"The Scroll Research Society" was ostensibly a purely academic research institution.
However, as often depicted in movies and games, such institutions were never without individuals who would stir up trouble.
Naturally, this was an inevitable occurrence in such places.
Thus, upon Ronald’s prompt, aside from those who chose to evacuate from the underground facility immediately, virtually all capable members of the society gathered.
Regrettably, it was still early morning.
This meant that, including Ronald who had not left, there were only four people who actually made it.
Arriving last from the surface, Auburnheim appeared in the corridor.
His first words were directed at Ronald:
"Ronald, what’s the matter?"
"I heard there was an accident in the laboratory?"
Ronald nodded solemnly:
"Yes, it’s Hal’s laboratory."
"You know of my abilities, I was packing up to leave and happened to pass by here when I noticed the problem."
"Thank you." Auburnheim sincerely expressed his gratitude to Ronald before approaching the few people at the lab’s entrance, "Hughes, what’s the exact situation?"
Upon hearing Auburnheim’s inquiry, Hughes, who had been responsible for deciphering ancient texts, sighed:
"Hal really couldn’t resist, he went ahead and tried the ancient text trial on his own. And judging from the current situation, he’s still putting his theories into practice, attempting to use spells from his own school during the trial."
"If this continues, the outcome is unimaginable."
Hughes’s face remained troubled as he described the situation.
The members of "The Scroll Research Society" present were all too familiar with the ancient texts, and they were well aware of the potential consequences of various actions.
—The ancient text trial.
It was the scenario Ronald had experienced when he first obtained the "Rain Mist Divine Hammer."
However, thanks to his unique qualities, Ronald no longer needed a trial to use the ancient texts, so this matter did not greatly concern him.
But, for casters in this world, it was a different story.
When people embarked on the trial and succeeded, they would gain a measure of spell-casting ability; failure would result in death.
According to local experience, using spells from another school within such a trial was strictly forbidden, as it would immediately provoke a fierce backlash from the ancient text, with a severe enough offense possibly triggering a rampage.
As for researcher Hal,
His unwavering research topic was finding a way to use spells from his own school within the ancient text trial.
If this research were completed, it would unquestionably accelerate the deciphering of the ancient texts.
After all, with a lifetime’s mastery of spells at their side, these casters would certainly handle most ’trials’ that ordinary people couldn’t deal with.
Unfortunately, it seemed that Hal had likely failed.
Normally, during an ancient text trial, safety outside the trial could at least be assured.
But the extremely unstable curse energy in the laboratory...
It was proof that a reaction from the ancient text had been triggered.
Hearing Hughes’s explanation, Auburnheim’s gaze grew heavy.
In his youth, he would have had the courage to venture into an ancient text trial, but with his aged and weakened body, the risks of entering a trial were simply too great now.
It was at this moment that another researcher, around thirty years old, spoke up:
"Mr. Auburn, I’m willing to go in and give it a try."
"If I am lucky enough to succeed..."
Oppenheimer spoke without hesitation:
"Should you succeed, I’ll be in charge, as long as you stay with the Research Association, both the user rights and research rights to this original text will be yours."
As the promise of substantial rewards left his mouth, the researcher’s expression changed instantly:
"Can it really be like that?"
Oppenheimer nodded seriously:
"My promises are always kept, as you know."
The researcher nodded, his expression conflicted:
"Then... I’ll give it a try!"
Swallowing hard, the researcher turned and walked into the laboratory.
Though the original text had not been given to him outright,
the prospect of long-term possession and being able to use an original text was an irresistible temptation. He was willing to risk his life in the trials of the original text.
So, he attempted to make contact with the stream of magical power in front of him.
Following the standard procedures, the figure of the researcher began to distort and become translucent until he vanished within the laboratory.
—He had entered the trial.
Watching this scene unfold, Ronald felt something subtly off.
He knew the researcher who was about to enter the trial.
It was Edwards, a researcher responsible for data collection and analysis at the "Scroll Research Association", whose expertise, seemingly, lay in spells related to manipulation of objects, usually dealing with heaps of data.
But could such a person, accustomed to a 9-to-5 work routine...
really survive the trials of the original text?
Edwards was certainly aware of the value of the original text and knew the dangers of the trials.
But if the guy failed...
then among those present, only Ronald, Oppenheimer, Hughes, and Paul would remain.
Oppenheimer and Hughes were both at the top of the Research Association and each possessed an original text themselves.
It was practically impossible for them to risk their lives in the trials.
As for Ronald and Paul...
Paul was a caster responsible for the security of the "Scroll Research Association", having previously worked in the Bureau of Investigation, his actual work necessitated him to leave before the situation truly spiraled out of control, to then lock down the area to ensure surface safety.
So, that left only Ronald, didn’t it?
He had requested his resignation today, after all; even if he participated in the trial of the original text and succeeded, the "Scroll Research Association" would definitely not hand over the original text to him!
find an excuse to run away?
Given the capability of such a professional organization, Ronald believed they would certainly handle such an emergency; otherwise, a city as large as Springs wouldn’t have survived up to this day.
Having organized his thoughts, Ronald quietly took a step back.
With a polite smile on his face, he began to speak:
"Mr. Oppenheimer, I..."
However, just as Ronald was about to speak, Oppenheimer, standing at the laboratory’s door, turned around as if sensing something:
"Ronald, could you please go and call Mou Li over?"
"If Edwards fails, the two of you will handle the original text."
His expression fixed, Ronald was about to refuse.
But before he could speak, Oppenheimer cut in again:
"Ronald, I know you have some concerns."
"While the original text cannot be given to you, I assure you in the name of the ’Scroll Research Association’, should it come to that point, we will definitely give you a satisfactory reward!"