Chapter 259: Lakyus's Pressure, Tenth-tier? Nightly Rendezvous
Four magic skills, two of which were for magic enhancement, which goes without saying.
Tang Zheng had always felt that skills in YGGDRASIL like 'Maximize Magic' were somewhat similar to the 'Metamagic Feat' type of techniques in other games.
It fell into the category of techniques one might not always use, but could not afford to lack.
As for the remaining two magic spells, one was a large-area-of-effect control skill, the kind of crowd control magic Tang Zheng currently lacked the most.
The other, "Gravity Reversal," was only a fourth-tier spell, but it seemed like a rather practical skill, so Tang Zheng learned it as well.
As for the "Earth Crystal Specialization" type of magic used by Evileye, Tang Zheng did not learn it. He was not lacking in offensive magical abilities.
Moreover.
He did not have an elementalist class with a "Crystal Specialization." Even if he used skill points to learn it, it would only manifest as a normal magical ability in his hands and would not receive any enhancement.
"Evileye still held back. To have obtained these four magic spells from a battle of that caliber is not bad."
Tang Zheng walked to the window, gazing at the distant Royal Capital as it was gradually enveloped by dusk. A profound look flickered in his eyes, and then he gently shook his head.
Evileye's truly powerful techniques are skills like "Negative Energy Rampage." As an undead, she wouldn't lack dark-attribute attack magic.
This type of magic is extremely effective against angels, but Evileye never used it, most likely to conceal her identity.
She also didn't reveal other abilities like "Accelerate Magic Power Recovery."
At the same time!
Blue Rose Headquarters.
While Tang Zheng was feeling regretful about his limited gains, Lakyus and the others were also discussing him.
To be precise, they were discussing the sudden, astonishing battle.
Gagaran's muscular body leaned back on the sofa, her arms resting on its sides. She clenched her fists, making the thick lines of her muscles contract powerfully. "Now that really gets my blood pumping! A battle that powerful and exciting, I was itching to jump in myself."
"You muscle-bound woman, you'd just get sent flying in the first second," Evileye said flatly, sitting on a single brown sofa not far away.
"What do you mean, muscle-bound woman? I'm a delicate female warrior."
Gagaran retorted loudly with a pout.
Unfortunately, her brawny, muscular frame and the prominent veins on her neck proved that Gagaran was anything but "delicate."
"Still, your intuition is sharp. To think you saw that early on that we were no match." Despite her words, there wasn't a trace of fear in Gagaran's eyes. Instead, she seemed eager for a fight:
"It was my first time seeing a fifth-tier angel. That's completely the power of the Heroic Realm. But if it were just two fourth-tier angels, I could probably hold them off for a while."
Gagaran pulled back her left arm, opened her hand, and vigorously rubbed her chin. She recalled the battle in the Royal Capital and spoke softly:
"The angel monster's methods are relatively simple. It wouldn't be a problem to block them using martial skills. But I'd still lose because there's no way to get close. I'd just be worn down to death."
"Hmph."
Tia let out a flat hum. "Frontal combat has never been an assassin's strong suit."
"It probably wouldn't work. The monster beside him must be a measure to prevent assassination and sneak attacks."
Tina shook her head, pondering seriously. "A monster's sense of smell, hearing, and perception are far stronger than a human's. And the size of that evil spirit hound means it's not an ordinary one; it would only be stronger in that regard."
"My apologies, Tia, Tina. I couldn't retrieve your assassination equipment," Evileye suddenly said, her tone a little embarrassed.
"It's fine."
"It doesn't matter now. He's so powerful, it's not shameful for our assassination equipment to have fallen into his hands."
Tia and Tina, on the contrary, didn't seem to mind, being quite philosophical about it.
"Given his power."
Evileye said, then looked at the silent Lakyus. "Among us, the only ones who could fight him independently, besides me, would be you, Captain."
"Ah."
Lakyus looked up, a bitter smile in her beautiful, jade-green eyes. "You'll make me blush. In reality, I don't think I'm a match for that Lord Tang."
Evileye shook her head.
"No."
"The black-haired man hasn't stepped into the Heroic Realm... Hmm, that's not entirely accurate."
"In terms of his ability as a faith-type caster, he indeed has not reached that realm."
Evileye pondered for a moment before speaking seriously.
The fourth tier corresponds to levels 22-28. The people of this otherworld cannot accurately determine levels like Players can, but they can make a rough estimate.
Evileye couldn't ascertain Tang Zheng's skill in alchemy, so she wasn't certain if he had truly stepped into the Heroic Realm.
As soon as she said this.
Lakyus and the others showed obvious looks of confusion and surprise.
"I know what you're thinking. The black-haired man was able to summon a fifth-tier angel because he used a special magic-enhancing ability like 'Magic Ascension'."
Evileye met their gazes and spoke in an unhurried tone, "It's a type of enhancement that can forcibly raise one's own spellcasting level by one tier, a technique similar to 'Maximize Magic.'"
"It's an exceedingly rare ability, which is why I'm certain the black-haired man's faith-type level hasn't reached the Heroic Realm."
Gagaran and the others revealed looks of dawning realization and shock.
"As a woman who serves a god, how can I give up so easily."
Lakyus muttered almost inaudibly. A flicker of flames flashed in her jade-green eyes, and she suddenly raised her arm to pump herself up:
"I won't give up so easily! In one year, I will step into the Heroic Realm!"
As a true genius, Lakyus had never felt pressure like this before, especially since Tang Zheng looked to be around her age.
All this time.
Although she had never been conceited about her talent, she possessed the pride of a genius and a strong individual. Or perhaps, deep down, she had unknowingly grown complacent.
Senior Rigrit arranging for Evileye to join the Blue Rose she had formed was perhaps a way to remind her not to slack off.
But!
Lakyus had never felt such real pressure as she did today.
*I will not lose—Lord Tang!*
Faced with a suddenly fired-up Lakyus, Gagaran and the others exchanged glances. Although they weren't sure why she had suddenly become so passionate, they were happy for their captain.
They believed that with Lakyus's talent, she could indeed achieve it.
Behind her mask, a faint smile also appeared on Evileye's youthful face.
"Wait a minute!"
Tia stared at Evileye. "According to what you said, if that guy raised his faith-type spellcasting ability to the Heroic Realm, would he be able to forcibly summon a sixth-tier angel?"
"What I mean is, do sixth-tier angels even exist?"
"Of course. Magic has ten tiers."
Evileye nodded very naturally. "But don't worry, the magic power cost of 'Magic Ascension' is enormous. The higher the tier of magic used, the greater the consumption of magic power. It's something that has to be kept as a trump card..."
Evileye hadn't even finished speaking.
"Wait!"
"Hold on!"
"Stop!"
A series of voices rang out at the same time.
Evileye looked doubtfully at the others, who were all staring intently at her. "Is there a problem?"
"Did you just say the tenth tier?" Tina had already stood up from the sofa.
In the common understanding, being able to use fourth-tier magic was already an astonishing achievement. As for fifth-tier magic, it was a realm that even a genius would have to strive for with all their might to reach.
"That's right. I've only heard about it myself. It's probably a power that only legendary beings like the Six Great Gods or the Eight Greed Kings could use."
Evileye opened her mouth. "Have I never mentioned this before?"
Everyone shook their heads.
***
Night fell upon the Royal Capital.
In a corridor of the palace.
Renner walked with her head lowered, returning in the direction of the castle. Along the way, maids on both sides bowed to her.
Rarely, Renner did not respond with her usual kindness and gentleness. However, all the maids knew that Her Highness must not be in a good mood.
News of what had happened during the day had already spread throughout the Royal Palace.
Although the commotion was caused by the two adventurer teams, Blue Rose and Free Will, as the one who invited them, Renner had surely been reprimanded by His Highness the King.
Leinas and Climb followed closely behind Renner.
Climb occasionally glanced at the figure ahead, his eyes filled with worry. The shockingly terrifying combat he had witnessed today had completely shattered his understanding of power.
He wanted to protect Her Highness with all his might, yet he also understood that he could never reach such a level, no matter how hard he tried.
It is for that very reason!
That he had to train even more desperately.
Climb fiercely made up his mind.
The three of them arrived before a luxurious door.
"You two can go back first," Renner stopped and turned to Leinas and Climb, speaking gently.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Climb immediately bowed respectfully. "Please rest well."
Seeing Climb turn and leave while Leinas remained standing in place, Renner asked curiously, "Leinas, is something the matter? Come in and we can talk."
Leinas nodded, raised her arm, and pushed the door open first.
Renner stepped into the great hall, but her shoulders stiffened the next moment. A strange look appeared in her sapphire pupils, but it returned to normal in an instant.
And there!
Sitting on a sofa in the great hall was a figure who had already left, someone who absolutely should not have been there at this time.
Tang Zheng sat on the luxurious sofa, flipping through a thick, notebook-like book. From time to time, glimmers of magic power flashed in his eyes.
[Decipher Magic]
The arrival of Renner didn't make Tang Zheng look up in the slightest, a complete departure from his previous, more courteous demeanor.
It was as if the true master of this place was not Renner, but him.
Faced with a situation that would warrant calling the guards.
One that could even be described as an assassination attempt.
Renner showed no panic. Instead, a faint smile played on her lips as she swayed her skirt to the center of the great hall and sat down opposite Tang Zheng without any hesitation.
Seeing that Tang Zheng was still looking at the notebook.
Renner did not disturb him. Instead, she picked up a magic item—a thermos—from the tea table, unscrewed it, and poured out still-steaming black tea, pushing it in front of Tang Zheng.
Then, unhurriedly, she poured a cup for herself.
This magic item could keep the temperature and quality of the beverage inside unchanged for a period of time. It was one of Renner's favorite magic items.
She especially used it when hosting important guests, but rarely at other times.
Leinas also came forward from behind, but this time she did not stand behind Renner. Instead, she stood behind Tang Zheng.
From an outsider's perspective, if this weren't the Royal Palace, one would probably think the true master here was Tang Zheng.
There wasn't much information recorded in the notebook.
Tang Zheng didn't take long to finish reading it. It contained information about various adventurers, primarily of Orichalcum rank, not just from the Kingdom but also intelligence on adventurers from other countries.
The most detailed records were on Blue Rose. His own team, Free Will, was also recorded, but there wasn't much information.
"You don't mind, do you?" Tang Zheng closed the notebook and placed it on the table.
Renner reached out with a delicate finger, tucking her golden hair behind her ear, and said softly, "This is something Climb recorded."
"He enjoys collecting all sorts of heroic tales, adventurer's adventure tales, and these kinds of little-known stories of heroes."
This was a little hobby that Climb thought no one knew about. The notebook in front of them was just a copy of Climb's records.
Of course, Renner didn't mention this, but Tang Zheng was aware of it. Some of the records inside had piqued his interest.
Renner's beautiful eyes looked at Tang Zheng unabashedly. She couldn't see any signs of the weakness that should have resulted from the recent combat and excessive magic power consumption.
This could not escape her eyes.
"Leinas will assist you with all her strength from now on. In terms of money, I can also provide you with some support. A certain amount of funds has already been injected into several orphanages."
Tang Zheng didn't waste any words. He picked up the steaming cup of black tea, took a sip, and said lightly,
He was indeed not short on money right now. The treasure from the ancient fire dragon's cave alone, if converted entirely into gold coins, would reach a staggering amount, more than enough to support a war.
"I'm not interested in the throne."
"I know."
"Good." Renner smiled brilliantly.
Tap.
Tang Zheng placed the teacup on the table, watched Renner, and suddenly asked, "How much do you know about the Holy Kingdom?"
This meeting with Renner was the result of Tang Zheng's careful deliberation.
He was indeed somewhat wary of her, but before the arrival of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.
He was confident he could control Lana. For the next three years or so, he would also need to use Lana's wisdom to achieve certain goals more quickly.
Otherwise, Renner would be of no value to him.
As the black tea in Tang Zheng's cup was finished, the implicit conversation between the two came to a complete end.
"I wish you sweet dreams tonight, Your Highness,"
Vworp!
Under Renner's gaze, Tang Zheng's figure vanished into thin air. If not for the empty teacup before her, it would be as if he had never been there at all.
"I should be taking my leave as well, Your Highness." Leinas gave Renner a slight curtsy and also turned to leave.
Click!
The door closed again.
"The mysterious Lord Tang."
The corners of Renner's mouth turned up. Her gaze fixed on the sofa opposite her as she picked up the magic item, the thermos, and refilled the empty cup Tang Zheng had used.
Then.
Renner brought the cup over. Her pale, delicate lips touched the rim as she took a sip. She stretched her white, swan-like neck, and her rosy tongue darted out to lick the corner of her mouth. "How delicious."
(end of chapter)