Kobold Wizard's Journal

Chapter 296 Effect and Cause

Ruger rubbed his chin.

From the very first glance, he was certain that this was the spell that Karyu had prepared for his path as a Beast King Wizard, and it was for the purpose of making amends and getting himself back on the right track of the Beast King Wizard path. The Karyu in this diary had been expressing his regrets, his genius, and the remedial measures that some people had taken after missing the Beast King path. Although this spell was not mentioned, it must have been one of the remedial measures.

Ruger tugged at the increasingly soft downy fur on his chin, guessing that perhaps the path of the Beast King Wizard required solidifying a certain zero-ring spell during the wizard apprenticeship stage, or doing something else. Once the opportunity was missed, it would be difficult to resolve, and even if it was resolved, he would be a step weaker.

He carefully flipped through the spellbook, then resisted the urge and slowly closed it.

The book mentions that this spell, seemingly ordinary, is actually one of the more difficult first-level spells to master. In addition, there are some comments and digressions that express the desire of some people for the path of the Beastmaster Wizard, the gradual improvement of spells by generations, and some people even delaying the solidification of first-level spells after advancing in rank, just to wait for this difficult spell to master. And the current version is the result of countless people's efforts to reduce the difficulty of mastering it.

Ruger stroked the somewhat worn cover of the spellbook, let out a long sigh, and put the book away again.

The wizarding world is progressing, and so is magic.

When the complete version of the Divine Artifact spell appears in the Temple of Knowledge, the spell Blood of Loyalty will become simpler. Of course, there is a paradox here: the Divine Artifact spell, being an unranked spell, is difficult to popularize because it is even more difficult to master. It is a tool that is even more difficult to master than Blood of Loyalty itself. But that is only for now. Who knows when a new spell, or something else, will be invented by a wizard standing in a narrow, dimly lit laboratory, making the whole world roll forward.

Ruger hummed a little tune, looked up and around, glancing at the sunlight outside the window and the alleyway outside the door, while gently rubbing the dog-hair doll in his hands.

He didn't know where Karyu was or what he was doing, but the spiritual connection in his heart made him feel that they would meet again.

Of course, he was referring to the current Karyu, not the one in the diary.

Just like what Old Lunser explained to him a couple of days ago, this world's inexplicable power and its attitude towards demons, yet Karyu went to great lengths to make him take that half-face, or rather, half-head, to the abyss, and then descend through the ancient abyss altar as a sacrifice, making himself look like a demon, to walk that path from the abyss to the underground world. Generally speaking, even real demons would try to hide, and in Karyu's words, even demons are unwilling to use those abyss altars now, but Karyu did it so openly.

When Karyu pasted that half of his face back on, he became a whole and looked much more relaxed. After fulfilling one of Karyu's last wishes in the original diary—to defeat Baonte—he was able to laugh, move, and truly speak, even telling corny jokes along the way.

Karyu seems to be thoroughly enjoying this false identity as a visitor from another world.

For a long time, Ruger didn't even dare to think about it in detail.

If Karyu could act this way, it means he has an identity far worse than that of a false Abyss Descendant.

As Ruger saw and came into contact with more wizards and wizarding apprentices.

Now, upon reflection, he realizes that he may have narrowly escaped irresistible dangers on several occasions, and it wasn't just him.

Karyu's sudden disappearance occurred when they first arrived at that perpetually dark Abyss Town, a filthy place on the edge of Star City, teeming with bandits. They bought their first house there, and perhaps someone came looking for them. Karyu gave him the excuse of recuperating and then vanished without a trace.

Ruger still remembered that when he was waiting for Karyu in that extraordinary lowly place, he released Aiskin and Big Fool Heng out of the bedroom space. He led the two of them and the three dragonborn kobolds to roam around the town all day long. No one dared to mess with them. They ate and drank at different taverns, ordered weapons from the blacksmith, and received invitations from some mercenary groups.

He searched through his memories.

As the three kobolds returned home to Abyss Town from the tavern, having eaten and drunk their fill, they brushed past some strange fellows several times.

At first, he didn't pay much attention. Later, he thought it might just be a calm and composed wizard apprentice passing by. Now, thinking back, those figures who brushed past him were probably all looking for Karyu. Based on Ruger's current knowledge, those people's clothes and demeanor were probably those of wizard masters he could hardly reach.

Ruger played with the doll in one hand and stroked his chin with the other.

So, when that guy Lorigo called him away to become a mercenary and go on some pointless adventure, and then invited him to be a guest in Star City, wasn't that just unintentionally saving this little dog-headed man? If he had stayed there, he might have been in danger, since he couldn't withstand close scrutiny. It was only because his apprentice level wasn't high at the time and he wasn't too conspicuous, and he was hanging out with Big Fool and the others.

Ruger realized he couldn't let his imagination run wild anymore; he was just scaring himself. However, before Karyu left, he had said he wouldn't bring trouble to him and that someone was indeed pursuing him. This meant he wasn't just overthinking things, which made things even more terrifying.

Ruger collected his thoughts.

Without realizing it, he found that his dog head seemed to be quite sturdy.

Just like the bald old wizard in the Black Prison said, danger represents opportunity. If he hadn't been involved in these crises, he wouldn't have obtained these things now, such as that first-circle spellbook and the opportunity to become a wizard apprentice, all because of his contact with Karyu, that is, the half-human.

In this way, he could sit in the shop, enjoying the comfort of bathing in the blood-red sun while studying the potion formula, instead of lying in the cave secretly cutting open his palms to use blood as bait to catch insects.

"That old Lunser guy clearly said he'd be back soon..."

Ruger rubbed the dog-hair doll and muttered to himself.

He leaned against the countertop at an angle.

Perhaps the "soon" that old Lenser mentioned is similar to Jenny's, both referring to a very wide range.

However, it might be a good thing that Old Dog Head Lunser is returning a little later. If he's not continuing to run into obstacles, then he's gathering more information about the effects of the Fighter's Potion. After successfully advancing, he'll need to experiment with the abilities gained as a Fighter, which might take some time depending on the specific circumstances.

He recalled the Blood Curse Doll Notes. Besides the Spirit Hair Nourishment Technique and the curse, he would also randomly leave his own secret marks on the unborn dolls. These small accumulations would become one with the doll the moment it gained spirituality and completed its transformation and birth, strengthening its connection with its master.

Bang, bang, bang!
Old Lenser walked into the shop and casually closed the door that Ruger had left open, making the shop even quieter.

Ruger knew that the old dog usually liked to keep the shop's inner door closed so he could enjoy the sound of the bells that rang when each customer pushed the door open.

Luger sat up straight, his face serious.

"Welcome back to my dear uncle, the greatest apothecary of the City of Burning Blood, with his latest and never-before-seen potion-making achievements," Ruger said jokingly, seeing that old Lunser looked quite well.

"Low-level, low-level pharmacist..."

Old Lunser corrected.

Luger tilted his head and looked at old Lunser. Perhaps he didn't know enough about the ranks of apothecaries, but he knew that the old dog seemed very satisfied with this trip that lasted for most of the day. It seemed that he had not only completed the potion test, but may have even earned some magic stones.

(End of this chapter)