Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 30 (Part 1)

The secret underground storage in the central building was known only to the committee members. Even the instructors were unaware of its existence.

They had installed a triple-lock system, combining magical and physical locks, ensuring that entry required knowledge from multiple fields.

“Locks… ”

“It should be manageable for now. Number 108 is still a 5th-circle mage. My concern is if number 108 reaches the 6th circle. Who could stop a 6th-circle mage if they decide to break in by force?”

“Hmm.”

“Indeed.”

It was an uncomfortable truth.

They aimed to make the trainees strong but not excessively so. It wasn’t patriotism or loyalty that controlled them but the slave seals.

The slave stick was a weapon that could command, “Do as you’re told if you don’t want to die.” It was akin to a sword wielded during a threat.

However, threats only worked when a strong person wielded them against a weaker one.

If the roles of the strong and weak were reversed, the weapon of threat lost its value.

“Let’s assume ten years from now. If number 108 takes the slave stick, will they only secure their own? No, they’ll likely take all the slave sticks and attempt to command the trainees we’ve painstakingly trained according to their own will.”

“So, what do you propose? Killing him?”

“That’s not an option. We invested too much in their growth. For now, I suggest we retrieve number 108’s identification token.”

“Identification token?”

“Retrieve their token? Hmm, I understand what you mean.”

Within the Special Forces training facility, the identification token served two purposes:

It was an ID to access the training rooms and a key to the advanced library.

Retrieving the token meant restricting library access and barring the use of training rooms.

“The true aim is to block access to the training rooms. Without access, their growth speed will slow to a third or a quarter.”

“Exactly. Blocking the training room alone can delay number 108’s advancement to the 6th circle by fifteen to forty years.”

The other committee members realized the significance of retrieving the token. It would critically impact number 108’s growth.

“But it won’t look good if we simply ban them. We’re essentially telling them to waste time while others use the training rooms. It would also raise questions among other trainees and instructors.”

“We can assign them other tasks. There’s something perfect for this.”

“What kind of task?”

“We plan to offer number 108 access to the third advanced library, assigning him to artifact creation. Of course, it will require research.”

The key point was the phrase “it will require research.”

The third advanced library housed two types of books:

The majority were about artifact creation, comprising two-thirds of the library. These were incomplete research materials requiring further study to produce potions or artifacts.

The remaining third consisted of damaged books.

Some had missing front halves, others had entire sections torn out. Some were burned to the point where the lower part was unreadable, or written in unrecognizable scripts, making translation impossible.

“Artifacts… Do you think number 108 can complete the research?”

“He is said to be smart. It might be possible. And we have no other options. Since Chairman Kreate’s death, the royal support funds have significantly decreased. We need to supplement our finances through other means.”

The reduction in royal support wasn’t due to Chairman Kreate’s death. The real reason was the looming war between the Ingram Empire and the 13-nation alliance.

War was imminent, with a palpable tension felt by everyone.

The royal family was understandably conscripting soldiers in preparation for war.

With an increase in troops, more weapons and armor were needed. Basic equipment, barracks, and additional horses and carts for transportation also had to be purchased.

All of this required money. The royal family wasn’t withholding funds from the training facility; they simply couldn’t send them.

“If number 108 can at least produce potions, it would be beneficial.”

“Otherwise, we’ll have to cut our salaries immediately.”

The timing of reduced royal support coincided with Chairman Kreate’s death.

As the inflow of money decreased, the training facility started with the trainees’ meals.

The meat size was maintained, but the quality dropped. White, soft bread became rare.

The quality of clothes also declined. Smooth and soft fabric was replaced with coarse and stiff material.

Of course, the committee members’ and instructors’ salaries remained untouched. They would rather sell the mana stones embedded in the training rooms than cut their own pay.

“If we could produce attack artifacts… Hmm, is that too much to hope for?”

“Only the magic towers and a few old workshops can create activation artifacts. Even those are limited.”

The training facility had only one activation artifact:

The magic lamp.

Until a few decades ago, even selling a horse couldn’t afford a single magic lamp. They were absurdly expensive.

But as more magic towers capable of creating magic lamps emerged, the price dropped significantly. Now, one could buy a hundred magic lamps for the price of a decent horse.

“I saw an artifact containing magic arrows a few months ago, priced at 500 gold. Selling twenty of those would make up for the lack of royal support.”

“You’re going too far. Expecting activation artifacts is unrealistic. Number 108 is only twelve years old. Maybe in twenty years of research, but it’s impossible now. Potions are the priority. With the impending war with the Ingram Empire, potions are what we desperately need.”

“Ah, potions. It would be great if he could make them.”

“Alright, let’s summarize. Retrieve number 108’s identification token. Provide access to the third advanced library. Assign artifact and potion creation tasks. Agreed?”

“Yes, agreed.”

“I agree too.”

Thus, Rodin’s fate was decided by Kser’s decision. They manipulated a single person’s future at will, but no one felt any guilt.

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