Chapter 47: The King and the Sage Walk Together
After leaving the beast-headed village, the group continued to the northwest. Norne and Eirik's magic improved rapidly; they could now skillfully use the light arrow spell, though they had yet to learn the more advanced tracking and light-pillar spells. But it was then that the two of them made two completely opposite decisions.
"Norne, are you sure about this?" Rhodes asked, his voice serious.
Just a moment ago, Norne had declared that he would not be learning any more advanced magic.
"Yes, I've made up my mind."
"May I ask why?"
Rhodes didn't understand. In his opinion, Norne had the makings of a powerful mage. It might take him decades, which was nothing for a long-lived race like the elves, but for a human, it was a lifetime. But it would be worth it. A powerful mage appearing among the weak human race would surely leave a deep mark on this Age of Myth.
"This doesn't seem like a decision you would make."
After their time together, Rhodes had thought he understood Norne. He was a bit like himself, always thinking about the future of humanity in this world. But he was also different, more thoughtful and considerate. Their paths were destined to lead to different outcomes.
It was like a king and a sage walking together. And Norne, with his natural ability to manage his village, had the makings of a king.
"Our human lives are too short. I don't have the luxury of time to become that strong. Rather than making a name for myself, I want to make the human race known to the world, so that we are not just curiosities to be stared at, like in that beast-headed village. And not everyone can learn advanced magic. So I will master the basics and teach them to as many people as I can."
Rhodes smiled. It was not a mocking smile, but a genuine one.
"And what if you find other humans with the same talent for magic as you? Will you only teach them the basics? If humans only know the basic spells, they will only go from a weak race to a noteworthy one. It won't change our situation, will it? And if we do not have our own strength, how will you resist the oppression and bullying of other races?
"Norne, I'm sorry, but I cannot agree with you. If you want to prove yourself, then defeat me. Go against the will I am forcing upon you, and walk your own path!"
Rhodes had his own selfish reasons. He wanted Norne to become stronger. Not everyone could make basic magic into something more. This wasn't the future, where basic spells had countless variations. This was the Age of Myth. And with their shared vision and Norne's potential strength, they could do more to help the humans of this era. For Norne to give up on becoming a powerful mage... it was something Rhodes could not allow. And so, he had used a forceful tone.
It was clear to anyone that the chances of Norne defeating him were slim to none. Rhodes was stronger, stronger than anyone in their party except Serie. All he lacked was an accumulation of mana and combat experience. Even Serie had noticed that he was getting stronger, and that he might even surpass her one day. So for Rhodes to make such a demand... Norne knew it was impossible. He would have to convince him.
"I am not giving up on becoming stronger, Mr. Rhodes. I will still walk the path of a warrior. You know that my magical talent is not as great as Eirik's. It is better to choose a path with more open sky."
"Oh, I see, I see. So you are going to betray me, betray the noble profession of a mage, to become a warrior with nothing but useless muscle?" Rhodes said in a strange, theatrical tone. Norne wanted to laugh, but he held it back. If Mr. Kraft had heard that, he would have surely shown Rhodes the "numerical beauty" of a warrior. A mage? Nothing but a glass cannon.
Norne took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eye. "Mr. Rhodes, I am not betraying the path of a mage. I am trying to make it possible for more people to become mages."
There was a limit to one person's strength. It wasn't difficult to become a capable warrior, but it took time to become a powerful mage. That didn't mean warriors were inferior. It was just that mages grew stronger over time, their mana pools increasing, allowing them to use more, and more powerful, spells. But a warrior's potential was limited by the human body. And Norne's own talent was already clear; he would never become a monster of pure stats like a certain blue horse.
"As for advanced magic, there's still Eirik. His talent is greater than mine. He will surely become a powerful mage."
"Ah, to place your hopes on others is not a wise move."
"But he is not just 'others'. He is my friend, and my partner. Is he not?"
Rhodes now understood Norne's thinking. He didn't want to dedicate all his energy to becoming a powerful mage himself, but rather to study the fundamentals of magic so that he could make it easier for other humans to learn. He had overlooked that. Thinking back, from the very beginning, with the creation of the grimoire, he had been working towards this goal. This was a well-thought-out plan. First, create a grimoire for humanity. Then, master and refine the basic spells, improve the grimoire, and make it easier for people to become mages. And if they wanted to go further, it would depend on whether they could understand the first two lines of the book: Magic is not just about imitation, but innovation, and Failure is the mother of success. And even if they couldn't, Eirik, with his advanced magic, would be there to support them.
"It seems you and Eirik have made your choices."
"Yes. He will continue on the path of a mage."
"Ah, the children have grown. They have their own lives now."
"Mr. Rhodes, please refrain from using such strange analogies," Norne said with a polite smile.
"Just call me Rhodes. I understand what you mean."
So he is like me, Norne thought to himself. Only someone like him could understand so quickly. To be honest, Norne had felt that his request was a little presumptuous. Rhodes had been willing to teach him magic for free, and now he was saying he didn't want to learn anymore. It was a complete slap in the face. But fortunately, Mr. Rhodes was a good person.
But just as Norne was finishing his thought, the "good person" Rhodes threw him another curveball.
"In that case, Norne, let's found a nation for humanity."
Norne: "???"
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yo guys trying something new for Every 150 Power Stones = 1 extra chapter