Chapter 39: FRIH - 39
The clash between the modifier and the world's rules seemed strange, but on reflection, it made sense. The garbled message clearly referred to detection magic. Detection, by definition, revealed a target's six-dimensional information. Combined with Wind Spirit Moon Shadow's functions, seeing meant modifying.
The room around Ronan remained still, yet the air felt charged—like the lingering residue of a thunderclap, subtle but undeniable. The weight of logic settled over him, pressing gently at the back of his mind as understanding clicked into place like the final piece of a puzzle. A soft shimmer of mana light flickered across the leather-bound book in his hands, casting a pale blue sheen over the text that no longer moved.
Modifying himself was fine; he was an outsider, beyond the goddess's reach. But others? This was akin to violating the creator god's children right under their nose; it was a wonder there wasn't a bigger conflict.
It was like walking through a temple armed with weapons—provocative, dangerous, yet somehow unnoticed. Maybe not unnoticed. Maybe tolerated. Maybe... permitted. That thought alone made Ronan's eyes narrow with curiosity.
"Wind Spirit Moon Shadow probably won. The goddess didn't appear, and the prompt was relatively complete. Domestic products are the best," Ronan said, nodding slightly. His voice was even, almost bored, but his eyes gleamed faintly with satisfaction as he closed the book. He stopped, turning his head toward Martin, who stood nearby with a guarded, formal posture. "Martin, do you know where detection magic is sold?" His tone was direct now, focused. His cheat code was at stake; he was prepared to pay any price.
Martin was startled. The question had caught him off guard, and it showed in the slight widening of his eyes and the tiny intake of breath before he composed himself. "Detection magic? Mr. Ronan, do you mean the kind that detects demonic creatures?" he asked, brows drawn slightly. Then, as if realizing something, he paused. "My apologies; I was careless."
His instincts as a noble kicked in—always correct, always courteous. He was about to ask why Ronan lacked such a common spell, something most mages acquired early in their careers, but then remembered Ronan's current persona. He hadn't been to the ruins before, so lacking this spell was normal. A simple oversight, on the surface.
"If I recall correctly, Old Dick's shop sells detection magic. Are you going there?"
"Of course," Ronan replied readily. He didn't know Old Dick, hadn't even heard the name until this moment, but the familiar tone in Martin's voice made the destination feel reliable, almost fated. This was it. A more perfect cheat code, a better life. He was ready.