Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 3316: Chapter 3317: Secret Treasury Within the Book

As Laplace narrated, Angel gradually understood the story behind it.

To understand the story behind Mystic Book Dragon, one must start with the ”Dragon God Mark.”

There has always been a rumor in the Hundred-Dragon Divine Kingdom that only those who inherit the creator’s mark have the qualification to ascend to the throne. And this creator’s mark is the so-called ”Dragon God Mark.”

Is the rumor about the Dragon God Mark true?

No one knows.

But one thing is certain, all Mirror Dragons with the Dragon God Mark possess extremely special abilities.

Even in Laplace’s view, the formation of the Dragon God Mark is actually a spillover effect of special abilities.

And the Mystic Book Dragon is a Dragon God Mark owner. Moreover, it was the first Dragon God Mark owner born in the Hundred-Dragon Divine Kingdom after the Eternal Dragon became the proxy Dragon God.

Therefore, the Eternal Dragon valued the Mystic Book Dragon greatly and cultivated it vigorously.

However, the Mystic Book Dragon differed from previous Dragon God Mark owners; no matter how the Eternal Dragon cultivated it, the feedback was minimal.

Even the new generation of Dragon God Mark owners born after the Mystic Book Dragon were cultivated by the Eternal Dragon into solid foundations of the Hundred-Dragon Divine Kingdom, yet the Mystic Book Dragon remained ordinary.

The only advantage was learning quickly and comprehending various knowledge rapidly. However, it couldn’t turn knowledge into a protective force.

It’s not that the Mystic Book Dragon didn’t try, but it always felt there was a wall barrier ahead, impossible to break through.

In its first few thousand years, the existence of the Mystic Book Dragon made the special nature of the ”Dragon God Mark” questioned by various races.

Not to mention outsiders, even within the Hundred-Dragon Divine Kingdom, there were arguments claiming the ”Dragon God Mark” was useless.

At that time, no matter how open-minded the Mystic Book Dragon was, it couldn’t help but be affected by the swirling tides of both internal criticism and external mockery.

Under this influence, the Mystic Book Dragon once doubted itself.

The Eternal Dragon always favored the Mystic Book Dragon, unable to bear seeing it fluctuate in the tides of opinion in the Hundred-Dragon Divine Kingdom.

At this time, Laplace encountered danger.

And this danger couldn’t be resolved by brute force; it required wisdom and patience.

The Eternal Dragon sent the Mystic Book Dragon away from the Hundred-Dragon Divine Kingdom to help Laplace escape danger.

Although the Wise Sovereign ultimately rescued Laplace, the Mystic Book Dragon didn’t play much of a role, but it became acquainted with Laplace.

”At that time, the Mystic Book Dragon was still trapped in the whirlpool of doubt,” said Laplace. ”However, I discovered then that its self-doubt was actually a cognitive bias about itself.”

As for why it was a cognitive bias, the reason was the Mystic Book Dragon hadn’t recognized its ”talent.”

When Laplace mentioned ”talent,” Angel suddenly recalled Laplace had previously mentioned Scholl Dragon’s special talent during a stay in the Hundred-Dragon Divine Kingdom—the Book of Time.

The talent of the ”Book of Time” is complex to describe because it involves many aspects. It can be summed up in one sentence: the longer you live, the more your comprehensive abilities improve, and the stronger you become.

If you just look at the summary, it seems applicable to everyone.

But note, others become stronger through accumulated experience over long lives.

The ”Book of Time,” however, enhances you the longer you live. Even if you do nothing and become useless, you still grow stronger under the grace of talent.

The most important thing is, if you choose to not slack off and work hard like others, you’ll become even stronger.

Simply put, the Mystic Book Dragon was ordinary in the Hundred-Dragon Divine Kingdom only because it was young and its talent hadn’t fully matured.

Upon hearing this, Angel had roughly filled in the story: ”So, the talent of the Book of Time, you analyzed and disclosed it to the Mystic Book Dragon?”

Laplace nodded: ”More or less.”

The Mystic Book Dragon came to help even if it didn’t contribute much, it showed goodwill. Laplace, finding its confusion, used special means to analyze the secret of the Mystic Book Dragon’s talent.

After analyzing, Laplace didn’t conceal, informing the Mystic Book Dragon.

Of course, the Mystic Book Dragon initially doubted. After all, claims like ”time will make you strong” sound bland and apply to everyone.

Additionally, this talent points to the future.

The future hasn’t happened yet; no one knows what the situation will be. Maybe Laplace was just comforting it?

Facing the Mystic Book Dragon’s doubt, Laplace didn’t say much and directly helped it develop another aspect of the ”Book of Time”: the Secret Treasury Within the Book.

This ability allows the Mystic Book Dragon to construct a two-dimensional space through written words.

Similar to the Wizard’s ability to switch between two and three dimensions.

The ’Secret Treasury Within the Book’ for the Mystic Book Dragon is an aid, providing a more intuitive understanding of the hidden meaning behind words.

Meaning, with this ability, the Mystic Book Dragon’s understanding of books and knowledge will reach a higher level.

Don’t think this ability isn’t strong; knowledge represents power in any world. Given the Mystic Book Dragon already has a strong desire to access knowledge, with this ability, its absorption of knowledge will become extremely enhanced.

Combined with the main talent of the ”Book of Time,” the Mystic Book Dragon will grow stronger with the passage of time.

Witnessing the power of the Secret Treasury Within the Book, the Mystic Book Dragon finally believed in the talent of the ”Book of Time.” Since then, its self-doubt began dissipating. Even when it reentered the whirlpool, its heart never wavered.

And time proved Laplace right.

After thousands of years, the Mystic Book Dragon, just considering battle rankings, can undoubtedly rank in the top three among all dragons of the Hundred-Dragon Divine Kingdom.

It’s known for its erudition, yet has such formidable combat prowess, illustrating how strong ”time’s gift” truly is.

Even when talking purely about combat, Laplace’s main body may not easily surpass the Mystic Book Dragon.

Of course, combined combat strength is another matter.

...

After hearing the story behind the Mystic Book Dragon, Angel, apart from feeling slightly touched by the ”wasted potential” growth trajectory, didn’t pay much attention since the Holographic Tablet contains even more exaggerated models of wasted potential reversal. Besides, the Mystic Book Dragon’s wasted potential flow actually fits as a pseudo-waste, true genius.

Compared to the Mystic Book Dragon’s story, Angel was more concerned about... the original intention of the Eternal Dragon sending the Mystic Book Dragon to meet Laplace.

Originally, Angel thought the Eternal Dragon genuinely sent the Mystic Book Dragon to help.

But after hearing the entire story, Angel had a vague intuition that the Eternal Dragon might have seen through the Mystic Book Dragon’s cognitive bias, purposely sending it over for Laplace to enlighten.

Regarding Angel’s speculation, Laplace said indifferently: ”I only see what it did; as for any hidden intentions, I’m indifferent.”

The Mystic Book Dragon indeed did its utmost to help.

Although the result was not ideal, Laplace saw its efforts.

Judge actions, not intentions.

At the very least, the Mystic Book Dragon sincerely came to help, and within a limited range, Laplace is willing to offer guidance. As for whether the Eternal Dragon has other thoughts, Laplace doesn’t care.

Moreover, in Laplace’s view, the Mystic Book Dragon is more important than the Eternal Dragon. Offering guidance to the Mystic Book Dragon can be considered an investment.

”Why do you think the Mystic Book Dragon is more important than the Eternal Dragon?” Angel asked curiously, ”Do you think the Mystic Book Dragon has more potential?”

Laplace did not deny it: ”Sort of. The Eternal Dragon firmly stands in the present; while the Mystic Book Dragon represents the future.”

Seeing Laplace answer with such candor, Angel thought for a moment and asked his curious question: ”The talent known as the Book of Time, bearing the name of time, does it mean it’s a Time Series ability?”

Previously, at the Hundred-Dragon Divine Kingdom’s outpost, Angel was curious about this question.

However, at that time Khuntela and Aor Shanzhuo were nearby, and Laplace hadn’t used the Mind Ribbon, so Angel felt embarrassed to ask.

Afraid that Khuntela would misunderstand him as spying on the Mirror Dragon’s privacy.

Now that there are no outsiders present, and they are conversing within the Mind Ribbon, Angel thought this a good opportunity to clear up his doubts.

Perhaps talking about the most mysterious Time Series, Laplace did not immediately reply but pondered for a while before slowly saying: ”It’s sort of, this... is also why I value the Mystic Book Dragon more.”

Sort of? Angel noticed Laplace’s answer was somewhat ambiguous. Why was it ”sort of”? Is it because the Time Series isn’t pure?

Angel really wanted to continue asking, but worried Laplace might think he was nitpicking over words.

Just as Angel hesitated, Laplace seemed to understand his intentions and took the initiative to reply: ”Time Series actually has many classifications, although the Mystic Book Dragon touches upon time, its abilities lean more towards analysis.”

It’s considered a rather marginal ability, involving part of time’s ability but unable to affect time and space.

So, in Laplace’s view, it’s considered a Time Series ability, just a bit skewed.

Angel: ”Then abilities that affect time and space are more purely Time Series abilities? Like time reversal, time stop?”

Laplace shook his head: ”No, abilities don’t have a purity distinction, it’s just a matter of emphasis.”

Just like Heart Illusion, it emphasizes the heart; True Illusion, it emphasizes the change.

Although both are ”illusion,” the distance from the essence of ”illusion” actually differs.

”The time reversal and stop you mention indeed involve prying into the underlying rules of time’s essence; perhaps only those above miracles can touch upon this.”

”What I mean by affecting time and space is merely some inconsequential changes, which won’t alter the big picture, or pry into the underlying logic.”

With this explanation from Laplace, Angel mostly understands, it’s akin to the ability of ”Consecutive Slash,” which affects time and space but doesn’t alter any big picture.

Nevertheless, since ”Consecutive Slash” affects time and space, it is closer to the essence of ”time” than pure ”analysis.”

After grasping the gist, Angel still wanted to ask one more question, which was whether Laplace’s own body also possesses abilities of the essence of ”time.”

But Angel held back his impulse, as this is Laplace’s privacy.

Laplace never inquired about his Art of Nightmare Illusion, so Angel felt embarrassed to pry into Laplace’s abilities.

...

Just as Angel and Laplace finished talking, Luigi’s voice sounded in the Mind Ribbon.

”I didn’t expect this body actually has such a relationship with the Mystic Book Dragon,” Luigi murmured softly.

Angel was taken aback, puzzled: ”You didn’t know either?”

Luigi nodded, glancing sideways at Laplace, and said a bit aggrievedly: ”This matter, the body did not share with me...”

If it wasn’t for Angel asking, Luigi wouldn’t have known about these twists and turns.

Hearing Luigi’s aggrieved words, Laplace calmly said: ”You never asked me about information regarding the Mystic Book Dragon before. If you had asked, I would have told you.”

After a pause, Laplace added: ”This matter, Glaipnir knows... because she asked me.”

Back when Glaipnir went to the Hundred-Dragon Divine Kingdom for divination, she specifically asked Laplace about information concerning the Hundred-Dragon Divine Kingdom.

Laplace did not hide anything and told Glaipnir, so Glaipnir knows these things.

However, Luigi has basically no interaction with the Hundred-Dragon Divine Kingdom, nor did he ever ask Laplace for more information about it. If not for Baba Ragon, he probably wouldn’t have asked Laplace for even the basic information.

Luigi thought for a moment, feeling that what Laplace said seemed right.

Moreover, knowing or not knowing the relationship between the Mystic Book Dragon and Laplace wouldn’t affect him anyway.

Even now, one could use the Mystic Book Dragon’s relationship to have it help with promoting the log-in device; but it wouldn’t be his place to speak, Glaipnir would surely handle the negotiation.

Thinking this way, Luigi also felt relieved.

”In any case, the appearance of the Mystic Book Dragon is a good thing for us,” Luigi said. ”Previously, I was worried that negotiating with the Mystic Book Dragon might be difficult, but now it seems unnecessary to convince it with reason and emotion.”

Since the Mystic Book Dragon and Laplace are old friends, it seems the log-in device matter wouldn’t be hard to settle.

Moreover, with the current threat from the Calamity Puppet outside, as long as the Mystic Book Dragon isn’t foolish, it will certainly make the right choice.

...

On the main stage, Jasmine announced the Mystic Book Dragon’s ”Meet-and-Greet” and briefly mentioned some other small events.

This included book clubs encompassing multiple races, tea and wine research societies exclusively for Turul, and costume balls for giant trolls and giants...and so on.

These events initially appeared strange and eccentric.

But with the names of the event organizers announced, understanding dawned in Angel’s eyes.

The organizer of the tea and wine research society is ”Aor Shanzhuo”; the organizer of the giant troll and giant costume ball is ”Hailan Woja.”

Seeing the names of these event organizers, Angel roughly understood why these peculiar events exist.

Aor Shanzhuo’s craving for fine wine, Angel had personally witnessed.

Hailan Woja is a die-hard giant enthusiast.

They organize the tea and wine research society, and the costume ball; frankly, it’s simply using the public platform to satisfy their own private interests.