Chapter 2 – The First Artifact
#1
The prestigious magic family, Montemer.
The talent of the first family head, who could rival the Guardian with magic, was said to be so immense that it could change the very fabric of the world.
9th Circle.
The supreme realm, like that of a legendary dragon, only spoken of in myths.
Only here, at Montemer, could a 9th Circle magician emerge.
The circle magic created by Montemer boasted extreme stability and a gravitational pull of mana that seemed endless.
A magician who grew stronger just by breathing.
That was Montemer’s [Unique Ability].
“I couldn’t care less about any of that.”
However, for Lawrence, an ordinary Earthling, all of this was nothing more than a bunch of fairy tales.
Confucius said, Mencius said…
Inner energy or whatever they talked about in martial arts novels…
Magic theory held no meaning for Lawrence.
Instead, [Magic Circles, now seldom used] stirred Lawrence’s heart.
Intricate patterns.
Lines that meet and create a sophisticated, beautiful geometry drawn by magicians.
Lawrence was a man who naturally liked things like that.
“Young Master, you’re awake?”
“Good morning, uh…”
“Rachel.”
“Rachel.”
A maid smiling brightly at him.
She was the only maid who worked in this secluded annex at the edge of the estate—no, at the outskirts of the Montemer family’s domain.
She gave him a pitiful look.
‘I remember now. She was the one maid who cared for this useless me.’
She said she had looked after him since he was a baby, so she must have formed an attachment.
When people spend time together, emotions build up, and it becomes difficult to hide them.
“Young Master, how is your body? Can you still not feel mana…?”
“That’s right. I still can’t feel any mana.”
“Then, what will you do about the evaluation tomorrow? Maybe you could just give up and take a portion of the family’s wealth…”
“It’s fine.”
Rachel was startled.
His voice wasn’t weak like before; it was calm and composed.
The pitiful Young Master who used to tremble all the time was now displaying a demeanour befitting the great Montemer magic family.
“Young Master…”
“It’ll be fine somehow. Thanks, Rachel.”
Was this a simple thank you for all she had done, or was it a final farewell, hinting that they might never meet again?
Rachel felt a tinge of unease in her heart at the sudden change in the person she served.
“Where’s the room with unused items?”
“At the very end of the basement. It’s dusty, and it hasn’t been cleaned in a long time, so it’s probably not a good idea. Shall I clean it for you?”
“No, there’s no time for that. When is the evaluation?”
“Tomorrow, Young Master.”
Lawrence nodded.
The magic evaluation from 20 years ago.
Yes, I remember it now.
The Family Head’s call, a ten-year-old child who knew nothing, disappointed eyes, and unbearable pain…
The child he met there threw dirt and trampled on Lawrence’s body.
They insulted his mother and mocked the very name Lawrence.
The adults who humiliated a mere ten-year-old child and treated him like trash were etched clearly in his memory.
[Move to the workshop for the First Artifact.]
Lawrence turned his body, gazing at the message that appeared in the corner of his vision.
As he walked, memories of life in this annex began to flood back.
Rachel had gone through so much hardship all by herself.
Lawrence, drawing on his experience living alone on Earth, had helped her a lot with cleaning and laundry.
He could feel the rough texture of the old wooden railing under his hand.
His mother, who gave birth to this body, had passed away from an unknown illness.
His father, having no use for a body without a Mana Core, had not only neglected him but had practically forced him to leave the family on his own.
“How infuriating.”
Even so, couldn’t they at least have helped him live a normal life?
Various thoughts swirled in his mind.
Most of them were resentments towards the family and disappointment in the people who couldn’t even act like proper parents.
‘And then, the extermination of the family… I don’t know why it happened, but…’
Still, there were people who had treated him kindly.
Rachel, and a few distant relatives.
Someone who had already passed away…
For their sake, and to preserve his own name in the life he would now carve out, he had to prevent the fall of the family.
Reflecting on past events and pondering what was to come, he arrived at the door of the storage room.
“So, this is it.”
Looking at it again with a younger body, it felt like the entrance to a grand dungeon.
Maybe that childlike sense of adventure still lingered within him like a faint echo.
Lawrence chuckled and entered the storage room.
This annex had another name: [The Trash Storage].
It was where the family dumped things they thought were useless…
“Whoa.”
[Old Ring – Manifestation: Lightning Bolt]
[Failed Golem Core – Manifestation: Fire]
[Broken Lizardman’s Spear – Manifestation: Water Arrow]
[Leather Armor with a Hole – Engraving: Strength]
[Old Iron Greaves – Engraving: Haste]
[Engraving…]
[…]
For Lawrence, this place was a dazzling treasure trove.
***
#2
[First Step: Choose an object to serve as the medium. Gems, monster bones or organs, or minerals are recommended.]
[Second Step: Obtain an item for manifestation or engraving. The inherent power of the object will be awakened, revealing its dormant potential. Manifestation refers to external powers, while engraving refers to powers absorbed into the Artifactor’s body.]
‘Engraving is passive, and manifestation is active.’
[Third Step: Extract a magic circle from the material used and engrave it onto the medium. The magic circle extracted from the material is <mostly one-time use>. During this process, <authority> will be manifested.]
[Fourth Step: Implant the completed artifact into the body. Remaining capacity, activation command, and cooldown time will be displayed afterward.]
[In the tutorial stage, you will work with the legacy provided by the Great Lord.]
“Doesn’t that sound a little dangerous? I’m still a beginner.”
[You have already entered the realm of a master craftsman. Trust in the sensitivity of your fingertips.]
“Well, if you’re going to praise me like that, I guess I have to do it.”
Lawrence chuckled and began creating his first artifact.
With a crackling sound, a subspace opened, and a pen and a globe the size of a head fell out.
[Medium: Petrified Dragon’s Eye]
[Suitable for Engraving.]
[Confirmed Effect: Eyes that can observe the mana of the opponent.]
‘Oh?’
This time, the medium appeared.
What came with it was a long rod.
Rather than a rod, it resembled a limp chunk of silicone.
What is this?
[Old Dragon’s Tendon – Engraving: Dragon Body]
[Dragon Body: This engraving artificially grants the veins of a dragon. All magical power is greatly amplified. This engraving grows in strength according to the user’s ability.]
[Engraving Rank: 9th Circle]
[This extract is the first legacy of the Guardian.]
[This extract is for tutorial use only.]
“This is crazy…”
Lawrence’s astonished exclamation slipped out unintentionally.
9th Circle?
Was this really not a dream? Lawrence stared at the text silently for a while.
If this wasn’t a dream…
His grip tightened instinctively.
The fact that he could become stronger.
The fact that he could change.
It became a huge source of motivation for him.
[Revealing the magic circle.]
Ziiing.
A magic circle visible only to Lawrence floated into the air.
Extremely complex and intricate shapes.
It was the pinnacle of geometry, a fusion of small magic circles forming a larger one, a beautiful piece of art.
[It must be drawn with an accuracy of 1 mm without any error.]
“I’m confident in that.”
This was also the genre Lawrence loved the most.
With clear guidelines, there was no reason he couldn’t draw it.
Lawrence moved without hesitation.
He picked up the pen and began engraving the magic circle onto the round sphere.
Scratch, scratch.
The smooth lines were drawn without the slightest error.
His hands moved with precision and sensitivity that were different from ordinary people.
Back on Earth, he had been a YouTuber with over 3 million subscribers and a master of the 3D pen.
‘This is fun.’
After all, people are happiest when they do what they love.
And if he could become stronger while doing so, it was a win-win.
It reminded him of the days when he earned money doing what he loved in his past life.
***
#3
How much time had passed?
Rachel paced nervously in front of the storage room.
Lawrence, being in his growing years, should have been eating properly, but he had been locked up in the storage room for over half a day.
Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to knock or enter without permission.
‘I’m worried.’
The cold food from earlier was still sitting on the tray by the door, and she was holding freshly prepared food in her hands.
Though it was common for wizards to immerse themselves in research for three days and nights, Young Master Lawrence was still only ten years old.
Skipping meals at such an important growth stage…
“If he doesn’t eat well, he’ll continue to get bullied by the other young masters.”
Rachel knew this too.
Wizards adhered to a strict hierarchy and judged each other solely by skill.
At this rate, the young magician would be helpless, despised, and eventually die in misery.
Rachel couldn’t stand idly by and watch a child die like that. She wanted to help, no matter what.
After all, it was also the wish of her former mistress, who had taken her in.
Talent.
What was it about that heaven-granted gift that forced someone to walk such a painful and thorny path?
Rachel felt deep sympathy for Lawrence.
“Young Master, I’ll leave the food here.”
“…”
There was no response.
Rachel picked up the cold tray and headed back upstairs.
She thought she’d eat the cold food herself since it would be a waste to throw it away.
After all, she often filled her belly with the leftovers from the young master’s meals…
Meanwhile, Lawrence, who had filled in the magic circle at superhuman speed,
felt his eyes get a bit dry, but it was fine.
His young body was still vigorous enough to endure the strenuous work.
“Wow, I finally finished drawing it.”
How much time had passed?
Hearing his stomach growl, Lawrence realized quite a bit of time had gone by.
Still, the excitement of being on the verge of completing his first artifact filled him with anticipation.
[Manifesting the power.]
Crackle-!
The already petrified Dragon’s Eye began to glow.
The magic circle seeped into the medium, emitting a faint light.
Yes, this is…
‘The artifact I’ve researched so much about.’
Only special beings could use [Authority].
Gods, Guardians, or representatives of different races.
Only such powerful or chosen individuals could wield it.
No wonder no answers came from his previous research efforts.
[Artifact: Dragon Eye]
[Engraving: Dragon Body]
[Implantation Status: Ready]
“How do I perform the engraving?”
[Just place it against your body, and it will activate on its own.]
“Alright.”
Lawrence carefully brought the artifact to his chest.
Crackle-.
The artifact began to glow, and the powerful miracle contained within it began to change Lawrence’s body.
Though he didn’t have a Mana Core, even greater abilities awaited him.
[Dragon Eye successfully implanted]
[Unique Effect: The ability to see mana is now activated.]
[This artifact does not count toward the number of implantable artifacts.]
[Engraving: Dragon Body]
[The dragon’s body stands above all creation, so no being dares to lift its head.]
[Current Stage: Hatchling 0%]
[Number of implantable artifacts: 3]
[Maximum circle of implantable artifacts: 2]
“It’s growth-type? How does it grow?”
[All experiences are assets of the dragon, and the artifact will grow based on the Artifactor’s actions.]
“Nice.”
Lawrence casually glanced around the storage room.
The foundation had been laid, but there were no other usable artifacts yet.
That meant he’d need to make a second and third artifact.
‘I’ll save one as a backup.’
A new goal had been set.
While others needed incantations, he wouldn’t have to use them.
Grrrrr-.
“Oh man, I’m starving. Let’s eat first.”
A bright smile spread across Lawrence’s face.
It was the kind of innocent, radiant smile only a child could have.
—
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