Chapter 385
Chapter 385: Let’s Raise the Circle Too. (2)
Raising the Circle.
Honestly, Alfoy had long given up on that matter.
He was just living a busy life every day. Although he had become somewhat more relaxed taking on the role of supervising the wizards, he still had to lend a hand when busy.
So when would he even study and gather his mana?
At this point, he was practically a life-long slave. He would never escape this in his lifetime.
Now all he desired was a refreshing drink he could enjoy after work and a cozy bed to sleep in. Occasionally, he used the stress from his position as an excuse to let off steam.
And then, suddenly, they wanted to raise the Circle?
Alfoy glanced around cautiously and asked,
“Uh… Is that Dragon Heart really for me? This?”
Though it was smaller than his fingernail, it contained tremendous magical power. Surely, if he absorbed that, he could reach the 4th Circle.
Ghislaine nodded eagerly.
“Of course, it’s yours.”
“Why…?”
The Dragon Heart is a treasure among treasures. There’s no need to mention how much more valuable it is to a mage.
In terms of significance to the territory, he actually had low importance. Though his practical experience had increased, the things a mere 3rd Circle mage could do were still limited.
Since meeting Ghislaine, Alfoy always ended up being on the receiving end, so of course, he couldn’t help but feel suspicious again this time.
Seeing the distrustful expression on his face, Ghislaine clicked his tongue.
‘This guy has totally turned into a suspicion bundle. It’s all Claude’s fault.’
While he did bear some responsibility, Ghislaine pinned everything on Claude. After all, Claude did have the biggest share of the blame.
Still, Alfoy had shown his worth when capturing Queen Grex and displayed commendable skills during the recent fight against the Tower of the Bloody Flame.
Alfoy had definitely changed since coming to this place. He went from being the arrogant heir of a Mage Tower to a capable worker for the territory.
Others might not see it, but Ghislaine valued that aspect of Alfoy quite a bit.
“You’ve worked hard, so I’m giving it to you as a gift. You don’t need to be too scared.”
“R-really? This?”
“Of course, it’s definitely for you. Everyone here is a witness.”
At his words, Belinda clapped with a blank expression. Vanessa genuinely congratulated him with joy.
“Congratulations, Lord Alfoy! Absorbing that chunk will surely raise your Circle!”
“W-well, I suppose?”
Alfoy’s heart began to race a bit.
The Dragon Heart was the best treasure desired by mages. Compared to it, a Runestone was just a piece of rock.
It was exciting to receive such a treasure… But still, his timid personality became a concern.
‘Can I really absorb that…?’
If something went wrong eating that, he could burst apart. Such treasures could only be held by those qualified to possess them.
Especially the mages of the Tower of the Bloody Flame were in a state where Hubert, the tower owner, had made caution contagious.
From the tower owner to the elders, they were all people who wouldn’t train unless they had a Runestone. Naturally, the disciples couldn’t help but be influenced by that atmosphere.
If it’s dangerous, don’t do it. This became the new principle of the Tower of the Bloody Flame.
‘Hah, I feel like I can’t eat that…’
He wanted to eat it, but if he did, he thought he might be sick. Alfoy was like a puppy desperately needing to poop, unable to ask for it while also not being able to give up, just groaning away.
Seeing that, Ghislaine chuckled.
“Why? Are you scared you’ll burst?”
“N-no… What is there to be scared of? It’s just that…”
“If it’s not fear, then what?”
“It’s just a little… risky, I guess…”
“What? The man who defeated a god is scared of a chunk of Dragon Heart?”
“I’m not scared! I’m just being cautious!”
“Then I’ll give it to someone else.”
“You can’t just change your words like that!”
“Ah, then what am I supposed to do?”
“…….”
As Alfoy stammered, Vanessa clenched her fists beside him.
“You can definitely do it, Lord Alfoy! I’ll be right here to support you!”
Belinda and Kaor also chimed in.
“Young Master, then I’ll just eat it myself.”
“No, no! I’ll eat it! Why would I give it to someone who doesn’t want to eat it!”
Other knights who had come to watch started clamoring for a piece too. Alfoy absolutely hated the thought of benefiting anyone else even if it meant he would face a bit of danger.
“Enough! Everyone be quiet! I’m the one who will eat it!”
If they say they’re giving it to him, then not eating would be foolish. Alfoy steeled himself and reached out.
“Yeah! If I’ve overcome the god’s power, can’t I handle a mere chunk of dragon? After all, isn’t it just a reptile before a god?”
With an imposing attitude, Ghislaine passed the chunk over.
‘Well… That should be enough to consume, right?’
Considering all the achievements Alfoy had made, he seemed to have the fortitude and willpower appropriate for it. After all, he had overcome challenges against the Tower of the Bloody Flame excellently.
And Ghislaine believed that Alfoy’s realization would surely be enough.
Realization is one’s own path. Even if people have the same experiences and reach the same Circle, their values, thinking, and beliefs are all different.
Alfoy had gained much experience since coming here. So, surely he had carved out his own path.
He firmly resolved within himself and immediately sat down to begin absorption.
Guuuuuu!
Ugh!
As an unimaginable amount of mana flowed in, Alfoy bit down hard.
To think such power resided in merely a chunk! It was indeed worthy of being called a Dragon Heart.
I can endure!
He had been discretely pointed out for not raising his Circle during the Mage Tower duel, and he was still sore about it. He would never forget that.
I will soar straight to the 4th Circle!
Guuuuuu!
Mana continuously poured in. Though it was not something a mere 3rd Circle mage could withstand, his mana manipulation ability had remarkably improved.
Alfoy adeptly channeled the incoming mana and began to gather it in his heart.
Others around him couldn’t help but be somewhat surprised. He was absorbing the mana with an incredibly peaceful expression.
That’s… Alfoy?
How is Alfoy so peaceful…?
Does that mean he can really absorb it all by himself?
Amidst the expectations and surprise of those watching, Alfoy continued to absorb the mana.
Heh… I worried for nothing. It’s nothing special, right?
The amount he had already absorbed was more than he had accumulated in his entire life. And yet, it seemed he hadn’t even absorbed half of it.
Heh… It’s about time to form a new Circle… Why isn’t it over?
His heart began to feel strained. Absorbing the mana felt as though his body was ripping apart.
W-wait…
He felt that he couldn’t absorb any more. But it didn’t seem to end. He wanted to pull his hand away, yet it felt as if it was stuck.
U-uh?
The expression on Alfoy’s face began to contort. Suddenly, intense pain flooded his entire body.
As the influx of mana became overwhelming, his body struggled to hold on.
The problem was Alfoy’s mental strength. Even though he had been active and made many achievements, he had never felt pain outside of when absorbing mana.
And he was a man who was very weak against pain.
Ugh… It hurts! No! I’m going to die!
As his resolve weakened, he couldn’t manipulate the mana properly. With the loss of his control, the mana began to rampage within his body.
The chaotic mana presented Alfoy with immense suffering. This was a pain he had never experienced in his life.
“AAAH! NO! I CAN’T DO IT!”
Alfoy opened his eyes wide and tried to rise. But he couldn’t tear the Dragon Heart away.
His body and the chunk had already fused through the pathways of mana.
As he could no longer hold it, a bigger problem arose. As he let go, the mana attempted to burst his body apart.
As his body began to swell, Alfoy screamed.
“AAAAH! SAVE ME!”
“Enough already.”
Ghislaine immediately covered Alfoy’s mouth and placed a hand on his back.
“I’ll guide the mana, so hold on! If you don’t, you’ll really die! Don’t waste it!”
Gyaaaah! I can’t do it!
Alfoy had completely lost his senses. He just wanted to escape this pain.
Ghislaine gritted his teeth and struggled to control the rampant mana within Alfoy’s body.
Even though it was a small chunk, it was still a Dragon Heart. A considerable amount of mana was thrashing about trying to escape Ghislaine’s control.
“Vanessa! I’ll control the mana, so direct the rest to Alfoy’s heart!”
“Got it!”
Without taking a moment to rest, Vanessa placed her hand near Alfoy’s heart.
Ghislaine captured the rampaging mana and gradually released it little by little. The released mana was guided by Vanessa from the outside to Alfoy’s heart.
Belinda watched this and clicked her tongue.
“He’s such a handful.”
“Grrr…”
Alfoy was now completely oblivious to what was happening, having surrendered his consciousness.
Thanks to Ghislaine and Vanessa, the mana from the Dragon Heart began to steadily accumulate within Alfoy.
Half a day passed before the mana finally stabilized and settled within Alfoy’s body.
“Phew…”
When Ghislaine removed his hand, Alfoy just crumpled down onto the ground. Now, they just had to wait for the stabilized mana to form a Circle.
If there was no realization, it would just mean he had increased mana.
So everyone gathered around Alfoy, looking down at him.
After waiting for a while, Alfoy finally opened his eyes and asked,
“Am I… alive?”
The answer came from Ghislaine, who was resting a bit farther away.
“Yes.”
“And the Dragon Heart?”
“Fully absorbed.”
“Ughuhuh…”
Alfoy, who hadn’t done anything, chuckled weakly. He did show a rather ugly appearance in the middle, but he had successfully absorbed it after all.
Despite the scornful looks of others, Alfoy was ecstatic as he checked his Circle.
“Ughuhuh… I’m at the 4th Circle now. One, two, three… Huh?”
The expression on Alfoy’s face dulled as he checked the heart’s circle. Ghislaine, watching Alfoy like that, asked again.
“What’s wrong?”
“The Circle….”
“Don’t tell me you didn’t reach the 4th Circle? Did you only increase your mana?”
If that were the case, it would mean he threw away the piece of the Dragon Heart. Ghislaine narrowed his eyes as the people around began to panic.
“I knew this would happen!”
“There’s no way Alfoy could…!”
“Such a waste of the Dragon Heart!”
Vanessa also wore a disappointed expression. But Alfoy still responded with a blank expression.
“There are five…”
“…Wow.”
Everyone, including Ghislaine, wore looks of utter disbelief.
Alfoy had jumped all the way to the 5th Circle.
*
“Wow, I can’t believe he reached the 5th Circle.”
“Is he crazy? Alfoy is at the 5th Circle?”
“That’s right! He’s completely overjoyed now. Ah, if only I had eaten a chunk of Dragon Heart, I could have risen further.”
The mages in the territory all gathered with gloomy expressions, only discussing Alfoy.
Originally, Vanessa becoming a 7th Circle mage would have garnered more public attention, but because of the absurd occurrence of Alfoy jumping two Circles, he became the focus instead.
With his already foul temper and arrogance, the fact that he reached that Circle raised concerns amongst the mages about how he would now behave.
“Hey, hey! What are you all doing lounging around without working?”
As expected, the moment the mages dared to speak, Alfoy appeared wearing an orange armband. His aides, wearing blue armbands, followed closely behind.
Alfoy glared at the mages who were idling about.
“Are you violating the orders of the ‘Man Who Defeated a God at the 5th Circle?’ Isn’t it break time over? Get moving quickly!”
“Yes, yes…”
In the world of mages, the Circle was like a gang sign. In this territory, apart from Vanessa, there was no one with a Circle higher than Alfoy.
At the 5th Circle, one was equivalent to a senior elder of the Mage Tower and could even function as the exclusive mage for a territory.
Therefore, the mages dared not challenge Alfoy.
“Wow, so this is what it’s like to be at the 5th Circle. Has there ever been anyone in the kingdom’s history to reach the 5th Circle at such a young age?”
Even Hubert, the tower owner, hadn’t done that. Alfoy became even more arrogant than before.
While he reveled in the joy of reaching the 5th Circle, a sharp voice rang out from behind.
“Lord Alfoy! Are you here doing nothing again instead of studying?”
“V-Vanessa?”
“You still don’t know any 4th Circle magic! You need to learn quickly!”
“…I don’t want to study.”
Since coming to Penris, Alfoy had kept himself away from studying. Naturally, apart from 3rd Circle magic, he knew nothing else.
What good is it to raise his Circle if he couldn’t cast the magic that corresponded to it?
So Ghislaine gave Vanessa a special order.
— To make sure he learns 5th Circle magic as quickly as possible.
With Ghislaine’s order bestowed on the naturally diligent Vanessa, she certainly wouldn’t allow Alfoy to slack off.
Alfoy couldn’t even boast properly and was dragged off to the research room by Vanessa.
Ghislaine clicked his tongue upon hearing that Alfoy had been taken away.
Although Alfoy needed to learn magic that matched his Circle, the emergence of two high-level mages just ahead of the war was a good thing for the territory.
And just then, Galbarik arrived with another piece of good news for Ghislaine.
“Lord! This time, we’ve made the specifications perfect! Try it out!”
The goblin-like, emaciated figure spoke, his eyes sparkling brightly.
