CHAPTER 147: TROUBLE

With this method, the amount of miniaturized containers would mean that fetching spell fragments from memory would be slower, while also having less power due to these inefficiencies caused by human error.

But the level of power would still be way more than going with the first method.

"35% against 80% power of the original spell..." Kathelyn muttered to herself as her mind wandered to the estimates the inheritance manual gave for both methods.

It was a no brainer.

When one factored in that those values were the best scenario estimates for each method, mainly because of the differences in levels of comprehension by each individual... Her choice was clear.

The mana rich, origin doused environment she was in gave her the confidence to use the second method. She was aiming for at least an 80% level of power for spell fragments saved in memory compared to the original spell.

"But a 2 second fetch time..." she sighed, thinking of how she could make that work in a fight...

In the end, she concluded that it would all depend on which spells she could even save in memory... and that would be after she’d attempted comprehending.

For now she would make use of her night here to solidify her knowledge with the peak state of clarity the mana waves coming from the pit provided.

She still wanted to know what could cause such a unique mana environment, but anytime she looked into the blackness of the pit, she would always subconsciously avert her gaze like a beast was deep inside, staring right back at her...

So she’d decided to remove such thoughts from her mind. She had no time for curiosity. A few gazes of hostility had begun to spring her way from the tribe members now, so she knew her access to this place would soon come to an end. So before that ever happened, she wanted to milk this opportunity to the fullest.

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On The Hot Side Of The Same Planet. The Abyssal Lands Of The Demons...

They had both been caught.

The two lovers, Mark and Janet... Both of them had been caught.

Just like Jamie had said, Janet had not been thinking straight. She basically delivered herself right into the hands of the grotesque demons like a gift.

Even Jamie would’ve been caught along with them, but because he was slightly behind her, he was quick enough to react and evade detection.

That was two weeks ago.

A mad manhunt had followed right after, making the already difficult lives Jet and Jamie led, even more difficult.

They had no rest whatsoever afterwards, and all thought of Mark and Janet’s fate wasn’t their concern anymore. They didn’t even have the luxury for it.

They didn’t sleep for three days straight, spooked by every slight sound they heard.

The grotesque demons had come out in full force, deploying their demonic hounds which had an even sharper sense of smell than they did.

Because of these hounds, Jet and Jamie had nearly been found at one time, but narrowly escaped, causing them to always cake their bodies in the black tar that was common around.

It removed any remaining scent on them, masking their smell with the natural sulfuric air, blending them into the surroundings.

But they were still not safe. The grotesque demons didn’t let up, making both young men even more frazzled.

This continued for more than a week... until Jet came up with a wild idea...

Instead of hiding deep in the abyssal lands, where the search was the hottest and they had no rest, why not make a bold move towards the core of the demon’s lands... where they would never even think to search.

This was where they were now. After a tense journey full of close calls.

And what they’d seen so far... shocked them greatly.

Mark. The one Janet had risked her life for, was fully integrated into the grotesque demon society.

From the fringes of the settlement, they’d spotted him a few times.

Fully dressed in grotesque demon garb, with full cheeks and a healthy looking-skin. He was eating good, and it showed...

Other than his sunken eyes, he looked fully fine.

Jet and Jamie wondered what he had done to warrant such a special treatment. It was very uncanny, because the other demons around still looked at him with open hostility... even more than what was usual.

But for some reason, he still walked around unharmed. Almost like there was an order that gave him a special status, preventing them from tearing him to shreds.

Despite the weird situation, at least they’d been able to confirm his safety...

Janet on the other hand, had not even been spotted once.

Perhaps she was deeper into the settlement, but even then, if she’d received the same treatment as Mark, she was supposed to have been seen at least once...

Jet had debated taking the risk to enter into the settlement directly and whisk Mark away to question him thoroughly. But besides the fact that it was too dangerous, Mark might also prove uncooperative and alert the demons about their close proximity. He looked to have taken to his new home very well.

Just as Jet was thinking about this, watching Mark’s distant figure from their vantage point on one of the hills that surrounded the settlement, Jamie tapped him urgently, drawing his attention to a party of grotesque demons riding on bipedal, lizard-like creatures, approaching the settlement from the distance.

As they neared the settlement, another party rode out to meet them. They had the same mounts as the incoming party did. Something neither Jet nor Jamie had ever seen them ride on.

"Something official is going on..." Jamie whispered as they watched closely.

As they watched the demons stop some distance from each other, and their representatives dismounting to meet halfway, a frown of confusion colored both their faces.

"Uhh, Jet, am I insane, or is that clothing style from back home...?" Jamie reared up slightly from his prone position in surprise.

"...No. You’re not insane... That really is from our home..." Jet replied in confusion also.

He wanted to write it off as a slight similarity at first, but it was too specific. From their vantage point, they couldn’t see the crest on the breast of the uniform the foreign demons wore, but there was no mistaking the rest of the get-up.

This was standard military uniform from their world!

And not just any random uniform too...

As both messengers met halfway, Jet and Jamie leaned forward in their prone positions, squinting hard to see the crest through the shimmering abyssal heat.

And immediately they made out the outline a bit more visibly, they both reared back in shock.

"House Ryvelin! That is the symbol of the Ryvelin house!" Jamie lost his composure, making a slight shuffle that caused one of the foreign demons– the one seated on his mount right at the forefront– to glance towards their position on the distant hill.

He squinted his eyes, leaning his head slightly and whispering something in their language to the demon just behind him, and within a moment, the demon disappeared from sight.

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A/N: This Chapter’s special thanks goes to John_Smith24666. One of my few privilege readers. Thanks for the Power Stones and Golden Tickets. Hope you keep enjoying!

Cheers

Astrl