Legacy of the Dark Sage

Diara mentioned the tower having its sentient, so they could not relinquish authority over it to Kyran just like that. The tower would first have to recognize him to be granted full authority over its activities and mechanics.

When Kyran confessed that his magic underwent a significant transformation within the tower's confines, Shaiha was genuinely shocked. It meant that the tower had a profound effect on his magic.

The effect did not happen right away. Shaiha could attest to that because she served as the central core of Kyran's four magic cores. Her role allowed her to perceive instinctively how powerful his magic attacks would be.

Thus far, Kyran had used the same amount of magic energy in his attacks. But his attacks had gotten far more destructive with each passing moment. Shaiha did not notice it and even believed that rather than his magic output getting amplified, it was the enemies that had gotten weaker. But that was not the case.

This meant it was right to think the tower was the culprit behind his increased magic output.

'I get where you're coming from, but I don't think it's the case,' Kyran replied, shaking his head inwardly. 'If anything, I think the amplification in my attacks has something to do with the quality of magic energy I absorbed in the surroundings.'

[Ah.]

Shaiha felt as if she was doused in cold water upon hearing Kyran's reasoning. She could only perceive the amount of magic energy he absorbed in the surroundings. Not the quality of it; thus, she did not consider that possibility.

To think she was the Realm's inheritance and fails to consider such a basic explanation.

Apart from that, she had been so happy about the prospect of the tower recognizing him that she had failed to read his thoughts on the matter.

"'Advantage in territory' and 'amplification of magic,' huh?" Cyneah muttered thoughtfully. After a short pause, she said, "Could it be possible that these two are related to what Miss Diara said about the tower?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Auto-one mentioned relinquishing authority over the tower to you, and Miss Diara said it would only be possible if the tower recognized you. What if the tower is slowly warming up to you? That's why your magic received a boost or something?"

Cyneah was basically saying what Shaiha thought!

However, before Shaiha could comment, Kyran replied, "Hm... it is worth considering."

[OI!]

What's with the difference in response here?

[You are such a biased person—!]

Kyran ignored her.

"But then, there is also the possibility that your magic's output was far stronger because the quality of magic energy in the surroundings is far more potent here than on the outside," Cyneah said.

"That's my initial belief," Kyran admitted.

[...]

"How are you fairing, by the way? There isn't enough Soul magic energy that you can absorb here. Is It fine?"

"Yes, it is," Cyneah replied with a small smile. "I'm not having trouble absorbing Soul magic energy. Or at least It is not having any problem absorbing magic energies."

Kyran raised his brows. He had wanted to study the Macabre Glacier better when they were in Somuli, but he could not do that because of what happened. In any case, he knew that the mirror had no trouble absorbing any magic energy apart. However, it would only feel satisfied once it absorbed enough Soul magic energy.

In a way, the fact that it was not acting up, even if it could only absorb raw magic energies, was a testament to the latter's quality.

"That's good," Kyran replied. "If you sensed something amiss, just let me know."

"I will."

[Ugh... Could you please keep your inner thoughts to yourself?]

Shaiha suddenly complained. Kyran's words were different from his current thoughts, giving her goosebumps.

Kyran making idle chat with Cyneah was actually him trying to distract himself from what he truly wanted to do. Shaiha was the only one who could get a good glimpse of his thoughts about what he wanted to do, so she felt uncomfortable.

Kyran ignored her— a feat he was getting really good at recently.

What was it that Kyran wanted to do? He tried to use this chance to apologize to Cyneah for disappearing suddenly. He also wanted to assure her. How? That was the real question. Kyran did not know, and the things he came up with made Shaiha blush.

Fortunately, Aki was with them, so Kyran's thoughts remained mere thoughts.

"Master, are we going to reinforce Ladon and Thorn? I sensed great activity over their side."

Aki's question brought Shaiha out of her reverie.

"No," Kyran replied with a slight smile. "Let them deal with that one themselves."

"You mentioned something about that side helping them improve earlier," Cyneah said, recalling what Kyran told them before separating with the others. "That's why you have them go there. Is it because you sensed there is a treasure there?"

Kyran nodded, "Yes. That treasure also emitted a kind of pressure that can help improve the dragons."

"Improve what, exactly, master?" Aki could not help but ask.

"There is something I noticed when I arrived in the Higher Realm," Kyran did not answer right away. He first started to explain, "Most mages would not hesitate to use Dimension when dealing with their opponents. But the dragons are not like that."

Aki nodded his head in agreement, "Yes. It concerns their ability to overwhelm their opponents with sheer raw power."
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"That's the thing," Kyran replied with a sigh. "Dimensions are better versions of Domain. But I don't think the dragons have that."

"'Don't have that?' They don't have Domains?" Cyneah also joined in their discussion.

Though it had not been that long since she arrived with the others in the Higher Realm, she had learned how a mage's Dimension could dictate the result of a match between mages. However, achieving victory through it was no easy feat because mages were on guard of each other, summoning a Dimension. Depending on the rules of their Dimensions, they could win or lose in battle.

TCyneah observed friendly matches between the Regis Clan members and the Dragon Clan members, who were willing to spar with them. During these matches, she realized how little the latter thought about Dimensions.

Initially, Cyneah wondered if the dragons were being considerate of the Regis Clan members since their mage level was low and that employing a Dimension against them was far too cruel. However, she soon realized that the dragons disliked using Dimension and preferred to deal with their opponents using brute strength or Draconic-based magic attacks.

But if what Kyran said was true. Rather than the dragons disliked the use of Dimension, they might think it too weak to be used in actual combat. It was weak because they did not have— or, to phrase it better— did not produce a proper Domain before learning to create a Dimension.

"More like they failed to create a proper Domain before creating their Dimension," Kyran answered after a short pause. He did not know how to explain it in words. Thus, he could only give a vague answer.

"So, you sent them there, where a Dimension is already active, so they could better grasp how it works, learn why their Dimensions are weak, and improve it along the way," Cyneah summarized.

Kyran nodded, "Yes."

[Such a busybody.]

Kyran ignored her.

[Ignore me all you like. But what you're doing contradicts what you thought about them earlier.]

Shaiha did an unelegant snort.

[Did you not say that you disliked them? Why are you suddenly keen on helping them improve?]

'I hate their guts, but I also needed them to remain strong. I needed strong allies to deal with The Emperor,' Kyran explained patiently. 'I'm surprised you could not perceive my real objective. Aren't my thoughts an open book to you?'

[It is, but that doesn't mean I understand your reasonings. At times, your thoughts can appear similar to jibberish writings. Sometimes, it's identical to a colored picturebook with such vivid images, like when you thought of hugging or kissing the young mistress to assure her or make up for what you put her through after disappearing on her for some time.]

'...'

[Ha!]

Shaiha could not help but feel pleased with herself for rendering Kyran speechless. But then his following words almost made her choke in annoyance.

'Can you say that without looking like you're about to die in embarrassment? If you don't want to see my thoughts, keep out.'

[!]

"But helping them improve is not the only reason you sent them there, isn't that so, master?"

"Since the treasure can create Dimension if they can claim it, they can bring it back to the clan and also help the other dragons improve," Kyran answered with a nod.

Cyneah raised her brows in surprise, "You sensed all that in such a short time?"

"I am still an Array Saint," Kyran replied wryly. "I can recognize an artificially made Dimension from one created naturally."