Chapter 174 – Huh?? (2)
The magic power contained within the heart.
The mana circuit, the passage through which that magic power flows, could be said to be the foundation of a Mage.
No matter how much knowledge one accumulates, even on par with a tower master,
if their magic power and mana circuit fail to surpass the standard point of the 2nd tier, they can never wield 2nd-tier magic.
Mana Coercion is a basic magic realized with only those two factors.
In other words, with just a single magic, one could roughly grasp the Mage's innate talent and how far a state of mastery they had built up.
Of course, that was only when the gap between Mages was large.
Edmon looked at the magic power surging toward him.
'Dangerous.'
If he stayed relaxed, he would be struck.
He immediately wiped the smile from his face and released his magic power.
───!
Different magic powers clashed against each other.
From the aftermath, the ground cracked shallowly, and the atmosphere distorted.
Edmon instinctively activated his mana circuit at full power.
In terms of mana circuit level, Edmon clearly surpassed Verden. Because of that difference in output, at the moment the magic collided, Verden was pushed back—though only for a brief instant.
'Am, am I being pushed back?'
The oppressive force drew closer.
Edmon could not hide his bewilderment.
Both Verden and Edmon had reached the 5th tier.
Yet, the difference was obvious.
Before being a Magus, Edmon was a Mage who had touched the limits of the 5th tier, his own Breaks tier limit. To be overwhelmed in Mana Coercion was simply unthinkable.
Especially, against such a young Mage.
'What in the world is this amount of magic power...!'
The magic power surging from Verden was chillingly deep and vast.
It utterly overwhelmed Edmon.
And that overwhelming quantity made the impossible possible.
Perhaps he had been born with an immense magic power from the very start.
And on top of that, he could even handle higher-level attributes? In terms of raw talent, Verden was among the very few Edmon could count on one hand.
Edmon's brow dampened with cold sweat.
'This… should I have yielded the initiative?'
"Urgh...!"
As the magic pressed further, Edmon staggered.
In contrast, Verden focused with an unchanging expression. Despite consuming magic power at an exponential rate, he still had room to spare.
It meant he had more than a few hidden cards.
It was understandable how he had defeated a dark Magician.
"Oooh, wha, what tremendous talent...! Not only do you offset the gap with a monstrous amount of magic power, you even surpass it."
"Will you surrender?"
"Surrender? Hahahaha! Impossible!"
Edmon laughed as he gripped his staff tightly.
He had never imagined he would be pushed back in Mana Coercion… but he too had a card to play.
"It seems I must go all out."
At that moment.
Edmon's aura completely changed.
Way of Magic,
Into Edmon's magic power seeped the wind.
When attribute and magic power merged, the fundamental nature of magic itself changed.
The magic power turned green.
Seeing that, Verden felt a chill.
And then.
"...?!"
Verden began to be pushed back.
The resistance he had felt until now multiplied beyond comparison. It was no longer something that could be crushed with sheer magic power.
Sweat ran down Verden's forehead, gathering at his jaw.
"...Way of Magic?"
"Indeed. Of course, I have not broken any rules. I merely dyed my magic with my way of magic to give birth to a new magic power. Thus, this too can be called Mana Coercion."
Of course.
"It must seem very different to you."
Edmon's eyes gleamed, dyed with green magic.
Hwaaaaaaak!
The fierce, swirling green magic engulfed Verden's magic.
It carried the oppressive force befitting a Magus.
Yet, it was not enough to shatter Verden's steadfast spirit. Moreover, he carried even more magic power than Edmon.
There was no reason to surrender, no reason for his knees to buckle.
"You endure well. But, how about this?"
Then, Edmon clenched his hand.
The green magic concentrated around Verden.
The density rose, and the pressure generated pressed down on Verden from all directions.
"Kuuh...."
It felt as though he had entered a storm.
Verden could not so much as move a finger.
"Manipulating the air touched by magic at will, that is my way of magic. To be honest, at first, it was not such a powerful way. Convenient, yes, due to its versatile use, but in terms of sheer might, tiered magic was stronger."
However.
"As you know, Mages grow stronger with age. During that time, I refined my way of magic. This is one of the results."
Edmon flicked his finger.
As the green magic surged, a breeze was born.
"It is not merely moving the air with magic power, but altering its nature by fusing with magic. In other words, my magic has become the wind itself. Right now, this place is my 'domain'. Well then, are you surprised?"
"...I am surprised."
"To be honest, I never intended to reveal my way of magic. I never imagined I would be pushed back by pure Mana Coercion. That means your power is truly remarkable. But since there is a wager, I cannot lose so easily. It is not a foul, so I hope you understand."
Edmon stroked his beard.
"You look exhausted. Why not surrender now?"
"..."
Verden did not answer.
He maintained his magic, resisting the green force constraining his entire body. In his blue eyes burned an unbroken will.
"Hahaha! Rare indeed these days, such a splendid Mage. Talent and perseverance. One day, young man, you will surpass me. I am certain of it. But not today."
The pressure grew stronger.
Breaking through his resistance, it slowly tightened around Verden's throat.
"I respect your will. So, endure a little pain. It will end soon."
As time passed, Verden's concentration wavered.
His focused magic shook, his resistance weakened, and the seasoned Edmon seized that opening. As the pain grew more intense, the outcome tilted further.
'...If I used magic, I could break free.'
But this was a battle of Mana Coercion.
Edmon, though using the way of magic, had not broken the rules. And Verden had no thought of breaking them either. Nor of surrendering.
For this was also an opportunity.
Verden observed the altered magic Edmon had unfolded.
'To transform the very nature of magic power into an attribute, huh. A unique conception.'
Edmon must have invested vast time and effort to reach this point.
Even conceiving such an idea was difficult, but to apply it like this required manipulation skills fine enough to completely dominate one's own magic power.
Even if one developed a similar way of magic, following this path would never be easy.
However.
'I see it.'
Inside Verden's mind, countless magic theories tangled together.
He pierced through the principle of how Edmon's result had been possible. Grasping the core of magic. That had been the only talent Verden possessed before achieving Defying the Heavens.
'I am not a Magus....'
But I can mimic the way of magic.
The Center of the Three Primary Colors.
An artifact that extracts the traits of each elemental magic to implement new magic. Along with that, the near-perfect mana control he had honed to dismantle the tower master's magic circle.
'There is no reason to fail.'
Verden extracted the traits of gravity magic.
And just like Edmon had done, he fused it with his own magic power.
───!
A considerable backlash arose.
However, this was not Verden's first time combining various traits to create new magic. He was already thoroughly accustomed to it.
A strange current flowed around Verden.
Sensing something he could not grasp, doubt rose within Edmon.
"You... what are you doing now?"
"I intend to overturn the situation."
"What?"
At that moment.
Hwaaaaaak!
Verden's magic turned to a dark purple hue. At once, the oppressive force binding him vanished, and the dark purple magic trampled over the green magic.
"...?!"
Edmon widened his eyes in shock and resisted.
But the weight was different.
The magic of wind could focus its density to increase pressure, but gravity itself was weight and force. Dense magic surrounded Edmon.
Verden pointed his index finger at Edmon.
And at the same time, a heavy weight pressed upon Edmon. Following that, Verden lowered his finger downward.
Kuuuuung───jjjjeojeojeok!
The ground, crushed beneath the gravity magic, sank partially.
And at its center.
Edmon fell to his knees, one hand pressed against the earth.
"Huh??"
Edmon let out a dazed voice.
To him, Verden spoke.
"The wager, I have won."
***
Edmon stared at the ground.
For a moment he wondered if this was a dream... but the sensation of soil at his fingertips was far too clear. The ache in his knees pressed against the earth was proof as well.
'What just happened?'
He felt the pressure, and before he knew it, he was close to the ground.
It felt as though gravity itself had strengthened. This was... nearly identical to Edmon's Mana Coercion using the way of magic. No, aside from the attribute, it could be said to be exactly the same.
'And gravity attribute, no less.'
Had he not been called a lightning Mage? Was I mistaken? Or did he have aptitude for both lightning and gravity, two high-level attributes?
Questions sprang forth madly.
Edmon's eyes shook violently.
And his thoughts converged to one conclusion.
"I lost...?"
Edmon immediately rose to his feet.
Snapping his head up, he cast his gaze upon Verden.
"H, how in the world...! Asher, were you a Magus? No, that cannot be. I feel no aura of a Magus from you...! Then, was it an artifact? And what of that gravity attribute just now? No, more importantly, how could you replicate my Mana Coercion?!"
Edmon asked in desperation.
Of course, Verden gave no such answer. For a Mage to boast and reveal their hand was nothing but foolishness.
And that, Edmon knew well as common sense.
"I have learned much from you, Edmon Rodliner. And I shall make good use of the money."
Verden bowed politely.
Then he turned and headed toward the exit of the training ground.
"W, wait! Where are you going now!"
"My apologies, but it is time I return."
Already the sky was painted with sunset.
He had to return to Calia's residence by evening, even going now was cutting it close.
'It would be better to drink tomorrow.'
It would take time to find Samwell's tavern.
Even if he were fortunate enough to find it quickly, there was no leisure left for a simple drink.
"Then, until next time."
"Asher! Asher! Wait, let us talk...!"
Verden left the training ground as he was.
Edmon stood staring at the spot where he had vanished.
Soon the sun disappeared, and night shadows settled. Standing silently, Edmon let out a laugh, dumbfounded.
"Hahaha... have I ever seen such a Genius...."
In terms of relative talent, he was among the very few Mages Edmon had ever seen.
And Edmon immediately corrected his assessment of Verden.
He possessed talent that overwhelmed anyone Edmon had ever encountered.
'And yet, he does not run wild relying on talent alone.'
His gaze was firm, his composure unbroken all day long.
It meant that he had built experience no less than his talent. Even at such a young age.
A Genius with monstrous effort, in other words, a monster.
That was how Edmon defined Verden.
And then.
"...How am I supposed to report this to His Excellency?"
He had grasped roughly what kind of Mage Verden was.
But as a result, he had been stripped bare, and even lost 100 million Elk.
Beyond being shocking... to be honest, the thought of saying it aloud was unbearably embarrassing.
For he had stepped forth so proudly, only to be utterly bested by such a young Mage. This was a first for Edmon.
How could he speak of it without shame?
Edmon felt darkness close in before his eyes for the first time in a long while.
***
Calia's residence.
At the head of the long table sat Calia, with Verden seated beside her. The two had changed into simple clothing, not equipment.
After finishing a luxurious dinner, they enjoyed dessert with coffee that carried a slight acidity.
At that moment, Calia handed him a personal blank check. Upon it was written the exact sum.
"The promised commission fee. Four hundred million as the base, plus additional reward, for a total of eight hundred million Elk."
"Thank you."
Verden tucked the check into his robe.
"But beyond that, the additional reward has yet to be decided. Honestly, among what I currently possess, nothing suits the result you achieved. So I intend to request it directly from the family. It will be decided within two or three days, can you wait?"
Verden nodded.
That much time was within his expectations.
"Of course."
"Good. Then, stay here in the meantime. While you remain, use this place as though it were your own home."
"Would it be alright if I train in the yard?"
"But of course."
Calia rested her chin on her hand upon the table.
"Asher, though you are a Mage, you do not neglect physical training. And yet, it is not as if your magic is lacking in the least. I too enjoy training, but I am nothing compared to you. By the way, do you not have any other hobbies?"
A hobby...
If anything, there was magic research, but that too was for the sake of becoming stronger. It could not be considered outside the realm of training.
"I cannot say I have any particular hobbies."
"Then do you plan to spend your days in Rines training?"
Verden shook his head.
"I intend to meet an acquaintance."
Calia showed interest.
"An acquaintance? You know someone here?"
"A small connection. He said he was opening a tavern on the outskirts of Rines, though I don't know the exact location. I plan to search for it tomorrow."
"Oh, a tavern. May I ask the name?"
"He said it was Samwell's Tavern."
Though it may have changed midway.
"Hmm... I have never heard of it. Still, if you check each place one by one, it will take quite some time. If needed, I can search for it myself."
Rines was a large city.
Unless one used flight to scout, searching on foot could take a long time. If unlucky, he could even pass it by.
'I had planned to ask around while searching.'
But if Calia helped, there could be nothing better.
"Then I will not refuse."
"There is no need to be so formal. For me, this is a trivial task. So then..."
The conversation at the table continued a while longer.
And in that way, time passed, until morning dawned.