Yuric found Drexter Fortress to be a place filled with historical sites and many things to see. Not only did it contain numerous historical records, but it also offered glimpses of the lifestyles of people from various regions.
Men often stripped their shirts off and engaged in strength competitions on the streets, a traditional game from the north where the one who knocked the other down won. Surprisingly, this was quite entertaining and thrilling, so Yuric watched the street matches for quite some time. Other popular street games among mercenaries included dice rolling and card games with slight variations.
Yuric joined in the dice rolling for fun and surprisingly won two gold coins. He didn’t participate further and only watched a few more times.
He gave two gold coins he won from gambling to an old man who set up a stall to get his hair cut. After getting his haircut, he sketched the street lined with stalls.
There was a large cathedral in Drexter Fortress. People strongly believed that it had never fallen during wars, receiving divine blessings, making it a sacred place. The interior of the large cathedral was beautifully illuminated by the colorful light from stained glass windows. Even fierce mercenaries showed a solemn attitude here.
Surprisingly, there was a sword stuck in a rock on the podium, which was said to be the sword of a hero who received a prophecy. It was a unique custom for visitors to touch it once. Yuric sketched both the light pouring out of the stained glass and the sword stuck in the rock.
After leaving the cathedral, Yuric headed towards the outskirts of the city where a famous landmark was located.
A huge weeping willow stood there, and people called it the guardian tree of the fortress, often caressing its thick trunk with their palms.
“A spirit resides here. Many have seen it,” an old woman standing next to the ancient tree said.
Yuric, who lived in the forests of Arphenheim, occasionally saw spirits, but he had never seen them elsewhere. Spirits were highly isolated beings that were good at hiding.
Many people did not believe in the existence of spirits, citing reasons such as seeing ghosts or being under the influence of illusion magic.
The forms of spirits varied greatly; they could appear as humans, animals, or mist, and their appearances were inconsistent.
The spirits Yuric saw often resembled squirrels, but they weren’t entirely squirrels. Some had three or four tails, long limbs, or even human faces.
However, spirits never caused harm to other life forms. Instead, they enriched the surroundings.
Therefore, some ethnic groups worshiped spirits like gods. A part of the northern tribes still did so.
Yuric hoped to see the spirit of the weeping willow and sketched the beautiful tree with leaves swaying in the wind.
When noon came, Yuric arrived at the mercenary guild building in Drexter Fortress.
The building was grand and imposing. From the number of mercenaries gathered outside, it was clear that the guild made substantial profits from fees.
Curious, he entered the building to look at the bulletin board. It was filled with postings, ranging from retrieving items from a disbanded mercenary group to hunting monsters near villages, exploring ruined cities, dungeon explorations, escorting caravans, guarding mansions, and tutoring.
In back alleys, there were also informal businesses arranging jobs. Such activities usually took place in the shadows. Yuric had occasionally been asked to entertain wealthy ladies while walking around town.
In the square, there was a large tent. Inside, they performed plays. Curious, Yuric paid the entrance fee and went inside.
Inside the tent, there were many men, women, and children watching as actors performed with loud voices and exaggerated gestures. It was an epic drama about the hero Ascalor. The play was more enjoyable than expected, and Yuric watched it intently until the end.
The actors were very popular; after the play ended, they received numerous handshakes and greetings from the audience. Some mercenaries even proposed love to them on the spot.
The next act was about a mercenary in love with a prostitute. It was a comical play that made the audience laugh heartily. At the end, when the mercenary died, the audience shed tears, with some even shouting that he shouldn’t d*e. Yuric found that scene particularly impressive and sketched it. He thought that “Nora’s d*ath” might actually be a sad song.
After exiting the tent, Yuric squinted slightly at the dazzling sky.
The dry dirt under his feet crunched as he walked. He returned to the inn and entered his room. Captain Cecilia was nowhere to be seen, presumably out on business.
Yuric sat at the table and gazed out the open window.
But his external observation gradually turned inward, reflecting on himself.
Through his experiences with dragon magic, demon magic, and Titon’s index finger magic, Yuric pondered deeply what magic truly was.
What do humans call magic? Why are all magics different? Why can’t beasts use magic? Or is it just that humans can’t recognize it?
His gaze happened upon a horse passing by the street.
Why are horses different from humans? From the perspective of the universe, the difference between horses and humans is insignificant. The same goes for dragons and humans, and demons and humans.
Is it simply due to intellectual ability? Isn’t the difference between dragons and humans greater than that between horses and humans? Is there a minimum level of intellectual ability required to use magic?
Yuric did not think so.
He believed it wasn’t fundamental.
Instead, he considered the opposite: finding similarities rather than differences.
What is the commonality among the universe, humans, dragons, demons, and horses?
What can unify them all?
He believed the answer lay there.
Yuric thought deeply and for a long time.
Finally, he realized something.
In everything,
there is a common element: [will].
Titon aims to drive the demons from this land.
Alaldur seeks harmony between humans and dragons.
Demons seek sacrifices.
There is [will].
Everything in this world has will.
Remove all unnecessary elements, and only [will] remains.
The universe is will.
Humans, dragons, demons, even demons.
Perhaps, Yuric thought, everything is the will of the universe.
All species are connected through will.
Only will can transcend species.
And… move the universe.
But the will of living beings is meager compared to the universe.
Thus, they developed their wills in diverse ways.
Through actions, through movements, and now, through circuits.
Yuric finally understood.
The root of what humans call magic is will.
But magic is merely a tiny part of will.
Humans cannot understand even the will of dragons, let alone the cosmic will.
Just as humans cannot understand the will of horses.
Great magic begins with great will.
Though Yuric lacks the will to move a pen, he knows the path he must take.
It’s not about the method.
Language, action, circuitry—none of these matter.
What must be remembered is the will contained within.
People, and mages,
do not forget that you already move the universe, whether great or small.
The similarity and difference between humans, dragons, demons, and horses is will.
A horse with strong will could surpass even a dragon.
Of course, understanding will does not dramatically change one’s magic.
Finding a purpose in life doesn’t instantly transform one’s lifestyle.
But certainly, mindset and actions will change.
Yuric’s magic will slowly change, like his will.
Yet, he will continue to use circuits. It is the way he feels most confident expressing his will.
After deep contemplation, Yuric felt much clearer.
Things he hadn’t noticed before now seemed clearer.
He looked down at his right index finger, trying to understand Titon’s will.
Perhaps, if he ever understands Titon’s will, he could fully accept his index finger magic.
