Mystic Overlord: Reading Gives Strength

Changing the nature of objects...

Just hearing Il's description, Ronald's hands shook, almost making an error in the process of breaking the barrier.

Fortunately, he had a strong mental fortitude.

He quickly adjusted his state and continued to maintain his work.

However, Il's description was too astonishing, and Ronald couldn't help but continue to ask after considering the literal meaning of this capability:

"Il, are you sure your description is accurate, genuinely changing the nature of objects, even controlling the environment?"

Upon hearing Ronald's doubts,

Il pouted unhappily and immediately began to defend herself.

"Boss, when you were teaching Phil, I overheard everything. I'm at least half a 'cultured person,' I wouldn't get something like this wrong!"

Having stated the source of her knowledge, she didn't forget to list the facts:

"During the previous battle, that guy chanted a spell, and the normal air around us became toxic, clothes could turn into strong acid, and even the sunlight in the sky carried lethal force."

"Even if I weren't naturally strong and sufficiently complex, he might have directly changed my physical nature!"

"..."

"Alright, I understand."

With Il saying this much, Ronald naturally wouldn't continue to question her.

Accepting this news with a somewhat heavy heart, he began to ponder the origin of this formidable enemy that left a deep impression on Il, and how he himself should respond if encountered.

...

Time passed in silent contemplation and barrier-breaking.

Ronald was right; a few minutes later, he successfully broke through following Costate's professor's approach, opening a path for himself and Il, along with obtaining a deceptive identity verification.

As long as they weren't caught onsite,

the barrier's warning alone would never discover Ronald and Il.

So Ronald beckoned Il, and the two continued inward.

"Follow me from here."

"If you spot traces of others, remember to warn me."

Truth is, Ronald and Il had robust physiques and extraordinary reconnaissance abilities.

Aside from Ronald being able to sense the hellish black mist of humans nearby,

even Il, relying on her exceptional biological perception, could detect danger in advance and dodge practitioners passing by.

So, akin to thieves, they scaled the edges of the building in about fifteen minutes, successfully bypassing all the practitioners along the way, before arriving at their intended location.

Once another group of practitioners passed by,

Ronald and Il climbed the wall from below the high platform, and amidst the ease of infiltration, Il couldn't help but ask Ronald:

"Boss, aren't there few people here?"

"When I fought them before, I remember quite a few practitioners rushed out from here, this infiltration is not on the same level."

"Isn't it obvious?" Ronald shot Il a glance and then explained, "Although the proportion of practitioners here is high among ordinary people, the restriction of actual population means the numbers can't just keep rising."

"The reason you encountered so many is because a scene akin to monster siege scared everyone, leading to wizards originally holed up in their territory for research all rushing out to fight you?"

"..."

Listening to Ronald's explanation,

Il was momentarily stunned and then suddenly laughed.

"Ah, so it's because I'm too strong?"

"Thinking this way, these practitioners have an eye for knowing that dealing with a powerful character like me requires everyone to tackle together."

Ronald was amused by Il's 'generous' idea.

So while searching for entry into the building ahead, he couldn't resist teasing her:

"I beg you, don't become proud for such a reason."

"Boss, this is the enemy acknowledging your strength." Il held her own view, "I remember you told Phil before, the ones who can gain the enemy's acknowledgment are the real strong ones."

Upon hearing this, Ronald had a momentary shock.

Il had twice quoted his words, seemingly something he had casually mentioned in very distant conversations with Phil.

If not for the high-intensity eavesdropping, by coincidence hearing these two instances, the probability is nearly negligible!

"Il, just how much of my conversations with Phil have you eavesdropped on?"

"Moreover, when I discussed these things, you shouldn't have been at my home."

"Uh—" Il's previously triumphant expression immediately vanished.

Seeing Ronald's serious expression, she looked around nervously for a while before ultimately confessing truthfully:

"You know... I gave Phil a pot of flowers, didn't I?"

"..."

No need to think deeply; looking at Il's appearance, Ronald understood everything.

This fellow was cautious around him, but with Phil, this kid, she dared to observe closely.

But now was not the time to lecture Il.

So Ronald merely sighed and dismissed the issue with a reminder:

"After returning, sever all ties with that flowerpot, got it?"

"Understood! Once I return, I'll immediately cut the ties."

The brief conversation ended, and the two continued to advance into the building.

Compared to the corridors outside, these individual rooms within the castle belonged to different practitioners.

With this phenomenon came personal defenses.

Regarding the room targeted by Ronald, the practitioner here designed three layers of spells.

The main function of the entrance spell was to defend against impacts while distinguishing the identities of entrants.

In the black wooden door's interlayer, ancient engraving techniques were used to inset magic power engravings. Ronald had last encountered something like this at Berlwidge, gaining insights this time around.

Fortunately, Costate professor's abilities were still useful.

Ronald employed the maid's old method. Though it took a bit more time, he successfully opened it safely and without detection.

Subsequently was the second line of defense.

Just past one-meter into the framework behind the doorway, invisible magical lines were spread throughout, ready to provide responses upon contact.

Yet, compared to Ronald's keen perception,

this element failed to work as it should. Instead, it bore the resemblance of the infrared alarms seen in spy movies, seeming rather amusing.

"Il, follow my moves, and avoid triggering the spells."

"Boss, I understand!"

"..."

Safely navigating through this area, Ronald felt everything was smooth sailing.

But when he turned his head,

he saw a spell phantom standing at the doorway, watching him.