astounded will-thought.

[You’ve reached a dimensionally different level in the application of spellcraft. How can you wield an unknown innate ability so freely?]

The Lightning Unraveling Spellcraft is a power that unravels all things, powered by lightning.

Using Decasing allows one to lock what has been unraveled.

Therefore, Lennok embedded the key into his left arm and initiated Decasing, sealing the arm where the penalty had strongly manifested.

Rather than directly touching the penalty’s power itself, he locked and bound the very cause of the penalty’s strong manifestation.

Unless the seal on his arm was undone using the Lightning Emperor’s Key, Lennok’s left arm would function as it did before.

The Lightning Emperor immediately understood that Lennok had, in effect, installed a kind of switch using the Lightning Unraveling Spellcraft.

“The magic power flows well. I think I’ll get the hang of bio-electricity manipulation with a little more practice.”

Lennok said, flexing his restored left arm.

“However, the part about transforming the entire body into a Celestial Lightning Body seems to require more research.”

It would have been ideal if the procedure could have been completed in one go before heading to Kundara, but given how things turned out, it couldn’t be helped.

The time promised to Olivera was now truly short.

He would have to proceed step by step after returning from the Outer Tribulation City.

“I’d like a little more help with that part, if that’s alright?”

“The adjustment of the Model Veil using the Miniature Garden is finally nearing completion.”

[All that remains is how long the assimilation rate between the veil and the Miniature Garden can be sustained.]

“It’s impossible to tell here without the actual veil. That would be an area where we need to gather data directly on site.”

[A waste of time. There’s no time to collect data while going back and forth between Vulcan and the front lines.]

“I know. The adjustments to the Miniature Garden, painstakingly timed to the orbital cycle, could go awry. But…”

Claris, engrossed in her notes while gazing at the celestial sphere spread across the night sky, turned her head with a puzzled expression.

“Adamant Thunder, how long do you plan to rest?”

“…”

Lennok was half-reclining on a plush sofa in the Miniature Garden.

One hand covered his eyes, his head tilted back, making his expression unreadable.

Claris, seeing Lennok unable to hide his fatigue, asked.

“I can help with the adjustment work, but wouldn’t it be better to personally oversee the final process?”

“All the work processes within the garden remain in my consciousness.”

Lennok replied, his head still tilted back.

“I know without directly observing it, so there’s no need to worry.”

“But…”

[Is this the first or second day that unruly wizard has acted this way?]

Olivera let out a cold sneer.

[I heard there isn’t a quiet day in your Tower because you’re immersed in strange training. You’ve become even more pathetic since I last saw you.]

“…My apologies.”

Only then did Lennok sit up from the sofa and rub his face with his hand.

Lennok, approaching with an un-faded look of fatigue, said.

“I’m receiving spellcraft transmission from Thorben’s Tower Lord, and it’s taking up more time than I expected.”

“So that lightning-worshiper has finally made himself at home in your Tower, it seems.”

Claris asked with a look of distaste.

“It’s a little different, but… you seem to know Thorben’s Tower Lord. Considering his background, I suppose it’s natural.”

“Both his personality and his abilities, he was quite an eccentric among the nobles of Ars Nova.”

Claris replied in a grudging voice to Lennok’s question.

“There aren’t many from the central city who are recognized more for their achievements than their birth. Not that there are many nobles left to begin with…”

“…”

“So, are you researching magic with that noble this time?”

“Rather than research, it’s just a repeated sparring session using lightning magic.”

Lennok said, forcing a bitter smile.

“It’s not entirely unhelpful. I’ve actually achieved some of the initial objectives. But…”

Sparring using lightning magic, and in the process, receiving the insights possessed by Thorben’s Tower Lord.

Having done this before, Lennok understood why Thorben’s Tower Lord preferred this method of transmission.

Because to convey inexplicable inspiration in a relatively pure form, clashing spellcraft is the most accurate method.

Indeed, Lennok was diligently receiving the oral traditions and information necessary for the transformation into a Celestial Lightning Body during the sparring.

The sharpening of Lennok’s combat and tactical abilities during sparring with the excellent wizard, Thorben’s Tower Lord, was also an unexpected gain.

However—

“It feels more like I’m giving Thorben’s Tower Lord a more rewarding experience than myself; he enjoys it that much…”

“…”

“And it seems I need to start managing the ominous rumors circulating about the Magic Tower.”

Every day, violent thunderclaps echoed through the Magic Tower.

Even after their initial clash, they were living freely within the Tower.

The rumor that all lightning wizards are madmen obsessed with fighting was already widespread throughout Vulcan.

[If you wanted to worry about such rumors, I’d have to say you’re several years too late.]

Olivera said with a barely concealed sneer, arms crossed.

[This is all your own doing; do you really wish to rectify it now?]

“No, not my own, but the Tower’s reputation… Never mind. Let’s get to the point.”

A meaningless worry, considering that Adamant Thunder’s name and the Magic Tower had become inseparable.

Shaking his head and clearing his mind, Lennok looked up at the scenery of the Miniature Garden.

“So, is that the fragment of the veil after the adjustment work is complete?”

Shimmering…!!

Above the field of green grassland, a celestial sphere depicting the night sky was spread out.

A faint veil of light rotated, tracing starlight between the earthly garden and the heavenly sphere.

Olivera and Claris had succeeded in mimicking the veil in the Miniature Garden, using a fragment of the veil as a catalyst.

Fwaaat…!!

The Star-Patterned Ritual Garment, created through the Shadow of the Star.

Even if it was a [Model] of the veil made using a fragment as a catalyst, within this Miniature Garden, it was essentially as real as the original.

“Its form is impeccable…”

Lennok narrowed his eyes, silently gazing at the starlit [Model Veil].

Because he felt almost no difference between the real veil he had seen at the first Gateway under the alias Cheonbeon and the veil before his eyes.

“This is almost indistinguishable from the original.”

[It is a model made using a fragment of the real veil as material, so that is only natural.]

Olivera said, looking up at the Model Veil from behind Lennok.

[Rather, if it couldn’t produce such a result, I would have doubted Cheonbeon’s skill.]

“So, are we supposed to twist the garden’s celestial sphere and open the Model Veil like this?”

Outer Tribulation City (Kundara) is a hidden sanctuary behind the veil.

To unveil what lies behind the veil, one must literally change the orbital cycle of the stars themselves.

However, actually twisting a planet’s orbit is impossible, so the Miniature Garden is used to simulate that phenomenon.

By twisting the celestial sphere of the Miniature Garden and changing the garden’s orbital cycle, the Model Veil also twists, revealing what lies beyond.

The crucial point is to synchronize the phenomena occurring within the garden with reality, causing the same outcomes to manifest in reality.

Borrowing the Celestial Spellcraft from the Archive of Darkness to construct the Miniature Garden.

Obtaining a fragment of the veil from the first Gateway to use as a catalyst.

Creating a Model Veil and adjusting it to match reality’s orbital cycle.

Synchronizing the adjusted Model Veil with reality, twisting the orbital cycle, and opening the path to Kundara.

“No, wait.”

As Lennok raised his hand to twist the celestial sphere, Claris gasped and grabbed his wrist.

“It took a week to adjust the veil to this quarter’s orbital cycle. If you twist the celestial sphere now, the painstakingly adjusted Model Veil will twist along with it.”

“So, how am I supposed to use this in a real situation without even testing its function?”

“The veil fragment is weak as a catalyst, so it can’t be used for adjustment twice.”

Claris said firmly.

“You wouldn’t want to ask Cheonbeon to go retrieve another veil fragment, would you?”

“…”

Silence.

Lennok blinked, understanding Claris’s words.

“So, this function can only be tested once in a real situation.”

“If it fails, Kundara will immediately notice the anomaly and close the veil.”

“…”

[We don’t know how Outer Tribulation City will react if they notice our presence.]

As Lennok pressed his temples with a suddenly weary expression, Olivera said in a cold will-thought.

[In the worst case, we cannot rule out the possibility that all Long-lived Beings of Outer Tribulation City will try to eliminate us.]

“That’s…”

[Until now, we’ve only focused on whether entry is possible, but it’s time to consider what comes next.]

Olivera’s voice, which had a faint hint of a smile, gleamed with inner light through her veil.

[Are you prepared to endure it, even if all this effort turns to naught?]

“Prepared?”

Lennok gave a bitter smile.

“If I were going to hesitate for such a reason, I wouldn’t have started in the first place.”

[…]

The conclusion of the Black Consumer Project spearheaded by Kaiser Bajour.

The desperate struggles of failures to impose their will on the world’s end.

And the existence of Alkaid, who directly intervened in the project’s failure.

He knew he was entangled in all those causalities, that someone who was him had a place there.

Not merely a wish to see more, to face more failures.

But because he knew that more secret and vile truths were discarded at the end of the project’s failure.

“I’ll organize the necessary spellcraft and equipment before the journey and return.”

Fwoosh!

With a light mental withdrawal, Lennok instantly retrieved the Miniature Garden and looked up.

At this point, the answer was already decided.

“I will depart for Kundara as soon as preparations are complete.”