Chapter 221 - When the Positions of the Stars Are Realigned (1/2)

Astrology was an extremely important subject on the Loren Continent.

Even though Gawain couldn’t understand the connection between the remote celestial bodies in the sky and the small planet underneath his feet (if it was a planet), the power of astrology existed. An outstanding astrologist would be able to detect the flow of magic in the atmosphere by observing the positioning of the stars. In fact, they would be able to use the guidance from the stars’ radiance to discover a new accumulation point of magic that was a thousand miles away. The accuracy of this was so high that it was beyond the concept of the “religious tricksters” and could be treated as a “black-box science”.

Of course, astrology was something that was hard to understand, and there were plenty of tricksters in this field too. However, the tricksters in this field had a trait that was actually very easy to recognize. They would use the observation of the natural world in astrology and extend them to the so-called “clairvoyance”. They would say that they could use the positions of the stars to find your lost treasures, missing keys, or wives that ran off with others. However, the Loren Continent’s astrology didn’t have powers like this.

Astrology’s main function was to make an advanced observation by using the changes of magic in the natural environment. Using this basis, astrology would at most be able to detect an early warning of a large-scale natural disaster that followed a pattern. If one was trying to search for one’s dog or cat, it would be much more effective to shout for the pet instead of relying on those unreliable “astrologists”.

Gawain was suddenly thinking of astrology because he was standing on the balcony of the feudal lord residence and was studying the stars in the sky with his eldest granddaughter.

Alright, it was mainly because he was watching Heidi studying the stars in the sky.

From today onward, for the next three consecutive days, it would be the winter’s most ideal “Days of Stars”. On these special days, the Loren Continent’s northern region would be able to observe the clearest starry sky with the most stars visible in the entire year.

Because of the fact that this planet didn’t have a large satellite like a moon, the nights were naturally lacking light. Without the interference of moonlight, this world’s night sky had stars that were shockingly resplendent. The countless stars would stretch across the horizon like a belt of light that was suspected to be clouds of light in space, and it would always make a deep impression in Gawain’s mind. For a professional Mage like Heidi, the stars had a totally different significance.

Mages were able to observe the stars and experience the changes in magic. They could then use the realization to blend it in with their spellcasting skill. It was a slow but effective method of improving. Heidi had never missed out on any suitable stargazing night as she hoped to see more stars to enhance her spellcasting ability and to, one day, be able to hit the target with her Arcane Missiles and Ice Arrows…

She observed the stars using a tool that looked like some odd “silver plate”. The silver plate would be placed horizontally on the support, and the surface of the surrounding metallic platform would be engraved with all sorts of celestial patterns and magic symbols. The center of the silver plate would reflect the image of the stars, and by using a special spellcasting technique, the image in the silver plate can be enlarged and made clearer for convenience of observation.

“I didn’t think that you Ancestor would actually be interested in astrology too.” While Heidi was recording the changes in the stars, she smiled and took a glance at Gawain. “This is uninteresting knowledge.”

“I have said since a long time ago that I was very interested in stars.” Gawain watched as Heidi adjusted the silver plate, and he couldn’t help but feel amazed by this world’s original magic technology. This tool might not be convenient to use, and there wasn’t much room for improvement, but it was indeed able to function as an observation tool for the starry sky. “Did Rebecca learn about astrology? Today is the very important ‘Days of Stars’ for Mages right? She is still a Mage after all…”

Only he and Heidi were on the balcony, while Rebecca who was one of the territory’s Mages with the highest grade actually wasn’t here.

“When she was young, I forced her to learn astrology, but every time, she would want to throw a Large Fireball into the sky to try to knock those stars down. Afterward, I didn’t allow her to continue causing trouble.” Heidi’s tone was filled with helplessness. “To be honest, astrology has nearly zero effect on her improvement. Her magic talent is all on Fireballs, and she has already done it to the extremity. Even if she observed the stars for ten years, it would still be impossible for her to produce an Arcane Missile. She isn’t even able to use the star observation plate and can only stare at the sky with her eyes… It is no wonder she would feel bored enough to wish she could throw Fireballs into the sky.”

The star observation plate’s greatest limitation was still the method of usage…

Gawain looked at the magic tool in Heidi’s hands with pensive eyes and thought about a certain item that he had asked the craftsmen to manufacture some time earlier.

If the manufacturing of the item could be done as planned, it might be completed before the “Days of Stars” were over.

“I am preparing a kind of present for Rebecca. If everything goes smoothly, she might be able to view the stars together with us.”

“Oh?” Heidi looked at Gawain with much surprise. She wasn’t able to imagine what kind of present this ancestor would prepare that could bring Rebecca to the star observation platform. Firstly, it must be able to allow Rebecca to control the star observation device as she was only able to use the Fireball spells. Secondly, he must also be able to make that foolish child who was only interested in throwing Large Fireballs calm down and be interested in such a boring subject. Heidi felt that it was rather unbelievable.

However, she quickly recalled that her ancestor was a reserve of all sorts of mysterious knowledge and wonderful ideas. She carefully controlled her curiosity and didn’t continue asking. She then revealed a smile. “You are really fond of that child.”

“Are you not curious about the present I prepared?”

“I am, but I wish to maintain this curiosity.” Heidi blinked her eyes and said, “You always bring us surprises, and this time, it won’t be an exception either, right?”

Gawain smiled and nodded. “Of course.”

At this moment, it wasn’t just Gawain and Heidi who were observing the stars.

……

At the eastern Endless Sea, it was already midnight, and the stars were still hanging high up in the horizon. The glittering stars felt as though they yearned for this sky as the first rays of morning sun had already appeared in the east, but a third of the stars were still clearly visible.

A nameless island was sitting alone on the surface of the sea. This massive island was one of the rare places with life in the Endless Sea. The Sons of the Storm used centuries to construct and develop a comprehensive stronghold. They built farms, hamlets, forges, and a fort that was located at the cliffs of the coast. The entire island’s most important building was the “Stargazing Tower” located at the top of the fort.

At the peak of the Stargazing Tower, there was a Storm Deacon who wore black robes and was placing the star observation plate horizontally. As he poured in his magic, the star light that had been dim on the plate turned bright and clear again.