Cherreads

Chapter 11 - The Soul Engraving Array

Norris started asking the noble for funds using techniques he had seen in movies and read in novels in his previous life. He dazzled the noble with technical knowledge, explaining the intricacies of the process with impressive detail.

"To create the Primary Array, we'll need a few... exotic materials," Norris said, his soul flame flickering slightly.

Norris explained the components and structure of the Soul Engraving Array, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

"To create the array, we'll need a Mortisium Shard as the centerpiece," Norris began. "This will serve as the primary focus for soul-related energies and provide the necromantic power necessary for the engraving process."

"The supporting gems will include Celestial Quartz, Labradorites, Amethysts, and Moonstones," Norris continued. "The Celestial Quartz will enhance precision and calculation abilities, while the Labradorites will reveal hidden truths and aid in resonance. The Amethysts will stabilize mental focus and clarity, and the Moonstones will facilitate intuitive connection and meditation."

Norris went on to describe the array structure. "The Mortisium Shard will be placed at the very center of the array, surrounded by Celestial Quartz to ensure powerful calculation abilities and prevent mistakes during the engraving process. A ring of Labradorites will be formed around the Quartz, helping the array resonate with the user's soul and transmit the diagram accurately."

"Amethysts will be positioned at key points in an outer ring to maintain mental stability and focus during the engraving process," Norris explained. "And Moonstones will be used at the perimeter to enhance intuitive connection and facilitate deeper meditation."

Norris concluded, "With the activation runes and pathways in place, the array will be able to emit a resonant frequency that aligns with the user's soul, transmit the detailed diagram of the desired engraving, provide real-time calculation support, and maintain mental clarity and deep focus."

The noble's soul flame flickered with a hint of dissatisfaction. "Five sets of materials? That's an extravagant expense, Norris. Are you certain it's necessary?"

Norris's expression turned serious. "I assure you, noble, that it's essential for the success of the ritual. With five sets of materials, we can minimize the risks of failure and ensure a successful outcome."

The noble hesitated, clearly uncertain about the expense. Norris seized the opportunity to justify the cost.

"Think of it this way, noble. If we were to use only one set of materials and the ritual were to fail, the consequences would be catastrophic. By using five sets, we can guarantee success and avoid any... unpleasantness."

The noble nodded thoughtfully, seeming to consider Norris's words. After a moment, they spoke.

"Very well, Norris. I agree that it's better to be safe than sorry. Five sets of materials it is, then."

Norris bowed slightly, his soul flame pulsing with excitement. "Thank you, noble. I assure you, I will do everything in my power to ensure the ritual's success."

---

Norris stood at the entrance of the large, cavernous test site, his eyes scanning the empty space. The room was a vast, echoing chamber, its walls and floor made of polished silverstone. The air was crisp and clean, with a faint scent of sandalwood and mystical energies.

The test site had been carefully designed to minimize magical interference and external influences. The walls were lined with a thick layer of fine gold, shielding the space from external magical resonance. The floor was covered with a thin, insulating layer of platinum, preventing any stray magical energies from disrupting the test.

Norris nodded to himself, satisfied with the site's preparations. This was where he would bring his creation to life – the Soul Engraving Array. He took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation as he began to set up the array's components.

Norris carefully opened the space bag, revealing the carefully arranged gemstones inside. He smiled, eager to finally assemble the Soul Engraving Array.

First, he created a shelf to hold the gemstones, using a thin layer of fine gold to construct the delicate framework. The shelf glimmered softly in the dim light of the test site.

Norris knew he had to create a new array, and the stakes were high. While he was strong, there were others far stronger among humans, not to mention other races. In a world like this, he needed a surefire way to aid his growth, and this array was his key to achieving that. Failure was not an option, as it would set him back significantly and make him vulnerable.

Norris was ready to begin. According to his understanding, array creation was like crafting a device with both hardware and software. The hardware comprised the physical part of the array, relying mostly on mystical logic. The software, however, was the mystical component that breathed life into the formation.

Norris contemplated creating a formation to monitor and assist progress in real time. He envisioned an array that combined mystical techniques with logical precision, a harmonious blend of ancient magic and modern understanding.

First, Norris considered the hardware. He thought about the shapes he was going to use. The circle, in mysticism, symbolized unity, wholeness, the continuous cycle of life, eternal flow of energy, and completeness. It was ideal for continuous monitoring and feedback. The triangle stood for stability, balance, the trinity, structural integrity, and foundational support. The spiral signified dynamic growth, evolution, adaptability, and real-time adjustments.

Norris preferred using gems, as they were the most standard mystical material. He carefully selected the gems based on their mystical meanings. The **Mortisium Shard** would serve as the core of the array, connecting with the user's soul and providing the necromantic power necessary for the engraving process. **Celestial Quartz**, revered for its precision and clarity, would enhance the precision and calculation abilities of the array, ensuring the resonance frequency was accurately calculated. The **Labradorite's** ability to reveal hidden truths and aid in resonance would be crucial in fine-tuning the array's performance and enhancing its ability to perceive information. **Amethyst**, known for its calming properties and stability, would act as a stabilizer, preventing mental instability during the engraving process. **Moonstones**, prized for enhancing intuitive connections, would emit a soft, ethereal light and facilitate intuitive connection and meditation, enabling the user to tap into the array's power.

To draw the array, Norris introduced mystical inks and materials. He used the Ink of Eternal Binding, made from rare, enchanted herbs and minerals, for potent inscriptions. Silver Dust enhanced magical conductivity, creating a shimmering effect. Dragon's Blood Resin added resilience and longevity to the inscriptions. Norris used a ritualistic quill made from a griffin's feather for precise and powerful inscriptions.

He began by drawing the circle. Dipping the quill into the ink mixture, Norris traced a perfect circle on the surface. The ink glowed faintly as it absorbed the ambient magical energies, symbolizing unity, wholeness, and the continuous cycle of life.

Next, Norris drew the triangle. He positioned the vertices of the triangle so that they touched the perimeter of the circle. With the same precise technique, he drew the triangle with Celestial Quartz at each vertex, representing stability, balance, and the trinity.

For the final shape, Norris drew the spiral, which extended outward from the center of the circle and triangle. The spiral was composed of Moonstones, each placed meticulously along the path of the spiral. The spiral symbolized dynamic growth, evolution, and adaptability, allowing the formation to make real-time adjustments.

As Norris completed the drawing, he felt a surge of energy. The shapes began to resonate with each other, their mystical properties harmonizing to create a cohesive and powerful formation. The circle, triangle, and spiral were now perfectly integrated, each contributing to the overall stability and functionality of the array.

However, issues soon arose. The separation of the circle and triangle caused a disjointed flow of energy. Monitoring was inconsistent, and the formation lacked harmony. Feedback was delayed, and the prompts from the Moonstones were not as effective.

Determined to overcome these challenges, Norris decided to integrate the shapes. He carefully redrew the circle, this time within the triangle, ensuring that the two shapes were harmoniously combined. The Mortisium Shard remained at the center, surrounded by an inner circle of Amethysts for stability. The triangle of Celestial Quartz now enclosed the circle, ensuring precise monitoring. The Labradorite was added to fine-tune the array's performance and enhance its ability to perceive information. The outer spiral of Moonstones completed the formation, enhancing intuitive connections and dynamic adaptability.

However, Norris soon encountered issues that made it difficult to monitor progress. Norris felt his eye sockets ache from the hours of intense focus and concentration. He decided to test the array's feedback mechanism by intentionally drawing the wrong pattern. However, the array remained silent, failing to provide the expected feedback. Norris's frustration grew, and he felt a familiar knot forming in his stomach.

He re-checked the array's components, searching for any errors or imbalances. After a few moments of careful examination, Norris discovered that the resonance harmonics were off, causing the array's feedback mechanism to malfunction. Norris adjusted the gemstones, re-tuning the resonance harmonics to their correct frequencies.

As Norris continued to refine the array, he encountered numerous challenges. The energy source fluctuated, causing the array's feedback to become erratic and unreliable. Norris sighed, feeling the weight of his exhaustion. However, he refused to give up. With renewed determination, Norris disassembled the array and began brainstorming alternative approaches.

Days turned into weeks as Norris tirelessly experimented with the array. He made incremental adjustments, testing and retesting the array's performance. Finally, after weeks of intense focus, Norris made a breakthrough. He assembled a revised array, incorporating additional Labradorite to enhance stability and debugging capabilities.

Norris then turned his attention to the mystical software—the runes and spells that would bring the formation to life. He began with the Rune of Synchronization, inscribing ancient symbols to bond the Mortisium Shard with his energy. Once synchronized, he infused his energy into the Amethysts, creating a stable foundation for the formation.

Next, he inscribed the Rune of Infinite Loops within the circle formation, ensuring a continuous flow of energy for constant monitoring and feedback. The Celestial Quartz were inscribed with Runes of Clarity and Insight, performing real-time calculations and providing status updates. The Moonstones emitted a soft, ethereal light, serving as a holographic display. These stones were inscribed with Runes of Guidance and Correction, providing gentle prompts and reminders to Norris, ensuring accurate inscription on the Auric body. The dynamic adaptation of the spiral formation allowed the system to evolve with progress, making real-time adjustments to maintain efficiency. He made sure that these spells were embedded within the array so that anyone using it could benefit from their effects.

As Norris activated the formation using the energy within the Mortisium Shard to check for any problems, he felt a profound connection. The system provided real-time status updates, prompts, and intuitive guidance. The energy pathways pulsed gently, guided by the inscribed runes, ensuring continuous monitoring and adaptive feedback.

The stakes were high, and Norris knew he couldn't afford to fail. Suddenly, he encountered a power problem. He estimated that the array would blow up in a matter of minutes if the issue wasn't resolved. This would waste all the precious resources he had used and force him to start over, a setback he couldn't afford.

Frantically, Norris tried to stabilize the array within the countdown. He inscribed Runes of Flow Harmonization to guide the energy flow better, but in his haste, he made a mistake that reduced the remaining time even further. Panic surged through him, and he swore and shouted to vent his frustration. For a moment, he felt the weight of impending failure crushing him. But he knew he couldn't give up.

Taking a deep breath, Norris calmed himself and focused. He carefully corrected the mistake and finished inscribing the runes just in time. The array stabilized, and the energy flow returned to normal. The crisis was averted.

Despite the severe problems and moments of near defeat, Norris's perseverance paid off. The formation now functioned seamlessly, providing continuous monitoring, adaptive feedback, and intuitive guidance. With this mystical system in place, progress could be effectively monitored and adjusted in real time.

In Norris's formation, each symbol carried profound mystical meanings. The circle represented unity, wholeness, and the continuous cycle of life. It symbolized the eternal flow of energy and the idea of completeness, creating a sacred space for monitoring and feedback. The triangle stood for stability, balance, and the trinity, representing structural integrity and the foundational principles of balance and support. The spiral signified dynamic growth, evolution, and adaptability, allowing the formation to evolve and adjust in real time. Together, these symbols created a harmonious and powerful formation, integrating unity, stability, and adaptability in a seamless blend of logic and enchantment.

As Norris worked on the Soul Engraving Array, he knew its ultimate purpose: to guide him in engraving a precise array onto his own soul. The array would provide a real-time feedback mechanism, allowing Norris to correct any mistakes or deviations from the desired pattern.

Before Norris worked on the Soul Engraving Array, he realized that experimenting with his soul was a delicate and potentially hazardous endeavor. One misstep could have unintended consequences, affecting not only his magical abilities but also his very essence. To mitigate this risk, Norris decided to start with a simple rune. He chose a basic buff spell, one that would grant him a refreshing boost of energy. The spell, known as "Vitalis," was a gentle and non-invasive pattern that would help clear his fatigue without posing a risk to his soul.

With the Vitalis pattern in mind, Norris carefully etched the array onto his soul. As he activated the spell, a soothing energy coursed through his body, washing away his exhaustion. His mind cleared, and his senses felt revitalized. Norris smiled, feeling invigorated by the spell's effects. He realized that using the Vitalis pattern as a test array was a clever move. Not only did it allow him to refine his soul engraving skills, but it also provided him with a practical benefit – a reliable way to manage his fatigue.

With his energy replenished, Norris felt more confident and focused. He was ready to continue refining the Soul Engraving Array, using the Vitalis pattern as a stepping stone for more complex and intricate designs.

With the array's core functionality established, Norris fine-tuned the details. He made minute adjustments to the gemstones' placements, tweaked the energy output, and carefully calibrated the Labradorite's debugging frequencies. The array's performance continued to improve, its energy output smoothing out, and its resonance frequencies locking into perfect harmony.

Finally, with the array complete, Norris documented its design, creating an intricate geometric representation of the array. The symbols and lines danced across the page, a testament to his perseverance and ingenuity.

With the Primary Array complete, Norris turned his attention to creating a system that would allow someone else to use it. As the creator of the array, Norris could intuitively sense the flow of energy and manipulate it while also using the array with ease. However, for others to use the array, he needed to create a system that would guide the energy and ensure it flowed correctly.

Norris decided to use add more runes to his software. He carefully selected a set of runes that would correspond to specific patterns of energy flow, and etched them onto the array. These runes would serve as a blueprint, guiding the energy through the array and ensuring it was directed correctly.

As he worked, he imbued the runes with his magical energy, creating a subtle resonance that would allow the array to respond to the user's inputs. The runes would essentially "tell" the energy how to flow, allowing others to use the array without needing to have the same level of magical expertise as Norris.

With the runes in place, Norris tested the array, using the runes to guide the energy and activate the different functions. The array responded smoothly, its energy output and resonance frequencies adjusting in response to the runes' instructions.

Satisfied that the array was functioning correctly, Norris began to document the rune interface, creating a detailed guide that would allow others to use the array. He knew that this would be a crucial step in sharing his creation with others, and he was determined to make it as easy to use as possible.

As he worked on the documentation, Norris couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. He had created something truly remarkable, a tool that would allow others to tap into the power of their own souls. And with the rune interface, he had made it accessible to anyone, regardless of their magical background.

Norris's creation was now a self-contained system, one that could be used by others without requiring his direct involvement.

With the technical aspects of the array complete, Norris shifted his focus to the mystical elements of the ritual. He envisioned an altar that would not only impress the noble with its grandeur but also amplify the ritual's effectiveness. Norris's eyes sparkled with creativity as he imagined the altar's design, incorporating ancient symbols, mystical patterns, and sacred geometries to create a space that resonated with the noble's aspirations.

Finally, with the array complete, Norris turned to his notes and began to sketch a precise geometric representation of the array. Intricate lines and symbols flowed across the page as he meticulously documented the array's design. However, as he worked, Norris intentionally encoded the core of the array, hiding its true nature and functionality within the design. This subtle obfuscation would serve as a test of worthiness, and if someone were to crack the array's secrets, Norris would attribute their success to his own failure to encrypt it adequately, rather than any flaw in the array itself.

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