The Secret Passage Escape Tool, you could say, is a unique item to St. Marian.
It has another name: 'Dungeon Escape Tool'.
It's an emergency escape device developed by the academy for the safety of students exploring dungeons.
However, it can only be used within St. Marian Academy at present.
As a first-year, Dark had naturally never encountered a Secret Passage Escape Tool. He looked at Principal Cynthia in some surprise. 'Does that mean that even if I had failed to slay the dragon, there would have been no danger?'
Principal Cynthia shook her head. 'The Secret Passage Escape Tool only activates automatically when its owner is in mortal danger. Of course, it can also be activated manually.'
In other words, you would still sustain whatever injuries you were going to sustain before your life was in danger.
It's just that injuries sustained within the academy can almost always be fully healed with prompt treatment.
Dark understood a little better and continued telling his story.
When he got to the mirror room inside the Dragon's Nest, Principal Cynthia couldn't help but laugh out loud. 'So that was the final trial, was it?'
Dark looked puzzled.
Principal Cynthia recalled, 'That was many years ago. The Professor of Magic Guide Studies wasn't Kazel back then...'
Dark perked up and listened intently.
Like Professor Lily, Professor Kazel was invited to join St. Marian Academy after the war.
Before them, there was another group of professors at the academy.
One of them, a Professor of Magic Guide Studies named Grand Grandell, was a very eccentric professor, just like his name.
Although Professor Grandell was an outstanding Magic Guide, he was more interested in knowledge outside of magic guide technology.
He called himself 'St. Marian's Magician' and developed many small trinkets that could be activated without using magic power.
He was always full of fantastic ideas, and whenever he had a new invention, he would act like a child, unable to resist showing it off to his students.
The mirror rooms left behind by Alvit and Hero Bright were both things they learned from Professor Grandell.
'Where is Professor Grandell now?' Dark couldn't help but ask.
As Principal Cynthia spoke, her expression fell. 'He was sacrificed.'
Dark immediately shut his mouth.
Seeing his reaction, Principal Cynthia regained her composure. 'There are always sacrifices in war; it's something that can't be helped. During the war, magic guide technology was far from as mature as it is now. Our academy, as the headquarters for innovation in magic guide technology, has always been a thorn in the side of the Demon race. Once, when the academy was invaded by demons, Professor Grandell stepped forward to protect his students and died a hero's death! But none of his students let down his expectations.'
The students Professor Grandell died protecting were the very same ones later known as the 'Golden Generation'!
The Hero, the Valkyrie, the Sage of Beasts, the Great Magic Guide, the Blood Princess...
Without Professor Grandell's sacrifice, the Golden Generation would have likely perished before they could even mature.
'I seem to have spoiled the mood.'
Principal Cynthia took a delicate sip of her black tea and said, 'Continue. I'm dying to know what Alvit left behind.'
Dark said gravely, 'It was three formulas—a Trinity Refinement Formula!'
'A Trinity Refinement Formula...' Principal Cynthia was stunned. 'Could it be the Three-in-One Armament Refinement Formula? She actually left that at the school?'
Dark seized the opportunity to ask, 'What is the Three-in-One Armament Refinement Formula?'
Principal Cynthia explained, 'That's an armament refinement formula Alvit created during her student days. It's the basis for Refinement Formula No. 99, which was later named [Alvit's Refinement Formula]. Back then, she would always refine the clothes and skirts she wove herself into Armament Cards...'
Dark couldn't help asking, 'Can ordinary clothes and skirts be refined into Armament Cards?'
Principal Cynthia smiled. 'Under normal circumstances, no. But the Three-in-One Armament Refinement Formula that Alvit created broke that limitation. However, the three-in-one formula emphasizes the trinity of mind, magic power, and armament. Only clothes or weapons made with one's own hands can be refined into Armament Cards. In that respect, it's even more difficult to use than other conventional armament refinement formulas.'
Dark clicked his tongue, immediately realizing it would be very difficult for him to use this set of refinement formulas anytime soon.
For someone like him who couldn't even make cosplay props well, crafting even a simple outer shell was unimaginable.
Goodbye, Gold Cloth!
Goodbye, Sin Armament!
Goodbye, Iron Man!
...
Seeing his unconcealed dejection, Principal Cynthia couldn't help but shake her head. 'The requirements for the physical armament in the three-in-one formula aren't actually that high. Alvit could use woven clothes, and you could use things like wood carvings. With how steady your fingers are, learning to carve wouldn't be difficult.'
An idea sparked in Dark's mind. 'That's a potential path.'
If he could really learn to carve well, he could even make his own figurines!
But he had so much else to learn at the moment, he couldn't spare the time for now.
Principal Cynthia knew he had a plan in mind and continued, 'Since you ran into Virt and the others, you must know a little something. Did they find his treasure?'
Thinking of the Hero's treasure, Dark felt a bit helpless.
He recounted everything he knew.
Principal Cynthia was stunned as she listened. 'The Hero's treasure was hidden right next to the Dragon's Nest mirror room? And it was also a mirror room?'
Dark nodded. 'Yes. The vampire smashed right through the wall, which is how I was able to help them.'
Principal Cynthia sounded exasperated. 'That's just like something Bright would do. And the treasure he left behind?'
Dark shook his head. 'I'm not too clear on that.'
Principal Cynthia: 'Then tell me about the vampire.'
Dark: 'Vlad the vampire. I've been thinking about it these past couple of days... it seems he has no memory!'
Principal Cynthia asked in surprise, 'How could you tell?'
Dark: 'He never once chanted a spell. His attack methods were simplistic and completely different from the vampires described in records, who are masters of magic. It was sheer luck that I was able to defeat him.'
Principal Cynthia: 'I see. That greatly reduces the possibility of an external invasion. But that vampire is still a problem; the professors haven't found any trace of him yet. It's a pity the secret passage holds so many mysteries that even I cannot fully investigate it. For now, the only thing we can do is temporarily seal its entrances and exits.'
Dark: 'I hope it works.'
'Well then...'
After a moment of consideration, Principal Cynthia suddenly asked, 'How much do you know about the Holy Grail?'
It's finally time!
Dark's spirits lifted, and he immediately replied, 'Very little.'
Principal Cynthia clapped her hands, and a small pixie flew over, carrying a key in its mouth.
She took the key and said, 'Using the Holy Grail is very simple. You just need to close your eyes and make a wish after the Grail is activated. The point to be aware of is the magnitude of your wish. But this standard varies from person to person. Some can wish for a breakthrough in their magic power limit, while others can't even wish to grow one centimeter taller. The most conservative choice is to wish for something material. Generally, the probability of obtaining the same item is relatively fixed. I have here a wish list compiled from years of experience; you can use it as a reference.'
As she spoke, she opened a drawer and took out a 4K-sized wish list.
The pixie flew to Dark's side with the wish list, and Dark reached out to take it, examining it closely.
This wish list was packed with densely written wishes, each with an approximate probability of fulfillment noted after it.
Among them, the fulfillment probabilities for 'Magic Power Growth' and 'Magic Power Breakthrough' were surprisingly different. The latter had a probability of less than 10%!
However, the very fact that this data could be compiled meant that many students had chosen the 'Magic Power Breakthrough' wish.
And magic power was indeed a weakness for humans.
This was a very important wish for both the mages of the past and the Magic Guides of the present.
Once a breakthrough in magic power was achieved with the help of the Holy Grail, one's standing as a mage or Magic Guide would immediately rise by a tier!
In comparison, the fulfillment probability for 'Magic Power Growth' was over seventy percent.
Dark scanned through it as quickly as possible and got a general idea of the rules for wishing.
The reason the probability for 'Magic Power Growth' was so much higher than 'Magic Power Breakthrough' was largely because the 'Magic Power Growth' wish didn't specify the amount of growth.
And since junior Magic Guides had not yet reached their limit for magic power growth during their student years, it was very likely to succeed.
Reading this, Dark gained some understanding of the scope of wishes the Holy Grail could grant.
He continued reading.
Material wishes were easier to satisfy, and their fulfillment probabilities were relatively fixed.
The probability of getting a Candy House was over eighty percent.
Emmm...
Does that mean there's a large enough sample size to run statistics on this thing?
In short, the easier an item was to obtain, the higher the chance of a successful wish.
And the rarer the item, the harder it was to obtain.
The probability of obtaining a legendary item through the Holy Grail was almost zero—wait, it wasn't zero?
Dark's gaze shot to the column labeled 'Legendary Item'.
The [Fulfillment Probability] section very clearly stated 0.01%!
A one-in-ten-thousand chance!
Over ten thousand people had wished for a legendary item.
And one of them had successfully had their wish granted!
Dark couldn't help but look up at Principal Cynthia. What happened to 'the greedy get nothing'?
...
Principal Cynthia just glanced at his expression and guessed what he wanted to say. She smiled. 'You know, only those who have nothing are the greedy.'
Can that phrase be interpreted in reverse?
Do you think my nine years of mandatory language classes were taught by a gym teacher?
Dark's eyes widened, and all his various theories about the Holy Grail were instantly overturned.
The three great wishing artifacts remaining in the world were perhaps even more terrifying than he had imagined!
Principal Cynthia's statement was practically a clear hint that he could be as greedy as he wanted!
Even if he failed because of it, so what?
Those wishes with high fulfillment probabilities were mostly for things that could be obtained in the real world.
But if you could get it in the real world, what was the damn point of wishing for it?
With a rare opportunity to make a wish, of course you should wish for something difficult to obtain!
No wonder so many people wished for legendary items!
...
In that instant, Dark was tempted to just wish for the removal of his Demon God bloodline!
To make a wish with a probability of less than one in ten million!
But in the end, he held back.
It was a rare opportunity.
Better lower the bar a bit.
Besides, if that wish really came true, there would be no more [Deadly Sin] to draw upon.
I'll just ask for a relatively more reliable wish!
...
After the time it took to brew a cup of tea, Dark put down the wish list. He already had his answer.
...
Principal Cynthia asked, 'Well? Are you going to make your wish tonight, or wait and see after some time?'
Dark said directly, 'Let's do it tonight. Strike while the iron is hot!'
Principal Cynthia nodded. 'Then follow me.'
She then rose from her seat and walked toward the room behind her.
Dark had thought it was a secret chamber, but it turned out to be a fully equipped lounge.
Principal Cynthia closed the door, walked to a blank wall, and held up the golden key in her hand.
She then explained, 'This is a door key. As long as you insert it into a sufficiently smooth surface, you can open a door to a fixed location.'
As she spoke, she inserted the key into the wall. The point of contact between the key and the wall instantly rippled like the surface of water.
The ripples spread rapidly, actually transforming into a door!
'Click.'
Principal Cynthia turned the key, unlocking the door, and gave it a gentle push.
A blank, secret chamber containing only the Holy Grail came into view.
The St. Marian Holy Grail was made of pure gold.
In the eyes of ancient mages, gold was a metal that possessed magic power and was often used in the creation of precious magical tools.
The St. Marian Holy Grail, also known as the 'Wishing Cup,' was said to be the work of a deity.
Principal Cynthia stepped into the secret chamber, with Dark close behind.
He carefully observed the style of the Holy Grail and, as expected, found an inscription written in an ancient script on its base.
The greedy get nothing.
The non-greedy also get nothing.
...
As if sensing someone's approach, the Holy Grail began to emit an eerie light.
Principal Cynthia raised her hand slightly, and Dark stopped in his tracks.
From a distance of only about two meters, the aura of the Holy Grail was already clearly perceptible.
The principal herself didn't move forward either. Instead, with a flick of her hand, she drew a personal wand from her sleeve.
The wand, merely the length of a finger, was held by the tip and pulled gently, extending to the length of her arm.
She raised the wand and lightly tapped it toward the Holy Grail. Instantly, points of light began to slowly gather within the cup.
'When the power of wishes in the cup has finished brewing, you can make your wish. The Holy Grail will answer your prayer.'
...
The power of wishes in the Holy Grail swirled like wine, its deep color resembling a night sky with twinkling flecks of light.
The liquid gradually filled the cup, as if inviting someone to drink from it.
Dark couldn't resist the urge to step forward, but a light touch from Principal Cynthia brought him to his senses.
He couldn't help but feel a surge of fear!
'The Holy Grail attracts the greedy, but humanity itself is an aggregate of greed. There is no one in this world who is not greedy.'
Principal Cynthia's voice still echoed in his ears.
Under her guidance, Dark closed his eyes and prayed with all his heart.
Wishes for knowledge were even more stringent. The probability of obtaining new, unrecorded knowledge was just as low as that for legendary items.
But for existing knowledge, or even knowledge one was already aware of...
If one simply wished to master it, the probability of fulfillment would be much higher.
The wish Dark made was to improve his skill with the Magic Brain Dropper!
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