Chapter 37
“Do you want to obtain mana stones?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have any items that will use the mana stones?”
“Not really. I just wanted to mention that I’d like to conduct some experiments with the mana stones.”
Upon hearing that, a look of concern filled the Marquis’s eyes.
“If you’re thinking of processing that mana for the human body, then stop right there. Many wizards have failed with that subject.”
“Oh, don’t worry. It’s not that kind of experiment, so you don’t have to be too concerned. I don’t plan on using my body for experiments. It would be very likely to end up as a failure, wouldn’t it?”
“Then that’s a relief.”
If I had brought up the idea of raising a circle using the mana from the mana stones, he’d likely look at me as if I were crazy.
Moreover.
‘This is something I must keep to myself.’
It’s a topic that countless wizards have failed at.
What if the word got out that I had raised a circle using the mana from the mana stones?
It would be a hundred percent certain that from the imperial family to various organizations, they would come after me, regardless of whether I was a 1st circle or a 2nd circle wizard.
If they could figure out that method, it would become incredibly easy to train wizards in bulk.
This information has an entirely different level of impact. Naturally, in my current situation, where I lack the strength to protect it, it’s one of those stories that must never spread.
“I can’t give you the highest grade or even the upper grade.”
The Marquis stated firmly while looking at me.
I hadn’t expected that in the first place, so it didn’t matter.
“Ten lower grades and one intermediate grade should be enough. That amount is acceptable, right?”
Lower-grade mana stones are used in typical magical items, so their prices aren’t too high.
The only expensive item would be about one intermediate grade. So, they could be considered items that could be given without much burden.
In fact, it was difficult for individuals to obtain them, but families could acquire mana stones without much trouble.
Especially for a powerful family like the Seltarion family.
“Then I’ll provide that much.”
Perhaps because I had shown definite results with the previous items I took, the Marquis readily agreed to my request.
“By the way, may I know what kind of experiment you intend to conduct?”
“I plan to study the internal flow of mana within the mana stones. I’m not sure what the results will be, but I feel like this research will deepen my magical understanding.”
“Okay, I understand.”
After I provided a somewhat plausible topic, he nodded.
The last time, I had taken materials worth a significant amount, so I was in a situation where I needed to show results, but the materials I was taking this time wouldn’t even amount to five hundred gold, reducing the burden considerably.
If necessary, I could just say that I had a realization from this research after raising to the 2nd circle.
That would be a certain kind of achievement too, wouldn’t it?
After obtaining the mana stones, my party and I started moving toward the annex.
While heading toward the annex, Leonhardt spoke up.
“Young Master.”
“What is it?”
“I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
The moment he looked at me, he continued speaking.
“It’s been quite some time since you’ve changed, and your reputation has risen due to the ogre hunt, hasn’t it?”
“That’s true.”
“If you wish, you can step outside of the annex now. I believe the family head would also grant you permission. Isn’t it time to leave the annex?”
Ah, was it that topic?
In fact, Leonhardt was correct.
Although it’s called an annex, it could almost be seen as a place of exile.
Since it’s tucked away in a corner of the family estate, that might have been natural.
After all, people aren’t trying to live near powerful individuals for no reason.
Still.
“I’m fine for now. I don’t particularly want to leave this place.”
For now, residing in the annex was better.
Being located in the corner had its advantages.
This itself was not much different from saying that it was easy to hide my conduct.
There were still many things I had to keep hidden.
If I were to retreat into my inner self, the number of eyes watching me would naturally increase, so there was no need to escape right now.
Even the task of extracting mana from the mana stone would be problematic if it caught the attention of others.
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. For now, I’ll just stay there. Escaping can wait until later.”
“Understood.”
After discussing this, we arrived at the annex.
We quickly finished our preparations for going out and then headed toward the Magic Tower with Leonhardt.
“Is there anyone following us?”
“It seems there isn’t.”
Shortly thereafter, Leonhardt and I entered a secluded alleyway.
This was to put on our cloaks.
We needed to handle matters related to the mana stone as discreetly as possible.
If my face were to be revealed while purchasing materials at the Magic Tower, it would pose a problem.
Once we both donned our cloaks, we made our way to the Magic Tower.
There were no restrictions on our entry.
It was quite common for customers using the Magic Tower to conceal their identities with cloaks or masks. After activating the magic circle, we purchased several catalysts that could be used to process the mana stone, along with a mana cutter.
We then entered the alleyway again, took off our cloaks, and after taking a turn around the territory, we finally returned to my room.
At this point, it would be quite difficult for anyone to figure out that I had visited the Magic Tower.
Unless I had someone following me, which thankfully was not the case.
‘Well.’
I wasn’t exactly an extraordinary figure that would warrant someone tailing me yet.
In fact, the only person who might be worth following was Adolf.
Fortunately, it seemed that Adolf’s lackeys were not making any unusual movements.
After asking Leonhardt to keep watch by the door, I immediately grabbed the mana cutter.
The mana cutter.
It was a common tool used when processing mana stones.
The first task was to carve patterns on the surface so that the mana within the stone could flow out drop by drop.
As I infused my mana into the cutter, a blue light began to seep from the tip.
It resembled a small dagger.
As I used the cutter to slice into the surface of the mana stone, I felt a slight resistance.
Should I infuse more mana?
As I pushed more mana into the circle, the cutter finally began to sink into the surface.
By making these cuts, the magic circle would activate, allowing the mana to escape more quickly.
After making cuts into the lower-grade mana stones, I engraved a more complex pattern on the remaining mid-grade mana stone.
This mana stone had a specific role to fulfill.
Next, I used a magical tool to melt down the catalysts.
With the basic preparations completed, it was now time to—
‘Just create the magic circle.’
Forgotten ancient knowledge.
It seemed all I needed to do was create the magic circle according to its method.
‘There were four in total.’
Depending on the quantity and quality of the mana stones, the shapes of the magic circles varied. Starting from the 2nd circle, the magic circles were categorized based on the amount of mana required to reach the 5th circle.
The magic circle I needed now was the 2nd circle, so its shape was not too complicated.
It was just about drawing a star in the center and enclosing its points with a circle.
The process of deciphering the shape of the magic circle was difficult; it wasn’t that the shape itself was complex.
Of course, as the circles increased, the drawings became a bit more intricate.
After sketching the magic circle, I began placing mana stones at each vertex.
There were a total of ten vertices.
I laid down a low-grade mana stone at each vertex, and in the center where I would sit, I placed a mid-grade mana stone.
The mid-grade mana stone would serve to control the mana flowing from the magic circle.
Though they were just low-grade mana stones, if they ran rampant without any control, it could put me in danger, so this was one of the safety devices I had prepared in advance.
“Such remarkable knowledge.”
The ancient people must have been deeply considerate humans. They meticulously taught how to create such safety devices for those who would step into the center of the magic circle.
Once I stepped into the center of the magic circle, I spread the mana according to the pattern drawn on the floor, and then immediately sprinkled a catalyst on the path of the mana.
At that moment.
Whooooosh!
The magic circle was activated.
Mana began to seep out from the low-grade mana stones, slowly starting to gather towards me.
“Good.”
From now on, I needed to concentrate.
I immediately activated my Heart Eye to observe my body, using my right arm to steadily absorb the incoming mana.
The blue clumps of mana rushed towards the circle.
“This should be enough.”
It felt like I had gathered the maximum amount of mana I could control.
There was no need to absorb any more mana.
There’s a saying: too much of a good thing is bad.
I gently released some mana to envelop the surface of the mid-grade mana stone, causing the mana that had been approaching me to come to a halt as if it had hit a glass window.
This magic circle is truly the best.
The mana that had gathered around my heart began to take shape, swirling around in a dance.
To create a new friend.
One rotation.
Two rotations.
The mana continued to spin, gradually taking on the shape of a ring.
At the same time, it started to dissipate little by little.
This is why a lot of mana is needed.
While forming the new circle, the mana was continuously consumed.
It was possible to form a circle without ample mana, but in that case, it would inevitably result in a half-baked circle. It would lack solidity and the proper shape.
Now that I had enough mana, I could create a proper circle.
As the shape of the circle began to form to about halfway, I started to feel a shortage of mana within my body.
I quickly recalled the mana I had sent to the mid-grade mana stone. Then, the mana that had been blocked naturally flowed back towards me.
As I accepted the wandering mana with my right hand and continued to send it towards my heart, it seemed my consistent support fire was effective.
The mana swirling in the new circle maintained its strength without losing power.
It felt good.
If I could keep this momentum going, not only the shape of the circle but also its solidity could be created far superiorly.
Focus.
And concentrate even more.
In that state of being lost in thought, I kept envisioning the continuous rotation.
After some time passed, I opened my eyes.
Noticing my damp hair, it seemed I had sweated quite a bit.
The uncomfortable feeling lingered for a moment.
Using my Heart Eye to look inside, I couldn’t help but smile.
“It’s done.”
Less than two months since I had stepped into magic with this reckless body.
Around my heart, another circle had taken shape. Unlike the first circle I had created, this new circle had a form and solidity that were quite satisfactory.
As expected.
One must put their knowledge to use.
The result was more than satisfying.
—
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