Deciphering an Array consisted of three basic steps known as Tri-S: scan, sort, and solve.
Scanning is when one has to review the whole calculation. After which, one must sort all formulas according to their conditions. When all the formulas are sorted, it will be easy to solve how the Array works.
However, an Array Specialist had their ways of performing the Tri-S. For example, they could use their magic sense to scan the calculation or use a magic item.
Sorting formulas could also be done using magic sense. However, only those with a high-level magic sense could do this. Another way to sort formulas was to re-write them manually or record them on a magic item.
Finally, a mage had to utilize all of his Array knowledge to solve the Array correctly. It would require a lot of time.
However, once a mage succeeded in deciphering an Array, he could shorten the process in which he arrived at an answer and create his own 'technique.'
To put it simply, these techniques were 'shortcuts.'
For this reason, Array Specialists did not decipher Arrays in front of other people because anyone could use these shortcuts as long as they had enough understanding. If that happened, anyone who used these shortcuts could have their Array knowledge assessed and be promoted effortlessly.
"I will now assign each participant to their Array circles."
Glowing gold numbers appeared in the middle of the circles when the announcer said this.
"From the right, numbers 1-3 start from the left facing the door. Please proceed to your respective circles, Millie, Malcolm, and Deite."
The announcer paused as the three moved to their circles, Millie being the one assigned to the first circle.
"Next, numbers 4-6 start from the right facing the wall opposite the door, Owen, Hamish and Tyr. Please proceed to your respective circles."
The three followed.
Once they were in front of their assigned circles, the announcer raised his hand, and three golden timers appeared above the hall.
"The Array Competition begins now!"
As he lowered his hand, the timer at the far end of the hall started its countdown.
The three Courtenay participants approached the first layer of their circles.
Although the first layer was a Support-type Array, all six circles had different colors.
Starting from the first circle, the colors were green, light green, yellow, light yellow, gold, and golden brown. This meant that they had different effects.
That was their task right now; find out what the Array does.
Confused at the sudden noise, Millie, Malcolm and Deite looked around. They then noticed Kyran, Owen and Hamish going to the materials cabinet without checking their Array circle first.
Even the announcer was looking at them curiously.
Usage of materials during the competition was allowed, so their actions were not entirely strange. What was curious was gathering the materials before they could check their Array circle.
It made most of them wonder if Array Specialists had a way to scan an Array without touching it and prepare the second step at once.
Unbeknownst to them, the reason why Kyran, Owen and Hamish went to the materials cabinet was so they could make a Concealment Array. This was how they would hide their techniques from all the eyes watching them from the crowd.
Concealment Array used advanced formulas that Owen and Hamish probably would have trouble understanding.
But since Kyran already knew how to make one. And after enriching his Array knowledge, he discovered easier ways to create it using common ingredients and in a short time.
Then, using the remaining time before the start of the competition, Kyran taught Owen and Hamish how to make it.
It was a shame that Kyran had to resort to using a Concealment Array. If he had a choice, he could easily add another layer to the circles they would work on to alter the crowd's perception.
Unfortunately, Kyran was not allowed to do that. If not, he might alert some 'eyes' watching nearby. He had already noticed them, which was one reason he wanted to finish the competition as soon as possible.
He would definitely draw their attention, but it did not matter. He was doing all this to show his appeal anyway— at least, Tyr's appeal as an Array Specialist.
Kyran sighed inwardly. Pretending to be someone else was pretty exhausting, especially when he had to hide his real strength. If not for the fact that Neo would replace him as Tyr soon, he would not place a huge limitation on himself. Alas, if he did not limit himself and showed more of what he could do, he would have to reprogram Neo's Array knowledge again.
That was pretty troublesome.
In any case, the thirty minutes time limit he had set for them was not based on Neo's capability alone but on Owen and Hamish. It went without saying but alone, he could finish in a shorter time.
The Array's level was mostly mid-tier and would not work up a sweat.
With Owen and Hamish's level, they could finish the first layer in less than five minutes. For the second layer, that would depend, but they would not take more than ten minutes. The same went for the innermost layer.
Thus, a thirty-minute time limit was already generous.
Hushed discussions filled the hall as the crowd watched the three go back to their assigned circles, but instead of working on them, they began creating an Array.
The announcer's brow furrowed. No rule forbade participants from creating an Array, so he could only watch them in silence. However, this was not what the head committee had in mind. It was good if they understood what the three of them were working on, but he had no idea what it was so far.
Malcolm and Deite also had a frown on their faces. But since they had their own arrays to take care of, they chose to ignore Kyran, Owen and Hamish.
Millie also chose to start with her task; however, she would furtively glance at Kyran from time to time, wondering what he was up to. She was actually more interested in checking his work than working on her Array. If not for her father's warning not to do anything unbefitting a Courtenay representative, she would have already approached him.
After three minutes, Kyran completed the Concealment Array.
He used a three-by-three round disc as the array's medium. He could not very well place it on his skin. He could, but it would draw unnecessary attention.
Once set, he activated the array and began working on his assigned circle's first layer.
Owen and Hamish followed a couple of minutes later.
When the timer above turned 53:57, the first layer on Kyran's circle flickered and disappeared before he moved to the next.
The time it took him to decipher the first layer shocked everyone. They had not even seen what he had done, and he was already on the second layer!
The four-leaf clover earring worn by the announcer blinked a few times as the head committee asked questions.
<<Have you seen what Disciple Tyr had done?>>
With a frown, the announcer could only reply, "I'm afraid not, Patriarch Ernst."
<<What about the array he created? We saw the materials they collected, and they were all the same. However, we did not see what they did. How about you?>>
"I'm sorry, Patriarch. I saw them working on it, but I could not understand the formulas they had used."
Suddenly, someone giggled on the other end, and a serene female voice spoke.
<<<We have been had, Patriarch Ernst. To think they can make something like this to hide what they are doing.>>>
<<Your Highness?>>
<<<They are using a Concealment array to prevent us from properly seeing their work.>>>
The announcer's eyes widened in surprise, and in a low voice, he said, "Concealment Array? T-That's an advanced array."
<<<Yes. We had been lax when we wrote down the rules. We should have anticipated this.>>>
<<Do you think Chairman Noir taught them how to create the array before the start of the competition?>>
<<<I do not think so. Concealment Array is not something one can learn in one go. They also needed hands-on experience to make one successfully.>>>
<<Then it means the Array knowledge of those three is already at such a high level? Putting aside Disciple Tyr, those two are not the main talents of the Blacksmith Order.>>
<<<This only shows we have given the Conclave too much freedom. They even managed to develop the latent talents of their reserves.>>>
<<They have an Array Master. Chairman Noir might only have one disciple, but those Array Specialists working in the order are exposed to his work one way or another. It might have raised the level of all their specialists.>>
Instead of answering Ernst, Haylee spoke to the announcer.
<<<There is nothing to be done. When Disciple Tyr completes the second layer, you know what to do.>>>
"Yes, your highness."
When the timer turned 48:21, the second layer Kyran was working on flickered and disappeared.
The crowd was in an uproar.
Even Malcolm and Deite stopped what they were doing and looked at Kyran with a frown. They had only started sorting the first layer while the latter had already completed deciphering the second layer!
Moreover, Owen and Hamish had finished deciphering the first layer of their Arrays and had now started with the second one.
Finally, Kyran moved to the third layer. The color of the third layer was golden. However, its sheen slowly turned silvery, and if he had not been paying close attention to the formulas from the start, he would not have noticed it changing.
With furrowed brows, Kyran lifted his hand and touched the third layer, letting his magic sense cover it. The moment it did, however, his pupils shrank, and his heart drummed heavily in his chest.
'This...!'
His body trembled.
It was only a replica, but the formula within the third layer had similarities to the defensive array he found in the Shaiha Ruins. But what riled him up was the hidden magic signature on the array because it was none other than his father's!
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