Chapter 638: A Song of Ice and Fire
This is a vast network, a newly formed magical circuit.
A magical power many times stronger than the Morning Star began to circulate incessantly within, flowing endlessly, surging with vigor, never ceasing. Even if Duke's life were to end, as long as there's will controlling it, the magical circuit could still operate eternally.
Perhaps, in the future, the undead might emerge in large numbers, like Liches and Necromancers, because they aren't distracted by the physical life and can focus solely on the magical circuit.
If Duke were truly a fanatic pursuing mystical powers, he might not have achieved eternal life. He might have followed the dark path many mages in history have treaded.
But let's return to the present. After Alexstrasza destroyed Duke's "Phoenix Flame" magical circuit, his condition didn't improve. In fact, it seemed to worsen.
It's not that the fire circuit crafted by the Red Dragon Queen for Duke was flawed. Rather, it was too powerful, and it began to dominate and take over all of Duke's internal magical circuits.
Alexstrasza furrowed her brows, realizing the issue. She could reconstruct all of Duke's magical circuits based on her template. However, this would shift Duke's attributes from a perfect multi-element balance to a singular fire attribute.
In the future, Duke would be limited to fire magic.
At some point, Malygos approached the duo, "Alexstrasza! Is this human important to you?"
The queen gritted her teeth and nodded.
Recalling Duke's actions, Malygos, for once, began to see humans in a different light.
Perhaps I've underestimated this human's significance?
Maybe...
"You owe me one," Malygos said, extending his hand towards Duke. His hand met Alexstrasza's, both pressing against Duke's chest.
It was another magical invasion, but this time the replaced circuit was different. The "Crown of Ice" from Anthonidas was removed, replaced by an unknown icy circuit from Malygos.
No, it wasn't just ice. Even Duke's original "Arcane Throne" was being forcibly transformed.
Expanding, enlarging.
The sensation was terrible. Duke's mouth gaped open, his jaw dropping wide enough to see his throat.
He wanted to scream, to howl, but no sound came out.
Behind him was fire, in front of him was ice. This was the true meaning of being caught between fire and ice.
But to endure this duality, one must be resilient!
System alerts rang out incessantly, "Warning! Warning! High-intensity fire and frost magical circuits detected! These circuits demand a high amount of arcane power. Correspondingly, their power will increase with a respective multiplier!"
Duke gritted his teeth, shouting in his mind, "Damn it! Who's afraid of whom? System sprite, calculate a model for an arcane circuit that can simultaneously satisfy both magical circuits!"
The system calculated at lightning speed.
In less than 20 milliseconds, the result was ready.
"The calculation is complete, but I strongly advise against using this as a foundation. According to the calculations, there's a 99.369% magic power deficit!"
"Do it!"
"Host, I strongly advise against..."
"Do it! Just because I lack magic power doesn't mean the two great ones do!"
In any other situation, or at any other time, Duke's actions would be suicidal.
But not now!
In a way, this was like taking advantage of a favor.
Relationships are mysterious.
Constantly giving without expecting anything in return might initially make the other party grateful. But over time, it could lead to feelings of imbalance.
"Help... me..." Strictly speaking, Duke didn't utter these words.
But let's not forget who stood before and behind him.
The two Dragon Aspects!
At such close proximity, any slight movement or unnatural vibration in the air would be sensed by them.
In fact, if Duke hadn't chosen to construct his own foundational arcane circuit, Malygos might have already forced his own suitable magical circuit onto Duke.
Although the circuit Malygos would have forced upon him wouldn't have been as good as the one Duke crafted based on the situation, it would at least match the circuits provided by him and Alexstrasza.
Now, Duke, under these circumstances, communicated the model of the strengthened arcane circuit to both of them through a mental link. Malygos couldn't help but see Duke in a new light.
As did the Life-giver.
Both Dragon Aspects looked at each other, their faces filled with undisguised astonishment!
They were certain that Duke had never encountered such an advanced magical circuit model before. Not because of secrecy, but because the dragons' superior physical attributes allowed them to bear more potent magical circuits. In a way, the magical circuit models humans and elves encountered were watered-down versions, so they could handle them.
Moreover, constructing such a powerful magical circuit would require an astronomical amount of magical power.
Most mortals wouldn't even consider this direction.
For instance, Sun King Anasterian used the power of the Sunwell to ascend.
Without having theorized how to use this power, how could one create the corresponding magical circuit model?
Yet, in such a short time, Duke not only theorized it but also crafted a model that, in the eyes of the two Dragon Aspects, was more perfect and suited to Duke's body than anything they could have imagined.
They both took a sharp intake of breath.
"So, there truly are geniuses among humans!" Both Dragon Aspects thought simultaneously. They exchanged glances and, without hesitation, infused their magical power.
This was an invasion of magic, but also a collaboration of sorts.
Golden flames of magical power and pure white frost magic each claimed their territory within Duke. Meanwhile, a stream of pure arcane power flowed through Duke's body, gathering where he wanted.
Serving as the foundation for the two major magical circuits, Duke's arcane circuit, acting as the base, was also continuously thickening, deepening, and solidifying. Its construction speed even surpassed the combined efforts of the two Dragon Aspects.
Three massive composite circuits gradually took shape within Duke's body.