After pondering for a while longer and discovering that it would be difficult to fully understand everything in a short time, Pandora didn't continue wasting time.
Compared to boring spells, Ryuga was much more attractive.
Although the improved spell technique could also help other Campione, Pandora had no intention of asking Ryuga for the spell formula.
In her view, this spell technique was entirely Ryuga's own achievement, and showing it to her already demonstrated great trust.
If she were to share Ryuga's results with other Campione, even just the concept, it would undoubtedly be a form of betrayal.
Even biological parents couldn't truly treat all their children equally.
For Pandora, she naturally favored Ryuga more, this special case who could remember her.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Ryuga suddenly shake his head, Pandora immediately moved closer to him, asking with concern.
"It's nothing. I originally planned to use conceptual spirit equipment to simulate the effect of the Circle of Usurpation, thereby fixing the spell technique for usurping authority, but divine tools with godhood seem not so easily replaceable."
Ryuga shook his head.
No matter how high one's comprehension, when encountering incomprehensible things, it was difficult to continue deduction.
It seemed he would need to properly research godhood next.
Hearing the first half of Ryuga's statement, Pandora looked somewhat nervous, but only relaxed after hearing the second half.
"Phew~ Good thing it didn't succeed."
"?"
A question mark appeared above Ryuga's head.
"If it had succeeded, wouldn't you not need me to gain authority?"
Pandora's cheeks puffed slightly as she spoke.
"In that case, you definitely wouldn't come looking for me on your own! Do you really hate mama that much, that you don't want to see me?"
"...You're overthinking it."
Ryuga shook his head.
He had no particular opinion about Pandora. His hope to use spell techniques to replace divine tools was simply to conveniently maintain this characteristic in other worlds.
If slaying gods from other worlds could also grant authority, that would be much more convenient.
"Eh, so you mean you don't hate me, which means you like being with mama?"
Hearing Ryuga's denial, Pandora immediately perked up.
Seeing her pushing her luck, Ryuga closed his eyes and chose to ignore this witch.
At this moment, Pandora's Dark Ritual had just ended, and Ryuga officially became a member of the Campione.
He could clearly feel the massive magical power surging within his body, its scale even surpassing that of dragon veins.
At the same time, there was also a newly born power stirring restlessly within him.
If it were an ordinary Campione, they might not know what their gained authority could do until a week later.
Ryuga didn't need that long.
With his considerable attainments in magic, he only needed a simple self-examination to roughly perceive the changes in himself and detect the nature of the authority he had mastered.
"It's still the Ten Incarnations?"
Ryuga opened his eyes without much surprise.
Verethragna only had this one authority; there wasn't much choice in the matter.
He just wondered what his so-called "true power" was. Could it just be empty words?
"If you don't discover anything now, you can wait and see during battle."
Pandora offered her opinion from the side.
"A Campione's greatest talent lies in battle. Only in combat will your perception become maximally sharp."
"Battle..."
Ryuga nodded thoughtfully.
"That's right! God King Melqart is also on Sardinia. This guy isn't very smart, so you can practice with him later!"
Pandora clenched her fists, cheering Ryuga on.
Though Ryuga didn't particularly need this encouragement, he still nodded agreeably.
"Mm, and I can also test the effects of the secret arts after lifting the restrictions."
If Melqart were here and heard the two of them looking down on him like this, he'd probably be so angry his lungs would explode.
Campione World, Present World
[Erica: "Ryuga-sama hasn't returned yet!"]
[Erica: "I wonder if he's already become a Campione."]
[Tohsaka Rin: "I calculate that Ryuga-sama will return soon!"]
[Madoka: "Rin-oneesan can do that too? Amazing!"]
[Tohsaka Rin: "Hmph! Who do you think I am?"]
[Kana: "I think I can guess this too."]
[Kana: "Just look at Ryuga-sama's level and you'll know."]
Hearing this, Erica was slightly stunned and immediately realized something.
Opening Ryuga's personal profile, indeed, Ryuga had successfully advanced from Tier 2 to Tier 3.
This meant he had successfully become a Campione.
Tohsaka Rin's speculation was probably based on this data.
Facts proved her guess was correct. Less than half a minute later, a spatial rift opened in front of Erica, and Ryuga's familiar figure stepped out.
"Ryuga-sama!"
Seeing the familiar figure, Erica's heart filled with joy.
Then, without any hesitation, she directly knelt on one knee before Ryuga, respectfully holding up her knight's sword with both hands and raising it above her head.
Seeing Erica's sudden action, the group members were somewhat confused.
[Kana: "What does this mean?"]
[Madoka: "Kneeling on one knee, could it be a marriage proposal?"]
Though she felt it unlikely, Madoka genuinely didn't know what other meaning this gesture could have.
Among those present, probably only Tohsaka Rin understood a bit.
"Damn! This vixen really knows how to cling to powerful people!"
After complaining with slight envy and jealousy, Tohsaka Rin explained to the other two.
[Tohsaka Rin: "This isn't a marriage proposal ceremony. It looks like the ancient ritual of a knight pledging allegiance."]
[Tohsaka Rin: "According to medieval custom, once someone accepts a knight's allegiance, it's lifelong service. From then on, no matter what happens, they absolutely cannot betray their master."]
Just as Tohsaka Rin explained, having made her decision, Erica slowly spoke.
"Great Knight Erica of the Copper Black Cross magic society hereby pledges allegiance to Ryuga-sama. Henceforth, I shall uphold knightly virtues, obey my master's commands, and become my master's most trusted sword! I shall be loyal to you until the last moment of my life!"
To be continued...
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