Ronan believed that Herams had once possessed the "Ancient Star Scripture," because the starry sky depicted within the scripture bore a striking resemblance to the scenes inside Herams's Law-Controller armband, albeit more vast and profoundly mysterious.
Ronan slowly immersed his mind into the book, as if standing in a vast metallic hall under a real starry sky. Time slipped away like fine sand through his fingers.
After an unknown period, Ronan gradually opened his eyes, a strange expression appearing on his face.
"It seems to contain a highly advanced meditation technique," Ronan murmured to himself, looking down at the "Ancient Star Scripture" in his hand.
While studying the "Ancient Star Scripture," he had unconsciously entered a meditative state, and his spiritual energy seemed to undergo some subtle and wondrous transformation.
To verify this, Ronan closed his eyes again, this time not reading the scripture but simply meditating.
Following the previous state, Ronan attempted to visualize the starry sky in his mind, along with the trajectories of the stars. Gradually, a translucent golden halo emanated from his body, spreading outward like ripples washing over a beach. With each wave, the released spiritual energy seemed to become purer.
After a while, Ronan stopped meditating.
"It is indeed a meditation technique."
The meditation method of the ancient wizards was infinitely more complex than the "Basic Meditation Technique" Ronan currently practiced. Even with his spiritual energy a hundred times stronger than that of a late-stage third-level wizard, Ronan couldn't even "begin" to master it in a short time.
"One must visualize enough stars in the mind and complete a full star chart derivation to officially begin."
Star chart derivation was the "game" he and Rona played in the starry night space, manipulating stars to achieve changes in the sky, from the simplest shifts of light and dark to the alternation of day and night, the cycle of seasons, and the passage of time. The changes in star trajectories and celestial patterns involved were incredibly complex.
The reason Ronan had told Rona "he lost" was because his derivation was far inferior to Rona's. When Ronan could no longer continue, Rona still appeared effortless.
And the content of the "Ancient Star Scripture" constantly presented these changes.
Ronan set this discovery aside for now and took out Herams's Law-Controller armband, immersing his mind into the armband's space.
Inside the armband space, a vast sea of runes floated silently, with the core rune representing "Law-Controlling" at the center.
Following what he had comprehended from the "Ancient Star Scripture," Ronan gently touched a rune star before him. Instantly, the previously silent runes began to light up one by one, and a small "starry sky" was illuminated, slowly starting to rotate.
Immediately, a continuous stream of mysteries poured into Ronan's mind—knowledge about the runes he had "lit up," which also contained the profound mysteries of the core "Law-Controlling." Ronan's mind trembled slightly, finally understanding why Rona had said the "Ancient Star Scripture" would help him comprehend Herams's Legacy of the Law-Controller.
The speed at which he was receiving and understanding the legacy was indeed much faster than if he had to study it bit by bit on his own.
Perhaps, this was the correct way to unlock the Heramus Law-Controlling inheritance.
"Phew—"
Ronan let out a long breath, a deep weariness evident between his brows. His brain felt swollen and stuffed, as if it had been crammed full of information.
In just a short span of time, Ronan had absorbed the knowledge of over two hundred runes. All he needed now was to summarize and digest it, and it would completely become his own.
Not only that, but the core Law-Controlling rune of the Heramus Armlet had also been partially simulated in Ronan's mind. About one-thousandth of its structure had been woven and constructed.
"This speed of comprehension is far faster than anything I've experienced before."
"But the consumption is also immense."
Ronan rubbed his swollen brow. At this moment, his mental energy was almost completely depleted, and he was relying on the effects of the Clarity Realm to slowly recover.
It was far more exhausting than a life-and-death battle.
Yet, Ronan felt quite pleased and satisfied in his heart.
"Studying the 'Ancient Star Scripture,' deducing the star chart, all to better comprehend the Law-Controlling rune inheritance."
If everything went smoothly, Ronan believed he had a chance to fully "master" the inheritance contained within the Heramus Law-Enforcer Armlet before heading to the central region and officially joining the Elemental Ring.
By then, even if he were to lose control of this Magical Artifact, it would no longer matter.
With a clear goal in mind, Ronan's heart grew increasingly calm.
He put away the 'Ancient Star Scripture,' slowly stood up, and walked out of the metal hall.
Since the plan to head to the central region was already set, he needed to quickly settle some unfinished business in the south.
The snow fell in thick flurries, blanketing the entire world. The mountains, rivers, and small lakes scattered across the landscape were all dyed a pure white.
A hazy white mist of snow enveloped the earth. Accompanied by the crisp, melodious sound of silver bells, two carriages swayed through the howling wind and snow, eventually coming to a stop in front of an ancient manor nestled on the mountainside.
The carriage doors opened, and two figures cloaked in long robes stepped out one after the other. At the manor's entrance, a servant-like figure quickly approached to greet them.
But before they could get close, one of the robed figures raised a hand from a distance, flinging the servant away like a straw doll. Before the servant could even hit the ground, their body exploded into a shower of blood, splattering the snow with shocking crimson.
The two robed figures swiftly entered the manor. With a loud "boom—", the doors of the castle within the manor were blasted wide open, allowing the howling wind and snow to rush inside.
"Whoever you are,"
After the doors were forcibly pushed open, a golden-haired, blue-eyed noblewoman with a graceful figure quickly emerged from the depths of the castle. Her face was cold with anger as she glared at the two figures before her, "The Kachin family does not welcome you. Get out at once!"
"Lady Livy, it's been a long time."
The lead robed figure slowly removed his hood, revealing a bald, gaunt face with sunken cheeks, fierce and cold.
The golden-haired noblewoman stared at the menacing wizard before her, momentarily stunned, and soon blurted out, "Yugik, is that you?!"
"I'm flattered that Lady Livy still remembers me."
The bald wizard, with a fierce and menacing expression, twisted his lips into a half-smile as he gazed at the noblewoman before him.
"What do you mean?" the golden-haired noblewoman frowned. "If I recall correctly, your dual transplantation surgery was very successful, and from what I see, your current condition is equally good..."
"Good, very good, in fact, it couldn't be better," Yujik nodded, then suddenly ripped off his robe, revealing the body hidden beneath.
His entire body was covered in thick, short, and coarse black hair, with muscles bulging like granite. On his human torso, there were two additional furry arms resembling bear claws, one on each side, making him look bizarre and unsettling.
The golden-haired noblewoman expressionlessly shifted her gaze away from Yujik and spoke calmly, "If you came here specifically for this, I must remind you that this was the result you willingly accepted. We even have a contract as proof."
"Madam Livi, you misunderstand. I have no intention of blaming you," Yujik smiled and shook his head. "On the contrary, I truly feel that my current state is excellent. The main reason for my visit today is to introduce a distinguished guest to you."
With that, Yujik stepped aside, revealing the person who had been standing behind him all along.
The latter slowly removed his hat, revealing a cold and indifferent face, quite ordinary except for a pair of silver-gray eyes that left a lasting impression.
As this person stepped out from behind Yujik, an immense spiritual pressure suddenly emanated from him, as if someone had forcefully shoved a dazzling sun into the castle hall.
Feeling this overwhelming spiritual force, the golden-haired noblewoman trembled violently and instinctively gasped, "A third-level wizard?!"
Her previous confidence and boldness in the face of Yujik vanished instantly under this immense spiritual pressure.
However, her years of experience dealing with various wizards allowed Madam Livi to quickly regain her composure.
She bowed respectfully to the newcomer, took a deep breath, and said, "Esteemed sir, how may I be of service to you?"
The cold-eyed wizard spoke indifferently, "Yujik mentioned that your Kachin family possesses the technology for transplanting bloodline talents..."
"Yes," Madam Livi nodded in response. "If you require it, I can perform the transplantation for you free of charge, but—"
"Do you not understand my words?" the gray-eyed wizard abruptly interrupted, his tone turning icy. "What I mean is for you to hand over this technology!"
Madam Livi's face immediately darkened. "Sir, I'm afraid that's not possible."
"Hmph!" With a cold snort, the terrifying spiritual pressure filling the castle hall surged toward her like a storm.
Madam Livi's face turned pale instantly, her delicate body trembling uncontrollably under the spiritual pressure that far exceeded her own level, teetering on the brink of collapse.
Yet, she clenched her teeth, refusing to relent.
As the pressure on her body continued to intensify, Yujik, who was standing nearby, stared at Lady Livi's curvaceous figure with a strange glint in his eyes.
He quickly approached the gray-eyed wizard, whispered a few words into his ear, and the latter's eyes flickered slightly before he began to gradually ease the oppressive force.
Having achieved his goal, Yujik licked his lips vigorously and then strode toward Lady Livi.
Just as Yujik extended his large hand, about to grasp the body of Lady Livi, who was on the verge of dying from shame and anger, a cold and calm voice suddenly rang out clearly in the room, accompanied by the wind and snow pouring in from the door.
"Is Aunt Soraya not here?"
The voice appeared so unexpectedly, so abruptly.
All three people in the room were momentarily stunned, then turned sharply toward the source of the voice.
Outside the wide-open castle door, a tall and handsome young man, wrapped in a black Wizard Robe with silver trim, walked in calmly from the howling snowstorm.
"Is Aunt Soraya not here?"
The handsome young man repeated his question, seemingly oblivious to the situation in the room. His gaze remained fixed on Lady Livi, who was at the far end.
"Where is she now?"
The young man gently shook the snowflakes off his Wizard Robe and walked forward step by step along the long red velvet carpet.
Lady Livi stared blankly at the young man, a momentary confusion flashing in her eyes. But soon, as if remembering something, she was about to speak when, in the next second, her eyes suddenly widened, witnessing a scene she would never forget for the rest of her life.
——
Lady Livi watched as a translucent golden ripple emanated from the handsome young man, quickly sweeping over Yujik's body. The latter let out a low roar, his face immediately contorted in unbearable pain.
Following this, Yujik, like an apple being squeezed by an invisible hand, first had his eyeballs bulge out, then his head deformed, and finally, accompanied by a series of sickening sounds of flesh and bone being crushed, his nearly two-meter-tall, bear-like body rapidly collapsed into a ball of mush only slightly larger than a fist.
Even Lady Livi, who had conducted countless live flesh experiments, was almost nauseated by the sight.
At that moment, she heard a low and rapid incantation, which abruptly stopped in the next second.
Looking up, her constricted pupils only reflected the image of a figure about to cast a spell suddenly exploding.
The terrifying pressure that had filled the hall completely disappeared, and the dazzling spiritual light, like the sun, also extinguished.
Both the gray-eyed wizard and Yujik were now gone. From the blood mist that remained of their bodies, two differently shaped space rings flew out, along with two twisted and terrified soul shadows, all gently landing in a pale, slender hand.
Lady Livi stood there in a daze, her throat as if choked by something.
Her eyes swept over the two pools of blood left in the empty hall, finally landing on the handsome young man who was now approaching her.
"I don't want to repeat myself,"
The handsome young man stopped completely a few meters away from Lady Livi, looking at her with an utterly calm expression, "Where is Aunt Soraya now?"
"Grandmother went to visit the Clavell family at White Stone Castle three days ago. She should still be there now."
The handsome young man finally got the answer he wanted and nodded to indicate he understood.
It seemed that his purpose in coming here was merely to ask Lady Livy this one question.
He turned directly and headed back toward the door. After taking two steps, he paused subtly, tilting his head slightly to give Lady Livy a calm instruction: "Remember to clean up the floor. I don't want Aunt Soraya to know I dirtied her favorite carpet as soon as I returned..."
"Y-yes, of course."
Lady Livy responded in a daze, and it wasn't until the tall, upright figure completely disappeared into the vast snowstorm outside that a title she had never dared to utter before slipped softly from her lips.
"Uncle Lynas..."
If Lady Livy remembered correctly, around the same time four years ago, a young wizard who claimed to be from the Silver Magic Ring suddenly barged into Froststone Manor and, inexplicably, became her grandmother's nephew—her uncle in terms of family hierarchy.
Four years ago, that young man was merely a lowly first-level wizard.
Four years later, he had already attained a terrifying level of power, capable of effortlessly crushing and annihilating a third-level wizard.
"Is it really the same person...?"
Facing the snowstorm, Lady Livy murmured in a dreamlike voice, her eyes filled with confusion.
She didn't know.
Perhaps only her grandmother could truly discern the truth.
"Lynas, my dear Lynas, you've returned..."
In a spacious yet somewhat shabby room, beside a roaring fireplace, Soraya, with her silver hair and frail, thin frame, gently embraced Ronan.
"Yes, Aunt Soraya, I'm back."
Compared to the indifference and coldness he showed upon seeing Lady Livy again, Ronan was undoubtedly much gentler when facing Soraya, who had given him so much care, help, and genuine affection.
"You've already far surpassed me..."
Soraya gently caressed Ronan's cheek, her face filled with tenderness and joy. Even though she tried to hide it, the intense fluctuations in her mental energy betrayed her overwhelming excitement at this moment.
"Those who once trampled on the honor of the 'Ice Flame Iris' should take a good look at what kind of exceptional figure the Lannister family has produced... Even if you were to return to the Frost Leader, you
would still be one of the most dazzling among your peers. Lynas, I wasn't wrong about you. You haven't disappointed me... Frost has not abandoned the Lannisters, and fate still favors us."
Soraya rambled on incessantly, and the flames in the fireplace beside her flickered in rhythm with her trembling, excited tone.
(End of Chapter)