Free Web NovelChapter 17: Chapter 17: The Proper Way to Use the System
He flipped a few more pages, and without exception, they were all variations of the Water Demon Pattern.
Just a change in color was enough to create a different Demon Pattern.
"Hiss... This is going to be a real pain!"
Andre flipped a few more pages, even reaching the sections on the more unique Natural Demon Patterns, such as Wind and Thunder. It was still the same story.
’Looks like the first volume contains all the Natural Demon Patterns and their variations.’
As Andre realized this, a wave of exhaustion washed over him.
But before long, this exhaustion was shattered by another idea. He had thought of a different way to use the System.
’The System accumulates Truth based on the knowledge I master.’
’So, could I use these Demon Patterns I already know as a crowbar, leveraging the System to acquire more knowledge and accumulate even more Truth?’
The moment this idea surfaced in his mind, Andre immediately began to experiment.
’Earth...’ ’Fire...’ ’Wind...’
Andre prioritized perceiving the Demon Patterns he was capable of understanding. Once he had gone through all of them, he summoned the System again.
[Name] Andre
[Personality] Lord of Truth (Pseudo, 0.01%)
[Age] 16
[Realm] Elementary Wizard Apprentice
[Power] 2
[Speed] 2
[Constitution] 3
[Spirit] 6
[Talent] Fifth Level
[Bloodline] Divine Descendant (Sealed)
[Ability] Eye of Origin (Pseudo, Eye of Truth)
[Truth] 71%
’71 percent? That much?’
Andre blinked, making sure he hadn’t misread. Then, he flipped the Demon Pattern Book to the fourth page, gazed at the variation of the Water Demon Pattern, and tapped it lightly. Instantly, an immense amount of information about the Water Demon Pattern materialized in his mind.
The influx of information was so overwhelming that it even made him dizzy.
’I can’t pass out. If I do, all this information will disappear.’
Andre reached for the wooden box, took out one of the remaining Potions meant to stimulate his Spirit, and downed it.
As his Spiritual Power began to boil under the Potion’s effects, he started to steadily digest the information.
As he took in the massive amount of information, he easily identified the Water Demon Pattern that had previously stumped him.
"Dark Water Demon Pattern. Its prototype originates from the Dark River within the Earth Caves. Because it contains a trace of the Power of Darkness, it’s considered a variation of the Water Demon Pattern." freēwēbηovel.c૦m
After grasping the nature of this pattern, Andre turned to the next page.
"Sea Demon Pattern, originates from the seabed..."
The moment Andre turned to this page, the stream of information that had been on the verge of cutting off surged forth again, relentlessly battering his mind.
Andre forced himself to endure the pain from both the Potion and the information stream, and began to perceive the Demon Pattern.
At the same time, under the combined effects of the massive information stream and the Potion, Andre’s fledgling Meditation Technique began to advance at an astonishing rate.
Unbeknownst to Andre, a second and then a third Spirit Rune materialized one after another. Once the third Spirit Rune appeared, the three runes nested together, forming a single, more powerful Spirit Rune.
As this Spirit Rune appeared, Andre’s body shuddered, and a sound echoed from deep within him.
CRACK! It sounded as if something inside Andre’s body had shattered. Once the sound faded, a massive amount of Magic Power began to pour into his body.
"Hm?" Radak’s figure appeared in the doorway. A look of surprise crossed his face as he watched Andre, who was still absorbing the influx of information.
’A fluctuation of Magic Energy... caused by perceiving Demon Patterns? That’s a phenomenon that only occurs when one has completely mastered—or even created—a Demon Pattern. Does Andre... does he really possess that much Talent?’
Radak’s expression was a mixture of shock and disbelief. He was suddenly realizing that he had underestimated his apprentice.
Meanwhile, Andre was still poring over the Demon Patterns. He was now looking at the Earth Demon Pattern, and an even more intense stream of information surged forth, helping him grasp its mysteries.
At that moment, new Spirit Runes began to form in Andre’s mind again. Just like before, after Andre finished studying the third Earth Demon Pattern, three of these Spirit Runes merged into one.
As these three Spirit Runes fused together, forming a second, even more powerful composite Spirit Rune, Andre began to channel an even greater amount of Magic Power.
This time, the flow of Magic Power was so strong it even caused a phenomenon in the outside world, as a great wind began to rise.
Only after Andre finished studying the first Fire Demon Pattern did his brain finally reach its limit. The raging torrent of information in his mind slowly began to dissipate.
Once the information stream dissipated, Andre let out a sigh. ’If I hadn’t hit my absolute limit, I could have perceived even more Demon Patterns.’
’What a waste this attempt was.’
’But what’s done is done. It was my first try, so I guess a little waste is to be expected.’
He then checked his stats on the System again.
[Name] Andre
[Personality] Lord of Truth (Pseudo, 0.01%)
[Age] 16
[Realm] Elementary Wizard Apprentice
[Power] 3
[Speed] 3
[Constitution] 4
[Spirit] 8
[Talent] Fifth Level
[Bloodline] Divine Descendant (Sealed)
[Ability] Eye of Origin (Pseudo, Eye of Truth)
[Truth] 35%
Seeing the 35% in the Truth column, Andre broke into a smile. His theory had been correct. This was the proper way to use the System.
’Perceiving a Demon Pattern on my own only yields 1% of its secrets, but perceiving it through the System unlocks 5%. That’s a 400% return!’
Such a terrifying rate of return was startling, but Andre was soon filled with overwhelming joy.
With such an incredible boost, the difficulty of solving his personal issues had suddenly been reduced by a great deal.
"So this is the proper way to do it!" Andre’s excitement was palpable.
"Ahem!" A light cough interrupted Andre’s train of thought.
"Master!" Andre tried to get up at once, but the moment he moved, a wave of dizziness sent him collapsing back into his chair.
Radak stared at Andre, and after a long moment, could only stammer, "You... you... you... You’ve done well."
"You’ve exceeded my expectations. It seems you have a high degree of Talent for Demon Pattern Study."
As Radak spoke, he performed a bit of Witchcraft to clear the negative effects from Andre’s body.
"Feeling better?" A Radiant Brilliance from the Witchcraft enveloped Andre, and he nodded.
"You may have some Talent for Demon Pattern Study, but I must tell you that Spiritual Power is the true foundation of a Wizard’s Power."
"You’ve only just become an Elementary Wizard Apprentice; your Spiritual Power isn’t strong. Perceiving Demon Patterns in this manner will easily lead to its depletion."
"When that happens, you’ll be in serious trouble. Your Spirit Runes could even collapse from the lack of Spiritual Power."
"If your Spirit Runes collapse, not only will you have to relearn your Meditation Technique from scratch, but you’ll also risk your brain withering and your Soul shattering."
After offering a word of praise, Radak immediately began to chastise Andre. From his perspective, Andre’s actions had been far too dangerous.
He was practically throwing his own life away.
