Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Contrary to popular belief, the amount of magic a mage possesses does not vary greatly from person to person.

Because magic is a form of absorbing nature’s magic, refining and purifying it, and then releasing it.

The reason why a mage’s body, unlike a knight’s body, is weak and tires easily is for this very reason.

And what can handle that purification is a circle. Maybe you can call it a type of filter with a ‘channel’ capability?

This is the reason why a mage with more circles can use stronger spells than a mage with less.

‘That is why the flow of magic and its density are normally limited without a circle…’

However, Dane was different.

He possesses an entirely different density of magic and magic flow from normal people.

And what if he were to form a circle on top of all that? Then his dense magic would be compressed even further and refined enabling him to use even stronger spells.

In normal cases, the circle would not be able to withstand the magic’s density or pressure and burst.

However, Dane was different.

Because his affinity for magic was high.

And extremely so.

The amount of magic his body can absorb and utilize is already on another level.

In Dane’s case, his amount is far greater than any mage Cidrane has ever seen until now.

‘But why…’

Why does he not have a circle?

Cidrane soon realized.

Those eye-catching cores that draw out one’s magic.

Two mana cores were situated roughly around Dane’s heart.

“Wh-what did you form mana cores for?!”

Cidrane screamed in shock.

Dane furrowed his brows and responded, “Was I not supposed to?”

“Of course not! When you have such crazy dense mana, were you really thinking of swinging some weapon around?! How ridiculous!”

Cidrane raised his voice out of frustration.

“When you have such unbelievable density and magic flow, you went and formed a core and not a circle?? You’re renouncing your talent with your own hands!”

Dane tilted his head at that statement.

“Can’t I just use both of them?”

From what point should he even start so he can explain this, thought Cidrane.

Maybe why a ‘magic swordsman’ lifespan is so short would be a good start?

Or why ‘magic swordsman’ is synonymous with a noncommittal expression?

Or… how Cidrane thought Dane was a genius but he was actually an idiot?

“You really think you can?”

“Yes.”

Dane was so confident that Cidrane was in utter disbelief.

And that is why Cidrane had asked if he thought he could.

“Cores and circles interfere with each other. That’s the law. When the magic that has been compressed within a core is transmitted to the circle, if the circle is unable to handle it, it could burst!”

It was a predetermined law of sorts.

And that is why the lifespan of a magic swordsman is short.

In exchange for receiving both magic and physical abilities simultaneously, they end their lives in a blaze of glory.

If you were to analyze a magic swordsman’s corpse, you would see that the paths in the body along which magic flows would be torn and a complete mess.

In other words, according to what Cidrane said, Dane could no longer form a magic circle.

‘Such a waste of talent! A waste!’

No matter how ill-tempered Cidrane was, as a mage, he did not look down on warriors who could use cold, hard weapons.

However, from the point of view of a mage, he could only feel it was a waste.

He thought that if he, himself, had such talent,

Then he would have been able to approach the realm of 9-chain by now.

He felt so frustrated, he was going to go crazy.

Cidrane was about to pound his chest out of frustration when at that moment…

“Is it really impossible to use magic without a circle?”

“Of course it’s imposs—”

Cidrane paused all of a sudden.

“…While it is theoretically possible, it’s closer to being impossible. How are you going to be able to use spells that require purified magic without a circle’s refinement”

In Cidrane’s eyes, it was impossible.

It was not as if no one had ever tried it before.

However, most of them failed.

“Then, shall I try it?”

“What did you say?”

“I’ll try it without a circle.”

What bullshit is this kid saying?

“Well, not that I’ve tried this even once.”

At the sudden sound, Cidrane doubted his ears.

“…….”

What is this crazy boy doing?

Whether he does it or not.

Dane repeated the code arrangement for a spell he had just recalled over and over and drew upon the magic from within himself.

And at that moment he spread his palm…

Woooooosh!

A burning fireball appeared out of thin air.

It was a basic 1-chain level spell.

However, this kid doesn’t have a circle.

So how in the world?

“Oh, it worked.”

Dane smiled widely as Cidrane looked on.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Cidrane let his jaw drop in shock.

“J-just how did you?”

Neither had he forcibly created a circle.

So just how was he able to manipulate this subtle magic without a single circle…

“This… this is unbelievable…”

“Shall I try it again?”

Dane let his magic disperse and dispel the fireball and shortly after unleashed another spell.

Voooosh!

A thin magic curtain unfolded before Dane’s eyes.

It was a 1-chain circle shield spell that could block physical damage.

Cidrane wanted to faint.

A kid without a circle used magic?

And used it on the spot?

“Wow, this works too.”

Cidrane watched the kid who was mumbling to himself excitedly and thought to himself.

A circle.

A type of vessel that refines magic power.

The power and grade of a spell are determined by the purity of the magic used.

For example, a 5-chain teleport spell is normally one that can be used by magic that has been purified by 5 circles.

And that is why that fireball, which requires refinement at least once to be used, should be impossible to use without a circle…

“My sister Arabella has said that my affinity for magic is overwhelmingly high compared to other people. Maybe that is the reason?”

Ah.

Cidrane realized at that moment.

This kid must be…

Someone with overwhelming ‘talent’.

So this is what overwhelming ‘talent’ is.

“Hahaha…”

Cidrane let out another hollow laugh.

An affinity for innate magic power.

And thanks to that, an incomparably pure and dense magic.

On top of that—

Such blatant use of magic without the use of a circle and without showing any signs of fatigue.

This boy was the real deal.

Cidrane felt harried thinking he had finally found the disciple he had been looking for.

“Would you consider becoming my disciple?”

I already knew my affinity for magic was high at a young age because I could not only wield magic like Arabella, but I had already formed a magic core by the age of three.

And that was why I had been able to breathe and move freely within the Forest of the Last Days without any problems.

The Forest of the Last Days where someone with strong breathing techniques like Mother would still find it difficult to stay in for too long.

The act of absorbing magic and releasing it again to allow me to stay there without issues for hours was an absolutely natural act for me.

However, past that, ‘now’ was the first time I had learned that my magic was dense and pure or that I was capable of effortlessly using magic without a circle.

“Oh this really works.”

I was actually pretty surprised.

I had been trying to figure out how to form a circle after I formed my mana cores.

However, I managed to resolve that more easily than I had thought.

If it was difficult for me to form a circle, I would just not form one and use magic without it.

Because my magic was already pure and dense without a circle.

And it seems that concept is an earth-shattering one.

Given how this head of a magic tower had given up all pretense of composure and was chasing me around.

“Wait! Wait a moment! Let’s have a talk!”

Actually, the reason I had been unable to feel the weight of what “being incredible” means is due to Arabella’s constant praise.

I heard from when I was a child about how she knew I would be able to do something since I was a genius.

Well, from Arabella’s perspective, I suppose she would have felt that it all made sense.

Since she, herself, was a genius.

“I said let’s have a talk!”

“It’s time for bed.”

“It’s broad daylight. What are you going to bed for?!”

Ah. This man was persistent, for sure.

I had told him in no uncertain terms I would not.

I quickened my pace.

However, just as I was to speed up, that mage unexpectedly appeared right before me.

“Hoo hoo. Did you see that? That was an acceleration spell. It is a spell that temporarily accelerates your body. If you become my disciple, you’d be able to learn this and learn even more powerful spells…”

I poured all my magic into my legs and took off.

A chase began suddenly.

“Oh dear. Isn’t that person the one who was poisoned by eating red-nosed mushrooms? Why is he chasing the young master?”

“Wasn’t he a mage?”

“A mage was poisoned from eating red-nosed mushrooms? Wouldn’t that make him a fool?”

Amid all the residents of Father’s territory, that is.

“This is gravity magic! If you use it below your feet you can feel like you’re flying through the sky! What do you think? Do you find it interesting?”

“Arabella’s already told me all about it.”

“……”

While I was running away from him, I was unable to shake Cidrane.

Come on. If you become the head of a magic tower, any number of people would want to become your disciple. So why are you doing this to me?

“You absolutely have to become a mage! Letting that talent go to waste would be a crime. A crime! And should you learn from me, Cidrane Gauss, the head of the Nixion Magic Tower, then… Urk!”

Cidrane suddenly fell and rolled around on the ground. However, he seemed determined because he immediately got up and chased after me.

What a pain.

Are all mages like this?

“Huff. Hufff.”

But soon Cidrane had to stop to catch his breath in one place, fatigued.

It was clear that due to the magic reflux, he was unable to use his magic anymore.

“Damn, if it wasn’t for this magic reflux…”

“You would be better off heading back to rest.”

“Hm. But that doesn’t mean I’m out of options!”

Cidrane took out what looked to be a feather from his clothes. The feather burst into flames and Cidrane’s body rose and began floating.

It was an artifact.

Tsssss.

After going afloat, Cidrane approaching me was the very definition of fear.

“Ahaha. What do you think? I could provide you with these kinds of artifacts for free! If you become my disciple, that is!”

I had no moves left.

I could not draw my sword on a patient. I could not use my fists on him. I could only handle him gently at this point.

Maybe I could try using wind magic?

After drawing up my magic, I arranged a code for a wind spell.

The moment I released it from my hands—

Wooooosh!

A strong wind blew toward Cidrane, who was floating in the air and pushed him away.

Instantly, I could feel my magic drain away.

But the spell somehow finished casting fine.

“Oh my!”

Exclaimed Cidrane because he had fallen right on his buttocks on the ground.

He will probably give up now, right?

“What in the world… wind magic too?!”

Oh goodness.

“You really have… incredible talent!”

“Even so, I won’t become your disciple.”

“I’m going to make sure you do!”

What. Is this old geezer going to kick the bucket if he cannot make me his disciple?

“Do you know how to use 2-chain magic? Will you try it?”

“I don’t know the code so I can’t use it.”

“You, you you you you! With such genius talent, why don’t you know the code for simple 2-chain spells?!”

Simple, huh?

Of course I would not know.

Because I did not ask Arabella.

And who would have known I could use magic in this manner?

“Haha, I didn’t realize you had gotten so close to my son already.”

At that moment, I heard the voice of a savior.

It was Father.

“Oh look, the Count is here.”

“How can he look so grand even though he’s older now?”

“Because he’s the count! Our count is probably the most magnificent out of all the nobles in the empire!”

“But I heard Duke Thermion over in the capital is quite handsome, himself. Everyone who saw him last time kept talking about it!”

Father appeared in the midst of all the amusing chatter of the residents and looked at me and smiled.

“Son, are you this friendly with him already?”

“No. I’ve been running away from him because he keeps telling me to become his disciple and I had told him no.”

“Disciple?”

Cidrane hurried to interject in the face of my honesty.

“Count Sogres. Your son has an incredible level of talent in magic!”

“Haha, is that so?”

“Probably even greater than you can imagine! I had never seen a single person capable of using chain-level magic without a circle until now!”

“Is that true, Dane?”

I nodded at Father’s question and I produced a fireball in my hand.

Father’s jaw dropped at the sight of it.

“Oh my goodness.”

Cidrane looking triumphant at that scene started a long speech.

A speech along the lines of how my magic’s density and purity were incredibly high, how my affinity for fundamental magic was high, how I could refine and smoothly circulate magic without a circle, and so forth.

“Is that right? Ha. I did not know that my son was capable of using any magic aside from the basic release of magic…”

“And that is why his talent is so impressive!”

Father kept nodding his head in response as if he found it interesting.

“You are indeed the head of a magic tower. You could immediately see my son’s talent in magic.”

“Seeing his talent, no, it’s not a matter of simply having talent! Your son’s a genius. This could be the birth of a rare magic swordsman!”

“…magic swordsman?”

Father’s brows furrowed for a moment.

Ah.

That was not a good idea.

“That’s right. A magic swordsman. What do you think? Caught your interest? If he becomes my disciple, I’ll take responsibility and make him the best magic swordsman! Of course, using a sword is…”

“Magic Tower Head, Cidrane,” abruptly Father’s serious voice cut in.

“He cannot become a magic swordsman.”

“B-but why not? Didn’t he excel in both talents?”

Whether it was because he was being pressured by Fathers’ aura, Cidrane had a bewildered expression on his face.

A moment later Father said…

“My Dane won’t become a magic swordsman. He’ll become a magic spearman instead.”

“……”

“……”

Father.

I want to become a magic swordsman…

And I may as well add assassin and summoner to that.