One month...
That's how long Ashton secluded himself inside the Grand Library. During this time, he had completely foregone his regular training and was focused on resting.
He did consolidate his recent breakthroughs but that's it. He didn't practice, didn't try out his new High-Order Spells, etc. He took it easy and instead poured his attention elsewhere.
Most of it went to his research...
The blueprints he received from the Undead Dragon's Hoard were fascinating. While he didn't initially understand what it all meant, that didn't stop him from admiring the complex designs that were depicted in each of those papers.
Sadly, one month isn't really enough to completely understand the language used on the blueprints. The materials available to him aren't enough to decipher the language itself. Nevertheless, he still made progress at least.
The blueprints depicted some sort of a shelter, one that can survive all kinds of harm and climate, some of which can even be built underground.
Every single one of these blueprints turns out to be connected to each other. Due to their design, Ashton called them; 'ARC' for now, since they seem to be designed to endure the worst the world could offer.
Every design he saw was intricate, strokes of sheer genius in his own opinion. Whoever made this could open mock any Human Inventors and it wouldn't be taken against them, that's how good they are.
One of the designs he saw was just a marvel on its own. This one, he calls; 'The Core'. It's an Energy Source Blueprint that can absorb, convert and filter all types of elements and turn them into pure Ether Energy that can be used in a less harmful way.
'The Core' is the one that binds everything together. Making it all work seamlessly and in harmony. With it, the 'ARC' base can survive even the worst tribulations the world has to offer since 'The Core' would just absorb anything that was thrown into it anyways.
The 'ARC' base can be stationed on the ground, underground, underwater, or in the skies. Ashton could also tell that it may be able to survive the space vacuum if some components were upgraded.
It also has cloaking mechanisms, and self-defense systems, nature-friendly as well thanks to 'The Core'. It is the ultimate base for survival.
What amazed Ashton truly, was the fact that the 'ARC' itself could just be as big as a normal city yet its interior could be as big as the world itself.
The materials that are needed to create the 'ARC' were specified as well. A mixture of rare metals, minerals, complex arrays, and last but not least...
Trinkets that could be harvested from the remains of both Demons and Angels...trinkets that Ashton just happens to have a lot of currently.
Ashton couldn't grasp how in world was this even possible but all clues lead to this outcome. This kind of technology is terrifying as it was amazing.
If Humans could build this, then there's no need to be afraid of invasions anymore. The 'ARC' is at least 10x better compared to the protective bubble of the Last Bastion! Which is rather absurd if you think about it.
Though, this begs the question, who in the world was responsible for making these designs?
It doesn't make sense for Ashton...
As far as he knows, three races currently live in this world; Humans, Demons, and Angels. Well, four if you include animals of course.
He would like to think that demons are the ones who created this, as he did receive them at the Undead Dragon's treasure hoard, but that's very unlikely...
With his experiences with Demons so far, he didn't take them for a very tech-savvy race. Hell, they preferred the brutal and barbaric way of living! And while this could just be a stereotype since, admittedly, Ashton doesn't know 'everything' about the Demon Race, he still doesn't believe that they will hide this kind of side from them. It just doesn't seem to fit their image.
Angels are uncharted territory for Ashton. He hadn't met the eyes-and-wings-galore race yet so he can't say anything about them.
It could be Humans, but that doesn't make sense either.
Ashton had been in the Last Bastion before. He saw the level of technology they have. The ones depicted in the blueprints are far from what the Humans of the Last Bastion can produce!
The Morning Sun Federation wouldn't be able to hide this kind of technological brilliance since any cultivators that witness them would revolt if they discovered that they are hiding them.
So maybe...just maybe...there's another race living in this world that he doesn't know of. And right now, Ashton is inclined to believe this.
Yet at the same time, what Race could they be?
It could be the Fae Race. Ashton does have their bloodline so it wouldn't be surprising if some of them still exist.
It may also be the Dwarven Race! Since, you know, according to his old world's depictions, dwarves are the most progressive race when it comes to technology.
There's a small chance that it could be the Machine Race since, well this would be right up their alley, but the chances of them existing is very low so...meh.
Either way, these blueprints are extremely valuable.
They made Ashton think a lot of things and receive some inspiration as well. Even Aria was mildly obsessed with them when he showed them to her.
Right now, both of them are working hard to completely decipher the language so that they could learn more about these blueprints. The more they learn, the more knowledgeable they'd be, and maybe in the future, they'll be able to re-create the whole 'ARC' itself.
For all they know, this might just be what Humanity needed to save themselves.
'...I've rested enough.' Ashton mused to himself as he got up from the bed.
He no longer felt tired. Instead, he felt light and relaxed. The one-month break from all the fighting really did help with his recovery. Of course, he had to give Aria credit as well for taking care of him.
During the past month, she's the one who regulated their activities. When she says that they could work, they'll work. When she says that it's time for them to rest, they will rest.
That healthy routine allowed Ashton to calm down considerably and allowed him to relax. Now he's ready to continue his long march home. But before that though, he still has a few things that he needed to do.
First and foremost, he has to refresh his experience in using his spells. This is a necessary process since he didn't use a single spell during the past month and his Gunslinger Proficiency broke through the 1-star Phenomenon Stage.
He needs some refresher so that he would fumble on the live battlefield. Thankfully, he has the Simulation Zone for that.
Next, he wanted to check out the bullet versions of his new High-Order skills. As he recently broke through to Lv.1 Archmage Realm, his mana reserves increased, even more, allowing him to cast a total of 10 High-Order Spells before running out of Mana.
So, after he had some refresher with his basics, he moved on and prepared the new High-Order Spells.
First, the [White Guardian]. It's a spell that links allies together and spreads the damage evenly amongst them.
Converting it into a bullet changes its effect to linking a current maximum of 5 enemies together within a radius of 200 meters. Shooting one of the linked targets will cause the rest to be injured too. Sufficed to say that if one of the linked targets dies, the others will soon follow.
This is an incredible spell for mobbing demons. Especially the stronger ones.
Next is [Golden Time], a spell that puts the caster and their allies into a golden stasis, negating all harm that would befall them for the next 10 seconds.
In its bullet version, it is a shot that immobilizes enemies in a 50-meter sphere for the same period, leaving them vulnerable to all damage. As far as Ashton observed so far, this applies to all targets. But there might be limitations in the future.
And finally, the [Magical Aurora].
Nothing really changes for it. It is an illusion-based spell so the conversion doesn't really take effect.
Ashton still doesn't know how the hell the Mortal Reminder is converting the White Magic Buffs into bullets that could seriously harm Demons but he wasn't really complaining.
Speaking of the Mortal Reminder though. His breakthrough to Lv.1 Archmage unlocked its new form.
Mortal Reminder's 3rd Form: 'Grenade Launcher.
Ashton practically vibrated in excitement the moment discovered this. Imagine the havoc he could cause things...
He could already see himself screaming 'Fire in the Hole!' repeatedly while laughing madly at the destruction he was causing.
Trust him, he's not a psychopath...yet. If he ever would be, it'd be reserved for his enemies only.
Still, Ashton received a significant boost in his strength. All of this should make it easier for him to continue his journey toward home.
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