Chapter 52: The Use of Magical Items and the Stepstones
The Stepstones, Cutthroat Isle
"Lord Jon, why did you ask him that question?"
Narsas, who had been standing beside him, also found Jon's previous question somewhat strange. Thus, after seeing Jared Lockner leave, he asked out of curiosity.
"Lord Jon likely wished to test the Archon of Tyrosh's stance on slavery!"
Before Jon could answer Narsas's question, a voice spoke directly into Narsas's ear.
The speaker was Kapo, dressed as a pirate, currently holding a book with a sky-blue cover.
Under normal circumstances, no one would associate books with pirates, as the two were worlds apart. Yet at this moment, Kapo was indeed holding a book.
Although Narsas was aware of Kapo's change, seeing him with a book still gave him an indescribable sense of dissonance.
Upon seeing that blue-covered book, a flicker of fervor flashed in Narsas's eyes. In his view, possessing that book was equivalent to possessing the powerful ability to summon a blizzard.
Indeed, the blue book held by the pirate Kapo was the magic tome Blizzard that Jon had previously obtained in the northern dungeon.
After Jon left the North and returned to the Stepstones, the system had granted him temporary license certificates for Blizzard and the Staff of Recovery.
Due to the damage to the staff-caster and elemental-caster modules, magic-based abilities had remained unusable. However, the appearance of these licenses showed that the system within Jon's body was constantly searching for ways to allow him to use magical power.
From dragonglass to mana stones, and now to magic items, it all seemed to be the result of the system's persistent efforts. However, for Jon, a temporary license certificate costing 2,000 per certificate was still somewhat too expensive.
Nevertheless, to test the power of his first subordinate caster, Jon still exchanged for this ridiculously expensive item.
Since it was a temporary usage license, Kapo, who was chosen for the experiment, did not become a mage in the true sense. The system had merely granted him permission to use the power of Blizzard.
The temporary license certificate was something akin to an item. Once bound to Kapo, Narsas could even steal it from him.
Since Kapo was the only one among Jon's seven subordinates whose mana value had reached 2 points, Jon gave this somewhat miraculous magic tome to Kapo—the pirate who least resembled a caster—to conserve Soul Energy.
Blizzard was a spell capable of manipulating ice to attack enemies. After being modified by certain forces in this world, it had become a spell that could summon sharp ice swords and pillars to strike foes.
During magical tests a few days ago, Jon had measured that the attack range of this spell was approximately fifty meters, with an effective killing width of about three meters for the ice pillars.
In the target area, there were about twenty wooden dummies in a row. After being struck, the first five were completely frozen and ruined, cracking at the slightest touch, though the damage decreased further back.
This Blizzard magic tome had twenty charges. Jon had used two during the experiment, meaning he now had only eighteen uses left.
The Staff of Recovery was used by Jon on himself. Its restorative effect was similar to a healing draught, and it also had twenty charges. Jon had used it once while testing its effects.
Since the system did not yet have items like repair hammers, Jon had to use them sparingly for now. However, with this beginning, Jon believed he would acquire more and more magical items in the future.
Although Kapo often "over-interpreted" things, his behavior inadvertently made Jon's image appear profound and unfathomable.
Jon naturally would not interrupt something so beneficial for managing his subordinates. It was precisely because of what he had seen and heard during this time that Jon understood why ancient nobles and kings liked to implement policies of ignorance toward those below them.
Because the feeling of being worshipped was truly wonderful. However, Jon would not be so foolish, as doing so would be meaningless for him.
Jon's system had already made him a godlike existence, and his current subordinates worshipped him as if he were a deity.
Furthermore, Jon discovered that he could actually sense some of the mental activities of his subordinates, especially those who had used system class items.
"Narsas, you must understand that we can never truly be partners with these slave traders. We must fight for the freedom of all believers of the Seven!"
(Of course, you can have your freedom, and I can obtain what I desire.)
After hearing Kapo's explanation, Jon spoke those words directly, while silently acknowledging their true meaning in his heart.
"By the way, Kapo, you must adapt to using Blizzard as quickly as possible during this time. Do not let a situation like last time happen again, where you fainted after using it."
After finishing his sentence to Narsas, Jon turned his gaze toward Kapo.
"I understand, Lord Jon. During this time, I have been training my spirit according to your instructions. Through the meditation and prayer you mentioned, my mind has indeed been calmed. I feel I can now fully control the power within it."
It turned out that some time ago, while testing the Blizzard spell, Kapo, the test subject, had once fainted after using it.
Through subsequent examinations and questioning, Jon gradually discovered that this was due to Kapo's weak mental strength.
Therefore, to enable Kapo—a pirate with a face full of scars—to use Blizzard effectively, Jon had specially devised a method of mental training.
Although he did not know whether it would truly be effective, seeing Kapo's current state, Jon felt that his improvised method likely had some effect.
Once he had matters to attend to, Jon felt that time passed very quickly. Many times, Jon would feel as though he had only just finished processing a few pieces of administrative work when Narsas and the others would come to summon him for supper.
In his previous life in the modern world, as a middle manager in a department, Jon had never liked making decisions, because once a decision was made, it meant he had to take responsibility.
However, after coming to this world, Jon no longer had such concerns. This might be because there was no one above him anymore, or perhaps because no one here dared to question his authority.
Thus, most of the time, Jon found it very easy to make decisions. Although this meant he had to bear many consequences, the current Jon possessed the strength and authority to shoulder that burden.
Since this world lacked the diversions of his previous life, most people chose to rest immediately after nightfall, aside from certain "exercises."
As Jon had not yet found a suitable bed partner, and coupled with his distaste for those who neglected bathing, he remained a pure young man who had never "tasted the forbidden fruit," just like the original owner of this body.
After extinguishing the whale-oil lamp by his bedside, Jon went straight to sleep. Today's affairs had been numerous and complex; he had worked by lamplight for more than two hours after dark, and finally, when his eyes could bear no more, he chose to rest.
As Jon entered his dreams, his bedchamber gradually fell into silence, while the window beside his bed remained slightly ajar.
Under the light touch of the sea breeze, the delicate lace curtains swayed faintly, as if some unseen force were gently tugging at them.
As night deepened, a strange undercurrent also stirred beneath the waters surrounding Cutthroat Isle, manipulated by some bizarre power.
A mass like spilled ink slowly moved toward the main island. The surrounding creatures seemed extremely fearful of this thing; whenever it advanced, any living being with thought fled desperately from the area.
Splash…
Thud…
With the surge of a wave, a mass of black substance about the size of a seal appeared upon the shore. Under cover of darkness, the patrolling Chainbreakers did not notice its presence.
Alora… kaka…
In some distant and unknown space, ancient and archaic syllables echoed faintly. With the emergence of these sounds, the ink-like mass began to change.
Strands of tar-like substance oozed outward, and the mass gradually lifted from the ground.
A head, neck, limbs, and body began to take form beneath the night sky. Along with these features, a pair of eyes composed of blood-red light appeared within the shadow's head.
Swish, swish, swish…
After surveying its surroundings, the shadow fixed its terrifying crimson gaze upon the Pirate Fortress.
Then the shadow began to disperse and gather like ink spreading across parchment.
In moonlight, it scattered like mist; in shadow, it condensed once more.
Darkness itself seemed to serve as its stepping stone, allowing the dreadful being to move with unnatural speed.
Before long, the shadow stood outside Jon's bedchamber.
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