Doomsday Pillars

Alex had nearly spent all day practicing his new tier 4 unique spells. Only now he learned that, thanks to his recent breakthrough into the Sky realm high stage, the power he could use with his tier 5 sword also increased. Recalling the nonchalant words spoken by Stroke, Alex couldn't help but want to bang his head on the floor.

Realizing there was something more he needed to test, Alex immediately dispersed the fighters he summoned. He turned his attention back to the wooden sword in his hand, or to be more precise on the two marks that were glowing brightly. 

"So… Stroke. New power… What kind of power? Perhaps you became sharper or stronger?" Alex asked with anticipation.

[Master, I have told you that I'm not really a weapon. I am a crafting artifact]

"Ah, yes… it just slipped off my mind. Anyway, what is it, Stroke? Is it a new skill?" Alex asked with an eager expression, as he knew whatever it was it should be powerful. After all, the skill [Draw] he had received from it was amazingly useful..

"I really can't wait. What is it, Stroke?" Alex asked again, not giving Stroke the opportunity to answer the previous question.

[I am sorry to disappoint you, Master. But, it's not a new skill]

Hearing it wasn't a new skill, Alex was a little bit disappointed. However, he was still hopeful with the new power.

As if it could feel Alex's disappointment, Stroke quickly said.

[Don't worry, Master. Although it wasn't a new skill, you will not be disappoint about this]

"Alright, I believe you. Come on, quickly. Tell me, tell me." Alex said, like a child that couldn't wait to open his birthday present.

In an instant, a notification appeared in the bracelet on Alex's hand.

[Draw Formation - Rank 2 Skill]

[The second stage of [Draw] skill. Different from its counterpart, instead of being forced to draw on an object, it allows the user to draw a formation, enabling an area-type skill]

Alex was stunned by the information stated in the notification. He pondered for a moment, trying to think about the meaning of the skill description. Moments later Alex discovered… he didn't understand anything.

"So, tell me how it works, Stroke. I'm a bit puzzled here." Alex said, while scratching his nose.

[It's exactly as it describes, Master]

"Explain it to me."

[You already know the rank 1 universal pattern, don't you, Master?]

Alex nodded his head on that question.

[This skill will allow you to create a formation based on those patterns, instead of engraving them onto an object. To put it simply, you will be to cast the pattern's effect onto a large area with the help of the formation you created]

After hearing Stroke's explanation, Alex began to understand the gist of the skill. Therefore, he decided to put it to the test. Alex began to create a formation using a rank 1 pattern he had mastered by heart, thanks to thousands of artifacts and magic scrolls he had engraved with it.

However, Alex found out that among the dozens of tier 1 spell patterns he had, it seemed that only buff-type spells like [Stone Skin] or [Windwalk] could be engraved into a formation. Hence, Alex created a formation based on the [Stone Skin] spell onto the ground he was standing on.

[Used the skill - Draw Formation]

[Enchantment Failed]

"..."

"Are you sure this skill is working, Stroke? Why did my first try not succeed?"

[Yes, Master. The reason you failed, it's because you did it wrong. Is it too hard for you, Master?]

"..."

Hearing the mock-like words uttered by Stroke in a monotone tone, Alex truly didn't know what to say. As usual, Stroke liked to say annoying things, but Alex could not really blame the sword. After all, what could Alex hope for? A speaking object that could understand feeling?

Acting as if Stroke's words fell into deaf ears, Alex immediately tried to create the formation again.

[Enchantment Failed!]

[Enchantment Failed!]

…

After making dozens of unsuccessful attempts, Alex realized the energy in Stroke was running low and needed to be recharged.

"Fortunately, my lovely wife gave me a lot of spirit stones to use… But!" Staring at the wooden sword in his hand, Alex added, "Are you sure this is working, Stroke? I have failed countless times!"

[There's something you do wrong, Master]

"I'm sure I drew it correct!" Alex rebuked.

[The training space is too big, thus the spell became too hard to create. Try to specify how big the area you want to be affected, Master]

"..." Alex was speechless at this explanation. Alex also swore he heard a sigh before Stroke explained the problem.

With an annoyed expression, Alex tried his best to control his emotion and said, "My dear, lovely Stroke… Don't you think this was something you should have explained earlier?"

[Yes, Master. Please specify how big the area you wanted to affect, Master]

Alex could only shake his head, when he heard the obvious attempt of changing the topic. Not wanting to argue with an object, Alex then went off to create the formation again, but this time, he specified the formation would only affect everything 10 meters around him...

[Used the skill - Draw Formation]

[Enchantment Successful!]

[Stone Skin Array - Tier 1 Earth Spell Formation]

Alex could see that his body was enveloped by a layer of stone, proving the formation was working.

"Nice!" Alex exclaimed, as he felt the effect of the formation. Turning his head towards the wooden sword, Alex asked, "How long will this formation last, Stroke?"

[Stored Spirit Energy - 100%]

[Calculating the time based on the tier and radius of the spell…]

[Tier 1 Stone Skin, 10 meter radius - 24 hours]

Alex's eyes bulged when he saw the staggering amount of time the formation would last. "Damn! Not gonna lie, this [Draw Formation] skill can really be useful."

Alex then proceeded to create another formation using other spells on his disposal. Spells like [Windwalk] and [Energize] could be combined with the [Draw Formation] to create a formation that could increase the strength of his troops. Alex also could use spells like [Curse], which could weaken the target's strength.

However, when he tested the formation with the help of the fighters he summoned back, Alex noticed the formation affected everything within its radius. Therefore, he inferred the skill would not differentiate between opponents and friends, thus the technicality of its use needed to be considered again. Alex also discovered the formation's effect would vanish when they left the area affected by it.

However, despite its shortcomings, Alex was still very satisfied with this new skill, as he could think of endless possibilities in utilizing this skill. But then, in the middle of his contentment, a thought suddenly crossed his mind, one that was really important.

"Stroke, what about rank 2 universal patterns? Can I start learning tier 2 spells now?"

[Yes. You can, Master]

Elated, Alex immediately demanded, "Great! Give them to me, then."

[I don't have them]

"..."

Taking a deep breath, Alex asked, "You don't have them?"

[Yes]

"How can I get them, then?"

[Information incomplete] 

[It appears I don't know anything about it or there is something prohibiting me to access the information]

"Hmm, that is really weird." Alex said, while rubbing his chin. It looked like there were still so many secrets and mysteries the universe stored for him.

[But, Master. If it was a spell you already mastered, you can use it as the formation base without knowing the pattern]

"..."

"WTF! Are you saying that I can use [Draw] to engrave tier 2 or even tier 3 spells as long as it's a spell I already mastered?"

[Yes]

Alex was stunned when he heard the answer. "Wait, that means I could create a [Smite] magic scroll since the very first time I received the [Draw] skill."

[In order to have a chance to successfully create a higher tier magic scroll, you would need a higher tier material, Master. But, yeah. Your assumption is absolutely correct, Master]

"..." Alex truly didn't know if he wanted Stroke anymore after he heard the confirmation. "WHY didn't you tell me before?"

[You never ask-]

"@%^#%.*@#" Alex couldn't hold his curses anymore and let it free lest he killed himself out of anger. "Damn… Thank you for telling me this now, though."

Suddenly, Alex's body trembled, as an idea appeared in his mind, a brilliant one.

"Stroke, what about tier 4 spells? Is it possible with your current [Draw] skill?"

[It would consume much more energy, but yes. It is possible]

Hearing that, Alex's eyes lit up as he immediately jumped into the action.

-

The next day, while Alex was busy with his new experiments, Devita ran into the training room and informed Alex about Theo and the others, who were in danger in Yemen. Upon hearing that, Alex's expression changed, as he quickly left the room.

"I see. I think I will need Tiffany help for this."

Before Devita could go to bring Tiffany, Alex asked a question.

"What time is it now?"