Chương 78: Second Face

Chestnut lay on the other side of the fire. Its head rested on its front paws. Probably because it had been eating so well these past few days, even its scales looked a little shinier than usual. Rowan could still clearly remember how the first Source Rune etching had felt. Forty-five percent impurities. Every circuit could have been blocked by contaminants. The protective layer formed by the Mana Primordium had been corroded until it was covered in fractures.

By the end, he hadn't even known whether he would complete the etching first or the protective layer would shatter completely. Rowan finished the rest of his food. Then rested for more than an hour. Only after both his Mental Power and physical condition had fully recovered did he sit down again. Chestnut noticed the movement. It raised its head and looked at him. Rowan pointed into the distance.

"Stay back." Chestnut flicked its tail and lazily lay down again. Rowan watched it for another two seconds. Then cut a small piece from the Rock-Marrow Dire Bear meat and threw it farther away. Chestnut immediately stood up. Rowan closed his eyes. His Mental Power sank into his body. The sound of his heartbeat immediately became clear. He could feel his heart beating. But he couldn't directly see the structure inside its chambers. Most organs in the human body were like that.

Unless there was pain or an obvious abnormality. Consciousness found it difficult to truly perceive them. The Source Crystal Core was different. The moment Rowan's Mental Power sank into his chest. The regular tetrahedron appeared clearly within his perception. Most of it was embedded inside his heart. It clearly possessed physical substance. When Mental Power touched it, he could feel the hard, smooth crystal faces. And yet, it did not push aside the surrounding flesh like an ordinary foreign object.

His heart continued beating in its original position. Blood circulated as normal. It was as though the two had occupied the same location from the very beginning. Across the first crystal face. All three hundred and sixty circuits of the Water Source Rune had completely stabilized. Looking inward through that face. He could clearly see the mana pool that had already been expanded to the Single-Phase limit. Mana flowed slowly within. The remaining three crystal faces were still blank.

Rowan focused his attention on the second crystal face. Then picked up the Mana Primordium. And pressed it against his chest. His Mental Power synchronized with the Source Crystal Core. Hummm— Pure pale-yellow mana rapidly unfolded. Layer after layer. Wrapping around the entire Source Crystal Core. Rowan controlled the protective layer and made it contract. Eventually, it left only an opening on the second crystal face large enough for the etching. He had already performed these steps once.

There was no need to rely entirely on textbook instructions anymore. If the opening was too large— The Etching Fluid might come into contact with other areas. If it was too small— The Mental Etching Blade would be obstructed. Rowan made several minor adjustments. Only when the protective layer had completely stabilized did he pick up the Fire Source Rune Etching Fluid. He opened the seal. A slightly pungent smell spread through the air. Chestnut was eating meat in the distance.

At the smell, it raised its head and looked over again. Rowan didn't pause. He poured the entire tube of liquid onto his chest. Hiss— The pale purple liquid touched his skin. It rapidly transformed into a thin mist filled with flowing crimson light. It entered his body through his pores, blood vessels, and mana nodes. A burning sensation followed. Rowan's body instinctively tensed for an instant. The pain hadn't disappeared. Leaving a permanent mark on the Source Crystal Core— Could never be comfortable.

But the pain this time was extremely concentrated. Like a red-hot needle. Passing inward from his chest. Until it finally stopped on the second face of his Source Crystal Core. There were no impurities scraping wildly through his blood vessels. No cloudy sediment battering the protective layer. Nor did the Etching Fluid suddenly deviate from the path designated by his Mental Power. All of the liquid gathered quietly on the second crystal face. Waiting for Rowan to make the first cut.

Rowan condensed the Mental Etching Blade. Its tip descended. The first crimson etching appeared across the translucent crystal face. A sharp burning pain came from deep within his heart. Rowan's breathing stopped for an instant. Then he continued. The second circuit. The third. The Etching Fluid completely obeyed the guidance of his Mental Power. As the blade moved forward— The crimson etching followed. He didn't need to repeatedly wrest control back from the impurities.

Nor did he have to divide his attention to repair a protective layer that could shatter at any moment. Rowan only needed to complete the Fire Source Rune itself. Fifty circuits. Eighty. One hundred and twenty. Crimson patterns continuously extended across the second crystal face. The circuits of the Fire Source Rune were completely different from those of the Water Source Rune. The Water Source Rune was more like a water system that constantly divided and converged again.

Every structure pulled against the circuits beside it. The Fire Source Rune was more direct. Mana converged toward the center. Compressed. Then rapidly released outward. Before gathering again. The entire structure seemed to remain forever on the verge of eruption, yet tightly restrained at the same time. Rowan didn't immerse himself in the sensation. The Mental Etching Blade continued advancing steadily. One hundred and eighty circuits. Two hundred.

Just as more than half of the Fire Source Rune had been completed— Rowan suddenly noticed something. The second crystal face seemed to have grown deeper. When his Mental Power touched it— He could still feel the hard, physical surface. The crystal face hadn't sunk inward. Nor had it become thinner. But between the crimson circuits that had yet to fully connect— There was a faint sense of depth that shouldn't have existed. Rowan maintained the Mental Etching Blade.

Another part of his attention attempted to probe inward. It was still blocked by the crystal face. The Fire Source Rune wasn't complete. That space had not truly opened. But it had already begun to appear. Two hundred and forty circuits. Two hundred and eighty. The sense of depth grew increasingly distinct. The physical space inside the regular tetrahedron was extremely limited. If the second crystal face expanded inward— It should quickly reach the center of the Source Crystal Core.

It should also overlap with the mana pool behind the first crystal face. But in reality— The first mana pool remained intact. It wasn't being compressed. Nor did the depth gradually forming behind the second crystal face make any contact with it. The two seemed to occupy the same location. Yet they were not in the same place at all. Three hundred circuits. Three hundred and twenty. Sweat gradually appeared across Rowan's forehead. The standard Etching Fluid created no additional danger.

But that did not eliminate the Mental Power consumption required by the three hundred and sixty circuits themselves. The Fire Source Rune gradually approached completion. The depth behind the second crystal face also became increasingly real. Three hundred and fifty circuits. Three hundred and fifty-nine. Only one remained. Rowan's Mental Etching Blade paused for an instant. The first time he had reached this point— The protective layer had been covered in fractures.

The cloudy Etching Fluid had been continuously corroding the Source Crystal Core. He could only forcefully complete the final stroke before everything went completely out of control. This time— The pale-yellow protective layer remained stable. The Mental Etching Blade had not deviated. Rowan could even clearly observe everything that was about to happen. The final crimson etching slowly advanced. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. It connected with the starting point.

Hummm— The completed Fire Source Rune abruptly lit up. The second crystal face trembled lightly. The next instant. It seemed to lose the thickness an ordinary crystal should possess. The crystal face still existed. His Mental Power could still touch its hard physical surface. But looking inward through the circuits of the Fire Source Rune— A space that seemed both real and unreal was rapidly unfolding. It wasn't a crack. Nor had the interior of the crystal been forcibly hollowed out.

It was more as though the entire crystal face had ascended into an interface at that moment. The protective layer formed by the Mana Primordium began fluctuating violently. The surrounding mana, which had previously been calm, seemed to suddenly find an entrance. Large amounts of mana began pouring into Rowan's body. After entering the second crystal face— The newly formed space began expanding inward. Mana crashed against the unopened boundary like a tide.

With every impact— The space retreated slightly farther into the depths. Rowan could clearly feel it. It wasn't expanding toward the center of the regular tetrahedron. Nor was it entering the location occupied by the first mana pool. Looking inward through the second crystal face— There was only a new space rapidly taking shape. Looking inward through the first crystal face— The original mana pool remained completely intact.

From the perspective of ordinary space— The two mana pools should have overlapped perfectly. But now, they existed independently. They didn't touch. Neither compressed the other. As the power produced by the phase advancement gradually weakened— The expansion of the new space finally stopped. Just as with his first phase advancement— The instant the Source Rune was completed, it had directly opened a considerable initial space. Large amounts of mana flowed in. Circulating slowly within the newly formed mana pool.

But beyond the area that had already opened— There was still a much firmer boundary. Future cultivation— Would involve continuously accumulating mana. Allowing it to repeatedly strike those unopened regions. Expanding the second mana pool farther outward. Until it reached the maximum capacity of this phase. Only then— Would he truly reach Peak Dual-Phase. The pale-yellow protective layer gradually dispersed. The Mana Primordium had been completely exhausted. Rowan didn't immediately open his eyes.

His Mental Power rested on both crystal faces simultaneously. The first mana pool. The second mana pool. There was no difference in the attributes of the mana held within the two spaces. Both contained the purest, unaffiliated mana. The difference between water and fire— Came from the different basic Source Runes on the crystal faces. And from the different spells later constructed through those Source Runes.

But if the mana pools themselves possessed no attributes— Why did engraving each basic Source Rune open another mana pool at the same time? Were the Source Runes creating space? Or merely opening doors that had always existed? If four mana pools had always been hidden behind the Source Crystal Core— Where exactly did they exist? And then there were the people at the beginning. The first person to lower a Mental Etching Blade onto a Source Crystal Core. How had they known any of this? One basic Source Rune.

Three hundred and sixty circuits. A tiny mistake— Could destroy an entire crystal face. It could even cause the Source Crystal Core to shatter outright. Could something like this— Truly have been developed through generations of people repeatedly gambling with their lives? Rowan remembered what he had learned in class. Writing, language, and spells were all connected to Source Runes. Who had engraved the very first Source Rune into a Source Crystal Core? Rowan slowly opened his eyes.

A distinct burning pain still lingered in his chest. But compared to the first time— This much was completely bearable. He looked down. The skin across his chest was slightly red. Chestnut had already finished the meat. It was crouching several meters away and watching him, as though it had also sensed the change in Rowan. Rowan examined his Source Crystal Core again. His total mana reserves hadn't directly doubled. But they had still increased significantly.

More importantly— The Source Crystal Core could now respond stably to the Fire Source Rune. Tier 1 Dual-Phase. Success. Rowan leaned against a tree trunk. He rested for a long time. Only when his Mental Power had completely stabilized did he stand. What came next could not be done in Aethergard. He possessed the Fire Source Rune. But he didn't know a single fire-type attack spell. And there was very little time left before he had to report for the military exam. Rowan packed up the temporary campsite.

He put away the remaining Rock-Marrow Dire Bear meat and cultivation supplies. Chestnut noticed his movements. It stretched lazily where it stood, then followed him. Man and beast returned to Antler Camp along the same route.... Terra. The rented room. Rowan opened his eyes again. He had left Chestnut at Antler Camp and temporarily entrusted it to Taun. He connected to the network. The military countdown immediately appeared.

[Sector 4 Southeastern Wall Segment Joint Examination Zone] [Time remaining until unified registration: 29 hours, 08 minutes] Less than thirty hours. Rowan closed the page. Then examined his Source Crystal Core again. The second crystal face remained stable. There were no abnormal post-etching vibrations. What he lacked most now was no longer mana. It was a fire spell. Rowan opened the spell marketplace. Search. [Tier 1 Fire-Type Attack Spells] A large number of results rapidly appeared. Fireball. Fire Arrow.

Short-range flame jets. Area ignition. Along with numerous improved versions reoptimized by different companies and families. Rowan didn't make a purchase immediately. The same spell generally had three different methods of acquisition. A digitally licensed edition. The cheapest option. Once purchased, it would be bound to the buyer's personal account. It included the complete model, construction method, and standard operating instructions. It couldn't be copied freely. Nor could it be legally resold.

Learning speed depended entirely on the individual. A recording crystal disk. More expensive. Its contents might not include much more than the digitally licensed edition. Its advantage was that it could be read offline. It could be transferred. It could also be sold as a physical asset. But it offered little assistance in learning speed. The third option had no direct sale price.

[National Library Collection Training Codex] [Public Contribution authorization required] [Training service fee required] In addition to the spell model and standard instructions— A Training Codex preserved complete Mental Guidance, construction experience, and common mistakes. It didn't simply place the answer in front of the user. It guided them from the first step and took them through one complete construction of the spell. That was exactly what Rowan needed.

Less than thirty hours remained before the military exam. He didn't have time to buy a digital edition and slowly study every Source Rune structure himself. Rowan entered the public catalog of the Seventh Abyssal Hive National Library. There was only one National Library branch in the Seventh Abyssal Hive. The highest-tier material preserved there reached Tier 2. Rowan opened the Tier 2 catalog. The page immediately turned gray. [Insufficient authorization] Most specific titles were not displayed.

Rowan exited directly. Then filtered the catalog for Tier 1 fire-type attack spells again. He first eliminated the ordinary Fireball variants. Quick to construct. Low consumption. But their role was too close to that of Water Blade. They merely replaced cutting with burning. Short-range flame spells were equally unsuitable. Rowan already possessed Wellspring Step. He had no need to specifically learn a spell that only became effective when he approached an enemy.

Area ignition was also too likely to affect the surroundings inside a ruin. Finally. One spell caught Rowan's attention. [Great Sun Heavy Bolt] [D2-grade fire-type attack spell] [High mana consumption] [Two-stage construction] [Single-target armor penetration] [Sustained charging] Rowan opened the detailed description. After the first stage was completed— A large heavy bolt of flame would form. Its power was concentrated at the front of the bolt. Its main function wasn't to explode.

Instead, it used highly concentrated mana and extreme speed to break through a target's defenses at a single point. It could be released immediately after the first stage formed. If mana continued to be injected— The entire heavy bolt would become more condensed. Its penetrating power, flight speed, and structural stability would all continue increasing. Until the second charging stage was complete. Rowan studied it for a long time. This was exactly what he needed. Water Blade could be used repeatedly.

Searching for weak points. The heavy bolt would be responsible for punching straight through from the front. But when he attempted to reserve the Training Codex— A new notification appeared. [Insufficient available Public Contribution] Rowan opened his personal account. [Total Public Contribution: 200] [Source: Exploration Contribution—200] This was the contribution left by the D3 ruin mission. The Explorer's Association had not established a separate currency usable only within the organization.

These two hundred points had been recorded under the exploration category of his Public Contribution account. But they still ultimately counted toward his total Public Contribution. It wasn't enough to use the Training Codex. Rowan exited the page. Then opened the recently pruned Wellspring Step model. In addition to the final model, the delivery files sent by Hermit contained structural verification and safety simulation results left by the professional model pruner.

The rights to use and submit the model had also been transferred to the client. Rowan reviewed the contract again. After confirming there were no problems— He began processing the files. Original ancient-text content removed. Aethergardian writing removed. Information related to the Lancer Family removed. Lancer Mana Channeling Art removed. Lancer · Instant Shadow removed. File metadata cleaned again. In the end, only the pure Wellspring Step spell model remained. The necessary construction instructions.

Safety boundaries. And the model verification report completed by the professional. Rowan checked everything twice. He found no remaining traces that could point toward Aethergard. Then he submitted the application. [Privately Held Uncatalogued Spell Model] [Application for Public Cataloging] [Model Name: Wellspring Step] [Preliminary Classification: Tier 1 water-type movement spell] [Claiming Original Authorship: No] [Possesses Legal Submission Rights: Yes] Rowan pressed confirm.

The professional pruning report had already completed most of the structural verification. The National Library mainly needed to perform duplication checks, sample simulations, and an assessment of its cataloging value. Even so— The review would still require time. Rowan didn't stare at the page. He opened the pruned Wellspring Step. And began reconstructing it in full. Its explosive acceleration was slightly weaker than the original version. But the entire model was far cleaner than before.

Overall construction time had been significantly shortened, while mana consumption had been reduced by around ten percent. The three thousand Terra Credits hadn't been wasted. Several hours later. A notification came from the terminal. [Model duplication check: Passed] [Structural sample verification: Passed] [Safety simulation: Passed] [Catalog overlap: Low] [Preliminary evaluation: The model has relatively high construction complexity, excellent displacement capability, and independent cataloging value.] [Low-Tier Spell Cataloging Review: Passed] [Knowledge and Research Contribution added to total Public Contribution] Rowan reopened the page for Great Sun Heavy Bolt. This time— The reservation went through without issue.... The Seventh Abyssal Hive National Library stood at the boundary between the Middle and Upper Districts. The building wasn't particularly tall. The emblem of the Republic was embedded in its gray-black exterior wall. There were no commercial advertisements at the entrance.

Only two rows of quietly operating identity-verification devices. This was the only National Library branch within the Seventh Abyssal Hive. Rowan passed through security. Identity. Tier. Public Contribution. Reservation record. Everything was verified. After entering the main hall— The outermost section was the public electronic reading area. Farther inside— Was the crystal disk section, which required additional authorization. The spell training area was completely separate.

A staff member checked Rowan's reservation.

"First time using a Training Codex?"

"Yes." The staff member glanced at his status data.

"Do not actively resist during Mental Guidance."

"If your Source Crystal Core begins vibrating abnormally, or your mental structure is unable to disengage on its own, terminate the session immediately."

"Understood." The door opened. A fixed chair stood on one side of the training room. In front of it was a long, narrow spell-testing area. The floor, walls, and ceiling were all covered in heavy protective array patterns. At the far end stood a test target capable of switching between different durability and movement modes. A dark-red crystal block rested on the central platform. This was the National Library's Training Codex for Great Sun Heavy Bolt. The crystal block was completely connected to the platform.

Several protective arrays surrounded it. The Training Codex could not be removed. Rowan sat down. And completed identity verification. The moment his Mental Power made contact— A large number of Source Rune structures unfolded within his consciousness. Beginning with the first structure. The Fire Source Rune vibrated lightly. Unaffiliated mana was drawn out. The first group of Source Runes formed. Then came the framework of the heavy bolt. The stabilization structure. The directional structure.

The compression node at the front of the bolt. Every time one step was completed— The Mental Guidance paused briefly. Allowing Rowan to confirm the structure and the direction of mana flow. The first stage of the heavy bolt gradually took shape. A crimson heavy bolt far larger than an ordinary arrow floated within his mental perception. It was closer to the heavy ammunition fired by a siege crossbow. At this point— The spell could already be released. But the guidance of the Training Codex didn't stop.

More mana continued flowing in. The flames across the surface of the heavy bolt gradually contracted. The shaft didn't continue expanding. Instead, it became increasingly condensed. The mana density at the front of the bolt constantly increased. The entire spell also became increasingly heavy. As the second stage progressed— Adjusting its direction became increasingly difficult. The Mental Guidance also marked several points at which the spell could be released early.

If the combat environment didn't permit continued charging— The caster didn't have to force the second stage to completion. The already formed heavy bolt could be released at any time. But once the final safe abort point had been crossed— The spell had to be released. Otherwise, the compressed mana would rebound into the spell structure. Rowan followed the Mental Guidance. The first attempt. Not long after entering the second stage, the shaft tilted slightly. The structure dispersed. The second attempt.

Its direction stabilized. But the compression node at the front failed to close completely. Several more attempts failed afterward. Until finally— The last compression node at the front closed successfully. The flames across the surface of the heavy bolt had greatly contracted. Its tip shone with a painful brightness. The entire heavy bolt seemed to have been condensed directly from flowing, molten crimson crystal. The Training Codex's Mental Guidance gradually withdrew.

The complete construction process remained within Rowan's memory. Rowan opened his eyes. The test target at the far end rose from the floor. [Training mode activated] Rowan raised his hand. His Mental Power began constructing the spell. A large crimson heavy bolt gradually formed in front of him. Rowan locked onto the test target directly ahead. Release. Hummm! The heavy bolt disappeared from its original position in an instant. The test target's outer protection had only just lit up— When the bolt struck it.

There was no large-scale explosion. All of the force was concentrated at a single point. The protective layer caved inward. The stalemate lasted less than one second. Then it was directly penetrated. The heavy bolt continued forward. It drilled into the target body behind the barrier. Crimson flames burned into the internal structure through the penetration point. [First-stage release complete] [Outer protection: Penetrated] [Target-body penetration depth: Qualified] Rowan looked at the center of the target.

This was completely different from Water Blade. Water Blade relied on continuous cutting. Searching for a point weak enough to slice through. The heavy bolt's purpose was much more direct. Punch straight through from the front. Rowan reconstructed the spell. After the first stage was complete— He didn't release it immediately. Mana continued to flow in. The crimson heavy bolt gradually became more solid. The front of the bolt grew increasingly bright. The spell's rate of mana consumption also increased rapidly.

Rowan could clearly feel it. The reserves within his mana pools were falling quickly. It gave him a strange sensation similar to dehydration. Until the heavy bolt completed its second stage. The light inside the bolt head had been compressed to the extreme. Seen through the surrounding layers of flame, it looked as though a small crimson-gold sun had ignited inside the bolt tip. He locked onto the reinforced test target again. Release. Boom— A deep explosion echoed through the training room.

The heavy bolt struck the first protective layer. It barely slowed. And directly penetrated it. The second protective layer lit up immediately afterward. The heavy bolt's speed finally decreased noticeably. But its tip continued pressing forward. The second protective layer began fracturing from its center. Cracks spread rapidly outward. The next instant. The second protective layer was also pierced. The heavy bolt drilled deep into the target body.

[Second-stage release complete] [Composite protection: Penetrated] [Mana consumption: High] Rowan slowly lowered his hand. The mana stored within his body had noticeably decreased. Even though he was now Dual-Phase— He still couldn't repeatedly use a fully charged attack like this without restraint. But its power was equally obvious. This was exactly what he had wanted when choosing the Fire Phase. Next— Was the final test. Rowan reopened the pruned Wellspring Step model. Mind splitting.

The primary mental path began constructing Wellspring Step. The other mental path began constructing Great Sun Heavy Bolt. The water-type movement spell unfolded beneath his feet. A large crimson heavy bolt gradually formed in front of him. The same unaffiliated mana— Passing through different basic Source Runes and spell models— Ultimately formed completely different spells. Rowan slid sideways. The first-stage heavy bolt was complete. Release. The heavy bolt penetrated the moving target's outer protection.

But it missed the intended center. Slightly off. Rowan didn't stop. He started again. Wellspring Step changed direction. The heavy bolt locked onto the target again. The second strike landed closer to the center. The third time. Rowan attempted to continue advancing the second stage while moving. The flames across the surface of the heavy bolt began drawing inward. The shaft gradually condensed. Just then— Wellspring Step changed direction again. The structure of the heavy bolt trembled lightly. Its aim shifted.

The compression node at the front also began becoming unstable. Rowan didn't force it. Before crossing the safe abort point— He released it early. The heavy bolt flew out at an angle. It penetrated the edge of the training target. Then struck the interception wall behind it. Layer after layer of protective array patterns lit up before the remaining power was completely dispersed. Rowan stopped. Completing the first stage while moving at high speed— Possible.

Continuing to charge while moving at low intensity— Also possible. But completing the second stage during continuous changes of direction and actual combat— Was beyond him for now. Rowan recorded the point where the structure had lost balance. By the time he left the National Library— The sky outside had already darkened. Another notification arrived from the military terminal.

[Time remaining until unified registration: 11 hours, 36 minutes] [Risk agreement status: Not confirmed] There was a Public Mana Supply Pod near the library. There was still time before the assessment truly began. But Rowan had no intention of reporting to the military with his mana reserves noticeably depleted. One hour later. The three mana vortices dispersed one after another. Most of the mana he had consumed while practicing Great Sun Heavy Bolt had been restored. Rowan didn't continue.

Normal rest would be enough to recover the remainder. He returned to the rented room. Then opened the risk agreement. Death. Permanent disability. Emergency medical authorization. Procedures to be followed when a body could not be recovered. Registration of personal effects. The military's scope of liability. The prohibition against concealing restricted implants and external mana devices. Line after line of cold text filled the screen. Rowan read from beginning to end. He didn't skip anything. Rad had warned him.

Mr. Miller had warned him as well. This wasn't an ordinary examination. It was jointly organized by dozens of peripheral Abyssal Hives along the Sector 4 southeastern wall segment. The military had even announced a death quota in advance. Rowan's finger stopped above the confirmation button. He opened his conversation with Rad first. [I'm about to sign it.] The message hadn't been sent for long— When Rad's reply appeared. [Don't leave early tomorrow morning.] [I'll bring over the thing I mentioned before.] A moment later. Rowan pressed the button. [Risk agreement signed] The room became quiet. Rowan leaned against the side of the bed. Once more, he sank his Mental Power into his heart. The countdown on the terminal continued. Tomorrow. The Sector 4 Southeastern Wall Segment Joint Military Exam. Formal registration.