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Chapter: 294

The content of the book written by Encia was somewhat different from what I had taught her.

The main ideas remained unchanged, but I suppose it had added little details and personal experiences in the form of annotations.

Of course, that doesn’t mean those details were bad. On the contrary, because it informed those dealing with magical power about potential pitfalls and offered tips to make things a bit easier, it would be quite helpful for anyone referencing this book.

To be honest, the information I shared with Encia while teaching her magic was tailored to her—she had a vast amount of magical power.

Combined with my teachings, which no one understood as well as I did, Encia became an incredibly talented mage, unparalleled even at her young age.

—But that’s only because I taught her and she learned it. It probably wouldn’t apply as effectively to others.

As for those problematic aspects… it seems Encia experienced trial and error firsthand, revising and annotating the content herself.

“Honestly, it wasn’t easy. For me, it was simple, but for others, it wasn’t. So I tried to extract those points as much as possible and wrote it as objectively as I could.”

“Oh… impressive!”

“Well, it was possible thanks to Tia’s teachings, after all.”

Even though Encia said that, I honestly think that organizing and polishing the vague ideas I taught her into a book was no small feat for her.

In that sense, Encia truly deserves my praise!

“I think the one who struggled the most while verifying that book was me, though.”

Sitting across Encia, Cecil mumbled softly. Hmm! That’s true! Even if Encia organized the book’s content, if it wasn’t properly verified, it would just be nonsense!

In that regard, Cecil’s contribution was definitely significant.

“A kid who knows nothing about magical power desperately meditating to feel it, and having the master forcibly push natural magical power into her to digest and store within her body, then training and honing her will to verify the master’s book….”

“Right. Cecil’s contribution is indeed great. Unverified knowledge is nothing but a delusion, after all. Thanks to Cecil’s verification, the contents of this book are proven to be true.”

Hearing Encia, Cecil wore a small satisfied smile. She looked like a child craving praise.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

“Oh, and I have something I want to show Tia.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. I want to show you how Procyon is changing because of the book I wrote.”

Encia smiled slightly.

It’s just a single book, but its impact was something that could shake the spirits of the mages. Hence, Procyon, where those mages gathered, was bound to change.

Hmm. Procyon’s changes. Now I’m a bit curious. Of course, I could go see it on my own without borrowing Encia’s gaze… but in this case, it’d be better to see it together!

Just like a child showing off a work crafted with her own hands, Encia probably wanted to showcase the changes brought about by her book.

I would never dismiss such a heartfelt sentiment, even if I’d already cast aside human emotions to more than half a degree. Anyway.

With that, Encia stepped out of her house at a leisurely pace.

Encia’s home was a bit of a distance from Procyon. More precisely, it was in Encia’s hometown.

Although there was a slight gap, the distance from here to Procyon wasn’t tremendous…

“Okay, I’ll set off now.”

“Yeah. Always be careful while flying.”

“Don’t worry. Tia, I used to fly before you fell asleep.”

Encia simultaneously cast a spell to lighten her weight and a spell to create a small whirl of wind at her feet, slowly taking off into the air.

And so, Encia and I headed towards Procyon.

“Hm? Procyon has grown a lot?”

“Right? The number of mages has increased significantly.”

I gazed down from high above at the spectacle of Procyon.

The city of mages located at the entrance of the scorching desert—Procyon.

Its fame was widely known throughout the world, but its scale was by no means large. No, it couldn’t grow larger.

Roughly the size of a small to medium city within the Romania Empire. Ridiculously small compared to the power it housed.

The reason was the lack of mages, a problem that was not easily resolved by Procyon’s mages…

“The number of mages is increasing? Ah! It must be thanks to your book!”

“Yup. The fact that even non-mages can learn magic through my book’s content has become known. Of course, the process isn’t easy, but it’s far more than being limited by the innate magic one is born with.”

“That’s true. No matter how difficult practicing magic is, it’s still light-years ahead of the predetermined mutations one is born with.”

“Mutations?”

“That sort of thing exists, you know.”

At my words, Encia tilted her head in confusion. I ended up using a term that didn’t even exist in this world.

“With so many mages and aspiring mages flocking together, Procyon feels cramped now.”

“Is that why they’re building new walls like that? Just looking at it, it seems to have grown at least four times bigger.”

“Yeah. It’s grown huge. It seems the elders judged that the existing size could no longer accommodate the increasing number of mages.”

Beyond the existing walls surrounding Procyon, even larger walls were being constructed.

The sight of earth-handling mages raising walls with magic must be a bizarre spectacle not found elsewhere.

“In addition, as the number of mages increases and Procyon grows, it seems the influence of the mages is gradually changing too. The magic research societies were transforming into more legitimate organizations.”

“Magic research societies? Those gatherings of mages based on the types of magic they specialize in?”

“Right. With the increase in mages, their gatherings couldn’t remain on that level anymore. Thanks to that, they were being reborn as proper organizations.”

“Oh… It’s truly a great upheaval.”

“Yeah. It’s changed immensely. There’s a chance a high priest could emerge from those magic research societies. They’ve become that numerous.”

It was just one book released, and yet the entirety of Procyon was changing.

Those who adapted to this change would go on to live as mages, while those who couldn’t would fade into obscurity as ordinary magical users, swept away by the current of the times.

The test I set for the mages had been remarkably successful in fulfilling its purpose.

“In some research societies, it’s said they plan to build large buildings for members to live and conduct research.”

“A large building?”

“Yeah. I heard that when Procyon was called by another name long ago, it had a huge tower at its center.”

Ah, that tower. The one I brought down.

I mean, naming a city Babel and then erecting a tower like that is just way over the line. Seriously.

“Like that story, they want to build a huge tower to serve as accommodation and research facilities for their members. They even offered me a good room if I joined the research society…”

“Oh? So? Did you accept that offer?”

“Nope. I declined. From the start, I’m handling everything at my own home. I find interacting with others annoying.”

Grumbling, Encia descended slowly towards Procyon spread out beneath her.

“I thought about building a tower if it went well… but I’m leaning more towards a building for storing books rather than the accommodation cum research tower.”

“A building for books? You want a library?”

“For now, yes. While writing my book, I realized how important each individual book is. The thoughts of the writer are contained within, and a single book can change the world. It’s made me understand the value of books.”

Encia smiled slightly. It seems she’s grasped the value of books.

“Well, it’s a bit concerning now that the prices of papyrus and parchment are high, and it’s not easy to hire someone to transcribe books. But one day, I’d like to gather all the books in the world.”

“All the books?”

“Yeah. Oh, and just to let you know, Cecil agreed with this too. She also really loves books.”

“Oh….”

Cecil, Encia’s disciple, agreed. So perhaps we might see a massive library being built in Procyon in a few years.

Right! Let’s reward Encia for her hard work in changing the world through her writing!

When a quest is successfully completed, a reward must be given! Since I had successfully completed the quest to organize what I taught into a book, I should definitely grant a reward!

“Thanks for the hard work writing that book, Encia. You’ve done incredibly well, so as a reward, I’ll grant you one wish.”

“A wish?”

“Yep. I’ll grant any wish, as long as it’s not something I can’t fulfill.”

A wish granted by the Goddess of Life herself! It’s essentially the wish for practically impossible things!

This is an incredibly rare opportunity!

Even asking for all the books in the world could be fulfilled quickly, you know!

“Um… could I take a bit longer to think it through?”

“Of course. If you have a wish at any point, just let me know.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

Encia smiled softly. I can’t help but be curious about what kind of wish this girl will make.

“But, Tia. Can I ask one thing?”

“Hmm? You want to ask something?”

“It’s not a big deal… I just have something I’m curious about regarding you. Oh, I wonder if asking this counts as a wish?”

“That’s something I can just answer, so your wish still stands.”

It would be foolish to consume a wish for a simple question.

“Okay. Thank you. What I’m curious about is….”

After taking a moment to choose her words, Encia asked me.

“Tia… are you the Goddess of Life?”

 

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