Chapter 512: Primordial Runes
Edward continued his research on this piece of magical technology. Too many things have happened lately, and research was the perfect way for him to forget everything and release stress.
More often than not, discovering the secrets of the universe and magic is more pleasurable than sex with the most beautiful and talented woman.
After a basic analysis of the runes, he ran some tests. Firstly, he checked if Guzznad did not tamper with the artifact or whether the magus race did not do so.
There was a period of chaos in the Artificer World in the Empire as some Arcanists would leave a backdoor in the artifacts they sold, preventing the buyers from using their own creations against them.
A major scandal soon broke out as many Artificers did the same, so Edward–who also wished he could do the same–had to pass a law to forbid such a practice. Even with his paranoia, he did not do such a thing, so how could he allow others?
Of course, such a thing is only for now. In the future, when the Empire began to trade with foreign civilizations, certain high-level items would have a backhand.
However, Edward will play a trick and tell the sellers there is a backhand, telling them it's a protective mechanism to ensure the preservation of their people.
He knew the people who bought these items would want to remove the backhand, and he would take measures to ensure they didn't. Furthermore, he won't just place one of them.
After not finding any anomaly, Edward continued his research. He was now located in a very discreet, isolated, and protected pocket dimension. So, if there is a problem, he can just abandon everything and run away.
He instilled his mana into the first artifact, and a shield manifested.
"The energy utilization rate is beyond our level," he commented. He could feel not even a single drop of his mana was wasted and used to its full potential. Edward then observed the changes in the runes after injecting his mana.
"With the same energy, a shield using Primordial Runes is 5 to 10 times ours," commented Morgana, shocked by this revelation.
Edward frowned a little after hearing this but did not say anything. He tried with another energy. He remembered Guzznad was not a mage but could use this artifact, so many might not be its only source of power.
Edward first tried Soul Energy, one of the few universal energies in all universes. As expected, it worked, and the utilization also reached perfection.
"Let's try [Aura]."
The result was the same even for an energy that was more focused on the flesh or body.
"Test all the recorded energies the Empire has access to."
For the next few hours, Edward tested more than 330 recorded energies the Empire had recorded and can be manipulated through Arcane Sorcery.
"Fascinating," commented Morgana as she imitated her boss. "This thing can use all energies and utilize them to the highest level. Are we so far from the Magus Race?"
"That's to be expected. After all, we have only developed for a few hundred years."
Edward did not mention the Empire's age of 80 years as it was not a true indication of the Empire's age.
"True, we have achieved a great deal of things in our short existence," nodded Morgana before focusing on the runes. "Why do you think this is possible? I can't find any Converting Rune."
Her calculations have already broken down the Primordial Runes into different parts, but she could not find how it could use all energies without restrictions.
"Think of our database. What power do we know is so versatile and can turn into anything?"
"World Source," replied Morgana immediately.
"Yes, the power of creation," nodded Edward.
"So, you think Primordial Runes are naturally connected to this plane's World Source? Well, logically speaking, it would make sense if it is the original magical language."
"Since we have a direction, let's test it out."
Myriad runes appeared in the room, trying to detect any World Source, and they succeeded.
"Sometimes, I wonder how your brain operates," said Morgana. Such a simple conclusion would have taken her months or even years to process countless data. However, Edward's mind immediately guessed the final outcome.
Such a natural magical intuition was what made his talent so horrifying.
Edward ignored him. His talent was indeed terrifying. However, it was also the kind that needed to be developed. If not for the unfathomable amount of knowledge he has in his mind, he could never use it to its full extent.
"The next test should focus on [Authority] and [Planar Will]."
"Do you think the Primordial Runes function like Dragon Advance Language and Naruto World's Shinjutsu?"
"Yes. I believe the dragons, who are a species more ancient than the Magus Race, might have discovered Primordial Runes and created their language after studying and mimicking it."
"That's possible," replied Morgana. "But it's sad thinking how the dragon race can only replicate it, but the Magus Race could control it."
"There is the possibility that the Magus Race was born with the ability to control Primordial Runes. As a species born from Mana, it's not out of the realm of possibility."
Morgana nodded, "What about Shinjutsu? Why did you think of it?"
"Shinjutsus might have the Naruto World's version of Primordial Runes or an interpretation of it."
"Assuming that Primordial Runes are based on three components: controlling World Source, resonating with [Authority], and borrowing the power of the Universe Will," deduced Morgana. "Shinjutsus, which is the highest manipulation of Chakra, took its power from the Universe Will.
"Natural Chakra, which has the ability to boost all energy, might have originated from the World Source. So, what about the power of [Authority]? Could it be related to the Immortal Gods, like Jashin?"
"My theory is Dojutsu and Kekkei Genkai."
"Isn't that still the domain of Chakra?"
"No, some of the Eye Prowess of that world are too strange and powerful. Ninjas used Yin-Yang Release to explain them, but I don't buy it. It seems more like a blanket term to explain everything they do not understand or fit in with their understanding of Chakra."
"You could be right. These techniques could be resonating with certain [Authorities]."
"If that was the case, we should have detected something," replied Edward, who suddenly felt their understanding of Chakra was not as deep as he imagined.
"A better explanation is that these Kekkei Genkai contain a link to certain [Authorities] Once developed to a sufficient level, they can resonate with these rules and even control them."
Their eyes lit up. With this simple analysis, they've further their understanding of Primordial Runes. From now on, even if they traveled to a world without magic, they could use the relevant power system to condense Primordial Runes and analyze the essence of the world.
In other words, after analyzing the Power System of any universe, Edward can now condense its essence in the form of a Primordial Rune. He immediately became excited after hearing this.
Once he succeeds, his magic will become even more versatile. He will be able to use all power systems in any anime after condensing their universe's Primordial Runes, even the one incompatible with him.
"Alright, let's not get ahead of ourselves," warned Morgana.
"You're right. Let's master at least one normal Primordial Rune first before planning ahead," nodded Edward.
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