CHAPTER 115: HIDDEN WRITING

The wrinkles on Shaan’s forehead deepened as he heard those words come out of Dr. Marshal’s mouth. Damn. He had no idea what Dr. Marshal just said. One thing? What was the one important thing Dr. Marshal mentioned?

"Dr. Marshal, what exactly do you mean by that?"

The frown on Shaan’s forehead became more pronounced when he heard those words come out of Dr. Marshal’s mouth. Damn. I have no idea what Dr. Marshal said. One thing? What is the one essential thing Dr. Marshal said?

"Dr. Marshal, what do you mean by that?"

"To unlock the full benefit of the serum made from the ingredients listed in the Black Elixio scroll, we need to recite the spell written in ancient Hermes language."

"A spell?" Shaan scratched his head. "But where can we find the spell you mentioned, Dr. Marshal?"

"Most of the spell writings are inscribed on the scroll itself. However, the Hermes writing itself uses a quite different style. Hermes’ writing is not like ordinary words at all, but is written using quite complex and strange symbols."

"Quite complex and strange symbols?" Shaan paused for a moment. "Hmm... I briefly looked at the scroll, but I don’t think I have found any strange symbols there," Shaan said slowly, stroking his chin. "Maybe I’ll try checking the scroll again. Who knows, maybe I did miss those symbols."

Without wasting a second, Shaan dashed toward the table and grabbed the scroll. His hands moved quickly, scanning the surface for any strange symbols that might be the Hermes language he was looking for. But no matter how many times he checked the scroll, he found nothing. None of the symbols Dr. Marshal had mentioned showed up.

"Mmm... Dr. Marshal," said Shaan, holding the scroll up to Dr. Marshal. "Are you sure you’re right? I can’t find any symbols like the ones you mentioned earlier."

"I’m sure, because to see the symbols, you need a special technique that only a few people know."

"Special technique?"

"That’s right. I learned this technique when I was young." Dr. Marshal nodded confidently. "Here’s what we’ll do. Just hand me the scroll and I’ll show you what I’m talking about," he said with a smile. "I’m sure you’ll be surprised when you see it."

"Oh... okay."

Without hesitation, Shaan handed the scroll to Dr. Marshall, hoping that he would see something amazing, as Dr. Marshall had told him. However, strangely, when Dr. Marshall took the scroll, he instead brought it to the still-burning Athanor.

"Dr. Marshal, what are you thinking?" Shaan quickened his pace toward Dr. Marshal, who was already standing in front of the Athanor. "Why do you want to burn the Black Elixio scroll?"

"Burn it?" Dr. Marshal paused for a moment, trying to process Shaan’s words. "Wait, Shaan, don’t misunderstand me. I have no intention of burning anything."

"Huh?" Shaan was silent for a moment. "Dr. Marshal, I don’t understand your way of thinking at all. Then why are you standing in front of the Athanor holding the black Elixio scroll?"

"To reveal the symbols, you need to bring the scroll’s surface close to the flame," he explained. "The reason is simple—the symbols were written using a special kind of ink that stays invisible to the naked eye. But when exposed to fire, the writing becomes clear."

"Ah, I see." Shaan nodded quickly. "I understand now."

Dr. Marshal then brought the surface of the black Elixio scroll closer, and slowly, the strange symbols began to appear faintly, neatly arranged on the surface of the paper. Instantly, Shaan fell silent. Damn, it turned out that what Dr. Marshal had said earlier was indeed true.

"See, I told you I wasn’t lying, right?" Dr. Marshal smiled with satisfaction. "Now, I just need to read the spell while holding the potion we made," he added. "Can you hold this scroll while I get the serum we made earlier?"

"Yeah, of course," Shaan said eagerly, gripping the scroll with both hands. "That’s no problem at all."

"Alright, thank you, Shaan."

Dr. Marshal then took the bottle containing the serum they had made and slowly read the spell written on the scroll. Honestly, when listening to Dr. Marshal recite the spell, he kept shaking his head.

"Nox Aeternum, Lux Fugitum."

"Aperi portam sub Umbrae signum."

"Sanguis nigrum, Elixio vetus."

"Ascende, Eclipse — fiat tenebris metus!"

Damn, this Hermes language is giving me a headache, Shaan muttered inwardly, scratching his head.’ What do those words even mean?’

Suddenly, the Eclipse serum in Dr. Marshal’s hand started to glow with a deep maroon light. Shaan froze, unable to move. He rubbed his eyes repeatedly as the glow intensified, slowly spreading across the entire surface of the Eclipse serum.

"Dr. Marshal, what exactly is happening?" Shaan rubbed his eyes repeatedly, trying to make sure he wasn’t seeing things. "Why is the serum... serum glows brightly?"

"It indicates that the spell was cast correctly and the Eclipse serum’s effects have been activated," Dr. Marshal explained. "If you had cast the spell incorrectly, this serum wouldn’t emit light, and the effects of the Eclipse serum definitely wouldn’t activate."

"Oh, I see." Shaan nodded slowly. "I understand."

"Now, we should go meet Sir Walter and give him this serum," said Dr. Marshal, putting the serum in his pocket. "Shaan, come on." What are you waiting for?"

"Dr. Marshal, but what about the others?" said Shaan. "Do we need to wait for the others?"

"Hhhmm... at first I thought the same as you," said Dr. Marshal, slowly stroking his chin. "However, I don’t think it’s necessary."

"Wait, but why?"

"Social punishment itself is not as quick as you think and will take quite a long time. If we wait for them to return, it will take a very long time, and I know Sir Walter is not a person who likes to wait long. I’m afraid Sir Walter might change his mind and ask for something else."

’Yes, I think I agree with Dr. Marshal. It would be very dangerous if that man changed his mind.’

"So, what do you think, Shaan?"

"Yes, after hearing what you said... maybe we should meet with Sir Walter."

"Good, now it’s time for us to hurry to the pub and give him this potion."

***

’Knock! Knock! Knock!’

"Sir Walter, are you in there?"

"Yes, come in, Dr. Shaan," shouted Sir Walter from inside the room. "I didn’t lock the door at all."

"All right."

When Dr. Marshal opened the door to Sir Walter’s room, he saw the old man sitting calmly in his chair. With his arms folded in front of him, he leaned forward slightly and smiled at Dr. Marshal and Shaan as they entered the room.

"So... have you managed to make the serum?"