Chapter 533: Dark Demon Under the Blazing Sun (4k)
Starting from the evening of August 23rd, when he began studying the frescoes in the Moon Goddess Temple, Dark did not allow himself to be distracted by anything else.
He tried to think independently, only occasionally seeking help from Claire and Alvaraite when encountering truly difficult problems.
Claire and Alvaraite knew he was researching “Moon Goddess Power,” but they were unaware that he was delving into something more fundamental.
The commonality between “Bliss” and “Moon Goddess Power” meant that Dark didn’t need to hide his research.
The evolution of the golem spirits seemed to be explained by this.
After quietly discussing with Claire, Alvaraite felt that teaching Dark swordsmanship was putting the cart before the horse.
Dark had clearly taken his own path in mana technology research.
And that path was undoubtedly one with boundless potential!
Whether it was the divinity displayed by “Bastemon” or the frequent emanation of moon goddess energy by “Soul of the Moon Goddess,” these all pointed to this conclusion.
The world had opened a door for him.
As a parent, all he needed to do was watch over him.
…
However, Dark’s study of the frescoes did not proceed smoothly.
In fact, by the evening of August 26th, he had completely abandoned the attempt to fully interpret the fresco.
The recorded fresco and the original fresco etched on the temple walls clearly lacked something essential.
His current research was like trying to understand the internal structure of a rocket by looking at its photo—it was simply impossible to reach a conclusion.
Therefore, on the evening of the 26th, he finally decided to try a different method.
That was, compiling and simplifying the fresco using an extremely unique method, ultimately transforming it into a magical circuit similar to a circuit board.
Then, he would loop this magical circuit and engrave it onto a mana card.
The overall design would mimic that of the Moon Goddess Temple.
In the center of the mana card, he would carve either the “Bliss” or “Pride” emblem to replace the original image of the Moon Goddess.
Although Dark’s goal was to create “Pride IV,” under the current circumstances, experimenting with “Bliss” first was a more sensible approach.
Fortunately, he still had 0.5 points of “Bliss,” which wouldn’t be too painful even if used.
…
With a plan in mind, Dark spent a night preparing and started simplifying—or rather, mystifying—the fresco on the morning of August 27th.
So-called mystic patterns were essentially the precursors to magic incantations.
When mages had yet to develop corresponding magic scripts and written incantations, they used magical patterns to record spells or etch magic circles.
In other words, mystic patterns were images, while magic incantations were texts.
Dark’s research in this area was limited, but he could still convert the fresco into a mystic pattern through a certain format.
Mystic patterns were mainly composed of geometric shapes and lines. If spread out, they would give a direct sense of geometric beauty.
The entire process of mystic transformation was akin to proportional reduction but much more complex.
The basic requirement was to allow mana to permeate the entire mystic pattern and produce a magic effect.
Generally, this magic effect was incomplete but would still create a feeling.
It was like not being able to release a small fireball, but feeling a slight increase in temperature.
This was largely Dark’s ultimate goal.
He needed to simplify the fresco into a mystic pattern that emitted special waves, and then conduct further experiments.
At two o’clock in the early morning of August 28th, after nearly twenty hours of effort, he finally completed the initial mystification.
Immediately afterward, he went to sleep and woke up six hours later to continue.
He spent about two hours checking and adjusting the mystic pattern and then took a blank mana card to make the base according to the precise method of making an emotion card.
Once the base was ready, he planned the positions on it and used a mana pen to inscribe the mystic pattern.
No detail could be overlooked in this process.
Despite concentrating, Dark made mistakes during the first inscription and had to start over.
Only after completing the circular mystic pattern did he breathe a sigh of relief, taking out the mana dropper to absorb the remaining 0.5 points of “Bliss” and placing the tip of the mana dropper on the position of the “Moon Goddess.”
Due to special treatment, this time the “Bliss” did not spread outwards as usual after dripping.
It floated on the surface like a drop of water, emitting a faint misty aura.
Dark carefully picked up the mana pen, infused it with mana, causing it to flow through the mercury axis to the tip, extending outward to form an extremely fine point.
Then, he used precise techniques to manipulate the mana, drawing the “Bliss” into the shape of the “Bliss” emblem.
Upon completion, the emblem seeped into the base of the mana card, leaving a light pink mark.
After waiting for about two minutes.
Dark proceeded to the next step, inscribing the foundational formation including the 7th炼成阵, aiming to achieve effects such as imprinting, refining, amplifying, preventing loss, and auto-recovery.
Once all the intricate formations required for making an emotion card were drawn, Dark began applying the final sealing liquid.
Soon, the mana card, using only 0.5 points of “Bliss,” was complete.
Dark carefully examined the mana card.
The fully formed mana card had a complex mystic pattern around the edges, with the “Bliss” emblem engraved in the upper middle, and a very light pink background.
Dark frowned slightly, pondering, then reached out to touch the mana card and attempted to inject mana.
Without needing to inject much mana, the mana card immediately reacted.
The complex mystic pattern around the edges lit up, floating off the card surface and expanding and contracting like a ring.
The “Bliss” emblem also lit up, complementing the pattern.
A subtle sense of joy began to arise in Dark’s heart.
Suddenly regaining his senses, he took out the card 【Magical Beast: Eevee】 from his deck, first canceling the summon, then reactivating it.
In truth, because the imp beast had been active as a familiar in daily life, Dark couldn’t summon it directly this way.
Otherwise, its special status would remain unshaken.
“Eevee?”
The summoned little Eevee tilted its head and called out affectionately.
During the last few days of the holiday, several tutors were cramming their teachings into the minds of the mana spirits, so they were all very busy.
“Let’s do an experiment.”
Dark waved the mana card, and after getting a nod from little Eevee, he recited the standard summoning spell.
Moments later, a faint pink light emanated from the emblem on the card and illuminated little Eevee’s forehead.
In response, a “Bliss” emblem appeared on little Eevee’s forehead, and a faint pink glow radiated from its body.
Its expression softened slightly, appearing quite comfortable.
But that was all.
The mana card created with 0.5 points of “Bliss” only demonstrated the effect of a “happiness card.”
Dark furrowed his brows.
He clearly sensed that the mystic pattern was indeed functioning—though he couldn’t discern the specific effect, the emblem replacing the Moon Goddess was activated.
According to his idea, this mana card should theoretically produce an effect close to “Bliss I,” immersing Eevee in bliss.
“It might be because Eevee has developed resistance to the emotional changes caused by ‘Bliss.'”
Dark turned to look at the two thought bottles on the table, pondered for a moment, then turned back to Eevee and said, “Go back to class first.”
Little Eevee came in confusion and left just as confused, without taking anything away.
…
Following this, Dark took out another mana card and followed the same method to make it.
This time, however, the emblem replacing the Moon Goddess was “Pride.”
Since he had a total of 35 points of “Pride,” he decided to use a full point of “Pride” for this experiment.
The main purpose of this experiment was to test whether the mystic pattern effective for “Bliss” would also work for “Pride.”
After more than an hour, he finally completed the formation.
A brand new “Pride I” appeared before him.
Given his clear thinking, he had some confidence in the basic effects of this “Pride I” upon its completion.
Therefore, this time he didn’t immediately summon little Eevee for the experiment but paused and stepped out of the lab.
As soon as he opened the door, he saw Olivia waiting outside.
Presumably, Olivia had been looking for a chance to call him for dinner.
Dark nodded at her and quickly headed to the dining room, arriving just before the meal ended, and grabbed the greasy little imp beast.
If it were a test subject, the little imp beast was indeed the most suitable.
Dark took the newly made “Pride I” and called the little imp beast to a corner, then activated the mana card.
As the “Pride” emblem shot out a dark gold light, the little imp beast instinctively tightened its toes.
Dark could see the skull pattern on its forehead fading and transforming into the “Pride” emblem.
Then it abruptly closed its eyes, gritted its teeth, and firmly pressed its lips together, undoubtedly resisting the erosion of “Pride” with its will.
To be honest, the little imp beast had indeed made significant progress in the past year, even in its temperament and willpower.
It successfully resisted and did not sit idly by due to “Pride I.”
However, Dark could still discern the effects of this “Pride I” from its reaction.
Then he pointed to an empty spot and said, “Use ‘Small Dart.'”
The little imp beast immediately opened its eyes and condensed a shark-headed syringe under its wings.
Before it could shoot, Dark tapped its head and said, “Stop.”
The little imp beast’s face froze, but the experiment was already complete.
As a familiar, the little imp beast was incapable of any ultimate skills before being sealed within the “Spell Cage.”
However, “Pride I” could grant it an ultimate skill.
Successfully summoning the “Small Dart” indicated that this “Pride I” was indeed effective.
But that was all.
Dark did not find any difference compared to the previous “Pride I.”
However, this would change over time.
This “Pride I” returned to a usable state in fifty minutes!
This meant the cooldown time, originally close to an hour, was reduced by ten points!
…
This discovery undoubtedly boosted Dark’s confidence in the mystic pattern.
Because it meant the pattern was indeed having an effect.
Moreover, it enhanced “Pride I” to some extent!
…
After careful consideration, he decided to use 3 points of “Pride” for a more detailed observation.
Thirty points of “Pride” were too much, and he still hesitated to try without further observation and adjustment.
However, 3 points of “Pride” could be used to create a “Pride II.”
Though not as useful as “Pride III,” “Pride II” could enhance the star levels of the little imp beast, Eevee, and Ditto.
Of course, if there was excess “Pride,” he might use 10 points to observe this experiment at the rate of “Pride III.”
For this experiment, he became even more focused and meticulous, making minute adjustments to the mystic pattern based on subtle mana fluctuations, ensuring smoother mana conduction.
Around two o’clock in the afternoon, he completed the creation of this “Pride II” and summoned 【Magical Beast: Eevee】 to his side.
Before this, Dark already had two “Pride II” cards.
However, one was new and the other old. The old “Pride II” enabled Eevee to gain “Mimic” and “Full Moon” as ultimate skills when reaching the second star.
The new “Pride II” could grant Eevee an additional third ultimate skill—”Help”!
This was a change not visible on the little imp beast.
According to Dark’s expectations, if this third “Pride II” proved better, it could very likely turn 【Magical Beast: Eevee】 into a golden card with four ultimate skills at the second star!
This was clearly a good benchmark.
Dark scratched under little Eevee’s chin and aimed the “Pride II” at it.
Eevee immediately tensed its mouth, focusing to prepare for the experiment.
As the dark gold light released by “Pride II” was fully absorbed, it couldn’t help but squint and raise its head proudly.
Dark quickly checked its information.
[Card Name: Magical Beast (Eevee)]
[Type: Elemental Card]
[Level: ??]
[Race: Avian-beast Kin]
[Attribute: Normal]
[Mana: 500]
[Attack: 700]
[Defense: 300]
[Ultimate Skills: Mimic, Full Moon, Help, Sunny Day]
The attributes remained unchanged, but it indeed became a gold card!
Moreover, after this star upgrade, Eevee gained a fourth ultimate skill—a field spell—”Sunny Day”!
