Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 25 (Part 1)

The location of the slave mark was on the back of the head. Therefore, the trainees did not cut their back hair short. It was to somehow cover the slave mark.

‘There must be a slave mark there.’

He lightly tapped Hedler’s head, who was doing push-ups. The faint vibration of magic was detected by his keen senses.

“Hedler.”

“Wait a minute. Let me finish this.”

Hedler, who had a set number of push-ups to complete, stood up after finishing his remaining count. Even from the side, his trembling arms were noticeable.

“What?”

“Turn around for a second.”

“Why? You’re not up to something weird, right?”

“It’s nothing like that. Just a moment.”

Hedler turned around and sat down. Rodin placed his hand on the back of Hedler’s head and focused his magic.

‘As expected, it’s much clearer than mine. It won’t be easy to erase.’

He had previously checked the slave marks of Cory and Lant. By confirming Hedler’s slave mark today, he could clearly compare it to his own.

The slave marks and the explosion magic on the backs of their heads were sharp and distinct. It was daunting to even think about touching them.

‘Still, it’s not up to the 8th circle.’

It was generally said that to erase a slave mark, the caster needed to be double the circle of the person who engraved it. To erase a slave mark engraved by a 4th circle mage, an 8th circle mage was needed.

But Rodin believed that he could erase the slave marks even if he wasn’t an 8th circle. 7th circle. That seemed feasible.

‘Cory’s seemed a bit easier.’

Cory’s number was 107. Like him, he had the slave mark engraved last. Maybe because of that, the slave mark wasn’t very distinct. It seemed possible to erase it with a 6th circle magic, if he was willing to take some risk.

‘Hopefully, there won’t be any need to take risks.’

Hedler, Lant, Cory. All three of them could have their slave marks erased stably with the use of 7th circle magic. There was no need to forcefully touch the slave marks.

“It’s done.”

“What did you do?”

“The slave mark. I checked it.”

“Really? Can you erase it?”

“Do you think that’s possible? I just checked it.”

“Right? I thought so.”

Rodin checked Hedler’s slave mark and stood up.

“I’m going.”

“Okay.”

His destination was the library. He read books until an hour before bedtime. It was his daily routine, so no one asked where he was going.

—

It was the day of magic practice.

From the 1st to the 4th batch, 17 trainees specializing in magic gathered in one place.

The wide training ground in front of the central building was used by those majoring in swordsmanship. The place given to those majoring in magic was at the back.

“Are they the 4th batch?”

“Hehe, they’re cute.”

“They’re young. So young.”

The trainees of the 1st and 2nd batches were evaluating the 4th batch among themselves. Since Instructor Serion hadn’t arrived yet, the atmosphere was relaxed.

“I heard there’s a genius mage in the 4th batch?”

“No way, the genius is right here.”

The 31st of the 2nd batch pointed with his chin towards one side. The 108th of the 3rd batch, Rodin, was sitting quietly with his eyes closed.

“He’s a monster. Comparisons are supposed to be made among humans.”

“Is 108th not a human?”

“Nope. He must be of a different species. Who knows? Maybe he hatched from an egg.”

“Pfft, that makes sense.”

Although Rodin had revealed his level, it was still far above the growth rate of the 1st and 2nd batches. It was to the point where they didn’t even feel a sense of competition.

“Still, they say the 4th batch has the best magic talent.”

“That’s just magic talent. Magic Talent isn’t everything.”

“True, looking at 108th’s calculation speed for coordinates, it seems almost impossible.”

“But the power is a bit lacking.”

That was a weakness Rodin had deliberately created.

He was fast and accurate in casting, and his magic consumption was low. But the power of his magic was somewhat lacking.

He had created such a weakness in his magic to lessen the discomfort others might feel.

For this, Rodin never used his hand technique during practice. When chanting runes that influenced the power of magic, he deliberately mumbled the pronunciation.

“No matter how weak the power is, it’s still stronger than a lower circle mage. With that, it’s enough to be a combat mage.”

“Right, having such a weakness makes him seem more human. But why is that guy glaring like that?”

The 155th of the 4th batch had been glaring in one direction ever since he arrived. The intense, burning gaze was directed towards the seated 108th of the 3rd batch, Rodin.

“Is it a sense of competition?”

“Tsk, it’s like looking up at too big a tree.”

“Who knows? He might excel in other areas too.”

“I doubt it. I can’t imagine another monster like 108th.”

Just as the 1st and 2nd batch trainees were chatting, so were the 4th batch, albeit in lower voices.

“Today, I’ll crush that guy. Just wait and see.”

“Will it work? It won’t be easy.”

The one confident in victory against Rodin was, of course, the 155th. His attitude showed no sign of worry about losing.

On the other hand, the 132nd, who shared the same dormitory as the 155th, was concerned about the duel with a senior who had learned magic for a year longer. Unlike the 155th, he had a cautious nature and had been trying to dissuade him since yesterday.

“I’m also 2nd circle, what’s there to worry about? Just watch. I’ll definitely crush that kid.”

“Still.”

“I’ve already learned three 2nd circle spells. That’s enough.”

The 2nd circle spells he had learned were shallow and unrefined. The casting time was quite long, and since it wasn’t optimized, the magic consumption was considerable.

Still, 2nd circle magic was 2nd circle magic. It was much more powerful than 1st circle magic, and if he could hit, victory was certain.

“That person reached the 2nd circle a year ago. He probably knows more spells than you.”

“Whose side are you on? Do you think I’ll lose?”

“Sigh, I don’t know. Do as you wish.”

“Hmph, I’ll win for sure. Just be ready to respect me.”

The 155th’s personality was far from that of a mage. He lacked caution and rarely considered ‘variables.’

His friend, the 132nd, thought that 155th’s personality would eventually cause problems. He hoped today wouldn’t be that day.

“Why do you dislike 108th so much?”

“He acts all high and mighty for no reason.”

“When did he ever act high and mighty? It’s hard to even see his face.”

“Ah, I don’t know. I just hate him. Just looking at his face makes me angry… Here he comes.”

Hyung_Otaku2

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