Early in the morning, Gerbus and Yuric, after packing their bags, descended to the first-floor hall and had a hearty breakfast. As they stepped out of the inn’s door, the faint smell of metal greeted them first.
Dozens of chimneys soared high into the sky, emitting smoke continuously in billows that shifted with the wind’s direction.
The two men headed for the western gate of Crelton and caught a carriage to their next destination. Not long after the carriage started, the sun rose. Its rays first targeted the chimneys of Crelton. Yuric watched for a while the sight of the chimney heads turning red as they spewed smoke.
Gerbus had to go west to the Holy Magic Guild to handle a cursed box sealed. Since Yuric was also heading in the same direction, they decided to travel together until there.
Gerbus gifted Yuric a book on curse studies, and Yuric became engrossed in reading whenever he had time.
Though the history of curses is as old as human history, due to their long cycles of appearance, not many events or accidents occurred involving curses.
The curse they recently handled, which made people consume minerals, was relatively mild compared to other curses that appeared throughout the long history.
The book recorded three of the most powerful and difficult-to-handle curses in history by experts.
There was the curse of Insomnia, Groliza,
the curse of summoning Hell, Codex,
and the curse of the Dwarf, Inshanna.
Notably, the Codex, known as the Book of Hell, continued to appear across the continent even today.
After passing through two more cities from Crelton, Yuric and Gerbus finally arrived at Lagzan, a gateway city connecting the center and the west.
Yuric could experience fragments of the western culture here; the west was known for abundant grain production and resources, making its cities generally wealthy. Architecture and art flourished, and religious activities were most active.
Especially, salt was very famous in the west. The amount of salt coming into Lagzan from the west was unimaginable, and this salt was distributed throughout the continent.
If there was a Golden Hand Niruin in the center, there was a Salt King, Count Nergal, in the west. Count Nergal, known as the Salt King, accumulated an enormous fortune with just one grain of salt.
Since they had been running non-stop, Gerbus asked Yuric if it would be good to rest for about three days here. Of course, Yuric immediately agreed.
Lagzan, being a city with deep history, had numerous ruins scattered around. Surprisingly, the artists of the west used these ruins as stages. They performed plays, sang songs, and created sculptures there. Particularly, there were many artworks dedicated to the revered hero, Ishtar, who represented the west.
It turned out that the hero Ishtar was also a Dragon Knight. The Earth Dragon he fought alongside was called Pardar. Together with other heroes, they protected this place from invading demons.
Each inn had a small stage where bards often performed songs on the stage during evening hours.
“In the west, each inn has such stages. Listening to songs makes the drink taste better.”
Many in the west took this up as a profession. Some even brought famous bards to serve as exclusive singers in noble households.
When the bard finished singing, Yuric went up to the stage and sang a song titled “Nora killed him.” It surprisingly received enthusiastic applause.
After spending three fulfilling days, Yuric set off westward again with Gerbus.
As the west was known for its leisure spots, many nobles from the center came here for relaxation. Yuric and Gerbus earned money by protecting these nobles.
After moving for eleven days from Lagzan, they finally arrived at Hohenharck, the first city in the west. By then, winter had set in, and snow was falling heavily. Yuric thought he might have to stay here until spring next year.
Fortunately, both Gerbus and Yuric were experienced enough to find work as private tutors. Yuric decided to live in a separate cottage with the servants while teaching the young master of the Weiger caravan.
Bilebault, a twelve-year-old boy, was unexpectedly calm and composed for his age. He showed talent in magic, which led the caravan leader to specially hire Yuric as his magic teacher.
Thus, Yuric systematically and meticulously taught Bilebault the history of magic and the fundamentals of circuitry.
After finishing the morning lessons, Yuric often wandered around Hohenharck in the afternoon. He admired the artistic beauty of the city, capturing it all in sketches.
Especially, the feeling of slowly walking through the quiet city covered in snow at dawn, when only the sound of crunching snow underfoot, occasional crow caws, jingle bells on animals, and early risers’ whispers filled the air, was indescribably serene.
Yuric stood in the middle of the square, looking up at the snowfall, breathing out white vapor. He thought of many dear friends watching the same sky.
After returning from his morning walk and soaking in a warm bath, nothing felt more comforting. With a happy heart, he began his day.
Billbault, learning magic from the kind and intelligent Yuric, soon opened up to him. Yuric cherished Billbault like a younger brother. The Weiger caravan leader and his wife appreciated Yuric’s dedication and treated him with great respect.
Yuric usually met Gerbus every three days. Lately, Gerbus had given up drinking and smoking for the sake of the student.
When Gerbus and Yuric met, they would huddle in a room, working hard on circuit modifications. With Yuric’s innate talent in circuitry, he would make changes, and Gerbus would verify them.
Every time Gerbus saw Yuric handling circuits, he couldn’t help but marvel. Though Gerbus himself was no slouch in circuitry, Yuric’s skills were beyond imagination.
‘…He’s changing it like that?’
Even the common sense in circuitry didn’t apply to Yuric. He was a monster who destroyed common sense itself in circuitry.
Sealing magic and weakening barrier magic, which were incredibly delicate, required perfect calculations to ensure neither conflicted. Simply improving one wasn’t enough; both needed to be modified flawlessly.
Gerbus’s mentor had barely managed to improve a part of two circuits in his lifetime. Gerbus was no different.
Yet, astonishingly, Yuric did this in real-time right before his eyes. So far, five parts had been improved under his hands.
Naturally, there were no issues with the magic activating, and it even became much more efficient.
Gerbus silently smiled, seeing the achievements of a historical genius.
‘It seems the universe hasn’t ignored my struggles after all.’
Thanks to Yuric, curse studies had advanced by a hundred years, possibly more. Gerbus wondered how surprised his mentor would be if he could see this. Perhaps he would even faint right there. In fact, Gerbus almost did too.
With Yuric’s improvements, Gerbus had to start studying again. To learn and master the enhanced magic, proper study was essential.
However, Gerbus didn’t mind it at all. Instead, he felt a bit excited, remembering the initial thrill of learning magic. He was amazed to still feel such passion.
Through joint research and study, Gerbus formed a deeper bond with Yuric. To him, who had devoted his life to curse studies, Yuric was a special person like a mentor.
Even though his deceased daughter would have grown up to be around Yuric’s age, Gerbus’s long-lost affection gradually shifted towards Yuric. Yuric’s kind and upright character and warm-hearted concern for others rekindled Gerbus’s heart, which had been cold and lifeless.
‘If that child had grown up well, she would have been a good match for Yuric.’
As the days passed, cold but warm in heart, winter slowly gave way to spring.
Yuric said goodbye to Billbault, whom he had treated like a younger brother, and set off westward again with Gerbus.
“We’ll soon reach the Holy Magic Guild’s city.”
After leaving Hohenharck for a week,
they arrived at Eulmass, the western magic city where the Holy Magic Guild was located.
Ah.
If there was a place that could be described as splendid, it would be this.
Buildings were elegant with curved decorations along the edges, and streets were lined with large and small statues, creating a grand atmosphere.
Most striking to Yuric was the large rectangular building at the city center. Unlike other magic guilds, which were older, this one seemed modern.
While magicians in the Mage Tower of Ronadium or the floating Mage City of Bemberg wore cloaks, few did so here. Instead, they wore colorful scarves around their necks, which seemed to be the fashion in the west.
Surprisingly, the Holy Magic Guild offered free education to anyone with magical talent. Of course, the funding came from the pocket of the Salt King, Count Nergal.
“Everyone here is eager to become a court mage for the count. It’s a huge step up.”
Not only could one gain a baronetcy, but the salary was also substantial, making it a lightning-fast rise for commoners.
Entering the domain of the Holy Magic Guild, they found themselves surrounded by nature-integrated interiors. Buildings were connected by long corridors with ceilings, and many magicians were seen going back and forth.
In the well-maintained garden, there was a massive tree. Yuric sensed the presence of spirits here. He made eye contact with a graceful spirit resembling a bird perched on a branch. Clearly ancient, Yuric respectfully greeted it.
“Why is that?”
“No, it seems the tree is quite old.”
“It’s said to have existed since the founding of the Holy Magic Guild.”
“I see.”
They crossed over to the main building and met Anton, Gerbus’s mentor. The sharp-eyed old man stared at Yuric and asked Gerbus who he was.
“This companion who traveled with me here.”
“He doesn’t seem like an ordinary person. What’s your name?”
“Yuric.”
Gerbus first took out the cursed box and handed it to his mentor. Anton nodded, agreeing to deal with it tomorrow.
“Excuse me, Master…”
“Yes?”
Gerbus cautiously pulled out two circuit diagrams and handed them to Master Anton. Anton, who received them, frowned and scrutinized them thoroughly.
…And then, Anton’s face began to change rapidly over time. Finally, the elderly master leaped from his seat and shouted loudly, not like an old man at all.
“Who in the world made this?!”
As expected, Master Anton was nearly shocked.
Gerbus smiled slightly, as if he had anticipated this, and pointed at Yuric.
“Yuric did it.”
