Chapter 135: Flash of Lightning and Energy Conversion

“Knight Technique—Flash of Lightning, Word Spirit—Energy Conversion?” George asked in confusion.

Bearing George’s questioning gaze, Sir Val did not give an answer directly but asked in return: “You might not have heard of them before! But listening to the literal meaning, you should be able to guess their general effects.”

“Then I will speak directly; it doesn’t matter if I am wrong!” George became increasingly suspicious of the significance of Sir Val’s behavior. As he spoke, he also looked around the interior of the side hall with a skeptical gaze. From the statue in the corner to the murals on the wall, nothing escaped his notice, but he seemed to have discovered nothing.

At the same time, in a windowless room in the Manor, three guys who looked like adult men were gathered around a Crystal Ball placed on a velvet cushion.

There seemed to be something inside that crystal clear Crystal Ball; upon closer inspection, one would find that it seemed to be an image. If one distinguished it further, one could see that the protagonists in this image were George and Sir Val.

“He seems a bit suspicious?” Looking in the direction of the voice, one discovered that the speaker was actually Hiren.

” worthy of being my son, he is consistently sharp in this regard!” One did not need to look to know that this showing-off statement was spoken by Viscount Bolerum.

“I think it is clearly because Isolde’s acting skills are too poor that George became suspicious.” The one who blatantly spoke ill of Sir Val could be none other than Sir Bart.

“That’s right, my father’s acting skills are indeed not very good.” At this time, Hiren, as a son, did not have any concerns in this regard at all; he actually helped Sir Bart tease his father, siding with an outsider.

However, Sir Bart’s attention was clearly not on Hiren’s words at this moment; he said with some lingering interest: “It’s a pity we can’t hear any sound here! This situation always makes people feel like something is missing.”

Viscount Bolerum patted Sir Bart on the shoulder and said with a somewhat malicious expression: “Kobudo, if you really want to be there in person, you can go replace Isolde, right? It’s a pity you didn’t mention this matter yourself before!”

“I don’t have as much wealth as Isolde; I simply can’t bring out rare generic Knight Techniques and Word Spirits.” Sir Bart complained, and anyone with normal intelligence could hear the envy, jealousy, and hate in his words.

In fact, Sir Bart did not lack relatively rare generic Knight Techniques and Word Spirits, but for him, those were all bottom-of-the-box items. He couldn’t act like a rich local tyrant like Sir Val, able to give them to George as gifts. From this point of view, his envy, jealousy, and hate were not without reason.

Viscount Bolerum scratched his cheek with his finger, sighed, and said: “Be a bit more open-minded like me! There is nothing good to compare with a guy like Isolde who is favored by the Plane’s will. I recognize this very clearly; besides, he also has difficulties that others cannot understand!”

Then, without waiting for Sir Bart to refute, he waved his hand to stop the other from speaking: “Except for a few of us friends who grew up together in the Territory, and those followers who adventured with him on the Continent. Only these few juniors he taught can interact with him with a normal heart. As for the friends he made outside before, now when they are with him, they either have ulterior motives or are trembling with fear. Although he never mentions this in front of us, and often goes to the Tavern to attend friends’ gatherings since coming to Karada. But in reality, I can still see that kind of loneliness. Perhaps only through communication methods like letters that don’t require meeting in person can those past friends show their true feelings to him!”

Immediately, the expressions of the other two people in the room became very wonderful. Whether it was Sir Bart or Hiren, the expressions of both gave people a feeling of shock. Yes, the performance of the two, which was almost jaw-dropping, although not exaggerated, was indeed because they could not accept the sentence they just heard for a while, so they appeared a bit dazed.

Looking at the two in front of him, Viscount Bolerum pressed his head, indicating that he had a headache.

“Clap! Clap! Clap!” Viscount Bolerum clapped his hands three times in a row before waking the two up from their state of being lost in thought.

Viscount Bolerum put his arm on Hiren’s shoulder and said: “You are now a Formal Knight; you need to share some things for your father. Don’t look at how glamorous his performance is, but in fact, I’m afraid not many people know his own bitterness. The title of Sword of Dawn is not just an honor but also a burden and responsibility. I hope you can understand him, although in the past he was not very good at expressing his love for you. But you really caused him a lot of trouble too!”

Hiren opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he did not say it. Then he closed his mouth and slumped onto a large armchair beside him.

Having settled one of the knights, Viscount Bolerum continued his efforts and turned his gaze to Sir Bart beside him. He saw him put his arm around the other’s neck without any pretense and said: “Kobudo, given the gap between the two of us and Isolde, unless some miracle happens. Otherwise, it seems there is no chance to catch up in this lifetime. But not being able to compare in this lifetime doesn’t mean we can’t compare in the next. Cultivate your children well, and find a way for their future achievements to surpass Hiren, wouldn’t that work too! Anyway, I have great hopes for George, and you should have confidence in Craig too. Who can say for sure about the future! Especially for these children who have infinite possibilities.”

Viscount Bolerum’s voice was really not quiet, and he did not avoid Hiren beside him at all. However, that kid didn’t show any reaction to Viscount Bolerum’s statement; it seemed that his friend’s strength was also a motivation for him to move forward! Judging from the current situation: just in terms of strength, no one among the young generation in the Bolerum Territory could really pose a threat to him.

The older ones did not show any particularly outstanding qualifications, and George, who looked the most talented, was a full four years younger than him. The gap of four years of training could not be made up by talent and training alone, especially during the rapid growth period of adolescence.

Unfortunately, Sir Bart showed a bitter smile after hearing this, and Hiren, who saw this scene, also cast a sympathetic look at Sir Bart. It seemed that except for Viscount Bolerum, who stayed in Karada for a long time, everyone was very disappointed in Craig’s performance.

After all, as the Secretary of the Duchy, Viscount Bolerum had too many things to care about, and his attention to the younger generation mostly stayed on his son George and the newly promoted Knight Hiren. The latter might also be related to his past behavior of often making a fool of himself. He didn’t actually pay much attention to the others, and Craig, the youngest, although not outstanding, didn’t do anything out of line either. So the person responsible for gathering information didn’t give Viscount Bolerum many records about him; in this regard, whether it was Alci Baptiste, who often bickered with his father, or the troublemaker Ultrad Fukna, they were much better than him.

Viscount Bolerum realized that he seemed to have stepped on a landmine, and in his heart, he cursed all over the confidant responsible for observing and recording information in the Territory. However, the most important thing at the moment was how to alleviate this awkward atmosphere. Viscount Bolerum cast a help-seeking look at Hiren, who understood and spoke up: “We seem to have missed something; now let’s not waste time on irrelevant matters. Two uncles, don’t forget our purpose in coming here tonight.”

“But Lord Viscount, how did you think of using this surveillance Crystal Ball to do such a thing? This is really a genius idea!” Sir Bart, who had already understood, immediately freed himself from the previous situation. However, whether it was a real relief or just a surface effort, no one cared at this time. Anyway, thanks to this, the previous awkward atmosphere was swept away.

“It’s a pity we can’t hear any sound!” Hiren also complained this time.

Viscount Bolerum said angrily: “Be content with this! This was originally used to monitor the Manor during enemy invasions. We didn’t consider the aspect of sound at the time; who would have thought that today we would actually use it to watch a show.”

“Those things are to blame for George’s perception ability being too high; if we went to the scene, we would definitely be discovered. I heard Isolde say that George’s eyes can now see through illusions. I don’t want to be embarrassed after being discovered.” Sir Bart said somewhat helplessly.

Viscount Bolerum spoke up: “Stop talking and watch the show properly; there aren’t many opportunities like this. If it weren’t for Craig’s mouth really being unable to keep a secret, I would have called him along too.”

“Who says that? Craig’s mouth has always been very tight, okay.” Sir Bart immediately retorted.

Hiren, who was on the side, added the finishing touch at just the right time: “But he is really too easy to get information out of. Mr. Bart, didn’t you see that George is already suspicious? Tomorrow he will definitely start with Craig first; fortunately, he doesn’t know about tonight’s matter yet. Otherwise, Lord Viscount might be fine, but the rest of us would definitely have to bleed heavily.”

At this time in the side hall, Sir Val looked at George with interest and said: “It doesn’t matter; you can treat this as a game. Just think of it as us killing time together since we are idle! It definitely won’t have any impact on the gift itself.”

After thinking for a while, George gave his guess: “Okay! I will guess. Knight Technique—Flash of Lightning has two possibilities. Judging from the literal meaning, it is either an extremely fast surprise attack skill, or it is related to lightning energy. And is Word Spirit—Energy Conversion related to the Mage Transmutation School’s seventh-ring spell, Energy Conversion Force Field! And combining your statement that the two can cooperate with each other, I think the possibility of Flash of Lightning being related to lightning energy is greater.”

Energy Conversion Force Field was known as the most expensive spell in the Mage’s Transmutation School’s seventh ring. It was less like a spell and more like a quick method of setting up a position. Although the casting materials alone cost: three drops of the caster’s blood, an eyeball of a humanoid creature, and Diamond powder worth at least 5000 Gold Coins. It was said that like Spell Permanency, it also caused a certain amount of permanent damage to the caster’s spirit. But because the position effect was permanent, Mages who did not have their own Mage Towers still liked to use it in their residences.

According to the spell description: It could enable an area to absorb Magic energy from Magic Items or spells and use this energy to cast bound spells. For example, Energy Conversion Force Field could be bound with Summon Monster V; when the area absorbed enough energy, it would automatically summon a creature.

This Force Field could absorb energy generated when spells, spell-like abilities, or supernatural abilities were cast, as well as when Magic Items were used. Each level of the absorbed spell could give the Force Field energy of the same level. Supernatural abilities with similar spells would give the Force Field energy equal to the spell level; supernatural abilities without similar spells would give the Force Field energy equal to the energy of a similar spell used by that creature type.

For example: casting Fireball or using a Fireball Magic Wand would add 3 points of energy to the Force Field, Cure Light Wounds would add 1 point of energy, Wish or a Ring of Three Wishes would add 9 points. Items without a clearly stated spell level (such as Rods) would use the highest spell level required to create them (so an Immovable Rod would provide 2 points of energy to the Force Field, just like the Levitate spell required to make it). The absorbed effect was as if it were not used, but the number of uses would still be consumed.

The Force Field would only absorb spell effects cast within the area. Spell effects just passing through this area, spell effects cast outside the area and entering the area, and persistent Magic Items (such as a +1 Enchanted Mace) seemed to have their effects weakened, but were actually unaffected. For example, the light of Continual Flame became dim, but it would not really go out.

Energy Conversion Force Field could be bound to a designated spell. When the spell levels absorbed by the Force Field were enough to cast the bound spell, it would automatically cast this spell at the designated location in the area. However, the caster had to specify the location when creating this Force Field and could not change it. This would consume the absorbed spell energy, and unused energy would continue to be stored until used. The effect of the cast spell was the same as if the caster himself had cast it. Absorbed energy would decrease at a rate of one point per day. The Force Field would cast the bound spell after absorbing enough spell energy and the previously cast spell terminating. If the bound spell required concentration to maintain, the Force Field would pay one point of energy per hour to provide concentration, and of course, the Force Field’s concentration would end after the spell was completely finished. Spells requiring designated targets would automatically target the nearest creature.

It was said that the most common bound spells for Energy Conversion Force Field were Blindness/Deafness, Fireball, Suggestion, Summon Monster, or Wall of Force. However, spells requiring rare materials that ignored spell components or spiritual sacrifices could not be bound, but spells requiring focuses could be, as the focuses could be used repeatedly, placing them in walls or hidden small rooms.

It is also worth mentioning that only a Mage’s Disjunction, Limited Wish, Wish, or similar spells could dispel Energy Conversion Force Field. Lower-level spells, such as Dispel Magic and Greater Dispel Magic, would be absorbed; Anti-Magic Field could prevent the Force Field from absorbing spell energy but could not dispel this spell. If two or more Force Fields overlapped, each Force Field could gain energy from the absorbed spells. This made it, although there were ways to crack it, still very difficult.

If that Energy Conversion was really related to this, then George would have made a huge profit.

“Cough! Cough!” Sir Val cleared his throat and said: “You guessed half right; the Knight Technique Flash of Lightning was researched by me. Just as you said, this is a Knight Technique that uses lightning energy. Its prototype is the Thunderbird Possession of the northern Barbarians’ Shamans.”

Next, Sir Val explained the principle of Thunderbird Possession to George: it was channeling the spirit of the Thunderbird from the Wings of the Nine Heavens into the body, using the effect of lightning to paralyze people, and using thunderous attacks to stun enemies. And Flash of Lightning was an attack skill improved on this basis. It was not a continuous state like Thunderbird Possession, but a striking skill with only one strike per use. Of course, in this way, the learning difficulty and restrictions were much less. Shaman’s Secret Arts were not so easy for Knights to learn.

After listening to Sir Val’s explanation, George raised his question: “Does it have both lightning and thunder damage methods at the same time?”

“Yes! The thunder among them is sonic damage. This is enough for you to deal with most energy-body creatures. Of course, to better restrain enemies, the Word Spirit Energy Conversion is indispensable.” Sir Val said while gesturing, “Speaking of the Word Spirit Energy Conversion, although it was developed by people in the past using Energy Conversion Force Field as a reference. But in fact, it does not have that effect; in fact, it is closer to the Elemental Mastery among the High Arcane abilities of Archmages.”

Elemental Mastery: An Archmage could change an Arcane spell when casting it, replacing the normal element with a different element. This ability could only change spells with the following descriptions: acid, cold, fire, electricity, sonic. The casting time of the converted Arcane spell was not affected. The caster could choose whether to convert the spell energy type before starting to cast, and designate the new energy type of this Arcane spell. It was said that the model constructed within the Mage’s mental space for this ability needed to permanently occupy the mental power of an eighth-ring spell. That is to say, a Mage who obtained this ability would have one fewer eighth-ring spell than others under the same conditions.

“Indeed a very practical ability!” George could not help but sigh.

Sir Val smiled and said: “You understand, but the Energy Conversion ability has relatively high requirements for the spirit. Although you have good talent in this regard, it is normal if the progress is slow. Although this Word Spirit has consumption every time, it has an advantage over Elemental Mastery in that it can also convert into Positive Energy and Negative Energy.”