In truth, Lan Qingyou wasn't actually bragging.
Through her research on the shield core of the abandoned shelter and her own shelter, she had more or less mastered the technology.
Though the magic shields she could make might be quite a few grades lower than the ones provided by the world consciousness at the start, that didn't matter.
Progress from zero to one was what truly counted.
Once you had one, you could have two; two leads to three, and three leads to all things...
Well, that phrasing was a bit exaggerated, but the sentiment that 'alchemy is omnipotent' remained unchanged.
That was right.
In the magic shield formula Lan Qingyou had constructed in her mind, there were traces of alchemy.
Hierophant: “Have you researched the creation of magic patterns for openings?”
The Tower: “Openings?”
Lan Qingyou paused.
Then she remembered the discussion they'd had when she first joined the villa regarding Hierophant’s night fishing hut.
The Tower: “Oh, right, I remember now. I’ve researched that, of course. You might not believe it, but after my shelter upgraded, it happened to have an opening. I did some research on it and eventually gained a little bit of insight.”
Hierophant: “An original opening in the shelter?”
The Tower: “Yeah. Because my shelter has an herb field, it needs an irrigation system. If there’s an irrigation system, there have to be inlets and outlets. So, after the upgrade, a drainage outlet appeared. It’s not very big, about 20 by 30 centimeters.”
Hierophant: “Quick! Teach me how you did it!”
Upon hearing that Lan Qingyou had ideas regarding openings, Hierophant became instantly excited.
The Tower: “About that... I was planning to try it out myself first to see if it works before posting it for discussion.”
Hierophant: “It’s fine, it’s fine. Just tell me your line of thinking. I’ve been so restless lately since I haven't been able to go night fishing.”
...
Are all anglers like this?
Lan Qingyou, who had never fished in her life, couldn't understand.
The Tower: “Alright, since Hierophant has put it that way, I’ll oblige.”
The Tower: “Regarding the drawing of magic patterns for an opening, I don't know what it’s like on your end, but in my research, the drawing for this opening isn't complex. In fact, you could say it’s very simple—it’s just a bit counter-intuitive.”
Hierophant: “Oh? Counter-intuitive?”
The Tower: “Yes. Normally, the drawing of magic patterns should follow the forward-sequence arrangement principle. You don't deny that, do you?”
Hierophant: “I don't.”
The Tower: “However, you cannot use that principle when drawing at the opening.”
Magician: “What!”
Hierophant: “How could that be!?”
Chariot: “Impossible! Absolutely impossible!”
Empress: “That’s right. The arrangement principle exists to ensure the uniformity of the entire magic shield. That’s also why the core parts use reverse drawing techniques. If you don't use the forward-sequence arrangement principle, won't everything fall into chaos?”
Seeing Lan Qingyou's message, the members who had been lurking in the shadows all popped out one by one.
The Tower: “In a normal area, it would definitely cause chaos, and might even result in the magic shield failing to activate.”
The Tower: “But an opening is different. This area is inherently open, so continuing to use a forward-sequence arrangement will only result in it failing to start, or excessive consumption after activation.”
Hierophant: “Then how did you solve it in your research?”
The Tower: “By arranging the symbols that were originally orderly within the shelter in a misaligned way, or by arranging symbols that were originally misaligned in an orderly way.”
The Tower: “I call it cross-arrangement.”
Hierophant: “Cross-arrangement... I see. I’ll go give it a try.”
High Priestess: “That doesn't seem right. Wouldn't that still cause mana congestion, thereby reducing the shield's effectiveness?”
The Tower: “That’s the counter-intuitive part. To be honest, when I first thought of it, I wasn't sure either. But after trying to draw it myself, I found the possibility to be very high. I just haven't experimented with it yet.”
The Tower: “Furthermore, I encountered an abandoned shelter before. The arrangement of the magic shield there was the exact opposite of the arrangement in my own shelter, which confirms this point.”
Magician: “So that’s how it is. It’s certainly an interesting conclusion. I’ll go try it too.”
Wheel of Fortune: “I think it’s quite interesting. I wouldn't say the possibility is zero.”
Empress: “I’ll try it as well. I should be able to use it when I expand the farm later.”
High Priestess: “Then I’m going too.”
After listening to Lan Qingyou's general explanation, everyone decided to go test it out.
For a moment, the previously bustling chat room fell silent.
It was only then that Justice began to speak, picking up on a previous topic.
Justice: “@The Tower, you plan to use an iron block to make a shelter? Is it because of material issues?”
The Tower: “Yes, is there a problem?”
Justice: “No, but I think you and Chariot can hold off for a moment.”
The Tower: “?”
Chariot: “?”
The two of them posted question marks in confusion.
Justice: “The Fool is currently inviting someone. You’ll know once that person joins the villa. Of course, they might not join; no one can say for sure.”
Chariot: “Ohhh! Is a newcomer finally arriving? Then I’ll wait a bit.”
The Tower: “Is that so? Then I’ll wait and see as well.”
Lan Qingyou sent a reply after hearing that.
Justice had mentioned material issues—could it be because the person about to join was related to materials?
Uncertain, Lan Qingyou prepared to wait.
After all, Justice was essentially the Tarot Villa’s receptionist. He, Wheel of Fortune, and The Fool definitely knew much more about who was coming than an ordinary member like herself.
The Star: “Hello everyone, I’m a newcomer.”
The Star: “Eh? Why is no one here? Didn't they say it was very lively? Or do you all hate me? Waah...”
...
This person seems even more flighty than High Priestess...
Lan Qingyou's lip twitched.
She then clicked on the other person's profile to take a look.
【The Star, Ruan Qingyi, Female, 28 years old, Title: ‘The Gorgeous Fairy’.】
Tsk tsk, a title that actually includes the word ‘Fairy’.
It seemed this 'waah-waah' girl wasn't someone to be trifled with either.
Wait!
Ruan Qingyi?
Wasn't that one of the thirteen S-grade individuals from the grading?
It looked like the other party's first grading had also been S-grade, which was why Justice had scouted her.
Yes, that had to be it.
The Fool: “The Tower just proposed a very interesting theory, so everyone has gone to the research area.”
The Star: “What theory?”
Seeing that The Star was interested, The Fool explained Lan Qingyou’s ‘cross-arrangement’ to her.
The Star: “Hahahaha! As expected of the Witch of the Tower, your theory is correct.”
Chariot: “Hmm? How do you know it’s correct?”
The Star: “Because I’m currently using that very theory. Although I haven't named it, the principle is almost the same as the Witch’s cross-arrangement theory. So, from now on, let’s use the Witch’s name for it.”
Rate on N.U.
