OBS Chapter 50 Blackrock Town
Chapter 50 Blackrock Town
Rowling focused his research on all records related to the stars.
He devoured everything, from the basics of astrology and the observation notes of ancient astrologers to unorthodox magical ideas involving summoning astral creatures or utilizing the power of stars.
His [Highly Efficient Scholar] specialty and [Literary Proficiency] spell make him extremely efficient at learning.
He systematically supplemented his knowledge of astrology. Although there was no direct record of the "Star Source Meditation Method" in the library, this peripheral knowledge greatly helped him understand the nature of stellar power, the symbolic meaning of different stars, and the relationship between celestial phenomena and energy tides.
At the same time, he also conducted in-depth research on the solidification of innate spells.
He found more detailed descriptions of the materials Stone Wizard mentioned, such as the Primal Ink, Space Dust, and the Heart of Elements, in the library.
Origin ink is not a single material, but a collective term referring to special spiritual liquids that can perfectly bear and imprint the original mark of the wizard's spirit.
Common bases include Nightmare Beast blood, Moonflower juice, and Soul Crystal dissolution liquid, each of which is extremely rare and requires a complex refining process.
Space dust is crystalline dust that naturally precipitates in areas where the spatial structure is extremely stable or extremely unstable, containing fragments of weak spatial laws.
They are usually only available in certain ancient demiplanes, near spatial rifts, or artificially crafted by wizards skilled in spatial magic.
The Heart of the Element is relatively well-defined; it is the core of a certain elemental energy that is highly condensed and has given birth to a trace of faint spiritual origin. For example, the water element essence he obtained in the secret realm can be regarded as a prototype of a water element heart, but its quality and completeness are far from sufficient to solidify innate spells.
The preciousness of these materials made Rolin acutely aware of the difficulty of solidifying a powerful innate spell.
This requires not only strength and opportunity, but also a huge accumulation of resources.
In addition to consulting materials, Rowling also began to try to use his newly acquired power to conduct some research and practice.
In the temporary laboratory provided by the academy, he attempted to further refine his spells.
Based on a deeper understanding of energy particles and ancient runes, he began to work on improving the Corruption Orb.
He attempted to incorporate a faint trace of stellar energy into it, hoping to enhance its penetrability and stability.
This process requires extremely precise control, and many experiments ended in failure, even nearly causing small-scale energy disturbances. But he was tireless in his pursuit, and each failure deepened his understanding of the nature of power.
He also re-examined the dark metal plates with intricate three-dimensional runes that he had brought back from the secret realm.
After being promoted to a formal wizard, his perception greatly increased, and he finally realized that these metal plates seemed to be components of an extremely sophisticated energy lock or information storage device.
They can absorb free energy from the environment to maintain basic operation, and their internal rune structure is astonishingly complex.
He tried various methods, including simulating different energy frequencies and injecting star power, but he could not activate or break it. He could only put it aside for the time being and wait for a future opportunity.
During this time, he also kept an eye on the various information and transactions circulating within the college.
Using some less important materials he obtained in his secret realm, Rolin traded them for a few useful items through internal academy channels or trusted intermediaries:
A small bottle of decent quality dragon's blood ink.
A few grams of void sand, supposedly from a collapsed demiplane, contains a weak spatial force and is a poor substitute for spatial dust, which can be used for research.
And a new intelligence report on the inner area of the Deathwhisper Swamp, where there are suspected traces of Soulflame Blossoms.
These gains couldn't directly solve the problem of materials for his innate spells, but they pointed him in the right direction and provided him with some capital for preliminary research.
Bahama has also adapted to his new identity as a first-level magical pet.
Its intelligence seems to have increased further with Rowling's advancement, and it can now communicate in more complex ways through mental links, and even express some simple thoughts and emotions.
Lorin began to teach it more refined reconnaissance and support skills, and tried to combine its dark insight with its own star perception to develop new synergistic tactics.
Time flew by amidst the busy research and preparation. Finally, the notification from the Affairs Tower arrived:
His assignment location has been determined.
The Black Rock Mountains outpost is located in the northwest of the continent, bordering the Wind Whisper Plain.
That place is the border between Shadowraven Tower and several local wizarding families, as well as the forces of nomadic tribes on the plains.
The situation is complex. It is rich in various metal minerals and several unique wind and earth-type magical plants, but it also faces potential threats from plains monsters and various forces.
It is a typical frontier outpost where opportunities and risks coexist.
Rowling was quite satisfied with this arrangement.
The environment of the Blackrock Mountains is different from the Black Forest he was familiar with. It offers access to new resources and challenges, and it is not too far from the Deathwhisper Swamp, making it easier for him to find the Soulflame Flower in the future.
Before leaving the academy, he visited Eric and Wizard Stone one last time to inform them of his destination.
The two wizards each gave him some practical gifts:
The wizard Eric gave him a small jar of carefully cultivated message worms, which could conduct brief mental communications over a certain distance.
Wizard Stone then gave him a copy of his latest research notes on the application of energy particle fields.
Carrying the college's dispatch letter, gifts from his two mentors, and the research results and information he had gathered during this period, Rowling embarked on his journey once again.
This time, he was no longer a clueless apprentice, nor a patrolman on a mission, but a formal wizard heading to a new land to establish his own achievements, pursue higher knowledge, and collect precious materials that would solidify his unique magical talent.
……
Riding in a sturdy carriage arranged by the academy and pulled by docile pack animals, Rowling left the core area of Shadow Raven Tower's influence and headed northwest towards the Blackrock Mountains.
The journey was long, traversing dense forests and rolling hills, until finally, the outline of a majestic, desolate mountain range appeared on the horizon.
Black Rock Mountains, as its name suggests, are mostly composed of dark, shiny rocks with sparse vegetation, giving them a cold, hard, and rugged appearance.
The air was filled with dust and a faint smell, a mixture of metallic and weathered odors.
His destination was not deep in the mountains, but a small town located on the eastern edge of the mountains.
Black Rock Town.
This is the main stronghold of Shadowraven Tower in this region, and also an outpost for trade and exchange with Windwhisper Plains.
The town is much larger than Grey Tower outpost, but it still retains the rugged atmosphere of a frontier place.
Most of the houses are built with locally quarried black stone, low and sturdy. There aren't many pedestrians on the streets, but you can see people dressed in various colors of clothing.
There were academy staff members dressed in gray robes, adventurers and mercenaries in leather armor and carrying weapons, and merchants from the Windwhisper Plains dressed in distinctive ethnic costumes.
Rowling's arrival did not cause much of a stir.
While it is not common for a formal wizard to be stationed in this area, it is not uncommon either.
He was received by the town's administrator, a first-class wizarding apprentice named Old John, who had been there for over twenty years and knew the local situation inside and out.
Old John respectfully led Rowling to his residence.
A two-story black stone cottage with a private courtyard, located in a relatively quiet area of the town.
Although the cabin was simple, it was spacious enough, and the basement had been converted into a basic magic laboratory, which was perfect for Rolin, who needed to conduct independent research.
"Lord Rowling, this is your residence and laboratory."
"I usually handle the town's daily affairs, and I won't bother you unless there are situations where I can't make a decision or where I need to use force."
"This is a topographical map of the area around the stronghold, a resource distribution map, and information on the forces we need to be aware of."
Old John handed over a stack of documents, his attitude humble and considerate.
Luo Lin nodded and took the documents.
He was satisfied with this relatively free arrangement.
"Thank you for your trouble. I need to study in peace and quiet. Please do not disturb me unless absolutely necessary."
"Understood." Old John bowed and withdrew.