058 Demon-Sealing Formation

Roland was reading very late and with intense concentration.

By the time he mastered the "Sealing Technique" from the book, a stack of papers covered with miniature magic circles already littered the table.

"I successfully drew three of them."

He glanced at the Codex of Alethea and noticed that his proficiency in the subject of magic circles had increased, accompanied by the acquisition of a new skill.

[Roland]
[Stage: Low-level Wizard Apprentice (45.56%)]
[…………]
[Knowledge: Magic Circles - Apprentice Novice (15%)]
[Array: Demon-Sealing Array (6%), Tracking Art (10%)]

"After my deep exposure to the netherworld last time, my mind has become much more resilient, and my learning speed has accelerated."

The structure of this Demon-Sealing Array was actually quite complex, consisting of multiple layers of magic circles.

If one could draw it completely, then even without the Book of Demons, certain demons could be imprisoned right in their tracks.

What Roland had drawn was only the first layer. The first layer of the Demon-Sealing Array was relatively simple, but it could only be used in conjunction with the Book of Demons. Its main purpose was to provide guidance for the Book of Demons, which was why it was comparatively straightforward.

Even so, it was still ten times more complex than the Tracking Art.

Roland felt that he was still unable to draw the "Demon-Sealing Array" from memory. However, if he carefully copied, examined, and modified it while comparing it to the Book of Demons, he would have no problem.

He drew the Demon-Sealing Array one last time on scrap paper, chanting incantations under his breath as he worked. It took him a full twenty minutes of constant adjustments and corrections to finish drawing the simple magic array.

"This is just practicing on scrap paper; actually drawing a real magic circle will be much more complex and take even longer."

Shaking his head, Roland felt a bit restless. He thought to himself: "I have an inexplicable sense of insecurity; I need to find a servant as soon as possible, otherwise I won't even have anyone to block a knife for me... It would be best to find one tomorrow."

Gathering his things, Roland felt rather tired. Looking back, the lights in Wallace and Natasha's rooms were already out.

On the table sat an earthenware jug filled with red wine, along with some pastries.

These were the dinner items Natasha had placed here a few hours ago. Absorbed in his reading, Roland hadn't even noticed.

People here didn't really drink hot water. The poor begrudged the firewood required to boil it, while for respectable people, red wine served as water. Certain even more respectable nobles drank tea, though not the kind Roland remembered.

After chugging a few mouthfuls of red wine, Roland frowned slightly: "A bit sour and astringent."

Poor as Wallace's family might be, they were still wizards. They might lack magic stones, but they weren't short of silver coins. Thus, this was quite a decent red wine.

Yet Roland still found this red wine to be quite mediocre. It just went to show that modern people possessed aristocratic palates.

In an era like this, someone raised in an ordinary household could never develop the fastidiousness of a modern person.

From a certain perspective, Roland was actually quite suited to playing the role of a noble.

After finishing his midnight snack, Roland silently thanked Natasha in his heart. He took off his outer garment, placed his wand under his pillow, and lay down on the sofa.

'I ran around all day today, and didn't even have time to meditate tonight... Oh well, it wouldn't have increased my progress by much anyway.'

Roland couldn't help but recall his experiences in the Tawny Fern Forest.

The sensation of meditating after a deep immersion in the netherworld was truly wonderful, coupled with the thrill of life and death... It was unforgettable.

Roland now felt like a veteran who had bathed in blood on the battlefield; the war had left him with a deep shadow, making him crave peace. Yet the thrilling sensation that the battlefield had given him was something he could never forget.

He was fine for now, having just stepped off the battlefield. But if every day henceforth were to be this mundane... Roland knew he wouldn't be able to stay put.

This experience had profoundly changed Roland, altering his personality as well. He had become much more cautious and suspicious.

'Baleful ghosts, shepherd trees, beautiful snake-women... they all seem to belong to the netherworld as well. If I could frequently come into contact with them, my meditation efficiency...'

Roland shook his head violently, banishing this extremely suicidal and bold idea.

'Get a good sleep, get a good sleep; I mustn't show up to school tomorrow with dark circles under my eyes.'

Roland soon fell asleep.

After an unknown length of time, Roland was startled awake by a slight movement.

Ever since his journey to the ruins, Roland's alertness had been pushed to the absolute maximum. Even when asleep, he remained a light sleeper, easily awakened by disturbances.

Thus, the soft clicking sound of Natasha's door opening was enough to wake him instantly.

'Is it Natasha? What is she sneaking out to do?'

Roland didn't open his eyes right away. He quietly reached for the wand beneath his pillow and began to sense Natasha's every move.

The blanket covering him was gently lifted. A look of utter bewilderment appeared on Roland's face.

"I'm sorry, my little cupcake, big sister is just too hungry, and you are my dish... You're going to have a very pleasant dream."

Roland squinted his eyes open just a crack, suddenly realizing something, and deliberately let out a yawn as he rolled over.

A moment later, a stealthily reaching hand attempted to move Roland's body once more, throwing his mind into utter chaos.

'I'm on her menu!'

Roland's thoughts raced frantically, and he muttered in his sleep: "Big Brother Wallace... Natasha and I haven't done anything... Don't kill me..."

A moment later, he heard a muttered curse: "Damn it, why didn't my charm work..."

The sound of a door closing came from Natasha's room.

Roland let out a massive sigh of relief: 'Today's events are entirely too absurd!'

'If Wallace or my senior sister-in-law found out about this, the two of them would definitely kill me!'

Roland had made a discovery.

He seemed to be immune to charm and other forms of mental control!

Moreover, while such matters were a physiological need for humans, for succubi, they were a survival necessity!

They had no concept of morality or fidelity whatsoever; human beings were simply their food!

'I can't go looking for any succubus maid! I'm too young, I can't withstand the temptation and won't be able to hold back!'

Roland was sixteen this year, right at the peak of his youth. Coupled with years of martial arts training, his physique was exceptionally robust. He was practically a powder keg, ready to explode at the slightest spark.

Therefore, facing seduction, he truly had no confidence in his ability to exercise self-control.

'If I indulge in lust and mess around with demons all day, neglecting my studies... not to mention whether my senior sister would castrate me, my future path as a wizard would also come to a grinding halt!'

Roland was a man; he needed women, but he didn't want his cultivation to be ruined because of such matters.

However, as a wizard, he needed attendants, partners, guards, and loyal servants.

Yet when it came to selecting personnel, Roland would have to exercise extreme caution.

'The Black Abyss Academy is hardly a safe place; I need an assistant.'

'If I choose to live alone outside, I'll also face harassment from monsters and other wizard apprentices, making it impossible to cultivate with peace of mind... I need to find some muscle as soon as possible.'

Roland wanted to find someone who could fight, was loyal, ideally had a bit of artistic talent, and understood some arts.

Oh, and their lips had to be tightly sealed so they wouldn't leak his secrets.

'I'll ask Wallace tomorrow. I'm in a huge rush; it would be best if I can find someone by tomorrow.'