Chapter 115: The People Awaited by Hell

As Raion’s mana flowed into the staff, it resonated deeply.

“The mana absorption rate is quite high.”

“It’s enough to cast a 5th-circle spell quickly without much strain.”

“But the enchanted spells don’t seem that impressive.”

Raion closely examined the magical formulas engraved on the surface of the staff.

They were the 3rd-circle Energy Wall and Wind Cutter, and the 4th-circle Thunder Breaker.

“There’s a limit to what kinds of spells can be engraved. Even 3rd-circle spells are remarkable, but with 4th-circle spells engraved as well, the power should be considerable.”

“You’re not wrong, but it still doesn’t quite satisfy me. Mind if I make some adjustments?”

“You can do that?”

Anyone could use the magic inscribed on a tool as long as they possessed the mana required for its activation.

Of course, as Caldein said, the currently engraved spells were already exceptional.

Still, to Raion’s eyes, they were far from enough.

“It’s more than doable. And with this staff, I probably won’t even need to go to the Port City of Mistel anymore.”

“Really?”

Even though he had Steeloud, Raion hadn’t crafted one himself from the beginning.

That was because a staff—the key medium for a mage—was notoriously difficult to make.

But now, things were different.

The staff, crafted by a renowned manufacturer, possessed excellent performance.

Raion could now analyze (分析) and decompose (分解) it to learn its method of production.

“I think it’s possible. For now, let’s all return to the castle.”

“I’ll stay behind to organize the goods we brought in.”

Fordman had sold the products Raion had designed and manufactured in the Theron production district, purchasing plenty of supplies needed for the territory.

The wagon was filled with goods meant for profit or for direct support to the residents.

Thus, unlike usual, Fordman worked with a serious expression.

Meanwhile, Raion and the others boarded the carriage and headed toward the castle.

Not long after, as they entered through the west gate, Jade tilted his head.

“There seem to be fewer knights in the castle than usual. Did something happen?”

There were noticeably fewer knights stationed than usual.

Raion smiled with satisfaction at Jade’s sharp observation.

“Not bad.”

“It’s because I recognize them well. But really, what’s going on?”

“It’s nothing, Sir Jade. By the Master’s orders, the knights are currently out for training.”

Patrick’s reply made Jade frown in confusion.

“Training? What kind of training would require altering the castle’s guard formations?”

“It’s a drill taking place in the Clamen Mountains. They’ll return after surviving there for thirty days.”

“The mountains?”

Even Caldein Flavan, who was sitting beside Jade, was startled.

Yet Raion and Patrick showed no concern.

“That’s right.”

“The monsters in the mountains have become more sensitive because of our territory. The knights could be in danger.”

The reason was simple.

The monsters that originally lived in the mountains had once descended into the territory and claimed it as part of their domain.

But now, with the concrete walls surrounding the mountain range, their habitat had become smaller.

Naturally, the monsters were becoming more irritable and prone to conflict within the confined space.

“Don’t worry. They’re doing much better than you think.”

“They’re an important fighting force.”

Everyone had at least a rough idea of the great undertaking Raion was planning.

That was why such a dangerous training concerned them.

“Exactly. That’s why it’s important.”

“Can I participate as well?”

At Jade’s question, Raion’s expression hardened.

“You can’t. Maybe Caldein could.”

“Why not me?”

“Because if you joined, the fun—no, the training—would be pointless.”

“Did you just say ‘fun’…?”

“You must have misheard. Ahem.”

With a cough, the carriage continued to move.

Upon arriving at the lord’s mansion, Raion entered his personal workshop.

Inside were countless tools and materials he had crafted during past experiments.

“Shall we begin? Analysis (分析).”

At the end of his words, a familiar incantation in Korean slipped from his lips.

At once, a familiar sound rang by his ears, and a window appeared before his eyes.

[Staff Crafted by Krat’an]

Materials: Steeloud 83%, Mithril 12%, Magic Stone 5%

It displayed the composition ratio of the staff’s materials.

‘So they used mithril to boost mana flow speed. But considering the amount of Steeloud, there are far too few spells engraved.’

That was likely the limit of the mage named Krat’an, who had created the staff.

Of course, it was a finely made piece.

It was simply not enough for Raion’s standards.

“Let’s see… the 3rd-circle Energy Wall and Wind Cutter, and the 4th-circle Thunder Breaker… I could add the 4th-circle Flare and Earthquake.”

“You’re going to add two more?”

“That’s plenty.”

Raion immediately drew the formulas for Flare and Earthquake into the air with both hands.

Then, a chime sounded by his ear as another window appeared.

Ding—!

[An engravable formula has been completed.]

[Please designate the target for engraving.]

Raion’s gaze shifted over the staff, finding a spot where mana could circulate easily.

As the Engraving (刻印) activated, the two magical formulas were carved as sunken etchings.

“That’s done.”

“Already?”

“It’s not complete yet. Just a moment.”

Raion then looked for mithril among the stacked materials.

He decomposed (分解) the solid mithril to liquefy it and filled the sunken engravings.

It was to prevent the etched portions from wearing down and damaging the formulas over time.

“All done!”

“Oh—! So this is another way to reinforce spell formulas!”

“It’s tedious work, but it makes things much more stable. Now, shall we test it outside?”

“Understood.”

They followed Raion out to the training ground behind the mansion.

With the knights away training in the Clamen Mountains, the place was completely empty.

In the center stood Caldein Flavan, holding the staff.

“I’ll begin.”

“Show me properly. Don’t hold back your strength for nothing.”

“At full power, you mean?”

Even if he was still lacking in experience, Caldein was a mage who had already stepped into the 5th circle.

It was a level of mastery that could be counted among the ranks of great archmages across the continent. The power could easily endanger the mansion—or even the nearby village—if he wasn’t careful.

So, Caldein raised his staff and began chanting his spell.

“Thunder Breaker!”

It was a 4th-circle spell.

Mana swiftly coursed through the staff from Caldein’s hand.

The spell was instantly completed.

In the next moment, lightning flared at the tip of the staff, branching out like a wave toward the front.

Bzzzzzzzt—!

The Thunder Breaker burned through the pile of targets set up in the middle of the range.

“To use a 4th-circle spell like Thunder Breaker that quickly… truly incredible.”

“Whew… You couldn’t block that even with aura, could you?”

Shtefan and Jade both clicked their tongues in amazement.

It was only one spell, but the power it displayed was tremendous.

And yet, Raion looked slightly unimpressed.

“Try casting something not engraved into the staff!”

“Mm! Mm! Understood.”

Caldein quickly reset his stance.

He channeled mana through the staff and deployed the prepared formula.

“Water Blaster!”

The casting speed was a little slower than before.

Droplets rapidly gathered above the staff, swelling in an instant into a large sphere of water.

Then, like a cannon, it shot forth, blasting apart the target that Thunder Breaker had previously set ablaze.

Kwaaang! Crack—! Crash!

The power was comparable to Thunder Breaker.

What was more impressive was that he had unleashed two consecutive 4th-circle spells without pause.

Even if it was only twice, that alone was remarkable.

“Not bad. Now, let’s move on to the 5th circle.”

“A 5th-circle spell, you mean?”

“You’re already a 5th-circle mage, aren’t you? Then you should use it.”

“T-that’s…”

“You didn’t practice during your time in Archia and Mistel, did you?”

At Raion’s sharp question, Caldein let out several awkward coughs.

“Cough, cough! That’s not it.”

“Then let’s see it. Use the strongest spell you can.”

Caldein once again took his stance, raising his staff forward with his right hand while tracing a separate formula with his left.

Since he had yet to reach the level of a master, he had quite a bit to prepare.

When the formula was complete and a great amount of mana flowed into it, Caldein’s hand holding the staff began to tremble slightly.

“Khmm…”

His groan lasted only a moment.

As the spell finished, Caldein’s lips parted.

“…Gravity!”

A mass of compressed air, the size of a human head, formed above the staff.

It flew forward, then slowly dropped to the ground.

Thoom—!

The sphere rapidly expanded as it hit, pressing heavily into the earth.

The already shattered pile of targets was flattened completely.

“Now that’s pretty good.”

“Phew…”

Catching his breath, Caldein loosened his grip on the staff.

Seeing that, Raion gave him an even harsher order.

“Make it so you can cast a 5th-circle spell consecutively at least five times.”

“F-five times, you say?”

“Too few?”

“N-no, it’s just…”

“Six times, then?”

“That’s too many…”

“Seven?”

“No! I’ll do six!”

“Good. You have thirty days.”

At those words, Caldein’s face turned pale.

Raion immediately turned to Jade.

“How’s your sword training coming along?”

“Mine, sir?”

“Did you practice while aboard the ship? From what I heard, you didn’t have any real combat, did you?”

In truth, Raion had hoped Jade would have fought someone in Archia.

But the matter had been resolved easily since the other side had backed down in fear.

“If you wish to test me, I’m confident.”

“Oh? Shall we, then?”

“With pleasure!”

This time, it was Jade’s turn—the knight’s.

Raion stepped into the center of the training ground with him.

Jade drew his sword first and took his stance.

“Won’t you draw your sword, Master?”

“I’ll draw it when I need to. For now, come.”

“Yes, sir.”

He didn’t ask further. He already knew the answer wouldn’t change.

No matter how he approached it, defeating Raion would be nearly impossible.

With that, Jade kicked off the ground and lunged forward.

Pahk—!

He moved like lightning, vanishing from sight.

In an instant, his figure appeared beside Raion.

Swish!

The sword swung, but Raion tilted his head slightly to dodge.

The blade cut through empty air, yet Jade didn’t stop.

“Your movements aren’t bad.”

“If you take me lightly, you’ll get hurt badly!”

Jade immediately drew up his aura.

A blue light enveloped his sword, extending outward in sharp intensity.

‘So he’s been training steadily.’

Clang! Clang! Clang-clang!

Before anyone realized it, Raion had drawn his own sword and clashed against him.

Because of Jade’s aura, the speed of his sword strikes had become even faster.

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