Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 120 (Part 1)

Rodin’s late-night activities remained largely unknown. The shield he created was formed using mana, not magical energy, so even the mage Betner failed to sense it.

However, Karis and Jena knew what Rodin had done. And, of course, so did Rodin himself.

It hadn’t taken a long time. From the moment he began stimulating the mana until the dome-shaped shield was completed, it only took about twenty minutes.

Still, Rodin felt an inexplicable sense of pride.

The realization that his actions had significantly helped someone, the fact that he succeeded on his first attempt at a spell he had only ever conceptualized, and the amazement of performing magic directly using mana rather than magical power—these were enough to make him feel fulfilled.

It felt as though something missing had finally been completed.

Aside from a few monster attacks, their journey was mostly uneventful. The rain cleared by the next day, making travel significantly easier.

After five days on the road from Bengst, they arrived at the border city of Asir.

“Luckily, it seems this place hasn’t been attacked by monsters.”

“But I see a lot of knights around.”

“Perhaps because a monster might show up.”

As they entered Asir, they underwent a brief inspection. The guards were so preoccupied with the threat of large monsters that they didn’t bother being meticulous.

“Rodin, when are you planning to leave?”

“I plan to rest for a bit before heading out.”

“That’s a shame. I was hoping we could stay together a bit longer.”

Past the border, the Crowder Trading Company and Rodin’s group would part ways.

The Crowder Trading Company was headed south to the port city of Harson, a journey expected to take about fifteen days.

Rodin, however, needed to continue moving west after crossing the border, which would take approximately twenty days.

Hedenes Province, Margaret’s homeland, lay at the far western edge of the Tebia Kingdom, near the Paroma Mountains, which formed the boundary with the Western Continent.

“We’ll cross paths again someday.”

“I look forward to it.”

With that, Rodin bid farewell to the Crowder Trading Company. Since he planned to stay in Asir for a days, there would be no further interactions.

“Rodin, where will we stay?”

“A good place. Comfortable.”

Since leaving the Richmond Marquisate, they had stopped in a few reasonably sized villages. Some, like Bangst, were completely in ruins, but they usually stayed in local inns.

However, this was their first time staying in a city. Since they were here, Rodin decided to rest in a nice place.

Asir was smaller than the Richmond Marquisate but was the most bustling city in the western part of the Lennox Kingdom. As a trade city, it lacked for nothing.

Rodin rented an annex in the best inn he could find for a day. It was quite expensive, but it wasn’t a burden for him.

“Shall we go out?”

“Are you sure?”

“Why not?”

Leaving behind Larry, who planned to train, and Karis, who would guard him, Rodin stepped out of the inn with only Jena and Bianca in tow.

“Do you need to buy anything?”

“Yes. The disease treatment potion is almost complete.”

“I figured as much. We’ll need to buy some potion bottles.”

“Yes, I’ll buy them with my own money.”

Rodin gave monthly allowances to Larry and Bianca, at the same time he paid Margaret and Matthew their wages.

The allowance was age-based. Larry, who was fourteen this year, received 14 gold coins; Bianca, now twelve, received 12 gold coins.

“Alright then.”

Bianca purchased 400 bottles for the potion, while Rodin bought Mana Stones, mithril, and the city’s specialty spices.

Hearing the price of the mithril chunk, Jena’s expression turned bizarre.

“Why? Is it expensive?”

“No, it’s cheap.”

“By how much?”

“About one-hundredth of what it used to cost.”

The current price of mithril was much lower than during the era of the Magic Empire, mainly due to reduced usage.

“It’s probably because there aren’t many who use it.”

“I may not know much about magic, but I heard it was used a lot in magical artifacts.”

“Nowadays, it’s mainly used for strengthening metals, and that’s it.”

A thousand years ago, the advent of the Demon King had brought countless problems. The Isco River, which now divided the Eastern and Central continents, was created then, and numerous magical technologies disappeared.

But Rodin believed that the real root of the problem was related to the fall of the Magic Empire 5,000 years ago.

The Empire had vanished suddenly for reasons unknown, taking with it an immense trove of magical knowledge and causing a great regression in human civilization.

If the Empire had still existed, a calamity like the Demon King’s emergence would not have bathed half the continent in blood.

Even a 9th-circle mage was a formidable opponent for the Demon King. And in the era of the Magic Empire, there were plenty of such powerful individuals.

A crisis on the level of the Demon King could have been managed by regional powerhouses alone without needing the Empire’s intervention.

‘Why did it collapse?’

Princess Elanerien had seemed to prepare for its fall, yet there was no clear reason noted in historical records. Most were vague, making it difficult to deduce the cause.

‘Even The Frouval appeared to anticipate it.’

Rodin had sensed something similar during The Frouval’s illusion lessons.

There was no direct mention of apocalypse or collapse.

Instead, phrases like ‘Education necessary for a ruined world’ came up several times, suggesting they foresaw widespread death and a world reduced to ruins.

“This doesn’t make sense. The uses for mithril should be much broader.”

“Mithril does have superior magic conductivity, but only when specially treated. And right now…”

“They don’t know how to treat it.”

“Exactly. It’s ultimately a technical problem.”

After finishing their rounds through the market and buying everything they needed, Rodin and his companions stopped by a nearby restaurant. Karis and Larry would be eating at the inn.