The black sun hangs high

Chapter 214 Second Mutation
As Hugh continued to explore the part of the memory that contained important information, some secrets beyond his expectations were finally successfully unearthed.

Hughes was surprised to discover that during the long period of the Black Sun Society's existence, these scholars and mages who worshipped the ancient lost gods had actually found some "treasures" from a distant era through continuous "archaeology".

The dark abyss power that this sorcerer previously displayed using general magic did not originate from his own magical power.

Throughout Vaan, very few people can undergo a "mutation" at the magical level like Hugh, and even fewer can apply this mutation directly to magic; such people remain at the purely theoretical stage.

However, the method used by the Black Sun Society transcends traditional magic and magical structures.

Unable to effectively interfere with the nature of magic, the Black Sun Society developed a somewhat bizarre yet highly reasonable special method by using those who received divine favors as samples.

The magical scholars within the society believe that humans and other surviving Vaan intelligent beings are actually "defective products" from ancient times. Because of their betrayal of the true gods, modern humans, dwarves, goblins, and other beings have lost the foundation for receiving favors and blessings from the gods—their physical and mental deficiencies mean that the power of the gods cannot remain in their bodies for long.

Based on this viewpoint, the society began a long-term experiment that seemed extremely terrifying to ordinary people a long time ago.

This refers to using magical rituals to modify the human body itself.

The basic theory behind this transformation stems from Merlinler and the process of creating "Sword-wielding Hermits." Merlinler and the Legal Council altered the physical constitution of the Sword-wielding Hermits by having them consume large amounts of magical potions and undergo mild surgical modifications, enabling them to further adapt to magic and even develop sufficient resistance to magic on a physical level.

The Black Sun Society went a step further on this basis.

"They're actually trying to... use surgery to complete ritual and magical inscriptions?"

When Hughes found these contents in the memories of this sorcerer, his expression turned strange.

Even in another world that Hugh knows, completely different from Vaan, similar practices and ideas would definitely be classified as advanced fields. Of course, those constraints based on ethics, morality, and the logic of social norms would not have any impact on the Black Sun Society.

Once they recognized this possibility, they immediately began to try it out.

The mage held a relatively limited position within the society, so he didn't know many details or have the authority to learn about the past of such surgical experiments. However, he did have some understanding of the underlying principles.

The Black Sun Society reached a bold conclusion through the decomposition and study of the remains of a specific clan.

They believed that those who were active in ancient times and were able to establish close relationships with the gods and receive their favors and blessings actually possessed a certain affinity for power.

If we place this in the current magical context, we can assume that those ancient clans were able to absorb more "magic power" and that they were more adept at using it—the magical circuits and the rituals used to operate magic power naturally existed within them, which is why they were able to permanently retain the power bestowed by the gods and effectively unleash it through their own bodies.

Based on this discovery, the scholars of the Black Sun Society conducted a series of studies and deductions. Ultimately, they concluded that the fundamental reason why the races that now rule Vaan cannot receive the blessings of the gods is that these beings no longer possess the conditions of the past.

To recreate the divine power of the past, it is necessary to modify the current frail body.

“Indeed audacious… If the Legislative Council had discovered these signs earlier, the Black Sun Society might never have been removed from their blacklist.”

Hugh shook his head and then turned his attention to the mage's experience of "transformation".

The mage was clearly unfamiliar with the procedures of this magical surgery, but after undergoing a series of "surgeries," he was able to clearly perceive the enormous changes occurring within his body—although the amount of magic power remained unchanged, the way and process of its operation were completely different from usual.

Before magic officially takes effect, it seems to have undergone a special ritual of transformation and change. After this special change, the magic that is finally formed has the qualities that Hugh had seen before.

Within the Black Sun Society and the Dark Abyss Historian, this change and characteristic were referred to as "the court's gift."

"interesting……"

Hugh finished reading this memory, sat up, and asked the Mirror Messenger in his mental world, who was busy "transporting" spoils, "Since I can simulate someone else's appearance, body, and memories, can the details inside the body also be simulated?"

The wisdom of the Mirror Messenger was far beyond that of the running rat. It nodded quickly and conveyed to Hugh the message, "Try it if you want," and even seemed a little impatient with Hugh's question.

After receiving a positive answer, Hugh immediately calmed down. The Dark Abyss Mist surged from within his body once more. This time, however, the mist did not change his physical appearance but directly affected his muscles, bones, and internal organs.

The intense pain began.

As Hugh simulated the "surgery" that the sorcerer had once undergone, he felt as if his body was being sculpted by sharp blades and chisels. The pain was extremely specific and detailed; Hugh could even feel something gliding across his bones, leaving a series of fine lines.

A moment later, the full simulation ended, and Hugh's clothes were soaked with cold sweat, but he did not become weak as a result. Instead, he felt a strange sense of excitement.

He felt that the flow of magic within his body had become smoother, and the rotation of the metal disc also seemed to be much smoother.

When Hughes turned his gaze to the huge metal disc, he was surprised to find that the lines that had previously extended from the crystal at the center of the disc and connected to the Messenger in the Mirror, the Palace Hound, and the related grooves now possessed a specific color.

It looked as if the mist of the Dark Abyss Palace had materialized into paint or liquid, flowing into and staining the fine lines on the surface of the metal disc.

The palace hound, which had been slowly tearing and sucking its food, seemed to notice this subtle change. It circled its "room" twice but found nothing special.

However, from Hugh's perspective, this part of the pattern and grooves has been successfully "divided" off from the disc, like some kind of coloring game, and these areas have been successfully dyed with the unique colors of the Dark Abyss Palace.

"What's this? Switching skill specializations?" Hugh joked with a laugh, instinctively using game terminology he was familiar with.

He then detached himself from the spiritual world and raised his palm. As he channeled his magic, intricate magic runes immediately formed around his fingertips. This time, under the influence of the "surgical modifications" within his body, the magical flames emerging from Hugh's fingertips transformed into a form resembling the mists of the Dark Abyss. Although weak, this dancing black flame was absolutely unlike any ordinary fire magic.

Hughes was greatly surprised, so he immediately began a series of experiments. He then discovered that almost all the magic he cast himself could undergo a fundamental change in nature according to the changes in his body.

Under the light of the crystallizing lamp, Hugh summoned his mage hand, which had turned into a misty state. After successfully retrieving a cup from a short distance away, he casually cast a "magical water creation" spell.

However, even he himself dared not drink the concoction he produced.

Because it looked like a clump of black sludge churning in a cup, or rather, like thick, dark ink.

Although there was no pungent smell, the visual effect was so shocking that it was frightening.

What surprised Hugh even more was the chain reaction that occurred to the other ancient creations under this mutated magic.

When Hugh summoned a Kaljun's Tentacle, he was surprised to find that the tentacle, which should have been in a physical state, had now turned into a thick mist. Under Hugh's control, these Kaljun's Tentacles could easily switch between physical and semi-physical states. Hugh was even able to use them to penetrate the wardrobe door and successfully tear apart the clothes inside.

Sniggy the Runaway Rat also underwent a new transformation under the influence of this strange magical power.

The mist of the dark abyss enveloped its body. Although this did not change its size or shape, it inexplicably gave it a sense of being ethereal like mist. Under the influence of this dark abyss power, the eyes of the mad rat even revealed a red light and shadow that was extremely similar to that of the court hound.

Sniggy did not resist this change; it even had the mood to groom and fuss over its strangely shaped fur and tail.

"It seems that the discovery of the Black Sun Society is actually quite remarkable... No wonder they have been able to continuously acquire new spellcaster members even with the Law Committee controlling the mage resources."

Hughes raised his hand and removed the mask from his face, revealing his original body and appearance. The ritual that was engraved in his body based on "simulation" naturally dissipated.

"These magical abilities still need further examination and verification. Let's find some live targets to test them out during the day..."

With that thought in mind, Hugh turned and lay down on the bed. Under the protection of the ritual, he quickly fell into a peaceful sleep.

……

At this time, on the front line of Black Forest Town, the Fifth Hunter Regiment, which had endured countless rounds of fierce attacks, finally got a precious opportunity for rotation and rest.

Meyer felt like he hadn't slept in a long time; his eyes were a little dark, but his mind remained clear and he was in a state of high excitement.

After handing over the two soldiers wounded by the shelling to the medic who came to relieve him, Mayer finally got a chance. He washed the blood off his hands, took off his apron, put on a coat again, and walked outside with the letters in his pocket.

He was lucky; it was the time when the Jaeger Corps' base was undergoing routine magical ritual maintenance, so Meyer quickly met Weilyn Ernst, who had finished her work.

"Professor? You wanted to see me?"

Villin was equally surprised to see Mayer.

After experiencing that series of battles, this female mage, who had always exuded a strong scholarly aura, also possessed a new kind of charm. Her long hair, which had been burned off in the previous battles, was now only shoulder-length.

Meyer nodded, exchanged a glance with Verine, and sighed at her dark circles, which were "same" as his own, before saying, "I'm sorry to bother you at this time, Ms. Verine... I need your help."

Vera frowned slightly, then nodded and pointed to the shadows behind a wounded soldier's tent, indicating that they could talk over there.

Soon, the two arrived at a secluded spot, and Mayer stated his purpose directly.

"At Mr. Hugh's request, I have written this article for him... but it may be difficult to publish it successfully."

Instead of immediately granting Mayer's request, Veraine extended her hand: "May I take a look?"

Meyer nodded emphatically, then took out his notebook and pulled out a few folded pages.

Vera took the book, casually conjured a ball of magical light for illumination, narrowed her eyes slightly behind her glasses, and began reading at an extremely fast pace.

After a moment of silence, she raised her head, her expression becoming serious and profound: "Professor Meyer, this article..."

"I combined two articles together, one of which was what Mr. Hugh wanted me to write, and the other was what the 'adults' of Borden asked me to write... Based on our previous interviews with the refugees in Brownhill, I thought that doing so would maximize the effectiveness of this article."

"You'd like me to help you publish this article?"

Meyer nodded, a smile on his face. "It would be even better if Ms. Veraine were willing to offer some advice!"

Villin ignored Meyer's lighthearted joke and asked seriously, "Professor, this article could very well bring you great danger and trouble... Do you understand?"

(End of this chapter)