Small bits of scrap metals, screws, and wirings littered the area where the dragon-like automaton had been. In the middle of all these was a glowing metallic gold orb, with runes circling it, which was surprisingly still intact. Upon closer inspection at the energy core, the metallic gold was not the exterior color of the orb but the liquid inside.
"Ar-Lo…" The man nearly fainted after seeing his greatest work reduced into this. He had never thought that the new challenger he had thought to be easy prey was actually a hidden dragon.
Unbeknownst to him, Kyran was indeed a hidden 'baby' dragon figuratively speaking. For this very reason, a dragon automaton trying to pit itself with someone who was blessed by the Dragon King was simply seeking death.
Taking a deep breath, the man finally stood and walked over to his automaton's energy core. He knelt on one knee to inspect it. Not even two seconds had passed, a slight frown appeared on his face.
The energy core was fine, yes, to the point there were no scratches on the surface.
'That can't be,' the man thought. He roused his magic and different colored and sized rings of runic writings circled him. His eyes glowed as his magic sense spread around the platform to check the array he created.
The moment his magic sense touched the array, his eyes grew wide in shock.
'This!'
A few minutes back, at the far end side of the platform, as soon as the cloud of smoke started to clear, True Void finally saw what had become of the ugly-looking automaton. He and Kyran vigilantly watched the man as he approached what was left of his automaton and inspected it.
Seeing that the energy core of the automaton was still intact, True Void could not help but snort at Kyran.
[Did you aim for this?]
Understanding what True Void was asking, Kyran replied with a shrug, 'I told you I have better control over the incantation. Though I had a little help from the man's array.'
[Help? That man's array? What do you mean?]
True Void's confusion was understandable. He was aware there was an array in the platform and the man activated it before his ugly automaton's beam of concentrated energy ricocheted back at it. But Kyran had not moved from his position right from the start— err, that one step was not counted—, how did he get any help from the array?
'When the two forces collided, I made use of that moment to change the man's array calculation,' Kyran explained.
[You changed it? You did not even go near— don't tell me when you use your magic sense earlier you managed to— My goodness! And I mean my goodness! This platform is at least three hundred meters in radius. Did you really— my goodness!]
Black lines appeared on Kyran's head from True Void's exaggerated reaction.
Having a range of about 300 meters of magic sense was not exactly surprising. The range of a Grand Master's magic sense could go as far as a 5,000-kilometer radius. If they wanted to have a better grasp of their surrounding, then their range would be reduced in half. Still, compared to that, a 300 meters magic sense range, was quite small.
Of course, Kyran's limit range was not 300 meters. It actually far exceeded that of a Grand Master's range. It even exceeded the range of a Magus which was ten times the range of an Exalted, whose range was twice as that of a Grand Master. The reason for True Void's reaction was more with what Kyran could do with his magic sense.
There were actually five levels of magic sense. The first level was the use of magic sense to feel the surrounding energies. The second level was to use it in understanding runes, while the third level was to look and feel his surroundings. The fourth level was using magic sense to manipulate the surrounding energies. As for the fifth level, it was the last level and the most difficult one to master, because it did not only let one manipulate the surrounding energies, but also change the things his magic sense had touched.
That was what Kyran did to the man's array. With just the use of his magic sense, he changed the array's calculation. That in itself was impossible. After all, changing array calculation was different from changing a magic array. It needed physical materials to apply the change. But because of Kyran's Void magic, any materials he needed were easily filled by using Void runes.
Another reason why True Void was deeply impressed, was the fact that Kyran managed to change a 300-meter wide array formation. It should be noted that the reason why the fifth level was hard to master was its complexity. Thus, the range most of those who mastered their magic sense up to the fifth level was only around ten meters. It was a huge difference.
Kyran refrained from commenting and only cleared his throat.
To be honest, the reason why his magic sense had gotten stronger was due to the second training. In some rooms, there were knowledge tables that had samples he could test. Since he could not enter the room, he could only recreate it using his magic sense and then study it. While he was doing this, he accidentally learned how to also use his magic sense to change things.
If others found Kyran learned the fifth level of Magic Sense by accident, they would probably fly into a rage.
'Anyway, the original calculation of the array could not keep up with restoring the automaton whilst also protecting it from the collision due to its size,' Kyran continued with his explanation. 'But if the array only aims to restore and protect one part, it is possible.'
[And you changed the array around the platform to only protect that ugly automaton's energy core]
'Yeah.'
True Void sighed.
[You can actually do that, then why bother changing the terms? That energy core may be from another plane, but it can still be used in the Human plane.]
Kyran shook his head, 'As I said, the purpose here is not winning.'
Before True Void could ask him what he meant, the man suddenly summoned his runes which made him instantly go on the defensive.
[Void Halfling!]
However, same as before, Kyran remained calm, though he kept his vigilance.
'It's okay.'
Just as he said this, the man looked in their direction.
True Void was itching to change into something else but knowing that Kyran's mark might go out of control, he refrained from moving.
There was a short pause before the man finally spoke.
"What's your name?" The man asked Kyran.
"Kyran."
[Oi! Why'd you say your real name?]
Kyran did not reply.
The man nodded and replied, "My name is Loar."
[…]
Kyran kept a straight face. For some reason, though, he was not entirely surprised by the man's name. He too was not really good at naming. If Loar named his greatest creation after rearranging his name, then Kyran was not about to criticize him.
"Which plane are you from?" The man, Loar, asked again.
Instead of answering, Kyran smiled wryly and said, "I remember the terms we agreed on is, if I win, I will ask three questions."
Loar snorted, "Not nice. I'm only asking. Stingy."
Kyran's brow twitched. He was beginning to understand Loar's character better.
Loar was indeed prideful and could be an unreasonable person. But it was because he was confident with his creation, and stubbornly believed it would not be destroyed. However, he would not act unreasonably because he lost. He would even be curious to know how he lost. That was how proud he was of his creation.
"And?" Loar continued, his monotonous voice was back again. "What do you want to ask?"
Kyran did not beat around the bush, and asked all of his questions at once, "First, how long have you been here? Second, have you ever lost to others? Third, what do you know about the other platform masters?"
"Whoa! Hold that thought. One question at a time," Loar complained as he sat cross-legged on the floor with his shoulders hunched down. "Be nice to my brain cells."
Kyran cleared his throat and replied, "Sorry. You can answer the first question for now."
"Before that, why don't you come closer and sit here?" Loar said pointing at a spot in front of him. "I may have good hearing, but you're too far, you know. Be nice to my ears, and my throat."
Kyran could not help but scratch his head at Loar's words.
[He had a point.]
True Void voiced his agreement in Kyran's head.
"Alright," Kyran replied and walked closer to Loar.
Loar, on the other hand, patiently sat there with the different colored runes still circling him.
When Kyran was only five meters away, he finally stopped and also sat cross-legged on the floor. Then he looked at Loar and repeated his question, "How long have you been here?"
Loar crossed his arms and took a deep breath, "Hm… That I'm not sure."
He then looked up, as if thinking of something before adding, "But it has been a while since I had a challenger."
Kyran nodded in acknowledgment. He already expected Loar's answer, but he asked anyway to confirm his theory.
"Have you lost to anyone before?" Kyran continued.
"Yeah," Loar replied, looking back at Kyran without a hint of embarrassment. As a matter of fact, he sounded proud of losing, which was a little odd. "Quite a number of times."
[Eh? Then why was he still a platform master?]
True Void suddenly wondered.
"I see," Kyran replied. This further confirmed his theory about this special place. "Last question, what do you know about the other platform masters?"
Loar heaved a sigh and looked up once again. He did not answer at once but instead took his time to sort his thoughts.
Kyran did not push him either. He waited in silence.
Finally, Loar lowered his head and shook his head, "I can't answer.. The Tower does not allow it."