"A creature capable of using the Power of Laws should have a very high status, right? Could it be the person Ferro encountered?"
Angel did not comment on Nis’s speculation. Nis’s previous speculations perhaps had a bit of internal logic and could be considered "deductions," but this time, it was nothing more than unfounded conjecture.
Nis shrugged: "This is a reasonable assumption made under the premise of trusting intuition."
Nis: "However, speculation is ultimately speculation, and the specifics still require evidence. So, I’ll check Ferro first to see if he has been cursed."
Ferro’s memory problem is confirmed, but the root cause of his memory issue—whether it stems from the influence of that person’s status or from some unknown negative effect—remains undetermined. Therefore, Nis planned to conduct a thorough examination of Ferro first.
Although Angel could also perform similar detections, as a Soul Sect Wizard, Nis’s understanding of the human body and soul is undoubtedly stronger than Angel’s.
While Nis was examining Ferro, Angel said to Reynaud, "Where is the entrance to the base laboratory? Lead me to check it out."
Under Reynaud’s guidance, they walked deep into the Mist.
Soon, Angel saw a small, semicircular fortress arching out from the ground.
This iron-cast small fortress didn’t look very big, about the size of a single-person tent sewn from animal skins used by herdsmen.
From the exterior, the entire fortress seemed to be integrally formed, showing no sign of assembly... of course, it’s also possible that any assembly marks are inside.
"This is where we entered the laboratory before," Reynaud said while circling around the fortress: "There used to be a Light Gate here, but now it’s gone... it must have been closed."
As Reynaud spoke, Angel also approached the fortress, reaching out directly toward it.
Seeing this, Reynaud quickly shouted, "No! That’ll trigger the mechanisms..."
Before Reynaud could finish speaking, Angel’s hand had already pressed against the metal outer shell of the fortress. But what Reynaud didn’t expect was, the mechanisms he predicted didn’t activate.
It was so calm that the fortress seemed nothing more than a piece of useless scrap metal.
"What’s going on?" Reynaud wondered: "Maybe the laboratory hasn’t activated the mechanisms."
Seeing Reynaud’s eager expression, Angel explained: "The surface of the fortress has a layer of concealed Magic Patterns. The mechanisms you mentioned are also triggered by the Magic Patterns. As long as you find the non-trigger points of the Magic Patterns, you won’t trigger the mechanisms."
Angel’s explanation was simple, but only those who’ve truly dealt with Magic Patterns would understand how challenging this operation is.
The trigger points of Magic Patterns are often not a single point; they are a linked triggering surface, and they keep shifting with the energy flow. Profound Magic Rune Mages can make the trigger points integrate with the entire structure, and Angel wouldn’t dare handle such Magic Patterns carelessly.
However, this Magic Pattern in front of him, though seemingly complex with a large linked surface, had flaws in Angel’s eyes.
With his mastery over Magic Patterns, Angel could easily find the non-trigger points. Yet, for anyone else, even an Alchemy Master from the Research and Development Institute, it would be impossible to do it as effortlessly as Angel.
After explaining the key to Magic Patterns to Reynaud, Angel followed the energy flow and began observing the Magic Patterns.
The silvery metal fortress looked smooth and unblemished from the outside, but in Angel’s vision, it was covered in glowing patterns.
Though the Magic Pattern had some flaws, its design concept carried an exotic sense, which greatly inspired Angel, drawing him to immerse his mind fully into it.
Time ticked by second by second.
By the time Angel came back to his senses, he noticed that Nis and the others had already arrived.
"When did you guys get here?"
Nis: "We’ve been here for a while, but seeing you so focused, we didn’t want to disturb you. So, did you find anything?"
Angel nodded: "Ferro is right; there is indeed a highly complex Magical Energy Array inscribed at the entrance of the laboratory... but, right now, I can only see the part of the Magic Pattern exposed on the fortress. More of it is hidden underground, maybe even inside, so it’s difficult to assess the specific situation."
"So, it can’t be opened?"
Angel: "Normally, it can’t be opened, but it’s not entirely impossible to get inside."
"What other methods?" Nis asked curiously.
"Simply crack part of the Magic Pattern to find a gap for entry." Rather than explaining how to crack part of the Magic Pattern, Angel shifted the conversation: "And what about your side? After checking Ferro, was there anything unusual?"
Nis shook his head: "No signs of curses or other negative effects."
Ferro: "I also checked myself and didn’t feel any abnormalities. Either this negative effect is extremely powerful, surpassing our level, or, as Nis mentioned... the issue might not be a curse but that person."