Chapter 35

Chapter 35 (35/324)

35

Was it because I had been away for half a month?

When I saw Trasden, it felt like I had returned home.

‘Everything is the same here.’

After touring Enphelium, I could clearly feel how powerful the Viscount’s family was.

From the size of the territory to the large buildings scattered everywhere.

Trasden.

This was a fief that was so well-developed that it was almost embarrassing to compare it to Enphelium.

Perhaps only one of the three Dukes in the empire or the capital where the royal palace is located could surpass the Viscount’s family.

The magic carriage stopped in front of the annex.

After entering, I immediately plopped down on the bed in my room.

‘Phew,’

Indeed, my room is the best.

Using my Inner Sight to look inside my body, I saw a barrier blocking the top of my head.

Perhaps because I had been trying to break through this place for the past half a month, the hole in the barrier had widened considerably.

‘About 70% through, I guess?’

I need to keep working on it today.

I moved the mana that had matured inside the circle for a full day and hit the barrier.

Bang!

With a refreshing sound, the hole widened further. Despite the passage becoming wider, the mana still couldn't pass through it.

It seemed that the mana could only pass through once the barrier was completely broken.

I smacked my lips, recalling the vivid accounts in the books written by experienced mages.

“...What a pity.”

It was written that when you send mana to your head, your brain becomes even more sharp.

I would like to experience that feeling too.

Unfortunately, the part of the barrier blocking the center of my head means I can't spread mana to my head until I break through it.

‘If I can break through this spot...’

Then I will be able to experience that sharp feeling.

I think it will take about a week more.

‘I can deal with this later.’

It’s fine to break the barrier slowly.

Right now, the more important thing is to achieve the 2nd Circle.

The last time I took the elixir, I didn't try because the circle wasn't well-formed.

But now, after some time has passed, the circle in my heart is well-formed.

This is a speed that a typical mage could only dream of.

Usually, a 1st Circle mage would take about two years to prepare for the 2nd Circle.

But I had completed all the necessary preparations to challenge the 2nd Circle in less than two months after creating the 1st Circle.

The body remembers.

Thanks to the explanation from Inner Sight, mastering 1st Circle magic wasn't particularly difficult.

Moreover, thanks to the mana construct, the circle hardened at a speed incomparable to a typical mage.

Iris.

That brat, after learning magic.

‘It took her four months to advance to the 2nd Circle, right?’

Four months is a short time, but two months is even shorter.

This is the difference in talent.

Anyway, to advance the circle, a considerable amount of mana is needed.

Each time a circle is added, mana is used to form its shape.

To gather this mana, a lot of time and effort are required, so wealthy noble children usually use special items like elixirs or inner cores.

Of course, as one of the wealthy noble children, I also plan to gather the mana needed for circle formation.

However, the method I intend to use is quite special.

Mana stones.

I plan to use them to gather mana.

While elixirs and inner cores are the best,

If I asked for them to create a 2nd Circle, I might get a slap.

‘They are usually used from the 4th Circle onwards.’

To use them just to achieve the 2nd Circle, one would need to be the crown prince of the empire, not just the youngest son of a Viscount.

So, the alternative I chose was mana stones.

Mana stones are typically found in mines or as byproducts of monsters.

They contain mana and are used in various magical tools.

For example, the magic carriage I rode in and the magical lamps illuminating the annex.

‘It wasn't always like this.’

Mana stones are divided into five grades: lowest, low, medium, high, and highest.

Higher-grade mana stones contain pure mana that rivals even elixirs and are easier to obtain than elixirs.

Naturally, many mages tried to research how to use the mana from mana stones.

If they could use it, advancing circles would become much easier.

However, all attempts failed.

They couldn't solve the side effects of introducing mana from mana stones into the body.

These side effects, which could damage the body's mana circuits and weaken the circle, were a challenge even for Archmages.

As a result, research on mana stones has been suspended for decades.

To determine if it works, one would need to introduce the mana from mana stones into the body.

‘That could lead to death or disability.’

Many researchers died, leading to a culture where no one even attempts such research.

Mana stones should only be used in tools.

This is the current consensus and conclusion about mana stones on the continent.

But that's just the common knowledge of the continent.

My knowledge, tainted by the game, is different.

‘It can be used.’

Mana stones.

By using a special magic array to absorb the mana inside, it can be used without any side effects.

The Ancient Empire.

A nation that existed in the central continent long ago.

During the game, I completed a quest related to the remnants of the Ancient Empire.

Four months.

That was the time it took to clear the quest.

The reward was a blueprint of a magic array that could purify the mana from mana stones for safe use in the body.

‘A forgotten ancient knowledge, perhaps.’

The name was something like that.

Naturally, I had a lot of fun with it.

Whenever I chose the mage class, if I couldn't get elixirs, I just used mana stones.

I needed low-grade and medium-grade mana stones.

‘Ten low-grade and one medium-grade.’

With this much, I could gather all the mana needed to form a circle.

Mana stones are usually difficult for individuals to obtain, but with the Viscount’s family behind me,

Even if I can't get the highest and high-grade stones, I can definitely get this much.

With the decision made, it was time to get the mana stones.

I immediately left the room and told Leonhardt my destination.

“Let's go to the inner castle's office.”

“Are you going to meet the head of the family?”

“Yeah. I have some business. Oh, and can you bring Ersiel? She needs to come with me.”

The magical materials and high-grade spirit stones I brought last time.

I haven't reported on the results yet. To use the family's power again, I need to show something meaningful.

Give and take.

There's a reason for this saying.

‘An ancient spirit, at least.’

The results would be so impressive that my request would be easily granted.

If the Viscount and I were on bad terms, I would have hidden the spirit.

But Remton has been very friendly to me.

He readily supported the expensive magical materials and subtly mediated when I was criticized for using an ogre's head to insult a baron.

When I left for Enphelium,

‘He even gave me that expensive magic carriage as a means of transportation.’

The youngest son, who used to be a troublemaker, has finally become a proper person, and he is very satisfied with this.

So, it's fine to reveal the spirit.

If I ask him to keep it a secret for a while, he won't refuse.

Thinking of Viscount Remton, I smiled.

Sword Master.

He is just a human weapon.

To defend against the villains' attacks that will start soon, he is the best person for the job.

Therefore, he is one of the people I must bring to my side.

By revealing the ancient spirit, I can also impress him with my ability to recognize talent.

After bringing my personal maid,

I had a brief conversation with her and then started heading to the inner castle's office.

* * * * *

Ersiel.

Her face was quite tense as we started moving to the office.

She looked visibly nervous.

Well,

In the pyramid of the Viscount’s family,

Meeting the person at the top is a natural cause for tension.

Especially since Viscount Remton is someone she rarely sees.

“Are you nervous?”

“Yes, a little. It's my first time meeting the head of the family...”

“Don't worry too much. We just need to have a simple conversation about the spirit you can summon. Remember the materials we used when you summoned the spirit last time?”

“Yes.”

“Actually, I got those from my father. They are quite expensive, so I need to show some results. That's why I'm bringing you along, so there's no need to be nervous.”

“I'll do my best.”

“Good.”

That's enough.

With the Cold-Blooded trait, she will likely calm down quickly.

After parting ways with Leonhardt,

Ersiel and I arrived at the Viscount’s office.

“Father, it's Kyle. Can we come in?”

-Yes.

We then met the Viscount.

The maid, who met the Viscount’s eyes, quickly bowed. Remton nodded and looked at me.

“I heard you went to Enphelium. Did you see everything you wanted to see?”

“Yes, it was indeed a beautiful city.”

“Good. It's one of the more famous cities in the east.”

“Yes, the count treated me very well, and I spent the day without noticing the time.”

“Is that so?”

My calm response made the Viscount’s eyes light up.

He must be curious if I'm just saying this or if it's true, given my reputation as a troublemaker.

Remton then spoke.

“Has your reputation already spread that far?”

“It's partly that, but I also agreed to teach magic to the young lady. That might be the main reason.”

Since the brat will visit me every month, it's better to mention it first.

My words piqued the Viscount’s curiosity.

“Iris... I heard she's quite a handful.”

The youngest daughter of the Neron Count.

It seems Remton knows about her reputation.

Well,

She is quite famous, so it would be strange if he didn't.

A troublemaker with no brakes.

That's the reputation she has in the surrounding fiefs of Enphelium.

“It wasn't just a rumor.”

“You must have experienced it firsthand.”

“As soon as we met, she asked about my circle. When I said I was 1st Circle, her expression changed. After that, it was just as the rumors said.”

“Probably. I heard she reacts strongly to anything related to magic. Your first meeting didn't go well, but you agreed to teach her magic?”

“Well, we ended up having a magic duel, and the young lady was quite impressed by my magic.”

Magic duel.

The moment I mentioned it,

Remton smiled, finding it amusing.

“So, did you win?”

“Of course.”