Once it is gathered by the tubes, the lines of the array take it and send it somewhere else. What I can't figure out is what is being taken or where it is being sent. So, I turn away from the lines on the floor and start studying one of the tubes.
After studying the runes around the tube for a few minutes I figure out that the tubes are stealing potential. Whether it is magic potential or physical potential, these tubes absorb it. That explains why the mages of the Xui family felt odd when I scanned them.
The array is somehow sending the potential gathered by the tubes to the family members. If they were caught experimenting with this type of magic that certainly explains why they were banished. They could easily put other mages into these tubes in order to steal their magic potential.
This kind of thing is something that would be a threat to every mage in the Magic Kingdom. What is surprising is that they were just banished instead of being wiped out. Luckily, the magic isn't complete yet, it can't permanently take the potential.
If it could then there would be no need for them to keep the subjects in the tubes alive. Now that I know the purpose of the array I have an easier time figuring it out. The spell they are using is somewhat similar to my drain ability, just weaker and incomplete.
Now that I understand the array, finding its core is fairly easy and I can break it. However, with my knowledge I can also complete the spell and make it permanent. Of course, I am not about to do that for the humans, but there is something else I can do.
At the core of the array is the blood of the Xui family, it is how the power is sent to them. With the dagger I cut my hand and drip my blood onto the core, then I insert my mana into it. It doesn't take me long to take complete control of the array, then it is simple to reverse it.
Once it is reversed I quickly complete the spell to make it permanent and then activate the array. Instead of supplying potential to the Xui family, the array sucks every drop of potential out of them. Because of my modification it also sucks the lifeforce out of them as well.
Above ground, every member of the Xui family screams in pain as they quickly turn into mummies. The only witnesses are the guards who have been fighting the beasts, who quickly run away. Meanwhile I control the array to direct the extra potential and lifeforce into the elves.
For one thing, there is not enough for all of the beasts, for another I don't want to create superbeasts. The beasts are going to cause enough havoc since we are in the middle of a city. I do plan to free the beasts, whether they can escape the city or not is on them.
As soon as all the energy is transferred to the elves I smash the array core with my fist. When I do the entire array explodes and I am surrounded by the sound of breaking glass. The tubes all shatter, releasing all the elves and beasts to fall to the floor.
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I quickly get up and gather all the elves to one corner of the room, they are still unconscious. Even as I am moving the elves some of the beasts start waking up and they are not happy. The beasts that have woken up start moving towards the corner where I have the elves.
However, when I drop shapeshift they all freeze and just stare at me in fear. I give out a soft growl and then look over at the exit from the room, the beasts take the hint. As more and more beasts wake up and start moving around I direct all of them out of the room.
By the time the first of the elves start waking up all the beasts are gone and I am back to elven form. The elves are very confused as they wake up, but also excited to see another elf. Thanks to that it isn't too hard to convince them to go through a gate once they are all awake.
As for what effects me reversing the spell will have, I will just have to wait and see. Based on the number of people in the Xui family compared to the number of elves it probably won't be much. If nothing else, they will probably be good candidates for Core to train as mages.
However, that will have to wait until we get back and will be up to Core. Now that the elves are rescued I can focus on the upcoming auction and have some fun. First though, I need to get out of the city without being recognized by anyone.
Being shapeshifted should make me safe enough, but it is better to be safe. So, I put on my cloak and start sneaking out of the Xui estate amidst the chaos. The beasts are running wild while the city guards try their best to contain them.
Luckily, with it being the middle of the night, the streets are completely empty. If it was daytime and the streets were full of people I would feel fairly guilty. However, the only ones around are the city guards and the guards of the other estates.
While some of the beasts are fighting the guards, most of them are just trying to get out of the city. I can't be sure if the ones fighting are just enraged or are giving the others a chance to escape. Either way, the beasts are not causing anywhere near as much damage as they could be.
With the guards being occupied by the beasts I have a really easy time sneaking away. As I follow the path the beasts took I come across a few beast bodies, but many more guard bodies. Luckily, all the blame for this should fall on the Xui family, even though they are all dead.
When I reach the northern city gate all the guards are dead and the area is quiet. Just as I am about to head through the gate a small movement catches my attention. One of the wolf-like beasts is trying to crawl towards the gate, but it is in bad shape.
There is a sword in its back and from the way its back legs are dragging its spine is broken. Despite such a horrible wound it is still trying to drag itself forward leaving a trail of blood. Its refusal to give up moves me, so I walk over, yank the sword from its back, and start casting healing spells.
Due to the damage to the spine it requires several healing spells before all the damage is repaired. The beast yelps when I pull the sword out, but other than that it only whines a little. Once I am done healing it, the beast stands up and looks back at me with shock in its eyes.
After a few seconds it steps closer to me and starts licking my face repeatedly. After a minute it turns away and runs through the gate howling as it goes. Somehow I can hear the beast's gratitude and excitement in its howl.