Chapter 94: A Mage’s Treasury
Daniels wasn’t as tight-lipped as one might have thought.
At the end of the day, even though he was a Level 3 Mage, a Mage’s constitution was never very strong to begin with.
What’s more, he was just an old man in his sixties or seventies. How could he possibly withstand harsh torture?
Soon, Raymond found the treasure vault with Daniels’ directions. After checking to make sure there was no danger, Duane went inside.
It was called a treasure vault, but it was really just a basement beneath Daniels’ bedroom with an extremely well-hidden entrance.
The vault needed no torches or candles for light, as a Magic Lamp had been installed inside.
Raymond had asked him about the Magic Lamp’s origin. According to Daniels, he had purchased it from a merchant ship from the Starfall Islands.
To be precise, they acquired many of their goods through similar means.
The vault wasn’t large, less than ten square meters in area.
The furnishings were simple: a table, a chair, and six black chests.
Duane sat in the chair, a notebook lying on the table before him.
He picked it up and glanced at the cover—the Fel Energy Notes.
A quick glance revealed it to be a book about "Fel Energy Magic."
’I remember Ernst Cage’s *Magic Overview* mentioning that Magic can be divided into two types: Element and Arcane. So what is Fel Energy Magic?’
Daniels could no longer stand. He was slumped on the floor, but when he heard the question, his eyes lit up as if he had just found a way to stay alive.
"Baron, in truth, this world has many special types of Extraordinary Energy besides Arcane and Element. Fel Energy is one of them."
He spoke in a wheedling, seductive tone, "Wielding this energy isn’t as difficult as the Power of Elements or the Arcane. Even an ordinary person can become a Level 1 Mage!"
"My Lord, you wish to develop Black Forest Island, but you must be short on fighting strength. With Fel Energy, you could mass-produce Level 1 Mages! Even with just the most Basic ’Fel Energy Charm’ spell, they could make a huge difference in a battle!"
From the description alone, Duane knew this had to be something illicit, but he didn’t let it show. Instead, he asked:
"How does one gain Fel Energy?"
Daniels thought the Baron was tempted by his words.
’In fact, this is how any normal Lord should think. Who would pass up a chance to strengthen their own forces?’
"It’s simple. You just need to complete a ’Fel Energy Sacrifice’."
"And what is a Fel Energy Sacrifice?"
This time, Daniels didn’t answer. "My Lord, only I can perform the Fel Energy Sacrifice. So, you see..."
Duane frowned, and Raymond immediately punched Daniels. "Spit it out!"
Daniels’s face twisted in pain, and he finally answered honestly.
"By inscribing a Fel Energy Array using human blood, skin, and bones, you can draw Fel Energy into the body and gain the ability to wield it."
Duane snorted. ’As I thought. At the end of the day, the price is still human life.’
’And the description alone was enough to reveal how cruel the process was.’
’Skinning, exsanguinating, deboning, concocting... what a perfect little process.’
"My Lord, these are the whisperings of a Demon! You mustn’t believe him!"
Raymond couldn’t help but interject.
He was worried that the young Baron might be easily swayed.
But Daniels pressed on, "This is a powerful method for strengthening Black Forest Island! You..."
Duane cut him off. "Gag him!"
Raymond immediately tore a few strips of cloth from Daniels’s robes, balled them up, and stuffed them into his mouth.
Duane turned his attention back to the *Fel Energy Notes* in his hands.
It not only contained the information Daniels had just shared, but also clearly described the instructions for constructing the Fel Energy Sacrifice Array, along with the Spell Models for three other Fel Energy Magic spells.
Fel Energy Charm: A Level 1 Spell of the mind-affecting type, effective on ordinary people.
Fel Energy Demon Pearl: A Level 2 Spell that fires a two-meter-diameter black pearl. It causes impact damage and releases a plague, causing the victim’s body to fester upon contact.
Demon Summoning: A Level 3 Spell. Use Fel Energy in a prayer to summon a Demon from the abyss to fight for you.
Duane hadn’t seen the first two spells, but he had witnessed Demon Summoning firsthand.
It was a pity they were all Fel Energy Magic. Otherwise, they might have been worth keeping.
Next, he examined the other books on the table, and this time, his search proved fruitful.
First, he discovered a book titled *Basic Meditation Skill*.
It was a Meditation Technique that all Mages could use for Refining Magic Power and increasing their Spiritual Power.
Duane could use it too, if he ever decided to become a Mage in the future.
Second, there was an Enchantment Formula called *Blazing Fire*.
Blazing Fire: Enchant your weapon. When infused with Fighting Qi, it will erupt with powerful, searing flames.
Formula: Basic Fire Energy Essence, Magic Crystal Powder.
Enchantment was an ability that fell under the school of Arcane Magic.
Daniels had desperately wanted to master this ability, but unfortunately, Enchantment required not only the Enchantment Formula but also an Enchantment Spell Model.
Furthermore, he also lacked the Basic Fire Energy Essence and Magic Crystal Powder mentioned in the Enchantment Formula.
As a result, Daniels had never managed to create a single Enchanted Weapon with the *Blazing Fire* effect.
Duane felt a pang of frustration.
’Even if I want to learn Enchantment, I’m missing the key components.’
Fortunately, he had learned from Daniels that the next merchant ship from the Starfall Islands to arrive at Black Forest Island would be bringing him the Enchantment Spell Model.
This gave Duane a glimmer of anticipation.
Besides the Enchantment materials, Duane also found a Spell Secret Manual for the Level 3 Fire Magic, *Flame Burst Technique*.
Adding the Flash Technique, Healing Technique, Flame Technique, and Fireball Technique he had received from the Holy Hand Association, Duane now had five spells in his possession.
He now had spells for Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.
Having finished inspecting the items on the desk, Duane turned his attention to the black chests.
Of the six chests, four were filled with a gruesome collection of human bones and skins.
Daniels had carved them all in preparation for constructing a Fel Energy Array.
If Raymond hadn’t warned him beforehand, Duane would have been badly startled.
And after another punch from Raymond, Daniels honestly confessed he had been preparing them for Vera.
Once someone was tainted by Fel Energy, there was no escape.
At that point, even if he didn’t have to keep Vera captive, Simone would never betray him.
Hearing this, Duane couldn’t help but feel a cold sweat break out for the little girl.
It was a good thing they had acted so quickly; otherwise, Daniels might have actually succeeded.
’This man wouldn’t even spare a three-year-old girl. It just shows how twisted he is.’
Duane closed the four chests and ordered them to be burned later, along with the *Fel Energy Notes*.
Then he opened the two remaining chests, one large and one small.
The small chest was filled with Gold Coins—198 in total—which were meant for purchasing the Enchantment Spell Model.
The other, larger chest contained various materials. After a quick inspection, Raymond judged them to be medicinal herbs.
Duane opened it with a sense of anticipation and immediately spotted something he had been looking for.
Vigorous Grass!
Duane had obtained the "Delicious Fish Soup" recipe long ago, but because he had never been able to find any Vigorous Grass, he hadn’t been able to make it.
"Where did you find this?" Duane asked, holding up a stalk of Vigorous Grass.
Daniels glanced at it. "The Baron knows of this herb?"
Duane was speechless. ’Why does this guy always have to answer a question with a question?’
Sure enough, Raymond punched him again.
"At... at the Hot Spring Mountain Iron Ore mine. A miner accidentally chewed on a stalk and found it invigorating, so I gathered some to see if they had any use."
Duane nodded, placing the Vigorous Grass back in the chest. "John, find a couple of men and have these two chests carried back."
He glanced at the other chests. "Jack, take some men and carry the rest of these chests out to be burned. Make sure you oversee it personally, especially anything related to Fel Energy Magic!"
"Yes, sir!"
Daniels trembled slightly. "Baron, this is power! Are you really willing to just destroy it all?"
"I am not like you."
Duane, who had been about to leave, paused. "I will not trade the lives of innocents for power."
"Face your judgment, Daniels. Don’t hold out any hope that someone will set you free."
With that, he took the few Magic Books and left the vault without a backward glance.
Raymond watched the Baron’s retreating back for a long moment before speaking.
"True power comes from one’s own training and righteous conviction, Daniels. Did you really think you could tempt the Baron?"
He shook his head to himself. "You underestimated the Baron. He’s not like you, or even most of the Nobility."
A flash of despair crossed Daniels’s eyes. He knew, this time, it was truly over for him.