Chapter 167: The Astrology Tarot Cards
[A gold-tier item: a mage’s card that teases fate.]
[Effect: increases speed by 100% and resists attacks from gold-tier elites.]
[Additional effects: Teleportation Amplification (only effective on gold-tier warriors, increases teleportation distance by ten times, activated by a touch spell), Lightning Path (a lightning path will be left behind with damages where teleportation pa.s.ses).]
[Additional skills: Thunder G.o.d’s Descent (gathers the power of thunder, summons the lightning in the sky, condenses into a huge Thunder G.o.d projection to attack the enemy. The duration is only one second, but it can unleash power comparable to a peak gold-tier elite).]
“I understand that it is lightning.”
Gorman, who was standing a thousand meters away, was dazed when he grabbed the ma.s.sive meteorite.
An average gold-tier warrior could teleport a distance of 100 meters, but he had traveled about 1000 meters in an instant. Even though it was due to the influence of the mage’s card, it was also due to his comprehension.
Lightning was not as rapid as a storm in terms of speed. He could only travel for an instant if he traveled across the continent in a day. However, the speed of that instant was faster than all of them.
Even without the mage’s card, he was confident that he could teleport 1000 meters in one go. However, the energy consumption was far greater than the energy consumption of the mage’s card.
“Thank you, Lord Astrologer, for your teaching and gift.”
Gorman wanted to thank the astrologer, but there was no one behind him; the astrologer was nowhere to be seen.
Gorman pursed his lips excitedly and bowed respectfully at where the astrologer had been standing. Two days ago, Watson had indicated that if they ran into any problems, they could seek out the astrologer, and that was what he had said. However, they were guards, and the astrologer was someone prominent. How could they summon the confidence to make that request?
Surprisingly, the astrologer had taken the initiative to track him down. The astrologer most likely did not appreciate his talent and did not favor him, but he abided by the arrangement with Watson.
It seemed that they had to thank Young Master Watson.
With that thought, Gorman stood up. The spell that touched his right hand once again turned into a distorted electric light and traveled 1000 meters away. After a few moments, he transformed back into an electric light and continued to flash as he hurried toward the Blackmoon Castle.
“Not bad. He understood what I meant in an instant. He’s a talented kid.”
After Gorman left, the astrologer appeared on the spot and stroked his beard with gratification.
As Gorman had suspected, the reason he a.s.sisted him was due to Watson’s request. However, after he learned that Gorman was so knowledgeable, he was eager to educate him. He muttered, “I wonder where Watson got so many talents. His fortune is unfathomably good. Gorman will reach the platinum tier in his lifetime if he continues to train like this! Oh, yes! Watson is Sylvan’s illegitimate son; I almost forgot about that. Sylvan must have shared those abilities with him.”
According to his observations, many of the gold-tier guards in Blackmoon Castle had the potential to achieve platinum tier. People were taken aback by only one gold-tier guard. If all of those people reached the platinum tier, they would be able to compete with the entire kingdom.
Even the astrologer would not dare to predict such a future.
“Although that brat, Watson, is very deceptive toward his master, accepting him as a disciple may be the best move I have ever made.” The astrologer continued to sigh.
A genuinely strong person needed to be tough not only for themselves but also for the people around them.
“Those young men are working so hard, so I can’t just sit still. I should check if others are still worried about their newly increased gold-tier strength. Then, I can point them in the right direction.”
An average genius would need more than ten years to become a gold-tier elite. It only took a few years for those Blackmoon Knights to advance from bronze to gold-tier. In certain situations, their power might rise too quickly, perhaps in a few months, and they would not be able to control it.
The second person that the astrologer chose to help was William.
“Young Man, take a look at how you utilized raw force to break the meteorite I summoned. Does your palm not ache? That is not how power is wielded. Allow me to show you how to use your true power; you have the potential to grow even stronger. Also, I have a Golden Chariot card here, which I will give to you.
Among the envious stares of the Blackmoon Knights, the astrologer presented William with a card that depicted a golden chariot pulled by four unicorns. The chariot was covered in a large canopy, and there were long spears on each side of the chariot. It was magnificent.
“Liszt, wait a moment. Don’t be too busy with the meteorite. Your mastery of the wind-elemental combat aura is flawed. Let me teach you! True wind is not only reflected in speed but also concealment. I have a gold-tier tool here, the Lonely Hidden card. I hope you can use it well.”
“Young Man, you have amazing bone structure, perfect for training. I have a Libra card that wields justice. Do you want it?”
“You, and you, come here for a moment.”
..
The astrologer spent two hours distributing 23 golden cards. After the Blackmoon Knights had finished moving the meteorite, they went to him and gazed at him longingly.
Even though there were only 23 cards, the astrologer instructed everyone. Those who received the tools appeared ecstatic. Those who did not receive the tools were envious, but they were also pleased with the improvement in their combat strength.
The astrologer then dismissed the Blackmoon Knights and sat alone atop the crumbled hill.
“Phew, I’m so tired. I left in a hurry and did not bring much. I have given them everything I have.”
The astrologer appeared to be in anguish as he murmured. He did not usually bring many items with him, so the tools he brought were of the highest quality. He had distributed 23 cards. They were all created after he spent all those years in the Temple of the Stars. He had specially sent people to create them after he had sensed the stars.
He called that set of cards—the Astrologer Tarot Cards.
Since ancient times, astrology had been practiced throughout the kingdom. The ancient G.o.ds were supposed to be too powerful to survive in that land, so they split the s.p.a.ce and went to another domain, which was the stars.
The G.o.ds lived in the stars, and each galaxy symbolized a G.o.d. Just like the sequence of two mage cards that he had given Gorman, which depicted the constellation Scorpius and Hermes, the messenger G.o.d.
Even if the G.o.ds did not exist in that world, they still left their faith and influence. The 23 cards represented the vast majority of the stars in that world. He could predict the destiny of the kingdom and avoid tragedies by studying the sky. That was also the origin of his astrological moniker.
“Lord Astrologer, you’ve taught me for a long time, and we’ve worked hard. Here is the tea that I’ve just brewed. Please try it.” At that moment, Allen came over with a cup of hot tea. He brought it in front of the astrologer respectfully with both hands.
As he looked at Allen, the astrologer downed the drink in one gulp. He said, “The taste is not bad. Young Man, what can I do for you?”
“Lord Astrologer, you have distributed cards to many of us. I want to ask if you can give me one too?”
Allen rubbed his hands; he looked embarra.s.sed.
He did not get a card from the astrologer. Liszt, the vice-captain, had one as well. Others had obtained gold-tier items, but he had not. If that were to continue, he would lose his post as captain of the guards.
“That is all I have; I’ve given everything away. If you don’t have one, then it only means that you’re not destined to have one.”
As soon as the astrologer finished speaking, Allen knelt on the ground and hugged the astrologer’s thigh with snot and tears, “No, Lord Astrologer. In terms of talent and strength, I’m not inferior to others. Furthermore, I work hard! I’ve always been the captain of the guards at Blackmoon Castle. If one of my former subordinates surpa.s.sed me, it would be too shameful. I don’t want that. Furthermore, if I don’t become the captain of the guards, I’ll definitely disappoint Young Master Watson. If Young Master Watson is disappointed, then he’ll feel uncomfortable. If he feels uncomfortable, then he won’t be in the mood to train. If he can’t train, he won’t be able to become stronger. If he can’t become stronger, he’ll embarra.s.s you—”
Allen’s words were endless. The astrologer had an impatient expression on his face as he nervously removed a card from his pocket and said, “Very well, very well. I have one last card here. It is the first and last of the cards—the Fool of Origins card. I have wanted to leave it to Watson, but I’ll give it to you. Don’t bug me again.”