Chapter 19: Rumors Completely Different from the Truth (3)

When Jade had first gone through this kind of training, he would often fall off the trees without fail.

Not only was it difficult to keep his balance, but trying to run quickly in that situation caused him to slip and fall, or end up dangling from branches hundreds of times.

However, once he began to get used to it, he could feel the results of his training.

“If I ever have to fight enemies in the forest, this will be a great help.”

“I believe that’s absolutely true.”

“Let’s end today’s training here. Spend the remaining time as you wish.”

Tak—!

Raion handed his towel back to Monica and picked up his sword, which he had set down beside him.

Seeing this, Jade opened his mouth.

“Every time I see Your Highness’s sword, I can’t help but think it has such a unique appearance.”

It was a Korean-style sword made using steel through Raion’s ability.

Recently, Patrick had wrapped the handle and scabbard with durable black leather, making it look quite refined.

Though he hadn’t had the chance to actually use it yet, he carried it around daily to make it feel more natural in his hand.

“I just made it because this design came to mind.”

Not long ago, he had begun swordsmanship training and even sparred with Jade using that blade.

Perhaps because it was forged from steel, its durability was quite impressive. Of course, the keen edge he had carefully sharpened would often chip whenever it clashed with Jade’s sword.

“If it’s all right, could you make one for me someday? I’d love to try using it.”

“Really?”

At Jade’s words, Raion casually tossed the sword in his hand toward him.

Tak—!

“Your Highness, why are you giving this to me?”

“Take it. I can just make a new one.”

“Truly?”

The sword was only a prototype anyway.

He could always forge a better one later, so he had no hesitation in handing it over.

Besides, there were a few things he wanted to experiment with on the next blade.

“You don’t want it?”

“No, not at all!”

Jade gripped the sword Raion had used a few times.

Except for the fact that it only had one edge, it swung faster and smoother than the swords he usually used.

To be honest, Jade had already been coveting that sword in his heart.

“Then just make good use of it.”

“Thank you! I’ll truly treasure this sword!”

He seemed genuinely impressed.

Seeing that, Raion also felt a quiet sense of pride.

“I’ll be heading to the workshop now.”

“Then I suppose I’ll go to the training ground.”

Jade was eager to try the sword right away.

Since their paths were the same, the two walked together toward the annex and training ground.

After some time, Caldein entered the annex under Patrick’s guidance.

He was being shown his new quarters—the room he would live in, the dining area, and the lounge.

“Are you sure it’s all right for me to stay here? It’s more than enough for me to commute from home…”

Perhaps because of the grandeur of Taron’s Palace, Caldein seemed quite overwhelmed.

“That was part of the arrangement, wasn’t it?”

“Still, I feel this place is far too grand for someone like me.”

“There’s no need to worry. And a room for your research has been specially prepared here in the annex. If you ever need additional items or materials, just let us know.”

Caldein still looked dazed. He had never imagined that such an incredible opportunity would come to someone like him—a lifelong 2nd Circle mage.

“Are you sure this is really all right?”

“It’s by His Highness’s orders. Speaking of which, we’ve already arrived. Please, step inside.”

Knock, knock.

Patrick knocked lightly on the door and slowly opened it.

Inside, Raion was in the middle of working to enhance his abilities. When he noticed the two entering, he turned his head.

“You’ve finally arrived. Did you have a good look around the palace?”

“Thanks to Your Highness’s generosity, y-yes, I did.”

“Good. I need to check something first, so please stay still for a moment.”

“…Pardon?”

At that moment, Raion activated his ability.

“Specific Analysis (特定分析)!”

With the shout, Caldein’s information appeared in a sky-blue translucent window.

—

[Target Information]

Name: Caldein Flavan

Age: 42

Occupation: Mage of the 13th Mage Division / 2nd Circle Mage

Title: Seeker of the Knowledge of Vladmia Mahal

Vitality: 320 / 320

Stamina: 490 / 510

Mana: 400 / 400

Abilities:

1st Circle – Basic Elemental Magic

2nd Circle – Wind Shield

2nd Circle – Water Shield

2nd Circle – Energy Shield

—

Caldein’s information wasn’t complex.

In fact, his stats were far inferior to other mages of the same rank.

Moreover, all of his spells were low-tier defensive magics of the 2nd Circle.

“Seeker of the Knowledge of Vladmia Mahal? What’s that supposed to mean?”

It was a title he had never seen before—much like the “White Flash” Patrick had possessed previously.

And Raion still didn’t know how such titles even formed in the first place.

“What… did you just do to me?”

Caldein looked bewildered. All he had heard was Raion utter some incomprehensible incantation—yet nothing seemed to have changed.

Naturally, he found the situation strange.

“I used my magic to learn about you. But tell me, do you know the name Vladmia Mahal?”

At those words, Caldein’s expression froze.

“How do you know that name, Your Highness? Don’t tell me—you’re also investigating Vladmia Mahal?”

“I don’t even know what or who that is. I simply found the name while examining you.”

“You can find out things like that? How… how is that possible…?”

Caldein was in disbelief.

Even after years of studying and recording magical knowledge, he had never seen nor heard of such a spell.

Meanwhile, Patrick bowed his head and quietly left the room.

Once the two were alone, Raion looked directly at Caldein.

“Can you explain that to me?”

Caldein hesitated for a moment at his request, then slowly opened his mouth.

“Vladmia Mahal is the name of a being believed to have been renowned in ancient times. I am reconstructing fragments of the magical formulas he once used.”

“Fragments of magical formulas? How far have you reconstructed them?”

“It’s still at an incomplete level.”

Only then did Raion understand how Caldein would come to be known as a great mage years later.

If the title shown earlier was correct, it meant that within at least twelve years, Caldein had managed to uncover all of Vladmia Mahal’s magical formulas and had ascended to the rank of Great Mage.

“To be honest, I don’t know much about magic. But from what I’ve looked into, it seems you have quite the expertise when it comes to magical knowledge.”

“T-that’s just the basic foundation expected of any mage.”

To learn and use magic, one needed a vast amount of knowledge as a base.

And that wasn’t the end of it.

Only by continuously studying and refining that knowledge through constant training could one avoid stagnation and truly grow as a mage.

Of course, that too required talent.

“Not everyone can uncover the knowledge of Vladmia Mahal, as you mentioned earlier. If there’s any way I can help with that, I’ll gladly do so.”

“Th-thank you!”

“Then could you tell me the necessary formulas and mana requirements for each Circle?”

“Pardon? You mean… separately?”

Caldein had thought he was only expected to share theoretical knowledge of magic.

But Raion’s instruction seemed to have a different intent.

“What I need are practical magical formulas. The reason for that is…”

Raion’s gaze shifted toward one side of the workshop.

Caldein, facing him, also turned his eyes that way.

There were stacks of iron and wooden plates engraved with magical formulas.

“These are…”

“I made them myself. They’re all 1st Circle formulas.”

Magic on the Phalon Continent was generally divided from the 1st to the 6th Circle.

Among them, Raion could only use 1st Circle magic.

“You’ve engraved them very neatly. Did you carve these by hand?”

“That’s part of my magic.”

Raion drew the 1st Circle Fire Formula with his finger.

> [A formula suitable for Engraving has been completed.]

> [Please specify the target to engrave the formula.]

The target was a smooth wooden board. Once he selected it, the formula shot forward and embedded itself into the surface.

Pwak—!

“W-what in the world…!”

Caldein, standing right beside him, was startled and couldn’t take his eyes off the wooden board.

“You could say this is my unique magic. Well… it’s closer to a technique than actual magic.”

As Raion continued to engrave, he felt as though he were running one of those stamp-making shops he’d often seen on the streets back in Korea.

“Incredible. To think you can carve such clear and precise inscriptions… You might even rival a skilled Arcane Engineer.”

An Arcane Engineer was a craftsman who inscribed formulas onto objects, allowing them to function through mana.

Of course, unless the formulas were engraved under specific conditions, they wouldn’t even activate—so a certain level of expertise was required.

“Well, I suppose it’s somewhat similar. But with mine, I can also do this—Emission (放出)!”

When Raion uttered the Korean incantation, the fire formula he had just engraved activated, igniting the wooden board.

Soon, as the engraved lines were damaged, the flames gradually faded away.

“Did you just remotely activate the engraved fire formula from where you’re standing?”

“That’s right. Now you see why I need the magical formulas, don’t you?”

Currently, magic consisted of six Circles:

1st Circle – Manifestation,

2nd Circle – Formation,

3rd Circle – Application,

4th Circle – Amplification,

5th Circle – Reconstruction,

6th Circle – Combination.

And beyond the 6th Circle was said to be a realm only a few ancient individuals had ever reached.

“If you can engrave formulas like this, then even without reaching higher Circles, you could still use the magic.”

“In theory, yes.”

“But wouldn’t the formula fail to activate if the mana supply is insufficient?”

Caldein had pointed out the precise issue.

Of course, Raion had already been aware of it.

“That’s why I asked you to tell me how much mana each formula requires. That way, I can calculate and test it properly.”

“I understand what you mean. Fortunately, I already have some organized notes from before—I’ll give them to you.”

“It’s even better if it’s something I can read directly. That’s all I needed to say for now. If you ever need anything, you can come to me or go through Patrick.”

Caldein looked completely flustered by Raion’s straightforward generosity.

“This is far too much… I don’t deserve such treatment.”

“If you think this is excessive, I’d be rather disappointed. Anyway, just carry on with your work. I’ll reach out if I need something as well.”

“I’ll take my leave, Your Highness.”

With that, Caldein exited the workshop, still wearing a bewildered expression.

“Huh…”

The prince he had met for the first time—Raion—was far more magnanimous than he had imagined.

He was easygoing, yet a faint sense of overwhelming presence emanated from his entire being.

“Is this really the same prince I’ve only heard rumors about?”

In the royal palace, there were all sorts of rumors about the Third Prince, Raion.

That he wasn’t fit to be royalty… that he lacked confidence and ambition, making him unworthy of succession.

But the Raion standing before him had been the complete opposite of those rumors.

“He might actually be more suited to the throne than any of the other princes…”

Murmuring quietly to himself, Caldein made his way to the research room he had been assigned.

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