Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 3065: Chapter 3066: Temporal Memory

The dark curtain enveloped the Black Earl, and he instinctively closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, he found himself in a cramped stone room.

The room was dim, but not completely dark. On the left wall, there was a wall candle covered by a white gauze curtain, still burning, with a few faint flames filtering through the holes in the curtain.

With this little bit of light, the Black Earl could see the layout around him.

A wooden stand with various everyday items; a desk with a few boxes on it; and the place where he was currently sitting—a wooden bed, with disheveled sheets.

The bed still held residual warmth, indicating he had been sleeping there not long ago.

No, not him... it was the Lamp Master who had been sleeping here.

The Black Earl knew very well that, at this moment, he was merely the Lamp Master’s past memory of himself. In other words, he wasn’t the Black Earl now, but had "entered" the body of the Lamp Master within the memory.

Since there wasn’t a mirror or similar item in the room, the Black Earl couldn’t see the appearance of the "Lamp Master," so he reached out to feel his own face.

He wanted to rely on blind touch to construct the Lamp Master’s appearance in his mind.

However, as soon as the Black Earl touched his cheek, he sensed something was amiss. The Lamp Master had a half-face mask on, obscuring everything above the nose except holes for the eyes, the rest was sealed.

The Black Earl tried to forcibly rip off the mask, only to feel intense pain.

The mask seemed to be branded onto the Lamp Master’s face, almost fused with the flesh, making it impossible to remove.

Even if it were removed, his face would be a bloody mess, making it nearly impossible to confirm his visage.

Reflecting on it, the Black Earl temporarily abandoned his intention to confirm the Lamp Master’s identity and instead planned to wander in this "memory," exploring its approximate size.

And ascertain why the Lamp Master left this memory node.

Presumably, the Lamp Master left this memory node because there were some deeply memorable people or events here.

Just as the Black Earl stood up and prepared to move, he heard a noisy clamor outside. It seemed like many people had come to the room.

Upon hearing the commotion outside, a thought occurred to the Black Earl: perhaps the arrival of these people was why the Lamp Master chose to set the memory node at this particular moment.

Thinking of this, the Black Earl stood up and went to the door.

He wanted to use the hole above the door to see who exactly was outside.

However, before he had a chance to glimpse what was happening outside, a scarlet beam shot in from outside and pierced through his brain.

The first journey of the space-time memory ended.

Returning to the Coachman’s room, the Black Earl was dazed for a while before recovering from the shadow cast by the penetration of his brain.

So, in the Lamp Master’s past memory, he died this way too?

No, I died... the Lamp Master didn’t die, he must have survived, otherwise, this segment of memory wouldn’t exist.

The Black Earl sensed the time, confirming that the memory’s time flow was consistent with the external time, which reassured him. For he must leave here before the bell tolls, or he would be lost forever. The consistent time flow allowed him to estimate the current time more accurately.

Since he couldn’t leave the Coachman’s room, and the most valuable thing about the Coachman’s room was the memory within the horse lamp, the Black Earl once again entered the memory of the horse lamp.

This time, the Black Earl did not stay sitting on the bed; he immediately stood up, intending to open the door to see what was happening outside. Before those people arrived, he planned to escape.

However, as soon as the Black Earl opened the door, the familiar scarlet beam appeared again.

In the scarlet beam, the Black Earl seemed to be suppressed by a supreme force, unable to move whatsoever.

Once again he died.

Next, the Black Earl tried various methods to test, each time ending with death.

After dying dozens of times, the Black Earl finally deduced some patterns.

Whenever he approaches the door, he is inevitably pierced by the scarlet beam.

Even if he doesn’t get near the door, later, the door will be pushed open from the outside. At that moment, the scarlet beam will still arrive as scheduled and kill him.

Ultimately, no matter what, he would die.

Either he sought out death in advance, or died two minutes later.

In short, he could only survive in the room for a maximum of two minutes; in the end, he would inevitably be killed by the scarlet beam.

As for who the scarlet beam originated from, and what the people outside looked like, he never saw clearly...

The Black Earl "reincarnated" numerous times, yet still couldn’t see what was outside. It was as though there was an invisible law blocking his sight.

The Black Earl also tried to use his own abilities to resist the scarlet beam... still failed.

This body rejected foreign energy, and the only abilities he could use had to be from this body.

But of the abilities the Lamp Master possessed, the Black Earl knew nothing. And even knowing, it wasn’t certain he could use them. Thus, in this space-time memory, he felt like a helpless novice, bound hand and foot, and muzzled, only passively accepting the fate of death.

However, the Black Earl was certain that the Lamp Master did not die in this experience. But what method he used to survive, the Black Earl did not know.

The Black Earl reincarnated in the space-time memory several times more, finally certain that there was no way to survive the scarlet beam... So, he stopped proactively seeking death.

Instead, he focused all his attention on the cramped interior.

Perhaps, there was a secret passage in this house? So the Lamp Master could escape?

After multiple reincarnations and searches, the Black Earl hadn’t yet found a secret passage; however, he discovered a notebook inside the boxes on the desk.

The notebook was densely written, clearly impossible to read in a short time.

But the Black Earl didn’t mind, as each reincarnation granted him two minutes of safe time, allowing him to read sections every two minutes. Ultimately, he intended to read the entire thing.

After ten more reincarnations, the Black Earl finally finished the contents of the notebook.

The notebook was recorded in the ancient Hermes script, a transcendent language popular in the Origin World ten thousand years ago, characterized by simultaneously expressing meaning and imagery.

The Black Earl had studied it before, so reading posed no difficulty.

The name of the notebook was "Hermes’s Cultivation Diary," detailing the joys and sorrows encountered by a self-proclaimed Wizard named Hermes during cultivation, as well as notes on certain cultivation challenges.

From some entries, it seemed an ordinary cultivation diary.

But if one examined the contents of Hermes’s cultivation, they would find the diary extraordinary.

This Hermes... was a Time Series Wizard.

More accurately, a time series apprentice. The cultivation activities detailed in the notebook were also related to various time series abilities.

It can be deduced that Hermes should have a legacy, as he repeatedly mentions his mentor in the diary; moreover, the handbook also records many of the time-based abilities he received from his mentor.

For example: Fifteenth Eye, Second-Measuring Scales, Consecutive Slash, Time-Space Successive Cut, Yesterday Reenactment... etc.

These are all time-based tricks.

However, Hermes did not record how to cultivate these time-based tricks, only the names and the various issues he encountered during his own practice.

Besides, Hermes also recorded many of his mentor’s abilities, among which there is one that made the Black Earl feel very familiar.

This ability in Hermes’s records is described as "worthy of being a Miracle Skill."

Just worthy, then it should not be a Miracle Skill, but from this it seems possible to guess, Hermes’s mentor might close to being a Legend, or even a Legendary Wizard himself. Otherwise, Hermes should say "worthy of being a Legend Skill" rather than "worthy of being a Miracle Skill."

The name of this spell is called—Time Memory.

According to Hermes’s records, this spell allows one to do whatever they wish within memories.

This reminded the Black Earl of the information obtained from the horse lamp... the lamp has the ability to illuminate the sea of memories, projecting the scenes within and allowing one to do as they please within memories.

This description is completely identical.

Moreover, it can be confirmed that the information within the horse lamp should be left by the Lamp Master.

If this room within the memory is also the Lamp Master’s, then the Lamp Master is likely Hermes.

Hermes couldn’t use the same description for different spells, so, perhaps the spell contained within the horse lamp is "Time Memory"?

After the Black Earl finished reading "Hermes’s Cultivation Diary," he continued rummaging through the rooms.

Unfortunately, he did not find any more valuable information.

Though, under the bed in a stone compartment, he found a jet-black secret passage... it seems, back then, the Lamp Master escaped from here?

Thus, the Black Earl attempted to enter the secret passage.

Regrettably, every time he entered the secret passage, he would be ejected from the memory.

It was not an automatic exit after death, but was forced out by the horse lamp.

The Black Earl wasn’t stupid and quickly guessed the answer: the secret passage should be the boundary of the memory scene.

Back then, the Lamp Master escaped through the secret passage.

He simulated this memory, could it be just to escape again? Impossible.

Since he could escape back then, there’s no need for him to simulate the circumstances of the secret passage.

The focus of this memory scene is still those outside the door and the scarlet beam!

Perhaps, the Lamp Master simulated this memory to unravel the scarlet beam, or follow the truth of being chased back then?

The above is the Black Earl’s speculation.

But if his speculation is correct, perhaps the outside scene should also be simulated.

That is to say, this memory scene is not limited to the small cabin, outside should also be accessible, but the premise is, being able to unravel the scarlet beam and solve the people outside.

Although the Black Earl really wanted to see outside, there might be more opportunities there, but the scarlet beam is completely not something the Black Earl can untangle, so he can only leave it at that, reluctantly exit the Coachman’s room before ringing the bell.

...

The Black Earl’s story is not only tumultuous but also enduring.

The reason for saying so much is to indirectly convey a message: the knowledge of time-based abilities is hard-earned.

The Black Earl could directly state the answers, but saying it outright would just seem cheap, even accepted as a matter of course.

The Black Earl isn’t seeking something in exchange for knowledge, just wants them to understand the preciousness of time-based knowledge.

These embedded meanings, the Black Earl did not explicitly say, but both Angel and Dox could understand.

"In ’Hermes’s Cultivation Diary’, the Consecutive Slash was mentioned." Black Earl: "And the Consecutive Slash here, although it appears externally identical to the Bloodline side technique; it’s not a Bloodline side technique, but a time-based ability."

Although the Black Earl claimed so, both Dox and Angel were still somewhat perplexed. How is this time-based Consecutive Slash achieved? Why is it a time-based ability?

Soon, the Black Earl provided the answer—

"Consecutive Slash, from the viewpoint of Bloodline Wizards, is a special technique that can only be released after the physique and blood level reach certain standards. It demands high bodily foundation from the wizard."

"But to a time-based wizard, Consecutive Slash is entirely something else, it’s a power extracted from the fabric of time."

In Hermes’s records, Consecutive Slash was described as: when attacking the enemy, there is a probability of extracting one attack of the same level, the same energy level, same quantity level, and same form from time-space.

"Extract one attack of the same level, energy level, quantity level, and form from time-space?" Dox whispered, "Though I don’t understand how to extract power from time-space; but looking at the literal meaning, it’s using magic power consumption instead of blood consumption, to perform Consecutive Slash?"

Black Earl: "It can be understood that way."

Dox lightly muttered: "No wonder Aex easily achieved Consecutive Slash before, it turns out it’s just about consuming a bit of magic power."

Consuming magic power to perform Consecutive Slash, to Dox, seems incredibly easy. They, as Bloodline Wizards, need to amass foundational strength for Consecutive Slash, requiring real bodily standards! Furthermore, even if they meet the standards, it doesn’t guarantee successful performance, additional talent is required.

However, for a time-series wizard, they can conjure it with a casual gesture——it’s simply unfair.

The Black Earl appeared to sense Dox’s resentment, coolly said: "The time-based Consecutive Slash isn’t as simplistic as you think, it has extremely strict limitations."

"Or rather, all time-based abilities have ridiculously strict limitations. Without meeting the associated conditions, one cannot perform them... even if performed, there’s a certain probability of backlash."

"And the limitation of the time-based Consecutive Slash is fourfold."

First, one must be within five meters of the enemy.

This restricts the attacking distance.

Second, the attack extracted from time-space cannot be carried by the void, so it must have a constant unchanging material carrier.

This implies using a weapon to "close combat" the enemy.

Third, as the weapon needs to bear the power of time-space, it can easily be damaged; hence, special sturdiness weapons need to be customized.

Fourth, the attack quantity level of Consecutive Slash has a limit, if causing space instability, it cannot be actualized.

Meaning, if a single Space Mage wants to perform a super-level Consecutive Slash, then they must learn how to stabilize the space. Or setting up a preemptive space-stabilizing tool, or else, they can not enact the technique.

And all four points must be met simultaneously to unleash the Consecutive Slash.

Not to mention the difficulty of these four constraints, merely forcing a wizard who originally could attack from afar to fight like a Bloodline Wizard in close combat, is enough to see how severe are the conditions for performing Consecutive Slash.