Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 89 (Part 1)
Rodin’s gaze shifted to Bianca this time.
Bianca trembled slightly as she glanced back and forth between Larry, who was on the verge of tears, and Rodin.
“Big Brother Rodin, do I not have it either?”
“Your magic talent scores around 12 to 13 on average. However, after sunset, it rises to about 15 or 16. Your training efficiency peaks around 10 PM. You definitely have talent, but it’s not exceptional.”
“How much is that?”
“If you work hard, you can become a 3rd-circle mage. Beyond that, it won’t be something you can achieve with effort alone; luck will also have to be on your side.”
Rodin had a different standard for judging magical talent.
At the magic towers, a score of 16 wasn’t considered particularly high. Across the continent, there were so many outstanding individuals that it wasn’t hard to find those with scores over 20.
However, in the royal magical corps or among magic families, a score of 16 was evaluated as a fairly decent talent. While it wasn’t extraordinary, it was enough for someone to be regarded as a promising prospect worthy of nurturing.
‘But I’m different.’
Rodin was the one who could provide Bianca with the “luck” she needed.
Rodin had access to a mana condensation magic circle. By combining it with the magic training room, Bianca could grow much faster than usual. Surpassing her 3rd-circle limit wasn’t entirely out of reach.
“Teach me. I’ll learn magic.”
“But becoming a mage requires a lot of studying. Do you think you can handle it? You struggled with even the continental common language, didn’t you?”
“I can do it. Bianca isn’t stupid.”
“Alright. Starting tomorrow, I’ll give you homework each day. Memorize what needs to be memorized, and practice what needs to be practiced. I’ll also teach you a new method of magic training, so forget everything you’ve learned so far.”
Her magic talent was at 16 points. According to Instructor Serion, that was “decent.” If she put in enough effort, she could become a formal mage.
However, Rodin had never believed that talent alone determined everything. Magic power was only one part of many that comprised magic.
‘Still, I can’t dismiss it.’
Magic power was the foundation of magic. Without it, magic couldn’t even begin.
Excelling in mathematics alone would only make someone a mathematician, and being good at imagining things would only make one a dreamer. Only with magic power could one become a mage.
* * *
Rodin began by teaching Bianca the method for training magic power. It was something he had learned in the Special Forces training academy, and Rodin himself also used the same method.
“It needs some adjustments, though.”
Other than teaching her the magic power training method, he hadn’t yet begun formal magic lessons. Before that, he needed to teach her the basics of mathematics and help her practice summoning images in her mind.
Larry also joined in learning the basics of math. Since basic math was essential for daily life, it was good for Larry to learn it as well.
“We should be arriving soon.”
Rodin and his group entered the Lennox Kingdom on the ninth day of their journey. After another eight days had passed, they were approaching the Marquess of Richmond’s domain.
“Larry, are you okay?”
“Huh? Oh, yes.”
As Bianca began learning what was required for magic, Larry grew more and more dejected. He often spent the entire day feeling down, thinking that he alone had no talent.
“Larry, magic is just one of the many skills the world needs. You probably have other talents.”
“I’m sorry, brother. I’m bringing down the mood, aren’t I?”
“I’m fine. Stay strong.”
Before they knew it, the carriage arrived at a large castle gate. Hundreds of people were waiting for the gate to open, eager to enter the lord’s castle.
“Is that the place?”
“Yes, that’s the Marquess of Richmond’s domain.”
“There are so many people.”
“I hear it’s a bustling place.”
After waiting for the long line to shrink, they passed through the castle gate. As soon as they entered, a large building stood on their left.
‘Huh? A mercenary guild?’
Unlike the Western Continent, the Central Continent had large mercenary guild buildings. Many people were coming and going from that building.
‘I need to stop by the mercenary guild at some point.’
If a mercenary didn’t take on requests for a certain period, their mercenary rank could drop, and eventually, their registration could be canceled. The lower the rank, the shorter the grace period, meaning they had to regularly take on requests to maintain their rank.
Since Rodin had obtained his mercenary badge, he hadn’t taken a single request. While this meant he hadn’t gotten into any accidents, as Bron had worried, it also meant his registration was on the verge of being canceled.
“Why?”
“Nothing. Let’s go. The government offices should be this way, right?”
Rodin had asked a few necessary questions of the gate guards as they entered.
They would soon need to visit places like the residency registration office, the housing department for buying a home, the security office, and the horse market to sell their carriage.
“They said if we keep going straight, we’ll reach it.”
“Alright. Let’s go.”
As they headed toward the government offices, they noticed that the attire of the people around them began to change. Increasingly, people were wearing clothes that mixed sky blue and brown.
“Those must be the uniforms for the government offices.”
“Do we wear them too?”
“No, we’re just here as citizens with requests. There’s no need for us to match their attire.”
At the end of the path, they spotted a building with a drawing of a house on it. This was the office where buildings were bought and sold.
In the Marquess of Richmond’s domain, personal transactions for buildings were not allowed. When selling a property, one had to sell it to the government office, and when buying one, it had to be through the same office.
That didn’t mean the prices were manipulated or extorted. By law, the price difference between buying and selling a property was not allowed to exceed 20%.
“Let’s go in.”
“Yes.”
Rodin held Larry and Bianca’s hands as they entered. They left the carriage at the government office’s stable for the time being.
*Jingle!*
When they opened the door, a pleasant chime rang from a bell attached to it. In response, the eyes of the staff inside the office turned toward the entrance.
However, they quickly lost interest, and only one person kept looking—the clerk in charge of reception.
“Welcome. How can I help you?”
“I heard it’s better to register residency after buying a house.”
This was the advice they had received from the gate guards. He had been told that registering residency after securing a home would make the paperwork less cumbersome. However, they had to register within ten days of acquiring a house.
“Oh! You must be from outside the domain. Welcome. My name is Frail, and I’ll be your clerk. May I ask where you’re from?”
“We’re from the Western Continent.”
“Wow! It’s not often we get people from the Western Continent in our domain. Please come in and take a seat.”
Nobles and merchants from the Western Continent often wished to return there if given the chance. Therefore, when they did come to the Central Continent, most settled in port cities or quiet villages nearby.
“We want to secure a house as quickly as possible.”
“Houses are always available. What kind of home are you looking for?”
“We need at least three rooms, but more is fine. A basement would also be preferable since I’m a mage and need a space for research.”
“Oh! A mage.”
At the mention of a mage, all eyes once again focused on them. This time, they didn’t look away as quickly.