allendalepharm Chapter 138 The Secrets and Visual Magic of Sheepskin Scrolls
Chapter 138 The Secrets and Visual Magic of Sheepskin Scrolls
Chapter 138 The Secrets and Visual Magic of Sheepskin Scrolls
A few days later, through the "Hermes' Touch" resonance practice and the ongoing "Mithril-Dragonblood Alloy" energy harmonization experiments, Karen's magical control and microscopic perception of energy flow were significantly honed. Nico believed the time was ripe to unravel another important mystery: the ancient parchment scroll that Karen had received from Nico and his wife when she was eight years old, which remained undeciphered to this day.
The chosen location was a quieter, smaller meditation room next to Nico's library, with soft lighting and walls painted with star patterns to aid concentration. Karen solemnly retrieved the parchment scroll she always kept close to her body from her dragon-skin pouch, which was enchanted with multiple protective spells. The scroll itself exuded an indescribable aura of age and a faint but pure spiritual energy.
Nico's gaze deepened as he saw the scroll, filled with a profound sense of nostalgia. He gestured for Karen to place it on a low platform made of pure crystal in the center of the room.
"Karen," Nico's voice carried an almost solemn nostalgia, "this scroll was one of the key clues I found in my youth when I was searching for the origins of abilities like yours, the 'True Vision.' Its history is very, very ancient; it wasn't made by me, but is one of the treasures passed down from my teacher, Hermes."
"Hermes?" Karen asked in surprise, the name clearly connected to "Hermes' Touch" and the organization "Hermes' Ring".
“Yes,” Nico nodded, “it could be a real name, or just a code name, or perhaps a reclusive pioneer seeking truth. This scroll doesn’t record the complete ‘Eye of Truth,’ but rather an initiation ritual called ‘Soul Vision’ and some related basic runes. Its essence is to temporarily and to a limited extent enhance the soul’s perception of the nature of external magic through specific spiritual practice and runic guidance, allowing the caster to ‘see the vague trajectory and intensity of magical flow,’”
"Similar to a heightened sense of magical power."
With a gentle wave of his hand, Nico automatically untied the ribbon from the scroll on the crystal platform, allowing it to slowly unfurl. The writing on it was not modern magical script, but rather ancient, twisted symbols that seemed to float gently on the parchment like living things, accompanied by extremely abstract patterns that appeared to depict the flow of energy. At the core of the scroll was a complex pattern composed of three nested rings and seven strange runes, radiating a faint silver glow.
"Look here," Nico pointed to the core pattern, "this is the initiation grid of 'Soul Vision.' It requires a specific state of meditation, pure spiritual guidance, and the auxiliary resonance of these basic runes to activate. Its effect will probably allow you to 'see' magic flowing like a thin mist or a stream, far less clear, stable, and profound than your innate 'Eye of Truth.'"
Karen stared at the intricate patterns and runes, trying to decipher them, only to find them utterly incomprehensible even with her own magical knowledge. "So, my 'Eye of Truth' is more advanced than this?"
"It's far more than advanced, Karen," Nico said with absolute certainty. "It's complete, innate, almost instinctive. This scroll's 'Soul Vision' is merely an acquired, limited imitation. Your ability is more like a rudimentary form of the 'Eye of True Knowledge' described in Merlin's legends, capable of seeing the essence of all things. That's why Castor and I value you so highly."
He shifted his tone, pointing to Karen: "But Karen, talent is just the beginning. The value of this scroll and Lucian's research notes on visual magic to you lies in the methods and tools they provide! Especially Lucian's research," a complex glint flashed in Nico's eyes, "He was obsessed with active forms like Niven and visual magic, trying to replicate or even surpass the Eye of Truth," and even wanted to combine it with Ravenclaw's crown. Although he ultimately lost his way, his research notes on how to 'capture,' 'analyze,' and even attempt to 'guide' the flow of magic are full of brilliant, sometimes even dangerous, insights."
Nico walked to the edge of the platform, touched a basic rune on the scroll with his finger, and conjured a projection of a page of notes out of thin air. It was a sketch and analysis from Lucian's notes on how to mark and track specific magical streams with fine magical threads.
"Your 'Eye of Truth' allows you to see many things clearly," Nico looked at Karen intently, "but seeing is only the first step. Lucian seeks 'analysis' and 'intervention.' Combined with the fundamental runes on this scroll, it can stabilize your mental focus."
Strengthen your 'connection' with the target's magical flow, and learn the techniques and ideas from Lucian's notes. I hope you can try to develop your own more refined 'magical vision' application techniques—going beyond observation to engage in more proactive perceptual manipulation, that is, using your talent to 'intervene in magic.'
Karen's heart pounded. Nicole's proposal had opened a whole new door for him!
"You mean I not only have to 'see' the flow of magic, but also try to 'touch' it? Even mark it?" Karen's voice was filled with incredible excitement.
"Yes! But you must be extremely careful!" Nico emphasized. "The goal is: to use your own pure magic to condense into extremely fine threads, and gently 'touch' a specific, relatively stable stream of magic in your field of vision, trying to perceive its 'texture' and 'frequency'. Furthermore, once you can stably 'touch' it, try briefly attaching your magic thread to it like a tiny 'anchor' or 'marker,' following its flow for a distance, observing its subtle changes in different environments. Even when your understanding is extremely profound and your control is at its peak, try using this magic thread to subtly 'guide' or 'deflect' it, or even manipulate it."
Nico's tone became incredibly serious: "Karen, this involves the direct and subtle manipulation of real-world magic by the power of the soul. It's closer to the essence of magic than any spell, and far more dangerous than previous exercises. The drain on mental energy is enormous, so you must proceed gradually and absolutely not be greedy or reckless. Each practice session must be conducted under my supervision, with strict time limits. If you feel any discomfort, such as dizziness, tingling, or blurred vision, you must stop immediately!"
Karen sensed Nico's concern, but the burning thirst for knowledge in her eyes did not wane in the slightest. "I understand, Professor Nico."
I will treat it with the same care as I would the "Hermesian Touch," perhaps even more cautiously.
Over the next few days, Karen's alchemical studies entered a whole new dimension. The meditation room became his primary practice space.
The first step in the practice was to strengthen his mental focus. He sat cross-legged before the crystal platform, the base array on the scroll emitting a soft silver glow. Following Nico's instructions, he entered a deep meditative state, his mental energy highly concentrated, attempting to activate a basic rune on the scroll with his mind—
"Connection" (Ansuz).
The function of this rune is to stabilize the connection between the mind and the target's mana flow. In the vision of the Eye of Truth, when he successfully resonated his mental energy with the "Ansuz" rune, he felt that his "focus" on observing the mana flow became clearer and more stable, and the consumption of mental energy seemed to slow down slightly.
Then, he returned to the workshop and selected a low-power, stable alchemical array as his target. Under the vision of the Eye of Truth, when the array was running stably, several gentle streams of magic, like pale blue ribbons, would emanate from its edges.
Karen extended his wand, but not to cast a spell. He channeled a wisp of magic, carefully extending it from the tip of the wand. Then, holding his breath, he guided the thread with his mind, slowly, very slowly, toward a steady stream of pale blue magic in his field of vision.
And so it went, once, twice, three times—
Finally, in a moment of intense concentration, his magic threads, like the delicate legs of a water spider, gently touched the surface of the pale blue stream!
In an instant, a "whoosh" resounded in Karen's mind! Not a sound, but a powerful sensory shock! He felt the "temperature" and "texture" of the stream of magic. This feeling was so direct, so clear, far surpassing any information seen with his eyes alone!
But it only lasted for less than half a second before the intense mental strain caused his vision to go black and the silk thread to snap instantly.
"Stop!" Nico's voice rang out just in time.
Karen snapped back to reality, gasping for breath, his forehead covered in cold sweat, his temples throbbing. Although it was only for a moment, the feeling of directly "touching" the essence of magic had left him utterly shocked and exhausted.
"How are you feeling?" Nico asked with concern, handing him a cup of specially made magical tea to soothe his mind.
"Indescribable," Karen said, taking a sip of warm herbal tea. Her throbbing brain felt a little better. "I—I think I really 'touched' it! It was a very clear feeling, completely different from before, but it was extremely energy-consuming, and it only lasted for a moment."
"A truly remarkable first step!" Nico lavished his praise. "To successfully establish effective 'sensory touch' on your very first attempt, and to provide clear feedback! This proves that combining your talent and control with this approach is feasible. Remember this feeling."
Remember the state of your gathered threads and the angle and pressure of your touch. Rest, recover. Next time, we'll try to maintain the touch for one second. Remember, don't chase the time, chase a stable and clear sensory feedback. The road ahead is long, and there's plenty of time, Karen.
Karen leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and savored the brief yet profound sensation of that "touch." The scroll's runes stabilized his mental connection, Lucian's notes provided the methods for manipulation, and his innate Eye of Truth offered an unparalleled foundation for observation. His teacher, Nico, had perfectly integrated these three elements, tailoring a path for him to a deeper level of magical perception. Though difficult and dangerous, every small step forward made him feel a step closer to the core essence of magic.