Chapter 167 - Is This A Test?
Back in the Divine Realm, spirit energy had been the main source of energy used by Artificers to activate their runic inscriptions due to its versatile nature to transform accordingly. Furthermore, runic inscriptions had no requirements for user. Even ordinary people could use runic inscriptions because it did not need anyone to fuel it. It was capable of absorbing energy of heaven and earth to activate its effects.
However, there was clear difference between the runic inscriptions Leon knew and the runic inscriptions on levitation stones of this world. The runic inscriptions he knew had its runic lines filled with crystalized spirit energy, while the runic lines on levitation stones were devoid of such source of energy. It must be deriving its energy elsewhere.
"Do you have any other suggestions, Leon?" Amelia asked. It was clear that she valued Leon's opinion.
Although it seemed like Leon's suggestions were useless and there was no progress, it gave them a general direction to focus in. Perhaps, Leon had more inspirational suggestions for them. The Duke grumbled on one side as he cleaned his blackened face.
"Ahem, I need to take a look at the levitation stones, before coming up anymore ideas. I wonder if there's a spare one lying around the workshop for me to look at?" Leon asked with embarrassment.
"Hmph! There's no spare, but we do have some airships idling in the Capital's airspace. I will take you to see one in action." Ignis said.
"Be quick, I believe the airships were scheduled to depart for Blackrock City to collect supplies." Amelia reminded.
"Right. Let's go, boy. Make haste!" Ignis hushed.
Leon followed the Duke to the dock on the top floor. Two of the three airships in the Capital had already departed. Fortunately, the last airship had not departed yet and was still parked at the dock. However, it was getting ready to leave.
…
Under the Duke's orders, the airship's departure was delayed as they boarded the airship and headed to the main engine room, where the levitation stone was located.
"Well? Amazing isn't it?" Ignis grinned, before adding warily, "You can only look at it as is. I'm not taking it apart for you. It's not possible, so don't think about it."
They already wasted a levitation stone once when they tried dismantling it for study, they would not waste another. At least, not unless they had levitation stones to spare.
Looking at the Duke's expression, Leon shook his head with a small chuckle. He had no intention of asking such a request. There was no need to. He just needs to send out his divine sense and sweep the levitation stone to understand its structural layout in its entirety.
But he had to agree with the Duke, the active levitation stone was an eye opener compared to the inactive levitation stone he had only seen through pictures. Even in the Divine Realm, he had not seen so many runic inscriptions weaved together so skillfully to produce antigravitational effect.
From this, Leon could see that the ancient civilization's knowledge of runes was very advanced and sophisticated. The runic lines weren't filled with crystalized spirit energy, but it was conducive of energy. The runic lines in front of him was shimmering with the azure light of spirit energy, causing Leon to slightly salivate. The lack of spirit energy in this world was one of his biggest dilemmas.
When Leon swept the levitation stone with his divine sense, he was tempted by greed before he forcefully suppressed it. At the center of the levitation stone laid a spirit stone, the runic inscription's source of power.
Leon swept the levitation stone a few more times and committed its structure to memory. With the Lancaster's pace of research, they may not be able to replicate the levitation stone even after a few hundred years. The complexity of the interior exceeded his expectation.
It's best if he draws up the blueprint of levitation stone for the Lancasters and save themselves hundreds of years of time. However, there was another problem. They would still be lacking the spirit stones to activate the runes.
Leon could only hope that they would be able to excavate the spirit stones from the underground mines.
"Let's head back. I have seen everything."
The Duke shrugged at Leon's words and nodded. He couldn't understand what Leon meant by everything, but he didn't ask and just left thing as is. The boy probably wouldn't explain to him anyway.
In fact, the Duke's line of thinking was correct. Leon would not explain his divine sense abilities, but he would not let it stop him from using it either, allowing him to be shrouded in a layer of mystery. He would do what needs to be done for the development of the kingdom. Strengthening the country was a means of protection for himself and those around him against the unknown threats. There was also the demon race that he had not seen a shadow of.
"How was it? Do you have any suggestions after seeing the levitation stone in action?"
Amelia asked excitedly after seeing Leon and Ignis return. Levitation stone research making some headway was naturally something to be excited about. However, she was immediately disappointed when Leon shook his head.
"I need a pen and paper, lots of paper." Leon stated.
"Hm? What do you need so much paper for?" Her disappointment changed to puzzlement.
"You'll see." Leon said mysteriously.
"Well… alright."
Although Amelia was puzzled, she got someone to fetch Leon the pen and paper as he requested.
After receiving the pen and paper, Leon got himself a private room and got to work immediately. The pen in his hand blurred as it filled up one page after another. The task was not as easy as it sounded as Leon mentally dismantled the levitation stone in his mind and record it down in parts. It was test for his mental capabilities.
"There, it's done. Have a look and see if it would be useful." Leon said with some fatigue. After six hours of writing, he had finally record everything down on paper. He compiled the papers and stealthily slipped something under from his Worldspace before handing them over to Amelia. "I'll be heading back first. Take your time to study it."
Leon did not wait for a reply from the Lancasters before he left. His hand had grown sore from the hours of quick-paced writing.
…
Watching Leon's departing back view for a moment, Ignis turned to his wife and asked, "What did the boy give you?"
"This… is…"
Amelia glanced down at the first page and was startled. She instantly recognized parts of it as that of the levitation stones. Her expression soon turned to shock as she finished skimming through the first page. She wanted to move onto the next page, but she had difficulty holding such a thick stack of paper.
"Hold this for me."
She gave the bottom portion to Ignis to hold, before flipping through the pages one after another. Her expression underwent various changes before it settled on the expression of awe.
"This is incredible! Such great details! Is this the interior of the levitation stones!? Dear, did you take Leon to dismantle one of the airship's levitation stone?" Amelia exclaimed in amazement. However, her question did not receive any response from the Duke.
Did he not hear what she just said, or did he not care? Doesn't he understand the value of this stack of paper after what she just said!? However, she did not snap at her husband since she was in a good mood.
"Dear? What are you reading?"
Amelia removed her eyes from the stack of paper and glanced at her husband, whom appeared to be spellbound, immersed in his reading of what appears to be a cultivation manual. Ignis did snap out of it until he was shaken violently by Amelia's hands.
"Ah? What's up?"
"I said… what are you reading!? Were you deaf!? Why didn't you answer my questions?" Amelia said with a hint of annoyance.
Ignis gawked, before scratching his head wryly. "You can't blame me for this. That boy has given us a priceless treasure. We will not be able to repay this favor."
"Of course, I know it's a priceless treasure, but why do we need to repay Leon? The research is tied to the development of the kingdom. It's not strange for the boy to want to help since he is royalty. His accomplish is worthy of praise. What is this about repaying a favor?"
"Haiz… I'm talking about that. I'm talking about this. How can the chance to reach the legendary Transcendent Realm, not a great favor?" Ignis held up the manual in his hand.
It was the [Fiery God Manual] Leon practiced in his previously life. However, it wasn't exactly the same. It had undergone revision with the [Great Sky Refining Art] as reference to suit the cultivation path of Awakeners due to the lack of spirit energy to cultivate it.
"What? That manual has the method to reach the Transcendent Realm!?" Amelia widened her eyes and stared at the manual in Ignis's hands with great shock. The Transcendent Realm methods was what the royal family kept to stay in power. Could something like that be casually given away!? Was this a test!?
At the side, Rachel was dying of curiosity from the talk between her parents.. She wanted nothing more than to snatch the papers and manual out of her parent's hands for a look herself.