Listening to the shouting in the background, Kai suddenly stopped.
- Listen... Let me put it this way... I tell you the story, you don't say anything. Until I'm done, you don't ask me any more questions. You just memorise them and then you tell me later. Got it? - Kai asked with a stone face.
- Got it... - Iris replied with a low voice.
- Good, let's continue our journey. - Kai said contentedly and continued on his way.
He realised that if he kept getting distracted by Iris's every question. It could drag on for hours.
- Anyway... I'm going to start a bit far, but it's necessary. I saw this array in the ancient ruins. I'll answer right away, I got into them by accident and there is no way to return to that place, as any entrances are destroyed. I myself did not have enough time to explore. - Walking on, Kai narrated.
Iris could see by the look on her face that she already had a million questions. But you had to hand it to her, she held her ground and followed Kai's directions.
- The array was mapped on a strange object. When I touched it, I got a knowledge of the language of the people that once built those ruins. It was a very strange feeling... It was as if information was pouring through my hand, into my brain. - Kai was describing those events.
At that moment, Iris's eyes were so dilated that they seemed to fall out of their eye sockets. She was both shocked and delighted at the same time! She even thought at first that Kai was lying. But if he was, the lie would be easily exposed when he showed an example of the elements of that array. Still, she would immediately realise if Kai drew something at random. That would fool a layman, but not a master of her craft, which Iris was.
- As you realise, it was probably a different array system altogether. And I was only able to memorise certain parts and elements... I have an innate ability to perceive energy better. That's why I learn our craft more easily. - That's what Kai said.
He should have said that. To learn an array just by looking at it... To do such a thing without the guidance of someone who had drawn the array or knew how to draw it was incredibly difficult! Any Array Master realised this.
But it didn't work in Kai's case. He had the Eyes of Essence! Perhaps his understanding of energy was many times better than that of Masters of the highest order.
- So... I think that somehow he was recording and containing information in the form of energy. And by touching the array, it could have travelled into your consciousness and integrated into it. Don't ask me about it anymore, as I don't really understand the principles of this array myself. In fact, my words are only a theory... Perhaps it's the other way round. - As Kai was leaving the palace, he was talking and reasoning.
He had also repeatedly wondered about the mechanism of that array. And reasoning about the Spiritual Sea, energy and spirit, he came up with such an explanation. But there was no way to test it.
- Listen Kai... - Iris said quietly.
- You promised not to interrupt. - Kai replied calmly.
- D...yeah...It's just that you're going the wrong way... - Iris said.
- Shit! That's right, I'm talking too much... Walk me to the right place, please. - Kai said with a smile.
- How polite you've become. - Rolling her eyes, Iris replied.
- Hehehe, - Kai laughed shamelessly, ignoring Iris' words, - Let's continue the conversation on the way. - Diverting the topic said Kai.
Iris didn't even bother to answer, she just silently changed direction and started walking forward. But she continued to stay near Kai, not getting ahead of herself. Still, she was curious about what Kai would tell her next. Right now, she was just setting a vector of direction. Watching this, Kai smiled and continued the story.
- I was locked up in those ruins for about half a year. And for most of that time I did nothing but study that massif. - Changing the events a bit Kai told the story.
He wasn't trying to lie to impress Iris. He just realised that he had to tell it in a way that made at least some logic. If he didn't tell about the Eye of Suti's ability, the story would sound absurd.
If you gave a scientific treatise to a child who couldn't read. Even if he stared at it for three years, he wouldn't understand the meaning of the treatise. But if you can read... Then, by trial and error and various hypotheses, you will get to the main point.
That's what happened with the Eyes of Essence. Similarly, Kai could read, while others needed a teacher to tell them what the treatise said.
All array masters had literally spent generations memorising the book and telling the receiver what it said. At the same time, none of them could read. Knowledge was passed from master to receiver, where the latter just had to memorise everything in detail and learn to repeat it. Publicly available arrays were not a secret and could be taught by many Array Masters. But personal practice was only passed on to one's own apprentice.
Kai was well aware of all this, so he slightly changed some of the nuances of the story.
- That's the end of the backstory. Now I'm going to show you the elements I've memorised. I've drawn each of them thousands of times, trying to match the original as closely as possible. If it weren't for my innate ability, I don't think I would have been able to do that. Some of the elements might not be right at all... So, consider them just as an object for inspiration. - Kai warned me.
- I hear you! - Iris said expectantly and nodded.
Kai slowly raised his hand and his black energy lit up on his index and middle finger.
As soon as it flared up, Iris was even a little wary. Kai was a rather mysterious person. Usually, people spend a long time in the Shadow Sect before ascending to High or Personal Disciples. Because of this, a lot was known about them. Kai, on the other hand, was a complete mystery. It wasn't clear what one could expect from him.....
That black energy inspired some instinctive fear.....
But as soon as Kai started drawing symbols and structures directly in the air, Iris instantly forgot about all other thoughts. She focused all her attention on Kai's drawing.
- Oh... They... - Looking at those symbols Iris couldn't find the words to describe her emotions.
At that moment, she clearly realised that Kai wasn't lying. These structures were very clear and there was a strict pattern and logic to them. Although Iris couldn't realise them, she knew that it was impossible to make such a thing up on the fly!
Having finished one part of the array, Kai dispelled it and began to draw another. As they walked through the city, this happened more than once. In parallel, Kai told his thoughts on each formation. He voiced his theories about why the element and what its function might be, how energy flowed in it and what it might mean.
In fact, it was as if he was having a verbal discussion with himself. While he was telling, he was parallel reasoning and trying to find the answer himself. Iris was incredibly focused. She listened to Kai's every word and memorised the appearance of each drawn element. While it wouldn't get her anything, it could definitely spur inspiration in her personal research.
From the outside, Kai looked amazing. He was like one of those professors who was very interesting to listen to. His story literally absorbed the listener. Perhaps the magic was that Kai himself was also very interesting. He was not only telling, but seeking the truth at the same time.
This continued all the way to the Alchemy Alliance. Iris was incredibly surprised by Kai's knowledge and thoughts. At one point, it seemed to her that she was very far behind him. But that didn't make her sad, it only made her more excited.
Just as they were about to enter the square where the Alchemy Alliance building was located, a joyful female shout came from the side!
- Brother Kai, it's you, it's so good to see you! - A cheerful voice sounded, but then the intonation changed, 'Who's that next to you?' the girl said icily.
Hearing this, Kai turned his head and saw his recent acquaintances not far from him. It was Taemi and all her mates.
- So it was you! You fucking shameless bastard! - Shouted Mera loudly, but in the next moment, her face turned pale. She had seen something she didn't want to believe at all.
Seeing her girlfriend's reaction, Taemi began to stare more closely at Kai.
- Brother Kai, you're already a Personal Apprentice?! How?!' Taemi shouted in shock and ran happily towards Kai. It was obvious that she was truly delighted!