A magic robe forged from an ancient relic that amplified even just one type of sorcery fivefold was already a terrifying thing.
Leilin certainly wouldn't push his luck by asking Im to let him study the [Ancient Thunder Robe] for a period of time — that would absolutely be refused.
Therefore, he didn't even entertain the thought. But as far as he was concerned, when it came to studying this type of magical array, he had a far better method.
"Chip, how's it going?"
Leilin asked silently.
『Ding! Robe magical array has been recorded. Identified as Ancient Thunder Script. Utilization rate: 89.7%!』
The Chip responded faithfully, projecting an enormous Thunder Ring magical array chart before Leilin's eyes. Over a hundred thousand lightning runes were densely packed together, forming a pattern of exquisite beauty.
"This kind of magical array shouldn't be limited to the Flash·Thunder Strike technique or lightning sorcery — it could potentially be generalized and applied to other domains as well…"
A gleam flashed through Leilin's eyes. "Im can't do this. He has the array but lacks the ability to systematically deconstruct and extrapolate the underlying principles. After all, a Wizard's brain can't compare to an optical computer. The computational load required would be enough to break him. But for me, none of this is a problem!"
The thought sent a flush of excitement across his face.
"All right! Leilin! Let's head back! To celebrate our alliance, I'm planning to hold a grand banquet at the family estate!"
A smile gleamed in Im's eyes, apparently assuming Leilin was equally thrilled by the power couple they had become.
"It would be my great honor!" Leilin replied modestly, then rose into the air and flew shoulder to shoulder with Im back to the Lias Family's main stronghold — a castle nestled within the metallic mountain range.
…
Night fell. Although the underground world had no concept or word for nighttime, in order to regulate schedules and coordinate rest periods, magic or sunstones were used to artificially create intervals of work and rest.
One by one, the lanterns were extinguished or dimmed, settling the castle — which had just hosted a magnificent banquet — into a hush, as though it had fallen asleep.
Leilin, having received the warm hospitality of the Lias Family, was now alone in an opulent bedroom.
The furnishings inside were exquisitely arranged, every surface bearing traces of magical preservation, lending them an air of rare luxury.
After dismissing the beautiful attendant, Leilin reclined on the sofa, the glow of the Chip still flickering in his eyes.
『Ding! Ancient Amplification Thunder Script has been archived. Commencing analysis…』
Under the Chip's terrifying computational power, the lightning magical array Leilin had scanned earlier was being rapidly deconstructed. Each rune, twisted like a tadpole, was carefully recorded and decoded into its specific function.
Even though this array contained over a hundred thousand runes — staggeringly complex and refined to the utmost degree — for Leilin with his Chip, it simply meant spending a little more time.
Now that he had a moment of leisure, Leilin thought back to the scenes at the banquet, and an involuntary smile crept across his lips.
The Lias Family was clearly not quite accustomed to this stranger — a Wizard who had been fighting them to the death not long ago and had, after a brief departure, suddenly become an honored guest.
The Warlock Leilin had previously captured had looked as though he'd seen a ghost upon encountering him again, nearly fleeing on the spot and making quite a fool of himself.
But regardless, both Wizards and Warlocks were old hands at navigating social situations. After Im announced the news of an alliance with Leilin and his affiliated forces, even those who had initially lost their composure quickly readjusted.
Even the Morning Star Warlock who had embarrassed himself at first came over afterward to formally apologize, restoring his characteristic Morning Star dignity, which earned a silent nod of approval from Leilin.
Moreover, while Im had kept Leilin's origins from the surface world a secret, his identity as a Fifth-level Warlock was not concealed.
After all, not just any Wizard could form an alliance with the Lias Family.
And once Leilin's identity as a Fifth-level Warlock was announced, the rest of the Lias Family's elders and seniors had no further objections to Grand Elder Im's decision.
A Fifth-level Warlock! That was a figure of prominence even within the Arthur Empire!
Even the entire Lias Family possessed only Grand Elder Im himself as their Fifth-level powerhouse.
And Warlocks' combat strength generally far exceeded that of Wizards at the same rank — this was beyond dispute. So Leilin alone already qualified as a worthy ally to the Lias Family, to say nothing of the fact that Grand Elder Im had subtly hinted that this Warlock Leilin also commanded a formidable force behind him.
"Still… they really are a bit too enthusiastic…"
Leilin rubbed his chin, recalling the undisguised anticipation in several of the attendants' eyes, and let out a helpless sigh.