The reason Ryan currently couldn't use other magic was simply because he hadn't encountered a second person who could control magic.
Although he lacked artistic creativity, anyone who had undergone more than a decade of systematic education would not lack the ability to imitate.
With the powerful Dark Magic as a foundation, he could easily discern the key to other magic and fully master it after spending a small amount of time.
He felt that Syndra also possessed this ability.
As for why she never used those flashy spells in her background story, Ryan thought it was most likely because she was too lazy.
When you can directly smash enemies with Dark Magic or pick up a mountain and crush them, why would you bother painstakingly drawing lines?
But Ryan was different.
As a more ambitious 'male Syndra,' he hoped to experience the wonders of more magic.
Life is about experience.
Especially for someone from a Muggle planet, if he didn't use magic before transmigration and still didn't use it after, wouldn't that be a wasted transmigration?
Ionians regarded Dark Magic as taboo.
However, after two years of research, Ryan found that so-called Dark Magic was not as terrifying as others imagined.
Its primary function was to grant the host immense power.
Its secondary function was to imbue the host with a melancholic aura.
As for why its reputation eventually shattered, Ryan felt that just because you play Yasuo poorly doesn't mean the champion Yasuo has a problem!
Look at Syndra's yandere-like dreams that would drive anyone mad; even without Dark Magic, could she possibly be a good person with that mental state?
Dark Magic merely amplified her madness.
But what was he?
He wasn't an ordinary mushroom!
He was a good youth, born under the red flag.
Even if his personality was amplified by power, he would be Captain America, not Homelander!
The only regrettable thing was that the Dark Magic he currently possessed, despite his strong mind, was probably as much as Syndra had in ten toes!
Although it could grow slowly on its own, Ryan actually wanted to experience the feeling of being directly filled, like Syndra.
The road is long and arduous...
Ryan sighed silently.
“......”
Hui didn't respond; in these past years, whenever Ryan's words touched upon things like 'past' or 'memories,' he would always remain silent.
Artists often have their own modes of thinking, and Ryan's past would inevitably involve certain secrets, and secrets would brew danger, and danger would break the status quo...
He and Ryan were friends, but friendship didn't mean they had no selfish motives.
For him at the moment, he only hoped to have a stable environment where he could freely express his thoughts.
And Ryan staying here was the only element maintaining this environment.
If, during a conversation about past memories, a certain key point was touched upon.
Leading to Ryan leaving here would undoubtedly be a great sadness for Hui.
Therefore, he always had his own method.
Ryan's past indeed existed, but as long as he didn't talk about it, then it could also not exist.
However, this time, although the past was gone, the future had arrived.
“Has anything happened in Ionia recently?” Ryan asked proactively.
Why was the Dark Magic he possessed so little?
Because the progress was too slow!
But now that the big wave was coming, how could he not ride the wind and break the waves?
Whether for himself, for the ordinary people who showed him kindness, or for the slumbering Syndra, he had to step out of his comfort zone.
Staying here before was for safety.
But recently, the nature spirits had become much gentler towards him, so expanding his activity range a bit should be fine.
Hui looked up; apart from the initial period of their acquaintance, Ryan rarely proactively inquired about Ionia's affairs, as he would say, life isn't about the distant struggle, but the present tranquility...
“Why are you suddenly asking this?”
“A... friend said the Noxians might have new ideas.”
“Friend...?”
Hui shook the paintbrush in his hand; he knew Ryan had interactions with the surrounding residents.
But the people around here were all honest folk; they revered nature, pursued freedom, and spent almost all their time on how to coexist harmoniously with natural magic.
They paid no attention to external matters, so where did this news come from?
Hui was silent for a moment, then attributed this answer to Ryan's past.
How could a person who mastered Dark Magic be as clean as they appeared on the surface?
Smart people always have their own methods and channels; only they themselves can hinder them.
After removing the doubts in his mind, Hui chose not to conceal the truth.
It was fine for friends to have their own little secrets, but if one deceived for their own selfish reasons, then the friendship would be over.
“Yes, the Noxians have been restless again recently. It's said that several scout teams have already infiltrated, and the elders in the temple have been discussing whether they need to temporarily move to avoid the limelight.”
“Has a large-scale invasion already been confirmed?” Ryan asked, puzzled.
After learning 'painting,' he had a rough understanding of Hui's strength.
Although there was still a big gap compared to the legendary deities, Noxus's most elite soldiers were merely strong ordinary people; they couldn't withstand the floods in the paintings.
What could make Hui's sect hide could only be a large-scale Noxian army.
So, was the scale of this operation so large?
Ryan couldn't help but feel a little worried.
His current strength was roughly similar to Hui's, and with the characteristics of painting magic and Dark Magic, defeating Hui wasn't difficult.
But directly influencing the outcome of a war was almost impossible.
“Large-scale invasion? No, at least not this year. No matter how efficient the Noxians are, they still have to consider the sea. But the temple houses centuries of accumulated artworks, so it's best to hide from those barbarians if possible.”
Why could Ionia, where strong individuals were everywhere, be repeatedly invaded by Noxus, which was mostly occupied by ordinary people?
In his previous life, many 'experts' online had published thousands of words of interpretation on this, but those interpretations were far less convincing than Hui's few dozen words.
Ionians seemed to lack the concept of 'Ionia is one family' deep down.
They would extend a helping hand to individuals but could also remain bystanders to the suffering of a group of people.
As an outsider, Ryan had no standing to criticize beliefs that others had passed down for thousands of years.
After all, most Ionians thought this way; as long as they were willing to bear the consequences of their choices, then everyone could have the freedom to choose.
But from Ryan's perspective, neither his experiences since transmigration nor the universal values he had once accepted allowed him to stand idly by while ordinary people suffered, especially when he might be able to prevent it.
Ryan looked at Hui, thought for a moment, and asked:
“Can I go to Gouya Temple to take a look?”
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