Wizard: Adventures in Two Worlds
Chapter 34 - 034 Flame Dharma Seal
CHAPTER 34: 034 FLAME DHARMA SEAL
The Dharma Seal Seed was the size of a thumb and soft in texture, feeling like the flesh of an unknown animal when touched. Applying slight pressure would even cause a sticky juice to ooze out.
According to old Lev, when a person possessing a Dharma Seal died, the seal on their body would also wither away. This was true.
The red-haired man’s arm had been soaked in a solidifying liquid by Carl. After several days, the arm itself showed no change, but the Dharma Seal on it had begun to blur. He feared that after a while, the Dharma Seal would disappear completely. There would be no time to analyze it then.
Try it?
In the Divine Domain Fragment, Carl’s control over his own body was minutely detailed. Coupled with the methods taught by old Lev, he was confident he could cut his losses in time without too much impact, even if problems arose midway. Of course, he first had to confirm that Lev’s method was sound; this wasn’t very troublesome for him.
Soon after, SPLASH... Carl took out the severed arm from the solidifying liquid.
The slippery fluid enveloped the arm. He tossed it onto the long table, where it slid forward some distance before stopping. Next, he took out a ’scalpel’ and made a light incision where the Dharma Seal was, slicing through both skin and flesh.
Once all preparations were complete, Carl finally pressed the Dharma Seal Seed in his hand onto the location of the Dharma Seal.
The originally dim lines of the Dharma Seal came to life upon contact with the Dharma Seal Seed, its patterns flickering with a faint light. The Dharma Seal Seed, in turn, slowly dissolved into it.
Is this the Dharma Seal?
The newly revitalized Dharma Seal, like a fleshy tumor with countless tentacles, was cradled in Carl’s palm. The ’tentacles’ danced according to some pattern, increasingly resembling the operational trajectories of a Magic Model. The Dharma Seal... it must surely be related to witchcraft!
After pondering briefly, Carl grasped the Dharma Seal and pressed it firmly onto his left arm.
SIZZLE...
A sensation akin to being scorched arose, causing Carl to grunt involuntarily as a layer of sweat beaded on his forehead.
At the same time, the Dharma Seal, as if coming alive, sent tendrils piercing through his skin, burrowing deep into his flesh.
Hungry! So hungry! The Dharma Seal conveyed a devouring desire, and immediately Carl’s internal blood and energy surged towards its location.
URGH! Though he was prepared, the sudden weakness still made his vision blur and his body sway.
No! It’s not just blood and energy, but also spiritual power!
Realizing the rapid depletion of his spiritual power, Carl came to a sudden understanding. To maintain the Dharma Seal’s operation not only consumes blood and energy but also spiritual power; no wonder ordinary people don’t meet the criteria.
Leaving aside blood and energy, the spiritual power of ordinary people is scattered and disordered, not meeting the Dharma Seal’s requirements. Only those with Wizard Talent possess naturally concentrated spiritual power. A Wizard Apprentice’s spiritual power, which is even stronger, can leverage the mysterious forces between heaven and earth.
However... compared to a Magic Model, because it’s assisted by blood and energy, the Dharma Seal consumes less spiritual power and has lower requirements. It’s even possible that without Wizard Talent, some gifted individuals could also master the Dharma Seal.
In Lev’s words, although the number of people with a Dharma Seal wasn’t large, it was still far greater than the number of Wizards. This was likely not because the people of this Otherworld were exceptionally talented, but because the Dharma Seal had lower talent requirements.
Using blood and energy to replace some spiritual power allows ordinary people to possess means similar to those of Wizards. The creator of the Dharma Seal is truly remarkable.
Carl was a Knight’s Attendant and a Basic-level Wizard Apprentice; both his blood and energy and his spiritual power were ample. Thus, accepting the Dharma Seal was naturally no problem.
As the Dharma Seal merged into his flesh, certain information associated with it also emerged in his mind.
Fire Seal!
This was the name of the Dharma Seal. With a certain expenditure of blood and energy and spiritual power, one could release flames. It could be a Fireball, a flame shockwave, or even a fire rocket—this depended on the casting technique and consumption.
Following an inner prompting, Carl raised his left hand.
WHOOSH!
A flame suddenly burst forth in the palm of his hand. The flame was barely an inch from his palm, yet it didn’t burn his skin in the slightest; he couldn’t even feel its heat.
Truly magical. Carl’s eyes revealed surprise, and he followed with a light flick of his wrist.
SWOOSH! The flame shot from his hand like a fiery arrow, traveling seven or eight meters before exploding with a BOOM. The blast radius covered several square meters.
Not bad! Carl’s eyes lit up. Such power was already comparable to a Knight’s Attendant executing Battle Skills, and it had a wider attack range.
With his current strength, he could perform such an attack six times in succession. A series of such explosions, and even a peak-level Knight’s Attendant might not be able to escape in time.
Unfortunately, it can’t be used in close combat.
Detonating the flame was an indiscriminate attack to which the caster was not immune, so it could only be used as a ranged combat method. If he could use it in close combat, coupled with the influence of a lesser Spell force field, he might even be able to withstand a Knight’s assault.
I’m getting greedy. Shaking his head lightly, Carl closed his eyes and silently sensed the Dharma Seal on his arm. As expected... It is a Magic Model!
If a Magic Model is likened to a firearm, then spiritual power is the ammunition, and activating the Magic Model is like pulling the trigger. The Dharma Seal was the same, except the ammunition was replaced by a mix of spiritual power and blood and energy.
The Dharma Seal also occupies a portion of spiritual power. However, compared to a Magic Model, its consumption is lower, though it continuously drains blood and energy. No wonder once a Dharma Seal is acquired, the Knight Path becomes difficult to continue. Knight training involves strengthening blood and energy and enhancing life force, but the Dharma Seal severely hinders this cultivation. It’s like... having another person share the benefits of the training.
Carl opened his eyes, a resolute thought forming: No matter! As long as I can thoroughly analyze the Magic Model, I can dissolve the Dharma Seal and construct Spells in my Spiritual Inner Sea. It won’t be too late to pursue the Knight Path then. Besides, given the current situation, the prospects of the Knight Path are far less promising than a Wizard’s. It wouldn’t matter even if I didn’t pursue it.
「* * *」
Since he had promised to fund Ayala’s team and also needed to rely on them to collect more materials from the Otherworld, Carl began to take the matter seriously. Over the next few days, he visited roughly twice a day, bringing various foods and Potions. Once a certain quantity was amassed, he would notify them to come and collect.
"Uncle," Ayala said one day, handing him a book. "This is something Grandpa Lev gave you. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can go ask him at any time."
"Oh!" Carl took the book. Eagle Body Step.
This was the Martial Art old Lev had spoken of; unlike Raging Wind swordsmanship, this was a footwork technique. Mastering it increased movement speed and leg strength, and it particularly excelled in short-distance explosive bursts. It also included a Battle Skill: Eagle Strike. When executed, one’s speed would surge for a short period, catching an opponent off guard.
However, mastering Martial Arts was not an overnight task, and figuring out how to integrate it with Raging Wind swordsmanship would require practice and refinement.
Carl nodded. "Thank him for me."
"We’re the ones who should be thanking you," Ayala said with a sweet smile. She hadn’t gone hungry these past few days, and an ample supply of food was incredibly significant for someone her age. Her blood and energy improved, her skin gained a healthy glow, and even her figure began to develop again, gradually taking on the appropriate physical features of a young woman.
"Uncle," Little Nan said, bringing out a few items. "We found these in the ruins. See if they can be of any use to you."
Carl casually picked up a mirror. A palm-sized mirror was set in an exquisite wooden frame. Intricate vines and floral clusters were carved along its edges, exuding a classic and elegant aura. The mirror’s surface, made of an unknown material, was crystal clear—like a deep, tranquil lake—perfectly reflecting everything around it. This was an exquisite piece of art.
Hmm... It could serve as a birthday gift for Iweni.