After unlocking the new function, Xiao Tieshu seemed to have added a lot of content, but what interested Luo Lan the most was still that part about [Conceptual Imagination].
The rules for using the ability weren’t difficult to grasp. Luo Lan skimmed through them and already understood most of it. He sat up, took a deep breath, and tried to activate this entirely new power.
The Xiao Tieshu suspended in his consciousness began to flip pages on its own, the pages rustling. The words displayed indicated that Luo Lan could now choose the target to serve as the memory anchor point.
Back when Xiao Tieshu’s function was first activated, the first image that appeared in Luo Lan’s mind was Keluowei in her final battle form from the previous round.
Who wouldn’t like a Demon Lord at her peak state?
Besides, that form of hers had left a deep impression on Luo Lan, so he thought it should fit Xiao Tieshu’s requirements perfectly.
However, what greeted Luo Lan was Xiao Tieshu’s cold rejection. The reason: insufficient current ability to withstand the intensity of the chosen anchor point.
Eh?
The young man pursed his lips, staring at that line of words for a long time, until the strokes blurred in his mind. Only then did he let out a helpless sigh.
Still not possible?
Luo Lan had actually anticipated this result. Even recalling Keluowei’s final battle form now made his fingertips tingle. How could such an existence be easily copied?
Even so, unwilling to give up, Luo Lan tried again to outline that image in his mind.
The pages didn’t move at all.
After thinking for a bit, Luo Lan changed the anchor point to himself from the previous round. Surely this would work? Wouldn’t it be fine to wear my own disguise?
He recalled that last moment, the icy sensation of the Saint Sword piercing his chest, the metallic tang of blood trickling from the corner of his mouth…
Yet again, he was ruthlessly rejected by Xiao Tieshu, and this time the information provided was slightly different.
[The current state cannot use oneself as an anchor point]
Wait, “current”?
Luo Lan pursed his lips and thought for a while. Since it specifically mentioned “current,” it probably meant this thing could still be upgraded… Heh heh heh, so it really was a noble growth-type ability.
Pulling back his thoughts, Luo Lan made many more attempts. He found that almost every target from his memories of the previous round prompted the notice that his current ability was insufficient, while a small remainder gave the notice: target type error.
Unable to figure out the secret behind this, Luo Lan pushed it to the back of his mind and continued his testing.
His next choice for a memory anchor was Ai Liya.
Although Luo Lan felt a bit nervous, he didn’t hear any discouraging prompt. However… the activation of the ability still failed.
This time, Xiao Tieshu gave the reason: [The selected memory’s completeness is too low]
“Huh? How is that possible?”
Luo Lan scratched his head, a bit confused.
No matter what, his relationship with Ai Liya at least involved seeing each other daily. How could there be a problem with the completeness of his memories?
The youth looked at the Xiao Tieshu page for Ai Liya, where the synchronization rate was only twenty-seven percent, and the minimum requirement was listed as thirty percent. He fell into thought.
A moment later, he switched the target to Silude.
[Anchor confirmed. Target: Silude Mei Li Sang De La. Synchronization rate: forty-two percent]
Luo Lan was slightly stunned when he saw that flashing line of words. It was the first time he’d learned Silude’s full name.
Before he could recover, a torrent of information flooded into his mind, bringing a slight pain to his head that made him involuntarily close his eyes.
A few minutes later, when he reopened his eyes, he could clearly sense that something was different.
Luo Lan glanced around the room and found that he could easily plan, in his mind, what he would do in case of an encounter here.
Not only that, but Luo Lan noticed his physical qualities and reaction speed had also improved significantly.
Excited, the youth threw a few punches in the room, finding his body unexpectedly light.
Besides these physical changes, all the Swordsmanship, Combat Techniques, Reinforcement Magic, and Holy Seals that Silude mastered… so much knowledge had become his as well. Plus, with the special reward [Enchanter] and its perfect simulation of Silude’s Magic Circuit, etc.
Although this was a world of sword and magic, Qi, Sword Technique, Magic, Holy Light, and all those messy things were merely different forms of magical power. In other words, the level of magical power was the most direct measure of a person’s strength.
The application of magical power depended on the Magic Circuit. The stronger the adaptability of the Magic Circuit, the more attributes of magic it could manipulate; the higher the strength of the Magic Circuit, the more magical power it could carry per unit of time, leading to greater magical output and more efficient magic operation.
Looking at Silude’s forty-two percent synchronization rate below her name, and the mere twenty-seven percent for Ai Liya, Luo Lan formed a small theory in his heart.
Thinking back on the years spent with her, it did seem that Ai Liya rarely took action in battle herself.
In the garden, Ai Liya was carefully tending the flowerbeds. Her slender, delicate fingers held a pair of scissors as she meticulously trimmed a clump of withered roses.
Hearing footsteps, she straightened and turned, just in time to see Luo Lan standing at the entrance, looking somewhat awkward.
“Ai Liya, I have a favor to ask…” Luo Lan didn’t even know why he was so hesitant now. “Could you spar with me? Like Silude usually does.”
He had considered asking Youna earlier, but that idea was squashed the moment it surfaced.
He really didn’t want to deliberately provoke that troublesome woman.
The tall Maid nodded gently, took a hair tie from her pocket, gathered her long hair into a ponytail, and elegantly walked to the center of the garden.
“I understand, Mr. Luo Lan. But please try not to damage the flowers I just trimmed.”
“And… we’ll stop when it’s enough, yes, Mr. Luo Lan?”
Ai Liya’s hands folded gracefully in front of her as she gave the young man across from her a small bow. Though her voice was still as gentle as ever, for some reason, Luo Lan felt as if a palpable sense of danger was radiating from her at this moment.
“Well then, let’s begin.”
Ai Liya said calmly.
Only five minutes later, Luo Lan was lying on the ground, gasping for breath, letting the scent of grass fill his nose.
Ai Liya, standing next to him, tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and then bowed to him again.
The gesture was identical to the start, as if those five minutes were nothing but an illusion.
From Luo Lan’s perspective, Ai Liya’s legs, wrapped in black stockings, were round and slender, truly a pleasing sight… Of course, it would have been even better if he hadn’t witnessed their terrifying explosive power five minutes ago.
“Say, Ai Liya… Aren’t you a Magic Consultant?”
After a moment’s rest, Luo Lan propped himself up and asked in confusion.
“That’s right, Mr. Luo Lan.”
Ai Liya nodded to him, a faint, inscrutable smile at the corner of her mouth.
“But with your unbelievable physical skills and wild fighting style, you really don’t look like a typical Magic Consultant at all…”
The youth muttered.
“As Her Highness’s attendant, I naturally have to meet higher standards.”
“All right… Ai Liya, I think you’re way tougher than Silude.”
Luo Lan stood up, patting the dust from his clothes.
“That’s not right.”
Ai Liya shook her head, the fine strands of hair near her ear swaying gently with the movement. “Mr. Luo Lan, if Lady Silude were even half-serious, at your current level, I’m afraid you wouldn’t last three minutes.”
“Huh?” Luo Lan let out a helpless sigh. “Then, in your opinion, how much of Silude’s skill do I have right now?”
“Thirty percent.” Ai Liya paused, holding up three fingers. “No more than thirty percent.”
“Ah… only thirty percent.”
Luo Lan’s tone sounded a bit disappointed.
“Thirty percent is already an overestimation,” Ai Liya said calmly, but seeing the trace of disappointment in Luo Lan’s eyes, she softly added, “However, Mr. Luo Lan, it’s not absolute. After all, the venue here is limiting, and as a… Magic Consultant, you’re at quite a disadvantage against me.”
She paused, then continued, “But for a Magic Consultant, you’ve done quite well. Frankly, if it were an ordinary fifth-tier Magic Consultant, they wouldn’t have survived even a second after facing me.”
There was no denying that Ai Liya was skilled at giving praise.
Luo Lan touched his nose, slightly embarrassed. At that moment, he noticed that on Xiao Tieshu, the synchronization rates for both Silude and Ai Liya had ticked up a bit.
Silude’s number jumped to forty-three, while Ai Liya’s went up to twenty-eight.
This change stunned Luo Lan for a moment. The youth then called out to Ai Liya, who was about to get back to work, and asked her for another spar.
Ai Liya turned, her sparkling eyes scrutinizing Luo Lan from head to toe. With a soft sigh, she returned to the center of the garden.
Hmm, he’d improved a little more compared to last time.
With the abilities brought by Xiao Tieshu, Luo Lan managed to extend his endurance in the spar from five minutes… to seven minutes.
Once again lying on the ground and gasping for breath, Luo Lan looked at the twenty-nine percent synchronization rate for Ai Liya and the nearly fifty percent for Silude on Xiao Tieshu, and couldn’t help but laugh.
Beside him, Ai Liya’s forehead was dotted with a sheen of sweat. Looking at the odd expression on Luo Lan’s face, she couldn’t help but wonder if Her Highness’s Magic Consultant had awakened some strange hobby.
Naturally, Luo Lan had no idea what Ai Liya was thinking. Staring at the progress bar that was just a step away from completion, he got up, gulped down two potions to recover his stamina and magical power, and then stated that he wanted to witness Ai Liya’s full strength.
The Maid blinked in surprise, pursing her soft lips before confirming with Luo Lan again.
“Mr. Luo Lan, are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure! Let me see just how big the gap is between us. Please!”