Supreme Magus novel Chapter 3080

Chapter 3080 To Ears or Not to Ears (Part 2)

Permanent arrays became much less effective if their owner was away for an extended period of time. Their imprint would start to fade and without the owner's instructions, a skilled intruder could bide their time studying the arrays and take them down one at a time.

The solution to this problem was to share the control over the arrays like the nobles did in the Kingdom, pass it to a trusted individual like Scarlett had done to Kalla back when she left to chase after Balkor, or a signet ring.

Red mana crystals could accept more than one energy signature but their charge would only last for so long. The signet ring meant that Barham didn't trust his apprentices not to shut down the arrays and kill him if he shared control or give him control over his mansion back once he returned.

Lith knew that a signet ring was a Forgemaster's last resort and so did Strider.

'A red crystal also holds a limited amount of world energy. Once it runs out, the signet ring will become useless.' The Zouwu thought. 'It means that Barham planned to return in a few weeks tops.

'No Dragon, lesser or not, would leave his hoard unattended for long.'

Awakened could recharge crystals below the green, but this was an enchanted item. Pumping mana into it would have diluted the control spell and shortened its duration.

"If Master Barham's life were in danger, he would have asked me for help." Tanat said.

"Or maybe, he asked you for help and you ignored it." Strider replied. "After all, if he were to 'mysteriously disappear', you would inherit Barham's house, legacy, and most importantly, his treasures."

He waved at the piles of riches that decorated the place as though pieces of furniture. Wyverns were the closest thing to Dragons among their Lesser kin and often tried to make their lairs resemble a Wyrm's.

The internal structure of the mansion was paved in gold-veined white marble, with enchanted paintings projecting the feats of the Neth bloodline hung to the walls and frescoes made of precious gems decorating the ceiling.

Unlike Dragons, Wyverns rarely appreciated the artistic value of their treasures, focusing solely on their power and monetary value. It was the reason the lair of a Wyvern usually looked like out of a cautionary tale about greed.

The place was shiny and opulent, but without one shred of taste.

Calling it tacky was an affront to tackiness. Riches and artifacts were arranged with no rhyme or reason, making it look like the master of the house had dropped them in a random place to catch his breath and then forgotten about it.

The only logic Lith's greed could find in the disposition of the various treasures was that things would get more precious the closer they got to Barham's private quarters.

'It's consistent with the Lizzies I've met.' Lith thought. 'Ego over taste in a desperate attempt to compensate for being a lizard with an inferiority complex.'

"And why would I want that?" Tanat replied. "I'm just an apprentice. If my father were to disappear, I'd lack the means to keep this place. My older siblings would dispute my right to succession and kick me to the curb.

"Master Barham's return is in my interest. He is one of the few still-living direct apprentices of my Great Master Ripha Menadion." The Wyvern said with pride while leading them to the entrance to Barham quarters.

"Not only did Master Barham learn from the First Ruler of the Flames herself the secret arts which are the foundations of our bloodline legacy, but he also was one of the few people with whom Great Master Menadion chose to share the Ears!"

'By my Mom, is he telling the truth?' Solus asked Lith via the mind link while grabbing his arm in excitement.