CHAPTER 212: READING BOOKS

Though he held high expectations of Orion, Eldric fully expected the vast amount of complex knowledge to challenge even the greatest prodigy. He quietly anticipated the moment when Orion might show signs of hesitation or difficulty.

Yet, contrary to Eldric’s silent expectation, Orion demonstrated nothing but absolute focus. Page after page, his sharp eyes moved swiftly and intently, absorbing every detail, every diagram, and every theory carefully explained in the thick volumes.

Time passed quietly, the only sounds in the study the gentle rustle of turning pages and the steady breathing of both Grandfather and Grandson.

Eldric gradually began to feel a mixture of astonishment and disbelief as he noted Orion’s continuous, steady progress without even a hint of slowing down.

He subtly straightened his posture, leaning forward slightly as if expecting Orion to show signs of fatigue at any moment.

But Orion never faltered. After several hours of deep concentration, Orion closed the third and final book with a satisfied sigh, gently placing it back atop the completed pile.

He stretched his arms leisurely, easing the stiffness from hours of intense reading, before looking up with a clear, calm gaze.

"Finished, Grandpa," Orion stated plainly, his voice steady and confident.

Eldric blinked twice, momentarily at a loss for words. Surprise flashed vividly across his aged features, swiftly replaced by skepticism.

He cleared his throat, narrowing his eyes carefully, examining Orion’s unwavering expression. "Are you absolutely certain you’ve thoroughly absorbed all the material, Orion? Those books contained enough knowledge to take even geniuses several days—at minimum."

Orion nodded confidently, unshaken by Eldric’s incredulity. "Yes, Grandpa, I’m quite certain. Although, I do have a few questions I’d like clarified before we proceed."

Eldric visibly relaxed, letting out a soft sigh of relief as his expression quickly shifted from skepticism back to eager pride. "Ah, good lad, good! Of course, ask whatever you wish. Clarifying your doubts is part of mastering an element."

Orion quickly opened the first book again, turning expertly to a specific page he had memorized precisely. "Here, Grandpa, in the Chapter about mana conductivity—it states that Lightning mana primarily travels along specific pathways to achieve the highest speed and potency. But would alternate pathways exist that sacrifice speed for greater stability in casting more complex formations?"

Eldric’s eyes brightened appreciatively, clearly impressed by the depth of Orion’s question. He leaned forward, placing one finger thoughtfully upon his chin. "An insightful observation, Orion. Yes, indeed there are alternate pathways; they’re rarely used precisely because Thunder magic’s greatest advantage lies in its speed."

"However, in complex spell arrays requiring sustained stability—such as long-duration field control—alternate pathways can be employed to manage fluctuations."

Orion nodded eagerly, quickly flipping through the second volume. "That explains something else I read here. The secondary rune arrangement used in field-control spells seems to intentionally delay mana flow slightly. So, it’s purposely done to increase the stability at the expense of immediate response?"

Eldric nodded vigorously, a proud grin spreading across his face. "Exactly, Orion! That’s precisely the reason. Thunder is inherently volatile, swift, and aggressive. But experienced Thunder mages learn to temper its wildness with controlled delays and regulated mana flow, greatly increasing versatility."

Orion’s eyes sparkled, clearly enjoying this detailed conversation. "Fascinating. Another thing—regarding the resonance phenomenon mentioned here. Is it possible for Thunder mana to inadvertently cause resonance with mana channels primarily used for other elements?"

"Indeed," Eldric responded seriously, deeply pleased by Orion’s precise understanding. "Thunder mana is unique—its highly energetic and disruptive nature can occasionally resonate with or even influence mana channels tuned to other elements. That’s why it’s critically important to precisely control your mana flow and establish clear channel delineations when wielding multiple affinities."

[Hehe, with Master’s Primal Mana Channels, there will be no such issues! (*≧▽≦)]

Orion ignored Lumi for now and instead absorbed Eldric’s explanation thoughtfully, clearly internalizing every word. "I see. That makes sense. Lastly, I was curious about these unusual rune variants here." He pointed at a complex diagram. "They seem modified compared to standard Lightning runes."

Eldric smiled warmly, his eyes flashing with recognition at his Grandson’s growing understanding of the Lightning Element. "Ah, those are specialized variants developed by mages from the Mage Tower focusing on defensive applications. They slightly reduce the rune’s aggressive potency, instead enhancing mana sustainability, suitable for defensive Thunder barriers. But it’s a more obscure path, as most don’t bother to learn this."

Orion’s curiosity seemed sated for the moment, his expression calm yet eager. "Thank you, Grandpa. Those explanations cleared all my doubts."

Eldric leaned back comfortably, thoroughly satisfied. "You are damn impressive, lad. With such comprehension, no wonder you managed to learn both Fire and Wood so quickly. I and the old hag were wondering how you managed to learn both of them in such a little time. Now I see how."

Orion lightly smiled and asked, "What’s next, Grandpa? I feel like I’m ready to start practicing the Thunder Affinity Rune."

Eldric looked at Orion thoughtfully for some time, determining if he was ready for forming the Thunder Affinity Rune yet or not.

After a moment’s silent contemplation, Eldric finally nodded slowly, a subtle yet proud smile forming at the edges of his lips.

"Well, since you’re feeling confident, let’s not waste this momentum. I’ll provide you with the three foundational runes commonly employed in Thunder Affinity Runes, and you can select the remaining runes yourself from the runes you’ve already learned."

Orion’s expression lit up, anticipation clear within his eyes. "Thank you, Grandpa. I’m ready whenever you are."

Eldric stood up from his seat and moved to a nearby shelf, retrieving a neatly stored scroll. Carefully unrolling it onto the polished surface of the table, Eldric pointed toward three distinct runes clearly illustrated upon the parchment.

Each rune was intricate and precise, resonating vividly with the turbulent yet refined essence of Thunder.

"These three runes—Thunder, Flow, and Stabilize—are critical for any well-structured Thunder Affinity Rune," Eldric explained methodically.

"Thunder provides the core essence; Flow guides the current along the path; and Stabilize ensures control, tempering the volatility."

Orion examined each rune carefully, imprinting their designs deeply into his mind. He quickly selected six additional runes from his mental library—Amplify, Speed, Channel, Sharpen, Shock, and Reinforce—to complete his Thunder Affinity Rune set.

Satisfied with his selection, Orion retrieved the High-Grade Parchments previously given by Selene. Its smooth, mana-infused surface shimmered faintly beneath his fingers, ready to accept and accurately record rune formations.

Taking a slow, calming breath, Orion dipped his Verdant Root Quill and began carefully inscribing the runes onto the parchment.

His first attempt was rather good but slightly hesitant due to unfamiliarity with the Affinity Rune.

Eldric immediately leaned closer, his gaze sharp and discerning as he gently indicated Orion’s mistakes. "Careful here, Orion. When connecting Channel and Flow, maintain smoother mana circulation. Thunder mana must glide fluidly without excessive turbulence."

Orion nodded immediately, absorbing Eldric’s instructions. Determinedly, he commenced his second attempt.

This time, he was much more confident with some experience already, the corrections clearly reflected. Every rune became fluid yet deliberate, perfectly encapsulating Thunder’s energetic vibrance.

By his third attempt, Orion’s confidence was evident—each stroke swift yet meticulous, each rune connecting harmoniously.

The entire sequence displayed remarkable clarity and stability, and Eldric watched approvingly, pride glowing vividly within his aged eyes.