Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 146 (Part 1)

Simply sitting idly felt like a waste of time for Rodin. As he pondered what to do, he decided to conceptualize an artifact.

The magic: Purification.

An artifact imbued with the energy of purification—just carrying it could be beneficial in various situations.

“I wouldn’t have been able to make this in the past.”

Although Purification was a 5th-circle spell, its runic script was particularly intricate and difficult to understand. Even when he was a 5th-circle mage, he could use the spell directly, but he had been unable to inscribe it into an artifact.

But now, it was possible.

His level had advanced beyond that time, making it easier to wield magic. Furthermore, his understanding of rune scripts and magic circles had deepened, allowing him to easily visualize how to arrange them.

“Surprisingly simple, actually.”

The composition was completed quickly, and the finished magic circle floated in his mind.

“The materials feel a bit wasteful, though.”

Purification was a 5th-circle spell. Even if he used mana as efficiently as possible, a mid-grade Mana Stone was necessary, and instead of silver thread, he had to use mithril thread.

“Let’s give it a try.”

Fortunately, he had received a large supply of artifact materials from the Landes Magic Tower in exchange for the remains of a colossal magical beast. Among those materials were mithril thread and a mid-grade Mana Stone.

—

“Marquis.”

“Yes, Archmage?”

“Could I borrow a shield? Any sturdy one will do.”

“Ah! Please wait a moment.”

At the Marquis of Richmond’s command, one of the knights, as if anticipating this request, quickly handed over a shield. The knight passed it to the marquis, who in turn handed it to Rodin.

“Here it is.”

“Thank you, Marquis.”

Rodin sat down on the spot and began engraving the magic circle onto the inner side of the shield.

Since it was a shield rather than an accessory, he could inscribe the magic circle in large strokes, making the engraving process much easier.

—

“Is he really making an artifact like that?”

“Shouldn’t this be done somewhere quiet?”

“Doesn’t he need special equipment?”

As Rodin worked on crafting the artifact, murmurs spread among the onlookers.

They could all tell that he was making an artifact—anyone watching could see he was doing something.

But the fact that he was engraving a magic circle directly onto the shield without the aid of an artisan was unheard of. Moreover, he was inscribing the magic circle purely through magic, without any special tools.

“Can that even work?”

“Can’t you see? It clearly does.”

“An Archmage doing engraving work himself?”

“And he’s etching the magic circle using only magic? That’s incredible.”

Regardless of their astonishment, Rodin remained fully focused on inscribing the magic circle inside the shield.

After about thirty minutes, the artifact was complete.

—

“Harrison.”

“M-me? Are you speaking to me, Archmage?”

Startled at being suddenly called, Harrison jumped.

He had been so preoccupied thinking about the pendant Rodin had returned to him that he hadn’t been paying attention to his surroundings.

Should he search for its location alone, or should he seek the Archmage’s assistance? He had been pondering it so intensely that it gave him a headache, yet he still hadn’t reached a conclusion.

“Let’s start by dispelling the curse. The magic I will use is Purification—a spell that cleanses impurities afflicting the body.”

“Th-thank you…”

“Once the curse is lifted, you might feel a bit dizzy. That’s a side effect from forcefully expelling impure elements, but it should subside in a few minutes. Purification.”

Rodin had used the 5th-circle Purification spell in the past to dispel the curse on Margaret. This time, the energy flowing from his fingertips into Harrison’s body was even denser and more sacred.

“Urgh…!”

As the purification energy made contact, Harrison groaned.

Just as Rodin had warned, a dizzying sensation overwhelmed him—it felt as though someone was striking the inside of his skull with a hammer.

However, the pain soon faded. In its place, a clarity unlike anything he had ever experienced settled in.

“How do you feel?”

“G-good… I don’t think my mind has ever felt this clear in my life.”

“The same magic I just used on you is now imbued in this shield.”

Rodin handed the shield, now containing the Purification spell, back to the Marquis of Richmond.

The marquis accepted it with a bewildered expression, as if unsure whether he should even be holding it.

The shield had originally belonged to one of his knights, but now, it had become an artifact—its magical value far surpassed its original worth as a mere shield.

“Why are you giving this to me…?”

“If you place it on the ground, the purifying energy will spread across several kilometers.”

The curse had spread across the entire territory, affecting tens of thousands of people.

Rodin couldn’t afford to go around treating each individual personally—it was both too tedious and too time-consuming.

Thus, after much consideration, he had decided to create an artifact.

It was a slightly cumbersome process, but once made, it had the advantage of allowing the Marquis’ household to handle the treatment instead.

“That wide of an area?”

“If you gather the afflicted people and activate it, or simply use it while traveling throughout the territory, it should work. The effect lasts about one hour, and it takes roughly a day for the mana to recharge.”

“A-ah! Thank you, Mage Rodin. I don’t know how I will ever repay this kindness.”

Rodin didn’t bother responding to the mention of repayment.

There was nothing he needed from the Richmond family.

He had plenty of money, and it didn’t make sense to request artifact materials from a knightly household.

—

“Hmm? It looks like the healer Segan has arrived. Let’s settle matters here first.”

Rodin’s gaze locked onto the oldest member of the Richmond household— Barclay Richmond.

It was time to intervene in the household’s internal affairs.

He preferred not to get involved in family matters if possible, but anything related to black magic had to be properly investigated.

—

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