Memory Curse

Adam woke up early and found that Crow had already prepared water at the door.

In many ways, Crow was much better than McCullen. However, Adam didn't have as deep an impression of Crow as he did of McCullen.

Crow was smart and understood the situation well. He could execute orders perfectly, anticipate needs, and discreetly take care of things. This was far beyond what the mere "coachman" McCullen could do.

For this era, Crow was a rare talent, not just a coachman. Perhaps this was why Adam remembered McCullen more vividly—a man confined by his identity and fate, whose slightest deviation led to his death.

As Adam rode the carriage towards the central clock tower, he noticed a strange atmosphere in Roya. The streets were busier than usual, with more patrols and elite soldiers, many with knight training.

"Has something significant happened?" Adam wondered, planning to ask Doug later, as his status as a local noble should provide him with the latest news.

Once again holding up a coin to enter the Reflection Tower, Adam headed straight to the tenth floor.

Sirin was descending the stairs as Adam arrived.

Their eyes met, and Adam nodded slightly in greeting, intending to enter the room, but Sirin stopped him.

"Who were those people who came searching the tower that day?" Sirin asked.

"I've already told the teacher," Adam replied. He was always curious about Anthony's niece. From the publication dates of some books on the shelves, it was clear that the Reflection Tower wasn't completely isolated.

Anthony never left the tower, so it must have been Sirin who went out to procure things. She had likely been with Anthony for a long time and should know everything about him.

"Are they Alva's people?" Sirin's expression remained calm, but Adam detected a hint of hatred when she mentioned Alva.

"No, they aren't," Adam shook his head. From what he knew, Alva had provided much support here, but Sirin seemed to resent him.

What had happened between Anthony and Alva?

Sirin's calm facade cracked after Adam's denial, her face showing lingering resentment as she asked, "What is his current state? Is he completely incapacitated? Why hasn't he come to see the master for so long?"

"You should be able to go out, right?" Adam asked in return. "Alva lives not far from here..."

"I can't get close to him. Even those who have interacted with me, if they approach him, will be detected," Sirin said, regaining her composure, though her hatred for Alva was evident.

"If it weren't for the Reflection Tower, he would sense our interactions too."

Adam was taken aback. Was Alva really that powerful?

"I don't know much about Alva, only that he's now primarily a painter," Adam said casually, but as he tried to recall more, he found his memories of Alva becoming vague, even his face becoming blurry.

"Is that so?" Sirin, receiving no more information, turned and left.

After Sirin left, Adam pondered and realized those memories resurfaced.

"Has Alva done something?" Adam thought, recalling Anthony's hints that Alva was skilled in curses.

"Is the trigger contact with Sirin?" Adam speculated. Entering the library, he saw Anthony already seated inside.

Still dressed as a noble youth, Anthony looked somewhat melancholy as he read.

"Good morning, Adam," Anthony greeted with a warm smile upon noticing Adam's arrival, then began discussing Adam's grasp of the spell model.

After ensuring Adam had a good understanding, Anthony prepared for the spell's semi-stabilization.

He took out the spell materials Adam had brought home and divided them into different parts, processing each one.

"Follow me," Anthony said, leading Adam to the sixth floor.

For the first time, Adam saw this floor, finding it empty except for a high platform with a flame burning mid-air.

"This is the Source Energy Layer, where natural forces are drawn from nature to fuel the Source Energy Fire, powering the entire Reflection Tower."

"If I used my spiritual power to alter these materials, it would affect your spiritual power, but using the Source Energy Fire won't."

"This is pure natural force," Anthony explained.

He reached out, and a fist-sized flame separated from the larger fire.

"There is a new theory in the trinity of soul, life, and nature. Some believe these three can ultimately unite into one," Anthony said. "Though it's just a theory, many aspects have already been confirmed."

"For instance, some materials can, through special refinement, acquire characteristics of other elements."

"These spell materials, after refinement, can take on spiritual power traits, becoming part of your spiritual power operation mode."

"Rituals are similar, with spiritual power refined into tangible, natural substances."

Adam listened carefully, following Anthony's instructions to use the Source Energy Fire to further refine the materials.

Under the influence of pure natural force and with Adam occasionally infusing spiritual power into the materials, they slowly transformed.

"The Earth Marrow Stone needs to be mixed with clean water, stirred to fully integrate the powder with the water. Under the Source Energy Fire, skim off any white foam, and gradually infuse spiritual power into the base."

"For the Nightshade Flower, the fire should be minimal. Wrap the flower in black meteorite powder. When the powder glows faintly, stop burning and immediately infuse spiritual power."

As Adam performed these tasks, he felt like he was cooking.

Collecting the final processed materials into a container, Adam exhaled. He had failed a few times but had enough materials and spiritual power to succeed.

"Next, integrate these materials into your spiritual operation mode according to the spell model," Anthony said.

"Even if the model has slight errors, semi-stabilization allows for adjustments while maintaining the overall framework."

"Rest and recover your spiritual power. We'll proceed with semi-stabilization this afternoon," Anthony advised, not rushing the process.

Returning to the tenth floor, Adam relaxed, selecting foundational knowledge about his spell profession to read.

There was a serene comfort in being alone in the library, quietly studying.

"If it weren't for my identity, I might fall in love with this time," Adam thought, watching Anthony leave. He resumed recalling information about Alva.

"I can confirm that when I interact with Sirin or Anthony, my memories of Alva become vague. I can think about Alva normally, but recalling specific memories locks them."

In other words, memories of Alva were available for thinking but not recalling.

"Does Alva not want me to leak his information to Anthony and Sirin?"

"Exactly," Alva's voice suddenly cut in, sending chills down Adam's spine.