Chapter 65

The book that Levan recommended was about the history of magical formulas for barriers and a compilation of his research materials. The formation of protective magic and the prediction of reverse-engineered formulas based on it were very intriguing.

Thanks to the carefully selected and accurate materials, Viela's understanding progressed well. It seemed that her review of the magical formulas for barriers for the expedition also contributed to her progress. In just three days, she had reached a level where she felt confident that she could bestow a barrier herself.

She practiced bestowing temporary protective magic on the specially processed parchment often used for magic bestowal exercises and had a good grasp of how to remove it with repeated practice.

However, Viela hesitated to report her progress to Levan.

"Sir Levan, has there been any word from the palace about when I will be picked up?"

"Not yet. I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything."

On the fifth day of her abduction and the fourth day of her protection, when she asked the same question in his office, the answer was the same as yesterday.

(I am a noble, albeit a low-ranking one, and a palace mage. Even if something happened at the palace, they should at least give an estimate of the delay or some communication. Or is it an incident so serious that they can't send out a divine beast rider or a knight for protection? But Sir Levan doesn't seem worried about the palace.)

Levan's attitude towards Viela was very polite, and he made sure she was comfortable.

However, there was always an indescribable sense of unease that lingered.

Despite the trouble of taking care of a kidnapping victim, he sometimes spoke as if he welcomed the extension of her stay.

If he only valued her as a research assistant, that would be fine...

"By the way, Sir Levan, can I borrow the newspaper?"

If something serious had happened at the palace, it wouldn't be surprising if some information had leaked out.

Thinking this, she asked, but Levan smiled apologetically.

"Actually, after reading the morning paper, I cut out the articles I was interested in and threw the rest away. I'll make sure to prepare a copy for you from tomorrow."

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

"By the way, how is your understanding of the copper plate's magical formula? As a former palace mage and someone who managed to解除 the layered summoning magic formula during the expedition, I imagine you should be able to bestow it by now."

"...Yes. I think I can bestow it with practice."

As a former team leader of the Barrier Division, he was well-versed in the learning levels of palace mages.

Feeling a mysterious sense of crisis that she shouldn't hide, Viela answered honestly.

"Indeed. How about it? Do you have a sense of how to解除 it?"

Levan's eyes sparkled, and he wore a satisfied expression. But his gaze was sharp, as if probing her thoughts. She felt like a mouse being stared down by a snake.

Her intuition told her not to answer honestly, but a warning in the back of her mind also told her that lying would be dangerous.

"Sir Viela?"

"I've just understood the formula, so I'm not sure yet. I'll try to expand my imagination towards解除 it. Since it's a formula outside my specialty, I need more time."

She conveyed this modestly, lowering her eyebrows to appear as if she were struggling.

After a few seconds of eye contact, Levan looked away. He took a bundle of parchment from a drawer and handed it to Viela. It was specially processed for practice, dyed black to make the magical formulas, which appeared as glowing letters, easier to read.

"Please use it. I'll come back to check later."

"Understood. Excuse me."

Viela left the office and entered the research room, staring at the parchment.

(What is this... This isn't part of Sir Levan's research, but it feels like a task assigned by a teacher or a quota set by a superior. The pressure to achieve it is definitely not just my imagination.)

A cold sweat trickled down her spine.

Viela was aware that she was generally insensitive to things, but having a bad feeling was a sign of something seriously wrong.

She glanced out the window. To prevent her from being targeted again as a kidnapping victim, the patrol team had increased their personnel, and some were stationed at the back of the mansion. She hadn't been informed of the interrogation results of the kidnappers they had caught. Without knowing the motive, she couldn't tell if they were confessing honestly or remaining silent.

While there might be reasons for withholding information, such as considering the victim's feelings or linking it to other cases, the feeling of being restricted was stronger.

(Sir Levan might have a reason to keep me here. What is this copper plate's magical formula...?)

She had been told it was a hundred-year-old barrier formula, but it was the 'best formula' that surpassed current barriers. Even Viela, who was not being conceited, didn't think any other palace mage could解除 it alone, given its level of protection.

In fact, even the former team leader of the Barrier Division admitted they couldn't解除 it.

The existence of such an incredible formula a hundred years ago was surprising, and it seemed unnatural to abandon such an impenetrable barrier for a modern, inferior version.

(I would focus on improving the level of解除 specialists rather than switching to an inferior version. After a hundred years, someone must have already discovered the reverse-engineered formula. Could the old barrier stone formula be a lie from Sir Levan...?)

Viela read the copper plate's magical formula again carefully. The protective magics were intentionally layered, and only someone who could bestow reverse-engineered magic simultaneously could解除 it. Viela's technique involved simultaneously解除 the overlapping barrier and summoning magic formulas.

In other words, the copper plate's formula was designed for two mages to forcibly解除 it, ignoring the material's durability.

The barrier's effect, its perfect structure surpassing modern technology, its wide range, and the impossible level of解除 for a single person—there was one formula that came to mind.

"The Great Barrier Formula..."

Viela stared at the copper plate and swallowed hard.