Mana circuit design was an incredibly profound and intricate field of study.
While I already knew that communication with the universe was possible through runes, mana circuits were a much more refined process for adjusting that.
However, it felt like trying to assemble Lego blocks without an instruction manual.
‘…Lego blocks?’
Yuric felt something stir in his mind. It might be one of his past-life memories. However, he didn’t try to force himself to recall it. Regardless of whether he remembered his past life or not, nothing would change. Perhaps, he would only feel more injustice and longing.
Even after three days of intense training with Ingris, Yuric visited her laboratory two to three times a week. She said that one could spend a lifetime studying mana circuits and still never fully master them. Broadly speaking, she herself was still learning. The more deeply he delved into mana circuits, the more he realized the truth in her words.
The combinations of mana circuits were literally infinite, and they held infinite possibilities.
However, since a mage’s mana is finite, even if the combinations are infinite, there is a clear limit to the number of combinations that can be used. Therefore, researchers of mana circuits viewed any method that could save even a tiny bit of mana from the existing runes as revolutionary. This was because the surplus mana would enable countless new combinations.
After gaining a certain level of understanding about mana circuits, Yuric revisited the study of runes and saw their greatness.
These highly efficient circuits, compressed to the point where further improvement was nearly impossible over hundreds of years of refinement. Particularly, the dozen or so runes developed early on were truly a culmination of magical history. How many geniuses’ lifetimes had been poured into a single small rune?
Just imagining it made him feel dizzy… yet also excited.
A life devoted to a single thing. Mages are such people. They rely on a tiny skiff on an infinitely vast sea of magic. They yearn and yearn until they finally drown themselves in that sea of magic… Yet, who would dare to point fingers at those drowned bodies!
Upon realizing the boundless sea of magic, Yuric felt even thirstier, as if he had drunk the water from it.
He wanted to learn more. He wanted to know more. He wanted to see the end of this vast sea.
As if he had been tormented by what he hadn’t learned, he threw himself into learning.
During his diligent studies, Yuric became interested in a new field: alchemy.
The study of alchemy, which began in the Mythical Era as a legend, aimed to create the Philosopher’s Stone.
“Master, who is the most renowned alchemist in Arphenheim?”
“Is your interest in alchemy growing?”
“Yes, I want to study it deeply.”
Master Hene pondered for a moment. Of course, there were notable figures, but the most renowned was the Great Witch Adrian, known for being eccentric among witches.
“Adrian-senpai has the best skills. But it will be hard to learn from her.”
“Why is that?”
“She has secluded herself for a long time. It’s not easy to ask for her help.”
“…I understand.”
“Still, let me try to ask her. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll find another witch.”
“Understood. Thank you, Master.”
Thus, Hene personally went to the remote cabin in the forest where the Great Witch Adrian resided.
Her unkempt hair and cold, almost cruel expression sent chills down Hene’s spine.
“What brings you here?”
“I have something urgent to ask Senpai. That’s why I came here.”
Hene respectfully explained the situation. Surprisingly, the Great Witch Adrian listened to her junior’s words until the end, despite expecting to cut her off and say no.
“…I understand.”
Adrian, expecting to be rejected outright, surprisingly accepted Hene’s request and went straight back into her cabin. Although she didn’t explicitly say when to come back, it could be interpreted as an invitation to send her student anytime.
Though somewhat lukewarm, it was still an acceptance. Hene told her student to visit Senpai’s cabin whenever he wished.
“Be careful, she’s quite sensitive.”
“Yes, Master. I’ll be more cautious.”
Yuric also decided to learn alchemy from Ingris, who was like a second master to him. Ingris’s eyes widened.
“Alchemy? …Could it be her?”
“When you say ‘her,’ do you mean…?”
“Adrian-san, right?”
It seemed Ingris had some ill feelings towards her, as she didn’t use the title “senpai.”
“Adrian-senpai, yes.”
“She agreed to teach you? To let you learn from her?”
“Yes.”
“…Well, I advise you not to expect too much. She’s not an easy person. Honestly, I’d rather you didn’t do this foolish thing.”
Of course, Yuric didn’t understand why Ingris said such things at that time.
…But upon meeting the Great Witch Adrian in front of her cabin, he vaguely understood what she meant.
“I have no intention of teaching you anything.”
“…What?”
“Are your ears bad?! I have no intention of teaching you anything about alchemy!”
With disheveled hair and an enraged expression, the witch shouted. Even Yuric couldn’t help but be startled.
“You just need to do my errands well. That’s why I accepted you. Do you understand?”
Yuric was a bit perplexed but dared not argue with the Great Witch. If he had complaints, he should take them to his master.
“…Yes, understood.”
“Go fetch these things. Quickly, take them!”
Yuric took the paper the witch handed him. It listed everything from herbs to daily necessities. Though, thankfully, money was included.
He went to the village and did exactly as Adrian instructed. He placed the items at her door and yelled loudly to leave.
‘I understand, I will leave, senpai.’
No matter how incapable a mage is, this was too much. Yuric was deeply hurt. Of course, he hadn’t always received kindness, but this blatant dislike and hatred was new.
When he returned home, Yuric flopped onto his sleeping bag. He reflected on the recent events.
His sorrow soon turned to determination.
…Would a mage who must endure decades of research really fall apart over this!
From then on, Yuric visited the Great Witch Adrian’s cabin every other day.
He didn’t care if she ignored him.
He didn’t mind her shouting and screaming.
He always diligently completed her tasks and spent his free time drawing or carving in her yard.
After three months, Yuric found this place comfortable.
He had enough time to immerse himself in painting, something he had neglected due to his studies. When he painted, he felt like he was entering a new world, forgetting everything else including magic, alchemy, and even himself.
Sometimes, he placed his carvings on the railing of her cabin. If she removed them… so what? He could make more.
His anger and defiance had vanished. Was there any need for them?
Yuric understood Adrian. There must be a reason for her behavior. Even if there wasn’t, it was fine.
Humans need affection. Adrian had simply lacked someone to give her affection all along.
Adrian-senpai isn’t an irredeemable villain; she’s just a bit eccentric. With a little patience, she could be understood.
If he were her brother, he would surely love her. Having received unlimited affection from his brother, he was now ready to give.
Yuric wanted to paint Adrian-senpai’s portrait. But not in her current state. He wanted to capture her when she was well-groomed, sitting gracefully with a warm smile.
And two months later.
One day, spring settled in the forest.
The tightly closed door opened.
“…Come in.”
Yuric, who was drawing, looked up in surprise at Adrian.
“What’s wrong with you? Hurry up and come in!”
“Oh, yes… Yes!”
Yuric quickly gathered his drawing tools and entered the cabin.
The interior of the cabin smelled of herbs and was unexpectedly cozy, like visiting his grandmother’s house.
“Sit down.”
Adrian offered Yuric a chair and served him a hot, steaming cup of tea.
“Do you want to learn alchemy?”
“Yes, senpai.”
“…Stubborn child. You waited five months and seven days.”
“I counted precisely.”
“Hmph… What made you wait that long?”
“Just wanting to be by your side.”
“…What?”
Yuric smiled brightly.
“Just being by someone’s side can sometimes be helpful. I just wanted to do that.”
Adrian opened her mouth, then closed it.
The other party is just a ten-year-old child. For such a young child to show this much patience, to mock her would be the worst thing.
“…I understand. I’ll start teaching you alchemy tomorrow.”
The Great Witch Adrian broke her stubbornness for the first time in decades. In fact, her stubbornness wasn’t so great that it took only five months and seven days to break.
But Yuric was the first to wait that long.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t be late. I have things to do too.”
“Understood!”
Yuric bowed and was about to leave, but he turned back, rummaged through his bag, and cautiously handed something to Adrian.
It was a magnificent landscape painting depicting her cabin.
“I really wanted to give you this.”
Adrian didn’t refuse. It was a good painting to receive as payment for teaching alchemy.
“…Now go.”
And Yuric left Adrian’s cabin.
Now the door was wide open.
In the middle of spring, the cabin stood open.
