Wensel's last words sent Rocky's heartbeat racing!
Could it be, could it really be that this research institute contained Magic Technology from the Continental Era!?
This possibility made Rocky hold his breath, not daring to think of anything else, listening very carefully to Wensel's last words.
"When the cowards chose to flee, I, like many others, chose to stay and continue my research,"
The image of Wensel continued to speak, recounting a piece of unknown history:
"The arrival of the demons was so sudden that people were utterly unprepared, leading to the creation of numerous research institutes and thereby many great inventions."
"Sky City was such an invention, but even the greatest inventions become scrap metal in the hands of fools; those cowards who only thought of fleeing wasted such a marvelous invention."
"In contrast, the Flying Armor project that the Wins Dynasty was undertaking was more practical— they wanted to create an armor that allowed the wearer to fly and greatly enhanced their combat capabilities. Once developed, it would significantly increase the wearer's combat ability."
"Unfortunately, although the idea of Flying Armor was good, it came too late. If it had come ten years earlier, perhaps we would not have been so utterly powerless before the demons. I hope, I hope they can make this project successful one day…"
Wensel's words completely shocked Rocky! That so-called Flying Armor project, it was clearly the Void Magic Armor!
As far as Rocky knew, the earliest concept of the Void Magic Armor indeed emerged towards the end of the resistance war, but at that time, since they had already lost much of the land, it was too late to realize this idea, and the first true Void Magic Armor was only developed after everyone had completely relocated to the sky.
Good heavens...
Who exactly was this Wensel?
He even knew about the Void Magic Armor, and from his tone, even such a great invention that was second only to Sky City was simply a nice idea in his eyes?
Is this not a bit too arrogant?
Or could it be...
that Wensel had been working on something as great as the Void Magic Armor!?
At this moment, the image of Wensel continued to speak:
"The idea of Flying Armor is good, and Sky City is a great invention, but the research I am conducting is no less significant than theirs!"
Following that, the image of Wensel spoke very proudly:
"Unlike them, my approach is different. They just think about developing new technology, about using new technology to defeat the demons, but these people forget one thing—that there is neither time nor resources!"
"The demons have occupied a vast amount of land, leaving us with little time and fewer resources. How easy is it to invent new equipment to resist demons under these conditions?"
"Even if it really succeeds, what can a single new weapon or new armor do in the face of completely occupied lands?"
"So all these people are wrong!"
"What we truly should do is to enhance the existing equipment! That is the purpose of my research!"
Here comes the important part!
When Wensel's image finished saying this, it paused for a moment before continuing:
"Mana Runes, this is my invention."
"My life's work, a great invention that, compared to it, even Sky City pales slightly!"
While speaking, Wensel's image waved its hand, and a symbol Rocky couldn't understand appeared in front of it.
"This is the Mana Rune, a magical symbol containing energy, functioning like a Magic Stone, which can provide a magic power source, and will completely replace Magic Stones from now on."
"So it's... just this... thing...?"
When Wensel's image proudly revealed his invention, Rocky felt somewhat disappointed...
Because Wensel had made it clear that the Mana Rune he invented was merely a substitute for Magic Stones.
In a world reliant on Magic Technology, mana had become an indispensable resource. From something as large as Sky City to as small as the Void Magic Armor, all relied on mana to function properly, with Magic Stones serving as the containers for storing mana.
Do you remember the Drive Crystal inside Thunderhawk City? That huge crystal is essentially a super-sized Magic Stone, and even the Void Magic Armor that Rocky currently wore was embedded with Magic Stones to provide the necessary mana for the armor.
What Wensel invented was a substitute for Magic Stones.
But so what?
Today's technological level had already solved the issue of charging Magic Stones, making it possible for them to be reused, thus becoming a renewable resource. Hence, they weren't as precious as before. Under these circumstances... what use could Mana Runes possibly serve?
A replacement for Magic Stones? But Magic Stones don't even need replacing!
Wensel indeed left behind his invention, which might have had some uses a hundred years ago, but today, a hundred years later, it was utterly useless...
This outcome couldn't help but make Rocky feel disappointed.
"Well, it's still an invention, maybe it can still be utilized somehow, so it's not a complete loss."
Heaving a deep sigh, Rocky had no choice but to console himself and adjust his mood.
He had actually been looking forward to making a truly significant discovery this time, hoping to use it to reverse the downturn of Thunderhawk City, but he also knew that one should not be too greedy, and he was not that lucky either.
Just then, Winsel's voice continued to transmit, "The method to draw mana runes and my research materials are all here, and there are also some experimental items I used during my research. These items will help you better understand mana runes."
As Winsel finished saying these words, the presence he left began to blur a bit, as if it was about to disappear.
"Make good use of this great invention… drive demons off the land…"
After saying this last sentence, Winsel's image completely disappeared.
But at the very moment the image vanished, the wall behind it slowly opened, revealing a secret room!
Seeing the secret room slowly open in front of him, Rocky immediately walked over. Even though the invention of mana runes might not have much practicality today, it was still an invention after all. If used well, it could potentially generate considerable profits, so although Rocky might be disappointed, he still walked into the secret room immediately.
The secret room behind the wall wasn't very large and contained only a table and a few large chests.
As Rocky walked in and looked down at the table, he saw a yellowed notebook on it, clearly titled: Research Notes on Mana Runes.
"It seems that Winsel has written everything about mana runes in this notebook."
Rocky carefully collected the notebook, then turned toward the chests in the room.
These chests were covered in dust, resembling treasure chests that had been sealed for many years.
Winsel had mentioned earlier that these chests contained experimental items.
"I wonder if there's any treasure..."
Seeing these chests, Rocky's spirits lifted again because although Winsel's invention might be mediocre, such masters often have considerable value. If there were one or two treasures among these experimental items left by Winsel, Rocky would consider his journey worthwhile.
So he eagerly opened the nearest chest.
As the lid opened, Rocky saw two long swords inside, and he randomly picked one to inspect. A sparkle flashed through his eyes instantly!
"Good stuff!"
As he grasped the long sword in his hand, Rocky instantly knew it was a top-notch weapon!
Theoretically, this long sword should have been sealed for nearly a hundred years, yet it still glowed brightly, with a coldness emanating from its tip, looking murderous.
More importantly, the hilt of the long sword was embedded with two magic stones!
This was a piece of magic energy equipment!
By using a special technique to embed magic stones into equipment, it is possible to create magic energy equipment, whose power, although not comparable to that of Void Magic Armor, is much greater than ordinary weapons. Additionally, due to the much lower cost compared to Void Magic Armor, magic energy equipment is extremely popular.
The long sword before him was a mana sword, and it was also embedded with two magic stones. The mana contained in the two magic stones would undoubtedly greatly enhance the sword's power and significantly increase the value of the sword.
"Scored big!"
Swinging the long sword a couple of times in his hand, Rocky was overjoyed. According to what he knew, such a mana weapon was worth quite a bit of money. If sold, it could at least earn him several hundred gold coins, nearly matching the monthly fiscal income of Thunderhawk City.
"Hopefully the other items here are also this valuable."
Reluctantly setting the mana sword aside, Rocky reached into the chest to pull out the second long sword.
This second long sword was almost identical to the mana sword he had just examined, the only difference being that this long sword did not have magic stones embedded. Instead, strange patterns were inscribed on the blade.
Holding the long sword, Rocky scrutinized the patterns and soon discovered that the patterns on the sword were all composed of weird runes!
"These must be mana runes, no wonder there are no magic stones embedded."
Mana runes themselves act as substitutes for magic stones, so while this long sword did not have magic stones embedded, because it was covered in mana runes, it still classified as magic energy equipment and also was a valuable item.
But then…
Looking at the rune sword in his hand and then at the mana sword on the table, Rocky suddenly had a curious thought—between the two swords, one embedded with magic stones and the other covered in magic patterns, which one had greater power?
Thinking this, he couldn't help but feel curious and somewhat eager to test them!
"Let's see which of you is sharper!"
Driven by curiosity, Rocky held the rune sword in his left hand and the mana sword in his right hand. He activated their magic power simultaneously, causing both swords to radiate light. Following that, he swung both swords together, letting them clash against each other.
However, instead of hearing the expected clashing sound, Rocky only felt a swish as his hands crossed paths. When he looked at the swords in his hands again, he found that the magic sword in his right hand had been cut in half!
The magic sword in his hand… had broken into two pieces!
"How is this possible!"
Staring at the two halves of the magic sword, Rocky was dumbfounded…