booktalesy Chapter 76 Study
Chapter 76 Study
Xiu Qi left the courtyard and walked on the stone path of the academy. He could feel the gazes cast upon him from all around.
Unlike yesterday, those gazes held less contempt and more scrutiny and apprehension.
"Have you heard? There was fighting going on on Oak Street in the East District last night..."
"The guards went to investigate early this morning, but they found nothing."
"Someone said they saw a huge figure..."
Whispers circulated among the crowd.
Xiu Qi remained calm, as if he hadn't heard anything. He walked steadily toward the academy's tower.
The lecture hall on the third floor of the tower was already quite full of students. When Xiu Qi pushed open the door and entered, the conversation suddenly quieted down.
Hundreds of eyes turned to them simultaneously.
Xiu Qi found a seat by the window and took out a notebook and a quill pen from his spatial ring.
"Xiuqi." A voice sounded beside me.
Lucas, a first-year student in Class C, is Shuki's only friend at the academy. He is also an apprentice from a knight family.
His face showed concern, and he lowered his voice, saying, "Are you alright? I heard..."
"I'm fine," Xiuqi interrupted him. "Thank you for your concern."
Lucas hesitated for a moment, then nodded and sat down beside him.
The classroom door opened again, and Master Alvin walked in, leaning on his staff.
The old man was wearing a mage's robe today, his gray hair neatly combed. His gaze swept across the classroom, lingering briefly on Xiu Qi, before he walked towards the podium.
"Today's topic is the advanced application of force field structures," Master Alvin said, tapping his staff in the air.
A complex three-dimensional spell model appeared in mid-air, composed of light blue lines and nodes.
"Traditional protective force fields are usually seen as a 'wall'," Master Alvin said. "But high-level protective mages know that the essence of a force field is fluid. Like water, it can channel, disperse, and even deflect attacks."
He manipulated the spell model, changing the force field structure from a uniform grid to a spiral shape.
"This is the 'Vortex Field,' a fifth-circle protective spell. It can absorb, convert, and then release the energy of an attack." Master Alvin looked at Xiuqi. "Apprentice Xiuqi, the deflection field you used in the duel the day before yesterday seems to contain a similar concept."
All eyes in the class focused on the lesson once again.
Xiuqi stood up and calmly replied, "I was simply following the nature of the force field, mentor."
"Very good." A hint of approval flashed in Master Alvin's eyes. "Then, could you demonstrate your understanding to everyone?"
Xiuqi walked to the front of the classroom.
He raised his right hand, stirring his mind.
A pale silver-blue force field appeared in my palm. At first, it was a uniform sphere of light, and then its internal structure began to change—the nodes rearranged and the energy flow path was adjusted.
The light sphere gradually deformed, and spiral patterns appeared on its surface.
"This isn't a standard deflection field," a senior apprentice whispered.
"Was he modifying the spell model on site?"
"That requires an incredible level of self-control..."
Xiuqi ignored the discussion. He focused on the changes in the force field.
The colors of the sphere began to separate: the core was deep blue, the middle layer was silver-white, and the outer layer was light gold.
The three colors of energy rotate at different speeds, forming a force field vortex.
"A triple helix structure." Master Alvin nodded. "This is almost a simplified version of the fifth-circle spell 'Elemental Deflection Field'."
The classroom was completely silent.
Many apprentices wore complex expressions—shock, envy, jealousy, and a sense of powerlessness.
Is this the innate advantage of the 98% affinity of the protective school of thought?
Xiuqi dissipated the force field and returned to his seat. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
"That concludes today's lesson," Master Alvin suddenly announced. "You can review the material on your own after class."
……
At noon, Xiuqi didn't go to the cafeteria first, but went straight to the library.
The bookshelves on both sides of the corridor were piled high with classic books.
The air smelled of dust and old paper, mixed with a musty, magical aura.
The books on the third floor of the library are older than those on the ground floor. The covers are made of monster hide or parchment, and the titles are written in ancient languages or Elvish script on the spines.
Xiu Qi walked along the bookshelf, his gaze sweeping over the book titles:
"Research on Abyssal Force Fields", "Principles of Elemental Attack Protection", "The Forbidden Handbook of the Legendary Mage Karazhan", "The Construction and Risks of Void Devouring Force Fields"...
Sure enough, it was all rather "orthodox" knowledge.
He stopped in front of a thick book with a black cover. The cover was made of black scales and was cold to the touch. Ancient Elven script was embroidered on the spine with silver thread: "Annihilation and Rebirth of Force Fields".
Xiuqi took out the book and sat down in the reading area.
The book was thick and the pages were yellowed. The very first sentence sent a chill down his spine:
True protection is not about blocking attacks, but about making attacks "non-existent".
He continued reading.
The author of this book is an unsigned ancient sorcerer who recorded his research on the nature of force fields.
He believes that all force fields are essentially distortions of space, and that extreme spatial distortion can produce an "annihilation" effect—not deflecting or absorbing attacks, but directly causing attacks to disappear into the cracks in space.
However, this method is extremely dangerous. If one is not careful, the caster himself will be swallowed by the spatial rift.
The book documents several attempts and failures. Some of the descriptions sent chills down Xiuqi's spine.
"Experimental Subject Seven attempted to construct a miniature annihilation field. The field went out of control, and the experimental subject, along with the surrounding three-foot space, disappeared."
"Experiment Subject Twelve successfully constructed a stable annihilation force field, which lasted for three seconds. However, after the force field dissipated, the subject exhibited spatial dislocation symptoms, with his left hand and right foot switching positions. He died three days later."
Xiuqi took a deep breath.
Dangerous, but powerful.
If one could master this power, one would be able to fight not only the assassins sent by the Fernand family, but also even higher-level professionals.
He continued reading.
time flies.
Until the librarian's reminder rang in my ears—closing time was approaching.
Xiuqi closed the book and carefully put it back in its place.
The knowledge from the book was already imprinted in his mind: the spell models, the energy flow paths, the understanding of the nature of force fields...
He needs time to process this.
When I left the library, it was almost dusk.
As Xiu Qi walked along the tree-lined path of the academy, he was still mentally deducing the structure of the annihilation force field.
Those critical points in the arrangement of nodes, energy paths, and spatial distortion...
"Shuqi!"
A familiar voice pulled him back to reality.
Jasmine walked from the roadside, her fiery red hair blazing like flames in the setting sun. Worry etched on her face, her emerald eyes fixed on Xiuqi.
"I heard that last night on Oak Street..." she lowered her voice, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Xiuqi said. "They were just a few robbers."
"Robbers?" Gassley was clearly skeptical. "The guards investigated all day; there were signs of arcane combat at the scene. There were also witnesses who reported seeing a huge figure..."
She stopped abruptly, her eyes sharp: "It's the Fernand family, isn't it?"
Xiuqi did not deny it.
Jasley's face darkened: "They dared to make a move near the academy... I'm going to tell Father that the Moore family will not stand idly by."
"Not for now," Xiu Qi shook his head. "There's no direct evidence yet."
"but--"
"Cassley," Xiuqi interrupted her, his tone calm but firm, "Thank you for your concern, but I can handle this."
The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the two of them.
As Jia Sili looked at Xiu Qi, she suddenly realized that the gray-robed youth in front of her was different from when they first met.
It's not a change in appearance, but an inner quality.
Like a long sword sheathed, it may appear calm, but when it is drawn, its sharpness will surely be revealed.
"Okay," she finally said, "but promise me you won't shoulder everything alone. Come to me anytime if you need anything."
"I will."
The two walked side by side for a while before parting ways in the college square.
……
Late at night.
In the study of a mansion in Harbour City, the old Earl Fernand was listening to a report from his subordinates.
"Four people, all missing. The scene has been cleaned up, leaving no trace," the man in black said in a low voice.
"Observers have confirmed that the target possesses an improved protective force field, the ogres are extremely loyal, and the goblin is suspected to be a mutant with spatial abilities."
Old Fernand's face was gloomy.
He sat behind his desk, toying with a ruby in his hand—similar to the one on Xiuqi's ring, but larger.
"Loss assessment?"
"The equipment and commissions of the four professionals, plus the contract-breaking crystal, amount to a total loss of approximately 2000 gold coins." The man in black paused. "More importantly, we've lost the 'Grey Wolf' mercenary group. They're now refusing to accept any missions related to the target."
"Add more money."
"Adding money won't help." The man in black shook his head. "The leader of the 'Grey Wolf' mercenary group said the target is too dangerous. He suggested we call it quits for now."
Old Fernand stood up and slammed his fist on the table.
A crack appeared on the surface of the desk.
"Stop?" Old Fernand sneered. "My son was humiliated in public, the family's heirloom magic ring was taken away, and now even the mercenaries I hire dare to say 'no' to me?"
The man in black robes lowered his head and remained silent.
Silence fell in the study.
After a long while, old Fernand sat down again.
"What's going on at the academy?"
"Master Alvin met with the target today, but the details of their conversation are unknown. However, according to intelligence, the target spent the entire day in the library, mainly studying a monograph on force fields."
"Learn magic?" Old Fernand narrowed his eyes.
"Possibly."
The old man fell silent again.
He looked out the window at the night sky, a complex mix of emotions flashing in his eyes—anger, apprehension, and a hint of admiration.
"Suspend direct action," old Fernand finally said, "but that doesn't mean we're letting him go."
"What do you mean?"
"The college is about to conduct final exams," old Fernand said slowly. "Make arrangements so that he encounters an 'unexpected' situation during the exams."
A look of understanding flashed in the black-robed man's eyes: "I understand."
"Also," old Fernand added, "investigate his relationship with that girl from the Moore family."
"Yes."
The man in black robes withdrew.
Old Fernand was the only one left in the study.
He looked at the ruby ring on the table and murmured to himself:
"Shuki Wright...who exactly are you?"