Chapter 37

Chapter 37 (37/324)

"Want to get a mana stone?"

"Yes."

"Do you have any magical device that uses a mana stone?"

"No, I don't. I just want to conduct a few experiments with the mana stone."

At these words, the viscount's eyes filled with concern.

"If you're trying to process the mana to fit the human body, stop it. Many mages have failed at that."

"Oh, I'm not experimenting in that area, so there's no need to worry. I have no intention of using my body for experiments. I might end up a cripple, after all."

"Then that's a relief."

I shouldn't have mentioned using the mana stone's mana to advance my circle, or he might have looked at me like I was crazy. There was no need to bring it up.

Moreover,

'This is something I need to keep to myself.'

Many mages have failed at this.

If word got out that I used the mana stone's mana to advance my circle, regardless of whether I was at the 1st or 2nd circle, it would be a 100% certainty that various organizations, starting with the royal family, would come after me. It would be incredibly easy to mass-produce mages if they found out the method.

This is information with a completely different level of impact. Of course, in my current situation where I lack the strength to protect it, it's one of the things that absolutely cannot be leaked.

"I can't give you the highest or high-grade ones."

The viscount, looking at me, stated firmly.

I didn't really want those anyway, so it didn't matter.

"Ten low-grade and one mid-grade would be enough. That should be fine, right?"

Low-grade ones are used in general magical devices, so they're not very expensive.

The mid-grade one is the only valuable one. So, they are items that can be given without much burden.

In fact, noble families can easily obtain mana stones, even if individuals find it difficult.

Especially powerful families like the viscount's.

"Alright, I'll give you that much."

Perhaps because I showed clear results with the materials I previously obtained, the viscount readily agreed with my request.

"By the way, do you know what kind of experiments you want to conduct?"

"I plan to study the internal mana flow of the mana stone. I'm not sure what the results will be, but I feel that this research will deepen my magical knowledge."

"Alright, I understand."

When I mentioned a plausible topic, he nodded. Last time, I took a considerable amount of materials, so I needed to show results. But this time, the total cost of the materials I'm taking is less than 500 gold, so there's much less pressure.

If things go well, I can say that I achieved enlightenment after advancing to the 2nd circle due to this research. That would also be a form of achievement, wouldn't it?

After obtaining the mana stones,

I and my companions started moving back to the annex after leaving the inner castle.

On the way to the annex, Leonhardt spoke up.

"Master."

"What is it?"

"I have something to say."

"What is it?"

The boy, looking at me, continued.

"Quite some time has passed since you changed, and your reputation has improved significantly due to the ogre hunt, hasn't it?"

"That's true."

"If you wish, you can leave the annex without any issues. The head of the family would likely allow it. Isn't it time to leave the annex?"

Ah, that's what it was about?

Actually, Leonhardt is right.

Although it's called an annex, it's almost like a place of exile.

It's a corner of the family, so it's a natural situation.

People don't try to live near powerful individuals for no reason.

Still,

"It's fine for now. I don't particularly want to leave this place."

For now, living in the annex is better.

The fact that it's in a corner

is actually good for hiding my behavior.

I still have a lot to hide.

If I move to the inner castle, I'll naturally be seen by more people, so there's no need to leave now.

Just the process of extracting mana from the mana stone would be problematic if seen by others.

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. For now, I'll just stay here. I can leave later if I want to."

"Understood."

After having this conversation, we arrived at the annex.

After quickly preparing for our outing, I moved toward the magic tower with Leonhardt.

"Is there anyone following us?"

"It doesn't seem so."

We then entered a deserted alley.

We were about to put on robes to keep the matter of the mana stones as secret as possible.

If the materials I buy at the magic tower or my face were revealed, it would be problematic.

After both of us put on our robes, we moved toward the magic tower.

There were no restrictions on entry.

It's common for customers of the magic tower to hide their identities with robes or masks. After buying some catalysts to activate the magic array and a mana cutter to process the mana stones,

we returned to the alley, took off our robes, and after circling the territory, I finally entered my room.

This way, it would be quite difficult for anyone to figure out that I visited the magic tower.

If I had been followed, it would be a different story, but that wasn't the case.

'Well,'

I'm not yet a significant enough person to be followed.

Besides, the only person who could follow me would be Adolph.

Fortunately, Adolph's lackeys don't seem to be making any unusual moves.

After asking Leonhardt to guard the door, I immediately picked up the mana cutter.

The mana cutter.

One of the common tools used to process mana stones.

The first task is to engrave patterns on the mana stone to allow the mana to flow out drop by drop.

As I infused my mana into the mana cutter, a blue light of mana flowed from the tip, like a small dagger.

The moment I used the cutter to slice the surface of the mana stone,

Zzzz...

There was some resistance, and the cutter was blocked on the surface.

Should I infuse more mana?

After pumping more mana from my circle, the cutter finally began to penetrate the surface.

By giving these cuts, the mana can flow out more quickly when the magic array is activated.

After making cuts in the low-grade mana stones, I engraved a complex circuit-like pattern on the remaining mid-grade mana stone.

This mana stone had a specific role to play.

Next, I melted the catalysts using a magic tool.

With the basic preparations complete, it's time to

'Just create the magic array.'

Forgotten ancient knowledge.

It seemed that creating the magic array in this way would be sufficient.

'There were four in total.'

The shape of the magic array varied depending on the quantity and quality of the mana stones. The magic array was differentiated based on the amount of mana needed to achieve the 2nd to 5th circles.

The magic array I need now is the 2nd circle magic array, so the shape is not difficult.

Drawing a star in the center and a circle around the star's points is all it takes.

The process of figuring out the shape of the magic array is difficult, but the shape itself is not.

Of course, the drawings become more complex as the circle level increases.

After drawing the shape, I began placing a mana stone at each of the ten points.

I placed low-grade mana stones at the points and a mid-grade mana stone in the center where I would sit.

The mid-grade mana stone will control the mana flowing from the magic array.

Even with just ten low-grade mana stones, if they are left unchecked, they could pose a danger to me, so this is one of the safety measures I prepared in advance.

'This is truly excellent knowledge.'

The ancients must have been considerate people. They even provided detailed instructions on how to create safety measures for the person entering the center of the magic array.

After entering the center of the magic array,

I spread the mana according to the shape of the magic array on the floor and immediately sprinkled the catalysts on the path of the mana.

At that moment,

Whirr!

The magic array activated.

The mana began to seep out from the cut low-grade mana stones and slowly started to flow toward me.

'Good.'

Now I needed to focus.

I immediately activated my inner vision to observe my body and used my right arm to gradually accept the incoming mana.

The blue lumps of mana began to rush toward my circle.

'This should be enough.'

I felt that I had gathered the maximum amount of mana I could control.

So, there was no need to accept more mana.

The saying "too much is as bad as too little" is not without reason.

I subtly released some mana to envelop the surface of the mid-grade mana stone, and the mana approaching me stopped as if it had hit a glass wall.

This magic array is truly the best.

The mana gathered in my heart began to form a shape and started to spin.

To create a new friend.

One revolution.

Two revolutions.

As the mana continued to rotate, it gradually formed a ring-like shape.

The fact that it started to disappear a little was a bonus.

This is why a lot of mana is needed.

During the process of creating a new circle, the mana was continuously consumed.

Even if the mana is not abundant, a circle can be formed, but it would only be a half-formed circle, as the shape and solidity would not be properly established.

Now that the mana is sufficient, I can create a proper circle.

As the shape of the circle formed to about half, the mana in my body began to run low.

I immediately recovered the mana I had sent to the mid-grade mana stone. The blocked mana then naturally flowed toward my body.

I accepted the disoriented mana with my right hand and continued to send it toward my heart.

Thanks to the steady support,

The mana rotating inside the new circle maintained its strength.

It felt good.

If I continued the rotation without missing this moment, I could create a much superior circle in terms of shape and solidity.

Focus.

And focus again.

In this state of complete concentration, I continued to think only about the rotation.

After some time had passed, I opened my eyes, which had been closed.

Seeing my damp head, it seemed I had sweated a lot.

The uncomfortable feeling was brief.

I smiled as I used my inner vision to observe the inside of my body.

"Done."

Less than two months after I started my magical journey with this rascal's body,

Another circle had formed near my heart. This new circle, unlike the first 1st circle I created, had a well-formed shape and solidity.

Indeed,

People need to use the knowledge they have.

The result was more than satisfactory.