Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 103 (Part 1)
A 7th-circle magician is called a Grand Mage. Additionally, both a Grand Mage of the 7th circle and a master swordsman are sometimes referred to as “transcendent beings,” a term that signifies they have surpassed the limits of humanity.
Of course, becoming a 7th-circle magician doesn’t literally make one more than human. It’s just that ordinary people stand no chance against them, and thus, they are revered as “transcendent.”
Even 7th-circle magicians are regarded as beyond human, and now Rodin found himself facing an 8th-circle magician right in front of him. It was an unthinkable situation.
If his body and mind hadn’t significantly grown during his time in the communal quarters, he might have been paralyzed with fear the moment he saw him.
‘8th-circle. No doubt about it.’
Rodin’s sharp senses detected the intense eight rings of energy circulating through the man’s heart. He was undeniably an 8th-circle magician.
“Hahaha, I didn’t expect to find a traveler in a place like this.”
“I’m not exactly a traveler. I was on a journey to a specific destination, but I lost my way and ended up here.”
“Is that so? Mind if I rest here for a while?”
“By all means. One more person won’t snuff out the fire.”
Rodin replied nonchalantly, grasping his sleeping bag. It was a natural action to stave off the cold.
Meanwhile, Kser and Jena subtly positioned themselves in front of Rodin, ready to protect him if the situation turned hostile.
‘8th-circle… Ah! They must be the ones Chairman Kreate mentioned.’
It was just a passing remark, but Rodin clearly remembered the conversation from back then.
Slavon, Ballis Nova.
It was said to be a place where 7th-circle magicians gathered in large numbers. He also heard they were chasing the traces of ancient times.
‘Ancient relics. They must have come for the underground ruins where I stayed.’
Rodin couldn’t help but curse his own bad luck. If he had reached the 6th circle just a month earlier, he wouldn’t have encountered them. Unfortunately, their searches for relics overlapped in timing.
“A destination, you say… May I ask where you’re headed?”
“To the Richmond Marquisate. But, sir, you seem to be in your early thirties. Why are you speaking like an old man?”
To be fair, he didn’t really look like he was in his early thirties. At best, he could pass for his late thirties, and at worst, he could be mistaken for someone in his late forties.
Rodin had to act like a naive youth who didn’t even know he was facing a magician, while simultaneously keeping his tone flattering. Commenting on the man’s age seemed like a good strategy.
“Do you really think I look like I’m in my early thirties? Haha.”
“Well, were you in your twenties? I will apologizing if I’m wrong. Whether you’re in your twenties or thirties, you’re still sounded ‘old man’ to me.”
“Fair enough. No need to apologize. But did you say you’re headed to the Richmond Marquisate?”
“Yes. I live there. I was out for a while on business and I’m on my way back.”
Rodin openly revealed his place of residence.
Lies are best concealed within the truth. If he were to lie about where he lived, and that lie got exposed, it would only raise further suspicion.
“The Richmond Marquisate? A magician living there? Doesn’t seem like the most ideal place for a magician to reside.”
“Well, what can I do? My younger sibling insists on learning swordsmanship there, from a swordmaster or something.”
Rodin clicked his tongue with a bitter smile, acting as if he genuinely pitied his sibling’s decision.
“Oh ho, so you’re a magician and your sibling is a swordsman… How talented does your sibling seem?”
“How would I know if they’re any good or not? But why are you prying so much? You’re not planning to kidnap me or something, are you?”
“Hahaha, my bad. Didn’t mean to give you the wrong idea.”
“Let me warn you in advance: the guards with me are pretty skilled. They’re ruthless, too, so it’s best not to try anything foolish.”
At Rodin’s bluff, the 8th-circle magician merely chuckled. There wasn’t a trace of fear in his expression.
“Oh dear, I’ll be sure to tread carefully.”
“Whatever. If you’re going to sleep, find a spot over there. I need my sleeping bag, so I can’t share. You understand, right?”
“Hahaha, I had no intention of taking your sleeping bag.”
“That’s a relief.”
“I’m a busy man… I’ve already lingered too long. I have an appointment, so I’ll be on my way now. Perhaps we’ll meet again if fate wills it.”
The 8th-circle magician stood up and dusted off his clothes.
Rodin sighed inwardly with relief. He wanted to get away from the terrifying magician as soon as possible.
However, his outward expression was different. Instead of relief, he wore a face full of concern.
“Leaving now? It’s dangerous out there at this hour. The mountains at night can be pretty frightening.”
“I’ll be fine. I’m used to it.”
“Just remember, I warned you. Don’t come complaining later about twisting your ankle or getting hurt.”
“That won’t happen. Ah, by the way, it seems you’re a 4th-circle magician… Are you lost on the way to the 5th circle?”
At the mention of the 4th circle, Rodin shot up from his seat.
He wanted to stay in his sleeping bag and keep playing dead, but now was the time to act. He had to play his role to avoid suspicion.
“What the—! How did you know I’m a magician? Who sent you?”
“Hahaha, there’s no need to overreact. When you’ve reached my level, you can just *see* these things.”
“Your level? Don’t tell me you’re more advanced than me…?”
“Hahahaha, you’re quite amusing. It’s been a long time since I’ve laughed like this. Farewell, now.”
The 8th-circle magician laughed heartily before disappearing into the darkness. Fortunately, Rodin didn’t detect any suspicion in the man’s expression.
‘Phew, I’m alive.’
His heart began to race uncontrollably after the man was gone. It pounded so loudly he worried it might burst.
An 8th-circle magician was a monster who could sense a person’s emotions just by listening to their heartbeat. To survive, Rodin had to control even the rhythm of his heart.
At first, he tried to use magic to do it, but he quickly changed his mind. There was no way the monster magician wouldn’t detect any fluctuations in magic.
Instead, he opted to manipulate mana in a way that wouldn’t be noticed. He carefully gathered the mana around him and used it to slow down his heartbeat.
‘It worked.’
As he had hoped, the magician didn’t detect the mana’s movement. Thanks to his slower heartbeat, Rodin managed to hide just how terrified he was.
‘Was he from Slavon? Ballis Nova? Or somewhere else?’
There was no way to find out at the moment. And honestly, Rodin didn’t even want to know.
‘I never want to see him again.’
He hoped that this would be the end of any interaction with them, though he wasn’t sure if that would be possible.
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