The slowly brightening dawn approaches.
Yuric woke up before his wake-up time and circled the clearing a few times with a thin blanket draped over him. The sentry who was poking at the nearly extinguished campfire watched him with great interest.
After such mental refreshment, as he returned and sat beside the sentry, the sentry muttered to himself almost like a monologue.
“To be a mage, one must be different.”
“The start of the day is about refreshing the mind.”
“Mages use such difficult words.”
The dusky morning sky had already turned a rosy hue. Clouds scattered like smoke floated leisurely, unaware of the urgent situation from the previous night.
“Knight-ang!”
The sentries shouted loudly to awaken the subjugation team. The mercenaries, still half-asleep, groaned and cursed. The knights’ faces were covered in fatigue, but they also bore a sense of accomplishment for having defeated the monster.
The team leader hurriedly gave instructions. Although the monster had been defeated, their work wasn’t done. They had to confirm the extent of damage caused by the monsters while passing through the forest path.
The problem was that one carriage was completely destroyed. So, he had no choice but to reduce the load as much as possible and cram as many people as possible into the remaining carriages. Still, each carriage had several empty seats, so it wasn’t a major issue.
The subjugation team immediately set off after an early meal, without even a moment to catch their breath. It would take more than a day to pass through the entire forest path, and they had to return via the same route, so there was no time to waste.
The mercenaries riding with Yuric in the carriage learned that they planned to continue southward once they finished passing through the forest path.
“Right away? Not returning to the city?”
“Yes, we plan to go right away. That’s what the contract says too.”
The captain looked very disappointed. In fact, he had grand plans to bring Yuric into the mercenary band under the pretense of this connection, but if things went this way, all those plans would be ruined. Even there was a plan involving a flirtatious female mercenary with buck teeth… though it was uncertain how effective that would be.
The subjugation team discovered another site where a monster seemed to have attacked as they raced through the forest path. The captain ordered the remains to be cleared again. Since they had defeated the monsters, the mercenaries didn’t believe in superstitions about not touching the loot and stole money or valuables.
The team leader demanded a forced march, not giving them much rest. It was best to try to get out of the forest path by the end of the day.
Finally, after the sun had fully set, the subjugation team reached the end of the forest path. The mercenaries, who had felt their buttocks would be numb from sitting in the carriage all day, cheered and rushed outside.
“Now we can finally live!”
They stripped off their clothes without shame and jumped into the nearby stream. Everyone made lewd comments about each other’s bodies.
Having completed his first commission, Yuric took out paper and drew a picture. Then someone quietly approached him. The person who came up to him was the court mage Dunmer.
“Can you draw pictures too?”
“It’s been a hobby since I was young.”
“You must come from a high-class family.”
“I come from a family of woodcutters.”
He thought Yuric was a refined young master from a noble household, but finding out he was from a family of woodcutters was unexpected. Honestly, Yuric’s appearance and behavior were far from what one would expect from a woodcutter’s family.
“Still, I had good brothers and a teacher. Thanks to them, I learned magic.”
“Is that so… Your teacher isn’t affiliated with the Mage Tower, is he?”
“No, neither my teacher nor I are from the Mage Tower. He conducted research in a small hut in the woods. I learned from him too.”
The court mage, who had never imagined that the forest was Eldorover in Arphenheim, was surprised to find such talent emerged from such an environment. There were plenty of geniuses at the Mage Tower, but finding a talent like Yuric wouldn’t be easy. Of course, there would be none among his peers.
“I really envy your talent. Would you consider working at the baron’s estate? I could pass on my position to you.”
Even though it was just the baron’s estate, the court mage was of a different caliber compared to common wandering mages. With the rank of a lesser noble and being one of the power brokers in the territory, directly advising the lord.
It was an extraordinary rise from a woodcutter’s family in a remote village… However, Yuric politely declined.
“I still need to learn much more. This journey is to see more, hear more, and learn more. I’m sorry, Elder.”
“…It’s a shame.”
If it weren’t for this occasion, he would have used every trick to lure Yuric into the group, but unfortunately, the timing and luck were not right.
I want to hold onto him. I want to make him mine somehow.
However, the wily court mage knew that even when something is coveted, it’s sometimes best to step back. In fact, stepping back gracefully could be a good way to maintain a long-term relationship.
“Please visit the baron’s estate next time. I always welcome you.”
“I will definitely do so.”
The court mage Dunmer returned to his place, and Yuric focused again on his drawing.
The mercenaries, in their underwear, laughing and shouting around the campfire.
Fireflies dancing over the stream.
A vast sky filled with countless stars.
Yuric captured the scenery of his first commission in a single painting.
I hope the day will come when I can look back on this…
The next morning, the handsome mage Yuric received the commission completion payment directly from the team leader as per the contract.
“Things would be even more reassuring if you were with us.”
Of course, it wasn’t because he was afraid of the monster in the forest path. Even if it was that level, a mercenary band could handle it.
It was just a pity that they couldn’t send a mage as talented as Yuric.
“Partings come with meetings. The time spent with Captain has been truly beneficial.”
“You talk like an old man.”
After a light laugh, Yuric shook hands in turn with the team leader and the court mage, then walked alone down the field road stretching south.
Even though it was a short time, the mercenaries who had been with him wished the handsome mage well.
“Take care, Yuric! When we meet next, let’s have a beer!”
“Next time, let’s definitely spend the night together!”
The mercenary with buck teeth clung to the handsome mage until the very moment of parting.
Yuric waved lightly to everyone and walked down the road as the twilight gradually receded.
The sun rises in the east.
He stopped for a moment to watch the warm and powerful sunrise.
A silent scream. Yet, its birth was more intense than anything else.
Yuric took another step forward, looking ahead.
Southward, there are many things to encounter.
*
After more than ten days of travel from the forest path, they arrived at the southern city of 【Eldesrosa】.
Yuric was captivated by the magnificent and beautiful city, which stood against the backdrop of the white-haired mountain, Gaoshan.
Having endured quite a bit to get here, he first looked for a place to stay. However, due to the influx of mercenaries attracted by the smell of money to the south, most inns had no rooms available or the ones available were too expensive.
Eventually, after a long search, he found a relatively cheap room and put down his luggage on the bed. Despite the musty smell, it didn’t matter at that moment.
After taking a brief rest, Yuric went out of the inn to explore the city.
In the center of Eldesrosa stood a pristine and elegant baronial estate, towering over the square. Its image, intertwined with the clock tower, formed a stunning sight. It made sense why Eldesrosa was known as a wealthy city in the south.
Yuric sat on the stone floor in a corner of the square to capture the beautiful cityscape in his drawing.
A spacious square, a massive clock tower, an elegant baronial estate, countless pedestrians.
His brother would surely be amazed if he saw this.
After finishing his drawing, Yuric visited the market stalls next to the square. As a lover of the mysterious, he was fascinated by all the items brought from various regions.
The stall owners, who were particularly talkative, sold strange ornaments to the superstitious mercenaries, claiming they brought good luck. Yuric almost bought one but held back.
Not far from the square, there was also a southern branch of the Mage Tower, so Yuric decided to visit it.
The land of the southern branch was large and wide enough to accommodate six or seven huge buildings. Only sections 3 and 4 were accessible to those not affiliated with the Mage Tower, where stores selling various magical items, materials, and books were located.
Inside the stores, there were many wandering mages like Yuric, their eyes reflecting a mix of admiration and longing for the Mage Tower.
The handsome mage spent considerable time browsing books in the bookstore, hoping to find something suitable for his long journey.
After spending ample time in the bookstore, Yuric walked down a long corridor to explore sections 3 and 4 further. Two large buildings connected by a hallway ensured he wouldn’t get lost, even as a newcomer. Indeed, it was a rational layout befitting a mage.
While exploring the stores of the mages, Yuric observed the fresh-faced mages of the Mage Tower wearing cloaks of various colors, and he also admired the well-maintained gardens. Eventually, he stopped in front of a bulletin board lined with numerous notices.
There were guides to the Mage Tower, recruitment notices for mages from various factions, and announcements for gatherings.
However, what caught Yuric’s attention was a single circuit diagram.
Occupying half of the bulletin board, this complex and intricate circuit diagram was hard to memorize.
‘…It’s a barrier spell.’
The purpose of posting the circuit diagram was to gather diverse perspectives on how to improve its efficiency.
Perhaps a wandering mage might have useful ideas, so he was encouraged to observe and study it.
At first glance, it seemed like a challenging task.
Even after eight years of studying under the Great Witch Hene, a master of barrier spells, Yuric would need three to five days to ponder it thoroughly.
Still, he sensed something vague. To be sure, he would need to test it multiple times through trial and error.
Thus, Yuric sketched the circuit diagram onto paper.
Burning with scholarly fervor, he secluded himself in his inn room, placing the circuit diagram under a mana crystal, and spent three days and nights pondering, researching, and verifying it. He used over thirty sheets of paper just for sketching and erasing the new circuit diagrams.
On the third night, Yuric finally produced satisfactory results.
The efficiency of the existing barrier spell had improved somewhat, and it saved an impressive 10% of mana consumption. While some might think 10% insignificant, it was a significant figure for a mage. Particularly in such a complex circuit diagram, saving that much was nearly impossible without substantial modifications.
Indeed, even without modification, it seemed usable. Clearly, this spell had been refined over a long period.
Of course, it wasn’t perfect. However, given how organically interconnected the circuits were, altering one part affected others, creating a domino effect. Interpreting and fixing all these issues was incredibly challenging.
‘But improving the circuit is the fun part…!’
Though it might seem somewhat perverted, Yuric found it enjoyable. Improving a spell to make it more efficient felt like leaving a mark in history.
And the next morning,
Yuric came to the corridor where the circuit diagram was posted and drew the modified version in the clean space below, hoping it would help researchers on the same path.
“Senior!”
A young mage from the southern branch hurriedly rushed to the research wing to find the middle-aged mage. He had been examining the circuit diagram with his eyes and hands today as well.
“What’s all the commotion?”
“Come quickly, it’s important.”
“Now? Is it urgent? What happened?”
“Let’s go and see. Hurry!”
The middle-aged mage reluctantly got up from his seat and slowly followed the young mage. If it wasn’t anything serious, he intended to give the younger one a scolding.
The two left the research wing and went to section 4, where the corridor was already bustling with mages.
“Wait! Wait!”
The junior pushed through the crowd of spectators. By now, notable mages from the southern branch had gathered around the bulletin board. Without greeting, they made space for the middle-aged mage, urging him to take a look.
“What’s going on? What’s this about?”
The middle-aged mage stroked his beard and carefully examined the circuit diagram drawn by someone.
As time passed, his expression changed rapidly, his eyes and mouth widening to an extreme.
Then, pulling the junior close to him, he asked:
“Who drew this?!”
“I don’t know who drew it. It was already drawn like this when I found it.”
