Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 154 (Part 1)

While Bianca was training, Rodin was pondering over magic and artifacts.

Master recognition, Spatial displacement.

Both were considerably high-level spells. Spatial displacement, a 7th-circle spell, went without saying, and even the master recognition spell was barely within the realm of the 6th circle.

“Master recognition isn’t important right now.”

He had already figured out the spell through the ring obtained from The Frouval’s box.

He had even applied its principle to his home’s security system, making it so that only those with the key could enter.

Though the master recognition magic engraved on the dagger was slightly different from that of the ring, the core principle remained the same.

Identifying this level of difference and understanding the altered parts wasn’t too difficult.

“Spatial displacement, huh…”

Rodin recalled the runes used in the magic circle inscribed on the dagger. He murmured those runes aloud as he tried casting the spell.

Swiiiish!

Something seemed about to activate, but the magic came to a halt. It was only natural. The combination of runes used in a magic circle and those used in direct spellcasting were inherently different.

It was the same logic as not being able to create artifacts just because one could use magic. Even when using the same magic with similar runes, the combination method differed.

“Runes…”

Rodin continued his research while recalling the runes. He tried casting the spell a few more times.

“It’s tricky. I need to think it over some more.”

“Is something not going well, sir?”

“Ah, right. Silent.”

Rodin conjured a soundproof barrier around him. He wanted to prevent Bianca or Larry from overhearing the conversation he was about to have.

“Awaiting your command, Master.”

“It’s not a command, but… When Princess Ellanerien created you, she was already a 9th-circle mage, right?”

“Yes. She said it couldn’t be done without 9th-circle magic.”

Rodin also knew how to create combat dolls. The method was recorded in detail in the books of the Magic Empire, making it not too difficult to learn.

However, creating a combat doll required all nine circles.

As a 7th-circle mage, he couldn’t even attempt it. At the 8th circle, he could at least perform repairs.

“She could freely use Spatial displacement, of course.”

“Yes. For solo movement, she used it without any incantation. But when moving with others, she had to use a fairly long chant.”

“Really? Then moving with others isn’t a 7th-circle spell.”

Rodin recalled the runes once more. Now that he thought about it, the mechanism was different from other spells.

“So, it’s not about area but individual movement. To move together, I’d probably need to reach the 8th circle, huh?”

While Rodin was lost in thoughts about Spatial displacement, Bianca finished her training. Her face looked refreshed.

Rodin dispelled the Silent spell he had used to block sound and stood up from his seat.

“Big brother Rodin! What’s this?”

“How is it?”

“Hmm… It feels similar to the carriage. Maybe a bit more? Or maybe not?”

“So, you’re saying it’s similar.”

It was similar to when Rodin had performed his mana cultivation technique. Though there were slight differences, they could be attributed to individual physical constitution.

Bianca wasn’t particularly sensitive when it came to sensing the nature of mana, how quickly it responded, or how “intelligent” it seemed.

So, she simply compared the quantity of mana she had gained and concluded that the dagger was similar to the carriage.

“Yeah. But I still think the carriage is better.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Cultivating outdoors feels like being naked.”

It wasn’t common to cultivate in places where others could see. Not only Bianca, but even Rodin had rarely experienced such situations.

‘I did experience it a few times while traveling with Bron’s party, though.’

When camping outdoors, there was no choice but to cultivate outside as well. Although Rodin didn’t distrust Bron’s party, it still felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Clack!

Just then, Larry opened the carriage door and stepped out. It seemed he had finished his cultivation as well.

“Why are you coming out?”

“I’m going to do some training.”

“Why don’t you rest a bit?”

“I’m starting with reaction speed training.”

Larry had been using the reaction speed training device Rodin had made for him almost every day. He mainly used it in the evenings, which had resulted in losing a few marbles.

Fortunately, the training had paid off. Compared to when he first started, his reaction speed had improved significantly.

“Good luck.”

“I’m going to study runes, too.”

“Go ahead.”

The two always trained around the same time, finished around the same time, and then moved on to their individual training sessions around the same time.

Watching them train, Rodin once again immersed himself in studying Spatial displacement magic.

—

The peaceful journey resumed.

As they distanced themselves from the volcanic eruption, the air quality gradually improved. With winter nearing its end, the temperature also began to rise.

They were now only about three days away from their destination, the city of Aramia.

“Hold on.”

Rodin halted the carriage for a moment. He swiftly stepped outside and gazed up at the sky.

“Sir, is there something in the sky?”

“Yeah. There’s a mass of condensed mana up there. Jito, enhance my vision.”

Wearing Jito’s garment, Rodin shared its sensory abilities. As the red gemstone attached to the collar pointed skyward, Rodin could see the magic beast soaring above.

“It’s a magic beast.”

“Flying in the sky, is it?”

“Yeah. But it’s massive—its body alone is about 10 meters, and including its tail, it’s over 30 meters long.”

As Rodin fixed his gaze on the sky, Larry and Bianca also stepped out of the carriage. They followed Rodin’s gaze upward.

“Brother, is something up there?”

“A magic beast.”

“Really? Could that black dot moving up there be the beast?”

“Yeah, that’s it. It’s circling around up there. What’s over in that direction, I wonder?”

The beast’s sheer size was alarming. A single swing of its tail could easily bring down an average building.

“Do you think it’s stronger than the giant Minotaur we fought before?”

“No. Although its flight ability makes it tricky, it’s far weaker than the giant Minotaur. Even though its tail is long, its body is only about half the size of that Minotaur.”

Aside from its whip-like, elongated tail, the beast wasn’t that large. Someone as strong as Karis or Jena might be able to overpower it through sheer strength.

“Still, a flying magic beast won’t be easy to deal with.”

“True. What should we do?”

“Big Brother Rodin, maybe there’s a village up ahead?”

“Hmm… I’ve memorized the map, but small villages aren’t marked, so I can’t say for sure.”

The massive flying beast was undoubtedly eyeing something ahead. Even as it circled in the air, its gaze remained fixed on the ground below.

“Sir, can you identify what type of monster it is?”

“It looks similar to a wyvern, but its shape is a bit grotesque. Its tail is unusually long, and its back is covered with numerous horns—or maybe they’re shells?”

“It must’ve been mutated by mana.”

Upon hearing its size, Karis and Jena immediately thought of magic Stones. Larry and Bianca had the same idea.

“Big Brother Rodin, let’s go check it out. If we can help, we should.”

“Yeah. If we can help, we should. But… I hope that’s the last one.”

“What do you mean?”

“Magic beasts that have grown by feeding on magic Stones—I hope no more of them appear.”

Rodin climbed back into the carriage. Larry and Bianca boarded the opposite carriage, while Karis and Jena naturally took the reins and resumed driving.

***

Hyung_Otaku2

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