Lord of the Mysteries: I Married the Queen Mystic

This time, Odis spent an extended period researching in the 'Knowledge Moor'...

The time spent was equivalent to about a month in the outside world. Half of that time was dedicated to modifying the two arrays.

The ancient array capable of extracting knowledge from the corpses of Extraordinary creatures only required minor adjustments to be functional.

However, the Mind Resonance array needed fundamental enhancements and reconstruction... The principle of this array was to use fluctuations of Spirituality to achieve a certain resonance with the brainwave frequencies of those nearby, allowing one to sense their thoughts through their own Spirituality.

But there was a significant issue... the array's spiritual fluctuations were random, making it difficult to consistently resonate with the brainwaves of others.

First, Odis amplified the array's Spirituality, transforming the receiving end into an output source.

Next, he restructured the array's function. He adjusted the resonance frequency of the spiritual waves generated by the array. If it had previously been a single channel, it now operated across more than a dozen channels, greatly increasing the probability of resonance with others' brainwaves.

Yet, this still relied on chance, and Odis was never satisfied with probabilistic outcomes. So, he devised another method... using Spirituality to temporarily alter the brainwave frequencies of the knowledge recipient.

Based on his prior research, many signals within the human body were transmitted via Spirituality as the medium. Therefore, in theory, it should be feasible to use Spirituality to temporarily adjust a recipient's brainwave frequency.

However, this approach would undoubtedly cause significant harm to the recipient...

Odis adjusted the parameters repeatedly before finding an intensity that achieved the desired effect without causing lasting damage.

Finally, this intricate and complex array was complete.

Upon activation, it operated under two conditions:

- If the recipient's brainwave frequency matched one of the dozen channels preconfigured in the array, knowledge would be directly imparted.

- If no match was found, Odis had designed a nodal point in the array where a crystal would be installed.

If resonance fails, the crystal would light up, which would require further action... either terminating the knowledge transfer or injecting additional Spirituality into the crystal to continue the process.

If the latter option was chosen, the recipient might experience dizziness, nausea, or similar symptoms, but no permanent harm would be done.

The other half of Odis's time in the 'Knowledge Moor' was spent studying the practical application of these arrays...

Both arrays were now fully operational. One to extract knowledge, the other to impart it. However, a conduit was still missing between them.

After numerous material experiments, Odis finally identified a highly suitable medium... the Amantha Crystal.

This crystal originated from the Amantha Mountain Range, the headquarters of the Church of the Evernight Goddess, and served as an auxiliary ingredient for the 'Nightmare' potion, the 'Sleepless' Pathway's Sequence 7.

The primary ability of a 'Nightmare' was to freely enter the dreams of sleepers, a process where one person's consciousness infiltrated another's mind.

The Amantha Crystal's role was to act as a bridge between two minds, albeit to a far lesser degree than a Beyonder characteristic. Nevertheless, it was perfectly suited for Odis's design.

By inscribing specific mystical symbols, he could alter certain properties of the crystal, enabling it to transmit knowledge...

Once all research was complete, Odis finally left the 'Knowledge Moor' and returned to the real world.

Back in reality, he first used Cogitation to reinforce prolonged mental conditioning, ensuring he remained fully aware of his actual surroundings.

After a while, once he felt mentally grounded, he sighed inwardly:

'Thankfully, I only conduct research in the Knowledge Moor and don't engage in any other activities there. At worst, it feels like an exhausting dream. If I were to live normally there, I'd undoubtedly mistake that life for reality...'

Checking his pocket watch and seeing he still had time to rest, Odis used Cogitation again to lull himself into sleep.

....

The next morning, he slept in, not waking until past nine...

After rising, he cooked himself a simple breakfast of noodles before heading to the basement. There, he mixed spiritual powder with essential oils and drew a secondary array designed to transport objects into the 'Knowledge Moor'.

He first tested it with a mystical weapon. Upon activating the array with Spirituality, the weapon was successfully transported into the 'Knowledge Moor'.

To retrieve it, he would need to reactivate the array and complete the retrieval process.

Satisfied, Odis proceeded to send all his mystical weapons along with nearly three thousand pounds in cash into the 'Knowledge Moor'.

Next, he cut a piece of bedsheet and used the remaining spiritual materials and oils to paint another identical secondary array on it.

This portable version also functioned perfectly... Once the oils dried, he folded the array and carried it with him for future use.

Arriving at the herbal shop, Odis first drafted a list and had Kain deliver it to Unit 117 Queen's Avenue, the residence of Viscount Kelton.

This viscount had long served the royal family, managing their mystical trade. His stock of high-grade spiritual materials was far more comprehensive than most.

Though prices there were 10% to 20% higher than those at Beyonders' gatherings, Odis required materials in bulk. Waiting for transactions at gatherings would have delayed his plans indefinitely, so he primarily sourced his supplies from Viscount Kelton.

As per previous transactions, deliveries typically arrived in the afternoon. In the meantime, Odis continued drafting the 'Outline of Combat'...

....

Around two in the afternoon, he left Kain in charge of the shop and retreated to the rest area and laboratory for a 'nap'.

At precisely three o'clock, his vision was engulfed by dense gray fog. The next instant, Odis found himself seated at an ancient bronze table within a majestic palace.

As usual, 'Miss Justice' rose with a smile and bowed to the figure at the head of the table, "Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~"

After receiving a slight nod from 'The Fool', she greeted 'The Magician', 'The Hanged Man', 'The World', and 'The Hermit' in turn before finally settling her gaze on 'The Sun'.

"You seem troubled?" Audrey had keenly noticed the Little Sun's unease.

Had she not asked, Odis, who was seated beside Derrick as 'The Hermit', would have done so himself.

Derrick didn't hesitate to explain how he had successfully feigned illness to be isolated for treatment at the base of the Spire.

"Honorable Mr. Fool," he asked anxiously, "will that mystical item detect my participation in this gathering?"

Behind the gray fog, Klein thought: 'How should I know? I don't even know what that thing is...'

But under Derrick's earnest gaze (and sensing no invasive forces), Klein responded with feigned ease: "Under normal circumstances, it shouldn't detect you. However, some mystical items possess unique properties..."

Hearing this response, Odis nearly rolled his eyes, 'That's as good as saying nothing...'