Chapter 23: Prelude to Revenge

Teo learned that inscriptions used several symbols, but comparing the amount of symbols within the book that old man Cien wrote, they only used a very small amount

Since from the beginning of history, the empire's scholars have only discovered 47 different symbols and among them, only 23 were understood.

In the array book that old man Cien wrote, he had well over a thousand symbols, with all different explanations on the function of each symbol.

Teo continued reading

"Inscription lines between each symbols are key in using the power of each symbols. The width and length has to be precise so that the effectiveness of the symbols can bring out the full potential of the material. The lines must flow in accordance of the symbols that are being used, as well as what kind and quality of materials being used and even the shape of the material"

'That's it!'

Like a broken dam, his reasoning burst forth endlessly.

Every thing he knew fell into place! The missing clue that connected everything from symbols and shapes to patterns diagrams was revealed!

The symbols had different functions that created or affected the flow of energy. The lines were also like symbols, they restrict or allowed the flow of energy, but they also connected the major parts of the inscriptions. Arrays had patterns that functioned as these lines but in a more profound way. The patterns used in the array depended on which symbols were being used. Each pattern consisted on several lines, with varying thickness and length; all with a precise design, so the placement of the symbol also depended on the type of pattern being used.

So both pattern and symbols used were dependant on each other!

When the old man Cien's listed the different shapes and symbols he had to use, it was as if old man Cien already told him which patterns he could use for the array!

Like a fog being lifted, everything was clear.

Teo wanted to immediately go into the back into the inner world and started working on it, but still had to wait 2 days before he could go back inside.

It was as if he had an itch he couldn't scratch, he became slightly irritated but a grin suddenly. He quickly remembered that he was still in the library. Although he couldn't start working on the array that he planned on making, he could pass his time catching up on some reading.

.....

Next morning Teo met up with Lia and Windle

Windle hands Teo a small bag and said "Be careful with it"

Lia seeing the exchange asked "Whats in the bag?"

"Want to see?" Teo asked with a smile

Windle quickly held the bag that Teo was about to open, and looked at Lia

"Its better if you don't look" He had a look of panic

"Hm? "

Lia became more curious but when she saw the look on Windle's face, there was a hint of nausea that could be seen

Teo also noticed Windle's face and smiled "Looks like you opened it"

Windle saw Teo's smile and got a little irritated "Teo you owe me for this"

"So what's in it?" Lia was still curious

"Well, I asked Windle to get something for me.."

...

After Teo explained what was in the bag, Lia decided to walk on the other side of Windle, using him as a shield

Windle still had a face of regret. He found the item that Teo was looking for. He bought it but was so curious what it was so he opened something that he shouldn't have opened.

...

Two days went by fast

Old man Cien finally let Teo inside after some more lecture.

Though his anger already subsided within a few hours when he kicked out Teo, he still didn't respond to him for 2 days. This was because he was enjoying his time not being bothered by Teo.

Back in the underground room, Teo was busy flipping through the book back and forth. Since he figured out that clue, with the help of the array book, it was easy for him pick which pattern to use. The main problem was drawing it.

Drawing the array was difficult. One had to be precise with each line, dot and curve

Teo was on the floor with several pieces of paper. These pieces of paper had several failed array pattern draw on them.

Teo didn't use the elemental powder yet. He wanted to completely master the drawing before he used the elemental powder. Although he had been reading the array book for over a year, he had never really tried to draw any symbols, much less the patterns.

He had amazing concentration, but his hand often shook.

After a few days, Teo eventually drew a perfect array. Even though he drew a perfect array, he still continued redrawing it. He had to make sure that he could accurately draw it without any mistakes because he had limited amount of elemental powder. If he were to waste it, he wouldn't be able to test it within the inner world. If he tested it outside and someone saw him, he would be exposed and his targets might find out it was him.

It was also the reason why he asked Windle to buy him that thing in secret. Windle was a member of the Emerald Pavilion; although they specialize in information gather, if one of their own decided to buy something, they wouldn't investigate it too closely. Besides, many hunters bought that thing as well, so Windle shouldn't be found out.

A plan can only be perfect if you can get away with it. Teo had meticulously crafted such a plan.

....

A week passed

Within the underground room

Teo was finally confident with his hand control. He could draw the array accurately 19 out of 20 attempts.

He thoroughly mixed the red elemental powder with a full bottle of ink.

Usually elemental ink were dyed with the specific colors to indicate which which element it was. The natural color of the elemental powder was not enough to completely dye the ink mixture so a separate dye was needed. Regular ink had the same ink mixture without any elemental powder, so creating elemental ink was pretty easy.

Once he finished preparing the ink, he drew a small array within the piece of paper. He drew it smaller in order to save some ink but the decrease in size made drawing the array proportionally harder.

He finally finished drawing the array. It was half the size of the paper.

Teo tested the array and found that it didn't work as he planned.

He analyzed his design again, making a few adjustments, carefully checking if he made any mistakes on his drawing

After a few more hours he finally succeeded in making the array that worked as he wanted to.

It was finally time for his revenge. Although it has been over 2 weeks now since the incident, he still didn't forget his revenge. Perhaps he was becoming as petty as old man Cien or maybe it was just his youth, but in any case he still wanted revenge

He packed up everything and left the inner world

'Soon I will get even with them' He smiled a mischievous smile

Then headed to meet Lia and Windle for dinner

Although there were still some variables that he could not control, he was still certain that his revenge would succeed