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Chapter 23: The Arraymancer's Path to Divinity
Owen examined his body, checking his status panel.
[Host: Owen]
[Age: 17]
[Species: Dragon]
[Bloodline: Gold Divine Dragon]
[Realm: Diamond-tier]
[Strength: 5793 Constitution: 2589 Speed: 1358 HP: 8577]
[Skills: Dragon Breath Flame, Dragon Scale Shield, Dragon Claw Tear, Dragontongue Chanting, Golden Spiral, Dragon Shadow Trace, Dragon Wing Slash, Frost Art, Rock Art, Dragonheart Mastery...]
(Subsequent skill columns will display only key skills.)
[Special Ability: Prophecy]
[Fate Points: 1468]
The gains from this battle were substantial.
Unwittingly, Owen had broken through to the diamond-tier, experiencing a phenomenal surge in strength.
Most crucially, his fate points had exceeded 1000, allowing him to further upgrade [Prophecy].
"Upgrade [Prophecy]," Owen silently commanded.
[Upgrade complete, please host review.]
Owen opened the [Prophecy] interface:
[Prophecy: Level 2. The host can foresee events occurring within the next 7 seconds from the moment this skill is activated. This skill can be upgraded, the next level requires 5000 fate points. Cooldown: Three days.]
"Still no reduction in cooldown time?" Owen frowned internally.
However, the enhancement in the duration of [Prophecy] was a positive development.
Owen also reflected on his recent battle experience.
The use of [Prophecy] highly depended on timing.
After all, with only a few brief seconds, if it wasn't used at a crucial moment, the effect of [Prophecy] could be deemed ordinary.
Most importantly, Owen felt as if he entered an invincible state during the effect of [Prophecy].
Although time clearly progressed outside, it seemed incapable of inflicting any harm on him.
This aspect left Owen with questions – he wasn't sure if it was a case of him not perceiving external damage, or if the damage genuinely had no effect on him.
As for the phenomenon of Arcanergy Siphoning on his body, it appeared that only time could alleviate it.
...
"Master, are you really going to ignore Berkeley?" Erin tugged at Owen's hand, gently swaying it.
Owen snapped out of his thoughts, casting a sidelong glance at Berkeley, who was trailing behind him.
Berkeley was still bowing obsequiously, offering a forced smile.
Since leaving the ruined shop, Berkeley had been following Owen persistently.
He hadn't said much, sticking to Owen like a shadow, seemingly determined to stay glued to his side.
Owen, ever composed, didn't press the matter.
As for the costs of repairing the shop and the arcanergy fluid used, Owen hadn't paid a dime.
After all, it was his intervention that had saved Berkeley's life.
Paying on top of that would have been absurd.
Berkeley, evidently aware that asking Owen for money would be inappropriate, didn't bring it up and simply followed him closely.
Finally, as they were about to leave Toka, Berkeley hurriedly stepped in front of Owen, squeezing out a smile: "Mr. Owen, cough cough, don't you want to ask who that person was just now?"
Owen remained expressionless, shaking his head slightly.
Berkeley almost choked on his frustration, managing to ask in a strained voice: "Then, don't you want to know why I, a level 5 arraymancer, am living in seclusion in a border town?"
Owen shook his head again.
Berkeley nearly passed out, collapsing to the ground.
He couldn't understand how he, a level 5 arraymancer, respected and influential in any part of the empire, was being utterly ignored by Owen.
Even if Owen was a dragon, a level 5 human arraymancer should not be treated with such disregard.
Berkeley, assuming Owen was unaware of the prowess of an arraymancer, began to introduce himself with a twinkle in his eye:
"Mr. Owen, I must elaborate on the profession of an arraymancer to you..."
"No need." Owen, holding Erin's hand, brushed past Berkeley without a second glance.
Berkeley stood there, mouth agape, gradually turning to stone.
Only after Owen had walked a considerable distance did Berkeley hasten to catch up, incessantly chattering:
"Mr. Owen, you should know that in the entire Laine Kingdom, there are no more than thirty level 6 arraymancers, and only about two to three hundred level 5 ones. My profession is highly esteemed in the Laine Kingdom!"
"Oh."
"Oh?" Berkeley's eyes widened in disbelief. "Mr. Owen, I can offer you a lot of assistance."
"No need."
"Cough cough cough," Berkeley almost choked on his own words, astonished that someone, or rather a dragon, would decline the help of an arraymancer. "You must understand, although I am a level 5 arraymancer, with careful preparation, I can combat dozens of enemies of my own rank. I can be a valuable ally!"
"But you were still driven into a corner by that mysterious person," Owen remarked calmly.
"That was because he ambushed me! He knew my location beforehand and set up a magic array in secret. Since he had just advanced to level 6, I failed to detect the traces of his magic array in time. Otherwise, I could have given him a run for his money!"
"Oh."
"Mr. Owen, does your 'oh' mean that you allow me to follow you?"
Owen suddenly stopped in his tracks, causing Berkeley to bump into his sturdy back.
"My apologies, Mr. Owen."
Owen turned around, gazing seriously at Berkeley: "You, as a level 5 arraymancer, have you ever considered that you're being hunted by a level 6 arraymancer? Judging by that mysterious person's demeanor, he doesn't seem like someone who would let you off easily."
"What benefits do I get by allowing you to follow me?"
Berkeley's expression froze, his eyes downcast, a shadow of despondency crossing his face: "I... Mr. Owen, I am actually quite useful. I can help you make arcanergy fluid, defend against enemies, and even inscribe magic arrays on your arcanergy weapons..."
Owen shook his head slightly, uninterested in Berkeley's resume-like self-promotion: "Give me a reason that compels me."
Berkeley hesitated, his confidence wavering, then spoke with determination: "Mr. Owen, I know the method for an arraymancer to ascend to godhood."
Owen's pupils constricted slightly, shaking his head: "Deceiving me is not wise. That level 6 arraymancer had to resort to a spatial teleportation scroll to escape from my proximity. Right now, you're just a body's length away from me, and I can snap your neck with a lift of my hand."
Berkeley, maintaining his composure, hurriedly added: "Mr. Owen, I speak the truth. Why else would Alvin go to such lengths to find me?"
After pondering for a moment, Owen looked at Berkeley and said: "Let's go. We'll talk on the way."
Berkeley's face lit up with excitement, grinning widely: "Where to, Mr. Owen?"
"To the Grand Magus Academy."
...
In the Laine Kingdom, each city is connected by specialized relay stations.
These stations house a variety of flying beasts and creatures.
Berkeley, with experienced ease, selected a thunder gryphon.
Upon seeing the thunder gryphon, Erin was awestruck.
It was a magnificent creature, its body large and imposing.
When it spread its wings, they resembled a vast, cloud-covered sky, shimmering with electric blue feathers.
Its head bore a pair of majestic, lion-like manes, and its sharp beak radiated a chilling power of thunder and lightning, with visible arcs flickering within.
Someone was feeding the creature nearby.
"Why would such a powerful gryphon serve as a mount?" Erin asked, tilting her head in wonder.
Berkeley chuckled, "Miss Erin, what you may not know is that spellbeasts, when young, have low intelligence and are easily trained. Passed down from generation to generation, spellbeasts naturally became mounts."
"However, such mounts are generally only used as flying spellbeasts; their combat prowess is quite limited. Almost devoid of wildness, it's rare for them to become combat spellbeasts."
Erin, intrigued, approached to stroke the thunder gryphon.
To her surprise, it closed its eyes and seemed to relish her touch.
"Are the three guests ready to depart?" the gryphon's keeper inquired.
Berkeley looked towards Owen, who gave a slight nod.
"Let's go!"
They climbed onto the back of the thunder gryphon, where, astonishingly, there was a room.
Entering the room, Erin was once again astounded.
It was spacious and well-lit, with a high ceiling made of transparent magical crystals.
Large windows surrounded the room, offering a view of the magnificent landscape outside.
"Miss Erin, if you wish, you can use magic to adjust the transparency of the windows," Berkeley whispered.
Following Berkeley's instructions, Erin experimented with the magic.
The windows responded to her touch, brightening and dimming under her control, much to her delight.
Owen, observing all this, reflected inwardly: "Humans indeed utilize magic in such versatile ways. The Grand Magus Academy is sure not to disappoint."