Chapter 61

Chapter 62 (61/324)

62

The moment the winner of the main competition was announced, the participants began to nod one by one. The announcement seemed so convincing that no one could refute the results. Soon, Helton unfolded a piece of paper and began to speak.

"Kail Seltarion. The five spells he presented in the main competition of this magic formula contest were so outstanding in performance that they were beyond reproach, and they had no side effects..."

After a while of praising my spells, he continued.

"...All these matters have been personally verified and guaranteed by His Excellency the Duke. The winner of this competition will receive one hundred platinum coins, one artifact, and the right to become the head of a magic tower. Next, I will announce the runners-up..."

The names of those who placed in the top five were then read out. Since the top five were awarded prizes, their names could be announced in various official documents and media.

Was that why?

As each name was called, the participants' emotions began to fluctuate. Most of the participants had at least hoped to place, even if they didn't expect to win.

There was a significant difference between placing and not placing.

After the five winners were decided,

"Those whose names were called, please come to the stage."

At Helton's words, four participants, including me, began to step forward. The person waiting there was Duke Meleos.

"Congratulations on your victory."

"Thank you."

The Duke, who handed me the gold medal symbolizing the winner of the theoretical competition, smiled at me.

"Although the prizes are a bit meager except for the right to become the head of a magic tower, don't be too disappointed. If the spells you announced are published as books, you can earn 20% of the profits. And the increase in your reputation is an added bonus."

One hundred platinum coins.

And one artifact.

While the prizes for the winner of the largest magic competition on the continent were quite meager, it didn't matter to me.

I hadn't participated in the competition for such miscellaneous rewards.

The most important thing was the right to build a magic tower.

The Duke, who had been looking at me, handed me a high-quality, dark seal and then shouted loudly, looking around.

"Kail Seltarion! As a reward for winning the magic formula competition, from this moment on, he will be granted the right to build a magic tower! This is one of the sacred agreements between the royal family of the Alton Empire and our Emlton family, and I, Meleos Emlton, the chairman of the 'Western Magic Tower Association,' guarantee this right!"

The Western Magic Tower Association.

It was one of the largest organizations where all the magic towers in the western part of the empire interacted.

Meleos Emlton.

A 7th Circle Great Mage, he was a giant who served as the chairman of this magic tower association.

The moment the Duke shouted loudly,

"Wow!"

The Duke's retainers and the participants began to applaud.

Amidst the thunderous applause, I bowed to the Duke.

"Thank you."

"It's just a deserved reward. Take it."

The Duke then handed me a magic pouch.

Clang!

The sound of platinum coins clinking together was heard.

One hundred platinum coins.

This amount would be a significant help in creating the artifact in Seron.

While it wouldn't cover all the costs due to the expensive materials required,

'I can somehow find the rest of the money.'

After awarding the prize money, the Duke handed me a ring.

I used my Insight to check the information on the ring.

'It's roughly a Rare grade.'

Phronel.

One of the plant-type monsters that lived in the central continent.

Occasionally, when you killed a Phronel, you could find a gem inside its body.

The gem had a property that allowed mana to flow well, making it one of the materials used in artifact creation.

It was likely a ring made using this gem.

'Not bad.'

Typically, ring, necklace, and earring-type artifacts were treated more preciously than regular artifacts.

Not only were they small, making it difficult to infuse the magic circuits required for artifact creation, but they also required a significant amount of hard-to-obtain materials like gems and mana stones.

'First, this is a crafted artifact.'

Artifacts.

There were generally two types.

First, there were completed artifacts that could be obtained from special places like dungeons and ancient ruins, and second, there were crafted artifacts made by humans on the continent.

The more valuable ones were the former.

Common, Magic, Rare, Unique, Legendary, Epic, and God.

These were the seven grades by which users distinguished artifacts in the game.

For crafted artifacts,

'Even if you do your best, the limit is probably Legendary.'

Even the most skilled artisans on the continent, with the best materials, could only reach that level.

It was impossible to achieve anything higher with the current level of the continent.

In the past, during the time of the ancient empire, they could create Epic-grade artifacts easily.

'After the fall of the ancient empire, it became impossible.'

The ancient empire.

The most massive and splendid nation that once stood in the central continent disappeared in an instant, leading to a dark age for the humans in the central continent.

It wasn't until a few hundred years ago that new nations, including the Alton Empire, began to emerge in the central continent.

Although the ancient empire had fallen, its remnants still existed in places like ruins and dungeons.

That's why explorers searched these places with great enthusiasm.

If they could find remnants of the ancient empire or artifacts, they could earn a fortune that could change their lives.

Fantasy Defense.

I had spent ten years in this game, learning many crafting methods.

Four methods for creating God-grade artifacts.

And forty methods for creating Epic-grade artifacts.

These were the results of my ten years of experience.

Unfortunately, I had only the methods for the God-grade artifacts and couldn't obtain the materials, so I had never actually used them.

'If I had an Epic-grade artifact, it would be a smooth road.'

I couldn't help but lick my lips.

I wanted to create them, but it was impossible for now.

The materials required were extremely rare in the central continent.

Even a Rare-grade artifact was hard to come by, let alone a Unique one.

I was satisfied with the ring the Duke gave me. It would be a great help in the early stages.

The mana recovery speed was a sweet option, but the best part was the phrase that allowed me to activate an Aqua Shield once a week.

Aqua Shield.

One of the 2nd Circle spells.

It was a defensive spell that created a thick wall of water, capable of easily blocking various cold weapons.

The speed of the weapon would be significantly reduced as it tried to penetrate the water shield.

Swinging a sword underwater was twice as difficult, wasn't it?

You could think of it as a defensive spell with similar characteristics.

The magic embedded in the artifact required no mana and could be activated instantly without casting time.

It was like having an extra life.

The black seal symbolizing the right to become a magic tower head and the golden seal proving my victory in the magic formula competition were now hanging on my chest.

With the two seals and the Phronel gem ring on my finger, I felt more secure.

It felt almost five times better than getting a good item in the game.

This was reality, where I could easily lose my life.

The Duke then handed the prizes to the other four winners.

After the award ceremony,

Helton approached the participants and said quietly,

"There will be a banquet tonight. I hope everyone here can attend. The members of the Emlton family and the wizards who performed well in the practical competition will also be present."

A banquet.

I wanted to go back, but

'If I refuse, it might be seen as a challenge to the Duke.'

It was hard to turn down.

There was no good reason to refuse.

Helton, who was asking each of the finalists if they would attend, came to me.

"Of course, you'll attend the banquet tonight and grace the occasion, right?"

His eyes suggested he wasn't even considering a refusal.

Well,

If the winner left immediately, the atmosphere at the banquet would surely be dampened.

If I were a noble with some sense, I wouldn't refuse.

That's why social life is tiring.

Of course, I gave a very positive response, despite my true feelings.

"Yes, of course."

"Good. Oh, and one more thing."

"Please go on."

"An hour from now, will you be available?"

"Yes."

"Good. My father wants to meet you, so please come. I'll send someone to fetch you."

"…The Duke himself?"

"Yes."

If the Duke wanted to meet me personally, it seemed my magic had impressed him greatly.

"I understand."

"Rest well."

After the competition ended,

Leonhardt, who had been watching from a distance, approached me.

"Congratulations on your victory, young master."

"It was expected. What's the big deal?"

"…Lately, you seem different, young master."

"Why? Because you're so different from before?"

"That's part of it, but not entirely. Isn't life something without a definite answer? There might be actions that are closer to the right answer, but..."

"That's true."

"However, when I see you act... it feels like you know the right answer and move without any hesitation."

"Really?"

"That's how it seems to me. For about two months since you overcame Hermes, you've shown no hesitation."

No hesitation.

It was a fitting description.

Of course, it wasn't that I deliberately acted that way, but rather that the lack of time left no room for hesitation.

"Isn't that a good thing? Better than wavering, and the results have all been good, haven't they?"

"Is building a magic tower after becoming independent from the viscount's family your goal, young master?"

I chuckled at his words.

Magic training.

Buying grain from the viscount's family.

Maintaining a good relationship with Abel.

Participating in this theoretical competition.

From these, one might conclude that my goal was to build a magic tower.

But,

Building a magic tower was just a stepping stone for the future. It was just a means to an end for me.

It was a step towards preventing the continent's destruction. I still had a mountain of tasks to accomplish.

"Well, for now, that's it."

Leonhardt, who had been looking at me quietly, nodded.

"…I understand."

After our conversation,

I was resting in the assigned room when one of the retainers came to my room.

The matter was simple.

The Duke wanted to see me.

What did he want to talk about?

Given his character, he might be proposing a deal.

Whatever it was, it would likely be a beneficial conversation.

After all, the one who was eager was the Duke, who was deeply immersed in the study of magic.

Following the retainer's guidance, I entered the Duke's office.

"Sit down. I have something important to discuss."

Meleos, who smiled slightly at me, offered me a seat.