Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 64 (Part 2)

“Wow, that’s convenient. You just use magic whenever you need it.”

With the help of the Light spell, Baker also prepared dinner. Since they didn’t have many ingredients, it was the same dish as lunch. Still, no one complained.

‘They’re getting closer.’

While reading, Rodin sensed a few people gathering nearby. It was the same group that had ambushed the merchant leader. Thanks to the heavy rain, Undine had detected them first.

‘What will they do?’

Rodin thought it was likely they would just leave.

The merchant leader’s body had been completely destroyed, and there was no way they could have known he had teleported to this location.

Furthermore, Bron’s group showed no signs of hiding anything. They were having normal conversations and bickering among themselves. Everything about them seemed natural.

‘Of course. They have nothing to hide.’

The only person who knew anything was Rodin. But he was confident in his ability to mask his emotions.

For a long time, he had deceived his instructors and the examiners, creating a fake slave stick. Despite facing over a hundred people, including instructors, examiners, and assistants, no one had suspected him.

“I hope the rain stops by tomorrow morning.”

“Yeah, I don’t want to spend another day shivering out here.”

“I want to soak in some warm water.”

“Me too.”

Hearing them talk about bathing made Rodin smile without realizing it.

Back at the training camp, the trainees all hated washing. Despite sweating profusely every day, most of them never washed properly, and the stench had been unbearable.

Fortunately, outside the camp, many people enjoyed bathing. Just yesterday, everyone in Bron’s group had taken a shower before dinner.

‘Are they retreating?’

The ambushers, who seemed like they were about to form a siege, eventually withdrew. It seemed they had dropped their suspicions for now.

With some free time, Rodin sat in the center of the mana condensation magic circle he had set up outside and began his training. Since it was outdoors, he only completed one cycle.

* * *

When spending the night outdoors, keeping watch was essential. As mages, Ellice and Rodin took the first and last shifts, with Rodin taking the final watch from 5 AM until morning.

‘I don’t see them anymore.’

Rodin had worried that the ambushers might return, but it was a needless concern. After briefly forming a perimeter in the evening, they hadn’t made any further moves.

Before going to sleep, Rodin had set up alarm spells around the area. He checked them as a formality and found no signs that they had been triggered.

‘The rain has stopped too.’

When he started his watch, it was still raining, but while checking the alarm spells, the rain had gradually ceased. As the rain stopped, the air became colder.

Rodin stepped outside the cave, summoned a Light orb, and continued reading his book. He hadn’t even looked at the items the merchant leader had given him before he died and the ones he had taken from the body afterward.

‘This isn’t a safe place for that.’

He calmly read his book, passing the time until morning. Occasionally, he added more firewood to keep the fire going.

In the distance, the sun began to rise, casting a reddish glow. As the surroundings brightened, the landscape became more visible.

The rain-soaked surroundings looked fresh and beautiful. Even though it was the same view he had seen yesterday, it felt as if he was in a different place.

‘The mana is moving peacefully too.’

Mana is the raw energy that can be artificially manipulated into magic.

On the other hand, unprocessed mana exists everywhere in the world. It generally moves slowly and steadily.

“Time to wake up.”

Rodin estimated the time and began by waking Bron.

After a brief stretch, Bron began waking up the others one by one.

“Yawn.”

“Ah! Is the rain gone?”

“Yeah. It’s a bit chilly, though.”

The awakened companions each started their morning routines.

The swordsmen loosened their muscles through physical exercises, while Ellice moved to a secluded spot to train her mana.

Rodin also sat in the center of the mana condensation magic circle he had set up the day before and performed his mana training.

After completing two cycles, he stood up. Ellice had just finished her mana training and was opening her eyes.

“Ah, I love this time of day.”

“Is breakfast going to be Baker’s soup again?”

“Yep. Sounds good, right?”

Rodin watched closely as Baker tore the jerky and started making soup. The ingredients were just jerky, flour, water, and salt. Nothing special at all.

‘This is true talent.’

Rodin thought Baker’s cooking talent was as special as his own magical talents. He seemed like someone who should open a restaurant immediately for all the food lovers out there.

“This is really delicious. How do you cook like this?”

“It’s so simple that it’s embarrassing.”

“Wow, if you ever open a restaurant, let me know in advance. I’ll have to settle down there.”

After finishing their meal, the group headed east again.

Though the rain had stopped, the ground was still muddy. It was so slippery that even their horses struggled, so they moved slowly.

Ten days passed.

During their journey, nothing significant happened. There was no rain, and no incidents occurred.

“It seems a bit early, but how about we rest here for the day? What do you think?”

“Let’s find an inn first, then look around. I’m sure everyone has things to buy.”

Though it was still early in the day, more like afternoon than evening, they found a village.

However, they couldn’t just pass through. The group had been camping out for four days straight. They didn’t want to spend another night on the road.

“Wow, this village is big.”

“It doesn’t seem like just any rural village.”

Though it wasn’t large enough to be called a city, it was too big to be called a village. There were many people passing by, and the buildings were substantial.

“The Lamaton River is right nearby. It’s no wonder people gather here. Oh, Rodin, didn’t you say you wanted to buy some clothes?”

“If we see something while we’re walking, I’ll get it then.”

Over the ten days they had spent together, Rodin had grown quite close to Bron’s group.

Bron and his companions had become comfortable with Rodin, and Rodin had lowered his guard, treating them like older siblings.

“Hey, that inn over there looks good.”

“Let’s go.”

“Let’s get cleaned up!”

“Let’s eat!”

Rodin and Bron’s group entered the inn with bright smiles, but they immediately froze.

“What’s with the atmosphere here?”

“I’m not sure, but it doesn’t seem like it’s because of us.”

There were about twenty people in the inn’s first-floor dining room.

They were divided into two groups, glaring at each other. It looked like the slightest provocation could lead to an all-out brawl.

Hyung_Otaku2

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