Mystic Overlord: Reading Gives Strength-Chapter 1077 - 1071: The Staircase That Can’t Be Ascended

"..."

After Ronald spoke, the two young girls who had been conversing fell silent simultaneously.

The atmosphere around them also became peculiar.

The staircase connecting to the upper floors of the castle extended far from its end, and traversing it normally would indeed take some time.

But the issue was—

Ronald and the two others had been advancing here for quite some time.

Then, upon looking back, they realized they're not far from where they first stepped onto the staircase!

By no means was this the normal speed of their progress.

Ronald was able to perceive the issue ahead of the other two because of his exceptionally sensitive perception, noticing the fleeting magic fluctuation.

Following this discovery and further observation, he found that the elusive magic fluctuation had already vanished without a trace. His gaze fell on the surrounding staircase, and he suddenly became aware of the peculiarity of their location.

"Boss, have we been taking steps at the same spot?" After a few seconds of silence, Il was the first to ask.

"Perhaps we're under the influence of some kind of space magic, unknowingly relocated close to the starting point?" Yerko also shared her thoughts.

In response to their thoughts, Ronald simply shook his head:

"Unfortunately, I just discovered this issue as well and am uncertain about the details."

"As for what's truly happening here, we'll know if we conduct a little test."

As he finished speaking, Ronald took a step forward.

Equipped with the perfect protective spell known as [Human Rationality's Limit], it was only natural for him to be the first to carry out the experiment amid such questions.

After taking the first step, nothing happened to Ronald.

He looked back at Il and Yerko, and the two young girls also distanced themselves with his stride.

Nothing occurred; everything appeared to be extremely normal!

So, Ronald continued onward and steadily took the second and third steps on the staircase…

Finally, after advancing a full thirty-nine steps,

Ronald took the fortieth step, at which moment he sensed the magic fluctuation again.

But before he could observe and carefully experience the actual changes,

The very next moment in Ronald's coherent thoughts, he found himself back at the initial position on the staircase.

"..."

This was an exceptionally unique process.

Although being sent back to the original position was very quick and the surrounding scenery changed extremely rapidly, Ronald did not feel any oddness about it.

In fact, had he not discovered this special return mechanism in advance and focused his attention on it,

Upon being sent back to his original position, he wouldn't have detected the eerie aspect of the occurrence; he would simply believe it's what should happen when stepping onto the stairs.

"..."

"Isn't this what they call a paranormal wall..."

With a soft murmur of complaint, Ronald kept his gaze fixed on Il and Yerko.

Compared to himself within the range of the spell's influence, surely, the two young girls saw what happened clearer.

"Il, what did you see from your perspective just now?"

Upon hearing Ronald's question, Il immediately responded although her tone and expression seemed a little puzzled:

"Boss, I'm... I'm not quite sure."

"From my perspective, you simply took a step forward and then suddenly returned to the previous position, without any extra elements; as if you were relocated out of thin air?"

After providing an explanation, Il remembered something and lightly pointed to her chest:

"And not only did I observe such a scene visually, but in our dual perceptive sense, you were relocated abruptly."

Il's particular action naturally referred to the soul-level sensing between her and Ronald. A fragmented part from her very essence, enabling Il to make precise judgments in this aspect.

Once Il finished, Yerko also shared what she observed:

"Though I don't fully understand the special perception between you two, Ronald, what I saw coincides exactly with Il's account."

"..."

Il and Yerko's statements revealed the odd process Ronald just underwent.

Yet, merely listening to these descriptions, Ronald felt it's not entirely reliable, so he gave Il a signal, then pointed towards the staircase:

"Il, you try stepping up as well."

"Huh?" Il evidently didn't anticipate receiving such a directive, but since it was Ronald's command, despite her face showing discomfort akin to stepping in doggerel, she honestly walked forward, not forgetting to repeatedly remind, "Boss, make sure to watch over me."

"If something goes wrong, you'll never find another obedient pet like me, what a pity that would be!"

Upon finishing her sentence, Il obediently walked up the stairs.

Yet, hearing these words, Yerko was taken aback, swiftly turning to look at Ronald:

"Il... pet..."

Ronald feigned ignorance of Yerko's astonished expression.

He attentively watched Il as she proceeded up the staircase and, when the distance seemed right, he activated [Human Rationality's Limit], ensuring he wouldn't be affected by any bewildering spell.

Then, the scene unfolded exactly the same as before.

Il reached the same position on the staircase as Ronald.

No other character appeared, no facility interfered. Il vanished from her spot the next moment, reappearing on the initial position of the entire staircase promptly.

"..."

Confronted with such a scenario, Ronald slightly furrowed his brow, without speaking immediately.

Il, on the lower steps, confirmed she was unharmed, and smiled appeasingly at Ronald:

"Boss, looks like we're in the same boat."

"..." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

At this time, Yerko at the side couldn't remain idle any longer.

Seeing Ronald and Il both take risks, she was unwilling to stay uninvolved.

"Ronald, Il, I'll try a different spot; keep an eye on me."

With these words, Yerko jumped off the staircase, reciting incantations.

Bang—

The spell activated successfully, and a powerful force erupted under the red-haired girl's feet.

Subsequently, Yerko leaped upwards.

She had no plan to step on the staircase but intended to use pure physical strength to propel herself to the higher levels.

However, quickly, Yerko's ascending figure abruptly vanished mid-air.

Just like Ronald and Il previously walking on the stairs.

Her silhouette reappeared within the castle, also returning to the ground where it all began!