Chapter 150. Teaching (2)
The training grounds of Asern's Adventurer Guild.
Standing alone in the empty space, Verden recalled the principles of the gravity attribute that he had understood and organized.
Gravity was a force derived from mass, and gravity magic was the act of converting mana into mass itself to construct form and state.
The principle was the same as mana with increased density taking on physical force, and the process itself was no different from the elemental magic used until now.
'Then, there is no reason to fail.'
Verden activated his mana circuit.
As he began to alter the nature of the mana that filled his entire body, the unique hue of the gravity attribute, a purplish color close to black, a dark amethyst glow, faintly seeped out.
Then, Verden instantly released the mass he had converted.
A fierce wave swept through the surroundings.
The air trembled, sand and dust on the training ground thickly obscured his sight. Verden did not stop, continuing to cast spells one after another.
The amethyst sphere surged into the risen wall.
And upon contact, it blasted apart the 2nd-tier wall in an instant, the sphere vanishing without a trace. Though small in scale, the destructive power was considerable.
Having briefly confirmed its effectiveness as an attack spell, the next was defense magic.
He activated his magic eye and cast from a distance.
A thick purplish barrier enveloped Verden.
The next moment, a tremendous crash rang out as it collided with the rock. When the dust settled, the veil had not been shattered, still guarding Verden intact.
It seemed to perform excellently, being a defensive magic specialized for physical resistance.
'Still, I should avoid relying on it.'
Seeing the faint cracks running along the veil, he withdrew his mana.
Thus, the simple experiment with gravity magic came to an end.
Verden fell into brief thought, recalling the performance he had experienced.
Though they had been only 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-tier spells, their effects were indeed befitting a high attribute. Particularly, its physical influence was incomparable to other elemental spells of the same tier.
If the lightning series boasted overwhelming destructive force against living beings, then the gravity series could be said to exert a powerful influence upon all things with physical form.
Yet, the drawback was clear.
'There are too many shortcomings for a mage to rely on it as a main force.'
Because of its mass-related characteristics, gravity magic was unsuitable for dealing with distant enemies.
For mages, who were generally vulnerable to close combat, this was by no means an advantage. Of course, if one succeeded in the calculations in time, it was possible to effectively repel an approaching foe, but…
'That would be nothing but wasteful.'
To use a high attribute merely to push an enemy back.
Considering the difficulty of comprehending such magic, the efficiency was as bad as it could get. Far better to spend that money on guards or comrades who could hold the frontline.
Of course, for mages who also considered close combat as one of their means, it was a different story.
Body enhancement through imbue magic, and recombination of spells using chaos.
The many spells and diverse combat methods that could be born from that filled Verden's mind. The thought alone made his anticipation rise.
'…Still, it is somewhat messy.'
Upon reaching 5th-tier, the number of spells had become far too numerous.
So, it was necessary to refine his power once again. If the foundation was unstable, it would eventually collapse.
The timing… yes, after escorting Aiden and his group to Rines would be best.
Unlike 5th-tier imbue magic, gravity magic was structured through theory and calculation like elemental magic.
Since it was not a series that directly affected the body or objects, at least up to the 5th-tier gravity magic granted to him, it would not be difficult to learn.
Of course, to master it completely and wield it freely would still be impossible.
Verden finished his thoughts.
Until the rental time promised with the guild ended, he ran wild in the training grounds.
***
Verden did not take requests, devoting himself solely to magic.
But that did not mean he cut himself off from all matters. Aside from Aiden's affairs, there were still other important things remaining.
Perne came to Verden, carrying a thick envelope and a document.
"All of Costa's jewel box and other valuables have been disposed of. Lately, there's a gemstone popular among nobles, so we got a good price for it."
"Good work."
"And this is the exploration report sent by the Seekers."
It had already been a month since Verden had commissioned the ruins exploration.
During that time, Raivan had delivered the promised exploration reports at fifteen-day intervals, and this was the second. The first had nothing noteworthy, but this time was different.
'After finishing the exploration of the Teinche Hills, they moved on to the Arregon Mountains…'
The estimated time had originally been two months.
But the speed was nearly twice that. According to the report, they had found traces of the missing expedition's withdrawal.
Why had the expedition disappeared while searching for the Demon King's ruins?
He was curious, but it was still too early to know. Well, the faster the exploration, the better, so there was no reason to think ill of it.
Verden stowed the report into his spatial bag.
Then Perne, sitting across from him, spoke.
"And regarding Sir Asher's request, about the whereabouts of Oesu…"
"Was he found?"
"No. Since it has been about seven years since Oesu Linus Voltimoog went missing, it was impossible to pinpoint the location of disappearance. The exact timelines for each place aren't known, so the information is highly likely to be confused. So, we decided to start from the very beginning."
Perne spread out a map of the Kingdom.
She pointed at a city in the far north of the Kingdom. It was the first place where Oesu had appeared upon entering the Kingdom ten years ago.
"Ten years, huh. Seems a long time. Were there any traces left?"
"It's rare for a one-armed man to travel alone. Since Oesu was a master craftsman, I focused on inns and blacksmiths, and managed to find at least small accounts of sightings."
This was a method the former Perne would never have thought of.
After all, even she had not possessed an information network spanning the entire Kingdom.
Every information broker had their own domain, and it was obvious that they were vulnerable outside of it. No matter how competent, there were no exceptions.
But ever since Perne took over the vacancy in the Union, things had changed.
Now she could extend her influence even into the northern regions, where she once had no reach at all.
This was a result born of the change that had begun with Verden. For him, it was a very positive meaning.
"How long will it take to track down the lead?"
"It's a roundabout method, so several months at least. But it's also the most reliable way."
"It'll cost quite a bit, won't it?"
"Well, the more Sir Asher resolves requests, the more commission fees I get from the clients separately. And since Sir Asher almost daily cleared high-paying requests last time… honestly, my finances are in good shape."
Very much so.
Perne added with a smile.
Just then, a knock was heard from outside.
When Verden opened the door with telekinesis, Charlotte came in carrying drinks.
"Please enjoy."
"Thank you, Charlotte."
Charlotte bowed her head politely and went back outside.
Through the closing door, he could see her immediately picking up cleaning tools.
"By the way, I didn't expect you to hire Samwell and Charlotte. Wasn't the tavern enough for you alone?"
"They said they wanted to work, so I couldn't just recommend somewhere else. Especially since Asern's security isn't that good."
Charlotte and Samwell were working at Perne's tavern.
Charlotte mostly took charge of cleaning and serving, while Samwell was hired as a temporary bartender.
Perhaps because of the knowledge he had gained while living as a guide of Roafra, he was able to make cocktails one could never taste in an ordinary city, earning praise from customers.
"That man said he would open a shop in Rines, didn't he? From what I see, if he opens a tavern, it will absolutely succeed."
"Is it that good?"
"You'll know once you try, Sir Asher. If you'd like, I can prepare it for you right now."
"No, I'll ask for it another time."
Verden shook his head.
For the moment, he did not particularly crave a cocktail.
"Rather, how is Aiden?"
"I make sure he eats, but he's practically living in the tavern's basement. He only comes out around evening, and every day he's soaked with sweat."
It seemed he was putting in proper effort.
Of course, it was only natural. Possessing a peculiar trait could threaten not only his own life, but Charlotte's as well.
If they had been born of noble blood, it would have been a blessing, but since they were powerless without any background, it was instead a curse.
What if Aiden were to walk the path of a mage?
Since it was a path of his own choosing, Verden had no thought to stop him, yet it was obvious it would not be smooth. Unless someone with power appeared to understand and protect them.
At that moment, Perne spoke.
"Ah, and Sir Asher, a designated request has come for you. As you said, I was going to refuse, but I think you should look at the contents first."
She handed him a request form.
On it was a name he had heard before.
"Geltone, that would be…"
The mage of the mithril adventurer party, Manha.
In the past, Verden had joined the subjugation in his stead and confronted a spirit. Verden turned his gaze. Spirit Blue, gleaming in the corner, flinched with a tremor.
'But why would that adventurer be seeking me?'
With no point of contact, he could not know.
"What is the request about?"
"Well…"
Perne flipped to the front page and pointed at the content.
"He's asking you to teach him magic."
"…Magic?"
Magic, all of a sudden?
"It doesn't say more than that. He just wants to meet and have a conversation first. He says he'd like to discuss compensation then. Being a platinum-rank adventurer, his status is certain, but the request overall is rather vague. Shall I refuse it?"
A platinum-rank mage was certainly 4th-tier.
For such a man to suddenly ask Verden for teaching. Even though Verden was also publicly known as a 4th-tier mage.
Rather than suspicion, curiosity came first.
In any case, since the meeting place would be set in Asern, it would not interfere with Verden's magic training. If he disliked the request, he could simply refuse then.
Verden made his decision.
"No, I will meet him for now."
***
Geltone Rodni.
Mage of the mithril adventurer party Manha, and a platinum-rank adventurer.
He was from the Gentir Magic Tower, a 4th-tier mage of water and ice.
Normally calm and fulfilling his role well, but when it came to magic, he was stubborn and exceedingly rigid.
So much so that even when a subjugation plan was underway, he would sometimes lock himself in a room and not come out. Had it been another party, he would have been expelled long ago.
Such a man, Geltone, came to Verden.
For one reason only. To learn magic.
Sitting across from Verden at Perne's tavern,
His hair was disheveled and unkempt, a deep navy color. Wearing a blue robe, his appearance was far from violent, looking entirely the scholar.
Though his tired eyes gave the impression of exhaustion.
'At his age, to seek teaching from a mage as young as me.'
It was far from common sense.
Verden quietly waited for Geltone to speak first.
At last, after a long silence, Geltone opened his mouth.
"I've heard much from my comrades. That you are a mage of a high attribute, the lightning series, and beyond that, you freely wield other attributes as well, and that even as a 4th-tier mage, you defeated the forest spirit. First, let me express my gratitude for saving my comrades."
Geltone bowed deeply.
Polite and humble. Contrary to expectation, there was none of the arrogance peculiar to those from the magic tower.
Verden said,
"It is true you wish to learn magic from me?"
"It is."
"Frankly, I find it strange. As a 4th-tier mage, and even from the tower, there is little you could learn from me."
Verden knew well himself.
How deep and vast the magical studies of the tower were.
"Well, that is true. From a young age, I entered the path of magic, seeing, hearing, and learning much. Honestly, I take pride that my magical knowledge is second to none. But… that is only in the elemental magic of ice and water."
Geltone's expression darkened.
"My limit tier is 5th. Yet even as 4th-tier, I feel too great a wall. At this rate, I fear I may never cross it in my lifetime. So I left the tower recklessly, and became an adventurer."
He recalled his past.
"There was much inconvenience, but to cross the line of life and death with comrades… it was truly a new experience. Fierce, and joyful. But even so, I could not find a clue to surpass the wall. The older I grew, the more my passion for magic faded."
Endless stagnation.
A great obstacle to anyone.
"So I decided to learn of other attributes. I thought, perhaps by deeply studying magic in another field, I might find some revelation."
From his spatial bag, Geltone drew several books.
Theoretical texts on elemental magic. Things Verden had fully understood in his childhood.
"For the last five years, I have read these theories thoroughly, striving without end. Whenever a thought struck me, I locked myself in my room. That is also why I missed the last subjugation. But…"
With a frustrated face, Geltone clenched his fist.
"I cannot understand it. No matter how much I read, I cannot see why such magical effects occur. No, to be exact, I can understand most of the theories, but one, only one, I cannot grasp!"
Geltone slammed a book down on the table.
It had been read so much, its pages were worn to rags.
"That is why I came to you, Sir Asher. I thought, if there is a mage who handles various elemental attributes, perhaps he could help me understand this theory. If you know of it, please grant me your teaching."
Geltone pleaded for help.
To reveal even his limit tier to someone he met for the first time showed how desperate he was.
'But.'
Verden's eyes fell to the title of the book.
[Multi-dimensional Continuity Theory]
'That's mine.'
The theory for which Geltone begged teaching.
It was the theory Verden had created eight years ago, the one that had been stolen from him.