Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 109 (Part 1)

Fire Storm was an area spell. Its range varied depending on the amount of magic and the caster’s visualization, but it typically had a radius of 10 meters and the destructive power to burn everything within its circumference.

‘This crazy old man.’

Using such a wide-range spell here meant burning down not only the front gate of the house but also the entire surrounding area.

Rodin wasn’t the only one living in this house. There were four others besides him.

Moreover, Larry and Matthew were standing right behind Rodin. If Rodin let his guard down, the two weaker individuals would inevitably be caught in the Fire Storm.

“Flare.”

Rodin unleashed a 4th-circle Flare, applying pressure. He positioned the flames so close that they were barely two palms’ lengths away from Kendrick’s eyes.

Rodin had completed his spell even before Kendrick had finished half of his own. The roaring flames clearly demonstrated that if necessary, Rodin was ready for a real fight.

“Hmph. So, you truly…”

“This is your final warning. If even a single speck of soot touches my house, I won’t stand idly by.”

“E- Elder. This is the Marquisate of Richmond.”

The public image of the Cedria Tower wasn’t particularly bad, but in reality, it was a place full of contradictions. They bowed to the powerful, like in the Marquisate of Richmond, while assuming a domineering attitude when dealing with the weak.

To them, Rodin appeared weak. That’s why they rudely used a magic circle gauge right from the start, assuming Rodin wouldn’t dare say anything about it.

However, this was the Marquisate of Richmond. Carelessly using magic here and harming its residents could put them in a difficult situation.

“A young one like you, gaining a little skill, seems to think nothing is out of reach.”

“I don’t just have skill; I’ve also got guts. Would you like to find out for yourself?”

“Hmph.”

In the end, Elder Kendrick withdrew his magic. He realized that pressuring Rodin with magic was useless.

Rodin also dismissed his Flare. As the heat dissipated, a cold tension settled between them.

Elder Kendrick had always been the type to despise the weak while bowing to the strong. But to threaten and speak so rudely upon first meeting someone like today—that was a first. It was because he knew the magic circle gauge wasn’t perfect.

The gauge couldn’t measure the abilities of high-level magicians. If a magician completely hid their power, the gauge could even mistake them for an ordinary person.

Usually, Elder Kendrick would have been cautious, thinking, What if?

However, Rodin’s voice was too young. His face was hidden beneath a deep hood, but one could still sense certain things. At most, Rodin was in his twenties.

It was hard to imagine someone in their twenties being a 5th-circle mage or higher. That’s why Kendrick felt he could be bold.

‘What is that brat relying on?’

Elder Kendrick glared fiercely at Rodin’s hidden face.

For the first time in a while, he had decided to come on strong, but his opponent pushed back even harder. It didn’t seem like simple bravado driven by anger.

“Elder, the reason you came…”

“I haven’t forgotten. You brat, I heard you used Clean Up magic?”

“So what?”

“Write down the rune script and hand it over. Then I’ll forgive your rudeness today.”

Rodin couldn’t help but chuckle at Kendrick’s words.

Was this man really from a magic tower or just some bandit from the mountains?

‘But Clean Up… Was that such a valuable spell?’

Clean Up, a 3rd-circle spell, was something Rodin had learned from a book. He had mastered it so easily that he thought it was a common spell, but in reality, it was far from common.

In fact, only a few places, including the Four Great Towers, knew about the Clean Up spell. It was rare.

Some magic towers had even spent years researching just to figure out its rune script.

“So, Clean Up, huh? You sure are asking for someone else’s magic quite casually.”

“It’s for a good cause. Sharing it widely would benefit the world.”

The Cedria Tower knew about the existence of Clean Up magic, but they didn’t know the rune script. That’s why, even when they treated cursed patients, they had to recklessly pour in magic power.

Of course, this method was inefficient. A 3rd-circle mage would need to rest for several hours after healing just one person.

“So that was your business? That’s why you caused all this commotion?”

“There’s more. You sold artifacts in the Marquisate of Richmond, didn’t you?”

“I did.”

After settling in the Richmond territory, Rodin had made and sold quite a few artifacts.

Artifacts didn’t take much time to make, but the profits were significant. With just 20 minutes of work, he could earn over 1,000 gold.

“I won’t blame you for the mistakes you made out of ignorance until now, but stop selling artifacts from now on.”

“Hah, this is ridiculous.”

The main source of Cedria Tower’s income was the artifact business. They primarily sold activation-type artifacts containing Magic Arrow, and sometimes they sold artifacts containing Fire Arrow.

‘Well, I guess we’re in competition. Actually, the range of magic in my artifacts is broader.’

Like Cedria Tower, Rodin mainly sold artifacts containing 1st-circle spells. Magic Arrow, Strength, Fire Arrow, and Wind Arrow were all easy to inscribe, so the production time was short.

However, unlike Cedria Tower, Rodin had also occasionally sold artifacts containing 2nd-circle spells like Mana Shield, Haste, Healing, and Lightning Bolt.

“I’m taking your silence as accepting.”

“Please don’t. I’m not agreeing. I have no intention of sharing the Clean Up rune script, and I won’t stop selling artifacts either.”

“You really are impossible to talk to.”

“Have you ever thought that maybe you’re the one making unreasonable demands? Should we ask the world and see who’s being unreasonable?”

Of course, Elder Kendrick had no intention of asking the world.

That’s something only the powerless would do. If you had power, you could simply crush your opponent with it.

“Don’t you think you’ll regret this?”

“Regret… Maybe. But I think I’d regret it more if I followed your advice, Elder.”

“Hmph. We’ll see how long you can keep that nose in the air. Let’s go.”

“Yes, Elder.”

Elder Kendrick and the mages from Cedria Tower turned to leave. Every single one of them shot a glare at Rodin as they walked away.

‘Those looks could kill.’

The mages of Cedria Tower quickly disappeared. None of them looked back.

‘There’s no way they’re leaving for good.’

Rodin was sure the Cedria Tower would return. From the look on their faces, they were not ones to give up easily.

“Brother, do you think everything will be okay?”

“This is the Marquisate of Richmond. They won’t cause too much trouble here.”

It was a guess, but also a certainty.

Rodin could see from Elder Kendrick’s behavior that he was cautious and petty. People like him would never do anything that might put them in danger.

‘The problem will be once they’re out of this territory.’

—

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