Lord of the Sky City

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Rocky's request was not rejected by Orton, as he indeed needed an opportunity to apply runes practically, and enhancing the Skyship and Void Magic Armor was just such an opportunity.

However, Rocky was quite shrewd; he did not let Orton start by enhancing the Void Magic Armor. Instead, he had him first practice on an old-model Skyship from Thunderhawk City, a decision that proved to be very astute...

Taking a carriage to the Skyport of Thunderhawk City, Orton immediately had Rocky clear the area, ordering everyone, including the guards, to leave. This was a well-considered move, as they were about to use Mana Runes to strengthen the Skyship and couldn't let outsiders witness it.

"Teacher, let's start with the Magic Cannon,"

Once all unrelated individuals had left, Rocky suggested.

On the way there, Orton was quite excited and rambled on with many ideas. According to his plan, he intended to retrofit all of Thunderhawk City's Skyships with Mana Runes, not just the Magic Cannons on board, but also the mana supply system of the Skyships. If these retrofits were successful, there would be a significant improvement in all aspects of Thunderhawk City's Skyships.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

For Rocky, of course, this was very good news, so much so that after the Skyport had been cleared, he was eager to get started.

Afterward, the two boarded a first-generation Reconnaissance Ship and officially began the rune enhancement of the ship's Magic Cannons.

"To apply the runes practically, we must utilize Magic Energy Conduction Technique. In this aspect, runes and Magic Stones are no different..."

Standing in front of a Magic Cannon, Orton began to disassemble it with Rocky while explaining the application of the Magic Energy Conduction Technique, and Rocky listened attentively.

He had been learning from Orton for a week, focusing on Magic Energy Conduction Technique, and after a week of study, Rocky had essentially mastered the basics of the technique. So now was also a good opportunity for him to put theory into practice.

After the two had disassembled the Magic Cannon from the ship, Orton continued explaining while starting to use runes to strengthen the Magic Cannon.

It must be said that Orton was truly a master. How long had he known about the existence of Mana Runes? At most a week, yet when he began inscribing runes on the Magic Cannon, he was able to draw Third-level Runes effortlessly!

Orton was incredibly proficient in the domain of Magic Energy. Having only glanced at the research notes once, he had completely understood the Third-level Rune and was even studying Fourth and Fifth-level Runes. This level of comprehension was beyond the reach of most people.

On the other hand, Orton's high level of Magic Power also played a significant role in his rune research. He himself was a Ninth-level Grand Magus, not just a Level 9 Mage, but a Ninth-level Grand Magus. This rank was already the limit that an ordinary person could reach in the field of magic, and one step further would make him an Archmage.

However, since Orton was a research-oriented Mage, his Magic Power was great, but his combat ability was mediocre. After all, one's experience is limited.

But it was precisely because of his high level of Magic Power that he could draw Third-level Runes with a flick of his wrist, which would usually require a Sixth-Level Mage. To a grand magus like him, Third-level Runes were hardly a challenge.

As Orton inscribed runes on the Magic Cannon and established Magic Energy Conduction connections, he did not forget to explain everything he did so that Rocky, standing by his side, could understand what was happening. During this time, Rocky became a student, listening and observing Orton's every move with great attention.

"Like this... then like this... Utilize your own Magic Power to connect the two, and the mana contained in the runes will be able to conduct..."

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Orton's seemingly casual steps connected the runes on the magic cannon, and then the runes were activated without any external force, indicating that he successfully used the mana runes to replace the magic stone, allowing the magic cannon before them to operate using the mana provided by the runes from now on!

Witnessing the runes on the magic cannon light up on their own, Rocky couldn't help but marvel. A master is indeed a master—the task that he had tried and failed to accomplish time and again, Orton completed with ease, without showing any sign of difficulty. It was truly unbelievable.

However, just as he couldn't help but admire the feat, the activated runes began to glow brighter and brighter. In just the time it took to blink a few times, the light emitted by the runes became blinding!

"Teacher, is this... is this normal?"

Realizing something was amiss with the runes on the magic cannon, Rocky quickly turned to Orton.

Orton had clearly noticed the anomaly as well, but as a master, he did not panic like Rocky. Instead, he furrowed his brows and stroked his chin, seemingly pondering something.

"I see now!"

A moment later, as if suddenly enlightened, Orton exclaimed, "The magic cannons on the first-generation reconnaissance ships are old models with too low a threshold for mana intensity. Directly using third-level runes for enhancement, the cannon bodies surely cannot withstand it."

"Can't withstand it?"

Rocky heard Orton's mutterings loud and clear, which made him immediately aware of some very bad news. He hastily looked at the magic cannon, and upon doing so, his face turned utterly pale!

For in the short duration of a few sentences, the runes on the magic cannon had become not only dazzlingly bright, but the cannon body had also turned a deep red, as if covered in a layer of scorching lava.

It was about to explode!

Seeing this scene, even without Orton's warning, Rocky knew this was a prelude to an explosion!

Just as Rocky realized this, Orton grabbed him by the collar and instantly enveloped them both in a visible magic barrier. At the same time, Orton, holding on to Rocky, jumped directly beneath the skyship, turning to run without a word.

Right after they left, a massive explosion suddenly erupted behind them, and their former skyship burst into an ascending flame!

The sudden explosion formed a small black cloud above the blast, and the shockwave that swept down instantly blew Orton and Rocky away. If not for the magic barrier's protection, if not for Orton being an archmage himself, the two, even though they had avoided the explosion's epicenter, would have been killed by the powerful blast!

By the time Rocky staggered to his feet, he was completely dumbstruck, unable to believe what he had just seen.

As he looked in the direction of the skyport, flames reached for the sky. Three first-generation reconnaissance ships—yes, not one, but three—were completely engulfed by the explosion!