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314th Chapter: Fishing is Going Well. (3)

At Claude’s words, the mage tilted her head in surprise and asked back.

“Thirty years?”

“Yes, that’s the minimum to be an exclusive mage in the territory. It’s not a long time at all. There are people here who have been around for over 200 years… I mean, isn’t that the case for other territories too? If you haven’t been around that long, you can’t really call it exclusive.”

“Well, that makes sense.”

The mage nodded absentmindedly, but in reality, it wasn’t true. The duration varied significantly based on the mage’s skill and research purposes.

Some only stayed for a few years while others signed long-term contracts. It just depended on the person.

However, since Claude was pushing so assertively, the mage had no choice but to yield.

“Hmm…”

The mage thought for a moment. Being middle-aged now, 30 years felt like a lifetime commitment here.

But with ‘not much work to do,’ the Mana Convergence Circle available, and the opportunity to learn from a 6th Circle Mage, she didn’t want to miss out on such great conditions.

There was just one concern lingering in her mind: although Penris was now thriving in the North, there was a possibility of having a conflict with the Duke Faction.

While mages tended to be out of the loop regarding rumors, as a wandering mage, she was aware of a few.

Seeing the mage lost in thought, Claude called for Vanessa.

“You called, Chief Officer?”

“Yes, Vanessa. This person here wants to see you. Seems like they have many questions.”

The mage was taken aback upon seeing Vanessa.

“This girl is a 6th Circle Mage?”

She was incredibly young. She had never heard of such a young 6th Circle Mage in the kingdom.

And what was this appearance? Her hair was messy, and it was hard to tell the last time she washed it. She looked like someone who had been cooped up in a study.

Seeing her innocent face blinking in curiosity, the mage asked,

“U-um, you really are at the 6th Circle level, right?”

“Y-yes… I still have a lot to learn…”

Seeing Vanessa twist her body with embarrassment, the mage frowned.

There was no sign of the dignity one would expect from a 6th Circle Mage. A confident mage would never exhibit such behavior.

The higher the circle, the more arrogance one possessed.

“Was it just a rumor? Is she trying to trick me?”

The mage wanted to suggest trying out some 6th Circle magic, but didn’t dare to.

Mages were often mentally unstable. Although she looked innocent now, one never knew when she might suddenly change.

If she were to go off the rails for daring to test her, things could get complicated.

So he cautiously asked again.

“I… I’m currently stuck on something I’m studying. Could you give me a little guidance?”

“Oh, ask away. I’ll share what I know.”

Encouraged by her kind words, the mage pulled out a book.

“I’m researching resistance to lightning and I’m stuck on a certain part…”

As the mage pointed to a section of the book, Vanessa took a quick look and clapped her hands.

“Oh, you’ve hit a snag here! So, the principle is that the biggest reason is the collision of magical forces, which creates unavoidable resistance depending on the flow. Thus, when magic collides, it restrains the flow of electricity, leading to a loss of thermal energy…”

“O-ohhh!”

As Vanessa’s explanation continued, the mage’s expression lit up with joy.

Her detailed explanation was clearing up the confusion he had faced.

“This… This is real! She’s a genuine 6th Circle Mage! Even if the 6th Circle is a lie, she must surely be a 5th Circle!”

Her understanding of magic was on a completely different level than his. He had never seen a mage so proficient in explaining concepts throughout his life.

Even his own master wasn’t at this level. It felt like reading a manual that disassembled magic into its components and reassembled it.

“I can’t believe there’s someone who teaches so easily! She’s completely different from other mages!”

Even if there was a 6th Circle Mage, it was pointless if she couldn’t properly teach him.

Most mages were stingy about passing on their realizations. One would have to endure hardships as a disciple and listen closely just to get a crumb of knowledge.

Moreover, the insights that mages gained were often mixed with vague ideas atop a foundation of knowledge.

Some even twisted their words to make things harder on purpose. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that no one explained things this systematically and easily.

As Vanessa’s explanation extended beyond an hour, Claude began to doze off, while the mage couldn’t contain his excitement.

“I see! Now I understand! So, that’s how it works!”

“Y-yes. Next, the movement of magic should change…”

The two mages were energetically engaging in their conversation, like a debate, with Claude dozing off next to them.

Once the explanation wrapped up, the mage bowed his head with a nearly tearful expression.

“Thank you! Truly, thank you! I’ve finally understood something that had eluded me for so long!”

“Really, I’m glad! Do you have any more questions?”

At Vanessa’s words, the mage excitedly reached for another book from his robes.

Just as he was about to open it and ask, Claude, having woken up and wiped his mouth, grabbed the mage’s arm.

“*Cough!* You have no sense of propriety… No, that’s enough for today.”

Hearing Claude’s words, the mage wore a look as if his country had just collapsed. He was so thirsty for knowledge.

“W-why? If I could just ask this one more question…”

“Oh, no. There are other people waiting, how long do you intend to keep our esteemed mage here? This isn’t good.”

“Contract! I’ll sign a contract!”

“Oh, really?”

“If I sign, I can continue to receive guidance from that person, right?”

“*Sigh*, of course. We work together every day… I mean, we research together, and if you have questions, just ask. You’ll likely get to use magic to your heart’s content.”

Claude wasn’t lying. In this territory, one would exhaust the lifetime’s worth of magic within just a year.

The mage quickly signed the contract.

He couldn’t surpass his limits with his own talent anyway. It seemed better to receive guidance here and have a good life.

“So, I look forward to working with you.”

“Oh, yes, surely. Now, just follow the servants, and they will assign you rooms in the research facility.”

As the mage withdrew, Claude leaned back in his chair and muttered arrogantly.

“Ah, I’m so tired. They should just hurry and sign the contracts. Why act so pricey?”

“…….”

Vanessa could only stare at Claude’s demeanor in silence. It felt like she was the reason for the growing number of mage slaves within the territory.

Anyway, all the mages who had come to the territory ended up being persuaded by Claude and proceeded with the contracts. The ones who had caught a glimpse of Vanessa’s knowledge were the ones pleading the most, making the contracts easy to secure.

The number reached a whopping 20. They had successfully bound a rare mage to the territory in one swoop. And the number would only continue to grow.

Of course, the mages were satisfied too.

“I heard the territory is wealthy, but I didn’t expect it to be this generous.”

“They say the buildings were also built by dwarves? Aside from functionality, the aesthetic sense is outstanding.”

“How much money do they even have to provide all this Mana Convergence Circle?”

These were mages who had never even caught a glimpse of a Mana Convergence Circle in their lives. If one had that kind of ability, they wouldn’t be without an affiliation in the first place.

They dedicated themselves to personal training, receiving lessons from Vanessa every night. They wanted to receive guidance all day long, but oddly enough, Vanessa was exceptionally busy.

“Hmm, it makes sense for Vanessa to be busy as a 6th Circle Mage.”

“I often see her absent during the day; I wonder what she’s up to?”

“She’s probably focusing on personal research to break through to a new level.”

They held boundless respect for Vanessa, having learned so much from her.

Since they had joined late, it was only natural that their interactions with the established mages were somewhat awkward. They often gathered among themselves to chat.

“It’s really nice and comfortable, but I wonder if we truly deserve this treatment.”

“The treatment is so good, it makes me uneasy. Shouldn’t we help out with some of the territory matters?”

“By the way, there are those mages from the Tower of the Bloody Flame—why do they smile every time they see us?”

If it were mockery, they would be angry, but it was not that. It was a smile that seemed both pitying and gentle.

As they were wholly dedicated to their training, half in joy and half in guilt, someone sent by Claude arrived.

“It seems like you’ll need to help with some of the territory tasks.”

“Ah, yes. It was about time for that. Please lead the way.”

They were humble toward the high officials of the territory, but mercilessly arrogant toward commoners.

With haughty expressions, they followed the guide to the open area in front of the research facility.

After a brief wait, several wagons arrived, and the coachman shouted out.

“Fire Magic! Anyone specialized in Fire Magic!”

A few mages stepped forward.

“I’m from the Fire School. What’s going on?”

“Come on, hop in!”

“What?”

“Hurry and get in! There’s no time!”

The mages climbed aboard the wagon, bewildered.

The wagons behind them were also bustling.

“Anyone skilled in Wind Magic, hop in! We’re also doing road leveling!”

“This one requires some laborers to use their strength, so focus on support spells!”

“We need to clear those big boulders! If you’re capable of breaking them effectively!”

“…….”

The mages fell silent. It felt like an emergency manpower request from a manpower agency.

“How dare these… mages…”

Before they could grow angry, Alfoy and the existing mages came rushing out of the research facility.

“Hey, hurry up and get in!”

At Alfoy’s words, the mages scrambled into the wagons. They turned to the standing mages and said,

“What are you doing? Get in fast. We’ve got work to do.”

“If you’re late, it’ll only make it harder later.”

“Looks like these folks still haven’t come to their senses.”

The newly joined mages hesitantly asked,

“W-what sort of work could be making us move like this in such a degrading manner?”

Alfoy chuckled and replied.

“What work, you ask? Mostly construction. Clearing boulders, emptying the septic tank, overturning land, building structures, moving loads—you know, there’s a lot to do with magic.”

“Mages do such work?”

“Who else would do it? Magic is the fastest method.”

“W-we’ve never done such work. This isn’t fitting for a mage’s status. It’s too embarrassing to even consider.”

“Even I, who has defeated gods, am doing it. Are you saying you’re not going to? Hurry up and get in! I’m the commander at the construction site, so understand that!”

Under Alfoy’s harsh words, the mages squeezed their eyes shut, ultimately bearing with it. Outnumbered, they had no plans to fight the existing mages.

They tried to endure, but Vanessa rushed over and climbed onto one of the wagons.

“What are you doing? You all need to get in quickly. If you don’t, the construction will be delayed.”

“…….”

Now they understood why she was often absent during the day. This crazy territory was even mobilizing a 6th Circle Mage for construction work.

It was somewhat impressive. Working construction during the day and dedicating herself to personal research and teaching at night.

When someone like her said to get in, they couldn’t refuse. After all, amongst mages, the circle was law. For them, Vanessa was the highest-ranking.

Clunk, clunk!

The wagons carrying the mages spread out across the territory. Alfoy patted the shoulder of one mage sitting gloomily.

“Everyone feels the same at first. You wonder if you even chose magic for this. But it gets easier once you get used to it. I’ll even teach you how to gamble later.”

“……I understand.”

“Hey, cheer up. Do you think you’re special? In this town, mages are nothing exceptional. Sometimes, even goddesses drop by.”

“…….”

A few mages grumbled for days, but they were swiftly subdued by Alfoy and his friends. Even those attempting to flee were caught by Alfoy.

“W-what’s the meaning of this… you said you were all 3rd Circle, right?”

One subdued mage asked with a shocked expression, to which Alfoy arrogantly responded.

“Working on construction develops your skills.”

“……Don’t spout nonsense.”

“Do you see us and think that’s impossible? I don’t know why, but it somehow does. And if you have questions, just ask Vanessa. Consider this training. If you run away again, you’re done for. Do you understand?”

The more mages there were, the easier the tasks became. Alfoy had absolutely no intention of letting them leave quietly.

With that, the mages began to accept their fate without resistance. The contract, while meaningful, couldn’t match the teachings of Vanessa and the Mana Convergence Circle for them to endure.

Ascending to new circles was every mage’s dream.

Of course, the existing mages had long abandoned such dreams. They were simply aiming to eat well and live well for today.

Claude continued promoting the benefits of receiving guidance from a 6th Circle Mage and access to the Mana Convergence Circle.

Now, the rumors had spread beyond the North to other regions.

Not many, but a steady trickle of wandering mages, having heard the rumors, began to arrive, and each one ended up ensnared within the Territory of Penris.

“Hmm, fishing is going well. As the number of mages increases, the pace of construction is remarkably faster.”

It felt as if every time one cast a fishing line, they caught a fish. That’s how enticing Vanessa and the Mana Convergence Circle had become.

Of course, as the number of mages increased, new problems were bound to arise.

“We’re almost out of runestones. There’s hardly anything left to mine.”

Having assessed the situation in the territory, Claude sought out Ghislaine.

In their efforts for territorial development, they had consumed runestones at an alarming rate. With the amounts sold at the mage tower, the rate of depletion could only increase.

Though he attempted to conserve them by reducing the amount sold at the tower, they had ultimately hit rock bottom.

Ghislaine nodded without concern upon receiving the report.

“Yeah, it was about time for them to run out. But they’ve lasted quite a while. We used them very efficiently.”

“What should we do? If we run out of runestones, much will be delayed. There will be issues maintaining the Mana Convergence Circle, and we’ll also have to reconsider our relationship with the mage tower.”

“What can we do? The answer is obvious.”

Ghislaine smiled slyly. There’s a lack of runestones? Then they just had to go get more.

After all, what lay beneath was a treasure trove of runestones.

 

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