Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 118 (Part 2)

“Hmm, should I do a bit more? Chain Lightning.”

Being a 4th-circle spell, Chain Lightning required no full chant. A bolt of lightning formed in midair, striking downward.

The goblin hit directly was fried on the spot. Those caught by the branching arcs convulsed and fell, the electric discharge spreading five or six times, disabling over ten goblins.

“That should be enough.”

Rodin had thinned their numbers significantly. The mercenaries were fighting well too. Even Betner atop the carriage was diligently casting spells, eliminating goblins.

The battle lasted another twenty minutes before it ended.

This time, there were no fatalities among the mercenaries. Rodin had controlled the fight’s pace to keep it that way.

However, there were many injuries. More than half of the mercenaries were moved to a wagon designated for the wounded.

“Alright!”

It was Rodin’s time to step in.

He assessed the state of the injured and used appropriate healing spells accordingly.

For minor injuries, the 2nd-circle spell Healing sufficed.

For more severe cases, he used the 3rd-circle spells Restore and Vital Sign.

For a mercenary with a partially severed arm, he employed the 6th-circle Recovery to properly reattach the limb.

“Thank you, Mage Rodin.”

“We’re indebted to you, sir.”

“We’ll never forget your kindness.”

“It’s alright. I’m only doing what I can.”

After tending to the wounded, Rodin climbed atop the carriage roof and sat down.

His mind was still preoccupied. He needed to decide whether to properly research Magic Crystals by the end of the day.

—

That night, Rodin resolved to delve into the study of magic crystals. To do so, he needed to prioritize what to carry and what to postpone.

Researching one field impacted his other plans. He didn’t want to sacrifice anything, but time constraints were unavoidable even for him.

He couldn’t skip The Frouval’s lessons. These had been the foundation of his recent breakthroughs in magical knowledge.

He also couldn’t put off magic training. Advancing to the 7th circle required continuous practice of 6th-circle spells.

‘I can’t neglect my morning exercises either.’

Whether for research or magic training, endurance was crucial. Thanks to his early morning one-hour workouts, he maintained focus during his studies and practice.

‘The carriage enhancements will have to wait.’

He decided to postpone engraving defensive and reinforcement spells on the carriage exterior. If the carriage came under attack, he could still protect it with magic.

Rodin began studying magic stones in earnest.

Magic Crystal were fundamental to the ancient, mage-dominated empire. Rodin used their ancient texts as primary references.

“This?”

“It means ‘powder.’”

“It’s about turning a liquid into a powder. But I’m not sure what that implies.”

While reading, he asked Jena for clarification on words he didn’t understand, improving his pronunciation as he did.

Due to the language barrier, Rodin spent more time in the driver’s seat with Karis and Jena. Although neither knew magic, they were well-versed in the magic empire’s script and language.

“I’ve never seen the process of making magic stones myself, so I’m sorry, young lord.”

“No, you’re already a great help.”

Jena looked apologetic, but Rodin reassured her. He couldn’t expect too much from a combat doll.

“An hour until Bangst!”

“We’re close to Bangst!”

“We’ll soon arrive at Bangst.”

The voices of Daniel, the caravan master, and the mercenaries echoed. Their faces brightened instantly.

“Bangst? Is that a town?”

“It’s not a city, but it’s a large village, home to over 400 families.”

“I see.”

Rodin would have known if it were a city. He had memorized every city and terrain marked on the map long ago.

“We’ll arrive shortly.”

“Everyone seems pleased.”

“They’ll get to enjoy a proper rest after a long time.”

Even Daniel, the caravan master, had a bright expression.

They had all been exhausted by troll attacks, the fear of monstrous roars, and the frequent monster encounters. The thought of a day of peaceful rest lifted everyone’s spirits.

Rodin, too, looked forward to visiting a village after so long. As they traveled cheerfully, his expression suddenly hardened.

“The smell of blood.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing.”

Rodin brushed off Daniel’s question, but his face remained tense.

The scent of blood wafted from the village ahead, even though it was still more than ten minutes away. Unless an entire herd of livestock had been slaughtered, this was an unnatural situation.

‘This is ominous.’

Rodin’s sense of foreboding turned real. As they crested the hill and the village came into view, the mercenaries’ expressions shifted.

“Huh, what’s that…?”

“Yeah, something feels off.”

The wooden palisades that should have surrounded the village were shattered. Beyond the broken barriers, many houses were in shambles.

“What on earth…?”

Approaching closer, they confirmed the village’s dire state.

It was utter ruin. Villagers were clearing debris, but the damage was so extensive that it was impossible to estimate when the cleanup would be complete.

Moreover, the stench rising from the dirt was unmistakably blood. Not just from a few people; it would have taken at least a hundred casualties to produce such a strong scent.

Most striking was the profound sense of loss and sorrow on the villagers’ faces. It was overwhelming to the point that starting a conversation felt intrusive.

“What on earth happened here…?”

“What could have done this?”

“How did this village end up like this…?”

No one could find the words. Meanwhile, the caravan slowly made its way into the village.

Hyung_Otaku2

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