Chapter 155: Magic Suppression

The technological lock—more accurately, the biological lock!

The reason microscopes cannot reveal the cellular structure is that beyond the cellular level lies biological modification.

Biological modification is the prerogative of the Creator races!

Although humans are among the Creator races, this refers to the earliest ancient humans; by now, humanity has lost this technology!

On the continent of Faerûn, aside from a few major transdimensional races, nearly all species are descendants of the Creator races.

The Saluk Wuhui are the Creators of serpentfolk, nagas, lizardfolk, and other scaly reptilian species.

The Bayoz Demonfish are the Creators of toad demons, shapeshifters, Kupulu water monsters, Koutao fishfolk, Lokasha fishfolk, Serfer frogmen, octopus monsters, and other amphibious or fish-like shapeshifting species.

The Aiyili Birdfolk are the Creators of winged humanoids such as arrow eagles and other giant bird-like beings.

In ancient times, the terms “mage” and “wizard” were synonymous with evil (though for clarity in translation, we distinguish between the two here).

Though humanity as a whole is rather mediocre, the truly powerful are exceedingly strong; some wizards could single-handedly battle an entire Creator race. This is why the five great Creator races include humans.

Every wizard is a master biologist, specializing in biological modification. Every creature they alter becomes absurdly strong.

You might think the Saluk Wuhui, Bayoz Demonfish, and Aiyili Birdfolk created so many minions to defend against whom?

It’s all because of the wizards. When they fight, it’s with real weapons and raw power. Wizards, however, only send out their minions—all of whom are so… transformed.

If one of their own dies, it’s truly a loss; but they don’t mourn when their modified creatures perish in droves. So everyone follows suit, creating hordes of minions—cannon fodder.

If not for the arrival of the Weavers in Faerûn, the world of Toril would have become a “Wizard’s World”!

Yet in the end, human wizards destroyed themselves. Their modified creatures grew too powerful, gained consciousness, and killed the wizards who controlled them.

Most wizards modified themselves, and under the influence of alien bloodlines, lost their human emotions, even transcending the very concept of humanity. This explains the many unknown monsters scattered across Faerûn, some even sealed away, later called “abominations.”

Legend says some demonic spawn are the experimental products of certain organizations and madmen (not all spawn are powerful; some are weaklings).

Though wizards declined, their lineage was never completely severed. There are still wizards on Faerûn, but many techniques have been lost, especially those involving human modification, which is as reviled as necromancy.

Not every place is like Netheril, which did not wholly reject necromancy.

“Yes, if simply magnifying an object a hundred or a thousand times could reveal cells, even the gods would know by now.”

In Faerûn’s legends, life seemed to arise from nothing; the gods lack the power to create living beings. This forced them to promote themselves to gain faith rather than create a race to worship them.

Still, a few extremely rare deities, as well as demons and devils, have mastered this art. Even the largest Abyssal race, the Tanar’ri, were created.

“It’s not that they can’t see; the method is just wrong!”

Once he grasped this, Boren realized the problem was not with the concept but with the approach. In a transcendent world, only transcendent methods would work; purely physical means were futile.

Activating [Arcane Eye], he imbued the microscope with an all-purpose magical “aura” and placed the slide again. In an instant, it felt like an electric shock.

“Ah… hiss!”

Boren winced, covering his eye with his hand as faint blood trickled through his fingers.

The microscope’s lens immediately cracked and shattered, and [Arcane Eye] was forcibly shut down.

The sudden mishap was unexpected, but Boren glimpsed what he sought.

“Heh heh heh… hahaha!”

Cellular imagery!

The chip faithfully captured the fleeting image, though blurry, it resembled the cellular pictures Boren remembered.

That wasn’t the main point—the crucial detail was the unknown “graffiti” on the cells, resembling runes or some unfamiliar magical circle.

“...Magic flows everywhere in nature; even a blade of grass or a stone contains magic...”

Instantly, Boren recalled his magic primer teacher’s words, a phrase repeated in every book on magical theory. Only now did he truly grasp its meaning.

“Magic is omnipresent; it not only strengthens objects but also protects the ‘secrets’ within them.”

Lowering his hand, Boren’s left eye was bloodshot, a faint streak of blood trailing down from its corner.

“Interesting, very interesting! A magical seal.”

...

“Hey, kid, what’s wrong with your eye?”

Boren’s change did not escape the notice of the two veterans.

Just moments ago, they had all sensed a tremor in the Weave, mistaking it for the birth of a new arcane force. But the disturbance was destructive, unmistakably so. No doubt Boren was up to something again. Though brief, it was enough to startle them.

“Nothing, just a small experiment, I shocked my eye,” Boren said.

Due to material and technological limitations, research on legendary creatures had to be temporarily halted.

Without a method to observe cellular structures, further study was impossible.

Boren even speculated that legendary creatures’ modifications reached the molecular or atomic level.

“A small experiment…”

Hussain snorted, crossing his arms with a look that screamed disbelief.

Boren shot the old rogue a glance but offered no further explanation.

A caster’s research is a personal secret, tied to their strengths and vulnerabilities. Even closest companions cannot peruse it at will, so Hussain was left powerless.

Nearby, the elven elder showed no expression but was genuinely shaken inside.

He was familiar with this situation—and what it implied!

Though absurd, that feeling was unforgettable.

Legendary magic!

Magic beyond the ninth tier is called legendary magic; above the tenth tier, it’s sometimes called transcendent magic. Legendary magic wields incredible power, with offensive spells channeling the Weave’s ferocious destructive force.

The most famous example is when an elven spell shattered Faerûn into several pieces. A falling meteor might only leave a crater, but the true destruction came from the Weave’s unleashed power.

(Note: It’s almost 11 PM. This is a bit short, but I’ll send it now.)