Chapter 14

EP.14 Unexpected Encounter (3)

A mage belonging to the Order of Knights.

Rivert, the former head of the Red Tower, sighs.

The desperate situation is the reason for his sigh.

The ancient lich Skeval.

The damage caused by that abhorrent undead grows day by day. Just a month ago, Rivert didn't think the skeleton would be a problem.

'Thanks to Lord Laniel.'

Whenever the ash-gray mage appeared on the battlefield, Skeval would flee with its tail between its legs. Laniel's barriers tore apart Skeval's defenses like paper.

Such a superhuman existence makes those who stand on the same battlefield lose their tension. This complacency also found its way to Rivert.

'I relied too much on him.'

The mage who always stood at the forefront.

The result of relying on that one superhuman was disastrous.

When the ash-gray mage, whom Rivert thought would always be there, retired, the Order of Knights lost the means to break through Skeval's barriers.

'What an embarrassment...'

Rivert feels ashamed of this fact.

Despite being in a position where he should have found the answer more than anyone, he couldn't find it and ended up entrusting everything to him.

Of course, Rivert didn't seek guidance from the ash-gray mage.

He sought guidance but couldn't understand it.

It was too difficult for him.

He simply concluded that it was a way to use mana that was only possible because of the 'ash-gray mage' and gave up.

'Why didn't I ask more questions back then?'

He should have sought guidance until he understood. His past self, who gave up easily, was pitiful.

"Hmm..."

It's too late to regret it now.

The communication network that can connect with the ash-gray mage is only held by Knight Commander Heinzel, and even that is one-way.

He can send a reply to the letter received, but the Order of Knights cannot send a letter directly.

While Rivert was sighing, a voice came from outside the tent.

"Rivert, are you inside?"

"Knight Commander Heinzel? What is it...?"

"I'm coming in."

Heinzel, who came to the tent, handed a letter to Rivert right away.

"Can you take a look at this letter?"

Rivert took the letter Heinzel handed him. It was a letter with the royal seal.

"This is...?"

"It's a letter from the Fourth Princess."

"Why would the princess...?"

"Open it and see."

Rivert nodded and opened the letter. Inside was a single sheet of paper.

"This is... Academic, isn't it?"

"The princess sent a letter saying that someone has solved the first problem. This is the solution."

Rivert knew the first problem of Academic well. It was a problem about Skeval's circuit, a problem he had set out of hope.

"...Someone solved it?"

"According to the princess, yes. However, she asked me to look at it objectively. It seems she's not entirely sure."

"Hmm..."

Rivert had a skeptical look on his face.

The Fourth Princess Ayla, a child beloved by the stars, was known to have a talent for magic.

However, interpreting circuits is a different domain from talent.

Interpreting circuits doesn't improve without memorizing countless theories and gaining extensive practical experience.

'That person hasn't learned about circuits.'

Why would she send such a letter without any basis?

Since the ancient lich Skeval appeared on the battlefield, no one except one person has been able to solve this difficult problem. It wouldn't be so easy to solve it.

"I understand your skepticism. Still, can you check it out?"

"...Alright."

Rivert reluctantly checked the letter.

The letter didn't even mention the name of the person who solved the problem. The handwriting was also messy, almost twisted.

- Skeval's circuit is a form where the core circuit of the spell is engraved among hundreds of false circuits.

Who doesn't know that?

To reach the core, you have to remove each of the hundreds of circuits, making Skeval's circuit complex.

- This is also why the mages on the front lines are struggling. The hundreds of circuits are organically connected. Like gears, the circuits are interlocked, making them twice as difficult to dismantle.

Rivert, who didn't find it particularly interesting, frowned as he continued reading the solution.

- This is a solution that takes this point into account.

- There's no need to dismantle each of the hundreds of circuits.

...No need to dismantle the circuits?

- The circuits are connected. They interlock like gears. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage.

- A crack in one circuit spreads to the hundreds of interlocked circuits. There's no need to dismantle each of the hundreds of circuits.

- Instead of dismantling, destroy the circuits.

Rivert narrowed his eyes.

- Process the mana.

- Sharpen it, giving it properties similar to the 'mana eater' poison that spreads through the veins.

- Send this mana into the circuit.

- Like spreading poison.

His pupils trembled.

- Think of Skeval's barrier as a pond.

- In this case, the core circuit of the barrier is like a fish living deep in the pond.

- Most mages dismantle the circuits, draining the pond to expose the bottom and hunt the fish.

- There's nothing more inefficient. It's only natural that it takes a long time.

"..."

- Why drain the pond? There's no need to do so.

- Poison the pond.

- By poisoning the pond, the fish will reveal itself on the surface.

Rivert was so engrossed in the solution that he forgot to breathe. The words seemed to come alive before his eyes.

'What is this...?'

This is a method he had never thought of.

A method he had never considered was there.

- Below is the method of using mana.

Below that, it was meticulously recorded how to transform the mana and how to handle the transformed mana.

"..."

Rivert silently folded the letter.

Then he looked up at Heinzel.

"Knight Commander Heinzel."

"Why, Rivert?"

"Who is the solver of this problem?"

"The princess said it's an unknown person. Is there a problem?"

There wasn't a problem, but there were only problems.

"This is... unusual."

"Unusual?"

"How do I explain this...?"

The history of magic is long.

Among the most developed things in that long history are spell circuits and their interpretation.

The rules built over thousands of years.

The systematic formulas to unravel those rules.

Therefore, for today