Chapter 25: Chapter 25

As Arabella finished analyzing Dane’s magical power, Cidrane had also just released the seal. It didn’t take long.

After all, he was an 8-chain mage and the head of a magic tower.

‘I wonder what it is. Hmm, a dragon relic? No, there is evidence that Archana existed, but dragons are treated as fictional creatures…’

Whatever it was, it seemed certain that something he didn’t know would come out of this.

Finally, the seal was broken.

Cr-craaaaack一

The outer shell of what was thought to be a slightly large ‘stone’ gradually cracked and then split apart, finally revealing what was inside.

“…a bracelet?”

It was a silver bracelet. Just a simple bracelet without any special decoration or pattern, one that wouldn’t look out of place even if it were placed on a street stall.

“It’s a bracelet.”

“It seems so.”

However, it was still too early to be disappointed. After all, it was surrounded by a magic seal.

Unless the person who put this seal had a bad sense of humor and liked sealing useless objects and causing suffering to those who later discovered them, it was probably not an ordinary object.

Whooooong.

Cidrane gathered his magical power and put his hand on the bracelet.

He ran a component analysis on the bracelet. Though it would have been more detailed if he had the equipment, this should be enough for a simple component analysis.

As he thought so…

“Ergh. It’s not working,” Cidrane groaned honestly. “Just as it only reacts to your magic power, I think we’ll only know once you put it on.”

He could do something to the seal, but after that, it was up to Dane. After all, it was an item that only reacted to Dane from the beginning.

“Wait, before that. It’s necessary to check for dangers with items like this.”

“Oh, because of curse-type magic.”

“Right.”

I learned something new. Before putting on something of unknown origin, check for dangers.

“Most aren’t dangerous, but it’s an occupational disease.”

Cidrane cast a few spells and checked that the bracelet wasn’t dangerous before handing it to Dane.

“Put it on.”

Click.

Dane put the bracelet on his wrist and gathered his magic, feeling awkward.

Surprisingly, the bracelet started to react.

Whooooooooonng!

This time, even Cidrane could see how it vibrated, surrounded by a blue light.

Moreover, clear writing appeared on the surface of the bracelet.

“This is…”

Cidrane knew that writing. To be more exact, he knew about it. It was a language that no one in the world knew how to read.

Because…

“It’s Ancient Runes.”

It was from the ancients.

“It’s the runes used by the old Magic Kingdom, ‘Archana’.”

At those words, Dane was also slightly surprised.

Archana.

He had heard about it from his older sister. It was an era where everything was done with magic.

An era that then suddenly disappeared.

All that remained were a few ruins, oral tales, and just a single line of code.

Cidrane let out a dazed laugh of disbelief and plopped down on his bed. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. This far surpassed what could be explained as talent.

‘I tried to have someone like this as my disciple, huh.’

This was… a completely different story. The ancient magic kingdom, Archana… He knew that this kid’s magic power was different from others, but he didn’t think it would be something like that.

“Runes have power in their very form. Until now, no one in the world has been able to imbue Ancient Runes with magic,” Cidrane said confidently. “The fact that the rune is imbued with magic means that the magic you possess is not ordinary magic but Ancient Magic.”

Only then was Dane struck by a realization.

“So, that’s why I was able to move so comfortably in the Forest of the Last Days.”

“Yes. That place also contains Ancient Magic. If the magic of that forest came from Archana, then that explains why.”

He had heard it from his mother. It was said that the forest had changed like that after mages stayed there a long time ago. It was a story that was considered a fairy tale…

So, could all the phenomena up to now be explained solely by the fact that it possessed the magic power of this ancient magic kingdom?

Dane was a little confused.

“But that doesn’t explain other things.”

Then Cidrane said, “Analyzing the magical rearrangement code in such a short time, the sense to maintain magic, analyzing the code and checking for weaknesses, making others’ summons obey you… all of that can be explained as innate talent. It’s not because of that magic power.”

Ancient Magic.

It was definitely something great. Because the density and purity of his magical power were so great compared to others, he could use magic without a circle and accomplish many things with his high affinity.

But as Cidrane said, not everything was thanks to that magic power.

“In short, you were born with a talent that matches that magic power.” Cidrane looked at Dane with a strange emotion on his face. “You enviable little brat.”

He was jealous. Even if he didn’t have ancient magic, if he had that kind of talent, he might have reached 9-Chain, which was his dream.

“I see.”

Meanwhile, Dane nodded, seeming a little pleased. It seemed like a very indifferent reaction to Cidrane.

“Ugh. Tsk.”

He thought it might have been a good thing that Dane said he wouldn’t become his disciple. Dane’s talent was not something he could manage.

Because at some point, without him even noticing, Dane would surpass him. And just like he said…

With those ancient magical powers and those ‘talents’, it would be a waste to focus on just one field.

‘By the way, are there any among his ancestors who came from Archana? How curious.’

Anyway, one thing seemed certain: this fact should be kept a secret for now.

‘At least until he can withstand the storms of the world.’

So, Cidrane decided to keep it to himself.

“By the way, there doesn’t seem to be anything more to this bracelet. At least for now.”

“We can figure that out slowly, but don’t tell others about it. I’ll also keep it a secret.”

“Very well.”

As soon as he returned to the Magic Tower, Cidrane decided to collect as much relevant literature and data as possible. It was also a challenge for him.

He wanted to help this brash, talented, enviable… and ultimately, favorable little kid.

There was one more thing.

‘How exciting.’

It seemed like the desire to research, which he had thought had disappeared once he became the head of a magic tower, was revived.

Didn’t someone once say that being a mage was a lifelong learning profession? He had thought that there was nothing left to learn, he’d already reached 8-chains and figured he’d just spend the rest of his life wandering…

“Seems like fun.”

As the corners of Cidrane’s mouth curled up at the new driving force he had regained…

Beep一 beep一

At the sharp beep, Cidrane urgently turned around.

“A monster attack?”

Cidrane reflexively raised his magical power.

‘I guess it’s time to work.’

His body was almost healed by now. He should be able to deal with small monsters with a single gesture. However, Dane sat up very calmly and took something out of his lapel.

“What’s that? Isn’t it a monster attack?”

“It’s a crystal ball. It’s my elder sister.”

“…that sound is from that?”

What kind of alarm was that?

“There’s about a hundred alarm sounds, but I like this one the most.”

Cidrane felt quite embarrassed. Well, what kind of monsters would there be in this country estate?

Cidrane pretended as if nothing had happened and asked quietly, “Ahem. Is that a crystal ball?”

“Yes. Oh, this is a crystal ball.”

‘There was something like that?’

Although Cidrane wasn’t very certain about what it was, it was a compact crystal ball that was already spreading like a fad among young mages, especially in the capital.

Dane accepted the call.

“Just a moment. Hi, sis.”

⸢Dane, is there anyone there with you?⸣

Dane glanced at Cidrane and continued.

“Is it because my magic power is Ancient Magic?”

⸢…How did you know?⸣

Dane briefly explained the situation to the bewildered Arabella. Then he heard Arabella’s surprised voice.

⸢So, you analyzed the stone that you accidentally obtained with the head of the magic tower, and it turned out to be an item from the ancient magic kingdom. Because of that, you found out that you have ancient magic power?⸣

“Yeah. My method was different from yours.”

Arabella analyzed his magic power itself and found a matching code, revealing that the nature of Dane’s magic was Ancient Magic.

Cidrane discovered that the object with the magical seal only reacted to Dane’s magic and that the object bore traces of the ancient magic kingdom.

Even though the paths were different, the destination was the same.

Cidrane was slightly—no, very surprised.

‘She found out through mana analysis…?’

He had long heard that she was a genius, but mana analysis was a field that many experienced mages found difficult even just working the devices. But not only did she do so, she figured out it was Ancient Magic?

“Just what kind of family…?”

Arabella asked Dane, ⸢Does anyone else know?⸣

“No.”

⸢Good. Dane, listen carefully. Sir, please listen as well. I think it would be best to keep this a secret since Dane won’t be able to handle it right now.⸣

At those words, Cidrane nodded.

“Ahem. Arabella, can you hear me?”

⸢Yes, sir. It’s nice to make your acquaintance.⸣

“You as well. Uh, you don’t have to worry about keeping this a secret. I was also thinking the same thing. If this leaks out, this child and your family would be swept up in a type of chaos that would be hard to endure. Is this communication recorded, by any chance?”

⸢No. Our communication will be deleted the moment we hang up.⸣

“Good. It would be best not to leave any evidence of this. I plan to secretly find out more once I go back to the magic tower.”

⸢Thank you for your help.⸣

“No, Arabella. I just think this is my duty as a mage.”

After saying so, Cidrane subtly asked, “By the way, I’ve been hearing about this quite often lately, but have you decided which tower to go to?”

⸢No, not yet. But I don’t think I can go to the Nixion Tower. I’m sorry. It’s just that the field I want isn’t available there.⸣

“…”

He had wondered where this little brat got his confidence from, and it turned out he learned it from his older sister.

“Ahem. Hahaha. I suppose that’s possible. Alright, well, I didn’t ask you to invite you to our magic tower…”

Flustered, Cidrane handed the crystal ball back to Dane.

⸢Anyway, Dane. Let’s talk about the details again soon, okay?⸣

“Yeah, sis. See you”

⸢My little brother. You know your sister loves you very much, right?⸣

“Yeah, me too.”

After the end of the love-filled goodbyes between the siblings, Cidrane said, “You have a great older sister.”

“Right? Oh, and this crystal ball was made by my older sister. Isn’t she great?”

“Ahem. Hmm. She is. You know, my peers all use this, too. What do you call it?”

“It’s a compact crystal ball.”

“Yes, a compact crystal ball.”

Cidrane was sensitive to trends. To be exact, he hated the idea of being behind the trend. Even so, it was a bit difficult to keep up with the abbreviations and trends used by young mages these days.

“Do you use one, too? Then please give me your crystal ball code…”

“Ahem. Even if I have one, I don’t use it much. Once you reach 8-chains, you’re not so concerned about contacting others. If it’s urgent, they’ll come looking for you.”

“Oh… I guess…”

Cidrane tried his best to avoid Dane’s suspicious gaze.