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n“A larger structure?” Howard blinked in surprise.

n“What kind of structure? A larger-scale runematrix? Or something meant to condense mana?”

n“If only it were that simple,” Nula shook her head.

n“Though the fundamental composition of a spell involves only a few runes, spells are a prime example of the principle ‘more equals complex.’ The more runes that make up a matrix, the more functions this matrix can potentially perform!”

n“Even two matrices with similar structures can achieve drastically different effects with just a slight alteration in part of their configuration!”

n“Without sufficient information, I’m simply unable to make any judgment right now.”

nNula turned, locking eyes with Howard, “We may need to alter our plan.”

nHoward’s brow furrowed, a faint unease swirling in his heart, “What kind of change? Can’t we just destroy these rune signages? Even if they form a complete large structure, destroying them all would break it apart, right?” .

n“That won’t work,” Nula shook her head, dismissing Howard’s suggestion.

n“Such action would only lead to more uncontrollable outcomes. The unknown, complete structure would automatically seek to compensate for its compromised formation after being damaged. The inherent ease of rune combination could result in the deficient structure acquiring more unpredictable functions.”

n“In other words, this vast structure might be safe now, but if we start to destroy it, it could turn into a bomb.”

n“Unless we obliterate these signages instantaneously. But in doing so, not only us but the entire city of Rodel would be annihilated by a mana tempest.”

nAlthough Nula’s explanation was brief, Howard grasped the essence of it.

nHe picked up a piece of rune signage, examining the complex rune configurations on it, his brow knitted in thought.

n“So, what should we do? If we can’t destroy them, our original plan is completely unfeasible.”

n“That’s why we need to change the plan,” Nula paused, her expression calming, her eyes reflective like beautiful glass beads.

n“Drain all the mana from the signages! Without mana as a power source, no matter what the function of that colossal structure might be, it won’t activate!”

n“Moreover, due to the characteristics of this dispersed form of structure, we can draw all the mana from the entire structure just from one corner!”

nWatching Nula’s eyes ignite with a fiery determination, Howard fell silent once again.

nIt was another plan so mad it could not possibly be madder.

nHoward had no idea exactly how many rune signages were in this hall, but judging by the volume of mana leaking out, the amount contained within the signages was unfathomably immense.

nNot to mention a level 2 magus, even a level 1 magus might not be able to absorb all this mana.

nMoreover, an excess of mana is harmful rather than beneficial to a magus.

nTherefore, more individuals would need to share the burden.

nHowever, with only Nula and Howard present, they were unmistakably insufficient.

n“Your plan isn’t just crazy; it’s suicidal!” Howard stepped back, shaking his head at Nula, “I can’t join this plan. I’m going back to the surface to evacuate the people of Rodel. By abandoning the city, more lives will be saved!”

n“That’s impossible; there’s not enough time,” Nula said with a determined resignation.

n“Even if you went up now, even if you had notified them earlier, it would be too late! Mana isn’t a shockwave; no matter how wide it spreads, it’s lethal to ordinary people.”

n“Without passing through a living being, the natural conversion of mana takes a very long time.”

n“Now, this is the only option we have! Besides, this plan might not be doomed to failure. Perhaps neither of us can absorb such a vast amount of mana, but there is someone who can!”

n“Another person?” Howard asked. .

n“You have an ally?”

n“Correct, but not my ally, yours!” Nula looked into Howard’s eyes.

n“The unknown entity that resides within you, it lies dormant because it lacks sufficient energy. And for non-biological entities, mana is as much a source of energy as anything else!”

n“If you can find a way to let that entity absorb mana, this method is not a road to death but a tremendous opportunity for you.”

n“But I have no idea how to do that; the last time it emerged wasn’t under my control.”

nHoward was puzzled about how Nula knew of the mysterious presence within him.

nHowever, recalling that Nula and Dorek were observers during the battle between Lorinda and Amriel, noticing such a detail might not have been too challenging.

nYet, throughout that fight, Howard had been utterly unable to exert any control from beginning to end.

nThe actions had been entirely initiated by the unknown presence within.

nPerhaps that entity had intervened to protect him, but it seemed unlikely to emerge unless in the most extreme circumstances.

nEven if Nula were to take direct action now, she might not be able to force that presence out.

n“Think back, think again! Could you have overlooked some detail?”

nNula’s gaze was calm as she looked into Howard’s eyes, but beneath the tranquility lurked a blend of madness and resolution.

nAfter holding her gaze for two seconds, Howard suddenly smiled.

nA possibility had dawned on him.

n“What did you think of?”

n“Exactly. I’ve remembered some very interesting details.”

nHoward caressed the rune signage in his hands, lifting it to his eyes as the spirit invasion commenced.

nThe rune signage itself was unencrypted, and it didn’t need to be.

nAnyone with a modicum of spell knowledge would understand the implications of such a design.

nThe mana within the signage began to stir, and Nula’s expression suddenly shifted.

nA brilliant golden light ignited in the depths of Howard’s eyes as mana erupted in its entirety, pushing his hyperawareness to the limits of his brain’s capacity.

nHe had only recalled a possibility—that perhaps, from the very beginning, he was not human.

nThe world in Howard’s eyes lost its color, all movements seemingly frozen in an endlessly stretched perception of time, except for the rune signage in his hand, which remained unchanged.

nThe mana within, like an eager tide, began to surge, emitting a faint, luminous green glow.

nThe feeble barrier of the rune signage ultimately failed to contain the mana’s frenzy.

nThe moment it broke through, the mana transformed into a luminous green deluge, rushing towards Howard’s mind as if mana itself was the greatest attractant to living beings.

nThe spirit of a living being would naturally draw mana closer, a pull so strong it could disregard the passage of time.

nHowever, Howard’s activation of hyperawareness was not meant to slow down mana but to afford himself the time to react.

nEven if the speed of mana always adjusted relative to human reaction speed, hyperawareness still managed to secure Howard enough time to react.

nTo push himself to the brink of death.

nAll defenses were dropped, allowing the mana tide to surge through unfettered, coating everything it touched in a faint layer of green.

nThis green hue, seemingly harmless in itself, could induce mutations in the body, bringing the already stretched limits of a magus’s body to the brink of collapse.

nThis is where the true danger of mana lay!

nWild beasts might resist such mutations and even evolve, but a magus already at their limit isn’t as fortunate.

nMutations only lead to endless despair.

nWith no impediment, the speed of mana expansion was alarmingly rapid, closing in on Howard’s brain in just a breath’s time, his defenses opening up even slower than the mana’s invasion.

nIn the final moment before the mana invaded his brain, Howard’s consciousness closed its eyes.

nSuccess or failure hinged on this instant.

nShould he succeed, not only would Rodel City be saved, but his own power would experience an extraordinary boost.

nAlthough Howard was unclear about the specific capabilities of the unknown presence within him, recalling the moment with Lorinda when he could fight against Amriel—a nearly level 1 magus— with the strength of a level 3 magus, it wasn’t hard to imagine the terrifying extent of that unknown presence’s power.

nThis was no mere stepping across a tier in combat; it was breaking through the barriers between two worlds!

nBut what if he failed?

nThe answer to this question was simple: Howard might disappear, his body completely assimilated by mana, ultimately becoming a mana bomb primed to explode upon the slightest touch—a kind capable of erasing Rodel from existence.

nThat would be the worst-case scenario, with Howard’s consciousness completely vanishing before that, untraceable anywhere.

nWould a new “Howard” then emerge?

nWhat exactly am I to that unknown entity?

nWhy would it act to protect me?

nSuch actions seemed counterproductive.

nBut Howard sought an answer.

nPerhaps this time, he might find one?

nHoward’s consciousness sank endlessly in a pitch-black sea, when suddenly, a pure white light appeared at the edge of his vision.

nIt was peculiar; white light is inherently a single color, yet Howard felt as though the white light he now saw was the purest form of white imaginable.

nThe thought was illogical, but the moment it surfaced, Howard believed it unquestioningly.

nNew novel chapters are published on .𝒎

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