paranoianovel Chapter 331 Castle Banquet, Target: People from Gray Tower, the "Flame Demon" Project Team
Chapter 331 Castle Banquet, Target: People from Gray Tower, the "Flame Demon" Project Team
Chapter 331 Castle Banquet, Target: People from Gray Tower, the "Flame Demon" Project Team!
The summit of Shishoin Temple.
Kielan Castle.
In the reception room, a banquet is about to begin.
Servants moved back and forth, placing exquisite food and magical fruits and vegetables on the table.
Ian raised his head slightly.
Observing.
Kieran was sitting at the very front of the table.
To his left, at the front, sat a woman with a gentle appearance, fair skin, light blue eyes, and dark brown hair braided into a plait that hung down her back. She sat there quietly, as if in her own world.
Beside the woman was a thin male wizard with high cheekbones and slightly deep-set eyes.
At that moment, Ian smiled and nodded.
To Kieran's right, Ian's familiar Kilian sat at the front, with Flynn and Ian next to him.
"Flynn, Ian, this is the first time we've all gathered together. Let me introduce you."
Killian turned to the two of them and said.
"This is the teacher's first student, and also the strongest among us, Senior Celis Morningstar."
"Hello, Celis-senpai, Flynn, Ian..."
""
Ian and Flynn stood up at the same time, almost simultaneously.
"Celice".
She stood up and nodded, her expression unchanged, then sat down.
Ian and Flynn were taken aback.
"That's just how my senior is. Don't let her seemingly cold demeanor fool you; Senior Celis is a really nice person."
Kylian smoothed things over.
The two sat down, waiting for him to introduce another wizard, but before they could speak, the lean wizard had already stood up.
"Derek Greystone".
His eyes were sharp, as if he were sizing up the two of them, and with his monocle, he looked like a shrewd businessman.
The two stood up again to introduce themselves.
"Dinner is almost ready, everyone can start eating."
At this moment, Kieran spoke up.
Everyone then began to eat, and Kylian Night acted as a lubricant, and the atmosphere of the banquet quickly improved.
soon.
Ian had gained some understanding of the three senior students.
Among them, Senior Sister Celis is a wind-attribute wizard, a lord, and a leader of the Stormspear Warband. She is at the late second ring level and is the strongest wizard present.
Derek possesses a metallic extraordinary physique and remains within the realm of elemental wizards. He is in the mid-second ring, has his own territory, and serves as the head steward of the Four Symbols Branch, assisting Kieran in managing various resource allocations.
These experiences also shaped his attitude of judging people based on their values.
As for Killian, he is the weakest of the three, but he is still at the mid-stage of the second ring.
They have their own territory and are currently following the Rock Legion on the front lines.
As for Flynn, he is still on the front lines, working as a wizard who has accepted a mission, striving for his first resource point.
Flynn shook his head at the mention of this.
"Senior, are resource points hard to obtain?"
Ian couldn't help but ask.
Flynn shook his head and said, "It's difficult. Once you reach the second ring, everyone needs resources. The 50,000 contribution points per year are just a drop in the bucket. Once you have your own stable resource points, not to mention anything else, your cultivation will be much more stable. So I really envy you, junior."
So that's how it is.
"Even resource points are just the first step, only allowing wizards to have a stable amount of resources to exchange for elemental crystals. But if they are not large enough, it is not enough. Therefore, most wizards will also have to take on missions, take up positions in warbands and academies, participate in academy projects, and so on."
Kylian added from the side.
"Yes, so you've managed to get a large resource point, junior. I don't know how many wizards envy you."
Derek smiled faintly at Ian.
"As for Flynn, he either has to save up or get it directly through the academy's rewards, but in times of war, the latter is easier."
His gaze toward Flynn was no longer so kind; it became much calmer.
Ian's lips twitched.
In a normal story, shouldn't he be looked down upon because he joined later?
As a result, Flynn is being looked down upon here.
The scripts are different.
During the banquet, Celis only spoke occasionally, mainly offering reminders.
It's clear that this senior student is indeed cold on the outside but warm on the inside.
The dinner was halfway through.
Kieran tapped the table lightly and said softly, "Since you've come back so rarely, there are a few things I need to remind you of."
All eyes turned to that direction.
Kieran said, "The war with the Crimson Eyes has now entered its final stage. We only need to deal with the Crimson Eyes' third-ringed alchemical puppet, the Balrog," and the war will be completely over. This process could take three to five years, or at least one or two years.
"After the war, the academy's structure will change again. Most of the Crimson Eye's resources will be taken back by the academy, but a considerable portion will also fall into the hands of the various divisions and wizards. At that time, every wizard may receive resource points, but how much they can get will depend entirely on their contributions in the war."
Everyone's gaze turned serious.
Ian, on the other hand, felt a sense of trouble.
He just advanced.
It seems that his only chance is to advance to the early stage of the second ring before the final battle ends, and then make a fortune.
It's better than nothing.
Meanwhile, Kieran was still making arrangements.
"Celis, your territory has been well managed, but after the war, the academy plans to use that second-ring fire elemental mine in the north as a reward for the person with the highest battle merit. If you're interested, you can compete for it, and so can Derek..."
""
As everyone listened, excited expressions appeared on their faces.
They seemed to be completely absorbed in the frenzy of defeating the Crimson Eye and dividing up the resources.
But Ian remained remarkably calm.
Firstly, he has just advanced, so these things are not relevant to him. He should be more concerned with learning new knowledge, improving his talent, and then enhancing his strength.
Currently, his talent level is only at the Dawn level.
The daily talent has three levels, and this is only the first level. The next level requires 40,000 talents.
It increased by a factor of two.
"It's better to improve yourself slowly; there's no use in rushing."
Ian relaxed.
He has enough resources now, there's no need for him to risk his life for a little bit of resources.
"And what about your promotion ceremony?" Kieran finally asked Ian.
"Keep it simple."
Ian thought for a moment and then said.
He didn't like things to be too ostentatious, and during wartime, small-scale operations were more appropriate.
In the blink of an eye.
A week has passed.
Ian's promotion banquet was held as scheduled.
He only invited wizards he was familiar with, and the process went quite smoothly. Ian also received many gifts.
Perhaps because of Kieran, even many unfamiliar large families sent gifts.
The total value is estimated to exceed 200,000 magic stones.
This made Ian realize that the Second Ring Road was indeed different; at least the level and quantity of gifts received were a cut above.
Some of Ian's friends, such as Abraham and Adam, had originally planned to fight Ian.
But in the end, the fight didn't happen.
Two battlefields broke out simultaneously, and they rushed to the front lines without stopping.
And then it all ended.
Ian finally had a clearer idea of how to sort out his various affairs.
"The most important thing is to explore the secrets of Metatron."
Ian's eyes flickered; he was now certain that it was knowledge worth hundreds of thousands of talent points.
Once acquired.
It might even allow his talent to directly surpass the Dawn level.
Secondly, dreams themselves contain a wealth of knowledge, which we certainly cannot overlook.
"But this is obviously a long-term task. My current goal is to advance to the early stage of the second ring and condense my first extraordinary organ."
Ian took a deep breath.
We're just waiting for the wizards from the Glorious Wizarding Academy.
"What? It will take another three months?"
A month later, Ian frowned as he listened to Augusto's voice.
"Yes, there were some unexpected events on the way, and it's estimated that we might be delayed by a few months. You should focus on improving your alchemy skills now. I heard you've been trying to enhance your elemental crystals, is that how it is?"
Augusto asked curiously.
Ian took out an elemental crystal, its surface pale red, containing energy and radiating a faint spirituality.
His eyes widened instantly.
"no...
"6
It's only been two months, and you've already successfully refined it?
It should be noted that it took him nearly half a year to successfully refine it.
Because the beginning is the hardest.
"Um."
Ian nodded.
However, it didn't explain why he used the principle of clairvoyance.
Since this talent advanced to the second tier, the improvement has been tremendous. Even with the knowledge of the second ring, after just a few glimpses, one can almost grasp the basics.
The knowledge gained from spying on the Second Ring Road can only be used once a week.
Therefore, it has great significance for him.
The "Kuai Li" tool is responsible for getting started, while the "Panel" tool is responsible for improving skills.
A cycle has already formed.
As for the improvement of the elementalization level, it is also going smoothly. With the elemental crystals sponsored by Zilean and sufficient talent, it is estimated that it can be improved to 5% in a year.
"Let's wait another three months."
Ian shook his head.
In the blink of an eye.
Three months have passed.
"I've gotten used to it."
Ian took a deep breath and looked at the Four Symbols Codex: Four Symbols Furnace, which he had mastered.
It took about three months.
Improving one's knowledge in the Second Ring Road area is indeed much more difficult than in the First Ring Road area.
"Perhaps I can learn some knowledge about the first stage; anyway, I have enough permissions now."
Ian pondered.
Relying solely on knowledge from the second ring would take too long, and he's not learning much yet. He could learn some knowledge from the first ring.
As a supplement.
"Have we arrived yet?"
Suddenly, the communication crystal made a sound, and Ian's eyes lit up.
The alchemists and wizards from the Gray Tower Radiance branch have arrived.
Alchemy Department.
At the very front stood Darwin, the Minister of Alchemy, with Augusto beside him.
Ian stood behind him, watching a gray airship slowly descend in the distance.
The hatch opened, and steps descended down to the ground, from which two wizards emerged.
Ahead stood a man with gray hair and deep-set eyes, dressed in a gray wizard's robe. Even though they were more than twenty meters apart, Ian could smell the scent emanating from the man's many alchemical creations.
Behind him stood a young wizard with light blonde hair, neatly combed, and a crisp, dark gray second-ring robe, with the Radiant Sector badge pinned to his left breast.
"Elgar, this is my student Alberto."
The two approached the crowd, and the wizard in front spoke to Darwin.
"You've finally arrived. We've been waiting for you for a long time. I am Darwin, the Minister of the Elemental Alchemy Department."
Darwin smiled and shook hands.
The two exchanged a few pleasantries before heading into the Alchemy Department, with Ian and Alberto following behind.
Looking at Ian beside him, Alberto turned his head to one side and then walked forward with his head held high.
Ian's lips twitched.
However, at this age, he is a second-circle wizard, and judging from the marks on his body, he also seems to be a second-circle alchemist.
Something to be proud of.
Keep up quickly.
Soon everyone entered a room.
"There's no need for pleasantries. This time, I've brought the incomplete blueprints for the Balrog."
Elgar laid a drawing flat on the table.
Ian looked over.
It was about three meters in size and covered with densely packed runes. Some of the runes were so complex that even Ian felt dizzy just by looking at them.
However, this drawing seems to only show the external area, without the internal core device.
"These are some of the original blueprints for the Fire Demon. The Crimson Eye should also be made based on these blueprints. I had already thought about it before I came. I plan to design a three-ring anti-magic array. I also brought the core components. What we need now is to crack the core runes on the outside."
Elgar addressed the crowd directly.
"The core rune is the third ring, there's no way around it, only a third ring alchemist can figure it out. But you're lucky, the Balrog is an offensive alchemical puppet, and I've observed your images, it's obvious you cut corners, most of the materials are second ring."
"That's normal. After all, where would a small-town academy get so many third-ring materials? And the alchemists' skills are generally average."
Alberto, standing to the side, scoffed.
Everyone present frowned.
"Alberto, put away your arrogance. I've told you many times, alchemists must put away their arrogance."
Elgar turned his head and frowned.
Alberto then composed himself, but how much he truly approved was anyone's guess.
"I brought the third-ring core of the magic circle, so we only need to crack the second ring part, specifically targeting the hundreds of core runes on it, and then we can solve it. Minister Darwin, I need a lot of alchemists."
Elgar looked at Darwin.
The latter looked troubled.
Alchemists skilled in elemental magic are already in short supply, and with the current state of war, it's impossible to spare even a few.
But this matter concerns war.
"Currently, we can produce two and a half level two alchemists."
"Half?"
Elgar was taken aback.
"Ian is a genius alchemist in our Alchemy Department, but he only advanced to the second ring a few months ago and began learning the alchemical knowledge of the second ring."
Darwin pointed at Ian.
"Just advanced?"
Elgar was about to say no, but then he thought about the nature of the elemental mysteries.
"Fine, half it is, better than nothing." He sighed, not taking Ian seriously at all.
Ian didn't care at all.
After all, he's here to learn; as long as he acquires the knowledge, that's enough.
soon.
The "Flame Demon" project team was established.
The leader, Elgar, the second-level alchemist Alberto, Augusto, and a second-level alchemist named Leo, as well as Ian.
Elgar was in charge of the newest components, while Augusto and Leo were in charge of the mid-stage components of the second ring.
Ian and Alberto were in charge of the simplest parts.
But while it may seem simple, it's actually quite complex, since these are all components of the second ring road.
"Ian, this component contains the second-ring core rune, the Fire Rune. Even with forty-six first-ring runes, Alberto, this component is similar..."
97
Elgar assigned the two tasks to Ian and Alberto.
"Don't worry, teacher."
Alberto looked at Ian with a half-smile, full of confidence. This time, he would show the wizards of this small academy what a dimensional reduction attack was.
"Yes, sir."
Ian's expression remained unchanged as he took this part of the information.
"Then let's go."
Elgar waved.
The two left.
Back to the project team.
Ian looked at the experimental blueprints and the large amount of materials beside him.
three days later.
By directly selecting the "Insightful Understanding" option, Ian immediately gained a certain understanding of the various runes in this component.
Three more days passed.
New crafting skills have appeared on the panel.
[Skill: Flame Demon Parts (Beginner 1/100)]