The Wizard of Truth: Starting with Analyzing All Things

The task assigned by the Discipline Tower was a double-edged sword hanging over Rowe's head. On the one hand, it undoubtedly meant tighter control and exploitation, forcing him to research knowledge that might concern his own secrets for potential enemies; on the other hand, it also provided him with a relatively "legitimate" window to access the ancient runic knowledge that was sealed by the Discipline Tower and closely related to the Gray Slate.

After the report, Rowe carried the thick stack of animal hide rubbings back to his strictly controlled work area in Field's laboratory. The rubbings exuded the scent of old sheepskin and a faint trace of enchanting potion. The runes imprinted on them with special ink were twisted and ancient, just like the ones he had seen at the Starfall Observatory. The moment he touched them, the gray stone slab in his arms resonated with a gentle and continuous sound, clearer and more stable than at the observatory, as if he had returned to a familiar home.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his distracting thoughts. At this moment, he had to play the role of the "talented, controlled researcher" expected by the Discipline Tower. He spread out the stencil, took out the special talisman paper and ink (clearly containing surveillance components) provided by the Discipline Tower for recording and analyzing data, and began to work "seriously."

The workflow was tedious and rigorous. He first needed to meticulously scan each rune on the rubbing with his mental power, depicting its structure and recording its residual energy characteristics (the artifacts provided by the Discipline Tower would simultaneously record his scanning data). Then, based on his "manifested" spatial perception talent, he would analyze the parts of the rune structure that might be related to energy flow and spatial stability, and finally write an analysis report. Throughout the process, he could feel a faint monitoring intent lingering around him, especially when his mental power was focused on the runes, the cold gaze from the "Heart-Scarred Potion" was particularly clear.

Current status: Rowe (Late-stage Intermediate Apprentice)

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Strength assessment: Stable realm, high precision in energy manipulation, proficient in information weaving, and has mastered the incomplete theories of "information disguise layer" and "energy signature simulation".

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Situation: Under Level 2 (relaxed) supervision, forced to research ancient observation station runes for the Discipline Tower, and under close surveillance.

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Task: Analyze the observatory runes and write an analysis report.

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Strategy: outwardly comply, secretly utilize the stone slab resonance for in-depth analysis, and attempt to practice anti-monitoring techniques.

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Development priorities: Deepen understanding of keystone runes under surveillance, optimize information camouflage capabilities, and cautiously investigate the intentions of the Discipline Tower.

For the first few days, Lowe acted entirely according to the Discipline Tower's expectations. He "laboriously" scanned the runes, "slowly" analyzed their structure, and submitted reports that were conventional, even deliberately including some irrelevant speculations based on ordinary runic knowledge, making his progress "just right" slow. He carefully controlled his mental fluctuations, maintaining the illusion of being "hardworking but with limited talent."

However, deep within his consciousness, in the hidden connection he had established with the gray slate, true analysis was proceeding at an astonishing speed. The slate's resonance, like a silent mentor, guided his perception through the surface of the rubbings, reaching the core of the runes. In his "mind's eye," these runes were no longer lifeless patterns, but living energy channels, concrete manifestations of the tiny cornerstones that constitute the rules of the world.

[Slowly increasing synchronization rate with the gray slate: 58%... 59%...]

[Observation station rune analysis in progress...]

[Identified a complex structure of foundational runes including 'energy guidance,' 'information reception,' 'spatial anchoring,' and 'frequency filtering'...]

[Comparison with known 'Lawful Covenant' runes... Similarity 17.3%... Homology confirmed... Difference analysis: The Observatory runes are older and closer to the origin, while the Lawful Covenant runes are more coercive and binding...]

[Deducing an optimized solution for the 'Information Camouflage Layer': Incorporating 'Frequency Filtering' rune properties can enhance the shielding effect against specific detection bands...]

The Discipline Tower wanted him to see these runes as "energy tools." But the stone tablet guided him to see their true nature as "carriers of rules," and their intricate yet distinct connections to the Discipline Tower's power system. The observatory's rune system was more like a neutral application of natural laws for "communication" and "reception"; while the Discipline Tower's runes of law, on the other hand, added a strong element of "will" and "coercion," distorting it into "command" and "binding."

This discovery startled Lowe. The power of the Discipline Tower truly stemmed from the inheritance and modification of ancient knowledge! Did they send him to study these things not merely to decipher the observatory, but also to utilize his affinity for space and information to optimize their own system of rules? Or did they want to verify his connection to this ancient power?

He dared not reveal a word, but secretly began to incorporate the analysis results of the stone tablet into the submitted report in an extremely subtle, fragmented, and superficial manner. He would "accidentally" discover a "minor characteristic" of a certain rune structure and propose an "immature" "hypothesis" about the efficiency of energy flow. These contents looked like bursts of inspiration, but did not touch the core, which just happened to demonstrate his "value" and "controllability" and meet the expectations of the Discipline Tower.

Meanwhile, taking advantage of the relatively fixed work environment and the gradually familiar monitoring rhythm, he began to practice the "energy signature simulation" technique more boldly. Under the cover of staring at the runes for a long time and concentrating his mental energy (which is common among researchers), he carefully adjusted his own energy field, trying to synchronize with the energy fluctuations of the "bright light runes" in the studio that emitted a stable and soft light.

Failure, adjustment, and more failure… Each fine-tuning was like walking a tightrope; he could clearly “feel” the “gaze” of the monitoring mark on his soul. But with the aid of the stone slab, his control over the energy frequency became increasingly refined. A few days later, he successfully extended the duration of the simulated luminous rune fluctuations in his own energy signature from an instant to three breaths! Although still brief, it was a qualitative leap! Within those three breaths, he felt that the cold “gaze” seemed to become somewhat “blurred,” as if it mistook him for part of the surrounding background!

This small success gave him immense confidence. He even attempted, during a break in a successful simulation, to extend a faint wisp of his perception, like tentacles, outside the work area—not to investigate anything, but merely to test the boundaries of his surveillance. He "heard" extremely faint footsteps and residual energy from the patrolling guards in the hallway outside, without immediately triggering an alarm!

Darkmoon Academy World Encyclopedia: Energy Signature Mimicry

A highly advanced stealth technique, it's not simply about visual or aura disguise, but rather about temporarily altering the frequency and amplitude of one's own energy field at the level of energy source, making it infinitely similar to a common energy source in the environment (such as illumination runes, the aftershocks of elemental pools, etc.). Successful simulation can greatly reduce the probability of being locked onto by energy detection arrays, but it demands extremely high precision in energy manipulation, environmental awareness, and mental strain from the caster, and is usually unsustainable. It is mostly mastered by high-level stealth users or wizards who specialize in studying the nature of energy.

However, just as Lowe was gradually adapting to this research life of dancing on the edge of a knife and making progress in secret, the next test, or rather, the real "exploitation" by the Discipline Tower, began.

Half a month later, when Luo Wei submitted a report containing a "minor optimization conjecture" about a certain "information receiving" rune structure, the person who came to collect the report the next day was no longer an ordinary deacon, but the stern-wizard deacon.

The deacon carefully reviewed the report, pausing for a moment, particularly at the "conjecture" proposed by Luo Wei, a barely perceptible glint in his eyes. He looked up at Luo Wei, his tone still calm, yet carrying an undeniable command:

"Apprentice Lowe, the elder has reviewed your research progress. He believes your 'spatial perception' for discerning the subtle details of rune structures is indeed unique. Now, a more important analytical task is assigned to you."

He took out a black crystal fragment tightly sealed by a pale golden seal—only the size of a fingernail, but the chaotic, filthy, and extremely strong information pollution fluctuations it emitted, which even the seal could not completely isolate, made the abyss imprint deep within Luo Wei's soul tremble! This aura was of the same origin as the shadow matter he had sensed in the Discipline Tower, the one used for forbidden experiments!

"This object," the deacon's voice was deep, "is a 'highly hazardous contaminant' recovered by the Discipline Tower during a cleanup operation. Its internal energy structure is extremely complex and unstable, difficult to analyze using conventional methods. The elders believe that your unique perception might be able to bypass its external defenses and probe the 'nodes' and 'vulnerabilities' of its internal energy channels. Your task is to use your mental power to conduct a 'penetrating' scan, without breaking the seal, and draw a diagram of its internal energy flow. Remember, you can only perceive, not interact. Any anomalies must be immediately stopped and reported!"

Lowe's heart nearly leaped out of his chest! The Discipline Tower had actually allowed him to directly handle this dangerous item, clearly related to the Abyss! This was no simple "research and utilization"; it was an extremely dangerous test! Testing his reaction to Abyssal energy, testing whether he would be contaminated, and perhaps... even using his senses to find the weaknesses of this dangerous substance for their nefarious experiments!

Looking at the black crystal fragment that exuded an ominous aura, Luo Wei felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. He knew he was standing at a more dangerous crossroads. Refusing would immediately expose his guilty conscience; accepting might lead to utter ruin.

He forcefully suppressed the restlessness and instinctive fear emanating from the deepest imprint of his soul, striving to maintain composure on his face, even displaying a degree of caution and curiosity befitting a researcher encountering a novel specimen, as he took the sealed crystal fragment. The moment his hand touched it, a cold, malicious intent attempted to penetrate the seal and enter his mind, but was firmly blocked by his fully activated "Foundation Rune - Stability" and the faint light emanating from the stone slab.

"The student... will do his best." Luo Wei's voice carried a slight, perfectly timed tremor of tension caused by handling dangerous materials.

The deacon gave him a deep look, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

Inside the studio, only Luo Wei remained, facing the crystal fragment on the table, which resembled solidified darkness. The sealed light flickered faintly, as if imprisoning a ferocious beast that might break free at any moment.

Lovi knew that the real test had only just begun. He not only had to analyze this dangerous item under the watchful eyes of the Discipline Tower, but also resist its corruption, conceal his connection to the Abyss Mark, and perhaps even uncover the deepest secrets of the Discipline Tower from this crisis.

He took a deep breath and slowly extended his spiritual power, like the finest tentacles, cautiously approaching the pale golden seal, beginning this dance of death on the edge of the abyss. The gray stone slab in his arms also emitted an unprecedented tremor, one of wariness and scrutiny.