Chapter 57

The Marquess Family's Magic Genius - Chapter 57 (57/324)

57

Heltton Emilton.

His mood, as he was responsible for the preliminary judging of the flashy individuals, was not in the best state.

'I'm tired.'

There was never enough time to hone one's magic.

However, if he were not in this position, he could not imagine what kind of tyranny the people who came for the preliminary judging would unleash if they were eliminated.

After all, only those who could make a loud noise to even the most minor vassals were gathered here.

When such self-important people gather in one place, it can be quite exhausting.

This was the reason why he, the next head of the Duke's family, was in this position.

'Their levels are mostly mediocre.'

The people he was judging could all be considered the offspring of prestigious families, but in reality, their levels were not that high.

'Ordinary mages would be better, to be honest.'

Of course, with the ample support from their families, their circles were generally at a higher level for their age.

The problem was that it was not a level they had achieved through their own abilities.

Perhaps one in ten had seriously studied magic and reached their level through their own abilities.

'The rest are just mediocrities.'

Reaching a high level quickly with family support was not inherently bad.

If they had the talent to rise quickly with that support, it would be fine.

However.

To Heltton, it was far from the case.

Except for a few, it was clear.

The tedious judging process.

Until Kyle Seltarion, who had the number 11, entered, Heltton's mood remained the same.

'1st Circle, right?'

A mage born from a prestigious swordsmanship family.

A unique individual.

He had to admit that Kyle had potential for overcoming Hermem.

However, that did not mean Heltton felt any real expectation.

Even experienced mid-level mages often failed to pass the preliminary stage when they participated in the theoretical field.

Inventing new elements in magic was that difficult.

Let alone someone who had only been a mage for a short time.

It was obvious that he had visited the Duke's family to gain experience.

It was only natural that Heltton began to look at Kyle with a bored expression.

After a few questions.

Kyle Seltarion.

The moment he cast his magic.

Starting from the vassals around him, even Heltton's face slowly stiffened.

'...Fire?'

It was definitely Fire.

There was no doubt about it.

If another mage had cast this spell, he would have shown them the bitter taste of elimination without hesitation.

However, this was too peculiar to be the magic he knew.

The heat, which was excessively intense for a 1st Circle spell.

Moreover, the casting speed was significantly shortened compared to ordinary magic.

Kyle Seltarion.

If this boy were a high-level mage, he could use low-circle spells in such a manner.

However, the youngest son of the Marquess family, who had only been a mage for three months, was standing right in front of him.

He had only recently overcome Hermem.

Becoming a high-level mage was impossible, even if he were to die and wake up.

'Then how? Could it be... he really invented a new magic activation method?'

Heltton could not contain his curiosity.

It seemed the vassals felt the same way, as questions began to pour in.

* * *

Curious gazes began to focus on me.

Given that the mages sitting here to judge were quite skilled, they would have immediately noticed that my magic was different.

Even Heltton, a 4th Circle mage, had the same expression.

Questions began to pour in.

"Is it really the Fire spell?"

"Yes."

"But how did you achieve such heat...?"

"How did you shorten the casting speed to that extent?"

"Is it really a new magic activation method?"

Out of the five mages standing in front of me, four of them, excluding Heltton, were bombarding me with questions.

Then.

"Enough."

Heltton, sitting in the highest seat, spoke softly.

With just those words, the judging hall fell into silence. As the next head of the Duke's family, he was a man of immense power.

Heltton looked at me and said,

"I'll ask on behalf of everyone. Kyle. Is it really a new activation method for the Fire spell?"

"Yes, it is."

"How much mana does it consume? Given the power, the consumption should be high."

Unlike the vassals who were making a fuss over the power and casting speed, Heltton's question cut to the core.

No matter how good the performance, if the mana consumption was too high to handle,

'It would be useless.'

It was the same as saying that a new and fresh method alone would not be enough to pass the preliminary stage.

The most important thing was efficiency.

My hybrid activation method was a magic activation method that could be described as the most efficient.

"The mana consumption is about 1.5 times that of ordinary magic."

"...1.5 times?"

Heltton's face quickly stiffened at those words.

After a moment,

"...Just?"

He seemed to have barely regained his composure and asked again.

"Yes."

"Is the power at least twice as much?"

"Yes."

As Kyle and Heltton conversed, the vassals around them began to murmur.

They were experienced mages and would have quickly grasped the essence of the conversation.

"What...?"

"Considering the fast casting speed..."

As the vassals murmured,

Heltton stared at me intently.

"About the magic activation method."

"Yes."

"Can ordinary mages use it?"

Versatility.

One of the most important factors in the magic formula field, after efficiency. No matter how brilliant a magic was, if only the creator could use it, it would be useless.

Why is versatility important?

The reason is simple.

A significant number of the magics that advance to the main stage of this competition are eventually made public to other mages.

To put it another way,

They are used for public benefit.

This is one of the reasons why the magic competition has a great reputation.

Every time the competition is held, dozens of new magic formulas are made public.

It is a competition that all mages can enthusiastically cheer for.

After the Duke's family verifies the stability and versatility,

The magic that passes the rigorous evaluation process is made into a magic book and distributed.

One might wonder if it is frustrating for those who only pass the preliminary stage and do not advance to the main stage.

'On the contrary, it is beneficial.'

Not only do they receive a portion of the profits every time the magic book is sold, but the creator's name is also listed in the book, enhancing their reputation.

A magic book guaranteed by a prestigious magic family.

This is one of the magic books that sells like hotcakes every two years.

'Mine will be included too.'

From those who pass the preliminary stage to those who win the main stage.

The participants in the magic formula field must make their magic public, which is why the prizes are much larger compared to other competitions.

If the prizes were not significant, there would be no reason to participate.

In any case, my magic could be used by anyone.

As long as they practiced properly.

"Yes. When moving mana, just pay attention to a few things."

"Range?"

"About twice as far as an ordinary Fire spell. If you put in enough mana, it can go even further."

"...Impressive. You said you were a 1st Circle mage, right?"

"Yes."

Heltton laughed in disbelief at my answer.

"Do you have a document describing the activation method?"

"Yes."

It was common sense to prepare such a document, so I had naturally brought a document describing the Fire spell's activation method.

Nodding, Heltton said,

"Then leave it here. The results of the preliminary stage will be announced in three days."

"Alright."

Three days would be the time needed to review the magic that showed good performance in the preliminary stage.

"Oh, and the magic of those who pass the preliminary stage may be included in the magic book published by the Duke's family after verification. Do you agree to this?"

"Yes, I agree."

If I did not agree, I would not pass the preliminary stage, so I had to agree.

Heltton, who had been staring at me, said,

"You have a confident look. I expect you to perform well in the main stage. However... even if everything you say is true, winning with just this Fire spell will be difficult. Placing in the top ranks is possible, though."

That would be the case.

No matter how outstanding the effect, it was still a 1st Circle spell.

But what if there were several?

The story would be different.

I smiled, seeing the look in his eyes.

"It might not be just one."

At my words, the vassals and Heltton's eyes began to stiffen.

They must have immediately understood the meaning of my words.

"Really?"

"You'll see in the main stage."

There was no rule that I had to use only the magic I revealed in the preliminary stage. The preliminary stage was only to confirm if the magic met the minimum standards.

In reality, it was common for participants to reveal an appropriate magic in the preliminary stage and then reveal their true prepared magic in the main stage.

If the participants had not prepared a proper magic, their own magic might not place.

In such a case, they would end up revealing only their own magic, so those who aimed for a place rather than money and fame often did this.

I planned to do the same.

Depending on the participants who passed the preliminary stage, I would decide how many magics to reveal.

I planned to reveal just enough to win.

I intended to gradually reveal the hybrid activation method, extracting every last drop of honey for the best results.

"Then I'll leave now."

I left the tent, feeling the hot gazes on my back.

Leonhardt, who had followed me, asked,

"Master. How did it go?"

"Only the verification of the activation method is left. They said the results will be announced in three days."

"I see."

In fact, at this point, it was almost certain that I would pass.

Seeing the expressionless face of my bodyguard,

He seemed to be confident that I would pass.

After all,

Having seen my magic so many times, it would be strange to think I would fail at the preliminary stage.

Thus, Kyle and Leonhardt began to move back to the room.

Since the preliminary stage would take a long time to finish,

'I should practice in the meantime.'

And while at it, it would be good to take a look around the Duke's family.

* * *

Three days.

The time it took to select the core participants from the gathered mages.

The announcement of the preliminary stage results, posted in various places in the training ground.

Mages were either cheering or leaving the Duke's family with gloomy faces.

<Passing List for the Preliminary Stage>

<Theory - Magic Formula Passers>

<Total 20>

1. Caron Milton - Combination of Ice and Greek magic.

2. ...

3. ...

11. Sinton - A variation of Fire Storm.

12. Kyle Seltarion - A variation of the Fire spell.

...

'Twenty in total.'

Out of the many mages, only twenty passed the preliminary stage in the magic formula field.

They had to have high versatility, safety, and some superiority over known magic, or at least show some potential to pass.

Not many mages had surpassed the rigorous verification process.

As I began to look at the names on the list,

'Sure enough.'

I could see that the magic competition was unfolding almost exactly as I knew it would.

The magic competition held every two years.

To my knowledge, no one had brought a particularly outstanding magic formula to this competition.

If there was anyone, it would be

'Sinton, perhaps.'

Fire Storm, a 4th Circle magic.

The one who brought a more efficient variation of this magic was Sinton.

I knew this mage.

He was the winner of the magic formula field in this competition. Even if I couldn't remember all the participants, I remembered the winner.

There were no variables.

With this,

'Five should be enough to dominate the main stage starting tomorrow.'

The main stage, which would begin tomorrow.

I planned to reveal just five, as I initially thought, to secure the win.