Chapter 415, New Skill
A manuscript?
Wu Heng's eyes lit up.
During his last visit, he had mentioned to Imiro that he wanted necromancer materials on nurturing spirits.
At the time, he had intended to request some related books from the guild and study them gradually.
Now it seemed that Imiro had directly obtained an experimental manuscript.
Such manuscripts documented a mage's research process and detailed procedures.
For those in the mage system, these were rare treasures.
Wu Heng accepted it gratefully. "Thank you, Steward. I'll make a copy and return it to you afterward."
"No need. It's of no use to me. Consider it as an advance on a Tier 3 contribution. Just make sure to repay it later," Imiro replied casually.
Well, it wasn't exactly free.
But this kind of manuscript was worth a Tier 3 contribution, perhaps even more, as it couldn't always be exchanged for contributions.
"Understood, Steward," Wu Heng replied, storing the manuscript in his spatial ring. He then recalled the reward from the Old Barrel Tavern and said, "Steward, the Old Barrel sent me 200 gold coins as a reward for helping to identify the murderer. Since I wasn't at the guild, my assistant had it sent to the front desk. How should I handle this?"
Investigating Macintosh's murder had been assigned by the steward.
Taking this money would be against guild procedures.
It wouldn't matter if no one found out, but there might be hidden complications that could be used against him later.
There were plenty of people hoping to oust him as Deputy Steward.
Imiro said directly, "Keep 100 for yourselves, and give the rest to the guild."
"Understood," Wu Heng nodded.
Seeing no other matters, he left the room.
...…
Returning to his study,
Andviel was organizing documents at the desk while a little owl flew around, chasing a trapped bee.
"Master, you're back!" Andviel said, standing to brew a cup of tea and handing it over.
Wu Heng took it, sipping before sitting at his desk.
"Andviel, head to the front desk and deliver 100 gold coins from the Old Barrel to the steward. Split the remaining amount among Squad Eleven."
"Understood." Andviel nodded and left the room.
Wu Heng took another sip of tea and brought out the manuscript.
Its brown leather cover was aged and creased, with frayed edges from years of use.
Running his fingers over it, the texture felt unnervingly smooth.
When Imiro handed it over, he had thought it was quite thick.
Upon opening, it turned out to only contain a few pages, but the leathery material made the pages thicker than usual.
Flipping through a random page revealed numerous texts, diagrams, and colored pencil-drawn magic formations.
Notes next to the formations detailed arrays, focal points, range of effects, and other professional terms.
No wonder mages were often referred to as scholars.
These technical terms required extensive research, far beyond what other professions could master.
Seeing the dense information within the manuscript gave Wu Heng a sense of awe for this world's mages and their intellectual endeavors to develop magic and rituals.
Having read numerous skill books since arriving in this world, he could somewhat grasp the terminology.
He could just barely understand it.
...…
Wu Heng skimmed through the manuscript.
Just as he prepared to dive deeper, the door opened, and Andviel returned.
She handed over the remaining coin pouch, saying, "Captain Kavina declined multiple times before reluctantly accepting her share."
Wu Heng took the pouch and asked, "What do you want for dinner? Let Minnie prepare something special tonight."
Andviel smiled, sitting sideways on his lap with her arms around his shoulders. "Master, are you introducing us to a new sister tonight?"
Wu Heng raised an eyebrow. "How are you so sure it's a sister?"
"The voice is familiar, and she can come over at night. It's easy to guess." Andviel explained thoughtfully.
This little fox was quite sharp.
Wu Heng shook his head. "Not yet. She's not ready. We'll talk about it when the time comes."
"Alright, Master's decision is final," Andviel said, hesitating briefly before caressing his cheek. "Master, would you ever abandon us?"
Wu Heng froze, not expecting such a question.
He hugged her tightly. "Never. Andviel and Minnie are so well-behaved. I'll always keep you by my side."
Andviel smiled brightly. "Master is the best."
...…
Back at their residence.
It was midday.
After lunch with Minnie, Wu Heng went to the fourth-floor study.
He took out the manuscript and began studying it from the first page.
The contents categorized rituals into three main types:
Detection, illusion, and soul-based attacks.
Each type had varying forms and levels of difficulty.
Rituals were inherently unstable.
Success could enhance a spirit's abilities.
However, failure could weaken the spirit, requiring extended recovery time before it could reappear.
In severe cases, the spirit could suffer cognitive decline, regress into a mindless wraith, or even dissipate entirely.
"There's risk involved," Wu Heng thought, feeling uneasy.
Initially, he had considered enhancing the spirits with minimal concern, thinking it would only cost materials.
Now, he realized there were potential dangers.
Fortunately, he hadn't attempted any rituals blindly.
Otherwise, things could have gone very wrong.
Compared to the manuscript's original owner, who treated spirits as experimental subjects, Wu Heng's bond with his spirits was familial.
They relied on each other. Enhancements were secondary; their ability to scout was already invaluable.
There was no need to take unnecessary risks.
"I'll start with a low-risk ritual," Wu Heng decided.
He reviewed the manuscript for rituals with manageable consequences.
One ritual, "Spirit Vision," caught his eye.
The effects weren't detailed, but its final version was annotated after several failed attempts.
「Spirit Vision: Main materials: Prophet's eyes (or owl's eyes), 50g of Moon Spirit Sand; auxiliary materials: 5g of Shadow Fang Grass powder, 10ml of warlock's blood (or fresh creature blood).」
「Ritual array materials: blood, gold powder.」
"Damn," Wu Heng muttered.
Prophet's eyes?
...…
This was no small demand.
Necromancers' reputation for being despised wasn't unwarranted—their rituals often required specific body parts from certain professions.
Multiple attempts were often needed for each ritual.
It was daunting.
While alternative materials existed,
the fact that Prophet's eyes were listed first suggested they were the preferred choice.
The remaining ingredients were standard alchemical and rune materials.
Having frequently helped skeletal alchemists purchase supplies, Wu Heng had seen these items in shops.
He had warlock's blood in reserve.
Gold powder was also abundant.
This fulfilled the ritual's requirements.
Moreover, the manuscript's notes described the final tested version.
Problems were unlikely.
...…
Wu Heng summoned his two spirits.
One hovered on each side.
Xiaoxiao immediately floated toward a tablet, ready to watch cartoons.
"I've found a method to enhance spirits," Wu Heng announced, bringing her back.
"Does it involve risks?" Xiaoxiao asked.
"The manuscript says failure leads to temporary weakness," Wu Heng explained.
"You or us?"
"The participating spirit," he clarified.
Xiaoxiao pondered. "Will it be a big improvement?"
"There should be some enhancement."
She turned to Glenda. "Aunt Glenda, do you want to try?"
Glenda considered. "I'd like to enhance illusion and telekinesis."
Xiaoxiao clenched her little fists. "I'll do it. Weakness for a few days is nothing."
Wu Heng smiled. "Don't worry, it'll be fine."
"Alright."
"Go back for now. I'll buy the materials."
Both spirits nodded and reentered his body.
...…
After notifying Minnie,
Wu Heng took a carriage to Lighthouse Street.
At the island's largest alchemy supply shop,
the owner smiled when asked. "We have owl eyes, used for dispelling illusions and enhancing perception potions. They're pricey, though."
Relieved they were available, Wu Heng said, "How much?"
"120 silver each."
"I'll take two. Wrap them with the other materials," he said, paying upfront.
The owner, pleased by his decisiveness, packed everything neatly.
Wu Heng took the items, bid farewell, and left.
Passing by the port, he noticed guards stationed everywhere, with workers busily unloading goods.
On a gangplank, he spotted someone from the Old Barrel, chatting with a merchant official.
Leaving the island?
After Macintosh's death, was the Old Barrel disbanding?
Wu Heng glanced but didn't approach.
Boarding a passing carriage, he returned home.
...…
After dinner,
as night fell,
Wu Heng prepared the materials.
Mixing blood and gold powder in a bowl, he meticulously drew the ritual array on the floor.
Though complex, it wasn't difficult for him now.
With the final stroke, the array emitted a faint necrotic aura.
He placed the remaining materials precisely in their designated spots.
"Xiaoxiao, step in," Wu Heng instructed.
Nervously, she said, "If anything happens, save me."
"Don't worry, it'll be fine," he reassured her.
Glenda added, "If something goes wrong, disrupting the materials will stop the ritual."
"Alright," Xiaoxiao said, entering the array.
The blood-red formation glowed, enveloping the materials.
Under the light, the materials crumbled into energy clusters, converging on Xiaoxiao.
Swirling together like a vortex, the energy fused into her.
When it ended, she returned to her usual form.
[Spirit Skill Unlocked: Spirit Vision. ]
Success.
Hearing the notification, Wu Heng was overjoyed.
Just as he thought, following the final notes ensured success.
Xiaoxiao floated groggily. "Is it done?"
"Yes, come here," Wu Heng beckoned.
The array faded, leaving only iron-black sand hinting at its shape.
"It's over?"
Wu Heng, seeing her confusion, held up three fingers. "How many?"
"I'm in senior class, you know."
"Just answer."
"Three," she said.
"Good. No issues," he smiled.
"You're mean, Uncle," Xiaoxiao pouted, crossing her arms as she floated out.
Glenda asked about her experience.
Xiaoxiao tried to articulate it.
Wu Heng opened her panel to check the new skill.
[Spirit Vision]: The spirit can discern the levels of observed targets.
Level detection?
Straightforward, yet promising.
The emphasis on eyes as materials explained the enhanced detection ability.
Delighted, he realized this could identify high-level enemies on the battlefield.
Targeting key foes in crowds would become much easier.
"Uncle, where's this ability? I can't find it," Xiaoxiao asked, flying back.
Wu Heng explained, "It enhances your detection. You can see others' levels. Try using it like you toggle invisibility."
Xiaoxiao nodded, attempting it.
Her eyes widened as she looked at Wu Heng and Glenda. "I see it! Uncle has a red aura, and Aunt Glenda's is light red."
"That corresponds to levels. Mine's red for level 15; Glenda's light red for level 10," Wu Heng explained.
"Oh, can I go outside?" Xiaoxiao asked eagerly.
"Go ahead, but avoid the central area."
"Okay!"
Xiaoxiao flew out, thrilled.
Wu Heng headed to the fourth-floor bedroom cautiously.
...…
While debating whether to invite the maid for rest,
Xiaoxiao returned.
"Uncle, I saw that bald man at the port. He's leaving by boat," she reported.
"The Old Barrel's bald leader?"
"Yes, with several others. They've left the island."
Departing?
Was the Old Barrel abandoning operations?
Or was this a covert midnight escape?
"Let me see."
Xiaoxiao reentered his body.
A shared vision appeared.
At a secluded port, six people were boarding a small boat.
Under 「Spirit Vision」's effect,
their glowing auras stood out vividly in the night.
Among them, five had light red auras. One, cloaked and masked, radiated a brilliant red.
A level 15 professional.
So, the Old Barrel had a strong figure after all.