Imprisoned for a Trillion Years, I Was Worshipped by All Gods!

Initially, Daniel didn't think much of it.

But now, it was clear that this Magic Array Core was no ordinary item.

The magic arrays etched into it couldn't simply be drawn at random. Without the proper materials, haphazard etching could even have adverse effects.

The role of the craftsman here was akin to that of a conductor orchestrating a symphony.

They had to consider how each material would interact when fused, what kind of magic arrays would complement it best, and how those arrays could work in perfect harmony with others.

Mastering all this?

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Now it seemed those two young men Daniel had overheard outside hadn't been exaggerating.

If someone managed to design their own Magic Array Core—especially one with significant effects—becoming famous would be inevitable.

As Daniel focused on the Core, Veya watched him closely.

She noticed how, when he was engrossed in his work, his face had a certain magnetism that was hard to look away from.

"So, did you find the problem?"

"Judging by Master Dixon's reaction earlier, repairing this doesn't seem easy…"

Veya said softly.

Daniel nodded and replied:

"Indeed, it's not an easy fix."

The Magic Array Core was incredibly intricate. Even a tiny issue could disrupt its overall functionality.

In the Core that Veya brought, three of the auxiliary magic arrays had shifted to varying degrees, and the central, most critical part of the Core was even missing a component.

It wasn't that Daniel was looking down on Dixon, but…

Even if Dixon were given three months, he likely wouldn't be able to repair it.

While Dixon was undoubtedly a master craftsman, he wasn't well-versed in magic arrays—let alone the intricate core array that bore similarities to the Tree of Insight's innate patterns.

If Daniel hadn't once brewed tea with leaves from the Tree of Insight during a particularly indulgent phase of his past life, he probably wouldn't remember these patterns either.

Without that knowledge, repairing this Core would be impossible. At best, Dixon might be able to stabilize it, but its functionality would be severely diminished.

For someone like Dixon, this repair was out of reach.

Veya sighed softly and said:

"Well, if that's the case, then I suppose I'll just use my backup Core instead."

"Still, I didn't expect to run into you today. Since fate brought us together, how about we grab a meal later—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Daniel handed the Magic Array Core back to her.

"It's done. Here you go."

"???"

For a moment, Veya's brain struggled to process what had just happened.

She was still in the middle of inviting Daniel for a meal, and yet…

He was handing the Magic Array Core back to her?

And… it was done?

"What? What do you mean, 'done'?"

Veya asked in confusion.

"The Magic Array Core. I've repaired it,"

Daniel repeated casually.

"Huh?"

Hearing his words clearly this time, Veya was utterly dumbfounded.

It's already… fixed?

Wasn't it supposed to be difficult?

"Didn't you just say it was pretty tricky to repair?"

Veya asked, still in disbelief.

"Yes, it was. I had to think about it for quite a while,"

Daniel replied matter-of-factly.

From the moment he entered the room to the moment the Core was repaired, he had indeed spent some time on it.

These days, without the unrestricted use of his previous mind power, tasks like these took a little more effort.

Back then, he could've solved a problem like this with just a glance.

Now, he had to tinker with it for a bit.

For Daniel, this already felt like a significant time investment.

What he didn't realize was how his offhand remark about "thinking for a while" completely shocked Veya.

Thinking for a while?

Veya looked stunned. From the moment Daniel had entered the room, had ten minutes even passed?

During that time, his expression hadn't even shown the slightest hint of a frown or struggle.

It was as if everything had flowed naturally—like he was merely going through the motions.

The contrast between Daniel and Master Dixon couldn't have been more stark.

One had spent ages furrowing his brow, unable to discern the issue.

The other had solved it effortlessly in what seemed like no time at all.

Was Dixon just too inexperienced? Or was Daniel simply too skilled?

"By the way, what were you saying just now? I didn't quite catch it—could you repeat it?"

Daniel asked, looking at Veya.

Suddenly, Veya lost the courage she'd had earlier. She stammered:

"Oh, I was just saying… the weather's pretty nice today."

Daniel glanced out the window and nodded.

"Yeah, it's not bad."

"By the way, is the Magic Array Core really fixed?"

Veya quickly changed the subject back to the Core.

"Of course. It's fully repaired. If you don't believe me, you can test it out."

Daniel replied confidently.

In truth, Daniel hadn't just repaired the Core.

He had also enhanced the central array by integrating additional Tree of Insight patterns.

As a result, the Magic Array Core's ability to boost comprehension had increased several times over.

It was his way of repaying Veya for her kindness in giving him a ride to Greenstone City.

Of course, Daniel didn't mention this to her.

"I didn't expect… you to be this skilled."

Veya said, looking at him in awe.

Daniel waved his hand dismissively.

"It's nothing. By the way, are you planning to participate in the Enlightenment Competition?"

After all, only mages participating in the competition would carry something like a Magic Array Core.

This was something Daniel had learned from Betsy.

Given Veya's current strength, she was more than qualified to participate.

"Yes, I am. This year's competition is different from previous ones. Normally, only Thousand Suns Hall selects talents, but this time, another faction—the Jade Emerald Society—will also be scouting participants. The Jade Emerald Society is far more powerful than Thousand Suns Hall."

Veya explained.

Hearing this, Daniel finally understood why this year's competition had attracted so many people.

And as it turned out, that rumor… was true!

He had assumed it was just a ploy to draw participants. But there really was a powerful faction watching the competition.

"This is a rare opportunity. It's a pity, though, that you're only at tier-silver. Otherwise, you could've…"

Veya's words trailed off as she suddenly noticed something.

Daniel's aura felt… off.

When she had met him earlier, he was only tier-silver. That much had been clear.

A tier-silver mage wasn't even qualified to participate in the Enlightenment Competition; the minimum requirement was tier-gold.

But now…

As Veya began to lament this "pity," she suddenly realized something shocking.

Daniel's aura was no longer that of a tier-silver mage.

It was stronger.

Much stronger.

Her voice trembled as she exclaimed:

"You… you're tier-platinum?!"

Veya was utterly floored.

In just over a month, he had jumped two ranks?

What had he been eating?!

"Yes, I broke through recently. Oh, and by the way, I'll be participating in the Enlightenment Competition this time as well."

Daniel said nonchalantly.