Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 54 (Part 1)
There were three types of weapons used by magicians: Orbs, Wands, and Staffs.
An Orb referred to a large sphere imbued with elemental attributes, a Wand was a small rod with an Orb embedded in it, and a Staff was a long stick with an Orb placed at the top.
In essence, the core of a magician’s weapon was the Orb itself. The type of sphere used determined everything.
“But this body seems special too.”
The body was made of sky-blue wood. Rodin knew what this wood was.
“Arovaine, I’ve heard you can only get this from the Beast Forest.”
He had read about it in a book.
Arovaine was quite recognized for its ability to absorb magical power. Using Arovaine allowed a small object to hold a significant amount of magic.
Rodin fiddled with the Staff, tilting his head in curiosity.
Arovaine had its advantages, but also significant drawbacks.
“It’s not ideal as a material for a Staff.”
Arovaine was a soft wood. While it had the property of not weathering over time, it could break with a slightly strong impact.
If someone unwittingly struck the ground hard with the Staff, it would crack.
“Ancient texts mentioned that Arovaine was used in beginner magicians’ Staffs.”
This was a story from very old books, around 3,000 years old, and even the book was not an original but a copy.
“Should I just sell it?”
Even selling the Staff as a whole could fetch a significant sum. Many magicians would covet a Staff made of such a rare material as Arovaine with a fire attribute Orb of this size.
“I could also disassemble it and make artifacts.”
For now, he decided to ponder this later.
In the underground space he had created, there was another intriguing item besides the Staff. Rodin’s gaze was fixed on this new object.
“It looks like a relic.”
It was a statue shaped like a human. It was smaller than a palm, and its material couldn’t be identified. Moreover, it contained substantial magical power.
“An artifact. And an ancient one at that.”
Rodin grasped the statue and gently infused it with magic. He then read the runes of the magic circle inscribed inside one by one.
“Ah! This isn’t the time for this.”
Jito was still high up in the sky, surveying the surroundings with Rodin at the center.
He had just received a report through Jito that Commissioner Kser and Commissioner Habinon were approaching.
Rodin released the magic and put the statue into his bag. He also grabbed the Staff.
“I was too careless.”
He had stayed here for too long.
If it hadn’t been for Jito, he would have encountered Commissioners Kser and Habinon here. If they had attacked him together, he would have had to risk his life.
Rodin quickly ascended the stairs to the first floor.
He removed the shield he had placed in the passage for soundproofing and returned the half-opened display case to its original position. He intentionally left faint traces on the floor.
‘This way, Lant won’t have a hard time.’
If Commissioners Kser or Habinon arrived here, they might question why the trainees hadn’t heard the fight happening inside.
To give them the excuse, “The fight happened underground, so the trainees didn’t hear it,” he left faint traces.
‘Take care, Lant.’
The sun was already fully up, and light was streaming through the windows.
Rodin exited through the window where the light was coming in, avoiding Lant and the other trainees.
* * *
A few minutes after Rodin exited, Commissioners Kser and Habinon arrived at Elrov’s mansion.
Seeing the trainees still standing blankly at the entrance, Commissioner Kser clicked his tongue.
“What are they doing that they haven’t come out yet?”
“I don’t know why someone usually so quick is acting like this today.”
Knock! Knock!
The two knocked on the door while conversing. Naturally, there was no response from inside.
“Commissioner Elrov! Commissioner Elrov! It’s Commissioner Kser.”
“Commissioner Elrov! What are you doing? We’re in a hurry here.”
Even after shouting loudly, it was silent inside. Commissioner Kser felt something was off.
“Hey, number 58!”
“Yes, Trainee 58 here.”
The person Commissioner Kser singled out was Lant.
Among the third group, numbers 108, 57, and 58 were the most famous. Among them, the one who moved with Commissioner Elrov was number 58, Lant.
“Has Commissioner Elrov not come out?”
“He hasn’t come out since he went in an hour ago.”
“What were you doing?”
“He told us to wait to move some things when the warehouse door opens later.”
Commissioner Kser gulped without realizing it.
It was ominous. It made no sense for him not to come out after an hour unless he was asleep.
“Commissioner Kser. We need to break in.”
“Looks like it.”
Buzzz! Crash! Crack!
Commissioner Habinon drew his sword and forcefully broke the door. As the area around the handle was torn off, he reached in and opened the door.
“It’s quiet inside.”
“Be careful. The Imperial Army might have come.”
“There were trainees outside. If Commissioner Elrov fought, the trainees would have known.”
The two of them split up to search the mansion. Commissioner Habinon went upstairs, and Commissioner Kser meticulously searched the first floor.
“There’s no one here. Where did he go?”
“Commissioner Habinon. Over here. Come down here.”
Commissioner Habinon, who was on the second floor, hurriedly came down.
Commissioner Kser pointed to the traces left on the floor in front of the display case.
“Sigh. Acting like a child, creating a secret space.”
“Indeed. Commissioner Elrov!”
Knock! Knock!
“Commissioner Elrov! It’s Commissioner Habinon. Please respond.”
He knocked on the display case and called out loudly. There was no response from inside.
“Shall we try pulling it?”
“I’m not sure if Commissioner Elrov will be angry.”
“No. Once we leave here, we can’t come back. It doesn’t matter if we break it a bit.”
“Is that so?”
Commissioner Habinon pulled the display case with force. Instead of opening it properly, it felt like it was caught on a latch.
Commissioner Habinon ignored it and pulled with more force. He even used aura to pull the display case.
Creeeak! Bang!
With a strange sound, something connected to the display case broke. Then, the display case opened weakly.
“Commissioner Elrov! If you are inside, you should say something.”
“Commissioner Elrov. We don’t have time. We need to move immediately….”
“Gasp!”